《High School Death Games》 Chapter 1 - The Principal’s Bargain The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm orange hue over the dusty office. It had been neglected for months, if not years. The blinds were cracked, allowing thin streaks of light to slip through the dust-coated slats, illuminating a brass nameplate that read: Principal. Once, the nameplate had gleamed proudly. Now, like everything else in the room, it was tarnished and forgotten. Behind the desk sat a man whose appearance matched the condition of his office. His stocky figure slouched in a creaky leather chair, the leather worn and cracked, just like the man himself. A faint glow from the laptop screen flickered against his face, deepening the lines of age and stress that had settled over the years. His greasy, dark hair, combed over to hide the thinning spots, barely moved as he stared at a picture frame, the only clean item in sight. In the picture, a woman and child smiled back at him. His wife, recently gone, and his son, even longer. His fingers brushed the edge of the frame, lingering on their faces, trying to hold on to something, anything, that felt real. The weight of their absence crushed him daily, yet here he sat, surrounded by the mess of his present, unable to escape their memory. The office, the papers scattered on the floor, the silence, it all weighed on him. The burden had grown heavier with every passing year. He hadn¡¯t expected it to get worse. But today, it had. Ping. The sudden sound broke the stillness. His hand flinched, almost knocking over the picture frame as his gaze shot to the laptop. "Well, Principal Takeda , are you in?" The message glowed on the screen, the words cold and impersonal. A shadowy silhouette was the only visible detail in the sender''s profile, faceless and menacing. His breath quickened, the weight of the situation crashing back into him. There was no escape now. The decision had been made the moment the message appeared. His eyes drifted down to the package that sat under his desk. Gift-wrapped in dark, polished paper, a Joker playing card was tied to the bow, its jester''s grin leering back at him. He had received it earlier that day, no sender, no instructions. Just a message, and now, an invitation to a game he had no intention of playing. Yet here he was. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.Slowly, with trembling hands, he reached under the desk and pulled the package out. The Joker¡¯s hat on the card seemed to mock him in the silence. For what felt like an eternity, he sat there, staring at it, knowing full well what it contained but refusing to face it. Ripp. The sound of the wrapping paper tearing echoed in the empty room as he finally opened the box. Inside, a silver revolver gleamed, the barrel reflecting the dim light. The ace of spades was engraved on the polished steel pommel, and the grip¡ªsmooth, hand-carved walnut¡ªbore a skull wearing a jester¡¯s hat. Beneath the engraving were his own initials, marking it as his, as if fate had claimed him long before this moment. His hand shook as he picked up the revolver. The cold metal pressed against his palm, sending a shiver through his body. He hadn¡¯t touched a gun since the day his life fell apart¡ªthe day he lost everything. His family. His future. The accident. His throat tightened, the weight of the revolver a reminder of the darkness that had consumed him. He turned his gaze back to the laptop, where the silhouette remained, watching. Waiting. "Our agents will set everything up before the new school year. You will only have to bang the chime and begin the games," the figure typed again, the words cutting through the room like a knife. He glanced back at the photo of his wife and child. Their smiles, once a source of comfort, now felt distant, unreachable. Their faces blurred as tears welled up in his eyes. He closed his eyes, letting the tears fall, but they did nothing to wash away the grief. Slowly, he brought the revolver closer, the cold steel pressing against his chin. His fingers traced the grip, while his other hand gripped the unforgiving barrel. "Okay," he whispered to himself, barely audible. The word trembled in the air, carrying all the weight of a broken man surrendering to forces beyond his control. Pulling the weapon away and straightening himself, he typed the message, his hands shaking with every keystroke. "Okay, I''ll do it." The screen went black, leaving him alone once more in the darkness of his office. Chapter 2 - New School Year The morning sun bathed the town in a golden glow, giving it a serene, almost idyllic appearance. In the distance, Hoshin Academy, a four-tiered school loomed like a fortress at the heart of the town, surrounded by a sprawling gymnasium, a glistening pool, and a rooftop greenhouse. High walls circled the grounds, reinforced with ironclad gates as hovering drones portalled the grounds, their mechanical eyes watching over the grounds like silent sentinels. Sakura sighed as she walked with her brother Reo towards the entrance, passing by rows of stalls and tents already set up for the various school clubs. The school belltower chimed, slicing through the town''s noise as students buzzed about, excited for the new term. ¡°Look at all the security,¡± Sakura muttered, her eyes narrowing at the sight of contractors in hard hats adjusting CCTV cameras perched on poles. ¡°It wasn¡¯t this secure last year... I¡¯m sure everything will be fine, Reo.¡± Reo, a freshman, walking beside Sakura, gave a half-hearted shrug, clearly uninterested in her observations. "Just another waste of money, dad has been saying all summer" he mumbled, more focused on avoiding eye contact with the bustling crowds. The school felt larger than ever that morning. Students milled around, their laughter and chatter filling the air as stalls for every imaginable club competed for attention. Banners waved, colourful flyers littered the ground, and the smell of fried food from the snack stalls lingered. Sakura and Reo wandered past the school gates and the reinforced walls that loomed over them. She glanced around, her attention momentarily caught by the steel plates and the contractors still tinkering with the security systems, glancing at a logo of a skull in a jester hat. The atmosphere was festive, but Sakura couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something felt off. ¡°Hey, Sakura!¡± A voice called from the crowd, snapping her out of her thoughts. Sakura turned, already bracing herself. It was Suzuki, the ever-enthusiastic leader of the cosplay club, bounding over to them with a wide grin. His brown hair, styled in sharp spikes, complemented his full cosplay attire¡ªa kimono paired with a comically oversized chest plate. A katana, adorned with a chunky, cartoonish duck plush dangling from the hilt, hung on his back, its sleeve nearly knocking over several passing students. ¡°Hi, Suzuki,¡± Sakura greeted, her voice strained. ¡°I got your cosplay club invite¡­¡± Suzuki beamed, practically bouncing on his feet. ¡°Are you joining us this year?!¡± Sakura¡¯s eyes flicked to Reo, who was already retreating behind her, hoping to avoid Suzuki''s overenthusiastic gaze. ¡°No,¡± she answered quickly, shaking her head. ¡°We¡¯re not joining.¡± Suzuki¡¯s face fell dramatically. "But... but I had the pur..fect cosplay for you!" he pleaded, looking as though invisible daggers had stabbed him in the back. ¡°You¡¯d make the best¡ª!¡± ¡°I said no!¡± Sakura snapped, turning sharply on her heel. Her face flushed as she realised several students nearby had heard her outburst and were now staring. Suzuki recoiled, his grin faltering. ¡°O-Okay,¡± he mumbled, sinking to his knees dramatically as if her rejection had physically wounded him. He clutched at his chest, pretending to collapse. ¡°My cosplay dreams¡­ shattered!¡± Reo tugged on Sakura¡¯s sleeve as he shot an accusatory look at his sister, clearly blaming her for dragging him into this situation. ¡°We should go,¡± he muttered, his eyes darting around, clearly uncomfortable with the attention. ¡°I¡¯m too busy with athletics, jujutsu and swimming clubs,¡± Sakura called over her shoulder for Reo. ¡°I just can¡¯t join another club!¡± Behind them, Suzuki wailed in despair. ¡°But you would look purrfect!¡± His eyes sparkled with excitement, completely absorbed in his cosplay fantasy. Sakura sighed, rubbing her temples. ¡°Yeah, I''m done, let¡¯s go.¡± She grabbed Reo¡¯s hand and marched past Suzuki, the noise of the school grounds swallowing them again. More students approached, eager to recruit new members for their clubs. A group waved from the archery stall, while others from the art and farming clubs called out, trying to lure Reo into their midst. ¡°Fresh meat!¡± someone shouted playfully. ¡°Hey Sakura, bring your brother over here!¡± Sakura groaned, trying to shield her brother from the chaos. Reo looked mortified, doing his best to blend into the background. Just when it seemed like they might escape, a shadow fell over them. A familiar voice¡ªdeep and mocking. ¡°Sakura.¡± She froze. That voice could only belong to one person. Before either could react, a figure launched itself through the air, landing squarely on Sakura¡¯s back with an exaggerated, victorious cackle. "Riku!" Sakura shouted, momentarily stumbling under the weight, as she righted herself, throwing Riku off her back. Riku, the self-proclaimed leader of the Order of Dreams, grinned mischievously, her dark cape billowing behind her. She struck a dramatic pose, as if in the middle of a stage play, her eyes glinting as though she held some great secret. Dressed in her elaborate, vintage costume, complete with fake fangs and pointed ears, Riku truly looked like a villain from a grand fantasy. "¡°You recognize me even without seeing me? Ah, I am glad the Duchess hadn¡¯t forgotten her own!" she gasped, throwing a hand to her forehead in mock disbelief. Sakura rolled her eyes, brushing off her uniform. ¡°Riku, grow up. We¡¯re final-year students now.¡± ¡°Final year?¡± Riku scoffed, spinning on her heel, her cape flaring out dramatically. ¡°In the realm of dreams, there is no end! Time bends to the will of the chosen few!¡± She pointed a finger at Sakura, as though delivering some kind of epic challenge. ¡°And you, Sakura, are my eternal nemesis! Forever locked in a battle of fate!¡± Sakura let out a heavy sigh, completely unfazed. ¡°Yeah, sure. Whatever.¡± Reo stood there, utterly bewildered. ¡°Is she... okay?¡± he asked, watching as Riku continued her fantasy. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Ignoring him entirely, Riku swooped towards Reo, her eyes gleaming with wild excitement. ¡°Is this the young master of the Fade? The destined one! I bet you are the duchess¡¯ sacrifice, aren¡¯t you?¡± She circled him dramatically, as though evaluating his worth. ¡°Only the chosen few can follow me into the Eternal Dreamscape! Come, young master, I shall lead you to the Order of Dreams, where you will join us in our quest to conquer the fade!¡± Reo blinked. ¡°Wait, what?¡± Sakura groans as she grabs Reo''s arm, pulling him away from Riku¡¯s antics. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Reo, before she ropes you into her fantasy world.¡± Finally, they managed to find refuge inside the school lobby. Sakura pulled Reo behind a set of lockers, both of them sinking to the floor, trying to catch their breath. ¡°That was close,¡± she muttered, leaning her head against the cool metal of the locker. ¡°Keep clear of them, Reo, or they¡¯ll embarrass you for the rest of your life.¡± Reo chuckled softly, recalling Sakura¡¯s own Chunibyo phase. ¡°I know, Duchess.¡± The school hallway was alive with the sounds of students heading to their classes, moving around contractors still working to adjust the new CCTV cameras including vending machines. Sakura nudged Reo playfully as they walked, ¡°You better not get lost on your first day, Reo. I don¡¯t have time to come rescue you.¡± her tone half-teasing, half-concerned. "Stop doing that," Reo grumbled, swatting her hand away. Just then, a soft voice interrupted their sibling banter. ¡°Oh my, Sakura! You shouldn¡¯t be rough on him like that.¡± shaking her head in mock disapproval. They turned to see the school nurse walking toward them. She was a woman of gentle demeanour, her pink uniform and braided pigtails making her look younger than her years. Her playful expression brought an instant warmth to the otherwise bustling hallway. Sakura straightened up and quickly bowed her head. ¡°Sorry, Nurse. I wasn¡¯t trying to rough him up.¡± The nurse chuckled softly, waving off the apology. ¡°No harm done. So this is your younger brother?¡± She studied him for a moment before nodding approvingly. ¡°He¡¯s the spitting image of you, Sakura.¡± Reo shuffled awkwardly, his eyes darting from the nurse to Sakura. "This is Reo," Sakura explained, nudging him forward slightly. "Reo, this is the school nurse." Reo glanced between the two, feeling slightly awkward. The nurse winked at him. ¡°Well, if you¡¯re as accident-prone as your sister, Reo, I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll be seeing each other soon!¡± "Nice to meet you," Reo muttered, not quite meeting the nurse¡¯s eyes. Sakura groaned. ¡°I¡¯m not that bad¡­¡± The bell rang loudly, signalling the start of class. ¡°Better hurry now,¡± the nurse called, her voice playful. ¡°Would you like me to take Reo to the first-year rooms?¡± Sakura smiled gratefully. ¡°That would be great. Thank you, Nurse!¡± With a final wave, the nurse continued down the hallway with Reo under her wing as Sakura dashed off to her classroom, slipping into her seat, in the nick of time, beside the window, where her friend Yuma was already lounging. "Yuma Uchida?" shouted the teacher. "Here, Miss," Yuma called out, her usual cheerful tone in place. ¡°Morning,¡± Yuma whispered to Sakura, her shoulder-length red hair catching the sunlight. ¡°Morning,¡± Sakura replied, catching her breath. ¡°I nearly forgot to help Reo find his homeroom but the nurse saved the day for me.¡± Yuma smirked. ¡°You¡¯re lucky, or you would¡¯ve been late. Speaking of which, have you seen Ichika yet? She¡¯s supposed to be joining us for lunch.¡± Sakura shook her head, their hushed conversation was cut short, the intercom chimed with a loud BingBong. The principal¡¯s voice echoed through the classroom. ¡°Good morning, students, and welcome back to the new school year.¡± Sakura leaned toward Yuma. ¡°I¡¯m surprised he¡¯s still here after everything that happened last year.¡± Yuma nodded, her expression more serious than usual. ¡°Yeah... He doesn¡¯t sound too broken up about it, either.¡± The principal continued, ¡°Tomorrow I¡¯ll be hosting an assembly to explain everything, I hope you¡¯re all excited as I am to let the fun and games begin for students.¡± Sakura glanced at Yuma, who raised an eyebrow. "See what I mean?" Yuma whispered. The teacher shot them a warning glance, and the girls straightened in their seats, exchanging curious glances. The intercom continued to drone on about school security improvements and new vending machines, but neither Sakura nor Yuma could focus. Before they knew it ,the morning flew by as the bell rang, signalling lunchtime. Sakura stretched in her seat. ¡°Hey, Yuma, want to stay here, the freshmen will just flood the dining hall?¡± ¡°Sure. I messaged Ichika to join us too,¡± Yuma replied as they gathered their lunches. They found Ichika waiting for them outside their homeroom with her usual determined expression, her long black hair tied back. Merging tables together they sat down, as the trio began eating their lunches together, laughing and joking between bites. ¡°You always have such a cute lunch, Ichika,¡± Yuma teased, admiring Ichika¡¯s neatly packed bento box. Ichika blushed slightly. ¡°Yuma, you always have something delicious too.¡± Sakura rolled her eyes. ¡°And here I am, eating the best-looking lunch on the store shelf.¡± They laughed, lighten up the home room until Ichika brought up the elephant in the room. ¡°Did you guys hear the principal this morning? I¡¯m surprised he¡¯s still with us after everything.¡± Yuma nodded. ¡°Losing his son and wife so suddenly... It¡¯s strange that he doesn¡¯t sound more... affected.¡± "I was telling Yuma earlier," Sakura said, her voice low. "I¡¯m surprised he¡¯s still around after... everything." Ichika leaned in closer, her voice dropping. ¡°You know Kazuto, the big scary one with the ungroomed hair, right?¡± Ichika said. ¡°He was bullying the principal¡¯s son before it all happened. He¡¯s still in my class, acting like nothing ever happened..¡± Sakura frowned. ¡°I heard about that, but I didn¡¯t think he¡¯d stick around after all that had happened last year.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe that creep¡¯s still allowed at this school,¡± Yuma muttered. Ichika whispered not to be overheard, ¡°The police couldn''t link Kazuto to the principal''s son''s death, then his wife took her own life weeks later.¡± Sakura shifted the topic, sensing the tension. ¡°Anyway, Ichika, we didn¡¯t see you over the summer. What did you get up to?¡± There was a moment of silence as Ichika seemed to collect her thoughts, the weight of their earlier conversation lingering in the air. Then her face brightened, breaking the sombre mood. ¡°Oh! My family took a trip through Europe! It was incredible!¡± Sakura and Yuma exchanged excited glances, the heaviness of the previous topic dissipating as Ichika continued. ¡°We visited London, Paris, and Barcelona! You won¡¯t believe the British accents¡ªthey¡¯re so much better than Mr. Hanson¡¯s American one.¡± Yuma leaned in, her interest piqued. ¡°No way! Tell us everything!¡± Before she could tell a single one, the bell rang signalling the next classes as they cleared their desks and they waved Ichika good bye. While the afternoon dragged on, the sounds of construction continued outside the classroom windows. Sakura and Yuma glanced at the reinforced gate, getting additional plates added and newly installed cameras facing inwards as drones hoovered above. It felt like overkill for a school went through their minds. As the final bell rang, the school drained of all its life, Sakura and Yuma made their way outside. ¡°Are these gates made to stop a tank?¡± Sakura muttered as they made their way toward the exit. Sakura waited by the gates. The reinforced steel plates towered above her, casting long shadows over the ground. "These gates are like something out of a military base," Sakura muttered, reaching out to touch the cold metal. She grasps the marking on a bulky lock, a skull grinning from side to side, in a jester hat sends a chill down her spine. Reo ran up to her, beaming with excitement. ¡°Sis! This place is amazing!¡± Sakura smiled, ruffling his hair. ¡°You didn¡¯t cause any trouble, did you?" Reo rolled his eyes but grinned. "Of course not. I even signed up for the technology and gaming clubs!" ¡°Am glad you found a few clubs¡± Sakura flashed an approving smile. ¡°Those vending machines, I found out that their AI isn''t that cool," Reo added. "Can¡¯t wait to see them tomorrow." as Reo chattered away about the gaming club he had joined and the cool new vending machines that would be set up tomorrow. As they walked home, the sleepy town¡¯s streets bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, Sakura glanced sideways at Reo, a smile creeping onto her face. He¡¯s growing up so fast, she thought. She ruffled his hair again, as their mother did to her before she passed, remembering her own first day at this school and how much had changed since then. Sakura chuckled. "Yeah, but don¡¯t get too distracted. You still need to help me with dinner before Dad gets home." Chapter 3 - The Collapse The morning sun rose steadily on the second day of school, casting warm rays across the streets. The calm summer air hung heavy with the promise of a normal school day, but for Sakura and her brother, it had already started off on the wrong foot. Sakura sprinted ahead of her brother, her bag bouncing on her back as she pushed herself to keep up with the rising sun. ¡°Come on, Reo! We¡¯re going to be late!¡± she called over her shoulder. Reo trailed behind, panting, clutching tightly to his tablet. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I promised the club I¡¯d show them my mods,¡± he mumbled between breaths. Sakura shook her head, a teasing smile on her lips. ¡°You¡¯ll get square eyes glued to that tech stuff,¡± she muttered as she kept running. The streets were mostly empty, save for a few late-risers heading to work. Buildings lined the road, casting long shadows as the siblings hurried toward school. Just as they turned the corner, Yuma came bursting out of a side passage, her red hair swaying wildly behind her. ¡°You two are late as well?¡± she said with a sigh of relief, seamlessly joining their frantic dash. ¡°I¡¯m not the only one headed for detention,¡± she added, a chuckle escaping her lips. Her laughter echoed through the quiet morning streets, and for the moment, her mind was at ease as she wasn''t the only one about to get scolded. As they approached the school, the first bell clanged in the distance, warning the gates were closing, all three were out of breath as the main gate of the school came into focus. They slowed to a jog, panting as they passed through the threshold. A contractor in a hard hat stood nearby, holding the gate open just as the last few stragglers hurried in. With a resounding clunk, he locked the heavy ironclad gate behind them. Yuma leapt out of her skin as they turned to face him. His features were obscured by a mask, and he wore a black jumpsuit that fluttered in the morning breeze. Upon closer inspection, Sakura noticed a white skull and jester hat embroidered onto the contractor¡¯s jumpsuit. She felt his gaze on them, watching with unsettling intensity, as if he were assessing each one as they passed. The echo of the deadlocks sealing the gate sent a chill through the air, intensifying as his gaze lingered on the trio. Sakura felt a shiver run down her spine, an instinctual sense that something was amiss. Was this man simply a contractor, or did he have a more sinister role to play in the strange atmosphere surrounding the school? ¡°That¡¯s a bit excessive to secure a school, don¡¯t you think?¡± Sakura muttered as a knot twisted in her stomach, her voice laced with disbelief as her eyes narrowed on the reinforced steel. Yuma shrugged, catching her breath. ¡°Feels like we¡¯re in a fortress, maybe little Reo could be my prince¡± she said, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. ¡°Although, I half-expect guards to pop out and start checking our IDs.¡± Reo¡¯s face turned bright red, his eyes widening in embarrassment. ¡°I¡¯m not some prince!¡± he protested, swatting at Yuma playfully. Sakura forced a laugh, but her eyes remained fixed on the gate. ¡°Yeah, except this fortress seems a bit too real for my comfort.¡± They made their way into the school, pausing by the lockers in the lobby to quickly swap their shoes for slippers. Just then, Suzuki appeared beside them, his locker wide open. ¡°Ah! Yuma, Sakura!¡± he called with his usual cheerfulness. ¡°Reo!¡± Sakura glanced over as Suzuki reached into his locker, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. ¡°Maybe you¡¯ll join our club after I show you this!¡± he said, brimming with excitement. With a dramatic flourish, Suzuki pulled out a sleek, matte-black katana. A large, plush duck hung from the chain of its pommel, swaying with the motion. Sakura stifled a laugh, while Yuma raised a puzzled eyebrow. Suzuki, lost in his imagination, held the katana up, his eyes glowing with excitement. ¡°The Neko Demon Master Hunter Blade,¡± he whispered reverently. ¡°With this, I can conquer any foe!¡± In his mind, Suzuki was standing triumphantly on a cliff, waves crashing against rocks below him. The wind whipped at his clothes as he held the katana aloft, posing heroically for an imaginary audience. Back in reality, Suzuki stood alone in the middle of the school entrance, still posing dramatically with the katana in hand. Sakura and Yuma exchanged amused glances, clearly used to Suzuki¡¯s antics. Reo just blinked in confusion. ¡°How can a senior be this weebie?¡± he muttered, baffled by the display. The trio ducked into a poorly lit stairwell, still giggling as they tried to escape Suzuki¡¯s imagination. ¡°You got lucky back there, Sakura,¡± Yuma whispered with a grin, glancing over her shoulder. ¡°I swear he would¡¯ve tried to pin you against the lockers like they do in those novels!¡± Suddenly, a pop echoed through the stairwell, and thick smoke filled the air, enveloping the trio. A loud, theatrical laugh followed, and as the smoke began to clear, they saw Riku standing at the top of the stairs, a wide grin stretching across her face and a gnarled oak branch in hand. ¡°I, Riku, have arrived as the mighty Wielder of the Staff of Domination!¡± she declared dramatically, striking a heroic pose. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Sakura sighed, waving her hand to clear the smoke. ¡°It¡¯s just a stick, Riku. It¡¯s the same one we found in fourth grade,¡± she deadpanned, her tone unimpressed. Riku¡¯s imagination, however, was running wild. In his mind, he stood atop a towering cliff, overlooking a vast, enchanted realm filled with swirling mists and distant mountains. Gazing down upon his "enemies" Sakura, Yuma, and Reo, she declared, ¡°With this staff, I shall command the Duchess to return to the Realm of Shadows, along with her faithful Princess and the brave young master!¡± She pointed the staff at them dramatically, a wicked grin spreading across her face. Before Riku''s fantasy could continue, the nurse appeared at the top of the stairs. ¡°Oh dear,¡± she sighed, her expression a blend of kindness and firmness. ¡°Riku, how many times have I told you? This smoke could cause accidents!¡± Riku¡¯s dramatic demeanour immediately deflated. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms¡­¡± she mumbled, bowing her head in apology. Meanwhile, Sakura, Yuma, and Reo seized the opportunity to quietly slip away, trying to stifle their laughter as they moved out of sight. As they walked down the hallway, the second bell rang, a loud Bzzzzzzzz echoing through the corridor, the final roll call. ¡°Remember, Reo,¡± Sakura said, glancing down at her brother. ¡°You¡¯re going home alone tonight. I have swimming club after school.¡± Reo nodded, his expression resolute. ¡°Got it.¡± The trio hurried down the hallway toward their next class. ¡°Come on, we¡¯ve got to get to roll call,¡± Yuma urged, playfully tugging at Sakura¡¯s arm. ¡°You and Dad can have the leftovers I made last night,¡± Sakura called back to Reo as they dashed off. In the classroom, the teacher stood at the front, calling for attention. ¡°Class, class, settle down,¡± she instructed, raising her hand to quiet the chatter. ¡°I have a note from the principal. There¡¯s a mandatory assembly at 10 a.m.¡± The room fell into a hushed murmur as students exchanged curious glances. Just then, the intercom chimed. BingBong. ¡°Yamamoto Kazuto, please report to the principal¡¯s office,¡± the voice crackled over the intercom, cutting through the silence like a knife. Sakura glanced out into the hallway just in time to see Kazuto, tall and intimidating, sauntering down the corridor with a cocky grin plastered across his face. Teachers and students alike watched him through the classroom windows, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity. ¡°Hey, Sakura,¡± Yuma said, flashing her a text from Ichika. ¡®Kazuto just laughed when the principal called for him. He¡¯s a monster,¡¯ the message read. ¡°The school must be suspending him, about time,¡± Sakura replied, her tone serious as she kept her eyes trained on Kazuto¡¯s swagger. Meanwhile, the teacher struggled to regain control of the class, finally managing to refocus their attention on the lesson. The clock ticked toward 10 a.m. as the teacher instructed the class to pack up. ¡°It¡¯s almost time,¡± she said, glancing at the holo display. ¡°Everyone, pack up your things. We¡¯re heading to the assembly.¡± As the students gathered their belongings, a low rumble shook the room, growing louder and more ominous. Suddenly, the sky outside erupted in a terrifying explosion of chaos. Sakura, Yuma, and their classmates leaped to their feet, eyes wide with horror as they watched buildings in the distance burst into flames, their fiery destruction illuminating the sky. The ground trembled violently beneath them, and the roads surrounding the school crumbled, creating a gaping chasm that severed their connection to the rest of the town. ¡°Get down!¡± Sakura screamed, instinctively pulling Yuma to the floor as the windows shattered inward with a deafening crash. Shards of glass rained across the room, slicing through the air like deadly confetti. Yuma gasped as a sharp fragment cut across her skin, blood trickling down as panic engulfed the classroom. In the aftermath the entire school stood as an isolated fortress amidst a landscape of devastation. Smoke billowed from the ruins of nearby buildings, dark clouds swirling ominously around the school. Newly installed auto-turrets whirred to life from the walls, conceded till now, their mechanical eyes swivelling menacingly toward the chaos, ready to protect the last bastion of safety. Just as the chaos reached a fever pitch, the intercom system chimed ominously. BingBong. ¡°All staff and students, please report to the assembly hall.¡± Principle in an unusual calm demeanour. Sakura knelt on the classroom floor, cradling Yuma¡¯s arm as blood dripped from the deep gash left by the shattered glass. Yuma winced, but tried to wave off her concern. ¡°Yuma, your cut!¡± Sakura gasped, panic rising in her voice. Yuma shook her head, her face pale but resolute. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Is anyone else hurt?¡± she called out, her voice strained but commanding. All around them, students were in varying states of shock¡ªsome crying, others desperately tapping their phones. ¡°I can¡¯t call anyone!¡± one random student shouted, panic clear in his voice. ¡°No signal!¡± another cried, waving their phone in frustration. Sakura glanced toward the window, her heart sinking at the sight of a collapsing building in the distance. ¡°That¡¯s my family¡¯s building!¡± a girl wailed from the corner, her voice breaking with fear. Sakura gritted her teeth, pulling Yuma to her feet despite her protests. ¡°Worry about yourself, Yuma.¡± She turned to the other students, her voice louder, more urgent. ¡°Is anyone else hurt? Follow us to the nurse¡¯s office!¡± Sakura and Yuma pushed their way through the crowded hallway, weaving through the panicked students heading to the assembly hall. The air was thick with fear, and the once-familiar school felt like a maze of chaos. ¡°Reo!¡± Sakura shouted, her voice almost drowned by the noise of students shouting for loved ones. Beside her, Yuma¡¯s eyes scanned the faces. ¡°Ichika!¡± she yelled, her voice cracking with desperation. As they hurried past the classrooms, each one was more destroyed than the last. Windows shattered, desks overturned, and students hunched over with bloodied limbs. In one room, a teacher frantically tried to stop a bleeding student from losing consciousness. In another, a limp body lay in the corner, the student¡¯s life already lost. Sakura and Yuma reached the nurse¡¯s office, but the sight made them stop in their tracks. The door was smeared with blood, streaks trailing down as if someone had clawed at it. A thick pool of blood seeped out from under the door, dark and viscous, staining the walls with splatters. A few students sat outside, clutching their wounds, too dazed or horrified to move. Bonus Chapter 1 Earlier that day, the principal sat eagerly, the office was suffocating under the weight of his gaze, a dim glow from a single overhead drone casting flickering shadows across the cluttered desk. Principal Takeda fingers drumming rhythmically on the worn wood. The room reeked of stale air. A glass of whiskey sat untouched, its amber surface reflecting the light like liquid gold. The door creaked open, and in walked Kazuto, his swagger unaffected by the stares from the corridors. His usual cocky smirk danced on his lips, but it faltered slightly when he saw the principal¡¯s hardened expression. Kazuto¡¯s eyes darted to the corner of the room, where a small drone hovered, its lens blinking red, watching, recording. "You summoned me, sir?" Kazuto drawled, his voice laid on thick as he collapsed into the chair opposite the desk. "What¡¯s this all about? Another lecture? Or maybe something else?" His eyes gleamed with mockery, as if nothing could touch him. Principal face remained a mask of calm. He tapped a folder on his desk, pushing it toward Kazuto. Inside were photos, some of the principal¡¯s son, others of the young boy¡¯s bruises and haunted eyes, alongside police reports. ¡°that had been buried under layers of your family''s influence and money.¡± the principal began, his voice low and venomous. "And it includes my son''s suicide." Kazuto¡¯s smirk vanished, his posture stiffening. "What the hell is this? You have no proof." The principal leaned back in his chair, eyes cold, as if daring Kazuto to continue. "Oh, I don¡¯t need proof anymore. This¡­," he motioned toward the drone, "isn''t about evidence.¡± Kazuto¡¯s brow furrowed, eyes narrowing on the drone as he interrupts ¡°What is this, some sick joke?¡± The principal slowly reached under his desk, pulling out a sleek silver revolver and setting it on the table with a deliberate clink. He leaned forward, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°This is no joke.¡± Principal Takeda¡¯s fist slammed down on the desk, the sudden noise causing the drone to buzz in response, its lens focusing in closer on Kazuto¡¯s face. ¡°You killed my son,¡± the principal¡¯s voice trembled with barely contained rage. ¡°Years of torment, and your family hushed everything up. Every bruise, every cut, every broken bone, hidden behind your father¡¯s money.¡± Kazuto flinched, the mask of arrogance slipping further as the principal¡¯s words cut through the air. ¡°And then, she followed him¡­¡± the principal¡¯s voice lowered, bitter. ¡°My wife. She couldn¡¯t live with the shame. She tried to save him, Kazuto, but after his death¡­ depression swallowed her whole. She took her own life, just like my son.¡± For a moment, silence filled the room, thick with grief and fury. The drone hovered closer, capturing every twitch of Kazuto¡¯s face as he shifted uncomfortably. Principal Takeda stood up slowly, the revolver still gleaming between them on the desk. ¡°Your father¡¯s wealth may have saved you from the law, but here.