Book Five, Chapter 96: The Athlete

“You’re here?” I asked, but it was more of an accusation. My heart was beating, my muscles tensed.
I was standing. I wasn’t lying on the ground bleeding out anymore. I wasn’t gored by the claws of a wolf.

I was wearing my cardigan again. Jeans. I was me.

What a disappointment—to die after exerting every ounce of my will, to finally be done, only to be reminded that this was all a sick game.

Silas, the mechanical showman, stood about fifteen feet away, the front of his box pointed directly at me in the clearing.
There were no wolves. Kimberly was gone. Sarah—or Serena, whatever her name was—was gone too.

It was just me and Silas. The expressionless puppet.

Suddenly, I remembered our time in the forest so long ago, when he appeared to me, offering me my prize.
And when I pressed the button, I sealed my fate: acquiring Bad Luck Magnet and beginning my hundred years of torment.

Of nothing.

Of hunger.

Of sleeplessness.

Of that little dribble of hope that somehow tricked me into believing that if I just walked a little further, I would make it out of the forest.

He looked at me blankly—because that was the only way he could look at you. His paint was chipped, and his lights crackled like they were ready to burst, ready to dim. He didn’t care whether you were gaining your aspect or being punished for the bad luck of being alone in the forest when a scapegoat was needed.

And I knew I couldn’t escape him. I had to press the button because this was a game. That was the truth.

I felt sick to my stomach. I was sweating. How long did I stand there, staring at him?

Who came and decided that I had to have this reaction? That this had to be me? That I had to stare at some little carnival machine and wonder if I was going to spend another hundred years in purgatory?

And I would have to stand there staring until I pressed that button. That red button that could ruin your life—and had ruined mine more than once.

As I walked toward Silas, I listened to see if the wolf inside was still there. He wasn’t.
I had killed his master, and I was now alone.

“Congratulations, you’ve won a ticket,” Silas said again in his eerie mechanical voice that somehow sounded so intentional, so sarcastic—even though it was a recording, played every time he showed up.

I had no choice. I pressed the button.

He started reciting a poem—the same one he had when Kimberly had gotten her aspect. He was slow and deliberate.

“You can pick one from three, what will it be?

No matter the choice, no room to rejoice.

All three can save your skin or tear it off again,

The question remains, you must choose your pains,

In this game of dread, you can choose well and still be dead.”

Silas, the Mechanical Showman, laughed—just like he was programmed to.

He ejected a small ticket. I grabbed it quickly and read it.

“Bested a physical-based enemy…” I said, “I did beat her, right? I beat her in that fight. I killed her. Then why was she still moving? Why was she still crawling toward Kimberly? If she’s dead—if I actually bested her in combat—why was she still alive?”

If it was a trope, I wished he could just tell me, but that wasn’t in the cards.

I must have beaten her. I must have. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be here.

Silas had no answers.

Silas had tickets.

He ejected four more, one of which listed my three aspect choices—my potential rewards.

I read it carefully.

“As an Athlete, you represent the pinnacle of human health, spirit, and physicality. However, what you represent matters little in Carousel. What you do with your gifts is all that counts. You must choose among the different paths: the Sport, the Stud, and the Health Nut. The choice of aspect will shape your abilities and influence your journey in significant ways.

Sport: This aspect emphasizes the Athlete’s physical prowess and competitive spirit, represented by participation in various sports. A character embodying this aspect leverages their athletic skills and teamwork mindset to tackle physical challenges and outmaneuver adversaries. Their defining stats are high Mettle and Hustle, showcasing their physical strength and agility derived from sports training.

Sport has tropes like Buzzer Beater, which boosts success in last-second efforts; Dirty Play, enhancing effectiveness with underhanded tactics; and Workout Montage, providing stat buffs and healing through training sequences.

Stud: This aspect highlights the Athlete’s confidence, charisma, and natural ability to inspire and lead others. A Stud uses their self-assured demeanor and leadership skills to motivate their team, win over authority figures, and navigate social situations with ease. Their high Moxie reflects their charm and ability to gain favor with potential love interests, allies, and even the audience itself.

Tropes like The Show Off, which boosts physical stats when trying to impress, Not Such a Bad Guy, which offers narrative redemption for earlier jerk-like behavior, and Be Cool, which enhances success through confident actions, make this aspect a perfect blend of athletic prowess and social dominance.

Health Nut: This aspect underscores the Athlete’s dedication to maintaining peak physical, mental, and spiritual health, highlighting their wisdom and their intelligent approach to fitness and wellbeing. Health Nuts use their high Savvy to make strategic decisions, enhancing their overall endurance and adaptability in challenging situations. Their healthy lifestyle is reflected in their elevated Grit, showcasing their resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks.

Health Nut has tropes like I Don’t Drink, which boosts Grit through visible health-conscious choices; Deep Breathing, which enhances focus and Hustle by simulating slowed time; and Keep Your Eyes Peeled, which allows Savvy to reinforce Hustle in dodging, making this aspect a strong blend of inner strength, tactical thinking, and physical endurance.

Choosing your aspect is a crucial decision. It not only determines your abilities but also sets you on a unique path. Whether you’re a Sport, a Stud, or a Health Nut, your athleticism will make you powerful, but your approach to it will define your journey. Choose wisely.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

I had been preparing for this choice for so long—ever since Camp Dyer. I had met players of all three aspects.

I read over the aspect trope for the Sport.

My brother was a Sport. Christian needed to be powerful on his team because he was their main fighter. Still, he had to work hard to break out of that role and often used backgrounds instead of his aspect trope.

I was the main fighter on our team, too, but somehow that rang hollow. What use was I as a fighter if I couldn’t even control myself? If walking through a forest was like walking into a rut in my mind, where I never knew if one train of thought could derail me and turn me back into Straggler-Antoine?

Pure buffs to physical stats could be useful, but we rarely chose storylines that were straight-up fistfights.

No, I couldn’t be a Sport.

The Crown of Confidence Type: Rule/Buff Archetype: Athlete Aspect: Stud Stat Used: Moxie

In movies, you can always pick out the main character—the leader—at a glance, radiating confidence and charisma that draws everyone in. When it comes time to put up or shut up, you best hope that confidence isn’t unearned.   Torchbearer: the player will represent the virtues of their aspect, providing boosts to saving throws and causing all tied stat matchups to favor the players.   As a Stud, you are the Torchbearer of Moxie and Plot Armor itself. With you in the story, Moxie and Plot Armor checks and saving throws will weigh more in favor of the players, and even lost rolls may result in less severe penalties.   Continue Reading You are reading a free preview (50%). Log in to unlock the full chapter and join comments. Log In to UnlockCreate Account Related chapter tags #thegameatcarousel:ahorrormovielitrpgchapter96#thegameatcarousel:ahorrormovielitrpgchapter97#thegameatcarousel:ahorrormovielitrpgchapter98#thegameatcarousel:ahorrormovielitrpglatestchapter#thegameatcarousel:ahorrormovielitrpgreadonline 0 chapter views Related Novels Double-Blind: A Modern LITRPG When the Sirens Count Down The House Beneath Stillwater Zero Class: The Dungeon Glitch 0 Comments You must be logged in to comment. Bookmark Quote TTS Link Play Pause Stop Skip Scroll Settings Note DMCATermsPrivacyContact 1 online