The port and the large empty containers seemed to swallow all sounds, leaving only the echo of footsteps on the cement. A great scenario to play the King of Cloves. The metallic voice of the system echoed above your heads, explaining the rules once again:

“Get more points than the opposing team before time runs out. If any player's bracelet reaches 0, they will be eliminated.”

The 2-hour countdown began.

Arisu and Kuina ran between the large metal containers, hoping to collect items that would give them more team points. Usagi wasted no time either, running while adjusting her bracelet. You could still feel the faint buzzing of the device against your skin. It was a strange feeling: that mix of adrenaline and fear that only games could provoke.

You lagged behind for a moment, watching the digital marks appearing on the bracelet's floating screen.

And then you felt it. That feeling. The same as always: as if an electric current ran through the room before he appeared. Something that often leads to trouble.

"You keep separating yourself from the group." Said a low voice behind you. "Didn't you learn anything at The Beach?"

You turned around. Niragi was still standing in the area that counted as "Base," her jacket half open, showing all the bandages around her body, her hair damp with sweat. Her smile was the same as before, but there was something new in her eyes: tiredness, maybe, or a shadow you hadn't seen before.

"Stay out of it," You said, without looking at him for too long.

"I don't want to get involved," He replied, strangely calm as he walked toward you. "But you're the one with the fewest points. If you go alone, you'll end up dead. And that..." His voice lowered a tone, bordering on inaudible. "It could lead to our deaths."

The scoreboard, many meters above, changed, and the system's voice sounded again: "King of Clubs team +500. Players team, -500."

Niragi just snorted, and came close enough to you to hold hands. "Come on... We'll have to teach these losers how to win games."