ELITES
"Do you think Rei will be able to figure out the magic?"
"It looks like he will. From here, it seems like he's playing as if his screen is being watched."
"You're right. I think he'll figure it out too."
We had moved on to the fifth square selection. The turn to select a square was Yuto's. This time his eyes were open. He was staring at his digital screen. I was waiting for him to select his square. Ren continued watching us. I kept looking at my own digital screen in the same way, thinking.
I feel like there's some kind of magic at play, but what exactly could it be? Earlier, when I said something about the surface, he showed a sign. But I had decided that was a bluff. He opens his eyes when it's his turn. If I were to use a cheat-level magic in this game, what would it be?
It would be about seeing the screen, of course. The thing that would give a player the most advantage in this part would be always being able to see which square the opponent has chosen. He closes his eyes when it's my turn. So when he closes his eyes, I don't know how, but he must be able to see my screen somehow. I can't proceed thinking it's a bluff. If I make a thoughtless move, I'll lose the game directly. It seems like I have to play assuming he can see my screen no matter what.
Shortly after, Yuto decided on the square he would select. The sixth square selection had begun. It was my turn again. I looked at my digital screen. The areas the opponent had placed weren't saved on the digital screen with the initial of his name as a reminder. But to remember visually, I was imagining it using this method. I continued looking at the screen.
+----+----+----+
| R | 7 | 13 |
+----+----+----+
| 2 | 8 | 14 |
+----+----+----+
| 3 | Y | 15 |
+----+----+----+
| R | 10 | 16 |
+----+----+----+
| 5 | 11 | 17 |
+----+----+----+
| 6 | 12 | Y |
+----+----+----+
Now I need to figure out which square he chose. Looking at it, for now, the game's objective was to place diagonals and place the number nine three times to win the game. I can think based on that. It would be good if I first look at the more logical squares. For example, square six seems logical. It threatens to form a horizontal with squares six, twelve, and eighteen. It also aims to form a diagonal in the long run with squares six, eleven, and sixteen. It can be called a useful move either way.
In addition, square seventeen also seems capable of this. It threatens to form a vertical with squares eighteen, seventeen, and sixteen. It also aims to form a diagonal in the long run with squares seventeen and thirteen. He might have chosen this too.
I don't think he'll play defensively. After all, he can probably see my screen. Therefore, he won't play on square seven or thirteen to block my horizontal. In the long run, it prevents me from forming a horizontal, but they don't threaten a diagonal or a horizontal. These are very defensive moves. It's hard for him to do this in this part. He could just aim to secretly form a diagonal and choose unrelated spots. But if I proceed thinking that, I probably won't be able to guess where he placed. For example, if he ignored the other logical spots and chose square thirteen to secretly form a diagonal, I probably can't take this risk. If he didn't do what I thought, I would have placed on thirteen. He would also easily block square seven. That way, I would have also told him one of the squares I placed.
But on the other hand, square thirteen must be that good. It secretly aims to form a diagonal in the long run. It also prevents me from possibly forming a horizontal. And since he needs to take square eight while forming the diagonal, when he takes that spot, he also threatens to form a vertical with squares eight, nine, and ten. At the same time, by placing on square three, he threatens to form a diagonal. The crucial part is, after taking thirteen, if he also takes eight, I can't prevent him from forming a triple no matter what. In the situation I understand, I'll probably have to compulsorily close square three, and he will have formed one vertical.
Thinking like this, square thirteen isn't actually that unrelated. It seems to be doing three or four things at once. But if he didn't think this far, would I be wasting my placement by putting it on thirteen? I'm not sure. Instead, I could place on square eight. I could both threaten a diagonal and also prevent him from possibly forming a vertical from the ninth square. Square eight seems logical for me to place.
He could also place on eight himself. There are too many options that seem logical. I'm having a hard time guessing. My first goal is actually not to choose the right spot, but to choose the spot he chose and gain information. I need to understand the values of the moves.