¡± as he gestured to the drone, ¡°I¡¯ve found a new benefactor¡± Principal Takeda leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the glass of untouched whiskey. He allowed a thin smile to cross his lips, the drone''s soft hum filling the silence as it recorded their every move. ¡°How about a game?¡± the drone spoke. The principal placed 6 glasses on the desk. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Kazuto¡¯s eyes flickered with confusion and curiosity, his cocky demeanour slowly returning. "A game?" he scoffed. "What kind of game?" "A simple one," the principal replied, pouring the whiskey into two glasses with deliberate precision. "You like to gamble with other people¡¯s lives, Kazuto. How about we gamble with yours?" Kazuto¡¯s smirk grew, arrogance rekindling. ¡°And if I win?¡± Takeda met his gaze, the corners of his mouth twitching as if amused. ¡°If you win, you¡¯ll have what you¡¯ve always wanted, complete control. You¡¯ll be king of this school.¡± Kazuto leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. ¡°And if you win?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll be expelled,¡± the principal said flatly, sliding one of the glasses toward Kazuto. ¡°Your father¡¯s influence can¡¯t save you from this, now choose a glass.¡± Kazuto chuckled, the thought of being expelled clearly not something he took seriously. ¡°A bet, then.¡± He grabbed the glass with a confident grin. "What¡¯s the catch?" The principal raised his own glass. ¡°No catch. One of us is leaving here happy, the other, unconscious. Now just drink.¡± Kazuto hesitated for a brief second, his eyes narrowing on the principal. Then, with a flourish, he downed the whiskey in one gulp. The burning liquid slid down his throat, and he slammed the glass down on the desk, victorious. But Takeda only smiled, slowly sipping his own drink, his eyes never leaving Kazuto. Kazuto leaned back in his chair, a smug grin stretching across his face. ¡°My father¡¯s going to have your head on a platter once I win this little game,¡± he sneered, his confidence growing with each passing second. ¡°You think you can get rid of me that easily? You¡¯re nothing, Takeda. My old man owns half the town. He¡¯ll bury you.¡± The principal watched Kazuto with quiet amusement, swirling the whiskey in his glass before taking another slow sip. ¡°Perhaps,¡± he murmured, setting his glass down. ¡°But tonight, it¡¯s just the two of us. No lawyers, no bribes. Just you and your choices.¡± Kazuto chuckled, eyes gleaming with confidence. ¡°You really think some stupid game is going to change anything? I¡¯ll still be here tomorrow, and you¡­ you¡¯ll be long gone. Fired. Forgotten.¡± The principal¡¯s expression remained unreadable. He slid another glass toward Kazuto, his voice steady. ¡°Then by all means, drink up. Let¡¯s see how this ends.¡± Without hesitation, Kazuto grabbed the glass and downed it, slamming it onto the desk with a cocky flourish. His movements were still sharp, but there was a slight wobble in his hand as he reached for the next glass. ¡°Two down,¡± Kazuto smirked, his voice dripping with overconfidence. ¡°Guess I¡¯m just built differently.¡± The drone hovered closer, the blinking red light reflecting off the glass as it zoomed in on Kazuto¡¯s face. His bravado showed no signs of fading, but a faint sheen of sweat had begun to form on his forehead. Principal Takeda remained calm, his eyes fixed on Kazuto. ¡°You may be built differently,¡± he said softly, sliding another glass forward. ¡°But not invincible.¡± Kazuto hesitated for a moment, his vision swimming slightly as he reached for the third glass. ¡°What the hell do you know about anything, old man?¡± he snarled, grabbing the glass with a shaky hand. ¡°I¡¯ve got everything, money, power. You think this school means anything to me? My father¡¯s got bigger plans for me than this shithole.¡± Takeda simply watched, his fingers resting lightly on the remaining glasses. ¡°It''s come down to this, one of us will collapse.¡± as his nails tap against the glass, ¡°Drink,¡± he said quietly. Kazuto gulped down the third glass, slamming it harder this time as if to shake off the growing fog in his mind. His swagger remained, but the cracks were starting to show. His speech slurred slightly as he leaned back in his chair, blinking hard to focus. ¡°You think¡­ this is gonna stop me?¡± Kazuto muttered, reaching for the desk. ¡°I¡¯m untouchable.¡± But as he placed the glass back on the desk, his hand trembled. His vision blurred further, and his mind swirled with confusion. He blinked rapidly, trying to clear the fog, but it was no use. Kazuto slumped back into his chair, his body feeling heavier with each passing second. His head lolled to the side, his cocky grin faltering as his consciousness slipped away. ¡°What¡­ what did you¡­ do¡­¡± he mumbled, barely coherent. The principal leaned forward, watching with cold satisfaction as Kazuto¡¯s eyes fluttered closed. ¡°It¡¯s not about strength, Kazuto,¡± he whispered, his voice calm and steady. ¡°It¡¯s about knowing when the game is already over.¡± Kazuto¡¯s body sagged in the chair, unconscious, as the drone zoomed in for one final shot of his lifeless form. Principal Takeda stood slowly, straightening his tie as he stepped around the desk. Leaning down, he whispered one last thing into Kazuto¡¯s ear. ¡°You lose.¡± with a slurp of his drink. The principal turn to the drone, ¡°lets begin¡± Chapter 4 - Let the Games Begin The nurse¡¯s office was a scene from a nightmare. Blood soaked the floors, pooling under makeshift beds where students lay writhing in pain. A girl with glass protruding from her eye screamed, while a boy with shards embedded in his chest struggled to breathe. Some of the students weren¡¯t moving at all, their bodies slack, their faces pale. Sakura and Yuma froze at the door, horrified. The nurse, her pink uniform now stained with blood, looked up from where she was tending to a badly injured student. Her face was exhausted. ¡°Sakura, Yuma, are you hurt?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Sakura stammered, though her voice wavered. ¡°But Yuma, her arm.¡± Yuma tried to shrug it off, but the nurse quickly spotted the deep gash. The nurse handed Sakura a small first aid kit, her hands trembling slightly. ¡°Remove any glass. Clean the wound with warm water and wrap it tightly. Use the bandages, quickly.¡± She barely glanced up as she continued working on another student, her focus split between the many injuries in front of her. Sakura knelt beside Yuma, opening the first aid kit with shaking hands. She pulled out a pair of tweezers and began to carefully remove the shards of glass embedded in Yuma¡¯s forearm, Yuma hissed in pain as she worked, but Yuma bit her lip, trying to stay strong. ¡°You¡¯re doing great,¡± Sakura muttered, her own voice quivering. She pulled the last shard free and tossed it aside. Sakura grabbed a cloth from the kit and dipped it in the bowl of water, gently dabbing at the wound. Blood mixed with water, swirling in pink streaks as she cleaned the gash before carefully wrapping the bandage around Yuma¡¯s arm, securing it tightly. The white bandage quickly soaked through with blood, but it held firm. ¡°Thank you,¡± Yuma whispered, her voice strained but sincere. She offered Sakura a weak smile, but her face was still pale from the blood loss. Sakura mind racing. ¡°I need to find Reo,¡± she said, her voice laced with urgency. Without waiting for a response, she rushed toward the door, her heart pounding in her chest as she stumbled outside the nurse¡¯s office, her stomach turning. She leaned against the wall, her breath ragged, and then she doubled over, vomiting as the weight of everything crashed over her. She slid down the wall, her head in her hands, knees drawn up to her chest. Tears blurred her vision, and her whole body trembled. The horrors she had seen were too much, too fast. A shadow fell over her, and Yuma appeared, bandaged arm hanging at her side. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said softly, her voice gentle but steady. ¡°We need to get to the hall, I bet Reo is waiting¡± she added, though her face betrayed her own exhaustion. Yuma extended her good arm, pulling Sakura to her feet. ¡°I don¡¯t think we can help here,¡± Yuma said quietly, glancing back at the blood-soaked nurse¡¯s office. The assembly hall was packed, suffocating with an eerie tension that clung to the air like fog. Rows of students shifted nervously where they stood, whispering anxiously as the school staff remained numb, emotionless, their faces pale. Sakura sat between Yuma and her classmates, her pulse quickening as the creeping dread sank deeper into her bones. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong. As Yuma, clutches onto Sakura''s arm. From the stage, the sound of static crackled, silencing the room. Eyes fixed as from the speakers, a voice boomed out. It wasn¡¯t the calm, measured tone they were used to¡ªit was something distorted, frayed at the edges. "Good morning, my dear students," the principal¡¯s voice echoed through the hall, followed by a low, unsettling chuckle. "I hope you¡¯ve all been enjoying schooling so far." The flickering lights dimmed as the large screen behind the stage blinked on, displaying the principal¡¯s grinning face. But something was off¡ªhis smile crooked, his eyes glinting with a manic gleam. The image sent a shiver down Sakura¡¯s spine as the hairs on her neck stuck up. "I¡¯ve been thinking," he continued, his voice taking on an erratic tone. "This school needs a change. We¡¯ve¡± suddenly stopped mid sentence ¡°I¡¯ve been too lenient, too soft. It¡¯s time to teach you all something... valuable." From the back an american accent shouts ¡°Sir, have you looked outside, no one cares this now¡± as it fell on deaf ears Sakura¡¯s heart raced as she scanned the crowd for Reo, seeking a familia present, but he was nowhere to be found. Panic bubbled in her chest. Where is he? She gripped Yuma¡¯s arm tightly, eyes darting across the sea of students. Suddenly, the lights on the stage blazed to life, illuminating the figure of the principal, standing tall and stocky, his tan suit unnaturally pristine against the backdrop of destruction. His dark combover clung to his scalp, his eyes gleaming with a sinister glint. As drones swept around the stage a camera drone hovered close to him. In one hand, he held a sleek revolver, its silver barrel and walnut grip with a pommel emblazoned with the Ace of Spades, while on the other hand toyed with his ID card, the faint glow of his details displayed clearly for all to see. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Rank/Name: Principal Takeda Kill(s): 0 Points: 1000 Special Item: Spades Key, Game Master Card Gasps rippled through the crowd, but no one dared move. "I¡¯ve become complacent," he said, his voice now teetering on the edge of madness. "I¡¯ve allowed it, but it stops today. But don¡¯t worry¡ªI¡¯ve come up with a solution." He raised the ID card high, showing it to the students. ¡°This little card is more than just your ID. It¡¯s your lifeline now.¡± The few that dared faces glowed, including Sakura¡¯s as she looks down Yuma leans in, Her ID flickered as it changes from the school''s badge to a Skull with a jester''s hat ¡®Death Games¡¯, then it reads. Rank/Name: Student Sakura Kill(s): 0 Points:250 Special Item: None His grin widened ¡°You¡¯ll use it to earn points through our games¡± His eyes scanned the crowd, watching their reactions with sadistic pleasure. ¡°These points,¡± he continued, tapping his card, ¡°can be exchanged for food, medicine, and even weapons.¡± Sakura¡¯s breath quickened, her mind racing. Where is Reo? Principal motioned toward the far side of the stage. A spotlight flicked on, illuminating Kazuto, who sat chained on a stool with his head shaved. The look in his eyes was pure venom, but even he couldn¡¯t hide the fear that flickered beneath his bravado. Sakura¡¯s breath caught in her throat. What¡¯s going on? she thought, her mind racing. This was getting far worse than. The principal¡¯s grin didn¡¯t falter. "We¡¯ve made some upgrades to the school, as you may have noticed. CCTV, drones, vending machines, oh, but they¡¯re more than just technology." a series of vending machines rolled onto the stage, their metallic bodies gleaming under the harsh lights. One label Medi-care, another Snackoo and the last named Commando. His voice lowered, a whisper that echoed through the room as he gestured to the drones around him. "You see, these machines aren¡¯t here to make your life easier. No, no. They¡¯re here to watch you, to test you. Each one of you, as well as the staff, has been assigned an ID card, and you¡¯ll soon learn that it¡¯s the key to your survival." He gestured to the students. "Your ID cards track your every move. Points are earned for participation in events, challenges or if a benefactor sees fit. The more events you complete, the more points you¡¯ll earn. Points can be exchanged for prizes, food, water, safety, and yes... your life." Sakura shivered, her stomach churning as the reality of their situation sank in. Yuma pale as a ghost as she listens with her mouth agasp, while other students shift uncomfortably as the realisation sinks in. This wasn¡¯t just school anymore, this was something far more sick and twisted. ¡°The drones are always watching. One wrong step, and the game ends for you... permanently¡± He pointed his revolver toward the crowd, grinning wickedly. ¡°Let¡¯s just say the consequences will be immediate.¡± His laugh was hollow and chilling. Kazuto tried freeing his arms as he drew the principal attached with his chain¡¯s rattling. Sakura¡¯s heart pounded in her chest, believing this was a nightmare. The principal was smiling too broadly now, pacing the stage with a gleam in his eye. The room fell into a stunned silence as the students exchanged fearful glances. But it wasn¡¯t over. "And now, let me show you how this game begins." Without another word, the principal aimed the gun at Kazuto. The room froze. Sakura''s heart pounded in her ears, each second stretching into an eternity. Kazuto sneered. ¡°You think I¡¯m afraid of you?¡± he spat. The principal¡¯s smile didn¡¯t falter. "Oh, you will be." ¡°Your son killed himself! his death wasn''t my fault¡± Kazuto shouts. And then, the deafening crack of the gunshot echoed through the hall. Time slowed as Kazuto¡¯s body jerked violently, his face twisted in shock as blood bloomed across his chest. He crumpled to the ground, the chains clinking as they hit the floor as his ID faints to black. Screams erupted from the students, chaos breaking out as they scrambled. Sakura¡¯s eyes were wide, frozen in disbelief as the scene unfolded in front of her. The sound of her classmates panicking barely registered over the pounding in her head. Reo. Suddenly, the panic took hold. Sakura shot to her feet dragging Yuma with her. Sakura eyes scanning the frenzied room, her heart hammering in her chest. Where is he? She grabbed Yuma by the arm. ¡°I can¡¯t find Reo!¡± she shouted over the chaos. Yuma¡¯s face was pale, but she nodded, her eyes wide with fear. ¡°We¡¯ll find him!¡± she urged, pulling Sakura toward the back of the hall as the crowd surged around them. Students were shoving toward the exits, but the heavy doors had been securely closed. No one was getting out. The panic only grew as the realisation settled in, they were trapped. The principal¡¯s ID pinged with a bright glow, he flashes it to the room. Rank/Name: Principal Takeda Kill(s): 1 Points:1250 Special Item: Spades Key, Game Master Card The principal¡¯s voice boomed through the speakers once more, this time with a calmness that was even more unsettling. "Who knew?" the principal said, laughing maniacally, his voice echoing through the hall. "A life reduced to a mere 250 points. What a bargain! Maybe the teachers are worth a 1000?" He turned back to the vending machine, scanning his ID once more. ¡°One chocolate bar, please,¡± he said to the machine. Happily obliged with a cheerful beep, 50 points were deducted from his ID as it dispensed a bar, the principal caught the treat as it dropped and took another smug bite. ¡°Now,¡± the principal continued, addressing the terrified crowd, his voice calm and composed. A male teacher stood up, middle-aged with blood splashes staining his white shirt, shouting to the front, ¡°End this now!¡± the same thick American accent from earlier ripped through the room. ¡°Mr Hanson, I am really looking forward to your participation, the first game will begin soon. Be ready. And remember¡­ there are no second chances.¡± But none of that mattered to Sakura. Not now. Not while Reo was out there, lost in the madness. The doors swung open with a clang, but the exit felt like a trap, an invitation to something far worse, as an eerie silence cut through the room like a blade. And then, as if he had never been there, the principal was gone, swallowed by the shadows. Yuma pulled at her arm, trying to steer her toward an exit, but Sakura shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. "I need to find him." Sakura¡¯s breath came in ragged gasps as she frantically searched the crowd, pushing through the mass of bodies. Her eyes darted from face to face, but none of them were Reo. "We¡¯ll find him," Yuma insisted, even though her own voice wavered, betraying her fear. She pulled Sakura along, her grip tightening, "But we need to get out of here." Reo, where are you? The thought repeated like a drumbeat in her mind. Every face she passed wasn¡¯t his, and the weight in her chest grew heavier with each step. Chapter 5 - Shattered Control Rows of students, once held in place by the rigid authority of their teachers, now teetered on the edge of panic. Shouts of confusion and fear overlapped, creating a cacophony that seemed to drown out all rational thought. Some students huddled in groups, trembling, while others stood aimlessly, unsure of where to turn. ¡°Reo!¡± Sakura¡¯s voice cracked as she fought through the dense crowd, her heart hammering against her chest. Her eyes darted wildly, scanning the sea of panicked faces. ¡°Reo, where are you?¡± Beside her, Yuma struggled to keep up, grabbing random students by the shoulder and spinning them around. ¡°Ichika!¡± she called, her tone carrying a desperation that mirrored Sakura¡¯s. ¡°Has anyone seen Ichika?¡± But their cries were swallowed by the rising tide of panic. Students were breaking down, some in tears, others frozen in fear. From the corner of her eye, Sakura saw a group gathered around Kazuto¡¯s body, his lifeless corpse a grim reminder of the reality. The sight of the blood pooling beneath him sent a fresh wave of nausea through her. ¡°Come on,¡± Yuma said, her voice trembling. ¡°The teachers can track the students¡¯ IDs from the staff room.¡± Reluctantly, Sakura tore her gaze from Kazuto¡¯s body. ¡°Right,¡± she muttered, her thoughts still clouded by the shock of the principal¡¯s brutal act. ¡°We¡¯ll find them. We have to.¡± They hurried through the school corridors, and up the stairwell where the destruction was even more pronounced. In clear view the ironclad gates loomed ominously at the edges of the campus, reinforced to keep them trapped inside as the smoke billowed in the distance, drifting lazily over the school, in the distance were a few students stood on the edge on the other building, staring down at the grounds below. A sudden scream cut through the thick air, high-pitched and desperate. Sakura¡¯s breath caught in her throat as she looked out the jagged glass just in time to see a body plummeting from the rooftop above. The sound of impact echoed horribly as the figure hit the ground mere feet away from a group of students, sending a sickening thud through the concrete. Sakura¡¯s stomach twisted violently. Suicide, she thought bitterly, bile rising in her throat. Her legs locked up for a moment, unable to move up another step, frozen in horror as her mind struggled to process what she had just witnessed. ¡°Keep moving,¡± Yuma whispered urgently, her voice shaking. ¡°We can¡¯t stop. We can¡¯t¡± Sakura forced herself to tear her eyes away from the broken body, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might explode. The desperation on the faces of the students below was burned into her mind. They pressed on, however the wailing from the students crushed against the gates only got louder, pleading to be let out, banging on the unyielding metal with bloodied fists. ¡°Come on, Yuma,¡± Sakura muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°We have to find Reo.¡± Yuma nodded, her face pale. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s go.¡± But even as they climbed floor to floor, the sound of the jumper¡¯s final scream followed them, like a ghost that wouldn¡¯t let go. They entered the corridor on the Fifth floor, the staff room was out of bounce as the pair were greeted by the sight of makeshift barricades hastily constructed from desks, chairs, and filing cabinets, a crude but effective fort blocking the stairs. The few teachers stood like sentinels, arms crossed, their expressions hardened, though fatigue showed through their rigid stances. It was clear they had been holding the line for a while. On one side, a group of students crowded against the barricade, eyes wide with terror and frustration. Some of them cried openly, others pounded their fists against the desks, their desperation palpable. ¡°Let us through!¡± one student screamed, his voice breaking with fear. ¡°You can¡¯t just leave us out here!¡± A girl, her face streaked with tears, pressed her hands together in a pleading gesture. ¡°Please! There¡¯s got to be a way out! We don¡¯t want to die!¡± But on the other side, Mr. Hanson stood, arms crossed, a towering figure of stoic authority. His face was a mask of calm, but if you looked closely, you could see the cracks. His jaw tightened with every desperate plea from the students. His brow furrowed, just enough to show the creeping uncertainty underneath the iron fa?ade. ¡°This is the only way we keep control,¡± Hanson muttered under his breath, more to himself than to the others. His voice, low and resolute, echoed in the corridor, mixing with the sobs of the students. ¡°Look, we can¡¯t feed everyone, food and water won''t last a few long if we take them in.¡± Ms. Chiyo, the elderly teacher, stood beside him, her white curls bouncing slightly as she shook her head. Her eyes, filled with compassion, scanned the crying faces of the students. ¡°We are duty-bound to protect them, Hanson,¡± she said softly, but firmly. ¡°We can¡¯t just keep them out here. Look at them... they¡¯re terrified.¡± as she handed out sweets through the barricade to the students from behind the fort as she seemed out of place amidst the chaos. ¡°You heard what that nutter said! We can¡¯t just stand by while the school falls apart!¡± One boy banged his fist against the barricade again, tears of frustration brimming in his eyes. ¡°Please, we¡¯ll die out here! You have to help us!¡± ¡°Ms. Chiyo! Least ration them¡± Hanson snapped, his voice sharp. Hanson¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line as he glanced over his shoulder at Ms. Akasuki, who had been pacing, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. She finally stopped, turning toward him with a fire in her eyes. ¡°This isn¡¯t control, Mr. Hanson,¡± she snapped, her voice shaking with anger. She gestured to the students, her hand trembling. ¡°You can¡¯t keep them out. We¡¯re supposed to protect them, not abandon them.¡± Mr. Hanson sighed deeply and looked down the corridor, eyes filled with conflicted resolve. ¡°We¡¯re told in basic, the first rule in any disaster, make sure you''re safe and secure, then help others. Right now, we can¡¯t even secure ourselves,¡± he muttered, his tone laced with frustration. Ms. Akasuki, freshed faced to the profession, her gentle features hardened by the situation, shook her head vehemently. ¡°That¡¯s not good enough. We have to do something. I¡¯m going out there.¡± Hanson¡¯s gaze flickered toward her, something almost like guilt flashing in his eyes, but it was gone just as quickly. ¡°We¡¯re outnumbered,¡± he said through gritted teeth. ¡°It''s chaos out there. We can¡¯t manage them all, Akasuki. It¡¯s best to let the storm settle. Wait for rescue.¡± Ms. Akasuki¡¯s face twisted in disbelief. ¡°Wait for rescue?!¡± she repeated, her voice rising. ¡°Hanson, we¡¯re trapped in here, you saw what that mad man did to one of our students!¡± Sakura and Yuma stood off to the side, taking in the scene, their breaths shallow. The tension in the air was thick enough to choke on. Yuma clenched her fists, stepping forward as if she was about to say something, but Sakura grabbed her arm, shaking her head. Not now. A student on the outside of the barricade, a girl with dishevelled hair and a bloodstained sleeve, screamed, ¡°We saw someone jump! The teachers are supposed to help us!¡± The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. The words struck like a slap, reverberating through the corridor. Hanson flinched, his stern mask cracking further. Ms. Chiyo reached out to the girl, her voice soft but insistent. ¡°Calm down, dear. We¡¯re going to figure this out¡± ¡°Figure it out?!¡± the girl screamed, her eyes wide with disbelief. ¡°People are dying!¡± For a moment, there was silence. A suffocating, oppressive silence. Even the other students stopped their pounding, as the weight of her words settled over them like a heavy fog. One boy, wild-eyed and shaking, suddenly lunged at the barricade, his hands clawing at the desks as if sheer will could tear them down. "Let me through! Let me through!" The teachers barely managed to shove him back before he collapsed to the floor, sobbing. Hanson took a deep breath, looking down at his hands, which had started trembling slightly. He hadn¡¯t noticed until now. What am I doing? The thought flitted across his mind, fleeting and unwelcome. We have to maintain control, he told himself again, but the conviction behind it was fading. Ms. Akasuki stepped forward, her voice quieter now, but no less fierce. ¡°This isn¡¯t the way, Hanson.¡± She locked eyes with him, her gaze unwavering. ¡°We can¡¯t just stand by while they fall apart. If we don¡¯t step up, the kids will tear the school apart¡± Hanson¡¯s throat tightened, his hands clenched into fists. He wanted to argue. He wanted to shut her down, tell her that she didn¡¯t understand the situation. But even he wasn''t beginning to doubt himself as a scream drew their attention. The sound of another distant scream echoed through the halls, someone else had jumped. The students pressed against the barricade, their fear rising to a fever pitch. ¡°Fuck this,¡± Ms. Akasuki muttered under her breath, pushing past Hanson. ¡°I¡¯m going out there.¡± ¡°Ms. Akasuki, wait¡± Sakura called, trying to stop her, but the young teacher had already made up her mind. Hanson turned away, his eyes fixed on the ground. This is falling apart. For the first time since the nightmare had started, he felt something he hadn¡¯t allowed himself to feel, doubt. ¡°Girls? Your arm, Yuma?¡± Ms. Akasuki¡¯s voice softened as she gently reached out, her fingers lightly brushing against the bandages on Yuma¡¯s arm. Yuma winced, flinching as a sharp pang of pain shot through her. ¡°Sakura treated it for me,¡± she mumbled, her voice trembling. Sakura swallowed hard, her face turning pale as memories of that morning flooded back. The chaos, the blood, the screams. ¡°The nurse¡¯s office... It''s overwhelming. So many students were injured this morning...¡± Her voice faltered, the weight of the words hanging in the air between them. Ms. Akasuki¡¯s gaze softened, her hand lingering on Sakura¡¯s shoulder, a small gesture of comfort amidst the chaos. ¡°I¡¯ll head down and see the nurse. We¡¯ll need her help soon enough.¡± Her voice was calm. Sakura¡¯s breath hitched as she turned to Ms. Akasuki, desperation flashing in her eyes. ¡°Wait,¡± she said quickly, her voice cracking. ¡°Can you use the school ID system to track my brother? Please, I need to know where Reo is.¡± Ms. Akasuki nodded, her expression serious. But before she could answer, Yuma spoke up, her own voice trembling with anxiety. ¡°And Ichika,¡± Yuma added, her eyes wide with worry. ¡°She¡¯s missing too. Can you find her?¡± Ms. Akasuki gave a soft, reassuring nod as she adjusted the strap of her bag. ¡°I¡¯ll check both,¡± she promised, her tone steady. ¡°Come on through, stay close to each other. We¡¯ll find them.¡± Inside the staffroom, tension hung in the air like a thick fog. The teachers sat at their desks, eyes glued to the central holo-display where the Demondice logo spun endlessly, taunting them. Mr. Hanson stormed in, his jaw set, hands balled into fists. ¡°Do what you want!¡± Hanson barked as he walked to his desk ¡°Don''t listen to the only guy here with real world disaster training¡± , throwing himself into his chair. The weight of his military past showed in the way his shoulders sagged. Puzzled look crossed his face as he kicked a box under his desk, glancing down under his desk sat a gift-wrapped package, a mocking contrast to the madness unfolding around them. As he placed the gift on his desk, he noticed a tag attached to it bore, a joker playing card, and for a moment, Hanson just stared at it. Beside the package was a framed picture of him in his military days, standing tall and proud, the man he once was. He felt a pang of shame as he looked at it now. Sakura glanced at Yuma, who remained quiet, observing. Ms. Akasuki leaned toward Hanson. ¡°Give me a minute girls,I¡¯ll locate the others. Then I¡¯ll go with you too,¡± she said softly. ¡°No more students back here!¡± Hanson snapped, more out of habit than true conviction as he was opening the package with trembling hands. Inside, a silver revolver gleamed in the faint light, a skull in a jester hat carved into the walnut grip, an Ace of Clubs on it pummel. Hanson stared at it, his face a mix of surprise and dread. ¡°Reo¡¯s at the tech department on the ground floor,¡± Akasuki said, checking the student IDs system. ¡°Ichika¡¯s in the nurse¡¯s office on the first floor.¡± Hanson didn¡¯t respond immediately. He just stared at the gun, turning it slowly in his hands, as he clenched the revolver, his fingers tightening around the cool metal. ¡°I need to kill him.¡± The words slipped from his mouth in a whisper, as though he were trying to convince himself that this was the right thing to do. Yuma stepped forward, her voice trembling. ¡°I¡¯ll go for Ichika. I¡¯ll wait there for you.¡± Hanson slips the revolour under his belt, concealing it from others, ¡°Ms. Akasuki, where is the principal?¡± Sakura¡¯s eyes darted between Hanson and the gun in his hand. ¡°I¡¯ll go tech department¡± Ms. Akasuki turned to Mr. Hanson puzzled, ¡°He¡¯s in his office?¡± Hanson nodded numbly ¡°Thanks¡±, barely registering their words. His mind was elsewhere. As Sakura, Yuma and Ms. Akasuki made their way out the Staff Room, ¡°I¡¯ll go with with you girl¡¯s¡± As they left the staffroom, Hanson lingered behind, his grip tightening around the revolver. He stared down at it, the ace of clubs staring back at him. The air felt heavier, the walls of the school closing in on them. The distant cries of students echoed through the ruined corridors, and the smell of smoke and dust filled the air. Sakura¡¯s mind raced, Reo was somewhere down here, maybe hiding, maybe scared. She had to find him. Yuma split off from Sakura and Ms. Akasuki moved quickly, heading toward the ground floor, as she headed to the nurse¡¯s office, feeling her heart race. Ichika had been a childhood friend, the thought of her being injured or worse sent a chill down her spine. Meanwhile, Hanson stormed past the barricades, his gun holstered but ready. ¡°Stay here, Chiyo,¡± he barked as Ms. Chiyo continued handing out food, ignoring his command. The older woman¡¯s resolve remained steadfast as she tried to bring some sense of normalcy to the terrified students. ¡°Ration it at least!, Ms. Chiyo,¡± Hanson ordered, his voice distant, as he approached the stairwell. Hanson¡¯s footsteps echoed down the empty hallway, air was thick with dust and the lingering stench of smoke. Every classroom he passed was in ruin, desks overturned, papers scattered, broken glass crunching beneath his feet. ¡°Anyone here?¡± he called out, his voice hoarse. Silence greeted him, save for the distant hum of the emergency lights flickering above. As he neared the principal¡¯s office. His breathing was heavy, his fingers twitching near the holster at his side. The door loomed ahead, solid and impenetrable, timber reinforced with metal frame. ¡°Got to end this before anything else happens,¡± he muttered under his breath, lifting his gun and slamming the butt against the door. ¡°You bastard!¡± Hanson roared, his voice reverberating through the halls. ¡°Open up!¡± Inside, the principal sat calmly, letting a long, agonising pause before pushing a button on his microphone. His voice crackled through the intercom system, low and mocking. ¡°Hanson, I see you¡¯ve gotten a wildcard too.¡± ¡°I should have stopped you in the hall,¡± Hanson growled, his fists pounding the door in futility. His breath came in ragged gasps as the principal¡¯s voice rang through the intercom again. ¡°You didn¡¯t stop my son¡¯s killer, Hanson,¡± the principal sneered. ¡°Nobody stopped my wife killing herself, and you could not stop me killing their murderer.¡± The sound of two gunshots echoed through the corridor, Hanson knew that it wouldn¡¯t open the door, it didn''t even budge. He froze, his pulse hammering in his ears. Hanson¡¯s gaze fell to the bullet holes now embedded in the door, the reinforced metal mocking his efforts. ¡°Fuck,¡± he hissed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. Two first-year students appeared at the end of the corridor, wide-eyed and terrified. They were too young to understand what was happening, too young to be caught in this nightmare. Without thinking, Hanson instinctively pointed the gun at them, his hand trembling. The students froze, their faces pale with terror. Realisation hit him like a cold wave, and he lowered the gun, his chest tight. ¡°Shit. Sorry, kids. Are you okay?¡± The students nodded, their eyes never leaving the weapon in his hand. They didn¡¯t speak, just stood there, as if one wrong move would seal their fate. Hanson sighed, holstering the gun. ¡°Nobody is going to hurt you,¡± he said, his voice quieter now. One of the students finally spoke, her voice small and trembling. ¡°What do we do?¡± Hanson steeled himself, his mind racing for a plan. ¡°We need to create a safe zone for you kids,¡± he said, his voice firming up. ¡°We¡¯ll head to the English department. When the JDF arrives, that¡¯s where they¡¯ll find us. I¡¯ll make it safe there.