2025-10-25 18:31:22
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CHAPTER 28 — CAVED IN
Aside from the muffle sound of the steam monster, the only thing we could hear in here were our ravaged breath. Everyone was panting heavily we could feel the warmth breath spilling from our lips. "Is everyone alright?" I asked, falling flat on the dirt ground with a throbbing pain in my head like it's pounded after being torn apart. "I am." Jabari replied "Me too." Little followed "So what's next?" Vira coughed. "Anything that has to do with an enclosed place isn't where I want to find myself in." Vira was right. From what I've experienced so far, the worst thing one can do is trap thyself inside something with no escape routes. "So we have to keep pushing." I said, raising up. Tobi grumbled. "I was literally on my feet for hours, can't we at least rest for a few hours?""Tobi—" I was in mid-sentence when he continued "Fine, one hour.""We can't afford to waste any more time in here." I crouched before him and stretched my hand towards him. Tobi mumbled a few words I could
CHAPTER 27 — HEAT AND FIRE
The panic spread through the participants like wildfire."What in the world was that thing?""Oh God, we're all going to die!""Someone do something!"I watched everyone transform from triumphant celebration into terrified animals in seconds.Some were already backing away from the tree line, others were frozen in place, and a few were actually looking at me with desperate expectation."Do you have any clue what that was out there?" one of them asked me as he looked too terrified to look ahead.I shrugged. I simply had no idea what was out there, but I didn't want to get anywhere near the trees.Plus, the system kept giving me the same warning to stay away from it, so I would. Hopefully, there would be shield zones that would activate in this next trial.Keyword: Hopeful."Even if you don't, you killed the first one, right? The second time should be easier," another survivor chimed in.Many took it upon themselves to bestow on me the sole responsibility to kill off whatever abominatio
CHAPTER 26 — FALSE VICTORY
I was seen as a threat, and honestly, it felt good Seeing how Bitus's goons intercepted me before dragging me closer to him was a good idea to draw me closer to my target, unsuspected. When I was near enough, I pulled out the flamethrower and blasted the highlighted slot number.Sparks flew, electricity crackled, and the barrier shattered like glass.Chaos erupted as the crowd turned on me. "You're going to get all of us killed!" someone screamed."Now we are all going to die!" another lamented. As some were panicking, wondering what they are going to do, others were after my heads. Well, I won't blame them, but I can't be the one holding by the thread. Plus, I don't want Bitus to feel like he has won. I don't want to see it.Animal cries echoed from the forest. "What the he—," Tobi whispered as hordes spilled out.I rejoined my team, returning Vira's flamethrower. We circled around Little, weapons ready."I hope you know what you're doing," Vira grunted, blazing at the mutant."W
CHAPTER 25 — THE ONLY ONE
Bitus lifted a crimson-stained blade, pointing it at my chest. More sword than knife, its metal caught the filtered light menacingly.My mind raced while my body froze. Outside meant death from prowling mutants. Inside wasn't looking better."Choose," Bitus said coldly. "Ten.""Why target me?" My voice cracked. "I never—""Nine."He ignored me, dark eyes fixed on my face."Eight. Seven. Six."How much blood did this psychopath want? My enhanced senses flooded me with useless data."Five. Four. Three."I couldn't move. My decision came through paralysis rather than choice.When he reached zero, he knew the choice I made.Without warning, he swung viciously. My enhanced reflexes saved me—I dodged by milliseconds, the blade whistling past my ear."Next time, you won't embarrass me," he snarled, raising the weapon again.My hand shot up, gripping his wrist to stop the strike. The mutants weren't stopping soon, trapping me with this maniac.His elbow drove into my ribs.White-hot lightning
CHAPTER 24 — LIMITED SLOTS
Panic rippled through the participants as we found ourselves exposed again despite no mutant staying around. In the distance, I could see the shapes of airdrops falling.Most participants assumed the drops were bait, designed to make us fight each other or become the next meal for the animal. Whatever their reasons were gave me a perfect opportunity. While they remained stiff and theorized, I bolted for the nearest green airdrop and noticed Vira taking my cue to for the red with Little right beside her. Tobi and Jabari went for the blue while Jokob also targeted the green with me. We stuffed our packs with supplies as other participants finally caught on and rushed toward the drops. Some even chased after us, hoping to claim what we'd gathered.We found a hiding spot in a cluster of fallen trees on rocks, and I forced our way through. I was thinking about how to beat this current game while we ate with Tobi shrugging my shoulders."God, you're paranoid," he said, but there was aff
CHAPTER 23 — SURROUNDED
The confirmation hit me like a punch to the gut, even though I'd already suspected. We sat in silence for a while, watching the darkness beyond our camp."Does this change anything?" she asked eventually “At least between us—as allies?” I thought about it. Does it matter? From what I could tell, she's practically protecting her sister like I am doing for mine. She also sacrificed herself back at the maze and helped me heal my wound. "No," I said finally. "It doesn't change anything."She smiled. "Alright.""But no more lies," I added. "If we're going to survive this, we need to trust each other.""Agreed.""And Vira?" she looked at me "For what it's worth, I think Nira is lucky to have you as a sister."Her smile widened, and for the first time since I'd met her, she looked genuinely pleased.“Thanks.”We sat in comfortable silence, watching stars I was seeing clearly for the first time since arriving here.Eventually Vira dozed off, leaving me on watch alone.As dawn approached,