Let me think from the beginning. The advantages of square six: it threatens a horizontal and also aims to form a diagonal in the long run with squares eleven and sixteen. At the same time, compared to other possibilities, it could be an unexpected move. So it's doing three things at once. But the bad part is, what this guy is aiming for is to win the game with diagonals. Forming a horizontal works for him, but it's not exactly what he wants. Since it's not what he wants, it actually becomes an unexpected move. He could think that I would think this and place it. But it's not very likely for me to fully guess which one he'll do by looking at the options here. I'll take a risk here and move on to more logical options. Thinking this way, square six is logical, but it doesn't provide him with a fast diagonal formation threat. So even if he could think that I would think this, I have to eliminate it. Otherwise, I can't move forward. Alright, so square six is logical, but it doesn't provide a fast path to the winning condition he's aiming for. Then I'll eliminate square six.
If he can see my screen, I need to perfectly understand the squares he placed. Otherwise, the game won't progress evenly. I have to keep thinking. We said I eliminated square six. With the same logic, square seventeen also provides similar three advantages, but it doesn't progress toward the winning condition he wants because it doesn't threaten a diagonal. So with this logic, square seventeen also can't be.
If I continue with the same logic, then square twelve also can't be. If he can see my screen, he'll play bold, fast-winning moves rather than passive hidden moves. This also supports my theory. So square twelve also can't be. In the same way, squares five and eleven are also useless. Neither of them even provides any fast threat. So those numbers also can't be. Thinking this way, he couldn't have chosen squares six, seventeen, twelve, five, and eleven.
+----+----+----+
| R | 7 | 13 |
+----+----+----+
| 2 | 8 | 14 |
+----+----+----+
| 3 | Y | 15 |
+----+----+----+
| R | 10 | 16 |
+----+----+----+
| X | X | X |
+----+----+----+
| X | X | Y |
+----+----+----+
I have to keep thinking. Even if I struggle, I have to keep going. Just like when I played against my clone. I have to disregard everything I value for the sake of those I value. I have to embrace the absurd. I have to go deeper. Deeper, deeper...
My face had started to become expressionless again. My breathing became more balanced. My eyes sharpened. I was beginning to focus. Noticing that my face was changing even more again, Ren chuckled lightly and looked at me. He seemed to like this situation.
"There we go. This face suits you, Rei!"
Ignoring what he said, I continued focusing. I started looking at the blue digital screen again. I was now more determined than before. Maybe if I lost, I would lose my friends, those I valued. But still, I began to sink into calmness. I was disregarding everything for those I valued. My mind was becoming clear.
I have to keep thinking. I said these numbers can't be. My square is on square four. His is on square nine. According to my previous calculations, with the selection on square eighteen, he won't do anything for now. He has magic. I had decided he would want something that speeds up his winning condition. Like I said, in this situation, squares six, seventeen, twelve, five, and eleven can't be.
Four also has my selection. If I think about square ten, this square similarly prevents me from forming a horizontal in the long run. So it has a defensive side. It also threatens a vertical in the long run. But like I said, this also doesn't quickly advance him toward the winning condition he wants. Therefore, I'll eliminate square ten too.
Square sixteen, on the other hand, simply threatens a diagonal just as he wants. This is something he wants. I'll keep this in mind. He could deliberately play things he wouldn't want. But I can't guess that. I've already eliminated them. I have to keep proceeding with this logic. I have to trust my theory.
We said we're keeping square sixteen in mind. Then I'll eliminate square fifteen too, because it doesn't threaten a diagonal. In the same way, I'll eliminate square fourteen too. He can't form a diagonal by placing there. My selection is on square four.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
+----+----+----+
| R | 7 | 13 |
+----+----+----+
| 2 | 8 | X |
+----+----+----+
| 3 | Y | X |
+----+----+----+
| R | X | 16 |
+----+----+----+
| X | X | X |
+----+----+----+
| X | X | Y |
+----+----+----+
I've also eliminated squares ten, fifteen, and fourteen. I have to keep thinking. If I think the same way, I can also eliminate square three. Choosing that spot does nothing in the short term. In the position he's in, he won't want to play passively. Or he probably doesn't need to play long-term.
I'll eliminate square three too. It only threatens a diagonal in the long run. It actually lays the groundwork for what I said about square thirteen. But he must have understood that I would understand the power of square thirteen. So if he chooses three, he could think that I would take thirteen or eight. So he doesn't have enough time to choose three. I'll eliminate three too.
If I think about square two, it prevents me from forming a vertical and also threatens a fast diagonal just like square sixteen. I'll keep square two in mind. Now let me think about square seven. Square seven prevents me from possibly forming a horizontal. It seems like a defensive move. On the other hand, it also aims for a vertical. But as I said, it doesn't advance him toward the winning condition he wants. He'll want to form a diagonal. So I'll eliminate square seven too.