¡± The students exchanged glances, uncertainty written all over their faces. But they nodded, flickering of hope flashed across their faces. Chapter 6 - Fractured Hope Moving quickly through the dimly lit corridors of the tech department, Sakura and Ms. Akasuki made haste. The air smelled faintly of oil and metal, the scent mingling with the ever-present staleness of fear and sweat that lingered in the corridor. They passed locked workshop classrooms, each one filled with tools and gear, racks of welding helmets, shelves lined with various mechanical parts. The empty classrooms felt hauntingly still, as Sakura called out, her voice shaking. ¡°Reo? Reo, where are you?¡± Ms. Akasuki''s called out ¡°Reo, Anyone¡±, her voice echoing off the concrete walls. As her calm facade was slipping. ¡°He has to be here somewhere.¡± but only the hollow sound of their footsteps followed. ¡°Hello?¡± as Sakura peeked into another room, her face pinched with concern. Moving deeper into the workshops, their eyes scanning the dim shadows for any sign of life. Only for a faint mechanical gear turn as rows of workbenches and unfinished projects stared back, as if they''re following them. ¡°Reo!¡± Sakura called again, her voice cracking. She leaned against a workbench, her pulse racing. She could feel the weight of despair creeping up on her. ¡°Where is he? He has to be here somewhere.¡± Ms. Akasuki¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°I¡¯ll keep looking,¡± she assured, her tone unwavering. ¡°He must be close by.¡± Sakura leaned against a workbench, the weight of everything crashing down. ¡°Can we go back to your computer? Maybe we can track him again.¡± Ms. Akasuki shook her head gently. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Sakura. I have other students to help.¡± She paused, glancing down at Sakura, her voice softening. ¡°If I see him, I¡¯ll send him to the nurse¡¯s office. I promise.¡± A sudden voice startled them both. ¡°Hello?¡± Sakura¡¯s heart leapt, her head snapping toward the voice. ¡°Reo!¡± she exclaimed, stepping forward. But when she rounded the corner, her excitement deflated. A first-year student stood there, his wide eyes filled with fear and exhaustion. Ms. Akasuki offered him a comforting smile. ¡°Do you need help?¡± The boy shook his head. ¡°No, Mr. Hanson sent us to help others. We¡¯re supposed to bring the other first year students to his English department.¡± Disappointment settled in Sakura¡¯s chest like a stone. Ms. Akasuki¡¯s expression hardened slightly, her mind racing between her duties. ¡°Alright, head there, and if you see another boy named Reo, tell him to go to the nurse¡¯s office, you should wait there with your friends. I¡¯ll keep looking for him.¡± She turned to Sakura, placing a hand on her shoulder. ¡°Stay strong. We¡¯ll find him.¡± as they parted ways, the pair were unable to shake off the eyes that seemingly followed them from the shadows. The English department felt cold, quiet and tense, the air thick with the same uncertainty that clung to the rest of the school. Mr. Hanson stood in one of the classrooms, his eyes scanning the desks and overturned chairs. Around him, first-year students huddled together, their faces pale, shadows of their former selves. "Alright, listen up!" His voice cut through the heavy silence, causing the students to flinch. "We need to secure this area, make sure it''s safe for everyone. Start moving those desks and chairs to block the corridor." He pointed toward the open door, where the hall outside felt too exposed, too vulnerable. The students hesitated, their eyes darting toward one another as if hoping someone else would step up first. Hanson clenched his jaw, forcing his frustration down. "Move it!" he barked, his tone sharp. Slowly, they began to rise, their movements sluggish and unsteady. One boy, his arms trembling, dragged a desk across the floor with a loud screech, the sound grating against Hanson¡¯s nerves. Another girl, barely holding herself together, began stacking chairs in a corner, her hands shaking. Hanson marched over to the door, pulling a few desks together himself, showing them how to create a more secure barricade. ¡°We¡¯re going to make this into a safe zone, a barracks of sorts,¡± he said, his voice calmer now but still firm. ¡°If we don¡¯t get this place secured, we¡¯re sitting ducks.¡± He eyed the nervous faces of the students, trying to appeal to their sense of survival. ¡°We¡¯ll get food, supplies, and take shelter here. But we need to work together, or we won¡¯t last.¡± One student, a girl with tear-streaked cheeks, looked up at him with wide, fearful eyes. ¡°Do you really think we¡¯re going to be safe here?¡± Hanson¡¯s gaze softened, just for a moment. ¡°We¡¯ll be safer than out there.¡± He nodded toward the door, where distant echoes of screams and crashes filled the school. Another student, bolder than the rest, stepped forward. ¡°What if the Principal, the drones or the seniors come for us?¡± Hanson straightened, his hand resting instinctively on the revolver tucked beneath his belt. ¡°That¡¯s why we¡¯re building this barricade. If anyone comes, we¡¯ll be ready. understand? This is the best chance we¡¯ve got to await rescue.¡± Ms. Akasuki stepped into the room, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene. ¡°What are you planning, Hanson?¡± she asked, her voice sharp. Hanson didn¡¯t turn to face her, his focus moved on the pile of desks as he tried to move another one. ¡°Same as you, securing this area and waiting for rescue,¡± he replied, his revolver revealing itself as he heaved another desk into position. Ms. Akasuki¡¯s gaze shifted to the gun. ¡°Where did you get that?¡± Hanson paused, his jaw clenched. ¡°Found it on my desk.¡± He didn¡¯t offer more explanation, and there was a heavy silence between them. ¡°Get back upstairs, Akasuki.¡± But Ms. Akasuki wasn¡¯t deterred. She inspected the makeshift desk fort in the corridor, shaking her head. ¡°And you think a gun is necessary for that?¡± Akasuki¡¯s voice trembled with anger. ¡°We¡¯re supposed to be helping the students, not arming ourselves!¡± Hanson finally met her gaze, his expression hard and unreadable. ¡°We¡¯re targets, Ms Akasuki, that nutter told everyone we¡¯re worth more death. You¡¯ve seen what¡¯s happening out there. Dozen kids have already gone feral,¡± ¡°That¡¯s madness!¡± Akasuki snapped, glancing at the makeshift barricades. ¡°We can¡¯t leave them out there! We have a responsibility¡ª¡± ¡°Responsibility?¡± Hanson¡¯s voice lowered, but it was no less dangerous. ¡°Our responsibility? Leaving them is what is best for them, if one of the other nutters come for us, they will just be a burden.¡± Hanson glanced down at his holstered revolver, his expression grim. ¡°You do what you want, Akasuki. I don¡¯t care anymore. But I¡¯ll stay here and protect the students who need it.¡± The weight of his words pressed down on freshmen students. They felt like they''re drowning in the rising tension between the two teachers. huddled in the corners, their eyes wide with fear. Was this what survival looked like now, barriers, guns, and mistrust? Akatsuki stepped forward, her voice firm. ¡°You might be right, it might make me safer if we don''t stay with them, but I can¡¯t leave them alone.¡± Hanson sighted ¡°We¡¯ll only a floor away,¡± He flashes his ID, as it pinged with a bright glow. ¡°We teachers also get a 1000 Points, but I¡¯ve already used these vending machine¡± This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.Rank/Name: Teacher Hanson Kill(s): 0 Points:400 Special Item: Clubs Key Hanson¡¯s face darkened as he stepped forward, scanning Ms. Akatsuki ID. The card flashed, ¡°This makes us more of a target, the kids only get 250¡± he muttered, shaking his head as he turned away from her. Rank/Name: Teacher Akatsuki Kill(s): 0 Points:1000 Special Item: None Ms. Akasuki crossed her arms, her voice rising. ¡°You can go, but I am staying, they need an adult!¡± Hanson glanced down at his holstered revolver, his expression softened. ¡°You do what you want, Ms. Akasuki. I don¡¯t care anymore. But the first instance of trouble, you call for me, I will protect the students who need it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to hide, and I¡¯m not going to raise my hand to a student.¡± Akasuki''s defiance was clear, her conviction strong. Hanson¡¯s gaze flicked to the pile of supplies, he got in a corner, blankets, nutritional packs, and other essentials. Hanson handed the students the pile of supplies. ¡°This should last a few days, ration it, rescue should be here soon. But listen kids, teamwork is key.¡± he stated, turning away, seeing himself out. ¡°Don¡¯t let anyone aggressive into this fort and watch over Ms. Akasuki for me.¡± Yet the students and teachers couldn''t shake off the feeling someone was watching, the odd twitch of a lens focusing on the occasional drone in their line of sight. Meanwhile on another floor, the nurse¡¯s office was still a grim sight, ever after most of the students moved on. Beds were already crammed with injured students doubling up. being, their moans and whispers filling the air. Blood-soaked sheets covered four bodies in the corner, their forms still, too still. In the centre of the room, the nurse worked tirelessly, her hands stained with blood, her pink uniform stained red, as she stitched up a deep wound on a girl who screamed in pain. Sakura entered quietly, her eyes scanning the room. Yuma stood near a bed, holding a lamp while the nurse wrapped bandages around a student with shards of glass embedded in her face. ¡°Sakura!¡± Ichika called from across the room, helping another injured student to eat. Her face lit up with relief as she spotted her friend. ¡°You¡¯re back! Did you find Reo?¡± Sakura¡¯s heart sank as she shook her head. ¡°Ms. Akasuki is still looking for him. She asked me to help out here.¡± ¡°Only injured or helpers can stay here,¡± the nurse muttered, not looking up from her work. Her hands moved quickly as she stitched up the girl¡¯s wound. ¡°If you¡¯re not either, get out.¡± Sakura nodded, stepping forward. ¡°I¡¯ve had first aid training,¡± she offered quietly. The nurse finally glanced at her, exhaustion lining her face. ¡°Can you stitch?¡± Sakura nodded, though her hands trembled slightly. ¡°I have done it once, I¡¯ll try.¡± Low hum of a mechanical whir filled the air. A wheel drone glided across the floor, its sleek frame moving silently as it passed the rows of injured students. The machine¡¯s polished arms extended with precision, carefully lifting one of the covered bodies from the corner. The other students barely seemed to notice the drone¡¯s presence, the dead body was limp, almost weightless in the drone¡¯s grip as it quietly carried the sheet-covered figure toward the exit. Yuma caught Sakura¡¯s eye, her expression a mirror of the discomfort Sakura felt. ¡°They¡¯ve been coming in and out all day,¡± Yuma whispered, her voice hushed. ¡°Every time someone dies, the drones show up to clean it up. It¡¯s... creepy.¡± Sakura nodded in agreement, her mouth dry as she watched the drone disappear into the hallway, leaving behind the faintest scent of disinfectant in its wake. The nurse wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, her movements mechanical from exhaustion. ¡°I asked if you can stitch,¡± she repeated, her tone sharp but not unkind. ¡°I don¡¯t have time to teach you, so if you can¡¯t, find something else to do.¡± Sakura blinked, forcing her attention back to the task at hand. ¡°Yes,¡± she said, her voice more confident now. ¡°I can stitch.¡± Sakura worked alongside Yuma and Ichika in the nurse¡¯s office, helping wherever they could as she explained what she knew. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic and blood. ¡°I can¡¯t believe the teachers have isolated themselves,¡± Ichika murmured as she helped wrap bandages around an injured student¡¯s leg. ¡°But maybe it¡¯s for the best.¡± The nurse shrugged. ¡°We¡¯ve got enough medical supplies for now. It¡¯s the start of the term, so we¡¯re fully stocked.¡± Yuma nodded. ¡°And we¡¯ve got vending machines for food. Although these pastes are bare a meal and tasteless, costing 50 points, we can only get 5 each before we starve¡± Ichika smiled slightly. ¡°My club, Horticulturist, planted vegetables and fruit on the roof last term. They should be ready for harvest soon.¡± The nurse¡¯s eyes shifted to a gift-wrapped package sitting on her desk. A strange contrast to the chaos around them, it hadn¡¯t been touched since it appeared. ¡°Ichika, if you can get us some fresh food from the garden, that would help,¡± the nurse said. ¡°We need to set up barriers in the corridor too.¡± Yuma stepped forward. ¡°I¡¯ll go with Ichika.¡± Even the dead, the system is watching, the unease left by the wheel drones, these Janitors, unsettled the girls and Nurse, but they had work to do, splitting up a group headed to the roof. Yuma and Ichika climbed the stairs to the rooftop garden, the echo of their footsteps the only sound as they approached. The metal door to the roof clanged as they tried to open it, but the muffled voice from the other side stopped them. ¡°Club members only,¡± came a harsh voice from behind the door. Ichika leaned forward, her voice firm. ¡°Michi, it¡¯s me, Ichika.¡± After a long pause, the door creaked open, revealing Michi standing with a few of his rooftop crew. ¡°Let them in,¡± he muttered. ¡°Everyone else, get lost.¡± The rooftop garden stretched out before them, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, a patchwork of green amidst the destruction of the world below. Solar panels lined the edges, water collection barrels placed carefully around the perimeter. Michi looked them over, his expression standoffish. ¡°If you two are here to jump, just get it over with.¡± Yuma¡¯s eyes widened, as she gasped. ¡°What? No!¡± Ichika stepped forward. ¡°We came for food. The nurse¡¯s office is caring for the injured, and we need supplies.¡± Michi¡¯s gaze lingered on Ichika, his frown deepening. He took a list from a nearby student and scanned it before turning his attention back to the garden. ¡°That¡¯s just great. Some students have already stolen a few of our tools and some of the veg,¡± he grumbled, his fingers tightening around the paper. Ichika stepped forward, her voice soft but firm. ¡°How about only the portion I¡¯ve planted?¡± The rooftop garden stretched out in front of them as Michi led them to the rows of crops, ¡°I¡¯m not giving everything away for free.¡± his arms crossed defensively. ¡°We can only spare enough for our club until rescue comes,¡± he said, his tone clipped, as if the decision had already been made. Ichika didn¡¯t falter. ¡°Come on, Michi. The nurse is caring for injured students. We¡¯re not taking the food for ourselves, we¡¯re trying to save lives.¡± Michi sighed, glancing away. ¡°We can¡¯t¡­¡± he started, his words trailing off before he sighed again, seeming to reconsider. ¡°Maybe we can do a deal.¡± Ichika stepped closer, grabbing Michi¡¯s arm, bringing colour to his face, emphasising her point. ¡°We¡¯re all in this together. We can¡¯t just look after ourselves.¡± Michi adjusted his glasses, his expression softening slightly. ¡°The nurse¡¯s office? I bet she has a good supplier of first aid gear. Fine, I¡¯ll consider it, but we¡¯d need something in return. Maybe we could trade for what we need.¡± As Michi mulled over the proposition, Ichika stood firm, refusing to back down. Yuma, meanwhile, wandered over to the plants, her fingers brushing against the leaves. ¡°Thank you, Michi,¡± Ichika finally said, her voice genuine. ¡°We¡¯ll let the nurse know about the deal. This could really help.¡± Yuma nodded in agreement. ¡°Great! Let¡¯s go tell the nurse and Sakura.¡± Before they could leave, however, Michi raised a hand, stopping them. ¡°Wait!¡± He turned to Ichika, his expression serious. ¡°You¡¯ve got to stay with us¡­.¡± as he stammered avoiding eye contact he finally found his reasoning ¡°We¡¯ll need your help to salvage what¡¯s left here. Yuma can go, but you should stay.¡± Ichika glanced at Yuma, conflicted. ¡°I could be more useful here, honestly.¡± Yuma frowned but reluctantly agreed. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll go explain the deal to the others. Please come back when you¡¯re done.¡± Late into the evening, Yuma returned to the nurse¡¯s office. Sakura was there, helping the nurse feed some of the injured students with packed lunches that had been looted from the vending machines. The room was quieter now, but the heavy weight of exhaustion hung over everyone. The nurse sat slumped at her desk, her hands trembling slightly as she wrapped up her work for the night. On the desk sat a gift-wrapped package, an oddity amidst the blood-stained bandages and medical supplies. Next to it was a framed set of military dog tags, worn and marked with the name of someone from a different war, a different time. ¡°Thank you, guys,¡± the nurse said softly, her voice tired. ¡°I wish I could offer you more for all your help.¡± Sakura shook her head gently. ¡°There¡¯s no need. Tomorrow, we¡¯ll go out looking for Reo and others.¡± Yuma¡¯s eyes drifted to the package on the desk. ¡°Are you going to open that?¡± she asked, her curiosity piqued. The nurse hesitated for a moment before reaching for the package. She tore the wrapping slowly, her fingers brushing against the smooth surface of the box beneath. As the paper fell away, Yuma leaned over, peeking over her shoulder. Inside, nestled in velvet, was a silver revolver. The barrel gleamed under the dim lights, and engraved on the side was the Ace of Hearts. The grip was hand-carved, walnut wood, adorned with the same skull in a jester¡¯s hat. The nurse¡¯s breath caught in her throat. ¡°Is this a joke?¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a fiery orange glow over the broken landscape, the school grounds fell into an uneasy silence. The calm before the storm was palpable, but everyone knew tomorrow, no help would come. Then, the intercom crackled to life. The familiar bing-bong of the announcement tone echoed through the empty halls. ¡°All students,¡± the voice began, eerily calm. ¡°The first of many games will begin tomorrow at 9 a.m. Please attend the soccer field to take part.¡± Sakura¡¯s heart sank as the weight of the announcement settled in. Tomorrow, everything will change. Chapter 7 - Morning of Desperation The soft hum of the drone filled the corridor as Sakura stood by the vending machine, collecting packets of food paste. The early morning light filtered through the cracks in the windows, casting an eerie glow on the makeshift barricades outside the nurse''s office. The world felt quiet, compared to yesterday, but almost all knew that it could shatter at any moment. ¡°Looks like someone¡¯s getting ready for a big day!,¡± the vending machine voice chimed, an overly excited tone that grated on Sakura¡¯s nerves. ¡°Shut up,¡± Sakura muttered, her eyes focused on the machine as it dispensed more packets. ¡°We just pooled everyone¡¯s points.¡± She didn¡¯t want to think about the way they took points from the dead students. She carried the food back into the nurse''s office, where Yuma was tidying up while the nurse was cleaning a student¡¯s wound. The room was filled with the soft sounds of moaning and quiet conversation as the injured students adjusted to another day. ¡°Breakfast!¡± Sakura called, her voice attempting to sound upbeat despite the weight of worry that sat heavily on her chest. She glanced at Yuma, who gave her a tired smile. The nurse nodded, wiping her hands clean. ¡°Thank you, Sakura. Can you hand them out?¡± As the paste packets were distributed, the students¡¯ reactions were immediate. ¡°Ugh, what is this?¡± one student grimaced, poking at the packet as if it might bite back. Sakura sighed as she passed another packet to a student unable to feed himself. Yuma knelt beside him, carefully spooning the paste into his mouth. ¡°Please eat up,¡± Yuma said gently. ¡°You need your strength.¡± Sakura glanced at the meagre rations in her hands, the sight of the grey paste turning her stomach. She and Yuma sat down to eat as well, the nurse working silently in the background. ¡°We need real food,¡± the nurse muttered. ¡°Good food helps with recovery.¡± Sakura pushed the paste around in its packet, her appetite non-existent. Her eyes were shadowed, dark circles beneath them betraying her sleepless night. Yuma noticed immediately. ¡°You didn¡¯t get any sleep, did you?¡± Yuma asked softly, her voice filled with concern. Sakura shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°How could I? Reo¡¯s still missing.¡± After breakfast, Sakura and Yuma tidied up the empty paste packets, the quiet chore giving them a brief respite from the chaos that loomed outside. ¡°Once we finish here, we¡¯ll start looking for him,¡± Yuma said, her tone determined. ¡°We can start in the English department. Ms. Akasuki might have sent him there.¡± Sakura nodded, though her heart felt heavy. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll find him.¡± She needed to believe that. The nurse wiped down the last of the surfaces, her hands moving methodically. ¡°Okay,¡± she said with a sigh, glancing around the now-clean office. ¡°Everyone is stable, and the place is cleaned up.¡± Just as the quiet settled in, the intercom crackled to life.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Bing-bong ¡°Please attend the soccer field if you¡¯re willing to play the opening game,¡± the mechanical voice announced, cutting through the room like a knife. Sakura stiffened, her heart sinking. Yuma glanced over at her, both of them knowing what that meant. ¡°Maybe Reo will head there,¡± Sakura said, her voice hollow. The nurse offered them a tight smile. ¡°Be careful, girls. I¡¯ll hold down the fort.¡± The soccer pitch was nothing like the one Sakura remembered from last term. The walls lined either goal side were massive and fortified, with large holo displays blinking ominously. The Demondice logo flickered above the field, its presence looming over the hundreds of students who had gathered to see the spectacle, or hoped they could win a decent meal as the principal promised. Sakura and Yuma joined the crowd, the morning sun casting long shadows across the field. About 450 students milled around, their voices filled with nervous energy. ¡°How did they build this?¡± one student asked, wide-eyed. ¡°I need some points,¡± another muttered. ¡°I¡¯m not having that paste crap again.¡± A group of older students laughed darkly, nudging each other. ¡°Hey, you maggots, let us win or we¡¯ll kill you for your points,¡± one joked, though the threat wasn¡¯t entirely absent from his tone. Sakura felt the tension building. The students were restless, the uncertainty of the situation gnawing at them. She turned to Yuma, who was scanning the sea of faces. ¡°There¡¯s a lot of people here,¡± Yuma said quietly. Sakura nodded, her eyes sweeping the crowd. ¡°I¡¯ll check this side. Can you look for Reo over there?¡± Yuma gave her a firm nod. ¡°Let¡¯s split up.¡± As they separated, a speaker drone flew overhead, the Demondice logo glowing brightly on its surface. The drone¡¯s speakers crackled to life. ¡°Who¡¯s ready to play ball?¡± the voice boomed. Sakura wove through the crowd, her heart racing. The drone hovered above them, its mechanical eye trained on the mass of students below. ¡°Welcome to Cuju soccer,¡± the drone announced, its voice cold and detached. ¡°The rules are simple.¡± Sakura¡¯s stomach tightened as the drone outlined the game¡¯s instructions. Yuma, on the other side of the crowd, turned a first-year student around, desperately scanning the faces for any sign of Reo. ¡°Two teams, either side¡± the drone continued. ¡°The walls are your goals. Everyone thats not called outfield is a goalkeeper. When you¡¯re pinged, you¡¯ll become an outfield player. Scoring by hitting the opponent''s wall will eliminate them and pooling their points into the jackpot to be divided evenly among the winning team¡± Sakura barely heard the rest of the explanation. Her mind was racing, this wasn¡¯t just a game. This was a robbery for some of these students. The stakes were painfully clear or so they thought. As the drone hovered lowered, it called out, ¡°as well as the eliminated opponents points, we¡¯ll add 100 Points per eliminated opponent, which will be split between the winning team.¡± Yuma made her way back to Sakura, her face pale. ¡°I don¡¯t see him,¡± she said, her voice trembling. ¡°Reo¡¯s not here.¡± Sakura¡¯s heart sank further. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± she lied. ¡°The rules seem simple enough. Let¡¯s just try it, and bring some points back for the nurse.¡±, with a scoff chuckle ¡°I don¡¯t have many points left after breakfast anyway¡± Yuma reached out grasping at Sakura''s arm, comforting reassurance that she was not alone, ¡°if we each take a side we can win something regardless¡± Yuma couldn¡¯t hide a whine of pain, bandages still tighten to her arm. Students began filling into lines, as the pair joined the rest of the students, each team taking their position on either side of the field. The blue LED lights marked one side, the red the other. Sakura and Yuma stood together for a brief moment, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t play with your arm like that,¡± Sakura said softly. ¡°Wait on the sidelines for me.¡± Yuma nodded reluctantly. ¡°Ok, I¡¯ll join the others who aren''t playing either. I¡¯ll ask around about Reo while I wait.¡± Splitting up, Yuma stayed on the sidelines, while Sakura joined the group on the blue team¡¯s goal line. Sakura took her place on the field, her heart hammering in her chest. The air was thick with tension as the drone counted down. ¡°Three¡­¡± Sakura glanced around, taking in the faces of the students on her team. Some looked terrified, others determined. She steeled herself, trying to focus. ¡°Two¡­¡± The red team across from them stared back, their expressions just as anxious. Some whispered to each other, exchanging quick strategies. ¡°One!¡± The game had begun. Chapter 8 - Battle on the Field The air was charged as the students on both teams braced themselves, their IDs pinging as the game officially began. Sakura''s ID pinged as glowed blue. Rank/Name: Student Sakura Kill(s): 0 Points:50 Special Item: None Team: Blue Blue lights illuminated across Sakura¡¯s team, while the red marked the face of their opponents looking at their IDs. ¡°One!¡± Sakura barely registered the countdown, her mind racing while surrounded by a mix of older students, many of whom had already formed alliances. Across the field, the red team glared back at them, their faces set in determination. This wasn¡¯t just a game, they risked points, the only known source for food, making this a battle for survival. A chime came from either side, coming from the ID cards, the sound sharp in the otherwise quiet tension of the field., calling two players off their lines. A brawny final-year student from the blue team stepped forward confidently, his presence commanding attention as the others looked on. Sakura¡¯s breath caught in her throat as she recognized him, Takanashi. She had seen him before, always hanging around Kazuto, his imposing figure impossible to ignore. Now, he strode toward the ball at the centre of the field, his broad shoulders and towering frame casting a shadow over the smaller second-year from the red team. The second-year followed reluctantly, his steps hesitant, eyes darting nervously between the camera drones and Takanashi. The contrast between the two was stark, the red team player almost shrinking under the weight of Takanashi¡¯s gaze. They stood in the centre, the ball between them, the weight of the game settling on their shoulders. ¡°Remember, you¡¯re letting us win,¡± Takanashi sneered, cracking his knuckles as he stared down the second-year. The red player shifted uncomfortably, refusing to meet his gaze. ¡°Fine,¡± he muttered, ¡°just¡­ keep me safe for a while.¡± As the situation unfolded rapidly, it was anything but fair. Takanashi grinned, grabbing the red player¡¯s shoulder roughly. ¡°Play our game, and I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re safe, for a while.¡± his grip tightening for emphasis. Without waiting for a response, Takanashi walked forward confidently, dribbling the ball with ease. The red player stood back, lingering at the halfway line, watching helplessly as the Takanashi moved toward his goal. With an easy kick, the loud thud echoed across the field as the ball hit the back wall, Takanashi scoring effortlessly. A few red players looked on, holding each other back, their faces contorted in frustration. ¡°What are you doing?¡± a background red player shouted, but no one answered. Takanashi smirked, turning to celebrate, Sakura barely had time to process what was happening before the others in the blue team erupted into cheers, celebrating their goal. But their victory was short-lived. Suddenly, sirens blared, and the lights on the field spun violently. The red team barely had time to react before the turrets mounted on the walls began to move, their mechanical eyes scanning the field. Sakura watched in horror as the second year red players, while he was still standing outfield, were hit with a single bullet. A sharp pop rang out, and the sound echoed ominously through the pitch, followed by a chilling silence. The red player crumpled to the ground, his body motionless as blood pooling beneath him. The drone¡¯s voice rang out, louder now, filled with an almost unsettling enthusiasm. ¡°Eeeee-limination!¡± it bellowed. Sakura¡¯s blood ran cold. The game had taken a deadly turn. As if on cue, camera drones swarmed the pitch, circling like vultures as they zoomed in on the lifeless body of the fallen red team player. One of them hovered near Takanashi, catching his cold, confident expression as he stood over the chaos unfolding around him. His lips curled into a grin as the main presenting drone wheeled around, its tone disturbingly cheerful ¡°Pool Jackpot at 250 Points!¡± It announced with glee. Janitor drones rolled onto the field with mechanical efficiency, wheeling over the blood-stained grass to clear away the body. The chaos that followed was deafening. The students on the field, already overwhelmed, began to panic, rushing toward the building in a desperate attempt to escape. The turrets followed their movements, locking on with a deadly precision. One by one, the students were gunned down, their screams filling the air as they were eliminated. ¡°Please remain behind your lines, forfeit by elimination¡± the drone¡¯s voice boomed, cutting through the chaos. Sakura stood frozen on the blue team¡¯s goal line, her heart pounding in her chest. The shadows of the students around her seemed to close in, Yuma, still standing on the sidelines, watched in horror as remains of red and blue teams slump around her. Dozen students on either line collapsed under the weight of the violence.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. From the staff room, Hanson stood frozen, watching the horror unfold on the windows. Beside him, the other members of staff and Ms. Chiyo, she covered her mouth in shock, her eyes wide as she looked at the field of carnage. On the rooftop, Ichika and Michi stood with a group of students, their faces pale as they looked down at the massacre taking place below as the screams from the soccer field reached their ears.. In various classrooms across the school, the students huddled together, watching in disbelief. Ms. Akasuki stared at the drone monitor, her heart pounding as the reality of the situation sank in. ¡°We need to stop them,¡± Ms. Chiyo said, her voice breaking as she paced the room. ¡°They¡¯re going to slaughter each other.¡± Hanson shook his head slowly. ¡°It¡¯s too late. They¡¯ve had a taste of blood... it¡¯ll only get worse.¡± Back on the field, Sakura was still on the ground, her arms wrapped around her knees as the aftermath of the carnage unfolded around her. The once-green soccer field was littered with bodies, countless students lay motionless, while the survivors stood on their lines. The janitor bots moved methodically across the field, collecting the dead as if they were nothing more than discarded trash. The drone¡¯s voice crackled again. ¡°Please wait on your goal line until the pitch is cleared. Points are being tallied.¡± Sakura glanced up from her knees, her hands trembling, her breath came in shallow gasps, her mind struggling to process what had just happened. She could barely move. She felt trapped, like the ground had swallowed her whole. Yuma¡¯s voice broke through the fog of Sakura¡¯s thoughts. ¡°Sakura! You¡¯ve got to play on!¡± she shouted from the sidelines, her voice filled with desperation. Sakura slowly lifted her head, her eyes hollow. She glanced at the holo display that floated above the field, showing the score: Jackpots 2950 points. The drone¡¯s voice echoed in the background. ¡°23 eliminated, 61 blue, 58 red remain.¡± The janitor bots finished clearing the field, and the drone announced, ¡°The game will resume.¡± A series of ping sounds filled the air as students¡¯ IDs lit up again, marking them as active players. Ten students from each side moved forward cautiously, their faces grim. Sakura stayed where she was, her body shaking. ¡°Brother¡­¡± she whispered, barely audible. ¡°You¡¯re all I¡¯ve got, I just need to hold you. Where are you?¡± ¡°Sakura!¡± Yuma called again, her voice urgent. ¡°You¡¯ve got to win,for Reo!¡± Sakura clenched her fists, ¡®I need to survive¡¯ came to front of mind, feeling the weight of the words sink in. For Reo. The red team reached the ball first, their eyes darting nervously between the players on the blue side. ¡°What do we do?¡± one of the red players whispered, his voice trembling. A blue player charged forward, not waiting for an answer. ¡°Fuck it. It¡¯s us or them!¡± he shouted, swinging a punch that sent the red player sprawling to the ground, clutching his face as blood dripped from his nose.. Everyone watched in stunned silence as the field erupted into chaos. The players from both teams snapped. Swing wildly, their fists flying as they fought for control of the ball. ¡°Is that fair?¡± a blue player called out to the drone, his face twisted in frustration. The drone¡¯s voice responded coldly. ¡°There are no rules against violence. The rule is against causing death.