WebNovels

Chapter 13 - Murder

Blaze POV

It happened eventually. After the sun was high in the sky, Shoot came to me, his hand clutching his gun. His eyes were serious.

"Blaze. I want in on your team," he said. Bold of him to come with a weapon in his hand. That's not how you request something.

"Can you wait? I'm not feeling well right now," I said, trying to deflect the question. I didn't trust him and didn't want him on my team at all. We had worked together before, but that was for mutual benefit.

"Don't say that," he said, clutching the gun harder in his grip, his voice growing heavy. "I was a shut-in gamer. I can be very useful to you."

He stepped closer than I liked, testing my temper. I raised my arms as well, rolling my eyes. "Yes, but you see, there's only one spot left on my team. And there are seven of you here," I said, loud enough for all to hear. This was the best strategy. If they all turned on me, I would be in trouble. I couldn't get away with a one leg only, not to mention they could go after the kids to free up spots. People do all kinds of things when cornered.

My words silenced the clearing for about ten seconds. Then it erupted.

"That's right! Why are you there buttering her up by yourself? No one said you were getting that spot," said one of the guys in the back, walking over.

"Fuck off and mind your business. I know her better than any of you," Shoot spat, pointing his gun at the approaching guy.

"Oh, is that how it works now? Nepotism? And you call yourself a gamer?" This time it was a girl, dragging a thick stick along the ground.

They had all been simmering since the morning; finally, they had something to go at. Let them fight among themselves.

I looked at JungleJoe, who was sitting nearby. His eyes were active, his good hand gripping a tusk—perhaps from one of the wolves he'd killed.

"We're a team now," I mouthed. "You have to protect me and the kids."

He didn't say anything. Just nodded once.

---

Bandage POV

The cutter was now pointed right at my left eye, barely a centimeter away. I didn't dare move. Didn't dare breathe. What was it that she wanted?

Could she be a murderous sadist who just wants to see me bleed?

"Say, partner... do you remember how we used to play all night, having so much fun?" she whispered in my ear, her breath warm against my neck.

"Yes... I do," I replied slowly, making no sudden moves. It was like asking someone if they loved you at gunpoint. Meaningless.

I mean, I did like to play with her, but that was before I realized what a psychopath she was. Now the only thing I felt from her was fear and threat.

She rubbed her open palm on my chest, touching me all over. Her pale face reddened. Her lips ran over my neck, my brow... her breaths grew heavy.

Oh, come on, not like this... I don't want to do this kind of thing when we're stuck in this deadly game.

Even if I wanted to, it wouldn't be with her.

However, the cutter was still dangerously close to my neck. I didn't move.

"Hmmm... you're so hot. Am I getting you turned on, partner? Hehe... you're a man after all. Now, now, don't be shy and come here," she said as she grabbed me by the head and pulled me into a deep kiss. The cutter finally fell from her hand.

Her lips were hot but sent a deathly chill through me.

And just like that, my first kiss was stolen by her. I could never have imagined it would be under these circumstances.

After thirty or so seconds, she let me go with a final suck on my lower lip. I finally took a heavy breath, feeling used, a bit angry, and utterly clear on what I needed to do. There was no way I was continuing this game with this bitch. I needed to defect.

She picked up her cutter and put it in her thigh pouch. Where did she even get such a thing?

"I did what you wanted. Now can we go and create our team?" I said with a hint of urgency. No way I'd let her delay any more, not after she had used me like that.

"Yeah, sure. I'm sure there are three other guys left in the stock. We'll pick the weakest of them just to clear the tutorial. After that... well, let's see how it plays out." She started to walk, and I followed her.

So it seemed she didn't care who got on the team, as long as they weren't girls that could seem like any hint of a threat. Talk about insecurity.

We walked for a while. It was almost strange that we hadn't met a single monster on our way. Even though it was daytime, a small rabbit or snake should have been around, but there was nothing.

It could be because it was the last day and something else was in store for us. My gut told me that this night would be the toughest.

However, before the night could surprise me, the clearing did. Two of the extra players were lying on the floor, blood seeping out of their bodies.

"What in the world...?" I ran towards them the moment I saw the scene. I didn't know either of them personally, having never talked to them. That was a good thing. But what could kill two players just like that in the daytime? Not to mention with the whole crowd here.

"Blaze?" I asked. She was sitting against a tree, looking deep in thought, her eyes staring into the distance.

She didn't reply.

"Well, well, it seems like these lowlifes have been quarreling among themselves," Boxcutter said with a laugh, standing in front of me as if protecting me from them.

From them? Infighting? Don't tell me it's what I think it is.

"Who in the world... which one of you did this?" I asked, my voice low.

The game had changed forever. Getting killed by monsters was one thing, but getting killed by another player—that was murder, plain and simple.

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