NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Rebellion against Heaven - Part 4
Chapter 4: Shadows of Distrust
The cracking of charred wood echoed with every step they took. All around them, the collapsed trees and the stench of burning flesh made the atmosphere feel heavy, suffocating. Ryuusei moved forward with his group, but inside him something had changed. Ever since they used their weapons in the previous battle, his companions began to observe him in a different way, with too much interest.
-Hey, Ryuusei," -Kenta said, walking beside him. -Your weapons… I've never seen anything like them. They seem made for this kind of environment."
Haru -(with a calculating look and with his leg wound) That's true. In this forest, the most you could find would be a sword, bows or even an axe, but those daggers... they look like they came from an arsenal.
Kenta -Yes, they are very rare. That daggers has a distinctive glow... Are they special artifacts?
Ryuusei felt a chill run down his spine. Those questions seemed casual, but he noticed the insistence in their gazes. He felt as if he was no longer a simple companion to them, but an object of study.
—I found them —he replied dryly, trying to sound indifferent.
Daichi —I don't like to distrust my group, but knowing where you found something like that could help us all.
—I don't remember exactly where—he muttered.
It was an obvious lie, but he didn't want to give too much away. The group was supposed to support each other, but if they kept insisting on their weapons, they might soon turn on him. His grip on his daggers sheath tightened.
Aiko, who had so far remained silent, watched Ryuusei with concern. She noticed the slight change in his expression, a stiffness in his lips that betrayed his discomfort. The group didn't stop pressing him with questions, and although he tried to answer evasively, the seed of distrust was already planted.
The only one he felt he could still trust was Aiko. The girl was too innocent for him. During the break, when they moved away from the group a little, he confessed the truth to her.
-Aiko, they... are starting to suspect me, -he whispered, glancing sideways at his companions.
Aiko looked at him seriously, crossing her arms.
—Yes, I noticed. But neither did the culprits. It's normal that they're interested. Those weapons aren't common, Ryuusei.
—I can't trust them… —he whispered, a shadow in his expression.
Aiko sighed.
—Look, if you think they'll turn against you, be careful. But don't lock yourself away. We're still in this together.
The tension in her chest relaxed a little. At least she had someone to trust.
The group moved through the thick forest, the moonlight filtering through the treetops. The atmosphere felt heavy, as if something was watching them.
—Look, if you think they'll turn on you, be careful. But don't lock yourself in. We're still in this together.
The tension in his chest eased a little. At least he had someone to rely on.
The group moved through the thick forest, the moonlight filtering through the treetops. The atmosphere felt heavy, as if something was watching them.
Aiko —Ryuusei what do those mean?
Ryuusei — What numbers?
Suddenly, a mechanical sound echoed in the sky. Above them, a gigantic screen lit up, showing a list of names that began to disappear one by one. Each name that faded represented a death in the macabre game they were trapped in.
Haru —"Shit... Look at the number that has already fallen."
Daichi —"It's as if they're reducing the number of players on purpose."
The group looked up and held their breath. The screen showed a chilling number: 12,476 souls remaining.
"Does that mean… they're dying?" Hana whispered, her face pale.
"Yes," Daichi said, grimacing. "We don't know what's behind this, but there are fewer and fewer people left alive."
The path they walked was littered with the remains of those who weren't so lucky. Among the rubble and mud, severed arms, legs twisted at unnatural angles, and pools of blood darkened by time could be seen. Ryuusei gulped as he saw a head crushed against a rock, eyes still open in a grimace of horror frozen in time.
Suddenly, a heart-rending noise echoed through the forest. A deep, guttural roar. The temperature seemed to drop.
Kenta "Was that an animal?"
From the shadows emerged a grotesque creature, with disproportionate limbs and a mouth filled with rows of sharp teeth. Its skin was black and rotting, with pieces of flesh hanging off. On its right claw, remnants of what looked like a human arm were still dripping.
Haru —No. That's not an animal.
A laugh echoed in the air. A familiar voice, mocking and cruel.
Death —I hope you like my little gift! This is one of my favorites! Let's see how well you play with it~
The creature let out a roar and launched itself towards several players who were in the area.