¡± Total battle erupted. Blue and red players grappled with each other in the middle of the field, their focus shifting from the game to pure survival. In the chaos, the ball was abandoned, forgotten in the midst of the brawls. One of the blue players grabbed a red player by the throat, choking him as their IDs pinged in response to the aggression. The red player struggled, his face turning pale as the blue player¡¯s grip tightened. The drone hovered overhead, observing. The blue player glanced up at the drone, panic in his eyes. ¡°Shit¡­¡± he muttered, his grip loosening. A sharp pop rang out, and the blue player collapsed, a bullet embedded in his skull. ¡°Killing is not permitted during this game,¡± the drone said flatly. The sound of the gunshot cut through the brawl, momentarily distracting the players. But the game wasn¡¯t over. A red player seized the opportunity, sprinting down the field toward the blue goal. Sakura barely had time to react as the ball flew through the air. It was heading straight for the wall, the blues goal. A Blue student, a goalkeeper, caught it with ease, his reflexes sharp despite the carnage around him, tWithout hesitation, he threw the ball back into play, sending it down the field toward his teammates. The game continued, but for Sakura, everything felt like it was happening in slow motion. Sakura could barely keep up with the play. The ball flew back and forth, the violence escalating with every pass. She watched helplessly as one of her teammates was punched to the ground. Red player pushed forward again, their formation stronger now. Sakura stood frozen as the ball bounced toward her, but the moment it hit her face, her mind snapped back into focus. She winced as the pain registered, but it didn¡¯t matter anymore. ¡°Get up!¡± a blue player shouted from beside her, his voice harsh. ¡°You can¡¯t break down now!¡± Sakura gritted her teeth, her hands shaking as she stood. Snap out of it. The game continued at a feverish pace. The red team broke through the blue team¡¯s formation again, their players linking arms to push past the tired defenders. They passed the ball quickly, working their way toward the goal. Sakura moved forward, her eyes locked on the ball. When a red player shot toward the goal, she leapt into the air, chest-blocking the shot and sending the ball bouncing back into the field. Yuma cheered from the sidelines, her voice ringing out above the chaos. ¡°Way to go, Sakura!¡± Sakura stayed back with the blue defenders as the red team tried to regroup. The game had devolved into a series of violent clashes, with students from both teams swinging punches and tackling each other mercilessly. A red defender spotted an opening, seizing the chance to boot the ball down the field. This time, it slipped past the scattered blue players, rolling unimpeded toward the goal. A quick red player didn¡¯t hesitate, before anyone could intervene, they struck the ball toward the opposite end of Sakura, several blue goalkeepers leaped for it as the ball struck the back wall with a resounding thud. ¡°Goal!¡± the presenting drone crowed, its gleeful voice carrying over the pitch. Pitch lights flashed red, and the piercing sound of sirens blared to life. A cold chill ran through the blue team players, as they froze, waiting in dread. One by one, the blue players closest to the wall lit up, their IDs pinging as they were marked for elimination. The turrets whirred ominously, turning inward with deadly precision. A sickening pop, pop, pop echoed across the field as each marked blue player fell, eliminated in a flash of gunfire. Sakura¡¯s hands trembled as she watched her teammates collapse, their bodies littering the field. She backed toward the goal wall, her heart racing as the drone circled overhead. Chapter 9 - Weight of Victory There was no time to wait, the next game was called out in quick success, summoning new players to the field. A series of pings echoed in the air as students¡¯ IDs vibrated, and Sakura felt the familiar buzz, she clenched her fists, drawing in a heavy breath. There was no escaping this, it was her turn again. Sakura stepped off the line, squaring her shoulders as she scanned the field. Across from her, three students on the red team had been called up: two older, familiar faces, their stances firm and unyielding, and a younger, first-year student who looked petrified. Glancing beside her, she noticed two of her own teammates¡ªboth underclassmen¡ªstepping forward. They looked terrified, but determination burned in their eyes. Everyone knew what was at stake. The whistle blew, and Sakura¡¯s teammate passed the ball, the faint thud signalling the beginning of the match. The ball rolled across the field, landing at Sakura¡¯s feet. Without a second thought, she began dribbling forward, eyes focused on the red team¡¯s goal wall in the distance. Her feet moved on instinct as she weaved through two red players, narrowly dodging their attempts to knock her off balance. She could feel the weight of the game behind her. With each dodge, she left her teammates and the red players further behind, pushing past the halfway line. Her heart pounded as she advanced, her gaze locked on the wall that loomed ahead¡ªtheir goal. But just as she found an opening, a red player appeared in her path, his expression dark and menacing. Before she could react, he shoved her hard, his full weight behind the push. Sakura felt the ground give beneath her as she stumbled, landing with a harsh thud. Pain shot through her side as she hit the ground, her vision momentarily blurring. The red player loomed over her, his face twisted into a sneer. ¡°Fuck you,¡± he spat, his voice laced with venom. Without warning, he booted her hard in the face, the impact bouncing her head on the field shooting pain through her skull. Sakura¡¯s vision darkened at the edges, blood trickling down from her lip. Her mind spun as a muffled voice reached her through the haze, distant yet urgent. ¡°Sakura!¡± It was Yuma, her voice laced with worry and fear. With a shaky breath, Sakura blinked, trying to clear her head. Her vision gradually sharpened, and the red goal wall came back into focus, as she forced herself to stand, every muscle in her body protesting. It¡¯s me or them, she thought, gritting her teeth against the pain. Ignoring the sharp ache in her side, she steadied herself, brushing the blood from her lip.She glanced down field at the ball, her stomach clenched, the three red players were advancing rapidly toward, passing the ball between themselves they easily played one two against the remaining defenders. Sakura¡¯s heart raced as she watched them set up for a final shot, the red team was seconds away from scoring, the ball moving in tight, precise passes as they closed in. The nearest blue defender was too far back to intercept, and the red forward¡¯s foot connected with the ball, sending it flying toward the goal. The final moments of the game were a blur of movement. a figure cut through the goalline, lunging in at the last moment, Takanashi. With a single fluid motion, he caught the ball mid-air, sending the red players¡¯ scattering. As he straightened, his eyes met Sakura¡¯s across the field. He spotted her, wide open and positioned deep in the red half. Without hesitation, he wound up and cleared the ball with a powerful kick, launching it high and fast in her direction. Sakura braced herself as the ball soared through the air toward her, the red players scrambling to get back. This was her chance. Sakura sprinted up the field, her legs burning as she outpaced the others. With a final surge of adrenaline, she reached a point she could score, hordes of red goalkeepers pile in close attempting to shield the wall with their bodies, her foot striking the ball with all the force she could muster. It soared through the air, heading straight for the wall. A dozen goalkeepers scrambled to stop it, climbing over each other in a desperate attempt to save the game. The red player cursed, shouted and screamed over one another. But it was too late. The ball hit the wall with a resounding thud. The drone¡¯s voice echoed across the field. ¡°Please return to your sides. Points are being tallied.¡± Sakura¡¯s heart raced as she backed up, casting a wary glance at the turrets mounted along the walls. She knew what was coming leaving her chest heaving . One by one, faces pale, the three red players fell to a series of sharp pops which echoed across the school, and the jackpot climbed with a chime. Sakura felt a cold sweat break out across her skin as she watched her opponents fall, their bodies littering the field. From the sidelines, Yuma¡¯s voice broke through the Sakura horror, a mixture of relief and pride. ¡°You did it, Sakura!¡± On her way back to her line, her gaze remained fixed on the field, the bodies, the blood, Sakura whispered, her tone numb ¡°we won.¡± From inside the staff room, Hanson and Ms. Akasuki watched on, the only staff members able to stomach the students they once cared for, continued to kill each in a twisted game while it was televised, the holo display showed another game,showing another seven-on-seven game¡ªstudents brawling viciously, desperate to stay alive. Ms. Akasuki turned to Hanson, her face pale. ¡°We need to stop them,¡± she whispered, her voice hollow. ¡°They¡¯re going to slaughter each other.¡± Hanson leaned against the wall, his eyes unfocused and distant. ¡°It¡¯s too late,¡± he muttered bitterly. ¡°They¡¯ve tasted blood, and now it¡¯s only going to get worse.¡± as he draws on his military experience. Outside the staff room, the makeshift barricades created from desks and chairs served as a grim reminder of the chaos surrounding them. Hanson leaned heavily against the wall, fatigue etched into his face, while Ms. Akasuki stared in shock at the display. ¡°They¡¯re students, not animals!¡± she said, the disbelief evident in her voice.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Hanson¡¯s gaze shifted to the floor. ¡°We¡¯re all animals. Like in war¡­ once the walls come down, there¡¯s a monster waiting inside each of us.¡± Dozen sharp pops rang out, signalling an end to the current game. Ms. Akasuki¡¯s expression hardened, anger flickering in her eyes. ¡°Bullshit!¡± she spat. ¡°I¡¯m going to talk to the principal. He has to end this!¡± Hanson shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I¡¯ve tried, you can¡¯t. His office is sealed tight.¡± But Ms. Akasuki didn¡¯t wait for more. She turned abruptly, storming off toward the stairwell. Hanson watched her go, his voice following her down the hall. ¡°Just¡­ keep safe, Akasuki.¡± Ms. Akasuki marched down the corridor, each step fueled by anger as she approached the principal¡¯s office. She pounded on the shutters of the door, her voice echoing down the empty hallway. ¡°You have to end this! They¡¯re killing each other out there!¡± The intercom crackled to life behind her, the principal¡¯s voice unnervingly calm. ¡°Isn¡¯t it wonderful?¡± he responded, his tone almost admiring. ¡°Healthy competition.¡± Ms. Akasuki turned to face the intercom, disgust written across her face. ¡°You¡¯re sick! These are our students!¡± A faint chuckle echoed from the speaker. ¡°I should tell the board, some of those knuckle draggers won¡¯t be dragging down our SATs any longer.¡± Akasuki¡¯s expression hardened as she took a step back from the door. ¡°If you won¡¯t stop this,¡± she said, her voice shaking with barely suppressed fury, ¡°then I will.¡± ¡°Take care, Ms. Akasuki,¡± the principal¡¯s voice replied smoothly as she walked away. ¡°I¡¯d hate to lose such a valuable member of my staff.¡± A sharp pop rang out, but Ms. Akasuki continued down the hall, ignoring the ominous sound of the turrets. She was focused on one thing, ending this nightmare. On the field, the next round of Cuju football was about to begin. The next game was about to begin. High above the school, a drone hovered, its camera zoomed in on the dwindling number of players. The drone updated the current count, ¡°33 Blue - 34 Red and the Jacket? It''s Over Nine Thousand!¡± boomed the drone¡¯s voice. The current jackpot displayed an eye-watering 9100 points, drawing anxious glances from both sides. ¡°Let¡¯s see if we can make it an even thirty,¡± the drone added, its tone laced with amusement. Sakura felt her ID vibrate once again. Her heart pounded as she prepared to step off the line, the weight of her teammates'' survival bearing down on her. She glanced around at her fellow players, nerves tightening as they lined up. Then, just in front of her, Takanashi strode forward with unshakeable confidence, his gaze sweeping over the field, measuring up their opponents with an air of control. Takanashi¡¯s towering presence alone seemed enough to unsettle the three senior red team players facing him across the field, each one stiffening under his stare. Among them, a lone first-year red player shuffled nervously, glancing back toward his team as if he could escape Takanashi¡¯s penetrating gaze. The young red player¡¯s face was pale, his eyes wide with trepidation as he realised he had no choice but to face him. Beside Sakura, a first-year blue player huddled slightly behind Takanashi¡¯s shadow, her expression mirroring the red player''s dread. Her eyes flicked between Takanashi and the looming red players, uncertain whether his presence offered protection or an invitation to fight for their lives. Sakura took a deep breath, aware that Takanashi¡¯s aura was drawing everyone¡¯s attention, creating a tense silence as both teams readied themselves. Takanashi¡¯s intense gaze resting briefly on Sakura. He leaned slightly toward her, his voice low enough that only she could hear. ¡°Stay close behind me,¡± he murmured, his tone firm. Sakura shot him a surprised look. ¡°We need to work together¡± He gave a small nod, his gaze flickering with something unreadable. ¡°I know, but¡­¡± His voice softened just slightly, barely audible. ¡°You¡¯ll be safer if I take the hits.¡± As the whistle blew before she could respond, Takanashi shifted his weight forward, his expression hardening, a sharp command in his voice as he directed his teammates into position. Sakura felt her adrenaline spike. The red team, on the other hand, hesitated. They shifted nervously, watching Takanashi close the distance with a fearless intensity. He barely acknowledged the ball rolling toward him as he pushed into the red half, his eyes locked onto the nearest red players. His gaze alone was enough to make the closest opponents stumble back, one after another giving up ground as he advanced. ¡°Move it!¡± he barked at one of his teammates, gesturing sharply. The other girl quickly dribbled the ball behind Takanashi, passing it to Sakura as her legs locked up, unable to leave the blue half, As Skaura pushed forward, while red defenders flinched, in front of Takanashi, unable to withstand the sheer force of his presence. One brave red player stepped up, trying to intercept the ball, while another attempted to block Takanashi¡¯s path. Without hesitation, Takanashi charges them head-on, swinging his shoulder forward. The impact sent the student sprawling across the field as Takanashi advanced. Sakura seized the chance, slipping past with the ball, weaving forward as Takanashi continued his ruthless assault. Another red defender darted in, but Takanashi grabbed him, lifting the player off the pitch and with a powerful heave, launched him back down the field. His movements were swift and fierce, cutting a brutal path to clear Sakura¡¯s advance into the red half. Above, the drone chirped eagerly. ¡°The red team¡¯s defences are faltering! Jackpot holds steady at 9100 points!¡± Sakura¡¯s heart pounded as she dribbled closer to the goal. A final red defender lunged toward her, but before they could close in, Takanashi appeared behind her, throwing a sharp, controlled elbow that sent the opponent flying. He held his ground fiercely, creating a wall of protection that allowed Sakura to keep pressing forward. The red team, already in disarray, faltered further as Takanashi¡¯s relentless assault left them scrambling, their formation crumbling under his advance. ¡°Come on!¡± Takanashi growled, his voice booming through the chaos as he threw another red player to the ground. The line of goalkeepers before the red goal was thinner now, less intimidating this time, Sakura with a swift kick slotted the ball sailing into the red goal. As the goal registered, the jackpot tally soared to 9950, and the remaining red team members froze, waiting for the turret¡¯s ominous ping. One by one, their IDs lit up, marking them for elimination. The field went quiet as the sound of the turret echoed through the air, followed by a series of sharp, metallic pops. The red players closest to the goal dropped, eliminated by the turret¡¯s unyielding aim. Takanashi watched the field with an unshaken expression, turning back to his team as the blue goalline erupted in victorious cheers. Yuma, watching from the sidelines, felt her stomach turn. She had cheered when Sakura scored, but seeing the brutal consequences play out so coldly left her horrified. ¡°Sakura,¡± Yuma called out as Sakura moved back to the goal line, her voice thick with worry. ¡°You¡­ you okay?¡± Sakura gave a small nod, but her eyes drifted back to the field, lingering on the fallen red players. ¡°Yeah,¡± she whispered, but the word felt hollow, and she clenched her fists. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s just part of the game.¡± Takanashi shifted awkwardly, clearly out of his element, but after a second¡¯s hesitation, he walked over to her. Clearing his throat, he gave her a small nudge on the shoulder, trying to be gentle yet firm. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t let it get to you,¡± he muttered, his voice gruff but softer than usual. ¡°You did what you had to do. That¡¯s all.¡± Sakura looked up, surprised to see a flash of something almost kind in his eyes, though he quickly looked away, scratching the back of his head. ¡°I mean¡­¡± he added, clearly struggling, ¡°they wouldn¡¯t have gone easy on us. You¡¯re tough, right? Gotta be tough to make it through this.¡± He gave her a quick, awkward pat on the shoulder, his usual confidence faltering slightly as he spoke. ¡°Just¡­ keep your head in the game, okay? You¡¯re doing fine.¡± Sakura managed a faint smile, his awkward attempt at reassurance somehow lifting a bit of the weight from her shoulders. ¡°Thanks, Takanashi,¡± she replied softly. Chapter 10 - Cost to playing The sky loomed grey as the drone hovered closer to the field, its lens zooming in with gleeful anticipation. ¡°Thirteen, unlucky for some!¡± it boomed, as random pings vibrated along the blue team¡¯s line, signalling the start of yet another brutal round. Across the pitch, the red team¡¯s thirteen players closed in, circling around a single red player holding the ball in their half. They huddled tightly, arms linked, exchanging brief, urgent whispers as they arranged their strategy. ¡°Come here,¡± one of the red players muttered, gesturing with a nod. ¡°You go there.¡± A quick, controlled shuffle rippled through their formation, each player shifting to lock into place, until a formidable circle was formed with the ball handler at the centre. Sakura watched from the blue goalline, a sense of unease settling over her as she took in their formation. The reds were not just playing to win, they were moving with discipline like soldiers, closing ranks. From somewhere among the blue outfield players, a younger year cursed under his breath. ¡°How the hell do we break through that?¡± A senior blue player, standing at the spearhead of the blue players, took a quick, assessing glance at the red team¡¯s tight formation. ¡°Come on,¡± he barked over his shoulder, his voice steady with resolve. ¡°Let¡¯s get them!¡± He surged forward, and with him, the rest of the blue team charged, fanning out behind him in a rough formation as they closed in on the red team. With each step, the tension on the field grew thicker, anticipation and dread woven together as both teams braced for impact. The blue team reached the red¡¯s circle first, each player throwing their weight into the clash. The initial contact was brutal shoves, grunts, and desperate pushes as the blues attempted to break the wall of red. But the reds stood their ground, their linked arms and resolute stances creating an unyielding shield. One red player, bolder than the rest, leaned forward and rammed his head into a blue player, forcing him back with a painful shove. Another blue player tried to punch through the line, but was immediately countered as the reds inched closer toward the halfway line, slowly advancing like an impenetrable unit. Sakura could only watch the clash from the goal line, they tried to press through, but every shove they delivered was met with an equal, unrelenting resistance. Her teammates fought desperately, every foot lost risked their lives, but the red formation continued its slow, ominous march forward, pushing the blues back step by step. ¡°We¡¯re close,¡± muttered the red player at the centre, his voice low and gritty, as they neared the eighteen-yard mark. ¡°Ready?¡± With a sudden gesture, unspoken agreement, the reds suddenly broke formation, scattering into a new assault, the ball lost within the confusion. Chaos erupted as blues and reds collided, each side trying to control the frantic burst of movement. ¡°Push, clear them out!¡± shouted a red player from the back as the ball soared forward. The field became a whirlwind of punches, shoves, and desperation. Bodies tangled, legs swung, and close-range shots and deflections filled the next few moments. No one had a clear advantage; each attempt on goal was met with fierce opposition, and the ball skidded wildly across the field, moving unpredictably through the fray. At last, a red forward broke free from the brawl, finding an opening close to the goal. With a swift kick, he sent the ball flying, just barely dodging a blue keeper''s attempt to block it. The ball shot toward the goal, hitting its target with a forceful thud. A victorious cheer rose from the red team as the siren blared and lights flashed on the blue wall, signalling the blue team¡¯s loss. Sakura¡¯s heart sank as the turret¡¯s ominous pings began to sound, marking the blue players closest to the goal. Thirteen of the blue defenders stared in horror as their IDs lit up. A series of metallic pops filled the air, and they dropped one after another, eliminated by the turret¡¯s merciless aim. Panic spread quickly through the remaining blue players, their confidence shaken as they glanced nervously toward the goal. One of the remaining blues muttered, ¡°What¡¯s the point¡­¡± his voice trailing off in despair. Sakura felt the chill of hopelessness begin to creep over her, but the sight of her teammates¡¯ fear spurred her on. She clenched her fists, trying to summon the courage to press on, even as their numbers dwindled and the stakes grew deadlier by the second. ¡°11,000 Points are now up for play for those lucky few!¡± the chipper drone danced, displaying 17 vs 30¡± The familiar, ominous ping vibrated against Sakura¡¯s chest as her ID activated. She stepped off the goal line, feeling an unnerving dread. She scanned the field and spotted her next opponent, a first-year girl from the red team, standing just beyond her team¡¯s line. ¡°The fans have asked for it, we are happy to provide it, a classic, 1v1¡± as the drone chirped echoed above the pair. The girl looked no older than thirteen, her red ID glowing with a muted flicker as she took a hesitant step forward. Her dark hair clung to her forehead, her face pale, and her eyes wide with fear that went beyond the game. The drone circled above them, the camera zooming in close. Sakura approached the ball at the halfway line, her heart hammering as the red player stopped just shy of the 18 yard box. The girl¡¯s shoulders trembled, her gaze fixed on the ground rather than on Sakura. She didn¡¯t seem angry, or even nervous, she just looked defeated, despite her time at her back shouting at her, as if the will to fight had been stripped from her completely. ¡°I... I don¡¯t want to play,¡± the girl murmured, her voice barely audible. Yet it was picked up on camera. The drone¡¯s speaker crackled to life, its tone taunting. ¡°Forfeit?¡± The girl flinched, her eyes darting to the hovering drone, and shook her head desperately. ¡°No¡­ no,¡± she whispered, though the words seemed directed more at herself than at the drone. Sakura felt a surge of frustration bubble up, clenching her fists. ¡°You¡¯ve got to try,¡± she urged, her voice harsher than she intended. She took a steadying breath and stepped into the red half, her voice softening. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t want die either, but¡­ we can¡¯t give up.¡± The girl looked up, and for the first time, their gazes met. Sakura saw something haunting in her eyes, an emptiness that was far older than her age should have allowed. The girl swallowed hard, her voice shaking. ¡°I¡¯m not¡­ I¡¯m not like them,¡± she said, glancing briefly at her teammates on the red line. ¡°I saw them¡­ back there, when it started. I saw them go from scared to¡­ to monsters. I just wanted to survive, but this isn¡¯t surviving. This is murder.¡± The girl flashes her ID Rank/Name: Student Haruka Kill(s): 6 Points:350 Special Item: None Team: Red Sakura felt her throat tighten, the girl¡¯s words striking a chord deep within her. The fear, the hopelessness, it was all so familiar. They were both trapped, forced into this twisted game with no way out, and yet here they were, facing off against each other like animals in a cage.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. She wanted to say something, anything to ease the fear in the girl¡¯s eyes. But the weight of the game, the stakes pressing down on her own shoulders, silenced the words in her throat. ¡°Come on, just¡­¡± Sakura¡¯s voice cracked as she tried to keep her own emotions in check. ¡°Just come at me. Please Haruka.¡± as she belts the ball down field to her. The girl hesitated, gripping the ball tightly, her hands trembling. She cast one last glance at her red teammates before taking a shaky breath and moving toward her team, bringing the ball slowly along her. Sakura could see the reluctance in every step, her gaze locked on the ground, each movement hesitant. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to kill anyone, I am not a murder¡± the girl murmured, her voice barely more than a whisper. Sakura could feel her own frustration flare up, checking her own ID for the first time since starting the game, as it twisted into a sharp edge. Rank/Name: Student Sakura Kill(s): 9 Points:50 Special Item: None Team: Blue Anger replaced the fear in her gut, her patience snapping as she watched the girl inch closer to her own wall with a hollow expression. Before Sakura could react, the girl, with a last look of quiet resignation, aimed the ball at her own goal and struck it. Sakura¡¯s heart dropped as she realised what was happening, everyone watched silently as the ball ricocheted off the red goal wall with a sickening finality. ¡°No!¡± Sakura¡¯s voice came out in a broken shout as the girl stepped back, her hands trembling at her sides. Yuma, watching from the sidelines, covered her mouth in horror, her eyes wide as the consequences set in. ¡°I¡¯m going to save a life,¡± Haruka whispered with steel resolve, casting a faint smile. She closed her eyes, finding peace within. The drone¡¯s voice boomed over the field, ¡°Elimination in progress.¡± The red player¡¯s ID lit up with a final fatal ping, her eyes widening with terror as the turret above focused on her. Sakura turned away as the metallic pop echoed across the pitch, the girl crumpling to the ground with a haunting stillness. Something snapped inside Sakura. She could feel the hot flood of anger rushing through her veins, her vision blurring as the reality of the game¡¯s brutality hit her full force. This wasn¡¯t a game, this wasn¡¯t something she wanted to be, a murderer. As she watched the janitor bot roll onto the field, its mechanical arms reaching out to bag Haruka''s lifeless form, Sakura clenched her fists, her knuckles white. Her breathing came in shallow gasps as the drone¡¯s voice chirped in the background. ¡°Look at this jackpot, 11450 points!¡± ¡°Shut the fuck up!¡± Sakura yelled, her voice raw with anger. She glared up at the drone, feeling the weight of her rage burning through the last remnants of her fear. She couldn¡¯t bear to watch it any longer, it was a nightmare, and she felt trapped, suffocating under the weight of it. The drone¡¯s usual chipper tone was gone, replaced by a cold, unfeeling command. ¡°Please return to your position,¡± Sakura¡¯s jaw clenched at the sound, its authority leaving no room for defiance. As she made her way back to her side, her steps heavy with frustration, she could feel the hollow stares of her teammates. Meanwhile, high above in the cold confines of his office, the principal reclined in his leather chair, wine swirling lazily in his hand. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he watched the match unfold on a series of monitors. The crowd of students moved like pawns, a precise dance of desperation. His gaze flickered between the screens, lingering on a live counter at the bottom: 29 vs. 17. He leaned back, letting the wine linger on his tongue as a shadowed figure appeared by holo display from a drone, a figure who represented everything these games were designed for. The counter on the screen flashed, updating with each elimination, 11,450 points amassed. But his smirk grew darker. ¡°Final few students,¡± he muttered, almost to himself, as he lifted his glass. His voice, smooth and chilling, reverberated in the empty room. ¡°Time to end this¡­ make them pay.¡± The words slipped through his lips like a command. Below, the players braced themselves as the next match began. Now, only ten called out on each side. Sakura¡¯s voice cut through the tense murmurs of her team like a blade. ¡°Alright, everyone, stick close!¡± she called, her tone calm but urgent. ¡°You two, with me at the back. Everyone else, push forward and cover the flanks!¡± Sakura and her remaining five teammates held the goal line as best they could, determined to last. Across the pitch, the red team passed the ball with a confidence that bordered on taunting, weaving around the blue forwards. The reds called out, their shouts ringing over the field. ¡°Rush them!¡± one sneered. ¡°This is easy. We¡¯re going to win.¡± The red team pushed aggressively down the right flank. Sakura called out, ¡°Come at us!¡± as her teammate moved in to pressure the reds¡¯ lead attacker. One of the red players attempted a quick cross, sending the ball hurtling across the field, but Sakura¡¯s leg shot out just in time, deflecting it mid-air. ¡°Clear it!¡± she yelled, her voice fierce. A blue defender on her right reacted instantly, sending the ball soaring across the field where a blue forward found himself wide open, the ball at his feet. The reds scrambled to recover. ¡°Get back!¡± came a frantic shout from the red team as they struggled to realign. The ball found its way to the blue forward, who aimed and fired a powerful shot. But before the game could advance, a siren blared across the field. Sakura¡¯s head snapped up as several red players, caught too close to the line of fire, were struck by turret shots. One of the reds desperately grabbed a younger blue player, using him as a shield. ¡°Let go of me!¡± the younger player cried, struggling to break free. In the chaos, a janitor bot rolled up behind the red player, armed with a taser. With a zap and a scream, the red player crumpled to the ground, allowing the blue player to escape his grip. The bot then turned and continued clearing the pitch, pushing the fallen reds aside. The drone¡¯s voice crackled over the field, its cheerful tone almost mocking. ¡°It¡¯s all to play for, folks! The reds lead by two, but it¡¯s anyone¡¯s game!¡± In a sudden twist, 16 reds vs 16 blues, the blue entire team, called outfield, Takanashi took his place at the heart of his team¡¯s formation. His presence was unmistakable, his gaze cold glanced over at Sakura, who had been directing the defence. ¡°You got a plan?¡± Takanashi asked, his voice low but steady. He didn¡¯t look directly at her, keeping his eyes trained on the reds. A red senior sneered as he shouts down field, ¡°Don¡¯t get cocky,¡± as he practises a few kick ups, his eyes flicking over the blue team¡¯s formation with a look of steely focus. Sakura gave a slight nod, her gaze intense. ¡°If we form a line for defence and you lead a push through, we might be able to break them down. We¡¯ll have to lock arms to get enough force.¡± Takanashi took a deep breath, giving a quick nod of agreement. ¡°All right, everyone, listen up!¡± he barked to the team. ¡°We¡¯re locking arms and pushing forward as one. No one breaks formation.¡± His tone was calm, commanding, and the other players fell in line, steeling themselves for the confrontation. Takanashi turned threw a worried glance toward Sakura and a younger year student, ¡°You two, hang back, protect the line incase they go over the top¡± ¡°Right,¡± Sakura said, eyes narrowed as she surveyed Takanashi¡¯s group. ¡°Line up across the pitch and push up.¡± As the two teams squared off by the halfway line, the reds once again formed a tight circle around their player with a ball. The reds eyed the blues line encircling them with a mixture of wariness and confidence, clearly ready to defend their hold on the ball. Takanashi raised her voice, rallying her teammates. ¡°On my count one, two, push!¡± With a surge of energy, the blue team charged forward, their linked arms creating a human battering ram. The reds braced for impact, but the strength of the blues'' combined push sent a ripple through their defences. Takanashi¡¯s voice rang out, a fierce encouragement as he anchored the blue team¡¯s line. ¡°Keep pushing!¡± For a moment, it seemed as though the reds would hold them back. But blue students'' persistence and Takanashi¡¯s unyielding strength finally broke through, scattering the red circle as Takanashi trampled over the collapsed players. One of the red players cursed, their gaze darting to the ball that had rolled loose amidst the struggle. ¡°We lost it! Where¡¯s the ball?¡± Sakura¡¯s eyes locked onto the loose ball, and with determination she sprinted forward. ¡°There it is!¡± She kicked it down the field, sending it soaring toward the red goal, but just before it could reach its target, a red player intercepted, sending it flying back. Takanashi took advantage of the scattered reds, charging back and regaining control of the ball. He shot a quick look toward Sakura and gave a slight nod. ¡°Get ready. I¡¯ll clear the way.¡± He passed her the ball with fierce accuracy before manoeuvring through the remaining reds with an agility that caught even Sakura by surprise. His intimidating presence and relentless push seemed to momentarily shake the reds¡¯ confidence, and Sakura seized the opening, driving the ball forward with Takanashi leading followed by a few other blue students by her side. In one final, coordinated effort, Sakura and the others launched the ball toward the red goal, the siren blaring as it struck the wall. Lights flashed across the field, signalling the goal, and the red team¡¯s collective dread echoed across the pitch. But the drone¡¯s voice boomed above, cutting through their moment of victory. ¡°Well, well, well! It¡¯s 16 vs 2! Things are getting interesting!