+----+----+----+
| R | X | 13 |
+----+----+----+
| 2 | 8 | X |
+----+----+----+
| X | Y | X |
+----+----+----+
| R | X | 16 |
+----+----+----+
| X | X | X |
+----+----+----+
| X | X | Y |
+----+----+----+
Alright. Now square thirteen remains. If he also places on eight with square thirteen, he can get into a situation where he'll definitely obtain a triple. But for this condition to be met, he also needs to take square eight. I can understand this and prevent this situation by taking square eight. He must have thought of this.
What use would it be for him to take square eight before thirteen then? I need to think about this. Choosing square eight threatens a vertical. If it were only thought of this way, it could be eliminated. But on the other hand, it also lays the groundwork for the tactic formed by square thirteen. If he chose eight, and if I choose thirteen, he chooses ten and forms a triple.
Eight seems faster. Thirteen is slower. If I choose three, he again chooses ten and forms a triple. If I choose eight, and if he chose eight, I need to choose square ten to block his triple. When that happens, I threaten to form a horizontal with square sixteen. There are two possibilities here. Either he'll block sixteen and both defend and threaten a vertical using square eighteen, or he'll leave that spot to me in exchange for obtaining a diagonal and place on either three or thirteen. In this situation, if I understand this, I can prevent him from forming a diagonal. However, I can't be sure whether it's three or thirteen. So it would be luck-based. Therefore, I probably need to choose sixteen. Then he also forms one diagonal by choosing three or thirteen.
This could be profitable for him. After all, if he forms one more diagonal, he can win the game directly. Other than that, in the scenario where he blocks by choosing sixteen, I would also have to choose seventeen to block his triple. In this situation, after that, he could choose either three or thirteen again, or he could also choose sixteen or two directly to form a diagonal. He could have chosen these two numbers from the very beginning. Either way, I have to eliminate square thirteen.
+----+----+----+
| R | X | X |
+----+----+----+
| 2 | 8 | X |
+----+----+----+
| X | Y | X |
+----+----+----+
| R | X | 16 |
+----+----+----+
| X | X | X |
+----+----+----+
| X | X | Y |
+----+----+----+
So these three options remain. Even if he lays the groundwork with square eight, I can prevent it in the scenarios I've calculated. Like I said, if he chooses eight, I'll choose ten. He'll either choose sixteen, or this time he could choose one of squares three, thirteen, sixteen, and two. It seems to get more complicated as we go on.
Which one should it be? Let's say he chooses sixteen. If I choose eight, he'll think about these things and obtain a diagonal. The same applies if he chooses two. But if he chose eight, and I choose two or sixteen, he directly forms a vertical. It looks dangerous. I have to make the right decision.
Is it more correct for him to choose eight and set a trap on squares two and sixteen, or to choose two or sixteen and set a trap on square eight? I need to understand this. I have to look at the spoils the traps bring. If he chose eight, and I choose two or sixteen, the spoil he obtains is forming a vertical. But this isn't one of the things he wants. He would prefer to obtain a diagonal. But he might have thought that I would think this and wanted to make do with this. But he must be confident in himself. I thought he wouldn't play this passively. Let me look at the other spoil.
If he chose two or sixteen, and I choose eight, he'll probably see it directly from my screen and instantly obtain a diagonal. What he wants is already to obtain a diagonal triple. So actually, choosing two or sixteen could be considered more logical. He could understand these things and expect me to choose eight.
But as I said, in the same way, he might have thought that I would think this and chosen eight. If I choose that to get the notification and it's not correct, he can instantly form a diagonal. At this point, I need to move beyond logic and think with psychology. I need to put myself in his place.
I have a magic. Thanks to this magic, I can see my opponent's screen. If I were in such a situation, I could make bolder moves. After all, I would be seeing my opponent's screen. I might not make such passive or long-term moves. Though if it were me, I still could, because thinking that my opponent could understand my magic, and understanding that I could make bold moves, I could deliberately make passive moves. Of course, this would change depending on my opponent's intelligence. If my opponent were stupid, this wouldn't work. But I shouldn't think like this. The person in front of me isn't me. It's someone else. Think again. Empathize.
