I rested for a while, then got up and returned to where the supply crate had been. The crate was destroyed from the explosion. I scanned the area and spotted the tents of Akari's group. I quietly approached.
It was past noon. Akari was giving tasks to her group. I called out from behind her, walking forward with my hands in my pockets, facing the group head-on. The group members grabbed their clubs. Akari smiled calmly, raised her hand, and signaled them to stand down. They relaxed. She walked up to me.
"What wind blew you here, Rei-kun?"
"I see you're not wearing your mask anymore."
The moment I said "mask," the group tensed up again. Akari calmed them down once more. We moved to a more private spot.
"Is something wrong?"
"Do you know Haru?"
"More or less."
"Why do you ask?"
"He's being friendly with me. He said he knows you. Said you mentioned me."
"I did."
I showed her the maps in my bag. "Do you have anything to trade?"
"You've been busy. Why didn't Lie join the game?"
"She said she was sick."
"Is that so? How are things between you two?"
"Why do you ask?"
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"Just curious."
"It's going well. She's a good friend."
Akari's mask was gone now. Her hair had returned to white, and her eyes were sharp.
"Akari... do you hate me?"
A few seconds of silence. "No."
"Then what's the point of all this?"
"You can't understand what I feel unless you've lived through it, Rei. I was punished so much for failing against you in the training facility. My training was doubled. You'll never understand the emptiness inside me. I won't stop until I defeat you."
I touched her shoulder. "I'm not judging how you feel. But I had to win too. Despite what you've done, I don't hold any hatred toward you. Can't we try to come to an understanding? Will you at least think about it?"
Her eyes widened. She bit her lip, trying to suppress her emotions. She told us to return to the group and asked about materials for trade. They offered a crafted spear, drinks, food, and hospitality in exchange for three copies of the map. I accepted. We completed the trade.
I went back to Akari. "Did you send Haru?"
"No."
"Why isn't he with you, then?"
"He said he wanted to play alone. Otherwise, I would have brought him into the group."
"What about the explosion?"
"No, Rei. Stop blaming me for everything."
"I'm not blaming you. I'm asking questions."
I called Akari to a private spot once more. I slowly approached and hugged her. Her body trembled. She didn't return it. I pulled back. She looked like a girl trying not to cry. I told her I was sorry and walked away.
What was I thinking? How could I blow up innocent people? Hundreds of them... What's the point of escaping like that? I'm being insane. If I do it, I'll be no different from the people who killed my mother. I have to change my strategy.
Akari's emotions had pulled me out of my dark mindset. I returned to where I had placed the mines and hurled a rock from a distance, detonating all of them.
Itsuki, watching from behind a screen, hurled his glass to the floor in fury. "What are you doing, Rei?"
Now I had to think of another way to win.
A new rule was announced. Every third rule, an extra rule would be added. Three rules had already passed, so a new one arrived: a map app was installed on the phones for three hours, showing the locations of nearby players. It was good against ambushes.
I consumed the food I had gained from the trade and began walking with the spear.
I've changed my strategy. What should I do now?