¡± The tally adjusted over 13,000 points as some of the red accepted their faith, and others scrambled as the turret picked them off one by one. Chapter 11 - Little Monsters The evening hue cast a dark, burnt orange glow through the clouds, blanketing the field as the game finally drew to a close. On the sidelines, Yuma clutched her trembling, bandaged arm, her face set in a brave facade as she cheered for Sakura, though every nerve felt frayed. ¡°Sakura! It¡¯s you or them!¡± she screamed with everything she had left. Sakura glanced at her ID, her hand clenching around it. She looked away, unable to bear the weight of knowing which names might have been added to her tally. ¡°I¡¯m not a monster,¡± she whispered to herself, even as Yuma¡¯s words pushed her forward, forcing her to muster a small wave in response. The ID stayed closed in her fist, her eyes refusing to meet it. She could feel the weight of the deaths from the last match pressing on her, suffocating. Across the field, the presenter drone danced into place, its voice cutting through the silence. ¡°Winner takes all!¡± it cheered, swooping over the field. Everyone¡¯s IDs vibrated in sync, signalling one final, decisive round: 2 red players vs. 16 blues. The remaining red players exchanged a glance, a mix of dread and hints of defiance flashing in their eyes as they jogged to the halfway line with the ball. Takanashi strode forward, his very presence enough to suffocate their remaining hope. With a low, taunting grunt, he said, ¡°Hurry up. Let''s get this over with.¡± The blue players behind him yelled out encouragement, voices blending into a chorus of jeers. ¡°You got this, Takanashi!¡± ¡°End this!¡± ¡°Screw them!¡± Both the reds stood frozen for a moment, before flashing a glance at each other, drained of any remaining resolve they searched for any opening. With a final, defiant act, one of them struck the ball, sending it soaring over the heads of the blue players, as it cruised down the pitch. The power behind the ball faded, and the ball rolled into the 18-yard box, to a young girl on the opposite side of the box to Sakura. ¡°Hurry up, pass it!¡± Takanashi¡¯s voice cut through the noise. With a weak kick the ball barely rolled to a nearby blue player, who then launched it back down the field over the heads of the two reds. Takanashi stepped between the two red players with a cold smile. ¡°Sit this one out, boys. I¡¯ll make sure it¡¯s quick.¡± He shoved them aside as they crumpled to the ground. With one powerful strike, Takanashi sent the ball rocketing toward the red goal. The siren blared, and lights flashed across the field as fireworks erupted above. The game was over. A roar of relief and excitement rose from the blues as they crowded around Takanashi, their victory echoing around the school. The drone swooped in close, recording them. Meanwhile, Sakura slowly walked toward the sideline, where Yuma waited with a weary smile. The janitor bots had already started collecting the red players, dragging them from the field as the presenter drone looped around the blue team, ¡°Congratulations, your winning: 13,900!¡± it chirped, almost giddy. One of the senior students swatted at the drone. ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t we get all the points?¡± The drone buzzed above him, tauntingly cheerful. ¡°Correct, it''s evenly split: 817 each.¡± It spun in a showy loop before darting higher, broadcasting with exaggerated glee. ¡°Please enjoy your victory, and thank you for playing!¡± The camera drone zoomed in close. ¡°And tune in next time!¡± Sakura finally reached Yuma. She was barely able to hold herself together as Yuma reached out. Without a word, Sakura collapsed into her friend¡¯s arms. Yuma¡¯s injured arm trembled under the weight, but she held on tightly as Sakura¡¯s voice cracked, ¡°I didn¡¯t know, I didn¡¯t know¡­¡± Her voice broke as she tried to hold back tears, her breath catching.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Yuma¡¯s voice was soft and steady. ¡°None of us did, Sakura. We could¡¯ve ended up against each other.¡± Her eyes flickered with the same horror that was twisting in Sakura¡¯s heart. ¡°Any of us.¡±. While the blues were celebrating, Takanashi caught sight of them, his gaze lingering. He hesitated, watching the pair, but a sudden scuffle with another student snapped him out of it. A junior year was shoved into him, by a senior with a sneer crossing his face. ¡°If I kill one of you, I get your points,¡± he joked. ¡°Just try it,¡± Takanashi responded coldly, positioning himself in front of the junior. Another student nearby chuckled. ¡°Hey, maybe they could pay us protection money?¡± he jeered. ¡°Some nasty kids out there. Even the staff¡¯s gone nuts.¡± Yuma cast a wary glance at the group, noticing Takanashi¡¯s imposing stance. She nudged Sakura. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s head back to the nurse¡¯s office, maybe Reo turned up there.¡± Intercom system split principal speaking into microphone ¡°Well done, Students, Well done in deed, the patrons are very happy with your performs¡± Just then, the intercom crackled to life, the principal¡¯s voice slithering through the speakers, merging with static. ¡°Well done, students. Well done, indeed,¡± he said, his tone dripping with satisfaction. ¡°Our patrons are very pleased with your performance.¡± Sakura¡¯s fists clenched. The principal¡¯s words clawed at her, igniting a burning anger deep inside. Haruka¡¯s face flashed before her eyes, boiling her blood. Without a word, Sakura shook herself free of Yuma¡¯s hold, wiping away any tears, her face set with a dark determination. ¡°Sakura, wait!¡± Yuma called, clutching her arm as she followed her friend through the crowds as she approached the school. Sakura¡¯s steps were steady, her focus unbroken, her mind only on the principal¡¯s voice, still echoing from the intercom. As they entered the corridor, the door of a fire reel box was gently swaying in the breeze. As they neared the fire reel box, Sakura stopped, eyes fixed on the debris of litter and paper under the box. She tore through the garbage, grabbing a gleaming red blade fire axe hidden under it. Yuma, out of breath, finally caught up. ¡°Where¡­ where are you going?¡± Sakura didn¡¯t answer, her grip tightening around the axe. Every step echoed down the empty corridors, the students cowering, parting silently as she passed, having watched the last game, fearful of her rage, piercing eyes narrowly focused. Yuma followed closely, still unsure of what had taken hold of her friend. Sakura reached the principal¡¯s office, bathed in the dim hue of the orange setting sun. Without hesitation, Sakura raised the axe and swung, the metal shutter ringing out as sparks flew with each blow. Her face twisted with each strike, her voice raw with fury. ¡°I!¡±¡ªclang¡ª¡°Am!¡±¡ªclang¡ª¡°Not!¡±¡ªclang¡ª¡°Your!¡±¡ªclang¡ª¡°Monster!¡± Her final shout echoed as she turned, swinging wildly at a drone that had drifted too close. But then she froze, the axe mid-swing, as her eyes landed on Yuma, who had stepped just behind the drone. Yuma¡¯s face was pale, her expression unreadable as the two friends stared at each other in silence. The axe clattered to the ground, and Sakura¡¯s shoulders slumped. She slid to her knees, leaning against the wall as she buried her head in her arms. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she mumbled, voice barely audible. ¡°I¡¯ll understand if you want to leave.¡± Yuma knelt beside her, placing a steadying hand on Sakura¡¯s shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ve been friends since freshman year, Sakura,¡± she whispered, her voice soft but unyielding. ¡°I know you did what you had to. And I¡¯ll be here. I owe you that.¡± Sakura looked up, her eyes rimmed red, searching Yuma¡¯s face. ¡°That girl, Haruka¡­ she showed us all. I¡¯m a murderer.¡± Yuma pulled her close, her voice steady. ¡°No, Sakura. He turned us into this. But we¡¯re still here, together, and once we get Reo, once Ichika gets the rooftop farm going, we can wait this out.¡± A deep silence filled the corridor, Sakura¡¯s grief and anger settling as she leaned into Yuma¡¯s comforting hold. Yuma slowly stood, her injured arm looping around Sakura¡¯s shoulders as she pulled her to her feet. With one hand, Yuma picked up the fire axe, its red blade still gleaming in the dim corridor light. As they walked together down the empty hallway, Yuma kept her grip on Sakura, helping to steady her friend. The weight of the axe dragged against the floor, its dull scraping echoing around them. Yuma¡¯s voice was soft, steady. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, Sakura,¡± she said, her words carrying warmth and strength. ¡°Let¡¯s get you back to rest.¡± Sakura let herself lean on Yuma as they walked, her steps heavy but grounded. For the first time, she allowed herself to feel the exhaustion, trusting that Yuma would carry her through. Chapter 12 - Ridden The sun cast long shadows across the school grounds, dipping below the horizon in hues of deep red and orange. Takanashi moved with quiet, steady steps, his gaze fixed ahead with a reluctant sigh as he led a group of students, both seniors and younger years, toward the sports hall. After the brutal Cuju game, exhaustion clung to him like a second skin, and yet his expression remained unreadable, with hand in his pockets, head down. The younger students crowded together as they walked, shoulders bumping and feet shuffling as they cast uneasy glances at Takanashi. One first-year tugged nervously at his friend''s sleeve collar, whispering to his friend, ¡°Did you see him out there, Daiki? The way he¡­¡± His words trailed off as Takanashi¡¯s gaze flicked their way, and he quickly shut his mouth, eyes wide. Daiki gave a slow, solemn nod. ¡°He¡¯s everything our parents warned us about, Kenzo.¡± Nearby, a senior reached out and gave one of the younger boys a hard shove, sending him stumbling forward. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, can¡¯t keep up?¡± the senior sneered, grabbing the boy by the shoulder to steady him, only to give him another rough push. ¡°Leave off, would you?¡± Daiki muttered, trying to wriggle free, his voice barely above a whisper. But the senior only laughed, wrapping an arm around the boy¡¯s neck and giving him a noogie. Takanashi continued walking, eyes straight ahead, seeming not to notice the younger boy¡¯s silent plea. The whispers from the back grew louder, nervous, until another senior barked, ¡°Hey, keep it down! Show some respect.¡± Another called out, ¡°Come on, keep up!¡± The younger students fell quiet, their heads downcast as they tried to stay out of the seniors¡¯ reach, occasionally glancing at Takanashi¡¯s back, His silence seemed to cast a heavy shadow over the group. As the group reached the sports hall, Takanashi¡¯s pace slowed, his gaze sweeping over the building. The once-ordinary sports hall had now been claimed, its walls marked with the rough spray-painted ¡®Ridden¡¯ tag, as Kazuto faith flash before him, his friend and leader of the there gang. They entered through the main doors, which stood propped open, a battered gym bench wedged against them as a makeshift barricade. Inside, the hall was dimly lit by the last of the evening light filtering through broken windows high above. Members of Ridden were sprawled across the bleachers and scattered gym mats, talking quietly among themselves. A few glanced up as Takanashi entered, their murmurs falling silent as they looked at him. Piles of hastily gathered supplies¡ªbottles of water, canned food, and scattered bits of equipment lined one corner, as an empty metal trash had been converted into a makeshift fire pit, and a faint, acrid smell of smoke lingered in the air. One of the seniors, lounging on a mat near the back, rose to his feet, nodding to Takanashi. ¡°Boss. We¡¯ve been keeping an eye out since you left. No sign of the Principle around here.¡± Takanashi gave a curt nod, ¡°Thank Sato, it looks like Kazuto was his only target¡± then he turned to the students behind him, scanning the younger faces. ¡°Find a place to sit and stay quiet,¡± he ordered. The younger students quickly obeyed, settling into uneasy groups along the walls, casting wary glances at the gang members who now controlled the hall. Kenzo couldn¡¯t help but whisper to Daiki, his voice barely audible. ¡°This place feels¡­ wrong.¡± Daiki nudged him, his gaze darting to Takanashi. ¡°These guys are delinquents,¡± he whispered back. ¡°Just don¡¯t draw attention.¡± Takanashi¡¯s eyes moved to a roughly drawn school map taped against one of the walls, covered with marked positions and hastily scribbled notes. He stepped over to it, running his fingers along the lines someone had once drawn, splitting the Sport Hall . Kazuto¡¯s rule had been ruthless, his family was bailing us out of trouble time and again, but since his death, Takanashi had barely filled the power void, others feared his bigger size but Sato was his only true friend within the gang. Near the back of the hall, a few of the new seniors exchanged sharp looks with each other before stepping forward. One of them, a tall, broad-shouldered senior with a scar running down his cheek, nudged his friend and motioned toward Sato. He smirked, his voice loud enough to carry. ¡°These guys think they run the place, huh?¡± Takanashi turned slowly, his gaze settling on the group. He held a steely calm as he took a few measured steps forward, stopping directly in front of the upstart. ¡°You got something to say?¡± His voice was low, steady, and ice-cold. The senior straightened up, meeting Takanashi¡¯s gaze with a sneer as his lips curled, squaring his shoulders. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve got something to say.¡± He glanced over his shoulder at his friends, their nods giving him just enough courage to push forward. ¡°You¡¯re just a bunch of delinquents.¡± emboldened by a few nods from his friends, he jabbed a finger into Takanashi¡¯s chest. ¡°You¡¯re not the only big guy around here, Takanashi. And we¡¯re not letting a gang of losers¡­.¡± Without a word, Takanashi swung. His fist connected with the senior¡¯s jaw in a single, sharp strike, the force sending him staggering to the floor. A ripple of shock went through the room as Takanashi seized the senior by the collar, pinning him to the floor.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. ¡°Kazuto¡¯s gone, and this aint the streets anymore¡± Takanashi growled, his voice low, ¡°and I¡¯m in charge now. If you don¡¯t like it, I can end it now.¡± The senior spat blood onto the floor, his sneer unwavering even as Takanashi loomed over him. ¡°You think I¡¯m scared of you? You¡¯re just some thug playing king because that other loser, Kazuto¡¯s not here.¡± He shoved at Takanashi¡¯s chest, forcing him back just enough to scramble to his feet. ¡°You think you can be a hero? You¡¯re nothing but a big, dumb¡± Takanashi didn¡¯t let him finish. He lunged forward, driving a fist into the senior¡¯s gut with enough force to double him over. The room erupted into chaos as the other seniors stepped back, unsure whether to intervene. The Ridden members exchanged quick, uncertain glances but stayed rooted in place, waiting to see how their leader would handle the challenge. The senior gasped for air, his face contorted in pain, but he didn¡¯t back down. Instead, he swung wildly, catching Takanashi on the cheek with enough force to snap his head to the side. Takanashi paused, touching his face where the blow had landed. His expression remained cold, unreadable, as he turned back to face his opponent. ¡°That''s the best you¡¯ve got?¡± Takanashi said, his voice quiet, almost mocking. With a roar, the senior charged, throwing punch after punch. Takanashi dodged most of them, his movements precise, but a few landed, each hit only fueling the fire in his eyes. He waited for the senior to tire, then stepped in, grabbing him by the throat and slamming him against the wall with a bone-shaking thud. The senior clawed at Takanashi¡¯s hand, his face turning red as he struggled to breathe. The room fell silent. Only a quick shallow gasps from the seniors'' struggles. ¡°This isn¡¯t the streets, and it sure as hell isn¡¯t a game,¡± Takanashi growled, his grip tightening. His voice carried through the hall. ¡°Kazuto was only the leader because his money bailed us out of trouble. I''ve taken charge because we all know I¡¯d do whatever it takes to keep us alive. You? You¡¯re just another idiot who thinks he knows me, fact is, you don''t!.¡± The senior¡¯s legs kicked weakly, his eyes wide with panic as Takanashi pressed harder. His friends took a step forward, but one look from Sato stopped them in their tracks. The Ridden members stood by, their silence an unspoken endorsement of their leader¡¯s actions. With a final, savage twist, Takanashi threw the senior to the floor. The thud echoed in the hall, and the senior lay still, his chest rising and falling in shallow, uneven breaths. Takanashi loomed over him, his foot pressing down on the senior¡¯s chest. ¡°Last chance,¡± Takanashi said, his voice calm but deadly. ¡°You walk out of here now, or you don¡¯t walk out at all.¡± The senior coughed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he gasped out, ¡°Screw you...¡± Takanashi¡¯s face darkened. He shifted his weight, pressing harder against the senior¡¯s chest. The sound of ribs cracking filled the hall, and the senior let out a strangled cry. Takanashi didn¡¯t stop. His boot came down hard, once, twice, and then there was only silence. The room stood frozen. No one moved, no one spoke, as Takanashi stepped back, leaving the body on the floor. His chest rose and fell with slow, measured breaths as he turned to the rest of the students, his gaze sweeping over the wide-eyed faces of the younger years and the stunned expressions of the seniors. ¡°Anyone else have a problem?¡± he asked, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. No one answered. The younger students huddled closer to the walls, their eyes fixed on the blood pooling beneath the senior¡¯s lifeless body. Even the other upstarts shrank back, their bravado drained in the face of Takanashi¡¯s unflinching violence. Hiroshi, the hulking senior who had been watching silently from the sidelines, finally stepped forward. He met Takanashi¡¯s gaze with a slow nod. ¡°I¡¯m with you,¡± he said, his voice steady. Takanashi wiped the blood from his hands on his shirt and nodded back. ¡°Good.¡± He turned to the rest of the room, his voice low and commanding. ¡°You want to live? You follow me. No more games, no more questions. You fall in line, or you leave now!.¡± The room remained silent, the weight of his words sinking in. Takanashi walked to the map on the wall, his back to the others, and began marking new positions ¡®Farm¡¯ over the athletic field in bold letters, his tone calm ¡°Those who don''t play, work¡±. The growls and jeers of the Ridden followed a handful of students as they slunk toward the exit, their heads bowed. ¡°Cowards!¡± one of the gang members spat, eliciting a ripple of mocking laughter. But Takanashi raised a hand, silencing them with a single motion. Takanashi turned back to the group, his eyes narrowing as he held up his ID. The faint glow draws their eyes. ¡°We have solar. We have water. What we don¡¯t have is food.¡± His voice was steady, each word deliberate. ¡°That¡¯s going to change.¡± He gestured to Sato, who stepped forward, his own ID already in hand. ¡°Sato will manage our points. You want protection? You hand them over.¡± A murmur rippled through the group. Some students instinctively clutched their IDs tighter, in fear. One of the younger years hesitated, his hands trembling as he glanced between his ID and Takanashi. Takanashi went first, he scanned Sato cards, transferring his points. ¡°What¡¯s it going to be?¡± he asked, his tone devoid of patience. The boy finally stepped forward, holding out his ID with shaking hands. Sato snatched it without a word, scanning it quickly before handing it back. One by one, others followed, reluctantly offering up their points. The Ridden members watched with satisfied smirks, their dominance solidified as the students filed forward to submit. Takanashi¡¯s gaze swept over the room once more, lingering on the few who hadn¡¯t moved. His voice dropped, carrying an edge that sent a chill through the air. ¡°Don¡¯t make me ask twice.¡± The remaining holdouts stepped forward quickly, their reluctance overridden by fear. Once the last ID had been scanned, ¡°This is how we survive,¡± he said without looking up. ¡°If you want to live through this, you¡¯ll do what you¡¯re told.¡± Sato faced the group, his expression unreadable but firm. ¡°No one eats for free, and no one gets a free ride. You¡¯re with us, or you¡¯re nothing.¡± The room was silent once more, the faint scratching of the wind against the broken windows the only sound. Takanashi let the moment linger, ensuring Sato words had sunk in, before gesturing to Hiroshi and Sato to meet with him privately, before addressing the others with a steady and commanding tone. ¡°The rest of you, grab a mat and get to sleep. Tomorrow¡¯s going to be a busy day.¡± Chapter 13 - From the Fade The crimson dawn seeped through the drawn drapes, casting a theatrical red glow over the drama stage at the centre of the classroom. Riku stirred, stretching as though rising from a grand bed fit for royalty. In her mind, she envisioned velvet drapes, a goosefeather mattress, and a room adorned with relics of her dominion. She donned her vintage rouge corset over a dress, tightening the clasps with deliberate precision, placing her eyepatch to seal away evil and took hold of her oak staff, the Staff of Domination. Striding to the window, she threw open the tattered curtains with a flourish. The fog outside clung to the walls, thick and impenetrable, blurring the view beyond the school grounds. Her crimson gaze scanned the ethereal haze as her grip tightened on the staff. "By the shadows, the puppeteer guides us," she murmured in solemn prayer. Raising her staff high, she struck its base against the window frame with a sharp thud. "But I will not guide my house to ruin. End this madness, puppeteer!" Her dramatic proclamation was interrupted by the door slamming open behind her. A younger girl entered, bowing low. ¡°Lady Riku, you¡¯re awake!¡± Riku turned slowly, her crimson gaze falling on the girl. ¡°Ah, Ms. Emi,¡± she said with regal authority. ¡°You rise early to seek my counsel? What brought you here this morn?¡± Emi hesitated, wringing her hands. ¡°My Lady, I¡¯m on breakfast duty this morning, and¡­ well¡­¡± She swallowed hard, her voice trembling. ¡°Our situation is dire. There¡¯s trouble with the rations.¡± Riku¡¯s head tilted, confusion briefly crossing her face before she masked it with a chuckle. ¡°Our food stocks? Impossible. We pooled our points, and there was enough for five days.¡± ¡°¡°I don¡¯t know what happened,¡± Emi stammered. Her gaze dropped to the floor. ¡°Some people may have taken seconds, or¡­ or perhaps someone...¡± Her voice faltered, unwilling to suggest outright theft. Ruki eye glowed red, thump as she slam down her staff, ¡°I see this for myself, lead the way¡± Riku¡¯s eyes narrowed, her crimson gaze seeming to glow as she slammed the staff against the ground with a resounding thump. ¡°Show me. I will see this for myself.¡± Emi flinched at the sound but quickly nodded. ¡°Yes, my Lady. This way.¡± Riku followed, her staff tapping the floor with deliberate rhythm. Each step echoed down the quiet hallway, punctuating the faint hum of drones overhead. Whispers flitted between shadowy corners, the muted voices of other students drifting in and out of earshot. When they reached the storeroom, the door hung slightly ajar, its hinges creaking faintly as Emi pushed it open. The dim interior was a chaotic mess¡ªwrappers crumpled in corners, overturned crates spilling scraps of supplies, and a dwindling stack of ration bars at the centre of it all. A few club members were already there, their anxious murmurs filling the air. One boy crouched beside a half-empty crate, turning over an empty canister in disbelief. Another girl clutched a makeshift dagger, her knuckles white as she jabbed it toward a boy with messy hair and a patchy beard. ¡°You said the club had enough stockpiles for the week!¡± she hissed, her voice tight with frustration. ¡°How is this all that¡¯s left?¡± The boy kicked an empty box ¡°We all agreed to take the same amount, Kaito! You said if we pool points you¡¯ll work it out!¡± Kaito, the club¡¯s self-proclaimed Quartermaster, raised his hands in exasperation. ¡°And they were enough!¡± he snapped. ¡°This doesn¡¯t make sense. We checked everything yesterday¡ªit should¡¯ve lasted!¡± Riku stepped inside, the tapping of her staff silencing the argument. Her presence seemed to fill the room, the air growing thick with expectation. She cast a theatrical glance over the disarray before levelling her crimson gaze at Kaito. ¡°Quartermaster,¡± she said, her voice echoing with regal authority. ¡°Explain this treachery. Who dares to meddle with my dominion?¡± Kaito fidgeted under her gaze, his bravado faltering. ¡°I-I don¡¯t know,¡± he stammered. ¡°Everything was fine last night! But this morning¡­¡± He gestured helplessly at the scattered supplies. ¡°This isn¡¯t just overeating. Someone must¡¯ve taken more than their share.¡± The room erupted into murmurs, fingers pointing and accusations flying. ¡°I saw Kenji sneaking around last night!¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t me¡ªI was on watch!¡± ¡°Maybe the drones are messing with us!¡± Riku slammed her staff against the racking, the sharp crack silencing the chaos. She strode to the centre of the room, her crimson gaze sweeping over the group. ¡°Enough!¡± she commanded. ¡°This betrayal must be rooted out. Speak now, and you may yet earn my mercy.¡± A nervous silence fell over the room, the tension palpable. Finally, Emi spoke, her voice trembling. ¡°There was someone¡­¡± All eyes turned to her as she hesitated, glancing toward Riku for reassurance. ¡°Speak, Emi,¡± Riku said, her tone softer but no less commanding. ¡°I saw someone sneaking around last night,¡± Emi admitted, her hands clutching the hem of her skirt. ¡°Near the storeroom. It was him, The Alchemist.¡± The name sent a ripple through the room. Whispers of The Alchemist have circulated among the students for weeks, before the collapse he angling to leader there Chuunibyou Club after Riku leaves, but in the aftermath he wanted to lead, with a knack for scavenging and manipulating chemicals he is a risk foe, if he was the one that stole from their own. Kaito¡¯s face darkened. ¡°If he was here, he didn¡¯t just take extra rations. He could¡¯ve stolen points from the pool or tampered with the remaining stockpile itself.¡±This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Riku¡¯s eyes narrowed, the crimson glow intensifying. ¡°Then it is settled. We cannot allow this meddler to go unpunished.¡± She turned to the group, her staff raised high. ¡°Gather your strength, my loyal companions. Today, we hunt the thief and reclaim what is rightfully ours!¡± The group exchanged uneasy glances, their confidence wavering. One of the younger members muttered, ¡°But¡­ What if he¡¯s dangerous? I heard he has traps on his side of the corridor, and if we¡¯re wrong, he could tear our house into a civil war.¡± Riku spun, her cape, well, her repurposed blanket, billowing behind her. ¡°Danger is but a shadow, fleeting before the light of our resolve!¡± She pointed her staff dramatically toward the door. ¡°Will you cower in fear, or will you stand and fight for the honour of the Order of Dreams¡± The room was silent for a moment, then Kaito sighed, stepping forward. ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s go. But if this backfires, it¡¯s on you, Riku.¡± Riku smirked, lowering her staff. ¡°Excellent. Prepare yourselves, for we march at dawn!¡± She paused, glancing at the red sky outside. ¡°Or rather¡­ now.¡± The club began gathering their makeshift weapons and supplies, their hesitation slowly replaced with nervous determination. As they filed out of the storeroom, Riku¡¯s voice rang through the air. ¡°Alchemist, we will bring justice!¡± Riku¡¯s group marched through the corridor, ¡°Be vigilant,¡± she commanded, her voice low with a hint for the dramatic. As they rounded a corner, a faint hissing noise filled the air. Before anyone could react, a plume of smoke erupted from a small device on the floor. The hallway filled with thick, choking fog, and the group stumbled, coughing and waving their hands to clear the air. ¡°A trap!¡± Riku declared, slamming her staff against the wall. ¡°He thinks he can ensnare us with his sorcery!¡± ¡°It¡¯s just smoke,¡± Kaito muttered, but his voice was drowned out by another hiss. This time, jets of foam shot from hidden dispensers along the walls, coating the group in sticky white suds. ¡°This is getting ridiculous,¡± Emi groaned, trying to peel foam off her face. ¡°Does he think we¡¯re some kind of joke?¡± Riku waved her staff clean with an exaggerated air of exaggerated. ¡°Fear not, comrades. This is but a coward¡¯s ploy. He underestimates my resolve¡± The group emerged from the foam-soaked corridor, coughing and peeling the sticky residue from their clothes as they stood before The Alchemist¡¯s lair, ¡°He¡¯s been in his lair since you¡¯ve taken command Lady Riku¡± Emi grip tighten on her club, ¡°We need to be carefull, some believe he should lead us instead of you¡± ¡°What if they¡¯re right?¡± The thought crept in Riku''s mind. She clenched her staff tighter, with a thud Riku boots open the door, the scene before them was a chaotic blend of squalor and excess. Crates of rations and the stolen supplies were stacked haphazardly against the walls, some spilling open to reveal their contents. Empty bottles littered the floor, and the air was thick with the sour tang of alcohol. In the centre of the mess sat The Alchemist, his stocky frame slumped against a makeshift throne of overturned crates. His usually pale face was flushed, and his witch doctor¡¯s outfit hung askew, a clear sign of a long night of debauchery. Around him, a few of his followers, equally dishevelled, lay sprawled on the floor, groaning and clutching their heads. ¡°Who dares disturb my domain?¡± The Alchemist grumbled, his voice hoarse as he rubbed his temples. He squinted through the foggy corridor, barely registering Riku and her group. ¡°Oh. It¡¯s you. What do you want?¡± Before Riku could launch into her usual theatrics, another voice cut through the haze. ¡°Oh, Alchie, are we out of pancakes already, can one of your boys fetch some flour?¡± Akira strolled into view, flanked by a few of her girls of equal stunning. Her uniform sweater was slightly undone, revealing a glimpse of her natural assets, with her blond hair with pink highlights catching the dim light perfectly. She carried herself with a lazy confidence, her soft smile directed at The Alchemist as she leaned over his chair, stretching past him for a water bottle. ¡°You¡¯re not holding out on us, are you?¡± she teased, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. Her companions giggled, their voices like melodious chimes as they draped themselves around the dishevelled boys. ¡°Succubi,¡± Riku whispered, her voice trembling with both awe and fury. Akira¡¯s lips moved, though Riku couldn¡¯t hear the words clearly. In her mind, it wasn¡¯t a conversation but a whispering chant, dripping with venomous charm. Her companions circled like shadowy wraiths, their fingers brushing the stolen rations and bottles as if claiming them as trophies of conquest. ¡°Beware, my loyal knights!¡± Riku cried, spinning to face her group. ¡°The demons have ensnared the Alchemist with their wiles. We must free him from their spell!¡± ¡°What?¡± Kaito asked, looking genuinely confused. But Riku didn¡¯t wait for an answer. She charged forward, her staff raised high. ¡°Order of Dreams, attack!¡± Kaito, Emi with the others hesitated for a moment, but Riku¡¯s fervour was infectious. With a mix of war cries and awkward enthusiasm, they followed her lead, storming into the lair. The Alchemist¡¯s face twisted in horror as the foam-covered group descended on him. ¡°Wait, no! What are you¡­¡± Emi swung her club wildly, knocking over a stack of empty bottles. Kaito slipped on foam covered floor, barely catching himself before colliding with an Alchemist follower. ¡°What the hell is wrong with you?¡± Akira yelled, backing away as one of Riku¡¯s followers swung a makeshift sword in her direction. The first swing of Riku¡¯s staff sent one of the crates of stolen supplies toppling over, scattering bottles and ration bars across the floor. Akira¡¯s group, startled by the sudden commotion, let out shrieks of indignation. ¡°What the hell is wrong with you?¡± Akira yelled, backing away as one of Riku¡¯s followers swung a makeshift club in her direction. ¡°These losers are not worth this!¡± she shouted to her girls, their flirtatious act dropping instantly as they scattered, leaving The Alchemist and his groaning followers to face the chaos alone. Riku¡¯s group surrounded The Alchemist, their movements clumsy but triumphant. One of the boys tried to fight back, but a well-placed jab from Kaito¡¯s broomstick sent him sprawling. The Alchemist, still too hungover to defend himself, threw up his hands in surrender. ¡°All right, all right! Keep away from my next batch! You win!¡± he groaned. ¡°Just¡­ stop wrecking my stuff!¡± Riku planted her staff in the ground, her crimson gaze burning as she declared, ¡°The darkness has been vanquished. Now, Alchemist, you will answer for your crimes!¡± The Alchemist sighed, rubbing his face. ¡°Look, we just wanted to throw a party, okay? It¡¯s not like I planned to screw everyone over. I just¡­ got carried away.¡± Kaito stepped forward, glaring. ¡°And what about the food you stole? How many points did you waste on this stupid party?¡± Alchemist leaned forward, scanning the mess and destruction, ¡°I didn¡¯t steal it; I borrowed it¡­ for science!