The creak of charred wood echoed with every step they took. Around him, the toppled trees and the stench of burning flesh made the atmosphere feel heavy, suffocating. Ryuusei was moving forward with his group, but something had changed inside. Since he used his weapons in the previous battle, his comrades began to observe him in a different way, with too much interest.

"Hey, Ryuusei," Kenta said, walking beside him. Your weapons... I had never seen anything like it. They seem made for this kind of environment.

Haru (with a calculating look and his leg wound) That's true. In this forest, the most you could find would be a sword, bows, or even an axe, but those daggers... they seem to be taken from an arsenal.

Kenta: Yes, they are very rare. That edge has a different shine... Are they special artifacts?"

Ryuusei felt a chill run down his spine. Those questions seemed casual, but I could feel the insistence in their eyes. It felt as if he was no longer a mere companion to them, but an object of study.

"I found them," he replied in a dry voice, trying to sound indifferent.

Daichi: "I don't like to be suspicious of my group, but knowing where you found something like that could help us all.

"I don't remember where," he murmured.

It was an obvious lie, but I didn't want to reveal too much. The group was supposed to lean on, but if they kept insisting on their weapons, they might soon turn on him. His grip on his sword sheath grew stronger.

Aiko, who had been silent until now, looked at Ryuusei with concern. She noticed the slight change in his expression, a stiffness in his lips that betrayed his discomfort. The group did not stop pressuring him with questions and, although he tried to answer evasively, the seed of distrust was already planted.

The only one he felt he could still trust was Aiko, the girl was very innocent to him. During the break, when they moved a little away from the group, he confessed the truth.

"Aiko, they... they're starting to suspect me," he whispered, glancing sideways at his companions.

Aiko looked at him seriously, crossing her arms.

"Yes, I noticed. But don't blame them either. It is normal that they are interested. Such weapons are not common, Ryuusei.

"I can't trust them," he whispered, with a shadow in his expression.

Aiko sighed.

"Look, if you think they'll turn against you, be careful. But don't lock yourself in. We're still in this together.

The tension in his chest relaxed a little. At least he had someone to confide in.

The group moved through the thick forest, moonlight filtering through the treetops. The atmosphere felt heavy, as if something was watching them.

Aiko: "Ryuusei, what do those numbers mean?"

Ryuusei — What numbers?

Suddenly, a mechanical sound echoed in the sky. Above them, a gigantic screen lit up, showing a list of names that began to disappear one by one. Each name that faded represented a death in the macabre game in which they were trapped.

Haru —"Shit... Look at the amount that has already fallen."

Daichi—"It's like they're reducing the number of players on purpose."

The group looked up and held their breath. The screen showed a chilling figure: 12,476 souls remaining.

"Does that mean that... are they dying? Haru whispered, his face pale.

"Yes," Daichi said, grimacing. We don't know what's behind this, but there are fewer and fewer people alive.

The road they traveled was dotted with the remains of those who were not so lucky. Among the rubble and mud, severed arms, legs twisted at unnatural angles, and pools of blood already darkened by time could be seen. Ryuusei swallowed hard at the sight of a head smashed against a rock, his eyes still open in a grimace of horror frozen in time.

Suddenly, a heart-rending noise echoed through the forest. A deep, guttural roar. The temperature seemed to drop.

Kenta: Was that an animal?

From the shadows emerged a grotesque creature, with disproportionate limbs and a mouth full of rows of sharp teeth. Her skin was black and putrid, with pieces of flesh hanging down. In its right claw, remnants of what appeared to be a human arm were still dripping.

Haru "No. That's not an animal.

A laugh echoed through the air. A familiar voice, mocking and cruel.

Death: "I hope you like my little gift!" This is one of my favorites! Let's see how well they play with it~

The creature let out a roar and lunged at several players who were in the area.