>>10334
>>10336
>>10337
Tomitake's fires his gun as the two detectives rush him. His gun fires, but his aim is definitely hindered by the his lack of time to aim. He only manages to get off a single shot. The shot hits Squitcher in the shoulder but Squitcher's kick still hits its mark. Tomitake is knocked over by this attack. Meanwhile, Erika manages to catch up in an instant and grabs a gold ingot. She bashes it over Tomitake's head, knocking him unconscious.

I quickly take hold of Tomitake's rifle with my uninjured arm

"Damn ! We did it ! I can't believe it actually worked. Good job Erika, you were a lifesaver this time."

Somewhat slowed by my injury on the shoulder, I retrieve my Lighter lying around somewhere, I also check Tomitake's state.

"Nobody calls me Squitchyboy, nobody."

>>10339
You are now in possession of the Winchester and the lighter.

Tomitake is out cold. Upon closer inspection his clothing looks like a medical examiner's apparel.

>>10340
"Nice work there, Squitcher-san. Now then, what shall our next action be? I think that we should restrain him somehow and keep watch over him with that gun until he regains consciousness. Then we can get him to confess the truth, and our victory will be complete."

>>10341
You wait for several minutes, he is still unconscious. The room begins to smell faintly like smoke, it is coming in from the door.

>>10343
I quickly check to see if the Winchester is loaded. Then I do a body search on Tomitake, what does he have in his possession ? Specifically if he still has his camera. Then I'll open the thing that looked like a liquor cabinet and inspect it. Then I'll inspect the door to see what's the cause of the smoke.

>>10344
It's loaded, only one shot short of a full magazine. Clearly, the gun was fully loaded when he entered the room.

As for what he has on him, he'd have to post it.

The liquor cabinet is filled with a variety of different alcohol brands, all absinthe.

The smell seems to be coming from down the hall, up the stairs. Maybe there's something burning in the church....

>>10345
On the body of the man, excluding the gun you find:
-Two cameras
-Photos of Rudolf's corpse laying in the study
-Photo of the portrait
-Photos of each detective obviously taken before arriving on the island
-A watch
-A lighter
-A pack of smokes
-Extra ammo for the rifle
-Notepad with scribbles about the epitaph(he obviously couldn't solve it)
-A scrap piece of paper with what appears to be the recipe for a small makeshift bomb.

You also note his shoes are far too dirty from simply walking in the mud. Even his socks are soaked. He must have been waiting outside for a long time at one point.

As you continue to stand around not doing anything time passes. The man who was once unconscious begins to stir.

>>10351
"Squitcher-san, I think he's waking up. Keep that gun pointed at him. ...So then, rival, it seems that you've used some kind of 'small bomb' to set this church on fire. How exactly were you planning to escape from that? We'd rather like to know so that we can get out of here ourselves, with you in our custody of course."

>>10352
As I awake from my slumber I slowly regain my conscious I slowly put the pieces together.

"Ah... You really got me there... A combo attack..."

Only then do I take note of the smell and Rika's words.

"I see, it already spread to the chapel eh? I suggest you guys get out of here. It's probably all over by now."

>>10353
"Just us? Don't be absurd, you're coming with us too. I don't plan to abandon my rival to die in a place like this. I'll drag you out of here myself if need be."

>>10354
"Tsk, whatever you say. The chapel should be safe enough to run through so lets get going."

You may also wish to make attempts to stop or slow the hemorrhaging on Squitcher, lest he have issues with blood loss.

>>10346
I take the extra ammo and reload the rifle, also, how many ammunition does that make in total ?
I inspect the two cameras and the photos, nothing of interest ?
I'll also take his watch, his lighter and finally the small piece of paper on which he wrote the bomb thingie or whatever


If I could be allowed the above retroactively it'd be nice. The following just as always

I aim the gun at Tomitake, taking care to always let at least around 7-8 meters of distance between us.

"Wait. Tomitake, kneel, face against the wall, and be quick.
Judging from these papers, I'd have to guess your bomb, no... your bombs have detonated, I'm not looking to die here, I don't think you are either.
Erika, stand back and be ready to act."