¡± Emi pointed her weapon at him, staring at him with draggers in her eyes ¡°We will starve before this nightmare ends¡± The Alchemist winced. ¡°Yeah¡­ about that. Most of it is gone. Between the ingredients, material, the make-up the girls wanted and the snacks¡­¡± He trailed off, gesturing vaguely at the mess around him. Riku¡¯s dramatic pose faltered slightly, the weight of the situation sinking in. She exchanged a glance with her group, their earlier enthusiasm dimming as the reality of their dwindling resources became clear. ¡°We can¡¯t survive like this,¡± Emi muttered, her voice heavy with resignation. ¡°If we don¡¯t do something soon¡­¡± Alchemist face plastered ¡°What¡¯s a little ruckus when we¡¯ve got nothing else to do but die, anyway?¡± The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Riku. She tightened her grip on her staff, her usual bravado wavering. ¡°Then we will do what must be done,¡± she said quietly. ¡°We will risk entering the puppeteer games¡­ and we will win.¡± Chapter 14 - The Nurse’s Reality The dim fluorescent light buzzed faintly as the nurse stood in the tiny staff restroom, cleaning off blood from her uniform with careful precision. The sink beside her was stained with crimson streaks, a reminder of the chaos of the last couple of days. Somewhere outside, the distant hum of drones carried on, a cold and mechanical reminder of the new reality. She wrinkled her nose at the sharp metallic scent lingering in the air, shaking her head as though scolding herself for letting it get to her. ¡°Get it together, Hyejin,¡± she muttered, her voice slipping into Korean, steadying herself with the familiarity of her native tongue. The mirror in front of her reflected a woman who looked far older than she felt. Her braided pigtails, once neat, were frayed, with streaks of dried blood. For a moment, she paused, her hands gripping the edges of the sink, her head bowed as she muttered ¡°I¡¯ve dealt with combat injuries before but this is something else¡± as the relentless buzz of drones persisted in the distention. Inhaling deeply, she straightened up, ¡°A fresh start,¡± she whispered, forcing a bright smile that didn¡¯t quite reach her tired eyes. From a clean locker in the corner, she pulled out a crisp pink nurse uniform and apron, smoothing the fabric as she slipped it on. Her stockings were pristine, a small luxury she allowed herself, and she took an extra moment to ensure her little brown pigtails were cleaned and neat. She pauses for a minute, as she slowly reaches into the dirty laundry, grasping the revolver she pulls it out of the basket. With a deep sigh ¡°I¡¯ve best hide this under my apron¡± fearing one of the students getting a hold of it. In the mirror, she finally saw the version of herself she wanted others to see, Nurse Choi Hyejin, happy-go-lucky, ever-reliable, and unshakable. ¡°No one trusts a nurse who looks worse off than the patients,¡± she said with a chuckle. As she stepped back into the nurse¡¯s office, the facade of calm resolve replaced any hint of weariness. The room was still a battlefield of moans and muffled sobs, but the students glanced up at her arrival, their fear momentarily softened by her comforting presence. ¡°Alright, everyone,¡± Nurse said cheerfully, clapping her hands together. ¡°Let¡¯s see what we can do to fix you all up! And no whining, I¡¯ve already had enough of that from the vending machines.¡± Her light-hearted tone was met with faint smiles, even from the most injured among them. Her eyes fell on Sakura, crouched near a younger girl lying on a makeshift cot. Sakura¡¯s fire axe, the torn fabric strap digging into her shoulder. A weapon carried with such calm by a teenager was unsettling, its edges still gleaned from the night before. With a steady hand, she spoon-fed the girl the viscous nutrient paste from one of the vending machines. ¡°I know it¡¯s horrible,¡± Sakura murmured, her voice soft but firm. ¡°But you need to eat.¡± The girl whimpered, her lips trembling as she reluctantly opened her mouth. Sakura gently guided the spoon into her mouth. ¡°Ichika working hard on getting us some fresh food from the rooftop farm, you just gotta wait a little longer¡± as Sakura¡¯s shoulders drop, leaning close so she could whisper in her ear, ¡°maybe so eggs¡± The Nurse gazes lingered on the scene for a moment. Caught a weak smile on the girl''s face, but she also noticed Sakura''s exhaustion, her uniform dirty and torn at the edges. As she approached Sakura, ¡°You¡¯re a natural,¡± Nurse said warmly. Sakura looked up, her eyes meeting the nurse¡¯s. For a moment, her exhaustion flickered into a faint smile. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say that. Just doing what I can.¡± Crouching beside them, to examine the girls'' conditions as she placed a reassuring hand on Sakura¡¯s shoulder, her tone warm but teasing. ¡°You keep this up, and I might have to start paying you. Nurse Sakura has a nice ring to it, don¡¯t you think?¡± Sakura let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. ¡°I¡¯ll pass, thanks.¡± The nurse glanced at the younger girl. Her breathing was shallow, but steady. ¡°Good work. Let me take it from here for now.¡± She straightened and clapped her hands, her voice rising to address the room. ¡°Alright, people, let¡¯s keep things moving. No one gets better by lying around and looking pretty!¡± The Nurse moved swiftly across the room, her spirit never faltering despite the chaos. She approached Yuma, who was seated near a corner cot, her arm cradled against her chest. The bandages around her forearm caked in dried blood.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°Alright, Yuma, let¡¯s take a look,¡± the Nurse said, her voice soft but commanding. She knelt beside the girl, her pink uniform and apron a stark contrast to the blood and grime around her. Yuma winced as the nurse began unravelling the bandages. ¡°You¡¯re a bit too good at this, remaining calm I mean¡± Yuma muttered, trying to mask her discomfort with humour. ¡°Comes with the job, I was a medic in the Korean military for a while¡± Nurse replied, a small smile tugging at her lips. ¡°And with how often you three stumble in here, I¡¯ve had plenty of practice.¡± Yuma chuckled weakly but fell silent as the nurse gently probed the stitches beneath. The wound was healing, but the edges were inflamed. Nurse¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°It¡¯s not infected, but you need to keep it clean. When¡¯s the last time you disinfected this?¡± Yuma shrugged sheepishly. ¡°Not since Sakura bandaged it after the glass¡­¡± Nurse sighed, shaking her head. ¡°You¡¯re lucky it¡¯s holding up. Another day, and you¡¯d be looking at an infection.¡± She dabbed the wound with antiseptic, drawing a sharp hiss from Yuma. As she worked, the nurse¡¯s gaze flickered to Sakura, who was across the room, crouched beside a younger student. ¡°How¡¯s she holding up?¡± the Nurse asked quietly, her voice low enough that only Yuma could hear. Yuma hesitated, her eyes darting to Sakura. ¡°She¡¯s... not okay,¡± she admitted. ¡°She¡¯s trying to act strong, but after everything in the games, and with Reo still missing, it¡¯s eating her alive. I¡¯ve never seen her like this.¡± The nurse nodded slowly, her hands steady as she wrapped fresh gauze around Yuma¡¯s arm. ¡°It¡¯s a lot for anyone, let alone kids your age. And with the resources we have¡­¡± She trailed off, glancing at the dwindling supplies stacked haphazardly on a nearby cart. ¡°Not much left, huh?¡± Yuma asked, her voice tinged with worry. Nurse grimaced. ¡°We¡¯re down to scraps. Antibiotics, clean water, bandages¡ªyou name it, we¡¯re running out. And the vending machines¡­¡± She let out a humourless laugh. ¡°They¡¯re a cruel joke. Charging points for things like antiseptic spray. As if these kids don¡¯t have enough to worry about.¡± Yuma¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Sakura¡¯s been refusing to spend points on herself. She skipped dinner last night and breakfast this morning¡± The Nurse''s hands stilled for a moment before she gave a small nod. ¡°Of course she is. But she¡¯s no good to him if she collapses first, or worse¡±as she secured the bandage with a soft pat and stood, stretching her back. ¡°That should hold for now. Don¡¯t strain it too much, and come back if it starts to swell.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Yuma said, flexing her fingers experimentally. The Nurse gave her a pat on the head before moving toward the door. ¡°I need some air. Yuma, Sakura, keep an eye on students for me, will you? They¡¯ll listen to you, even if some of them pretend they don¡¯t.¡± Stepping out into the hallway, she exhaled deeply, the metallic taste of blood and antiseptic still lingering in the back of her throat as she loosened her pink apron, letting the cool air hit her neck as she leaned against the wall. A familiar figure approached, the unmistakable silhouettes of Mr Hanson, his posture tense, a deep scowl etched into his features. ¡°Hanson,¡± The Nurse greeted, her tone neutral. ¡°How¡¯s it looking on your end?¡± ¡°Same as yours, I¡¯d bet,¡± he replied gruffly, running a hand through his short-cropped hair. ¡°Kids breaking down, staff on edge. Akasuki¡¯s been trying to hold the line, but it¡¯s slipping. Fast.¡± She crossed her arms, nodding grimly. ¡°It¡¯s worse than I thought. Supplies are almost gone. We¡¯re rationing as best we can, but it won¡¯t last.¡± Hanson¡¯s eyes flicked to her apron, stained with fresh blood. ¡°You¡¯ve been holding up?¡± ¡°Barely,¡± she admitted, her voice softening. ¡°Reminds me of my army days. Field tents, triage, doing what you can with what little you¡¯ve got. But this¡­¡± She gestured vaguely toward the school around them. ¡°This isn¡¯t war. It¡¯s worse. At least out there, you knew who the enemy was.¡± Hanson grunted, his expression hardening. ¡°Same. And here? Here, the enemy¡¯s everywhere. Fear, hunger, desperation. It¡¯s in their eyes, Hanson. Even the staff. It¡¯s only a matter of time before someone snaps.¡± A heavy silence hung between them, the weight of reality pressing down like a vice. Finally, the Nurse straightened, her gaze steely. ¡°I¡¯ll do what I can. For the staff, too. We¡¯re all hanging by a thread, and if one of us falls¡­¡± She didn¡¯t finish the sentence, but the implication was clear. Hanson gave a sigh ¡°Let me know what you need, but can you come upstairs, am worried about a few of the older staff members¡± ¡°Of course, let me tell the girls while I grab a medical bag¡± As the nurse heads back inside her office with her usual brisk steps, her presence immediately drawing the attention of Sakura and Yuma. The room was quieter now, the injured students either resting or watching the nurse. ¡°I need to head upstairs to check on the staff,¡± she announced, moving quickly to a supply cabinet. Her hands darted between shelves, gathering essentials, a roll of bandages, antiseptic wipes, a few remaining syringes filled with painkillers, and stuffing them into a worn black medical bag. ¡°Upstairs?¡± Yuma asked, rising from her seat. Her freshly bandaged arm hung stiffly at her side. ¡°Are they okay?" ¡°They¡¯re holding on,¡± the nurse replied, slinging the bag over her shoulder. ¡°But Hanson¡¯s worried about a few of them. Stress, lack of medication¡­ it¡¯s starting to take a toll on some of the staff that have ailments.¡± Sakura stood as well, her gaze flicking to the supplies in the nurse¡¯s bag. ¡°Do you have enough? Should we go with you?¡± The nurse paused, her fingers lingering on the strap of her apron. She turned to the girls, her expression softening. ¡°No, you two need to stay here. The students look up to you both, even if they don¡¯t show it. If something happens while I¡¯m gone, they¡¯ll need someone strong to rely on.¡± ¡°Can you do me a favour?¡± Sakura asked, her voice trembling despite her attempt to sound calm. ¡°Can you check the system again for Reo? I don¡¯t even know if he¡¯s alive anymore.¡± The nurse¡¯s expression softened as she crouched slightly, meeting Sakura¡¯s eyes. ¡°You can count on me,¡± she said firmly. ¡°I¡¯ll search again. We¡¯ll find him.¡± Chapter 15 - Everyone a Critic Mr. Hanson sat alone in a dimly lit corner of the staff room, the soft hum of the holo-display a distant backdrop as it read Access Denied. The revolver with the Ace of Clubs emblem spun idly under his fingers, the weight of the cold metal grounding him in a world spiralling out of control. Around him, the faint murmuring of the staff filled the room, whispers of fear, despair, and fractured resolve. At the far end, the nurse was tending to Ms. Chiyo. The elderly teacher sat slumped in a chair, her usually pristine white curls now frazzled, her face ashen. She had been a steady presence throughout the crisis, but the last few days had worn her down. Her hands trembled as she accepted a cup of tea, her hollow eyes staring into the distance. The nurse struggled to focus as she moved between the remaining staff, her own exhaustion evident. She glanced over her shoulder uneasily. Heavy, wet breathing followed her every step, a rasping sound that made her skin crawl. Mr. Daisuke. He stood uncomfortably close, looming like a shadow behind her. His sweat-stained shirt clung to his oversize frame, the buttons straining against his ample belly. His trousers sagged awkwardly around his wide hips, and his balding head glistened under the dim light. The nurse forced a polite smile, though her fingers gripped the edge of her notebook tightly. "Mr. Daisuke, I already examined you earlier today. You''re not injured, just... stressed. I can¡¯t give you anything, we¡¯re low on supplies downstairs. Perhaps some water and rest..." Daisuke leaned closer, the chair beneath him groaning as he shifted his weight forward. The smell of sweat and stale breath hit her like a wall. "I told you, my chest feels tight. Could be my heart, you know? Maybe you should check again, just in case." His tone was wheedling but carried an undertone of something more insistent. The nurse stepped back, trying to create space between them, but Daisuke followed, his bulk dominating the small area. "I understand your concerns, but right now, others need my attention more urgently..." Her voice wavered as Daisuke¡¯s meaty hand clamped onto her arm. "Come on. I¡¯m not asking for much. Just... take another look. A proper look." The staff room fell uncomfortably silent, the murmurs fading as the tension in the air thickened. Across the room, Mr. Hanson stopped spinning the revolver, his sharp gaze snapping to the interaction. The nurse¡¯s eyes darted around the room, silently pleading for someone to intervene. Hanson rose from his corner, the revolver hanging loosely in his hand as he approached. His voice was firm. "Daisuke." The name carried a weight that froze the older man mid-grip. He turned to see Hanson standing there, his presence filling the room with quiet authority. "She said no." Daisuke released the nurse¡¯s arm reluctantly, wiping his sweaty palms on his trousers. "I was just... asking for some help." Hanson¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Help yourself by sitting down and staying out of the way." The room remained silent, all eyes on the two men. Daisuke¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line, but he shuffled back to a corner, his chair groaning as he sat heavily. The nurse exhaled softly, brushing her arm as if to wipe away the encounter. She offered Hanson a grateful glance. "Thank you. I didn''t want to hurt him." Hanson¡¯s expression didn¡¯t soften. He simply nodded. "You seem... unusually calm for someone in the middle of all this." The nurse flashed a tired smile. "I don¡¯t have the luxury to panic, Mr. Hanson. Not when people need me." Hanson returned to his seat, revolver still in hand, his sharp eyes scanning the room but his attention was drawn elsewhere. A faint, acrid smell wafted into the room, cutting through the stale air of the staffroom. It wasn¡¯t just the usual sour tang of unwashed bodies and fear, it was sharper, more unnatural. His military instincts kicked in immediately. He sniffed the air again, ¡°You smell that?¡± his brow furrowing. It smelled like... burning plastic? Rot? Something wasn¡¯t right. Across the room, the nurse was organizing supplies, "Kids shouldn¡¯t have to be this strong. But maybe they¡¯ll survive because they are." her voice soft as she reassured Ms. Chiyo before the nurse glanced up briefly, shaking her head. ¡°Smell what?¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Hanson rose to his feet, revolver sliding easily into his belt, and stepped toward the window. ¡°It¡¯s coming from downstairs. Something¡¯s off. I¡¯m going to check it out.¡± Smoke curled lazily from the flues of the canteen kitchen. The nurse hesitated, her tired eyes narrowing. ¡°You sure that¡¯s a good idea? We¡¯ve barely got control of things up here.¡± ¡°Control is an illusion. If it¡¯s nothing, I¡¯ll be back in five. If it¡¯s something...¡± He trailed off, his tone leaving the implication clear. Before he could head out, another teacher stood up, a wiry man with glasses perched on his nose and a dishevelled tie hanging loose around his neck. Mr. Kubo, the history teacher. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t go alone. I¡¯ll come with you.¡± Hanson eyed him for a moment, considering. ¡°Have you ever seen violence, Kubo?¡± Kubo swallowed hard, shaking his head. ¡°Not even a bar fight.¡± Hanson snorted softly. ¡°Then stick close and don¡¯t try to play hero, these kids, can be monsters¡± Kubo adjusted his glasses, with a hint of fear but determination on his face. ¡°Deal.¡± Hanson and Kubo made their way down the stairwell, the oppressive silence amplifying every creak of their shoes against the steps. The faint smell grew stronger as they descended, a sickly, rotting and cooking meat stench that seemed to stick to the back of Hanson¡¯s throat. Kubo¡¯s stomach churned, ¡°It¡¯s the canteen, isn¡¯t it?¡± he mummers. Hanson nodded grimly. ¡°Yeah. But it doesn¡¯t smell like anything you¡¯d want to eat.¡± The hallways were eerie quiet as they reached the canteen doors, which hung slightly ajar. A faint, flickering light spilled out into the hallway. Hanson raised a hand, signalling Kubo to stay silent as he nudged the door open with his boot. The canteen was in complete disarray. Tables were overturned, chairs scattered, as Hanson remembered he looted the vending machines that had been smashed open. But what immediately caught Hanson¡¯s attention was the large industrial stove at the back, where the smell was strongest. Hanson whispered as he crouched behind a table ¡°Someone¡¯s in there.¡± Kubo¡¯s voice was barely audible. ¡°What... what are they cooking?¡± A pot bubbled on the stove, and a figure bustled around the kitchen counters, humming a disjointed tune. The melody was distinctly Japanese ¡°Okashi Tsukutte, Okuu-san¡±, But the way he hummed it was wrong. The usual playful tempo was drawn out, the notes bending off-key as though the song were being stretched by the stocky man in a stained chef¡¯s uniform, moving with frantic energy, muttering between hums ¡°Let¡¯s make some sweets... and bake them right... for my guests tonight...¡± He paused his humming to stir the pot with a long ladle, a theatrical smile plastered across his face. singing softly ¡°One for you... and one for me...¡± Hanson¡¯s stomach churned as he stepped closer, the stench strangely familiar, as the words looping eerily in the dim kitchen. Turning back to Kubo, whispering, ¡°What¡¯s he singing?¡± Creeping closer laying low, Kubo voice trembling. ¡°It¡¯s a children¡¯s song. About making sweets...¡± His humming punctuated by muttered words, ¡°Perfect... yes, just a pinch more... that¡¯s it... Oh, yes. Yes, that¡¯s perfect. The critic will love this. They¡¯ll write about me for weeks. ¡®A star is born in the culinary world!¡¯ Yes, yes.¡± Suddenly the caterer glanced over his shoulder with surprising feline reflexives, his eyes lighting up with manic glee when he spotted them. ¡°Ah! My critics! You¡¯re just in time. Sit, sit! The final dish is almost ready!¡± Hanson exchanged a glance with Kubo, who looked as if he might vomit. The man spun around, his face lighting up with manic glee. ¡°I¡¯ve been expecting you. Don¡¯t be shy, come, come, take a seat!¡± He gestured toward a pair of chairs pulled up to a counter, plates already set with knives and forks. Hanson rested a hand on the belt, wary of the chef, ¡°We¡¯re not here for dinner. Who are you, and what the hell is going on here?¡± The man blinked, confused, before breaking into a wide smile. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re funny American! Always testing the staff, aren¡¯t you? But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll pass with flying colours. This dish oh, this dish is my masterpiece!¡± Nervously chuckle Kubo holds a hand over his mouth and nose, trying to control himself he mumms ¡°What are you cooking?¡± The caterer¡¯s grin widened as he gestured toward the pot. ¡°The finest meat, the most tender cuts. Nothing but the best for my critics.¡± Hanson¡¯s stomach turned as he pushed his way past the carter, approaching the stove. The caterer watched him eagerly, ¡°Careful! Don¡¯t spoil the surprise!¡± his eyes shining with anticipation. Hanson ignored him, grabbing a wooden spoon to stir the pot. What he saw made his blood run cold. Amid the bubbling broth, chunks of flesh floated, unmistakably human. He froze, the spoon slipping from his hand and clattering to the floor. His voice low, seething ¡°What did you do?¡± The caterer frowned, his manic energy faltering. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? It¡¯s perfect! I only use the freshest ingredients.¡± he pushes past Hanson, dipping his pinkie finger into the broth, then licks the tip clean ¡°That little one, oh, such sweet meat. They didn¡¯t even put up much of a fight. I had more trouble beating of them robot janitors¡± Kubo stumbled back, his face pale. ¡°Oh my God. That¡¯s... that¡¯s a student!¡± The caterer¡¯s expression darkened as he realized something was wrong. ¡°You¡¯re not the critics, are you?¡± Hanson¡¯s hand moved to the revolver at his belt, but the caterer lunged forward with surprising speed, swinging a heavy skillet. The skillet came down hard, clubbing Hanson''s head as he slipped to the side. Kubo screamed, stumbling into a stack of pots and pans that crashed to the floor. The caterer snarled, his face twisted in rage. ¡°You¡¯re trying to ruin me! I won¡¯t let you!¡± Stars exploded in Hanson¡¯s vision as the world spun as he watched Kubo try to scramble away, but the caterer was on him in an instant, swinging the skillet wildly. The last thing Hanson saw before darkness claimed him was the caterer dragging Kubo toward the freezers, muttering about ¡°perfect seasoning.¡± Bonus Chapter 2 - Secret Santa The snowflakes fell gently onto the school grounds, cloaking the chaos in a deceptive calm. The once-imposing gates now bore a soft coat of white, and the sound of students¡¯ footsteps was muffled by the powdery snow. Despite the serene scene outside, a sense of unease tugged at Ms. Akasuki as she watched through the frost-kissed window. ¡°Alright, freshmen! Grab your coats and blankets, huddle up, it¡¯s going to be freezing today!¡± she called, her voice carrying the warmth of a caretaker. Yet, as she turned back to her students, the gnawing pit of anxiety in her stomach refused to fade. Something about the stillness outside felt... wrong. Before she could dwell on the feeling, the school¡¯s intercom crackled to life, interrupting the mundane classroom chatter. ¡°Attention, students!¡± Principal Takeda¡¯s voice rang out, unusually cheerful. ¡°It¡¯s that time of year again! Our annual Secret Santa celebration is here, brought to you by our generous benefactors! Those of you who¡¯ve impressed our hosts will be receiving a mysterious gift, delivered directly by drone. Accept the delivery to claim your prize!¡± Excitement rippled through the classroom like wildfire. Students broke into eager chatter, their voices rising as they speculated about the nature of the gifts and who might be fortunate enough to receive one. Kohaku exchanged a sceptical glance with Senku, her arms crossed as she leaned against her desk. ¡°This feels... weird,¡± she murmured, through her eyes betrayed a flicker of curiosity. Senku, perched lazily in his seat, smirked. ¡°Weird? That¡¯s just another word for interesting,¡± he teased, his tone light, but his gaze sharp as it flicked toward the passing drones visible outside the frosted windows. Despite her reservations, even Kohaku couldn¡¯t entirely resist the allure of the unknown. Around her, the energy of the classroom grew electric, anticipation tingling in the cold air. Meanwhile, above the snow-covered school grounds, the Rooftoppers battled the elements to keep their fragile ecosystem alive. The wind howled across the rooftop, cutting through the layers of mismatched coats and scarves the Rooftoppers had pieced together. Snowflakes swirled in the air, catching the faint light of the sun as it struggled to break through the overcast sky. Hinata stomped her feet against the cold concrete, her pink pigtails bouncing with each frustrated step. ¡°Can we call it a day already? My toes are frozen solid, and my winter uniform isn¡¯t made for this!¡± she whined, pulling her coat tighter around her slender frame. Ichika, tall and composed despite the biting chill, barely spared her a glance as she adjusted the angle of the solar panels. ¡°Complaining won¡¯t make it any warmer, Hinata,¡± she replied, her voice calm but firm. ¡°The greenhouse heaters need power, and the water tanks can¡¯t freeze. If we don¡¯t keep up maintenance, the rest of the school will suffer.¡± ¡°Easy for you to say,¡± Hinata grumbled, rubbing her gloveless hands together. ¡°You¡¯re practically a walking icicle. I¡¯m more of a spring person.¡± Nearby, Michi¡¯s sharp voice carried over the rooftop. ¡°Focus! We need those panels clear of snow and those tanks inspected before the next freeze hits. Move it, Rooftoppers!¡± His commanding presence left little room for argument. Hinata muttered under her breath but didn¡¯t stop working. Ichika cast her a small, rare smile. ¡°Here,¡± she said, offering a hand to steady Hinata as she struggled with the icy surface. ¡°If you slip and fall, Michi will have more to yell about.¡± Before Hinata could retort, the faint hum of an approaching drones drew their attention. Everyone paused, turning toward the sound. Several of the sleek machines hovered just above them, its mechanical limbs clutching a small package wrapped in crimson paper, a black ribbon tied neatly on top. The unmistakable logo of the sinister death games jester skull grinning mockingly was stamped across it. ¡°Something from the principal''s earlier announcement?¡± Hinata asked, her voice tinged with both curiosity and wariness. ¡°For us?¡± The nearest drone to the girls lowered the package onto a nearby workbench and beeped twice before retreating into the grey sky. Ichika approached it cautiously, her black hair trailing behind her in the wind. She glanced at Michi, who gave her a curt nod. The tag attached to the package read: To Ichika, from a Generous Benefactor. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re popular,¡± Hinata quipped, through her eyes lingered on the package with thinly veiled interest. Ichika hesitated for a moment before pulling the ribbon loose. The paper fell away to reveal a neatly folded winter hat, scarf, and gloves, their deep blue fabric stark against the rooftop¡¯s scraps. Hinata¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°No fair! I¡¯m the one freezing, and you get a whole winter set?¡± Ichika smirked faintly and handed the scarf and gloves to her shivering companion. ¡°Here. You need them more than I do.¡± Hinata blinked, surprised, before breaking into a grateful grin. ¡°Thanks, Ichika! You¡¯re the best!¡± As she wrapped the scarf around her neck and slipped on the gloves, Michi¡¯s sharp tone cut through the moment. ¡°Enjoy your gift later. There¡¯s still work to do, people!.¡± Elsewhere in the school, a heated argument was brewing in the scavenger¡¯s territory. A classroom, a chaotic mishmash of mismatched furniture and salvaged decorations, felt like it belonged to a post-apocalyptic cosplay convention. Banners of anime characters fluttered alongside makeshift flags made from scraps of school uniforms. Tables were strewn with trinkets and crude tools, while racks of scavenged supplies leans precariously against the walls. Kitaro stood near the centre, his stocky frame clad in makeshift armour fashioned from school supplies. Padded textbooks lined his shoulders like pauldrons, and his chest was protected by layers of metallic cafeteria trays hammered into the semblance of a knight''s cuirass. His unkempt black hair framed a scowl that deepened with every passing second.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Across the room, Suzuki leaned casually against a desk, his tall, lean figure wrapped in an elaborate kimono. The shoulder and chest plates of his cosplay armour gleamed under the dim light, and his spiky brown hair made him look like a protagonist ripped from a battle shounen. He tapped the hilt of his katana with an oversized duck plushie, a confident smirk plastered across his face. ¡°You can¡¯t just go around stealing supplies from everyone else, Kitaro,¡± Suzuki said, his voice dripping with mockery. ¡°We¡¯re all trying to survive here. Ever heard of trading? You know, like civilized people?¡± Kitaro¡¯s scowl darkened as he crossed his arms over his armoured chest. ¡°Civilized? You think the Death Games are civilized, Suzuki? Trading¡¯s a waste of time when we can just take what we need. You¡¯d rather play samurai while your people starve?¡± Suzuki chuckled, brushing imaginary dust off his kimono. ¡°Better a starving samurai than a mindless brute in tin cans. At least we don¡¯t have to sleep with one eye open, wondering if our allies will slit our throats for scraps.¡± The tension in the room crackled like a live wire. Behind Kitaro, members of the Scavs murmured their agreement, their rough attire and battered weapons making them look every bit the scavengers they were. Opposite them, Suzuki¡¯s Weebs stood in a more orderly formation, their outfits a patchwork of cosplay armour and meticulously cared-for props that, somehow, still looked intimidating. Before the argument could escalate further, the low hum of drones approaching silenced the room. All eyes turned to the open door as three sleek machines glided in, their mechanical limbs clutching wrapped packages. The drones hovered over the centre of the room before dropping their deliveries with precision. One package landed directly in Kitaro¡¯s lap. He stared at it for a moment, his jaw tightening. The crimson wrapping paper and black ribbon seemed mocking, the grinning skull logo a reminder of their puppet masters. Slowly, he pulled the ribbon free and unwrapped the package. Inside lay a tanto, its polished blade gleaming wickedly under the fluorescent light. Kitaro¡¯s lips curled into a grim smile as he lifted the blade, inspecting its edge. ¡°Looks like the benefactors know who deserves real power,¡± he muttered, his voice low but loud enough for the room to hear. Suzuki scoffed, folding his arms. ¡°Power? It¡¯s a dagger, not Excalibur. Maybe it¡¯s to remind you to stay in line.¡± That was the last straw. Kitaro surged to his feet, towering over Suzuki. ¡°I¡¯ve had enough of your lectures, Suzuki,¡± he snarled, pointing the tanto at him. ¡°You want to trade? Fine. Trade with the scraps when we¡¯re done taking what we need.¡± He turned to the room, his dark eyes sweeping over the gathered students. ¡°Anyone who¡¯s tired of sitting around, waiting for someone else to save us, come with me. The Scavs don¡¯t ask for permission.¡± Kitaro didn¡¯t reply. With a final glare, Suzuki stormed out of the classroom, his makeshift armour clinking with every step. His new recruits followed closely, their footsteps echoing through the empty hallway. As the nights cut in early, amid the dim glow of flickering holodipsy, a Blonde hair student sat in the corner of a cluttered tech workshop, his uniform dirty and torn. The only sound was the rhythmic clicking of keys played, Liber-tea first person shooter, his sharp focus cutting through the eerie quiet. His eyes reflected game play as he muttered under his breath. "Almost there..." he whispered, adjusting his posture to get more comfortable. His workstation, a chaotic mix of salvaged circuit boards, half-assembled drones, and blinking LED lights. Suddenly, a soft hum filled the room, and a sleek drone entered the workshop, its mechanical limbs clutching a brightly wrapped package. He froze, his fingers hovering over the keyboard as he watched the drone lower the parcel onto his desk with a cheerful beep before retreating into the shadows. "From... a Sponsor?" he murmured, his brow furrowed in suspicion. The package bore the now-familiar jester skull logo. Similar logos printed on the tech his group have salvaged. The boy hesitated for a moment, then carefully unwrapped the package. Inside was a compact but advanced programming kit, complete with tools that gleamed under the dim light. His eyes widened in genuine amazement. "This..." he muttered, running his fingers over the sleek tools. "This could access everything." "Reo!" one of them called out, panting as they pushed the machine into the workshop. "We found this offline in the old gym! I think we can repair it and hack it for free stuff?" His train of thought was interrupted by the sound of scraping metal. Reo turned to see his group, three other tech-savvy students, dragging a broken vending machine through the doorway with no small amount of effort. Reo stood, his curiosity piqued as he approached the vending machine. Its screen flickered faintly, and the exterior was dented. ¡°Come and give us a hand! It''s bloody heavy¡± the students order. As the day dragged on, the weather eased. By evening, the stars twinkled above, casting their faint glow across the pristine winter snow. The chill of the air seeped into the freshmen¡¯s classroom, despite their best efforts to huddle together under blankets. The students sat in tight clusters, rubbing their hands for warmth as snow continued to drift lazily outside the frosted windows. The freshmen class room hadn''t seen a single drone, many had given up as the portals reported seeing or hearing others getting presents, from food to clothes, to weapons and toys. Kohaku sat cross-legged on her desk, her usual sharp eyes softened by the cold. ¡°I swear, if my toes fall off, someone¡¯s going to hear about it,¡± she muttered, pulling her coat tighter around her shoulders. Senku, lounging at a desk nearby, smirked as he adjusted his glasses. ¡°Well, if you lose them, you can always study frostbite first hand. And science loves a willing subject, right?¡± Kohaku rolled her eyes, but before she could retort. ¡°Sorry, everyone,¡± Ms. Akasuki called out, her voice gentle but tinged with regret. ¡°No fried chicken for Christmas this year. But as a treat, I managed to grab some sweets from Ms. Chiyo upstairs. You can have one after finishing your nutrient paste.