Usagi looked at Yuta, waiting for what he was about to say. If he had a plan, she should listen first and then give her opinion. In this case, she knew that staying close to him would benefit her greatly, and she didn't feel uncomfortable in his presence either.
If strange things happen along the way, Usagi knowing how to use a shotgun would not only improve her safety but also allow her to cover my back if necessary. Even just holding a weapon in her hands would be enough to intimidate strangers—most people would think twice before trying anything threatening. Yuta thought silently while watching her.
After considering that this world had too many variations, he realized people would become a problem in a place where laws, rules, and authority had lost their meaning. This world was perfect for everyone to act as they pleased—and even though Yuta liked that idea, he knew he needed to think about other possibilities beyond what was happening here.
Something strange was unfolding quietly, and Yuta felt increasingly excited. He couldn't wait to find out what those games were and how they could define the future of all the illogical ideas forming in his mind.
"I suppose I don't need to tell you what could happen if there are others out there as confused as we are, right?" Yuta looked at Usagi, expecting her response. He had high expectations for this girl and was carefully weighing her words.
Usagi nodded, her expression serious. "If there are other people here who've been around longer than us, like you said, they could be a danger we should watch out for."
"Exactly!" Yuta nodded. "We know how twisted people can be in our modern society—so what do you think they're capable of in a place without laws or anyone to stop them?"
Usagi met Yuta's mysterious gaze. She instantly understood what he meant. She didn't need a reminder of how cruel people could be—how selfish they could become when their own survival was at stake.
She knew that from now on, trust had to be given to only a select few. They didn't know what was truly happening, and for now, moving alongside Yuta seemed like her only real option. That, or surviving alone without anyone's help.
There was no doubt that both Yuta and Usagi were capable of acting on their own and fending for themselves, but a certain bond of trust had already formed between them, and both seemed to share the same goals.
The cold wind brushed against their bodies, sharpening their awareness of the surroundings. This was still a real world, yet its very nature seemed to have changed drastically—leaving everyone with questions, each reacting differently.
Yuta was calm and collected, with strong leadership qualities and a mind that focused on things that truly sparked his curiosity and desire to learn. Naturally, this world had triggered his obsession, and he wasn't about to make a mistake.
When Yuta took the shotgun from Usagi's hands, he began ejecting the cartridges one by one with several smooth motions of the bolt. The shells clattered to the ground one after another until the weapon was completely empty.
He quickly gathered the cartridges and began his simple explanation so Usagi could learn how to use the weapon. "This gun is quite simple to handle. When aiming, rest it on your shoulder and keep your eyes on the terrain like this."
As he spoke, he demonstrated the proper stance and grip before explaining the internal mechanism. "A bolt-action shotgun works through a system that must be operated manually by the shooter. After firing one shell, you lift the bolt and pull it back."
Crack!
As Yuta pulled the bolt backward, he pressed the trigger, then pulled it again. "This movement ejects the empty shell and loads the next one. Then you push the bolt forward and lock it down, preparing the next round to fire."
Usagi stood to the side, listening carefully to Yuta's clear explanation. She watched every movement, quickly learning the basics. Just as she thought the explanation was over, she heard his next words.
"This is a hunting shotgun with a capacity of eight shells. Always keep track of how many rounds you have left." Yuta then looked at Usagi in silence and handed her the unloaded weapon.
"Try it."
"Could it really be as easy as you say?" murmured Usagi, her expression uncertain.
Yuta smiled, stepped closer, and said, "There's nothing to be embarrassed about. If you forget something I said, I can explain it again."
"All right, then first…" Usagi lifted the shotgun and placed it on her shoulder, aiming forward, her head tilted slightly toward the weapon.
Did she really understand everything I said?
Seems like she thinks I'll see her as foolish if she doesn't perform the simple steps I explained earlier… at least she's proud.
Yuta's first thoughts were simple. He observed Usagi's stance—although clumsy, she had mimicked his movements surprisingly well, which impressed him within normal expectations.
"Once you aim, shoot, then reload again…"
Usagi suddenly felt nervous under Yuta's indifferent gaze, wanting to end the lesson quickly. She moved her left hand, pulled the bolt back, pressed the trigger again, and then repeated the motion to chamber the next round.
