Manipulation

We searched for a suitable spot until the red zone stock refreshed. After thirty minutes, we checked our phones—one minute left until the six-hour mark.

"Senpai, one minute. Get ready."

A minute later, the stock refreshed and was immediately bought.

"I didn't get it, senpai. Did you?"

"No, I didn't either."

Haru looked at my phone. "Are you lying?" I was covering my game coin balance with my finger. He saw that I hadn't bought the red zone item. "Why are you covering it with your finger?"

"None of your business."

I pocketed my phone. Haru laughed. "I'm joking, senpai." The red zone hadn't fallen on us.

"We should sleep."

"You're right. Do you remember what was in the first supply crates?"

"There was a food symbol. Probably ration crates."

"I'm sleeping further away."

"But senpai, when will you trust me?"

"It's not about trust. It's a precaution. Be understanding."

"Fine."

I set up my tent some distance from his. I placed my phone and bag under my back—uncomfortable, but if someone tried to steal them, I'd feel it and wake up. I was exhausted and fell asleep quickly.

I had slept for about eight hours. I wasn't planning to try for the red zone again. I had decided before sleeping that if a red light fell on me while I slept, I'd notice it. When I woke up, I checked my surroundings—everything was in place. I checked the shop, and this stock had naturally already been bought. Someone else now had the red zone ability.

I spent more game coins to check Haru's location. He had already gotten up earlier than me and moved away. I checked Kiriyama's location—he was in the same spot. When I compared Haru's path with Kiriyama's location, I could tell Haru was heading toward Kiriyama.

He must have plenty of game coins too. He checked Kiriyama's location. He's planning to put on the mask and speak with him. I can't do anything about it—they're too far from me. At least I delayed him by bringing him here. It'll take him a few hours to reach his destination.

The robotic voice echoed from above.

"Areas have been shrunk. Players must move into the valid zone shortly."

As expected. They're shrinking the area.

"New rule added: A mine scanner can be purchased from the shop for a set price."

The mine scanner was a radar device that could detect nearby hidden mines. When I checked the shop, I saw it was expensive.

"Three-rule condition met again. New rule added: After the next red zone announcement, three areas will be marked with blue light. Only five players can be confirmed in each blue light zone. The first five to enter the first blue light will receive walkie-talkies in their inventory. The first five to enter the second blue light will have a game coin transfer app installed on their phones. The first player to enter the third blue light will receive one grenade in their inventory, while the remaining four will receive knives. The lights will turn off once five players are confirmed in each zone. Which light corresponds to which number is unknown."

Interesting rule.

"Red zone, six hours later, hmm..."

I thought for three seconds.

I've got it! The last three red zones are likely where the blue lights will appear. The second red zone is the first blue zone, the third red zone is the second blue zone, and the fourth red zone is the third blue zone. The first red zone is irrelevant. Otherwise, they wouldn't have set the rule to start six hours later. That's why the first red zone doesn't matter.

I sat and thought for a while, then decided what to do. I checked the arrogant woman's location with game coins. Her group was not far from me. I decided to pay them a visit.

My game coins are really starting to run low. I need to spend carefully.

After walking for a while, I came across the group. They tensed up when they saw me. "I'm not an enemy. I want to trade." I approached their leader. She had blonde hair, blue eyes, wore earrings, and carried herself with an arrogant air. Her name was Sakura.

"You're Rei, right?"

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"I want to trade. A map in exchange for food."

"Where did you get those?"

"I made them myself. I used to practice drawing."

I looked at her face and pretended to be slightly surprised. "Did you get skincare treatments before entering the dungeon?"

"Why?"

"You're very beautiful. It looks like you've had professional care."

She looked pleased. "Thank you. Who's that small group moving on the left?"

"They call themselves the Cleaners. After the explosion and the new rules, their leader bought radar and they're going around scanning groups' areas for mines in exchange for trades. At least, that's what they said their strategy is."

"Did you buy their services?"

"No, I didn't think we needed them. They're probably heading to other groups now."

"Probably."

The group members handed me a food bag. I took it and handed the map to Sakura. She placed it in her bag. I distributed the remaining copies to the other group members. They thanked me. Then I returned to Sakura.

"By the way, I have a theory about the new rule. The red zones might actually be the blue light zones. The first red zone is probably irrelevant."

Sakura's eyes widened. "That makes sense! Thank you for the information, Rei-kun."

"I'm not completely sure, but it's possible. Keep it in mind."

