Before the Sunrise Reminds Me Who I Was Supposed to Become by Telion Marex Arlwin 5 Summary
The group has discovered the Boss’s preferences for food, realizing that choosing the wrong dish could mean death. The narrator finds a photo album revealing that the Boss hates fruit cake, a crucial detail that raises tension about who might risk offering such a dish. To decide who will present their dish first, they draw lots, and a nervous man with a buzz cut draws the shortest stick, looking at the narrator with unease.
The banquet begins with Cheryl presenting a creamy stew, which the system confirms as the Boss’s favorite dish. She earns the Boss’s favor and makes a wish to die outside the dungeon’s boundaries, effectively protecting herself from all dangers within. This selfish move shocks and angers the others, as Cheryl was supposed to be their leader, guiding them all safely. Her cold dismissal of their trust deepens the betrayal felt by the group.
As the others present safe dishes without rewards or punishments, the buzz-cut man violently shoves the narrator aside to present his dish first, declaring that survival is every person for themselves. No one intervenes, and the narrator is left isolated, facing hostility and ridicule from the other players. The system calls the narrator’s turn, and despite the bleak situation, they decide to confront the Boss boldly, preparing to challenge the deadly game with a daring act involving the fruit cake.
With a mixture of defiance and determination, the narrator approaches the Boss, teasingly offering the cream or cherry from the forbidden cake, signaling a willingness to face whatever consequences come next and make their final moments unforgettable.
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“We’ve figured out what the Boss prefers,” the girl whispered, her voice barely above a breath. “But what about what he absolutely despises? Because if someone chooses the wrong dish, it’s not just a loss—it’s death.”
I raised my hand, breaking the tense silence.
“I found something in the library,” I explained, my voice steady. “A photo album filled with snapshots of a little boy’s birthday celebrations. Year after year, from his childhood all the way into his twenties. In every single picture, the cake remained untouched. That tells me the Boss hates fruit cake.”
With that deadly detail uncovered, a darker question settled over us.
If every person was required to bring a dish, who would be foolish—or cruel—enough to offer the one that meant certain death?
After a long, uneasy discussion, we resolved to draw lots.
The guy with the buzz cut drew the shortest stick. His eyes darted nervously, and for reasons I couldn’t explain, he looked straight at me.
When the banquet finally began, Cheryl was the first to step forward. She presented a creamy stew with a practiced grace that suggested she’d done this many times before.
The system’s voice rang out, clear and cheerful:
[Congratulations. You have presented the Boss’s favorite dish.]
[You have earned the Boss’s favor. You may now make a new wish.]
[Please state your chosen cause of death.]
Cheryl’s breath hitched, her eyes shining with excitement and relief.
“I choose to die outside the dungeon’s boundaries,” she declared quickly. “No Boss, curse, disaster, or accident within this dungeon will touch me. Even if I break the world’s rules, I will remain unharmed!”
The room went silent, everyone frozen in shock. Then, anger spread like wildfire across their faces.
She was supposed to be the leader, the one guiding us all safely out. That was why we’d agreed to give her the wish.
But it was all a lie. She had used us to save herself.
The Boss gave a slight nod.
“As you wish.”
Under the weight of furious, accusing stares, Cheryl only sneered.
“Please. It’s every man for himself, isn’t it? This is a horror game. If you’re dumb enough to trust others and hand over your clues, that’s your problem, not mine.”
The banquet wasn’t over yet, but no one dared speak. One by one, the others stepped forward to place their dishes on the table.
Baked escargot. Caesar salad. Grilled lamb chops.
All safe choices—no rewards, no punishments.
When my turn came, suddenly someone shoved me hard to the ground.
The buzz-cut guy rushed past me and slammed the seared cod onto the table before I could even react. He looked down at me with a sneer.
“Cheryl was right! Every man for himself. Why should I follow the draw and die quietly? If you can’t protect your dish, that’s your fault.”
No one intervened. They just stared at me like I was already dead.
Ah, here it comes—the classic player-versus-player meltdown. Happens every run.
[Can’t say they’re wrong. Survival of the fittest. Trash doesn’t deserve to live in this game.]
[I told you that weak little newbie wouldn’t last. Where are all the people who bet on her now? Say something!!]
[Fun fact: the last guy who offered the Boss a cake became one. Any guesses what will happen to her?!]
The system’s voice cut through the chaos:
(Player Linda Woods, it’s your turn to present a dish to the Boss.)
I pushed myself up, my gaze locking onto Luther, who had been sitting quietly the entire time, calm and unreadable.
For some reason, his steady look sparked a fierce irritation deep inside me.
Whatever.
If I’m going to die anyway, I might as well make it count.
If my fate is sealed, then I’ll make sure it’s a memorable one.
Time to see just how “sweet” this Boss really is.
I plucked a cherry from the cake and popped it into my mouth, savoring the burst of flavor. Then I slid my fingers into the frosting, coating my hand with sticky white cream.
Slowly, deliberately, I stepped toward him.
“So,” I murmured, a sly grin tugging at my lips,
“would you prefer the cream first, or the cherry?”
Conclusion
The chapter closes on a tense and charged moment, capturing the raw desperation and fractured trust among the players. The revelation of Cheryl’s self-serving wish shatters any illusion of unity, underscoring the brutal reality of the game: survival often demands ruthless choices, and alliances are fragile at best. The protagonist’s quiet defiance in the face of betrayal and hostility reveals a simmering resolve, hinting at a deeper strength beneath her vulnerable exterior.
Amidst the chaos and looming threats, the chapter’s emotional core lies in the clash between self-preservation and the hope for something more—connection, courage, perhaps even redemption. As the protagonist steps forward with a mixture of daring and dark humor, the story reminds us that even in the bleakest circumstances, there is power in taking control of one’s fate, no matter how uncertain the outcome may be.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The tension that has been simmering beneath the surface finally boils over in the next chapter, promising a confrontation that will test loyalties and reveal true intentions. As Linda steps forward with a boldness that both intrigues and unnerves, the dynamics within the group are poised to shift dramatically. The delicate balance between trust and betrayal teeters on the edge, and every choice made could have fatal consequences.
Emotions will run high as alliances are questioned and the true nature of the Boss’s preferences comes into sharper focus. The simmering resentment and fear among the players are about to erupt, and Linda’s defiant stance may either inspire hope or hasten disaster. Prepare for a chapter that delves deep into the psychological warfare at play, where survival depends not only on cunning but on reading the room—and the Boss—perfectly.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