¡± The students groaned softly, their breaths visible in the frosty air. Moments later, the telltale hum of drones echoed outside in the corridor. Heads turned as six sleek machines glided into the classroom, their mechanical arms clutching brightly wrapped packages. One drone hovered over Kohaku and dropped a parcel into her lap. She raised an eyebrow, glancing at Senku. ¡°What¡¯s this? Some kind of joke?¡± ¡°Open it and find out,¡± Senku replied, leaning forward, his curiosity piqued. Kohaku tore into the wrapping paper, revealing a set of Gorilla Strength Training grips. She held them up, her scepticism melting into an amused grin. ¡°Do I really look like I need more strength?¡± ¡°Or they¡¯re warning everyone else to stay on the gorillas'' good side,¡± Senku quipped, earning a laugh from the other students. Another drone approached Senku, lowering its package onto his desk. His eyes gleamed as he quickly unwrapped it, revealing a deluxe science kit. Inside were test tubes, a microscope, and various chemicals neatly arranged in labeled containers. ¡°Now this is a real Christmas miracle,¡± Senku said, inspecting the contents with genuine excitement. ¡°Looks like my experiments just got a whole lot more interesting.¡± As the other drones found their targets, the last, to everyone¡¯s surprise, approached Ms. Akasuki. She blinked in astonishment as the package landed gently on her desk. The students murmured among themselves, curious about what their teacher could have received. Ms. Akasuki carefully unwrapped the package, revealing a compact water boiler and a set of hot chocolate mix, complete with marshmallows. Her lips curved into a warm smile as she turned to the students. ¡°Well, I suppose we can¡¯t let this go to waste, can we?¡± Within minutes, the room was filled with the comforting aroma of hot chocolate. Ms. Akasuki poured steaming cups for the shivering students, her smile never wavering. ¡°Merry Christmas, everyone,¡± she said softly, handing out the drinks. For a brief moment, the harshness of their reality melted away as outside, the snow continued to fall, soft and quiet, as if the world itself had paused to offer them a fleeting moment of peace. Chapter 16 - Points of No Return Sakura sat on the edge of the cot in the nurse¡¯s office. The late morning checks had wrapped up, and for the first time in hours, the room was still. Around her, faint murmurs and quiet sobs drifted from the other injured students, but they felt distant, muffled by the heavy fog of her thoughts. The nurse had stepped out a while ago, and the uneasy silence weighed heavily. Her gaze dropped to the worn floor tiles, their dull pattern providing no distraction from the shadow that loomed large in her mind as her shoulders ached, the only respite, under the weight of her axe. Muffled by her thoughts, Yuma tried reaching out ¡°Sakura, Sakura!, Hey, Sakura!¡± The voice pierced through the haze, and she blinked, startled. ¡°Sakura, are you even listening?¡± Yuma stood a few steps away, her bandaged arm cradled awkwardly against her side. Despite her light tone, concern flickered in her eyes. ¡°Sorry,¡± Sakura murmured, shifting the axe aside. ¡°What were you saying?¡± ¡°I asked if you¡¯re okay,¡± Yuma said, stepping closer. ¡°You¡¯ve been sitting there, staring at the floor like a robot in standby mode.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Sakura replied, forcing a small smile that didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. ¡°Just¡­ tired.¡± Yuma sighed, crouching down to meet Sakura¡¯s gaze. ¡°You¡¯ve been carrying that axe around since yesterday. You need to rest before you collapse.¡± Sakura shrugged, her fingers brushing the worn strap on her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Yuma. Really.¡± ¡°Sure, and I¡¯m a medical expert now.¡± Yuma smirked, nodding toward the bag of medical waste on the nearby table. ¡°Speaking of which, the nurse hasn¡¯t returned yet. I should drag that bag to the school boiler incinerator before it gets too late.¡± She hesitated, then added, ¡°I¡¯ll pass the digital ID board in the lobby, maybe it¡¯s been updated.¡± Her voice faltered. ¡°Maybe there¡¯s something¡­ new.¡± Sakura¡¯s head snapped up. ¡°The lobby?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Yuma nodded, grabbing the bag awkwardly with her good hand. ¡°Caught a glimpse before¡­¡± as she felt a lump in her throat forcing out ¡°all of this¡± Sakura stood, her chest tightening. ¡°Let me take that for you.¡± ¡°What?¡± Yuma frowned. ¡°I can handle it¡­¡± She hissed in pain, wincing. ¡°You¡¯re half-bandaged and still trying to play hero.¡± Sakura stepped forward, lifting the bag easily. It wasn¡¯t heavy, but the faint, sterile smell of antiseptic and blood made her wrinkle her nose. ¡°I¡¯ll drop this off at the incinerator and check the Student ID board while I¡¯m there.¡± Yuma gave her a sceptical look but relented with a shrug. ¡°Fine. Just don¡¯t take too long. I¡¯ll be on edge if you¡¯re gone too long.¡± Sakura chuckled softly. ¡°It¡¯s a five-minute adventure, In and out.¡± She slipped the axe from her shoulder and handed it to Yuma. ¡°Be my hero, Yuma, protect the office till I am back.¡± ¡°Cute.¡± Yuma rolled her eyes, but warmth flickered in her expression. ¡°Be careful, okay? Don¡¯t let anyone corner you out there.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. Hold down the fort,¡± Sakura said firmly, shouldering the waste bag. As she stepped out into the dimly lit hallway, the faint hum of overhead camera¡¯s tweaking accompanied her steps. The air was cool, the quiet eerie. ¡°It¡¯s just a quick trip,¡± she assured herself while her grip on the bag strap tightened as her thoughts drifted to Reo. She had just reached the stairwell, the incinerator wasn¡¯t far, just past the main stairwell, as she descended, adjusted her grip on the bag and quickened her pace, when a voice echoed from above. ¡°There she is! The murderer!¡± Sakura froze mid-step, her blood running cold. Peering up, she saw three silhouettes leaning over the railing on the above-floor landing. Their faces were shadowed, but their jeering tones were unmistakable. ¡°You think you can just walk around like nothing happened?¡± one of them shouted, their voice sharp with anger. ¡°You killed Kai! You killed our friend!¡± Sakura¡¯s chest tightened, her pulse pounding in her ears. ¡°I didn¡¯t¡± she began, but her words were drowned out by the sharp whistle of something cutting through the air. A rock smashed into the wall beside her, scattering dust and chips of plaster. Another stone followed, this one grazing her arm. She hissed in pain, clutching the bag tighter, turning on a dime she ran to the next set of stairs. ¡°She¡¯s trying to run!¡± one of the kids yelled. ¡°Don¡¯t let her get away! We¡¯ll make her pay!¡± More rocks came hurtling down, clattering against the stairs and railings. Sakura ducked, her instincts kicking in. She bolted down the stairs, the echoing thuds of her footsteps mingling with the sharp cracks of stones hitting metal and concrete.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°Stop running, coward!¡± another voice taunted, but Sakura didn¡¯t look back. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she darted around the landing, narrowly avoiding a stone that ricocheted off the banister. The bag swung awkwardly at her side, its weight throwing off her balance, but she held onto it tightly. Another rock flew past her head, missing by inches. Her foot slipped on the edge of a step, and she stumbled, catching herself against the wall. The sound of laughter from above stung more than the scrape on her palm. ¡°Where¡¯s the drones now, huh?¡± one of them jeered. ¡°Think you¡¯re so tough without them doing your dirty work!?¡± Adrenaline surged through her veins as she reached the bottom of the stairwell. She turned sharply into the adjacent hallway, her heart hammering against her ribs. The shouts from above grew fainter as she sprinted toward the incinerator, her focus narrowing to just getting away. Finally, she rounded the corner and pressed herself against the wall, panting heavily. The bag dropped to the floor with a dull thud as she leaned back, her hand trembling against her chest. Her mind raced, their accusations echoing in her ears. ¡°Murderer.¡± She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She hadn¡¯t killed Kai, not intentionally. The game had forced her hand, and she had done what she had to do to survive. But would anyone believe that? Did she even believe it herself? The distant sound of footsteps snapping her out of her thoughts. She wasn¡¯t safe yet. Gritting her teeth, she grabbed the bag and jogged down the dim corridor, glancing over her shoulder every few steps. The sting on her arm where the stone had grazed her still burned, as she shook her head, forcing her focus forward. The incinerator wasn¡¯t far. Just a little farther. Lost in her thoughts as her head twisted down the hallway, Sakura didn¡¯t see the obstacle in her path. Her foot caught on someone else hanging out of a door, and she stumbled. The bag slipped from her hand, and she hit the ground hard, her palms scraping against the rough floor. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth where she¡¯d bitten her lip. ¡°Well, well,¡± a familiar, mocking voice cooed from the shadows. ¡°What do we have here?¡± Sakura scrambled to her knees, her eyes snapping upward. Akira stood a few paces away, leaning casually against the wall. Her group of girls emerged from the shadows behind her, their smirks cutting through the dim light like knives. ¡°You¡¯ve been busy, haven¡¯t you, Sakura?¡± Akira continued, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. ¡°But you should know better than to walk these halls alone, especially with the winning from your game.¡± Sakura¡¯s stomach twisted, knowing her reputation as Kazuto''s girlfriend before his execution , but she kept her expression steady. ¡°I don¡¯t want any trouble.¡± Akira laughed, a high, melodic sound that sent chills down Sakura¡¯s spine. ¡°Trouble? Oh, sweetie, trouble found you the moment you stepped onto my floor.¡± She motioned to her friends. ¡°Check her ID. Let¡¯s see how much this little gamer¡¯s worth.¡± One of the girls stepped forward, yanking Sakura¡¯s ID from her pocket before she could react. She scanned it with her own, and a sharp beep echoed through the hallway. ¡°Zero points?¡± the girl said, blinking in surprise. ¡°What the hell? Where are your points?¡± Akira¡¯s smirk faltered, replaced by confusion. ¡°Zero?¡± She stepped closer, tilting her head with exaggerated curiosity. ¡°What did you do with them all, Sakura? Buying lavish meals? No you''re that piggy, Did you blow it all on makeup? Perfume? Clear not¡± with a mocking wipe of Sakura cheek, her laughter rang sharp and cold. ¡°It¡¯s none of your business, but I am helping the Nurse out,¡± Sakura muttered, her jaw tight. She reached for her bag, but one of Akira¡¯s girls kicked it away. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s my business now,¡± Akira snapped, her voice losing its playful edge. She grabbed Sakura by the front of her shirt and hauled her up. ¡°What kind of game are you playing, huh? You think you¡¯re better than us? That you¡¯re some sort of hero?¡± Sakura¡¯s hands shot up, gripping Akira¡¯s wrist, but the other girls closed in. One shoved her from behind, sending her sprawling back onto the floor. The first kick came fast, slamming into Sakura¡¯s ribs, driving the air from her lungs. Then another. She curled tighter, her arms wrapping protectively around her torso. Each blow reverberated through her, a sickening pain. The cold floor beneath her offered no escape, its rough surface biting into her flesh. ¡°Maybe this will earn us some credits, put on a show for the camera girls¡± Akira sneered, raising her foot. Akira turned to the nearest camera, blew a kiss at it before turning back to Sakura, suddenly before the blow could land, a loud, commanding voice rang out. ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± The hallway seemed to freeze as Riku stepped into view, flanked by her group. The dim light caught her vintage corset and oak staff, her eyepatch glinting with theatrical menace. Behind her, Alchemist, Emi and Kaito held makeshift weapons, their expressions steely. Akira straightened, her hand still gripping Sakura¡¯s shirt. ¡°And who invited you, queen of make-believe?¡± Riku¡¯s crimson gaze locked onto Akira, her voice cold and measured. ¡°I invited myself. Release her.¡± Akira laughed, a sharp, humourless sound. ¡°Or what? You¡¯ll hit me with that stick again?¡± Riku smirked, lifting her staff and slamming its base against the ground. The sound echoed sharply, and her group stepped forward in unison. ¡°This is your only warning, Akira. Leave now, or face the consequences.¡± For a moment, no one moved. Then, slowly, Akira released Sakura and stepped back. She smoothed her skirt, her smirk returning. ¡°Fine. Take your little charity case. But don¡¯t think this is over.¡± Riku didn¡¯t respond, her gaze unwavering as Akira and her group retreated down the hallway. Only when they were out of sight did she turn to Sakura, her expression softening. ¡°Duchess, can you stand?¡± Riku asked, extending a hand. Sakura hesitated, then nodded, gripping Riku¡¯s hand as she pulled herself to her feet. Her ribs ached, and her breath came shallow, but she forced a weak smile. ¡°Thanks, Riku.¡± Riku smiled, a hint of pride in her posture. ¡°You¡¯re welcome, my lady. And now, you¡¯re coming with us.¡± Emi stepped forward, ¡° My lady, we don''t need her, it¡¯ll just split the winning? We need ever point after The Alchemist little stunt¡± ¡°What?¡± Sakura blinked. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because, my dear,¡± Riku said, a mischievous glint in her eye, ¡°a Duchesses as brave as you shouldn¡¯t be wandering the fade alone.¡± Kaito stepped forward, offering Sakura her bag. ¡°Come on. You¡¯ll be safer with us.¡± Sakura glanced between them, then nodded slowly. Maybe, just maybe, some extra point will see her and her friends through this madness. Chapter 17 - The Butchers Kitchen A sharp, metallic pain pulled Hanson back to consciousness. His vision swam as he blinked against the dim light of the canteen¡¯s freezer. The icy air bit into his skin, but it was the searing agony in his shoulder that made him grit his teeth. His arms hung above his head, his weight suspended by a thick, rusted meat hook piercing just below his collarbone. Every breath was a struggle, the hook shifting painfully with even the slightest movement. Blood dripped steadily from the wound, pooling on the cold, stained floor below. The stench hit him next. Coppery blood mingled with the sickly-sweet rot of spoiled meat, a nauseating cocktail that made his stomach churn. He forced his head to turn, his vision finally focusing. The freezer was a butcher¡¯s nightmare. Corpses hung from hooks along the walls, their features unrecognizable, limbs severed and torsos flayed. Among them, Hanson¡¯s eyes locked onto a smaller figure, a body stripped of its arms and legs, its head missing. ¡°Kubo¡± Hanson gasps. Hanson¡¯s gut twisted as he realized the history teacher¡¯s fate. His glasses lay shattered beneath the dangling remains. A soft humming reached Hanson¡¯s ears, sending a shiver down his spine. The caterer¡¯s disjointed melody echoed through the icy chamber, each note twisted and off-key. ¡°Let¡¯s make some sweets... and bake them right...¡± The butcher silhouette moved between the ovens and counters outside the freezer, a bloodstained apron tied over his once-white uniform. In his hands, he carried a cleaver, its edge gleaming under the flickering fluorescent light. He entered the freezer, only to stop in front of Kubo¡¯s remains, tilting his head as if admiring his work. ¡°Such a delicate cut, such little fat, so lean¡± he muttered, running a gloved hand along the butchered torso. ¡°The critics would¡¯ve loved this one. When they finally come!.¡± Hanson clenched his fists, his muscles screaming in protest as he tested the hook holding him in place. The pain was blinding, and the sharp edges dug deeper into his flesh with every slight movement. He fought back the bile rising in his throat and forced his breathing to slow. If he flinched, if he twitched, the butcher would know he was alive. He couldn¡¯t risk that. Not yet. The caterer stopped in front of him, licking his lips ¡°Remain fresh¡±, tilting his head like a curious animal. His gloved fingers reached out, brushing against Hanson¡¯s abdomen. ¡°Fattier cuts,¡± he mused, his voice low. ¡°Not ideal... but marbling can be achieved. Yes, yes, we¡¯ll make it work. Critics love wagyu, don¡¯t they?¡± Hanson bit the inside of his cheek, the metallic taste of blood grounding him. He couldn¡¯t react, no matter how badly his instincts screamed at him to act. The caterer stepped closer, his foul breath washing over Hanson as he leaned in. ¡°Still fresh,¡± he murmured, his fingers trailing up to Hanson¡¯s chest. ¡°But not for long. Rest now, my wagyu. You¡¯ll be ready soon.¡± With one last, lingering glance, the butcher stepped away, his cleaver tapping against his leg. ¡°Yes, yes,¡± he muttered, disappearing through the freezer door. ¡°Time to prep the seasoning... a hint of rosemary, perhaps? Maybe a reduction. Oh, they¡¯ll love this one.¡± The door slammed shut behind him, the sound echoing in the icy chamber. Hanson exhaled slowly, his body trembling from the effort of staying still. His heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline coursing through him as he forced his mind to focus. He didn¡¯t have much time. Carefully, he began to shift, testing the weight of his body against the hook. The searing pain was almost too much to bear, but he gritted his teeth, inching upward. Blood trickled down his chest, warm against his freezing skin. The hook finally slipped free with a sickening pop, and Hanson collapsed to the ground, muffling his cry of pain with his arm in his mouth. His vision swam, but he dragged himself to a shelf, scanning the freezer for anything he could use. A discarded meat cleaver lay beneath one of the counters, its blade dull but sturdy. Hanson grabbed it, his fingers tightening around the handle. He crept toward the freezer door, his every movement careful and deliberate. His muscles burned, his wound throbbed, but he pressed on. The caterer¡¯s humming filtered through the door, growing louder as Hanson prepared to make his move, pressing his back against the cold wall beside the freezer door, the cleaver held tight in his hand. Blood dripped steadily from his wound. His breathing steadied, each inhale deliberate, controlled.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. The caterer¡¯s humming grew louder, disjointed and erratic. Amidst the pots clanging, ¡°One for you... and one for me...¡± then suddenly, door creaked open, a faint sliver of warm light spilling into the freezer. Hanson tensed, every muscle coiled as the caterer¡¯s larger silhouette filled the doorway. The butcher peered inside, his cleaver resting on his shoulder, and sniffed the air. ¡°Where the spices,¡± he murmured, stepping into the room. Hanson sprang into action, swinging the meat cleaver with all his strength. The blade caught the caterer¡¯s forearm, slicing deep. The butcher screamed, stumbling back as blood sprayed across the icy floor. ¡°You bastard!¡± he snarled, clutching his wounded arm. Hanson didn¡¯t hesitate. He surged forward, driving his shoulder into the caterer¡¯s chest and knocking him into a stack of crates. The butcher crashed to the ground, his cleaver clattering across the floor. The caterer¡¯s manic grin returned, even through the pain. ¡°Oh, the American is alive!¡± he hissed, scrambling to his feet. ¡°Good! A little seasoning of adrenaline makes the meat tender for when the critics arrive!¡± Hanson raised his cleaver, but the caterer lunged, tackling him into a row of hanging hooks. The air was forced from Hanson¡¯s lungs as his back slammed against the wall. The butcher grabbed a nearby butcher¡¯s knife, its long, serrated blade glinting in the dim light. He swung wildly, forcing Hanson to duck and weave between the hanging corpses. The sound of steel clashing against steel echoing through the chamber. Hanson used the hooks to his advantage, knocking one into the caterer¡¯s path and causing him to trip. ¡°You¡¯re ruining everything!¡± the caterer howled ¡°I will become a super star!¡± , slashing at Hanson with feral intensity. Hanson deflected the blade with his cleaver, the impact jarring his already-weakened arm. He spotted a chain dangling above the caterer and, with a desperate move, grabbed it, swinging it into the butcher¡¯s face. The caterer staggered, blood pouring from his nose. Hanson pressed the advantage, driving his cleaver into the man¡¯s shoulder. The butcher let out a guttural scream, his eyes wild with fury. ¡°You think this will stop me? I am an artist!¡± Hanson gritted his teeth, yanking the cleaver free. ¡°You¡¯re nothing but a psychopath.¡± The caterer lunged again, his knife aimed for Hanson¡¯s throat. Hanson sidestepped, grabbing the butcher¡¯s wrist and slamming it against the wall. The knife fell to the floor, and Hanson kicked it away. With a final burst of strength, Hanson grabbed the butcher by the apron and threw him into the centre of the freezer. The man landed hard, his head slamming against the floor. Hanson stood over him, cleaver raised, his breath ragged. ¡°This ends now.¡± The butcher laughed weakly, his bloodstained teeth bared in a crazed smile. ¡°Do it, critic. Finish your review.¡± Hanson hesitated for a moment, his grip tightening on the cleaver. Then, with grim determination, he brought it down, ending the butcher¡¯s twisted reign. The room fell nearly silent, the only sound Hanson¡¯s laboured breathing and hum of a drone recording the event. He leaned against the wall, the adrenaline fading as the pain in his shoulder returned in full force. He turned toward the door, his steps slow but steady. The freezer was a tomb, but Hanson had survived. As he emerged into the kitchen, the stench of death still clinging to him, he glanced at the smoldering stove. The pot bubbled on, its contents a horrifying reminder of what had transpired. Hanson grabbed the pot and overturned it, the broth hissing as it hit the floor. ¡°No more,¡± he muttered, his voice hoarse. He leaned against a counter, wiping blood¡ªhis own and the butcher¡¯s¡ªfrom his face. His gaze swept the chaotic room, searching for anything that could aid him in the moments to come. His eyes landed on a familiar glint near the overturned chairs at the center of the room. His revolver. The Ace of Clubs. Hanson¡¯s breath hitched. It lay beneath a pool of blood, the Ace of Clubs emblem on its pommel still gleaming defiantly. He stumbled toward it, dropping to one knee as he picked up the weapon. The blood on its surface smeared onto his hands, but he didn¡¯t care. Flipping open the cylinder, puffing out a sigh of relief as he saw every round still loaded. Hanson¡¯s grip tightened around the revolver as he rose to his feet, his resolve hardening as the butcher had turned his kitchen into a slaughterhouse, but Hanson wont let psychopath run ripe again, untold how many students he got to before Kubo and him confronted him. He glanced around the room, his sharp eyes catching a box of ammunition, The unmistakable logo of the sinister death games jester skull grinning mockingly was stamped across it, on a nearby shelf. Limping over, he grabbed it, a message was on a tag, To Mr Hanson From a Sponsor. With the revolver secure in his belt and his other hand holding a cloth to his shoulder wound, Hanson steeled himself. ¡°Critics,¡± Hanson muttered, his voice low and hoarse. ¡°I wouldn''t eat here again.¡± Hanson stumbled through the corridor, lights flickered sporadically, casting eerie shadows as he dragged himself forwards, the staffroom lingered in the back of his mind, but Hanson wasn¡¯t ready to face them¡ªnot yet. He needed to patch himself up first. The fight had left him battered, but he wasn¡¯t beaten. Reaching his old classroom, Hanson forced the dented locker door open with a loud screech. Among the mundane belongings inside, a neatly folded shirt caught his eye. He yanked it free, groaning as he slid his injured arm through the sleeve. The fabric clung uncomfortably to his skin, soaking up the blood still trickling from his wound. ¡°My last shirt,¡± Hanson muttered, securing the revolver at his side. ¡°I¡¯ll make this count.¡± With a deep breath, Hanson steeled himself and started toward the staffroom. Each step sent a fresh wave of pain through his shoulder, but he pressed on, his grip tightening on the revolver. He could already picture the nurse¡¯s reaction, her sharp eyes and biting words as she patched him up. ¡°She¡¯s going to kill me,¡± he murmured, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. For a moment, the thought of her anger was almost comforting. The staffroom door loomed ahead, the muted murmurs of frightened voices just audible behind it. Hanson adjusted the revolver at his side, his resolve hardening. Whatever came next, he¡¯d be ready. Chapter 18 - Welcome to the Playground The Order of Dreams, with Sakura reluctantly in tow, moved cautiously through the shadowed hallways. Riku led the way, her oak staff tapping rhythmically against the floor. The tension in the air was palpable, pressing down on them, as cracks began to show. Sakura, still nursing her bruises, stole a glance at Emi, who kept a firm grip on her makeshift weapon. Her eyes darted warily toward The Alchemist, whose aura seemed to dominate the rear of the group. The subtle friction between the two factions, Riku¡¯s theatrical Order and The Alchemist¡¯s cryptic followers, was hard to miss, even for Sakura. ¡°Where are we going?¡± Sakura asked, her voice breaking the uneasy silence. ¡°The Alchemist has cost us dearly,¡± Riku declared, her voice heavy with disdain. She paused mid-step, tilting her head as if listening to some unseen whisper. ¡°And yet, a riddle from the Fade leads us here.¡± Emi groaned, rolling her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s not a riddle. We¡¯re heading to this ¡®game¡¯ because of them.¡± She jabbed her spear toward the Alchemist¡¯s group, her movements sharp and accusatory. ¡°He wasted our supplies, on a group of harlots, made alcohol and fed them sluts from earlier¡± as Akira plagued her mind At the rear, the Alchemist turned with deliberate grace, his crimson cloak swirling dramatically. His metallic mask, engraved with faintly glowing runes, gave his movements an air of theatrical menace. ¡°This is no ordinary alcohol,¡± he replied, his voice low and even a hint of amusement dancing beneath the surface. Kaito snorted, his scepticism evident. ¡°Let me guess, ¡®it¡¯s medicinal,¡¯ right? Or is it just the only way someone like you can get a girl?¡± ¡°More than that,¡± the Alchemist replied cryptically. ¡°It is a powerful antibacterial, the foundation of many cosmetics, and the cause of countless terrible decisions.¡± Sakura frowned. ¡°Why would you drink something like that? What¡¯s the point? We could¡¯ve used it for actual medicine in the nurse¡¯s office.¡± The Alchemist¡¯s masked face tilted ever so slightly, as if considering, Sakura question. ¡°The point, dear Duchess,¡± he said, his voice dropping into an almost conspiratorial tone, ¡°is that desperation and survival are often indistinguishable.¡± ¡°Why are we even working with these clowns?¡± Emi hissed under her breath. ¡°They¡¯ve earned their place in the Order of Dreams¡± Riku replied, her tone lowered to a whisper but resolute. ¡°For now. Am not sure how adjusted they¡¯re to our current reality¡± ¡°For now?!¡± Emi spat, her voice rising Alchemist interjected smoothly, turning his masked face toward Emi. His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that hinted at underlying amusement as he jabbed a wiry man with a patchy beard and wild eyes. ¡°Scab may not look the part, but he¡¯s quite resourceful. Aren¡¯t you, Scab?¡±Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. ¡°Got a nose for things, I do,¡± Scab crooned, grinning with yellowed teeth. He tapped his temple with a filthy finger. ¡°Useful things.¡± ¡°You¡¯re creepy, is what you are,¡± Kaito muttered, ¡°even before these games, I wouldn''t let you handle my gear¡± Another, Lan, a lanky student with short-cropped hair and a leering smirk, carried jagged pieces of glass wrapped in cloth, smirk, twirling his jagged-glass weapon like a baton. Lan¡¯s voice was lazy, but his eyes were sharp. ¡°You lot are lucky to have us. You¡¯d be half-dead without the Alchemist leading the way.¡± Emi stepped forward, her spear raised slightly, but Riku blocked her with a subtle movement of her staff. ¡°Enough,¡± Riku said, her voice cold and commanding. ¡°We have bigger problems than this childish squabbling.¡± ¡°Lady Riku speaks,¡± The Alchemist said mockingly, sweeping into an exaggerated bow. ¡°Lead on, the fade awaits, oh wise one. We eagerly await your brilliance.¡± Riku shot him a sharp look but didn¡¯t rise to the bait. Instead, she turned and continued forward, her staff tapping rhythmically against the floor once more. The hallway grew darker as they progressed, the dim lights flickering and cameras and passing drones buzzing faintly above them. Finally, they stopped in front of a wide metal door, its surface scratched and scarred as if something or someone had tried to claw their way through. The faint scent of plaster and rust hung in the air. Above the door, bold red letters ¡°Game Echo.¡± The Alchemist stepped forward, raising his hand. ¡°The game begins,¡± he murmured. Sakura¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°I can¡¯t... I can¡¯t play again.¡± The words tumbled out before she could stop them. Without acknowledging her, The Alchemist pressed his palm to the door. A mechanical click echoed, and the door creaked open. Beyond it was a grand chamber, the floor a massive chessboard shimmering with an otherworldly light. At the far end of the board, colossal chess pieces loomed in perfect formation. The white and black figures shimmered under the eerie light, their surfaces carved with almost gospellike detail. The pawns, particularly, bore angelic or demonic expressions, their hollow eyes seeming to track the group¡¯s every movement. At the far end of the board, colossal chess pieces, white and black, stood poised, their surfaces gleaming like polished stone. Each piece was intricately detailed, almost lifelike, and seemed to radiate a quiet menace. A low, resonant voice boomed from above. ¡°Players, take your positions. The game is simple. Win, and you will be rewarded. Lose, and you will be removed from the board.¡± A drone zipped into view, its camera lens whirring as it fixed on the group. ¡°After you,¡± The Alchemist said, his tone dripping with mock chivalry as he gestured toward the board. Riku didn¡¯t hesitate. She stepped onto the board, her staff held high. Her crimson eyepatch caught the light as she turned back to the group. ¡°Stay close. And stay sharp.¡± The group moved forward cautiously, their steps echoing on the strange surface. As they reached the centre, the white chess pieces began to shift. With a metallic whir, panels on their backs slid open, revealing hollow compartments within. ¡°Welcome back to the playground, Duchess,¡± Lan murmured, leaning close enough that his breath tickled her ear. His smirk widened as his voice dropped to a whisper. ¡°Let¡¯s hope you brought your A-game. Killer¡± Before Sakura could respond, the door behind them slammed shut with a deafening clang. The voice boomed again, low and commanding: ¡°Players, take your positions. The game is about to begin.¡± Sakura¡¯s hands trembled as she stepped onto the board, her mind flashing back to the last ¡°game.¡± The weight of the accusations from others still bore down on her, the word ¡°killer¡± echoing in her mind. She gritted her teeth, forcing her feet forward. ¡°Not again,¡± she whispered to herself. ¡°I won¡¯t let this happen again.¡± Chapter 19 - Killer on the Board The hollow sound of their footsteps against the shimmering chessboard tiles was deafening in the oppressive silence. The Order of Dreams clustered near their assigned white pieces, their faces taut as the weight of the situation settled over them. Sakura¡¯s breathing was shallow and uneven, each step forward sending a jolt of unease through her chest. The memories of her last game surged unbidden, clawing at her mind. She could still hear the screams, the desperate cries, and the sickening silence that followed. And then she saw her. Haruka stood at the edge of Sakura¡¯s vision, front and center among the looming black chess pieces. Her skin was pale as wax, her eyes black voids that seemed to swallow the light. Her cheeks were sunken, her lips slightly parted as though she was about to speak, but no words came. She didn¡¯t need to, Haruka¡¯s gaze bored into Sakura¡¯s very soul. There was no anger, no malice, just cold, enough to send shivers down Sakura¡¯s spine. ¡°Sakura?¡± Riku¡¯s voice pulled her back to the present, sharp with concern. ¡°You¡¯re trembling. Are you hurt?¡± Sakura shook her head quickly, forcing herself to focus. Sakura shifted uncomfortably, ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± her voice barely above a whisper, her bruises aching as she scanned the giant figures. Riku didn¡¯t look convinced, but there was no time for further questions. She gripped her oak staff tightly, her crimson eyepatch glinting under the strange light, ¡°The Fade is messing with us, it¡¯s launched an obstacle unknown to me.¡± Riku murmured, her voice cutting through the silence. ¡°It¡¯s chess,¡± The Alchemist said, his voice calm but sharp. He stepped forward, his crimson cloak billowing slightly. ¡°A game of wit, something you clearly lack, my lady.¡± Sakura took a step back, shaking her head. ¡°I... I don¡¯t know if I can do this.¡± The Alchemist turned his masked face toward her, the glowing runes on its surface casting faint shadows on the walls. ¡°You don¡¯t have a choice, Duchess,¡± he said smoothly. ¡°None of us do. But you¡¯re fortunate, I know this game. I¡¯ll lead.¡± ¡°Lead?¡± Riku¡¯s voice was sharp. She moved to stand beside Sakura, her gaze locking with The Alchemist¡¯s. ¡°You¡¯ll lead, and we¡¯re supposed to trust you? After what you¡¯ve already cost us?¡± The Alchemist shrugged, his tone laced with mockery. ¡°Unless you¡¯re secretly a grandmaster, Lady Riku¡± Riku bite her lip, as her nostrils flared, ¡°No¡± Hidden grind grew behind The Alchemist mask ¡°I suggest you let the one with experience take the reins. Or do you plan to gamble all our lives?