I let my hand brush her shoulder, looked into her eyes, then turned and walked away. She watched me go, biting her lip.

That must have worked. She'll trust me more now.

Now I had to run to the twins' group. There was no time.

After leaving Sakura's sight, I checked the twins' location with game coins and ran to their group. When I arrived, they weren't overly tense. I told them my theory and that Haru might truly be the hidden traitor. They asked if I had proof. I told them to remember the masked attacker's shoes from the night raid, then to picture Haru's shoes. Haru's shoes were normally black, but during the night raid, in the darkness, they would have appeared even blacker. They would be remembered as black. I told them to try to recall, and after a moment, they agreed. The masked attacker's shoes really had been black.

"Stay alert around Haru. Don't leak this information." We made a pact to take Haru down together. They agreed and became allies. I waved and left the group.

Now I can further disrupt Haru's plans. The twins will see me as an ally too. I can use them.

Time for the next step.

I checked the Cleaners' leader's location. They were heading toward Kiriyama's group. That meant they had already visited Akari's group first. By the time I had arrived at the twins' group, I realized they must have made the twins the same offer.

So that's their route.

I ran toward their location, hid my phone again so my position wouldn't raise suspicion, then put on my mask.

They've never seen me, so they can't recognize me.

I bought one mine from the shop and cut the wires underneath. In my masked state, I secretly tailed the Cleaners and suddenly jumped out in front of them, throwing the broken mine at them. They all scattered, thinking it would explode on impact, but since I had disabled it, it didn't. I vanished immediately.

"Who the hell was that?"

"Wasn't that the one who did the night attack? They said he wears a mask?"

"Y-yeah! Stay alert..."

The group quickly moved on, heading toward Kiriyama's group. I returned to where I had hidden my phone, retrieved it, and put the mask back in my bag.

When the Cleaners reach Kiriyama, they'll mention the masked one's attack. Regardless of the masked figure's intentions, this will damage the reputation of the masked ones in front of both this group and Kiriyama. It'll make things harder for Haru, I hope.

Now to see Akari.

At that moment, Akari had told the member whose phone had been taken, "If Rei asks you to do something, do nothing," instead of "do the opposite." This way, even if he figured out the trap, she could make it seem like a misdirection and prevent him from incorporating them into his plan. The member accepted the change.

I appeared before the group.

"Hey."

The group members were more hostile toward me after the last incident. The member whose phone I had taken rushed at me.

"Give me back my phone!"

Akari raised a hand to stop him.

"But Akari—"

"Calm down, Akiyama."

"Fine..."

"I came to return the phone. But let me talk to Akari first."

My gentle approach surprised the group. They let me speak with Akari. I pulled her aside into a corner.

"I missed you, Akari."

She reacted sharply. "What are you saying, Rei!"

"You don't have to try to get angry."

"Do you think those tricks work on me? Are you stupid?"

"Whether it's a trick or not, you know you liked it. I'm the one you obsess over the most, aren't I?"

Akari's eyes widened.

"I value you too, Akari. As much as you value me. I understand why you want to compete with me. But look at the size of this island. There are too many of us. A head-to-head battle can't happen here. Can't we postpone it for now?"

I moved closer and looked into her eyes.

"Let's be allies for now. I promise—later, I'll do whatever you want. I'll give you the battle you want."

"Akari, please. Let's make peace for now."

I gently kissed her cheek. She tried to act uncomfortable, but it was obvious she secretly liked it.

"Think about what I said. Let's help each other, alright?"

I placed the group member's phone in her hand and turned my cheek, waiting for her to kiss it back. After hesitating for a moment, she gave me a light kiss on the cheek.

"Get the hell out of here."

"See you!"

I quickly left the group.

She won't meddle in my plans now.

Four hours had passed. I ran toward Kiriyama's camp. There was no masked figure around. Everyone seemed to be gathering supplies. I secretly signaled Tsubasa while wearing my mask. He slipped away and met me.

"Any information?"

"No, but I convinced another person to join the secret organization."

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a bag of poisonous blueberries. "Mix these into the food of the ones you don't like before the group meal. They won't kill, but they'll make them sick."

Tsubasa was surprised at first but accepted the offer and took the bag.

"I'll call you again later, alright? This time, that other person can come too."

"Understood."

I quickly left, put the mask in my bag, and dug my phone out of the dirt.

If the blueberries work, Kiriyama's group won't be able to go for the new rule's reward. Kiriyama will have to risk going alone. They'll have to spend game coins too.

I seem to have indirect control over everything. Good.