Adrian did remember.Evan leaned closer, his voice low enough that it carried intent more than volume. “Guess this is your thing now. Playing survivalist to impress women. Did last night’s win get to your head?”Letty’s expression cooled instantly.Adrian met Evan’s eyes. “We’re picking weapons. Not opinions.”Evan laughed. “Good. Because daggers won’t save you out there. Or maybe you’re just aiming to hunt chickens.”He turned and walked away, still chuckling.Adrian watched him go without a word. The shift wasn’t subtle. Evan had been all smiles the night before, polite, accommodating, almost friendly when he extended the invitation. Now the mask was gone. Not because Adrian had done anything to him directly, but because winning once had changed the balance. People like Evan only stayed pleasant when they were winning.Letty exhaled slowly. “That guy’s insufferable.”“He’s predictable,” Adrian said.Daniel Krane adjusted the strap on his rifle. “Guys like that always think the fores

“So your arrow killed it,” Daniel said, looking at her. “Which means five base points. Three times multiplier for bow.”Letty’s eyes widened slightly. “Fifteen.”Daniel nodded. “Fifteen.”Adrian leaned back against the tree, letting the numbers settle. “So we’re sitting at thirty-five already.”“For now,” Elena said. “And we haven’t even gone deep yet.”Adrian’s expression shifted slightly, a frown forming.“…Wait.”The others looked at him.“How do they know?” he asked. “Who killed what, I mean. Pig and boar.”Daniel tilted his head. “What do you mean?”“How do the judges know who delivered the killing blow?” Adrian continued. “Especially when multiple people are involved. We’re spread across a massive island. They’re not following everyone.”Elena smiled faintly. “You really thought they were trusting us to self-report?”“Had to ask,” Adrian said.She gestured around them. “Look closer.”Adrian did.It took a few seconds, but once he focused, he noticed them. Small, dark shapes embe