Group

The aftermath of the Football Freeze game had left the surviving players shaken, yet the death game showed no signs of stopping. In the cold, dimly lit facility, whispers of fear and desperation spread among them. The realization was sinking in—this was no ordinary contest. This was a slaughter.

Takeshi sat alone, sharpening his instincts. He had noticed something crucial: not all players had the same resolve. Some were merely lucky to survive. Others, like him, were adapting.

Kenji Takahara: The Strategist

Among the players was Kenji Takahara, a former professional chess player who had been tricked into joining the game. He had watched from the sidelines during the Football Freeze, analyzing the dynamics, the weak points in the guards' movements, and the game’s mechanics.

“The next game will be even worse,” Kenji whispered to himself, adjusting his glasses. “If I don’t plan ahead, I’ll be one of the next bodies falling from the sky.”

He needed allies.

Misaki Ito: The Unyielding Fighter

Misaki Ito, an underground boxer, had made it through sheer determination. Her body ached from the game’s brutality, but she had seen worse in her fights. Unlike the others, she wasn’t just playing to survive—she was playing to win.

“I don’t give a damn about the odds,” she muttered. “I’ll break through whatever this is and get out of here.”

Her eyes locked onto Takeshi. He was a warrior. Perhaps, she thought, an alliance with him wouldn’t be the worst idea.

Police Investigation – Ryoji Nakamura’s Hunt

Detective Ryoji Nakamura and his team were working around the clock. More bodies had fallen, and the sheer scale of the deaths was overwhelming. Who had the power to orchestrate something like this? And more importantly, where were the survivors?

One of the forensic officers approached him. “Sir, we found something disturbing on the victims.”

Ryoji looked at the report. Each corpse had a metallic chip embedded in their skin, numbers carved into their arms, and a single phrase branded onto their backs: “Play or Die.”

“This is a game to them?” Ryoji clenched his jaw. “Not if I can stop it.”

Yusuke’s Family: A Mother’s Worst Fear

At the Kaneshiro household, Yusuke’s mother, Kyoko, had spent the night calling hospitals, police stations—anywhere that could have information on her missing son. Her worst fears were confirmed when she saw a list of identified bodies on the news. Though Yusuke wasn’t among them, the knowledge that he could be next haunted her.

Tears streamed down her face. “Yusuke… come home.”smke