I have magic. I can see the screen. I'm probably a creature who, due to my nature, could be a bit arrogant or egotistical. After all, I can see my opponent's screen. My goal is to select the ninth square three times. Then why would I aim for a vertical instead of aiming for a diagonal? I would want to finish the game quickly. I'm already extremely advantaged. Plus, I clearly don't know my opponent's intelligence level. I can't predict he would calculate this many possibilities.
If I think this way, then he must have chosen either square two or square sixteen. Then I have to eliminate square eight. I have to make a decision to move forward.
The system robot looked at me.
"Rei, have you frozen up?"
Because I was lost in thought, I didn't know what to answer for a few seconds. Then I slowly looked at the robot with an indifferent expression.
"No. I'm thinking, sir. My apologies."
"Alright. Don't take too long."
+----+----+----+
| R | X | X |
+----+----+----+
| 2 | X | X |
+----+----+----+
| X | Y | X |
+----+----+----+
| R | X | 16 |
+----+----+----+
| X | X | X |
+----+----+----+
| X | X | Y |
+----+----+----+
One of the two remains. If I choose the wrong one, I'll have placed it. Let's say I chose two. It was on sixteen. Then he chooses seventeen and forms a vertical. If he chose two, and I choose sixteen, I'll have placed it. But he can't do anything fast using two. In the situation where he chose sixteen, if I understand and choose two with a fifty percent chance, he can go and form a vertical with eighteen. So actually, to the question of two or sixteen, sixteen is more logical. Because if I choose two, he can directly form a vertical. Plus, me choosing two is also likely because I would also be aiming to form a vertical.
In this situation, when I choose two, either he chooses seventeen and I choose three, and both of us will have formed verticals. Or he chooses three and blocks my triple, while also aiming to form a horizontal with squares two, ten, and fifteen. So he would both block and go on the attack. This seems more logical.
In this kind of situation, if I choose fifteen and block him, he chooses seventeen and forms a triple again. So I would end up in a situation where he forms a triple no matter what. Therefore, to the question of two or sixteen, square sixteen seems more logical. Then I'll eliminate square two too.
+----+----+----+
| R | X | X |
+----+----+----+
| X | X | X |
+----+----+----+
| X | Y | X |
+----+----+----+
| R | X | 16 |
+----+----+----+
| X | X | X |
+----+----+----+
| X | X | Y |
+----+----+----+
Only one option remains. The answer should be sixteen. I must have found it. I'll try sixteen. I hope the system warns me.
I finally brought my finger to the digital screen and tapped square sixteen. When I tapped it, the system warning notified me that I couldn't select this spot. When I tapped sixteen, I saw Yuto's finger move. Before this, his eyes were closed again. Now I was sure. Because I had understood the entire thought process, and because he saw the screen, he made a small micro expression when I chose sixteen. Yuto could see my screen. I understood this.
Good. I guessed correctly. So he chose square sixteen...
+----+----+----+
| R | 7 | 13 |
+----+----+----+
| 2 | 8 | 14 |
+----+----+----+
| 3 | Y | 15 |
+----+----+----+
| R | 10 | Y |
+----+----+----+
| 5 | 11 | 17 |
+----+----+----+
| 6 | 12 | Y |
+----+----+----+
In a situation like this, I need to think about where I should choose. He's threatening a diagonal. So I need to choose square two. But when I choose two, he'll choose square three. He'll want a triple from both fifteen and seventeen. What do I need to do in response to this?
The only option should be a counter threat. Five, six, seven, thirteen, eight... these are the squares I can choose. The question here should be: which one is more effective and offers more? Looking at it, if I choose square eight, because I previously chose two, I'm also threatening a horizontal as well as a diagonal. So I can respond to his attack by threatening both a diagonal and a horizontal. This is quite good. I'll play like this.
I brought my finger and chose square two. The system brought up a message that I had selected it successfully. Both sides had now selected three squares. It was Yuto's turn again. I was now sure he was watching my screen. My head hurt a bit from the probability calculation. The game continued.
+----+----+----+
| R | 7 | 13 |
+----+----+----+
| R | 8 | 14 |
+----+----+----+
| 3 | Y | 15 |
+----+----+----+
| R | 10 | Y |
+----+----+----+
| 5 | 11 | 17 |
+----+----+----+
| 6 | 12 | Y |
+----+----+----+