When both decided to head toward the nearest source of light, Yuta and Usagi understood it wouldn't be wise to carry all their belongings, so they only took what was essential.
Yuta chose to take a rifle and the pistol the man in the black suit had dropped, while Usagi carried a flashlight and a shotgun strapped to her back.
Following Yuta's suggestion, Usagi put on a hooded sweater, and together they hurried toward the glowing light they had seen from the top of the building.
It was clear they couldn't trust anything they saw; that was precisely why Yuta had decided to look for weapons—to protect their safety. Otherwise, moving toward that light could become a serious problem if anyone decided to take advantage of the situation.
Believing they would find all the answers simply by approaching the light was an illusion. Even the people who had been there for a week still hadn't discovered the reason for their presence.
As he thought about it, Yuta imagined that they were heading toward what others called "the game."
The first thing he needed to understand was that there would be experienced people—some who had spent more time there than others. Reaching that conclusion, he realized he would have to act cautiously, observe everyone, and gather as much information as possible.
It was obvious that once they entered that place, if they were forced to participate in games of unknown nature, the chances of moving freely afterward would be minimal.
The level of danger and its nature were both unknown… but even knowing that the game might be deadly, why was he heading toward it?
The answer was simple: ignoring it wouldn't be logical.
The fact that the building had electricity was proof that someone was in charge of organizing those games.
Even so, Yuta knew he had to pay attention not only to the surroundings but also to the structure of the building and every visible detail.
Deductive intelligence, observation, and analysis could reveal the kind of chessboard they were about to step onto.
People were also worth observing—not only because they might be experienced players, but also because there was a chance that one of the organizers could be disguised among them, ensuring everything went as planned.
Of course, those were only Yuta's thoughts. But now, as they got closer to the place, the luminous signs in the distance became clearer.
The glowing arrows pointing toward the building and the moving neon letters calling them "players" could only mean one thing: they would be forced to take part in whatever games awaited inside.
From that moment, a series of unsettling questions began to surface in Yuta's mind.
Would the games be played only by the participants? And if so, would those players be friends—or enemies?
That was a crucial point. But even if they turned out to be enemies, Yuta knew he would sacrifice others if it meant ensuring his own survival.
The number of players was unknown. The type of game—also unknown. The nature of the challenges—even more so. This time, there would be all kinds of people in that place—some more intelligent than others.
If the games were created by humans, then they would inevitably have flaws, loopholes, or enough clues to solve them.
For that reason, Yuta was convinced that if the games were organized by someone, there must be logic behind them—no matter how small.
With that in mind, he turned to Usagi and began explaining the rules they would have to follow once they reached the building.
"Usagi, there are three rules we have to follow…"
...
As Usagi walked beside Yuta, night had already fallen, and the path ahead was completely dark. She turned on the flashlight in her hand to light the way, all while reflecting on what might await them.
If they truly were heading toward a game, there would surely be selfish and deceitful people among the crowd. Because of that, she thought it best not to get too involved with anyone unwilling to cooperate.
She knew she could survive on her own, but as she looked at Yuta, she began to think that together they might actually make it through unscathed.
Just as he had said, Usagi soon saw the glowing signs labeling them as "players." That sight not only shocked her but also strengthened her trust in Yuta's vision.
She decided to leave the strategy and analysis to him, while she would contribute in other ways—like her physical skills.
Looking around, Usagi became increasingly alert.
She knew that anyone else who saw the same light in the darkness of the city would probably head in that direction too—and not everyone would have good intentions.
Of course, she trusted her instincts to distinguish dangerous people from the rest.
As she was about to suggest creating a coordination plan, she heard Yuta's voice and decided to remain silent.
"Usagi, there are three rules we have to follow…"
"I'm listening!" she replied, watching Yuta attentively.
"The first thing we have to do is go over the rules. If this really is a game, there must be restrictions—details about what we can or can't do—and even a name for it. All of that could give us clues."
Yuta reflected. The rules and environment were the foundation of any game. They might even find advantages that could put them ahead of the other players.
"Secondly, we have to inspect the area before entering."
Usagi nodded as she listened to that crucial point. The idea wasn't unfamiliar to her.
When she used to climb mountains with her father, inspecting the surroundings was essential. That practice not only ensured a safer climb but also gave them better control of the terrain and allowed them to choose the best route.
When she heard Yuta's next words, she realized that even though this wasn't a mountain—but a game—the logic was the same.
"I'm sure we'll have time to look around first," Yuta said confidently. "The stages are meant to make us think. Observing where the game takes place will give us clues about how to survive."
Usagi nodded, her expression growing more serious as she realized Yuta had already considered many variables even before reaching the illuminated building.
"But the most important thing we have to keep in mind," Yuta continued, "is the people. We must observe the players."
Usagi immediately understood what he meant. "Right—we can't lower our guard. The players could be either allies or enemies…"
"You understand, that's good," Yuta replied with a nod. "We need to identify everyone's strengths and weaknesses. If it's a team game, some might become a burden. But if it isn't, they'll likely be our enemies."
Yuta chose not to speak too bluntly, not wanting Usagi to judge him differently.
He knew that among the players there would be potential allies—manipulable ones—and enemies who, when the time came, would be better off eliminated.
He needed to identify everyone's strengths and weaknesses: strength, speed, cunning, cowardice, or naivety. Above all, he had to be wary of manipulative people; those with greater knowledge would not hesitate to use others for their own gain.
"Do you think some of them have been here longer?" Usagi asked, glancing sideways at Yuta and waiting for his answer.
Without realizing it, she was already beginning to trust him with questions whose answers she couldn't predict.
"Yes," Yuta replied firmly. "There will definitely be people who are both dangerous and intelligent. The only ones we really have to watch out for… are them. For some reason I still don'tIf you want to read more than 30 chapters and support me, you can visit my Patreon: SrCuervo understand, they'll be our greatest disadvantage."