¡± ¡°Enough,¡± Kaito said, stepping between them before the argument could escalate. ¡°We need to figure out what¡¯s happening before we tear each other apart.¡± Emi stepped up to Riku leaning into whisper ¡°I don¡¯t like it ether but I have see him play chess a few time, he more experience than any of us¡± As if in response, the deep, resonant voice from before boomed across the room ¡°Players, take your positions. The game begins now.¡± The group froze, the white figures twisted and clicked, their backs opening like mechanical shells. The compartments were just large enough for someone to step inside, the hollow interiors inviting and claustrophobic all at once. ¡°Inside,¡± The Alchemist said, his voice decisive. ¡°If you¡¯re in a piece, you¡¯re safe, relatively. Stay outside, and you¡¯re a sitting target.¡± Riku hesitated, her grip tightening on her staff. ¡°And who decides who goes where?¡± ¡°I do,¡± The Alchemist said without hesitation. ¡°It¡¯s my game to win.¡± Sakura felt a lump rise in her throat as she stared at the waiting Knight piece. The glossy, hollow figure seemed to beckon her, She swallowed hard, stepping forward despite the trembling in her legs. The Alchemist picked King, while Riku declared herself Queen, he then dotted everyone else between the remaining pieces. The chessboard rumbled beneath their feet, the white tiles pulsing faintly with an almost hypnotic rhythm. Across the board, the black tiles hummed ominously, vibrating faintly as if alive. A cold, metallic sound echoed through the air as the black pieces began to shift. Their jagged, weapon-like appendages clicked and whirred, glinting dangerously under the dim light. Inside the hollow Knight piece, Sakura gripped the cold metal handles, her palms slick with sweat. The interior of the piece was claustrophobic, its curved walls lined with faint, flickering screens that displayed an eerie, distorted view of the board. Drone circled the board, announcing ¡°Whites move first!¡± She could feel the vibrations of the board through her boots, each tremor, more unsettling than the last as tense breaths, whispered curses, echoed faintly through the comms system inside the piece and the occasional sharp intake of air. After a few defences movement Alchemist¡¯s tone suddenly changed ¡°Pawn, forward!¡± The Alchemist¡¯s voice cut through the static, calm and authoritative. From her position, Sakura could see it was moving into a dangerous position as the white pawn glided forward, its movements eerily smooth. The response was immediate. The black piece came to life, their movements jerky but deliberate. The opposing pawn advanced, their jagged limbs snapping like scythes.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. One of Riku¡¯s followers, a young student named Jun, occupied the far-left pawn. His shaky voice came through the comms. ¡°They¡¯re coming right at me. What should I do?¡± ¡°Hold your ground,¡± The Alchemist said without hesitation. ¡°That¡¯s your role.¡± Jun¡¯s breath hitched audibly. ¡°But¡­¡± Before he could finish, a black pawn lunged forward with terrifying speed. Its blade-like arm slashed downward, slicing through the white pawn¡¯s hollow shell. A horrific crunch echoed across the board as Jun¡¯s scream filled the comms. The white pawn collapsed in on itself, sparks and shards of metal scattering across the board. Inside her Knight piece, Sakura froze. Her stomach churned as the distorted feed on her screens showed the mangled remnants of Jun¡¯s piece. The comms fell silent, save for the faint crackle of static. ¡°Jun!¡± Riku¡¯s voice was sharp, filled with disbelief and fury. ¡°As we all assumed, he played his part,¡± The Alchemist said coldly. ¡°Now, focus. Or no one is getting out alive.¡± Sakura clenched the handles tighter, her knuckles white. The Alchemist¡¯s words echoed in her mind, twisting like a blade. From her position, she could see the remaining pawns hesitate, their movements faltering. ¡°Pawns, advance!¡± The Alchemist barked once more. ¡°Now!¡± The pawns obeyed, gliding forward reluctantly as the game continued. The black pieces shifted in response, their movements calculated and relentless. Another clash erupted on the right flank, and another pawn was captured, the hollow shell crumpling like paper. Sakura felt a cold sweat trickle down her back. Inside her Knight, the vibrations of the board intensified with every move. Through the comms, Riku¡¯s voice broke through the tension. ¡°We can¡¯t just throw them away like this! Alchemist, you¡¯re playing with their lives!¡± ¡°This is chess,¡± The Alchemist replied, his voice unyielding. ¡°If you want to win, you must be willing to lose. Or would you prefer we risk the Knights or the Queen?¡± Sakura¡¯s chest tightened as she glanced at her screens. The distorted image of Riku¡¯s Queen piece stood unwavering in the back row, but she could feel the weight of the Alchemist¡¯s strategy pressing down on them all. ¡°Riku, we have to trust him,¡± Emi¡¯s voice came, low but steady. ¡°He knows what he¡¯s doing,¡± Riku¡¯s silence spoke volumes. The black pieces moved again, their relentless advance forcing the white side into action. This time, The Alchemist directed one of the rooks to intercept an attacking bishop. The clash was brutal but effective, the white rook crushed the black bishop in a single, decisive blow. Sakura watched the exchange unfold, her heart pounding. The Alchemist¡¯s strategy was working. ¡°Knight, prepare to move,¡± The Alchemist¡¯s voice crackled through her comms, snapping her out of her thoughts. Sakura swallowed hard, her fingers trembling as she adjusted the controls. The Knight piece shifted to its new square, its sleek frame responding to her movements. ¡°Stay sharp, Duchess,¡± Lan¡¯s mocking voice came through the comms, tinged with dark humor. ¡°We¡¯re counting on you to do something heroic.¡± Sakura¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°Just tell me where to go.¡± ¡°Patience,¡± The Alchemist said, his tone almost patronizing. ¡°You¡¯ll move when the time is right. Until then, hold your position.¡± ¡°Bishop to E4,¡± The Alchemist commanded, his voice unwavering. A girl named Kanna, hesitated before moving forward. Her piece shifted unnaturally, almost floating across the board. The black pieces reacted immediately. A shadowed bishop lurched toward Kanna¡¯s piece, its jagged appendages slicing through the air with unnatural speed. Kanna tried to evade, but her controls didn''t budge, the enemy bishop was fast. With a sickening crunch, the white bishop crumpled under the force of the black piece¡¯s attack. Sparks flew. A brief, piercing scream echoed over the comms before cutting off into static. The bishop''s shell collapsed inward, consuming Kanna whole. Sakura¡¯s breath hitched. Another gone. Riku¡¯s voice snapped through the comms, sharp and laced with fury. ¡°You knew that would happen! You sent her to die!¡± ¡°She was a bishop. She fulfilled her role,¡± The Alchemist replied coolly. ¡°Now focus. The next few moves are critical.¡± Sakura felt her stomach turn. She wasn¡¯t sure what unsettled her more, confined inside her possible tomb or how detached The Alchemist was from it all. The battle raged on. More pawns fell, the Alchemist sending the shells forward when possible, their hollow chess pieces shattering upon capture but it wasn¡¯t without loss, the Dreamers found them assault regardless of their pilots lost within their wreckage. Each scream was a dagger in Sakura¡¯s chest, but The Alchemist didn¡¯t falter. He directed their forces without hesitation, trading lives as though they were nothing more than pieces on a board. Then the enemy Queen moved. The colossal black Queen piece surged across the board, a silent force of destruction. It towered over everything else, its dark, spiked exterior glinting under the dim lighting. Sakura¡¯s screen flickered as a warning flashed: Threat Detected ¨C High Priority Piece Activated. The black Queen wasted no time. It struck down one of the remaining white rooks with terrifying precision. The captured piece screamed as its shell cracked, metal screeching against metal before it was torn apart. Another ally is gone. Inside her Queen piece, Riku¡¯s breathing was heavy over the comms. ¡°It¡¯s targeting us.¡± The Alchemist responded almost too quickly. ¡°Knight, move now.¡± Sakura¡¯s controls lit up, prompting her move. Her stomach clenched. ¡°I can¡¯t take it alone!¡± she protested. ¡°You¡¯re not alone. You¡¯re the distraction,¡± The Alchemist replied. A pit formed in Sakura¡¯s gut. Still, she obeyed. Her Knight moved swiftly across the board, cutting diagonally to close the distance. The black Queen twitched, as if reacting to her presence. It turned. The trap was set. ¡°Rook, attack!¡± The Alchemist barked. Riku¡¯s remaining rook, piloted by a tall, broad-shouldered boy named Hideo, charged in, slamming into the Queen¡¯s exposed flank. The impact sent a shockwave rippling across the board. The Queen staggered, before it crumbled. But The Alchemist had miscalculated. Emi¡¯s piece, the last remaining white bishop, was in the open, her screen flashes red. Threat Detected ¨C Counterattack Imminent. ¡°No, pull back!¡± Sakura yelled, as she noticed the board. But it was too late. The enemy Knight struck Emi¡¯s Bishop piece with horrifying force. A jagged appendage pierced through the shell like a spear. The crackling comms filled with Emi¡¯s strangled gasp. Riku¡¯s scream tore through the silence. ¡°EMI!¡± Emi¡¯s last breath came as a whisper. ¡°It¡¯s okay, my lady.¡± Then, her piece collapsed in on itself, the metallic walls crushing inward, sealing her fate. The Alchemist went silent. For the first time since the game began, he didn¡¯t immediately issue a command. Sakura¡¯s body was frozen, her breathing ragged. Her screens flickered with static where Emi¡¯s position had once been. ¡°Damn it,¡± Kaito¡¯s voice cracked. ¡°She, she, can''t be, she cant.¡± Riku¡¯s comms were silent, but Sakura didn¡¯t need to see her to know she was devastated. Emi was one of the founding club members, right hand to Riku. The Alchemist, however, exhaled sharply. ¡°Unfortunate,¡± he muttered, his voice eerily calm. ¡°But necessary.¡± ¡°You knew.¡± Riku¡¯s voice was a venomous whisper. ¡°She forced the Queen into check. That was the sacrifice required,¡± The Alchemist said, unfazed. ¡°The board is in our favor now.¡± Sakura gritted her teeth. She could feel the rage rolling off Riku, even from within her piece. ¡°You son of a¡ª¡± ¡°Focus,¡± The Alchemist interrupted. ¡°We can grieve later.¡± Another silence. Then, Riku¡¯s voice returned, colder than Sakura had ever heard it. ¡°When this game is over, we¡¯re going to have a very long conversation, Alchemist.¡± The Alchemist only chuckled. ¡°Then let¡¯s ensure we live to have it, shall we?¡± Sakura could feel the tension between them, thick enough to suffocate. But the game wasn¡¯t over. The black King had yet to move. Chapter 20 - Checkmate or Death The hum of the chessboard grew louder, an unnatural energy coursing beneath their feet. The Alchemist¡¯s voice crackled through the comms, but for the first time since the game began, he didn¡¯t sound amused¡­ he sounded focused. ¡°Three moves,¡± he said. ¡°That¡¯s all we need.¡± Sakura¡¯s screen flickered with the updated board state. The white pieces had been whittled down, only the Queen, a Knight, a Rook, a few Pawn, and the King, remained. The Black side had only the King, a Knight, and a Rook. A sudden countdown timer ticked in the corner of the screen, five minutes. A drone swings past the students, ¡°If you fail to checkmate by then, the game would force an automatic loss, wiping out your entire team.¡± ¡°What, what is this?¡± Sakura asked, voice shaking. ¡°I am playing to win,¡± The Alchemist muttered. White to move. Riku, the Queen, spoke first. ¡°We need to box the King in.¡± ¡°Agreed,¡± The Alchemist said. ¡°Duchess, advance your Knight to threaten f7. If they don¡¯t respond, we¡¯ll corner the King.¡± Sakura nodded inside her Knight shell. She moved forward in an ¡®L¡¯ shape, taking position near the enemy King¡¯s escape route. The board rumbled beneath her as her piece locked into place. Black¡¯s move came immediately. A sickening crunch sounded as the Black Rook smashed through their remaining Rook piece. The player inside barely had time to scream before the shell collapsed inward, crushed like brittle glass. ¡°Shit¡­ SHIT!¡± Kaito¡¯s voice cracked through the comms. The Alchemist clicked his tongue. ¡°They¡¯re playing aggressively. Good.¡± ¡°Good?¡± Riku cried. ¡°Because it means they¡¯re panicking,¡± he replied smoothly. Sakura watched as a White Pawn surged forward. ¡°Pawn to e7,¡± The Alchemist commanded. ¡°Promote next turn.¡± Sakura¡¯s eyes widened. If they moved one more space, the Pawn would reach the final row and be promoted into a Queen. ¡°That¡¯ll force them to react,¡± Riku murmured. Black moved again. Their Knight repositioned, setting up a potential fork against Sakura¡¯s Knight and the Alchemist¡¯s King. ¡°They¡¯re trying to force a trade,¡± Kaito said grimly. ¡°Let them try,¡± The Alchemist muttered. Sakura gritted her teeth,her breath hitching. They were so close as her screen flickered, highlighting the looming enemy pieces. The Black King stood still in the back row, its towering form shadowed by the wreckage of fallen pieces. Suddenly, The Alchemist issued an order that made her stomach drop. ¡°Duchess, sacrifice your Knight. Take their Rook.¡± ¡°What?¡± as Sakura¡¯s hands froze on the controls. ¡°You heard me.¡± The Alchemist tone slowed, ¡°Move your ass to capture f7. The Rook will take you. Then we push for a checkmate.¡± Sakura swallowed hard. She stared at the gleaming Black Rook¡ªknowing full well that if she took it, she wouldn¡¯t survive the next move. ¡°No,¡± Riku said sharply. ¡°We don¡¯t need to lose another piece.¡± Riku¡¯s Queen piece surged forward, striking with a brutal force. The obsidian knight staggered as Riku, queen, grew tall, and the swing of its spector smashed the knight to pieces. Sakura felt everything, as the pieces ricashed against her, she exhaled shakily. The Alchemist¡¯s voice was firm. ¡°Stuped women! The sacrifice was necessary.¡± The Black Rook surged forward, cutting through the space where Sakura¡¯s Knight should have been. But instead of capturing her, it was now bearing down on The Alchemist¡¯s King. A loud, blaring alarm filled the comms. "WARNING: KING IN CHECK." The Alchemist cursed under his breath. ¡°You reckless¡± ¡°Save your breath and MOVE!¡± Riku snapped. ¡°I¡¯ll cover you.¡± The Alchemist had no choice. He moved the King diagonally, avoiding immediate capture, but he was running out of space. The Black King was watching. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. A sharp beep sounded on Sakura¡¯s screen. The Black King was activating as its massive, obsidian form shifting, Sakura¡¯s stomach dropped. And then Sakura saw it. The play. Her eyes flickered toward the Pawn at e7. One move from promotion. ¡°Promote the Pawn,¡± she gasped. ¡°What?¡± Riku said. ¡°It¡¯s our only shot. We promote the Kaito, force the Black King into a corner, and checkmate.¡± Sakura exclaimed. The Alchemist inhaled sharply. Then, after a moment, he laughed. ¡°Well, well, well,¡± he murmured. ¡°Perhaps you¡¯re not as useless as I thought, you finally saw what I wanted¡± Kaito¡¯s Pawn surged forward as he let out a shuddering breath. ¡°Holy shit.¡± The board shuddered violently as the Pawn reached the eighth rank. A bright pulse of light shot across the chessboard as the promotion triggered as living metal sharped around it. "PAWN PROMOTED TO QUEEN." Riku¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°We have two Queens now.¡± The enemy Black King moved immediately, sensing the threat. It took a step back, looking for an escape. It had only one square left to move. Sakura¡¯s screen flickered, and a new move appeared. A forced sequence. The final play. Riku understood immediately. She and Kaito¡¯s newly promoted Queen would box the Black King in. White to move. ¡°Queen to f7,¡± Riku commanded, her voice steady. Her Queen gilded forward, cutting off one of the Black King¡¯s escape routes. Black to move. The Black King shifted again, its last available square. White to move. The Alchemist smiled. ¡°Checkmate.¡± He ordered Kaito to move his own Queen to e8, trapping the Black King. The chessboard locked in place. The tiles flashed red. The game¡¯s voice boomed across the room: ¡°CHECKMATE.¡± The Black King froze. For a brief second, it twitched, as if refusing to accept defeat. Then, slowly, its obsidian body cracked. A horrifying, metallic screech filled the air as the massive King shattered, collapsing inward. The remaining Black pieces crumbled alongside it, dissolving into fragments of nothingness. Silence. Sakura gasped for air, pushing herself up with trembling arms. Her whole body ached. The air smelled of metal, sweat, and something burnt, the aftermath of their brutal game still lingering. Then, the drones moved. A sleek black drone hovered low, scanning the survivors. A metallic voice boomed overhead, sterile and void of emotion. ¡°Game Over. White side victorious. +1000 Points awarded to all remaining players.¡± A sharp chime rang out as each surviving player''s ID screen flickered to life. The system updated automatically. Rank/Name: Student Sakura Kill(s): 17 Points:0 to 1000 as the numbers roll up Special Item: Fire Axe Team: White Sakura stared at her screen, barely processing the numbers. The others were checking their own ID cards, their reactions mixed. Kaito whistled low. ¡°A thousand points¡­¡± The Alchemist grinned, flipping his card in his hand. ¡°A few thousand points are well-earned between us, my dear Lady Riku. A fitting reward for playing the game correctly.¡± Sakura felt sick. How many had died for this? The drone hummed again, issuing its final statement. ¡°Please enjoy you winnings and please gain¡± Then, with a soft whir, the drone retreated, disappearing into the rafters. Suddenly Sakura felt a hand gripping her shoulders, steadying her. ¡°Sakura!¡± Riku¡¯s voice. Concern. Relief. Anger. She barely had time to process, Riku didnt call her Duchess, before Riku turned. And punched The Alchemist across the face. ¡°It¡¯s blood money,¡± Riku muttered, her fingers clenching around her ID. The impact sent him staggering back, blood trickling from beneath his mask. ¡°You sacrificed her, and the rest of them¡± Riku hissed, rage simmering in her crimson eye, voice cut through the silence like a blade. ¡°You think this was a victory?¡± She held up her ID, displaying the glowing points. ¡°How many people died for this?¡± The Alchemist sighed, sounding almost bored. ¡°If you¡¯re asking for a refund, my lady, I doubt the game masters will accommodate.¡± Riku¡¯s fists clenched again. ¡°You¡± ¡°You¡¯re angry because I played the game to win,¡± The Alchemist continued smoothly. ¡°Because I made the hard choices you couldn¡¯t.¡± ¡°Shut up.¡± Riku screamed. The weight of Emi¡¯s death. Jun¡¯s. The others. Sakura flinched, never seeing Riku like this before, dropping her act, this was pure Riku. Riku¡¯s voice trembled with barely contained rage. ¡°You didn¡¯t play to win. You played to control, throw away my friends!¡± The Alchemist tilted his head, amused. ¡°And what¡¯s wrong with that?¡± Riku¡¯s breath was unsteady. She took another step forward. ¡°You sacrificed them.¡± ¡°I sacrificed pieces,¡± The Alchemist corrected, crossing his arms. ¡°And we won. Would you rather we all died in some noble, idiotic last stand? Would that have satisfied you?¡± Riku moved fast. Her hand snapped out, grabbing The Alchemist by his collar, yanking him closer. ¡°You¡¯re a monster.¡± The room shifted. The other students stiffened, watching the exchange unfold like a match hanging over dry grass, ready to ignite. For the first time, The Alchemist¡¯s smile faltered. Just a flicker, but Sakura saw it. Then, he laughed. He pried Riku¡¯s hand off his collar, stepping back. ¡°And you¡¯re na?ve.¡± A moment of silence. Then, one of The Alchemist¡¯s followers, Scab, stepped forward. ¡°Boss, are we done here?¡± The Alchemist rolled his shoulders, sighing. ¡°Yes, Scab, I do believe we are.¡± He turned toward the remaining survivors. ¡°Ladies, gentlemen, it¡¯s been a pleasure. But I do believe our time together has run its course.¡± Riku narrowed her eye. ¡°What?¡± The Alchemist spread his arms. ¡°My dear Riku, it¡¯s clear we¡¯re no longer compatible. You don¡¯t respect my methods, and I certainly don¡¯t care for your self-righteous theatrics.¡± He turned to his group, Scab, Lan, and a few others. ¡°We¡¯re leaving.¡± Sakura¡¯s stomach twisted. Kaito stepped forward, glaring. ¡°You¡¯re splitting us up?¡± ¡°I¡¯m separating the winners from the dead weight,¡± The Alchemist replied smoothly. That was the final spark. Riku grasps her staff ¡°You bastard!¡± as she lunged, but Kaito and another survivor held her back. ¡°You don¡¯t get to decide that!¡± she shouted, her voice raw. ¡°You don¡¯t get to act like you¡¯re some kind of king!¡± The Alchemist met her gaze evenly. ¡°Then try to stop me.¡± No one spoke. Then, The Alchemist turned on his heel. His followers followed. As he passed Sakura, he paused. ¡°Duchess.¡± He nodded slightly, a glint of something unreadable in his masked gaze. ¡°Don¡¯t let them drag you down.¡± Sakura didn¡¯t answer. She simply watched as he and his group vanished into the corridor. The room felt smaller. Colder. Then, Riku exhaled, shaking with rage. ¡°We should have killed him.¡± Kaito let out a bitter laugh. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s the last time we¡¯ll see him.¡± Sakura remained quiet. Because deep down, she knew it wasn¡¯t over. Chapter 21 - Venus and Mar The gym hall was dimly lit, the flickering overhead light casting long shadows over the gathered students. Takanashi leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping against the leather armrest, his cold stare fixed on the group of girls standing before him. Akira stood at the front, arms crossed pushing out her chest, her smirk unwavering despite the tension hanging in the air. "You tormented my boys while I was away, and now want a place here?" Takanashi¡¯s voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. Akira tilted her head, her smirk deepening. "Oh, Takanashi, we only entertain them," she purred, stepping forward. One of the girls glanced at Sato, sensing his hesitation before he stepped forward. ¡°We were waiting for you, Takanashi. They asked if they could join us,¡± he said, taking a deep breath. ¡°I didn¡¯t see anything wrong with talking to them.¡± Takanashi¡¯s scowl deepened as he studied Akira. She was dangerous¡­ not in the way his fighters were, with their fists and knives, but in a way that was harder to counter. She didn¡¯t need brute force. She could pull strings, whisper in ears, and shift the balance of power without ever lifting a blade. His instincts told him to reject her outright. Letting her and her girls in would complicate things. They were opportunists, manipulators. He could already see the way some of his men looked at them. But another part of him knew the truth, morale was slipping. His boys were exhausted, they questioned why they had to pay into the pot, why they had to share resources, why they were barred from taking advantage of the freshmen¡­ And a single mistake, one moment of weakness, and everything would end in bloodshed, at least the game masters would enjoy the show. Akira knew it too. That was why she stood there, calm, confident, watching him like she had already won. Takanashi exhaled slowly, weighing his options. If he rejected her, she wouldn¡¯t disappear but shutting her out wouldn¡¯t make her disappear, it would only drive her to work against him. Letting her in meant keeping her under his watch, under his rules. His jaw tightened, he hated it, but she wasn¡¯t wrong. Akira was getting under his skin. His voice was cold, final. "You don¡¯t get special treatment because you used to sleep with Kazuto." he let out a sigh "Then you work for it. Same deal as the others. You pull your weight, or you¡¯re out. Simple." The room went silent. A few of the boys watching from the sidelines exchanged glances, some amused, others wary. Akira only chuckled, unfazed. "Oh, you really think that¡¯s the best use of us? I¡¯m not asking for special treatment," she said smoothly, running a hand through her hair. "I¡¯m offering you something better." One of Takanashi¡¯s lieutenants, a tall guy named Ryuji, leaned forward with a smirk. "Better, huh? And what exactly do you think you have that we need?" The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Akira turned, letting her gaze drift over the gathered men, her girls standing silently behind her. "Look at them," she gestured lazily. "They¡¯re exhausted, stressed. They fight, they bleed, and they don¡¯t get a single moment to breathe. But we?" She placed a hand over her chest. "We can fix that." Takanashi scoffed. "You think I¡¯m going to let you turn this into some brothel?" Akira feigned offense, placing a hand over her heart. "Oh, please. You wound me. I¡¯m talking about morale. Comfort. Your boys¡­." she turned to the watching crowd, giving them a slow, knowing smile "....they need us. And you? You need them at their best. I can make sure they are." A ripple went through the gathered boys. A few shifted in place, some looking away while others exchanged interested glances. Takanashi saw it, his scowl deepening. "They do their jobs," he said firmly. "If you can keep them in line without causing trouble, fine. But the second you or your girls step out of bounds, I¡¯ll throw you to the wolves." Akira smiled, slow and victorious. "Oh, Takanashi," she murmured. "You¡¯ll see. Before long, you¡¯ll wonder how you ever ran things without me" As the meeting broke apart, Akira tightened her grip on the threads of control, knowing this was just the beginning. Akira and her girls claimed the old locker room as their private space, doubling up on gym mats, draping it with makeshift curtains and stolen blankets. A few of Takanashi¡¯s men lingered at the door, eager to test the boundaries of their new arrangement. Hiroshi sat on the opposite bleacher, watching the spectacle unfold like a predator eyeing its prey., while Takanashi and Sato went to inspect the makeshift farm by the running track. One particularly bold boy, Kenta, leaned against the doorframe, smirking. "So, Akira, does this new deal mean we get a little extra service?" Before Akira could speak, one of her girls, Hana, stepped forward. Her expression was sweet, but her grip on Kenta¡¯s wrist was ironclad. With a sharp twist, she sent him to his knees, his face contorted in pain. "You touch without permission, you bleed," she said softly, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. The gym erupted in laughter led by Hiroshi. Kenta grimaced, rubbing his wrist as he scrambled back to his feet. "Damn, alright, I get it." He forced a chuckle, trying to salvage his pride. "Guess we¡¯ll have to be more... persuasive." Akira stepped forward, her eyes locked onto Kenta¡¯s with an unreadable expression. "You¡¯ll have to be smarter," she corrected, her voice low and commanding. "Respect earns rewards, not brute force." The boys around them watched with interest, some whispering to each other, others grinning, sensing the shift in power dynamics. Akira had set the tone, and now it was time to reinforce it. Hana released Kenta, dusting off her hands as if dealing with him had been nothing more than an inconvenience. The tension in the air shifted slightly, the power balance tilting subtly in Akira¡¯s favor. Meanwhile, Takanashi and Sato returned from the farm inspection, their faces unreadable as they surveyed the scene. Takanashi¡¯s gaze flickered from Kenta to Akira, lingering on the smirking girls behind her. He sighed, rubbing his temples. "I don¡¯t have time for petty fights," he muttered. "Just don¡¯t let things get out of hand." Akira smiled sweetly. "Of course not, boss. We¡¯re all on the same side, aren¡¯t we?" Takanashi narrowed his eyes but didn¡¯t reply. He turned sharply and strode away, leaving the lingering tension behind him. Akira watched him go, her smirk never wavering. She had her foot in the door. Now, all she had to do was push it open. Chapter 22 - Seeds of Hope The rooftop glowed faintly under the first rays of dawn, a fragile patch of green clinging to the ruins of the school. Rows of vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, a few stubborn fruits like tomatoes, spilled from cracked pots and makeshift planters. Beyond the walls of the school, the ruined town stretched out, its skeletal buildings clawing at a sky streaked with orange and ash. Sakura knelt beside a wooden crate, her blonde pigtails brushing her shoulders as she worked. The uniform she wore was frayed at the edges, stained with dirt and memories she couldn¡¯t wash out. Ichika sat perched on the crate, her long black hair spilling over her shoulders, catching the light like ink. She winced as Sakura wrapped a strip of gauze around her palm, the cut beneath red and raw. ¡°Still haven¡¯t found Reo?¡± Ichika''s voice was soft. Sakura¡¯s hands paused, the roll of bandage hovering over Ichika¡¯s knuckle. ¡°No,¡± she said, looking down, hiding her eyes ¡°And the teachers have been ignoring us for weeks too.¡± She tightened the gauze with a quick tug, her mind drifting to Reo, his goofy grin, the way he¡¯d slap anime stickers on anything he owned. She shoved the thought down, focusing on the bandage, on the here and now. Ichika flexed her hand, testing the wrap, ¡°Thank You, Sakura, sorry I didn''t mean to worry you¡±, in the moment Ichika glanced up, the ruins painted in fleeting gold, ¡°its peaceful in these moments, the smell of dirt almost makes you forget what has happened¡± Sakura followed her gaze, resting her hands on her knees. For a moment, they were silent, perched on the edge of a broken world. Footsteps crunched behind them, deliberate and heavy. Michi emerged from the stairwell, his stocky frame dwarfed by the wide-brimmed straw hat, carrying himself with the nerdy smarts of someone who¡¯d kept the Rooftoppers alive this long. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said, his voice cutting through the moment. ¡°I¡¯ve asked around, but nobody¡¯s seen him still. We¡¯re coming up to a harvest and can''t spare anyone for games let alone looking for lost students¡± Sakura¡¯s chest tightened, but she forced a nod. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Michi,¡± she said, softening her tone. ¡°I know you¡¯re busy with the Rooftoppers.¡± She stood, brushing dirt from her skirt, her hand brushing the fire axe propped against the crate. Michi¡¯s eyes flicked to the pair, his expression unreadable. ¡°Hey, Ichika,¡± he said, stepping closer. ¡°Has Hinata returned?¡± Ichika turned, concerned. ¡°No,¡± Ichika replied, her voice dropping. ¡°She didn¡¯t return last night.¡± Michi¡¯s face darkened, worry etching across his face, ¡°Hope they Ridden bastards didn¡¯t do something stupid,¡± he muttered, turning to a row of carrots and yanking one from the dirt, sending soil across the rooftop. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Sakura stepped closer to Ichika, resting a hand on her arm. ¡°We¡¯re having trouble with them,¡± Ichika said, glancing at Michi¡¯s back. ¡°But they wouldn¡¯t ruin our deal.¡± ¡°What deal?¡± Sakura asked, her brow furrowing. ¡°Who¡¯s Hinata?¡± Ichika hesitated, her gaze drifting to the greenhouse where shadows stretched long. ¡°After the first game,¡± with a sigh, ¡°many clubs came to barter with us for food, they were scared but so were we.¡± as she continued picturing the rooftop garden as it had been, no makeshift barricades yet, just desperate voices echoing over the gardens. ¡°Takanashi and his gang forced their way past, and didn''t want to trade.¡± Sakura¡¯s mind flashed to him, having met Takanashi in this new world, barking orders, his fist clenched tight. Ichika pulled her back into the past ¡°He grabbed Michi by the throat, dangled him over the edge. So we agreed to whatever they asked, they offered protection, funny is it, but we have to supply them with half our farming gear and some food till they get there plot working¡± The memory faded, and Sakura notices Michi tending the crops, his movements mechanical. ¡°But that doesn¡¯t make sense,¡± Michi said, frowning thinking out loud. ¡°It was a simple run to the freshmen and the Scavs. The Ridden won¡¯t approach Scav territory.¡± Ichika nodded, uncertain. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought too.¡± Sakura¡¯s jaw tightened. She turned to Ichika, her voice firm. ¡°Come with me today? We can look for them together.¡± Ichika¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Is that safe?¡± ¡°It should be fine,¡± Sakura said, grabbing the axe and slinging it over her shoulder. She seized Ichika¡¯s wrist, pulling her toward the stairwell. ¡°She¡¯s with me today!¡± she called over her shoulder. Michi spun, dirt-streaked hands on his hips. ¡°Wait, we¡¯ve got work to do!¡± But Sakura was already gone, Ichika stumbling behind her. Weaving between the barricades desk, and down the stairs. ¡°I Always start with the memorial wall,¡± Sakura said, her boots thudding on the steps, her ID card slapping against her chest, ¡°Without the staff tracking systems, it¡¯s the best way for us to know if students are alive, it''s how I knew my brothers were alive.¡± The walls closed in as they descended, the smell of damp was getting stronger, the graffiti covered the walls, Maggots Die, Ridden Scum, broke the concrete maw swallowing them. Sakura¡¯s grip on the axe tightened. ¡°The Nurse agreed to help Takanashi¡¯s gang too,¡± she said, her voice low. ¡°I Tried telling her not to, but she scolded me.¡± Ichika¡¯s breath hitched behind her. ¡°I¡¯m glad the Scavs and Ms Akasuki are looking after the freshmen, the others would have taken advantage of them¡± she said as they hit the 1st floor as the graffiti thinned. ¡°The other clubs seem to keep to themselves, to wary of others,¡± Sakura They burst onto the ground floor, the main entrance sign dangling crookedly, blood stained the walls in rusty smears, as the digital hologram flickering in the ruin of the front entrance, casting a faint glow, Ichika slowed, her voice trembling. ¡°I¡¯ve never been this far from the rooftop since the games started.¡± Sakura glanced back, her pigtails swaying. ¡°Just a little more. Watch my back¡± with a heavy breath ¡°it¡¯s early, so we should be fine.¡± She hefted the axe, its weight a grim comfort, and stepped into the hall, the memorial wall waiting like a judge in the distance.