Falk's expression was calm, a faint sneer appearing at the corner of his mouth:
"Because she broke the rules.
"Twice."
Twice? When had Kayla broken another rule? There had clearly only been one violation! Everyone present could not help wondering the same thing.
Falk gave a soft chuckle:
"It seems I really overestimated you.
"Four of your companions died in a single night. Although they appeared to be suicides, even an idiot could tell something was wrong.
"Have you forgotten Kayla's story?
"Serial Killer... That was her first violation. As for the second, I trust I don't need to waste any more time explaining."
Everyone fell silent. As they exchanged glances, Chloe, who lay weeping over Kayla's body, suddenly raised her head and demanded angrily:
"But her story came first!"
Falk smiled indifferently:
"So what?"
At that moment, Harvey spoke with a grim expression:
"I understand now. It's the ninth rule!
"Besides appointing the Supervisor to punish anyone who breaks the rules, it also states that 'the Supervisor has the final say in interpreting the contest's rules'!
"So by your judgment, whether the similar real-life elements occur before or after the story, they count as a violation of the fifth rule!"
Falk shook his head slightly:
"Broadly correct, but you're wrong about one thing.
"It isn't my judgment. Mr. Nois considers that to be what the rules mean."
Fors's eyes flickered as she interjected:
"The rules also appoint the Supervisor to punish violators, but that black cat is already dead. How do you intend to explain that?"
Falk smiled without answering and continued on his own:
"I've explained quite enough.
"You're all excellent writers. Why not think about the reason yourselves?"
With that, he picked up the mangled black cat and walked toward the door, straight into Kieran's line of