Remi did not come out right away.
She clung to the hope that Maki was only bluffing. What if she had not actually been spotted?
"Don't make me say it twice."
When she saw Maki rest her hand on the sword hilt at her waist,
Remi closed her eyes.
It was over. She really had been spotted.
Remi took a deep breath and stepped out of the shadows, forcing a harmless smile onto her face.
"U-um... ma'am, I'm just an ordinary person who stumbled into the Culling Game. You won't get many points for killing me..."
Maki looked Remi over, feeling that she seemed vaguely familiar.
Her gaze landed on the food in Remi's hand, and one eyebrow rose slightly.
An "ordinary person who stumbled into the Barrier" had spent so many days in the Culling Game without being eliminated, and could still stroll openly down the street carrying such a huge bag of supplies?
"Are you alone in the Barrier?" Maki asked.
Remi hurriedly nodded, straining to widen her smile:
"Y-yes, it's just me!"
Maki's gaze shifted from the smile on her face to the bulging bag of food in her hand. She immediately spotted a bottle of liquor inside.
"You drink even when you're alone?"
Remi's smile stiffened for a moment.
"It's all stuff to eat and drink. Why turn down something free?"
Maki stared at her for two seconds.
This woman's story had so many holes that she could not even be bothered to pick them apart.
"I'm here on official business. My name is Maki Zenin." Maki looked away. "I came into the Barrier to rescue you. Don't panic. I won't kill you."
At those words, Remi visibly relaxed.
Her shoulders slumped, and the stiff smile on her face finally became genuine.
"Th-that's wonderful! Thank you,