I woke up early in the morning. I scanned my surroundings and checked my bag. Everything was in place. No assassination attempt.
"One player eliminated. Ninety-nine remaining."
I opened the rules app. A new rule had been added: supply crates had been dropped from the air at five random locations on the island. The locations weren't disclosed. While everyone else searched for the crates, I would continue placing mines. I didn't even know when the rule had been added—the crates might have already been taken. Searching was pointless.
A loud explosion came from the left.
"Five players eliminated. Eighty-five remaining."
A mine had detonated. It wasn't one of mine, but I ran toward it for information. On the way, I ran into Haru, who called out to me in a panic.
"Senpai, something terrible happened."
"What? What was that explosion?"
"I joined a group last night. They were forming strategic teams, so it made sense. While we were sleeping, someone wearing a mask made of leaves came into the camp and stole half the group's phones."
"Then what?"
"They left a note. It told us to wait for the next rule, check the sky, and not sleep until they gave the signal. Otherwise, they'd press the button on our phones. But me and two others were too worked up to sleep, so they couldn't take our phones. The note also said to find the supply crate and place it where they specified. We wanted to help our friends, so we went to the crate together."
His face was filled with grief and fear.
"I was at the very back. The other two were ahead of me. I tripped on a rock and fell. The remaining five people tried to lift the crate. But there was a mine planted underneath it. The moment they lifted it, it exploded. Five people died."
Tears streamed from his eyes.
"I see. Where are the other two?"
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
"Why aren't you sad? You're so cold."
"Do I have time to grieve for people I don't know?"
"Tch."
"Where are they?"
"A little further ahead. When I heard you running, I told them to wait."
We moved forward. Twin girls were waiting. Purple hair, blue eyes. Everything about them was identical.
I approached them and asked what had happened. I asked if Haru had really fallen, and they confirmed it. They told the same story, but they were suspicious of Haru.
"Haru was the last to join the group. Only the three of us were awake during the night attack. We can vouch for each other—Haru was alone. The attacker was probably male."
Haru exploded. "Just because I joined last, I'm the one who did it? Someone from outside could've done it. You two could be covering for each other. Right, senpai?"
"I'm not taking sides. Both arguments have logic."
I stepped between them. "Don't fight. You won't reach a conclusion right now. Besides, fewer players benefits us. Since when did you start caring so much about others in these games?"
They fell silent, knowing I was right. I asked the twins their names—Mej and Zej. I burned their appearances into my memory.
Haru grabbed my arm and pulled me onto a side path. He was acting possessive.
"You see how they're blaming me right away?"
"What they're saying isn't baseless, but we can't figure anything out for now."
"You're right. Did you hear what Akari's been up to?"
"What has she done?"
"She gathered her teammates and formed a group with herself as the leader."
"Where did you hear that?"
"We saw it while heading to the supply crate. I wanted to tell you."
"You didn't fight over the crate?"
"No. We spotted it before them."
"I see. The attack might have been their doing. If they knew it was a trap, they wouldn't have come."
"That makes sense, senpai. How did she gather teammates?"
"She was well-liked on that layer. Because she's smart, like you. And beautiful. I told you I have feelings for her, right?"
"Yeah, you're right. What should we do now?"
"I want to catch some fish."
We went to the shore, caught fish, cooked them, and ate. Two hours passed.
"Your conversation isn't bad, senpai."
"Thanks. I have to go."
"Where?"
"To take a nap."
It was just past noon. I moved quickly in the opposite direction, making sure he wasn't following. I returned to the first mine, checked the area, and buried a second mine diagonally from it, covering it with shrubs. I placed a third one between the two. I engraved the locations into my mind. I lay down some distance away and thought.
The night attack could have been Haru. It could have been Akari's doing. It could have been an outside force. Everyone is suspicious. Haru, Akari's group, the twins, or someone I don't know at all... An attack might come for me later. I need to stay sharp.