The field stretched endlessly, a jagged wasteland of blackened rock and blood everywhere, Claire’s hands shook as she knelt beside Sky, whose body was sprawled on the ground, a gash across his side bleeding faster than any healing could stop. Ethan was farther ahead, the faint sparks of his reinforced blades cutting arcs through the air. Monster after reptilian monster dropped before him, each strike sending sprays of ichor and bone fragments across the scorched ground. He fought hard, striking and striking after the monsters to keep them from harming Claire while she tried to heal Sky. “I don't choose anything” Claire screamed at the system “You've taken so much from me and you won't take any more” she yelled YOU REJECT THE OFFER? The system asked YES Claire yelled. Her voice raw from all the screaming and shouting,She pressed a strip of her own shirt over the wound, the fabric already soaked in blood. Her knuckles whitened around the edges as she gritted her teeth, t

The metallic doors of the central hall slid open with a whisper, and a cold, hollow light spilled across the remaining thirteen survivors. The floor shimmered like liquid steel, reflecting their exhausted faces back at them. The air vibrated faintly, as if the chamber itself were alive, waiting for something. The System’s voice cut through the silence like a blade.“Survivors. You have reached the threshold. The Final Stage of the Deadly Game System is now unlocked. Only those who prove mastery will live. Only the strongest, smartest, and most adaptive will advance.”A murmur rippled through the group. Claire’s fingers tightened around the edge of her dagger, Sky’s eyes darted to the corners of the hall, and Bim pressed her hands together in a silent anticipation. Even Marcus, standing off to the side, seemed quiet, his usual arrogance gone by the gravity of the announcement.Ethan’s gaze swept over them all. Thirteen. Just thirteen remained from the original fifty. Every face bore

Ethan couldn't stop thinking about what the system was up to now and if it was worth him trying for at all.He didn't want to tell the rest yet cause he didn't know if that is what the system is testing him for.The only way to end all these if for him to ascend to Master level so they can destroy the system.This morning he had a weird feeling and he couldn't wrap his head around it.And the system was calm, no trials or announcements, just waiting for something to make a move.The remaining survivors sat scattered throughout the dining hall, eating to their fill in silence. Claire pushed her food around her tray without eating while Sky sat beside her, equally uninterested.Across from them, Bim sipped her water quietly.Ethan sat with them, though his attention seemed elsewhere.His mind kept replaying the Overseer’s warning.You may not defend yourself.The words refused to leave him alone. He hated not understanding and he hated feeling unprepared because it meant he was clueles

The room was silent.Thirteen survivors stood beneath the giant red screen, frozen as the words continued glowing above them.POSSIBLE TRAITOR.Ethan didn’t move, the system was playing games now, he didn’t even have to say anything because he wasn’t permitted to and all these would be for nothing.Sky stepped forward first.“This is bullshit.” His voice echoed through the hall.Claire immediately moved beside Ethan.“I agree.”But not everyone looked convinced. Trace folded her arms, she was the one who didn’t trust Ethan ome bit, he always acted like the leader and now he was communicating with the overseer behind their backs.Her eyes never left Ethan.“Do you?” She asked Claire looked at her. “What is that supposed to mean?”Trace shrugged.“It means every piece of evidence points at him.”“Evidence created by the system,” Sky snapped.“Maybe.”“Maybe?” Sky barked.Trace’s jaw tightened.“How do we know?”Nobody answered.Because that was the problem, they didn’t know.The fake m

There was darkness and then there was light, Ethan opened his eyes and realized he was lying on the cold floor.He groaned and rubbed his eyes, for a second he thought he was still dreaming then the system appeared.A giant blue screen hovered above him and he realized he wasn't alone. Around him, the remaining survivors slowly woke up.Claire sat up first, clutching her head while Sky groaned.Bim cursed softly in Korean and Professor Lorne adjusted his glasses.Trace immediately looked around for threats making sure to glare pointedly at Ethan before turning back.All twelve survivors were there now, and it wasn’t a kingdom anymore but a massive city, Ethan looked around for monsters but didn’t see any.It was a massive city that had towering skyscrapers tha stretched into the clouds with glass buildings that reflected a gray sky.Digital advertisements flickered across giant screens and cars sat abandoned in the streets.Shops were open and the traffic lights changed colors for nob