The Inheritance Game- Only Silence Survives
Chapter 2
"This game is a joke!"
Chloe's voice came through the family channel, followed by the pop of a champagne cork.
I was already in the recording studio.
It was small and dark, just as they'd said, but the soundproofing was perfect.
I could hear their faint laughter from upstairs, like it was coming from another world.
[Phase 2: Choose Your Talent.]
A new menu popped up.
[Option A: Weapon Mastery - Drastically improves accuracy and handling of all weapons.]
[Option B: Enhanced Physique - Increases strength, speed, and endurance.]
[Option C: Pocket Dimension - Grants extra inventory space.]
[Option D: Short-Range Teleport - Allows instant travel within a 50-meter radius.]
[Option E: Bio-Stasis - Slows down personal metabolism and viral activity.]
[Selection Time: 15 minutes.]
The family channel exploded with excitement.
"Weapon Mastery! Definitely Weapon Mastery!" Uncle Marcus shouted.
"We need people who can fight and run," Sarah added. "Enhanced Physique is good too."
Liam's voice cut through, calm and commanding. "Everyone pick a combat talent. We need a balanced team."
"I'll take the Pocket Dimension," Chloe cooed. "I can carry extra guns and supplies for all of us."
"Smart choice, honey," Liam praised. "Every good team needs logistics."
"Then I'll take Short-Range Teleport," Liam continued. "I can rescue teammates or scout ahead."
The others all called out their choices. Almost everyone went for Weapon Mastery or Enhanced Physique.
I stared at the description for Option E.
[Bio-Stasis: Drastically slows metabolism. Suppresses viral and toxic agents in the body. Side Effect: Reduced movement speed.]
It looked completely useless.
Choosing to make yourself slower in a survival game was suicide.
But I remembered everything.
[Player Ava has chosen: Bio-Stasis.]
The channel went quiet for a few seconds.
Then came the laughter, louder than before.
"Hahaha! What did she pick?"
"Bio-Stasis? What kind of garbage Talent is that?"
"Does she want to slowly starve to death in the basement?"
Chloe's laugh was the sharpest. "Oh my god, Ava! You're a genius! First the most useless sanctuary, now the most useless Talent! Are you trying to set a new record for stupidity?"
"Maybe she has her own plan," Liam said, though he sounded unconvinced.
"What plan? A plan to die faster?" Sarah shrieked.
A private message pinged.
[Liam: Ava, what are you doing? If this is about getting my attention, it's not the way.]
[Liam: I know you have a crush on me, but this is too much. You don't have to hurt yourself to prove a point.]
[Liam: We can talk after this is over. Just... be safe, okay?]
I almost laughed. Of course. Liam thought I was still in love with him.
In my last life, I was the lovesick fool who followed him around like a puppy.
This time, I just wanted to watch his perfect world burn to the ground.
[Talent selection countdown: 3... 2... 1...]
[Selection complete.]
[Talent Assignments:]
[Weapon Mastery: Marcus, Sarah, David, and 5 others.]
[Enhanced Physique: Emma, James.]
[Pocket Dimension: Chloe.]
[Short-Range Teleport: Liam.]
[Bio-Stasis: Ava.]
"The perfect team comp!" Liam announced on the channel. "We have firepower, mobility, and support. This game is already ours."
The others cheered.
"One less piece of dead weight to carry," someone muttered.
"Let her rot in the basement."
I muted the channel and started checking the studio's equipment.
It was even better than I remembered.
On top of the soundproofing, it had an independent air purifier and a stash of emergency rations.
There was even a small generator.
Grandpa had clearly built this place to last.
I could feel a subtle change in my body.
My metabolism was slowing, my heartbeat evening out, my breaths growing deeper.
It felt strange, like the whole world was in slow motion.
The sounds of celebration drifted down from the family channel.
They were already handing out weapons and making patrol schedules.
A party of the dead, and they didn't even know it.
The app's cold tone pinged again.
[Talent selection is complete. The Reckoning begins.]
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