>>10356
I tear off my jacket and try to wrap it around my shoulder

"Rudimentary, but we ain't got much choice."

>>10357
>>10358
Yes, of course. You retrieved his items before he awoke. You also made your attempts to stop the bleeding immediately upon Tomitake being confirmed unconscious.

>>10359
Ya perfect thanks

"Shouldn't we escape now?"

>>10361
"We will, and soon enough. Just do as asked. You kneel, face against the wall, hands behind your back."

>>10366
"What's all this about, Squitcher-san?"

>>10367
"Security measures. I'm sorry, but you will undoubtedly have to use your strength thereafter, if you want everyone to stay alive."

>>10368
I do as squitcher requests and go up against the wall with my hands behind me head. I smirk at his comment.

>>10371
"Sorry, buddy. Now that it is nothing personal, so it's not some kind of punishment for what you've done. It's just a preemptive strike for what you might do.
Basically, yeah, it's just good ol' paranoia."

I get close to Tomitake, aim the gun on his right shoulder and pull the trigger. Then I aim to his left leg and shoot it with the second shot. I'll then proceed to reload with the extra ammo.

"Well, try not to die now, your testimony is much needed in this affair. Plus, little Erika seems to have taken a liking to you.
Erika, darling, could you carry him ? We'll take care of the bleeding once we're out of this place. I would do it if I weren't holding the rifle and if I wouldn't be wounded.

Anyway, let's not waste too much time."

I head upstairs

>>10372
"That was hardly necessary, was it? We could have just knocked him out again if you wanted him unconscious. Well, as long as he lives to give a formal confession, I suppose it's of no consequence."

I pick up Tomitake's body and follow Squitcher up the stairs, glaring at Eccaia's lifeless form for not helping me carry him.

>>10372
>>10374
After writhing in pain for a bit the man gains enough composure to speak again.

"Testimony? Your priorities are messed up... Or I guess you just don't know any better..."

He coughs up blood and decides to remain silent for now.
Erika attempts to lift over 200 pounds of muscle but fails miserably. Who would have thought a frail little girl could lift such a thing?

"Just leave me already. Squitchy isn't the best shot... Even if I treated myself now I would need emergency equipment to survive. Unless you want to drag me... I wonder which would kill me faster?"

>>10377
"Well, I could've handled that better, that's for sure. Erf... This is irritating. But you buddy, don't count on me to let you die this easily.
Erika, take care of the gun for me.

I throw the rifle over to her, along with the spare ammo I have.

"Now, if the bunny girl could come and help me instead of standing around, it'd be nice too."

I try to lift tomitake, along, if possible, the help of Eccaia.

>>10379
You somehow manage to move along, carrying Tomitake with you. Down the hall, up the stairs, you make your way towards the chapel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RirEqehfsg

You are not entirely surprised to find that the building is now in flames. The building has not yet been entirely engulfed, but the flames are likely impossible to stop by this points. The walls, the altar, the pews are all aflame, creating a single line of escape: walking straight between the pews. The door and windows are destroyed by now, with rain pouring in, still somehow unable to prevent the spread of the flames.

>>10382
Still carrying Tomitake, I head towards the line of escape formed by the pews.

>>10383
You exit the chapel, relieved that you are now... what the hell?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm-EUknpIxw

The trees, nay the entire forest, is aflame. But how is that even possible? They would have been covered in water from the storm that has been raging for over 24 hours. Not only are they burning, they are conflagrating. You can feel the intensity of the heat engulfing the forest, only the wind and the rain providing comfort against its overwhelming force. Luckily, the flames seem to run in lines that are almost parallel, creating a pathway of escape similar to that of the chapel. Perhaps Tomitake ignited the flames in such a way as to leave an escape route - one that you note leads in the direction of the mansion.

>>10387
I run in the direction of the mansion!

>>10390
I follow along with Tomitake and Erika

"Man, what did you do ? What was your plan ?"

>>10390
>>10392
Ozaki doesn't response to Squitcher's questions and remains silent.