Seeing this, Yuta nodded with satisfaction. Then, with a natural motion, he lowered the weapon slightly in Usagi's hands and said, "Remember to keep it at this height. The recoil will be absorbed better, and it won't hurt as much."
Usagi froze a little when Yuta's hands approached hers, but she quickly ignored it and focused on learning. Her mind fixed on the goal as she listened to his calm voice—he truly was a good teacher. Following his guidance, she became familiar with the weapon and handed him the eight shells.
"Now load the shells into the chamber one by one. When you're holding the last one, reload the gun so it's ready to fire," Yuta reminded her, resting his chin on his hand thoughtfully.
Right now, Yuta was using the time to prepare Usagi with basic knowledge of shotgun handling. At the same time, he was waiting for nightfall, convinced that activity in the city would increase after dark.
"This seems easier than I thought." After loading the first shell, Usagi continued with the rest and then reloaded the gun, making it ready to fire.
"Now shoot!"
Usagi turned to Yuta in surprise. That was unexpected—she hadn't planned to actually fire.
"I already learned the basics, but… won't firing now give away our position?"
"Ah, there's no problem. By the time anyone hears the shot, they won't know where it came from. The buildings will echo the sound." Yuta urged her patiently. "If you plan to use it later, you should get used to the recoil so it doesn't catch you off guard."
"Get used to the recoil?" Usagi looked at Yuta, then turned forward again, still uncertain. "Even so, I don't think it's a good idea…"
Yuta found her hesitation both amusing and slightly irritating. He was running out of words, but part of him believed that once Usagi did it, the rest would be easy.
"Well, it's your choice. Most people find it difficult to face unfamiliar things…"
Bang!
Without another word, Usagi pulled the trigger. The blast erupted from the barrel, echoing through the air. Her body shifted slightly, her breath quickened from the shock, and she looked at Yuta with a serious expression.
"I'm not like the others."
Crack!
Yuta looked at her, surprised, then smiled in satisfaction and clapped softly. "You did incredible. I'm honestly surprised—I didn't think you'd go through with it."
Usagi smiled faintly, lowering the shotgun, mentally exhausted. "The recoil is too strong…"
"That's normal—it's your first time."
Clang!
Just as Yuta was about to say something reassuring, a distant sound wiped the smile from his face. He and Usagi rushed to the small ledge at the edge of the rooftop.
Night had almost fallen, and darkness spread quickly—but far away, a sudden bright light pierced through it.
A light, where there had been none before.
There was light… when there shouldn't be any.
"Looks like we already know where to go," said Usagi, her expression serious.
"This is completely improbable—and if there's light, it means there are administrators running this place…"
Usagi turned toward Yuta. She knew that none of the surrounding buildings or cars had electricity, so they had prepared for the night with flashlights. But now, a light had appeared—meaning someone was behind that impossible event.
"Let's go, Usagi!" Yuta grabbed the rifle resting on the ledge and looked at her with a cold expression.
"Yes!"
They both hurried down the rooftop stairs toward the floor where they had left their belongings. They had just discovered something entirely new—something that might finally tell them what was really happening in this place.
…
Usagi had her thoughts, and Yuta had his. What had just happened was expected, yet it still managed to surprise him.
Now he fully understood that this was not the same world they once lived in; everything had changed in unpredictable ways—and that gave him much to think about.
The facts were clearer now. Since waking up there, Yuta had tried to connect everything he had seen and heard to make sense of it all. Each new detail added another piece to the puzzle. He knew this information would help him plan their next steps and better understand what they were up against.
Before, everything seemed illogical—but now, with what he knew, things were beginning to make sense. From the moment he realized no one else was in the city, something inside him told him the world had changed. Together with Usagi, he understood that this world could be a copy of the real one… or something far stranger.
Yuta lifted his gaze toward the distant lights flickering in the city. If electricity worked there, it meant someone was in control.
"So the games do exist…" murmured Usagi, staring at the glowing zones.
"And if they exist, someone is running them."
The thought filled Yuta with a strange, thrilling feeling. If all of this was real, he was ready to find out what those games were… and win them.
"What's the value of my life?" Yuta wondered with a faint smile.
If everyone was desperate to live longer, then there had to be more people out there—people from whom he could finally get answers.