The air around them felt thick and heavy, every rustle of leaves amplified as if warning them that even the slightest movement could spell disaster. The night wind swept through, carrying a biting chill. Earl stomped his foot, shaking off the cold and reminding himself to stay sharp—he had to be exceptional to earn the favor of the powerful.
He began to circle his prey with slow, deliberate steps, exuding both elegance and menace, like a predator toying with its catch. His chin tilted slightly upward, a habitual gesture that allowed him to look down on his"interesting trophies."
Just last week, he had wanted to avoid all of this. But his aunt and father's threats, coupled with irresistible incentives, had forced him back into the hunting ground. He had made mistakes last time, but this time, he wouldn't let meaningless bloodshed slow him down. He had laid his traps carefully, ensuring everything remained under control.
Earl's gaze lingered on Earnest, calculating—where to strike for maximum impact?
Earnest's back tensed, as if a bloodthirsty beast had locked onto him. His mind raced, analyzing Earl's every move: his stance, his gestures, even the frequency of his blinks. Earl wasn't acting immediately—he was waiting. But for what? Orders from above? Or was he simply prolonging the game for his own amusement? Whatever the reason, as long as the gun wasn't raised, there was still a sliver of hope.
Earnest quickly scanned Earl's weapon and felt a sinking dread—there was no chance of winning in a direct confrontation.
Suddenly, a commotion broke the stillness of the night. All three turned toward the sound. Footsteps mingled with angry shouts, clearly more than one person was approaching.
On a nearby rooftop, a figure darted like a bird in flight. It was a boy, no older than seventeen or eighteen, moving with the agility of a leopard as he sprinted across the sloped roof. The tiles beneath his feet cracked and groaned, threatening to shatter at any moment.
In the shadows beneath the eaves, silent footsteps flickered in and out of hearing, occasionally punctuated by a low growl that echoed through the night. Yet, the figure behind the bushes remained hidden.
Earnest's heart skipped a beat."Could it be another volunteer on the run? But the pursuers' footsteps are too calm. Who are they? Patrol guards? Or Earl's competitors?"
Hope flickered briefly in his chest, only to be extinguished just as quickly. In this place, there was no real"order," only those who made the rules and the pawns trapped within them.
He swallowed hard, his peripheral vision catching Earl's subtle retreat—a single step backward, as if instinctively distancing himself from potential danger.
Earnest's nerves tightened. If Earl decided to retreat, they were as good as dead. Earl wouldn't hesitate to claim the two points they represented. Yet, at this moment, he hesitated—afraid that the sound of gunfire might draw more people and endanger himself.
Earnest held his breath, his palms cold. He knew he had to force Earl to make a decision.
"We can help you earn more points," he said in a low, measured tone."Maybe enough to clear this round."
The wind stirred the dust at their feet, the distant footsteps growing louder, tension thickening in the air.
Earl's fingers tightened slightly. He stared at Earnest, a flicker of struggle in his eyes. His family had never taken him seriously; he had always been insignificant. But if this time… if he could earn enough points… his life might change forever.
Gritting his teeth, Earl stopped his retreat.
"Let's hear your plan."
Earnest's mind raced, weighing the odds—if Dr. Chan made a sudden move, could they turn the tables?
He glanced at Dr. Chan, whose face was as pale as a sheet, lips slightly parted but silent. The situation had clearly paralyzed him.
Earnest noticed the faint tremble in Dr. Chan's fingers, as if he wanted to grasp something but lacked the courage to act.
"Wake up," Earnest willed silently.
He cleared his throat softly.
Dr. Chan flinched, his eyes darting around in panic.
Earnest fixed him with a piercing gaze, taut as a drawn bow, silently conveying an urgent message.
Dr. Chan opened his mouth but said nothing.
Earnest's heart sank, his palms growing colder. He had to make Dr. Chan understand—they couldn't afford to sit idle.
As his thoughts churned, he let out a low cough, testing the waters to break the oppressive silence.
—"Ahem."
The sound echoed in the darkness, like a pebble dropped into still water.
Dr. Chan flinched again, his bewildered eyes meeting Earnest's, filled with fear and confusion.
"Do you understand?" Earnest's gaze was sharp as a blade, silently demanding a response.
Dr. Chan remained frozen.
Earnest clenched his teeth. The situation was dire, and he had no more cards to play. If they didn't act, death was inevitable.
"We can lure those people over, and you can score points," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
He thought bitterly that it wasn't fair to those people. But in this lawless land, everyone was fighting for survival. He was merely giving fate's dice another roll.
"God, what kind of world is this? Forgive me."
After a brief silence, Earl narrowed his eyes. The plan… might be worth trying.
"Alright, I'm in. What do I do?"
Earnest took a deep breath and exhaled slowly."Just fire a shot into the air. Leave the rest to us."
Earl sneered."Why not make it more exciting?"
"Bang—"
The gunshot shattered the night.
The bullet whizzed past Earnest's ear, the shockwave making his eardrums buzz and his heart feel as if it were clenched by an invisible hand.
"You bastard! What are you doing?!" he growled, instinctively ducking.
In the distance, the figure on the rooftop seemed to falter, as if struck by an invisible hammer. The body trembled, then tumbled down the sloped roof, tiles shattering beneath it, before vanishing into the darkness.
For a moment, silence reigned. Then—a furious roar erupted, and pairs of eyes glared at them from the shadows.
Earnest's heartbeat quickened. The gunshot had drawn attention.
Earl, however, seemed unfazed. He chuckled, raising his rifle with a twisted grin of excitement."Killing is too easy—it's like cheating."
Dr. Chan's face was ashen, his lips trembling."You… you are lunatic!"
Earl smirked, his gaze warped.
The night deepened, the silence as heavy as a grave.
Earnest finally understood—the figure before them wasn't human. He was a madman, utterly consumed by the"game."
The darkness grew thicker, the silence more oppressive.
Earnest and Dr. Chan both realized they were facing someone who had long abandoned any sense of right and wrong.
Earl squinted slightly, his gun barrel shifting as he spoke in a low, dangerous tone."Don't move, or you'll regret it."
He retreated quietly behind a large tree, blending into the shadows, his gun aimed upward. Clearly, he intended to use Earnest and Dr. Chan as bait to draw the others' attention.
Indeed, the gunshot had shattered the commotion across the way. The once noisy night fell silent, like a duck with its neck wrung.
Danger was closing in.