You all follow the path to the mansion and discover that unlike the rest of the island it has yet to be engulfed in flames. Some parts have only begun to catch fire.

Despite a clear view of the forest would be seen from the study you don't see any of the remaining people escaping the mansion. They must still be inside.

>>10393
"Hey, Jiro-kun, mind telling us whether you murdered anyone else before you came and found us? I don't particularly want to go looking around a burning building without knowing exactly how many survivors we should be looking for."

>>10394
"I was waiting for you at the chapel ever since George died. Whether or not you believe me is your own concern though."

>>10395
Also the inside mansion isn't on fire yet.

>>10395
"I'll believe you for now. Well then, I think that one of us should check out the mansion while one of us keeps watch over Jiro-kun. I don't have any particular preference as to who performs which role. What do you think, Squitcher-san?"

>>10397
"Well, I guess I'll be the one going. I doubt Jiro will be able to do anything in the state he's in, so i guess that simply keeping watch with the gun should be enough to warrant your security.
Don't hesitate to flee if the fire gets too bad though. I should be fine on my own.
Also you should probably take care of this guy's bleeding while you still have some time.

Well, I'm going. Erika, one last thing, don't stand too close to him with your gun, one can never be too wary."

I'll step inside the mansion, and try to make my way to the 3rd floor study.

>>10398
I call out to Squitcher as he enters the mansion.

"Take care of this guy's bleeding? You say that like it's so easy, but how exactly are we supposed to do that? I suppose you never thought about that when you decided to shoot him."

>>10398
You enter the the main entrance, however something completely unexpected is waiting for you...
It can't be... He was just a figment right? There is no way that he-

Standing in front of the portrait you see a man with his back faced to you.
He doesn't even move when you enter, he just continues to stare at the portrait.

>>10401
Using my telepathic powers, I try to send a message to Erika to just use their clothes as bandages. Unfortunately my telepathic abilities have worsen with time and it probably won't work.

Then, ignoring Erika, I walk up to the new figure.

"'Sup man ?"

You walk up to the figure and it becomes apparent why he isn't moving.

http://boonce.org/up/archerswords.png

The body is horribly disfigured. Archaic looking swords and daggers are stabbed throughout. The longest of them keep the body suspended giving the impression the man was standing. The hands and feet have both been replaced with swords that have been jammed into the bones of the body. His face has been ripped off and all the muscle coating the bones greets you.

In front of you, written in blood on the portrait is a line of text. "With this the ceremony is complete and none shall be left alive."

>>10418

I do a very quick inspection of the body and the various weapons to see if I missed anything at first glance.
"What the hell.
Waaait a second. Who the hell did this ? Unless Tomitake lied, he couldn't have possibly done this, and where the hell does this guy comes from in the first place ? And these swords ?

AH... Too many questions, and so little time. Well, I have others things to take care of anyway. Sorry to leave you like this buddy."

I rush to the 3rd floor study.

>>10419
It appears you found out everything about the body on you first inspection.

You leave the main hall and head to the study. As you ascend you don't see any signs of people.

You are now at the study door. It is locked and you cannot hear anything from inside.

>>10420
I open the door with the key I kept on myself, and enter the room

>>10421
You open the door using your key and enter the room...

>>10421
Shock, horror, anguish, fear, terror, surprise. So many feelings erupt in you at the sight. Within the room is everyone whom you expected to find, only that they are no longer in such a healthy state. Blood covers everything in the room. The bodies all lie about the room, some on their backs, others lying on their stomachs. The room appears to have signs of burning, although it looks like all the fire is no longer going.

What a terrible oversight, how bad it is that this could happen. Eleven corpses, eleven people who were alive when you left them. These eleven people whom you wanted to return to triumphant, successful. Your victory, embittered by these great losses, is not the least bit glorifying.

>>10423
Your thoughts and feelings run wild until you are surprised by a crashing noise. What the hell was that? It sounded like glass breaking...

Just then the world turns gray. Time itself seems to have been frozen in place.

>>10424
Results, etc.
Final Thread.
https://archive.seacats.net/gameboard/res/10427.html

Say it in red! Vegetables can't into murder!