"Survivors": One of Us Has Been Replaced
Inside the monitoring room.
The tense atmosphere, which had been somewhat strained by the unexpected elimination of two more players, was quietly dispelled by the timely arrival of a sumptuous lunch.
The aroma of food filled the air, unconsciously calming everyone's bewilderment and suspicion.
Xu Xi opened a thermal container, and the stew inside immediately released a steaming cloud of heat.
He thought that withdrawing from the competition, aside from being completely blind to the truth, still had some advantages.
At least we can eat a few more hot meals in peace.
"Creak--" The door was suddenly opened from the outside.
"It seems I've returned just in time."
Xu Xi glanced at Briman, who went straight to the food cart after entering, and slowly took a bite of the bread in her hand.
Why did he feel that the other person seemed much happier after going out?
Just then, a staff member who was still diligently watching the monitor exclaimed in surprise:
"Director, that contestant named Ichimura Kōta... has disappeared."
--
"Gone?" Winniever ran his fingers through his hair. "Has anyone noticed where he was last seen?"
The others exchanged glances, and after a moment Kuxiya was the first to reply, "I saw him head towards the corridor."
"With the Production Team involved, they'll find the right people themselves," Daisy said calmly.
After all, the cameras installed in the Camp weren't just for show.
Although the fact that the Production Team remained indifferent to their bizarre attack suggests that the cameras likely didn't capture those things.
Geseling let out a soft sigh, "If we can't even find the Production Team..."
Winniever paused for a moment, then changed the subject. "Let's talk about what we've gained first. The information I've gathered is limited; it's mostly about the victims' experiences before they died."
"The government in this Dungeon turned the Camp into an exhibition hall to commemorate the victims, and I think only the victims' information is normal." Geseling wasn't disappointed, because she herself hadn't found any useful clues.
"Behind every tragedy lies a puppeteer, who, while shedding tears for the victims, never forgets to leave a pair of shackles for the perpetrators," Yurien cautioned.
These ambiguous words caused everyone's expressions to tighten.
"... We overlooked the Rebel Army." Daisy frowned, looking up at everyone. "Ladies and gentlemen, something just occurred to me."
"What a coincidence, ma'am, it seems we're on the same page." Winniever shrugged.
Geseling's words were much more direct. "Assuming those things drove us away out of goodwill, then the reason they did so is that there is something they consider far more terrifying in this Camp."
"Is it Faction War, or..." Kuxiya guessed in a low voice, "... Battle Royale?"
Daisy touched her red, wavy hair. "Whatever it is, we all need to pay attention to—time."
"That's some consolation," Winniever smiled. "At least we're only on our first day, right?"
"Who knows?" Daisy's lips twitched slightly. "We should start thinking about how to clear this Dungeon."
Even if they guessed what the final threat might be, it didn't mean they could safely get through this Dungeon.
Just as the five were about to discuss a few more words, the voice of a disheveled man came through the loudspeaker.
"The second round of challenges is about to begin. All contestants, please proceed to the basement to draw lots and determine your respective tasks."
--
In the cramped space, the five players endured the indescribable smell while casually examining the cards they had just drawn.
"... In moments of solitude and stillness, find the echo, recite and listen." Winniever looked at the series of strange incantations below the card. "I must say, those people in the Production Team should be the players; they're much braver than us."
"There's no need to complete the mission; we can just maintain the illusion." Geseling casually stuffed the card into his pocket. "We have a direction; now the important thing is to use this time to find new clues."
The other four agreed with her statement.
However, just as they were about to leave, the unusual ground conditions made them instinctively wary.
A line of characters, seemingly written in red paint, suddenly appeared at everyone's feet.
"Exit immediately... or die..."
The five people stared at the line of words with solemn expressions, inexplicably sensing a sense of urgency from it.
"Is this their final warning to us?" Kuxiya looked around, trying to figure out what it was.
"Looks like everyone needs to be careful." Daisy waited a while and, seeing nothing else happen, opened the door. "See you later, everyone."
*
Geseling consulted the map in his hand, the beam of his flashlight sweeping across the door numbers in the corridor.
She was looking for the Camp's Archives.
Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye, and she stopped abruptly.
A shadow was standing not far ahead at the corner, the emergency light overhead casting an exceptionally long shadow.
"..." Geseling narrowed his eyes and slightly rotated his right wrist.
"Don't be nervous, it's me." The man walked out unhurriedly.
It was none other than Ichimura Kōta, who had been missing during the previous gathering.
Geseling was taken aback, but still kept her distance. "What are you doing here?"
"Of course, it's to save our lives." Ichimura Kōta ignored her obvious wariness. "Some of us have been replaced. I don't know who it is, so I'm just avoiding all of you."
"Really?" Geseling didn't ask how he knew, but instead asked, "Then why are you looking for me? Aren't you afraid I'll be the one replaced?"
"It wasn't you." Ichimura Kōta shook his head, his expression serious. "In fact, I already know who it was."
"I'm here to discuss cooperation."
*
In the storage room, Daisy was selecting suitable tools.
To put it bluntly, her mission was suicidal; she had no intention of doing it at all.
She picked up a small hammer at random and prepared to head to the Dungeon.
Based on her speculation, there might be a hidden passage beneath the Dungeon, which could contain important clues.
But the next second, the door to the storage room was suddenly pushed open.
The person who came in stopped in their tracks when they saw Daisy inside.
Daisy raised an eyebrow slightly as well. "What a coincidence."
Kuxiya's gaze swept over the small hammer in her hand, then she nodded. "I'm here to get some tools too."
*
Yurien stared at the enormous water tank before him, his body tensing unconsciously.
In the murky green water, Kuxiya floated silently, her eyes closed and her face deathly pale; she was clearly dead.
How could that be?
He clutched the silver coin tightly; the slightly cool touch was his only solace at that moment.
"How... did all of this happen?"
*
Winniever walked slowly down a passageway.
He was heading towards the Dungeon.
He knew that some players would have the same idea as him, like that red-haired lady.
That's the downside of having too many smart people.
But it doesn't matter, just like the lady in the leather jacket said earlier—it's all about skill.
With this in mind, Winniever's speed increased considerably.
However, as he bent down to pass through a narrow tunnel, the scene before him made him freeze in place, his pupils suddenly contracting.
A male corpse dressed in a suit lay there quietly.