Survival Of The Smartest

"Hey"

I have a small question for you, Have you ever wondered or ever thought about this?

If YOU or SOMEONE ELSE

If one of you should die for the other to live, in that case

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

If the other person is a stranger or just an acquaintance, I suppose you will choose yourself in the end. Because, no one wants to die for a stranger.

"But"

What if that person is someone

VERY IMPORTANT TO YOU?

It might be your lover, friend or a family member. But you care for them a lot. In that case

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

What? Can't decide? Yeah figures, because these choices are too cruel to consider. But,

If one of you really chose to die for the other, You really are admirable, how inspiring but...

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REALLY CAN.

Because,

THE REALITY DOESN'T WORK AS YOU THINK

The moment when you face this situation, and once you know that your life is in danger, your body will act before you think.

YOUR REAL SELF WILL TAKE OVER YOUR BODY.

Because,

THE REAL DEAL IS FAR TOO HEAVY

Even if your mind approves,

YOUR BODY WILL REFUSE DEATH.

Even if that person is very important to you.

'How can you tell? ' Hah, I can tell, because

Right now...

I AM FACING THE EXACT SITUATION.

"From every pair,

ONE OF YOU WILL DIE"

'Di..e?'

"That's right, out of 502 dreamers only 251 dreamers will get to the next round alive and by the end of the whole game only one will survive and the rest of them

WILL DIE.

Don't forget, this is not a normal game

IT'S A DEATH GAME

In short,

IF YOU DIE HERE, YOU WILL DIE IN REAL LIFE ASWELL"

'I will..die?'

That's right,

'No...way'

On this night...

"Now, LET'S BEGIN THE GAME!"

(What the hell...is this!?)

EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED.

[October 5th, 9:30pm]

Silence broke in the crowd. Everyone's faces became pale and puzzled on what is happening right now. Although, they are not reacting in anyway, but I can tell, deep inside

THEY ARE ALL SCARED TO DEATH.

'(No way, I am gonna die?)'

'(Game? Eh? )'

'(If I die here..no...I don't want to think about that)'

'(Why did this happened?)'

"A-araki- Kun, W-w-what is he saying?" Sanehara asked me, trembling.

"H-hey, Araki-kun answer m- Araki...kun? what happened t-t-to you?

ARE YOU TREMBLING?"

"Just"

"Huh?"

"JUST BE QUIET FOR A SECOND, I ALSO DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING"

I covered my face with my right hand, breathing heavily.

(WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?)

Game? What is he talking about? This is totally different from what he said, I can't see the relation to his objective. What is he trying to do? No, first of all, Isn't his objective is making a new world? Then,

WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?

If I die in this dream, I will die in real life too? By the end of the game only one will survive? This is ridiculous, this is really ridiculous but..

HE IS SAYING THE TRUTH!!

This scar is the proof. If I die here then really....

(DAMNIT!) I gritted my teeth.

If he is really serious about this,

WE ARE SCREWED!

"Huh? Why are you all idle? I may not look like it but, I don't like wasting time that's why

START KILLING ALREADY" Nakabachi said, adjusting his glasses.

"STOP KIDDING!!!!! " Ukegawa shouted

"Hmm? "

"Game? We have to kill each other? Don't give me that! What kind of joke is this? "

"Good grief, Are you still going on saying that? How childish you are, I am saying the truth"

"Truth you say? Do we look like fools? The injuries will also get inflicted on our real bodies? Do you think I will believe that? It's all a load of crap "

"Load of crap?.. "

(...You are wrong)

You are wrong, Ukegawa. Even if it is ridiculous He is telling the truth!! This scar is not too deep but it's definitely manifested through dreams.

HOW DID HE MADE THIS EVEN POSSIBLE!?

Science has this much power!?

"Load of crap you say? "

"Huh? Yeah, got a problem with that? After All it's just not possible"

"Heeeh, Now I can't let that slide"

He is... Angry?

" *Sigh* Well, I can't blame you, because you don't know after all. Seems like we need to continue the seminar"

Huh?

"I guess everyone wants to know about the same thing-

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO TRANSMIT INJURIES TO REALITY? RIGHT? "

"Y-yeah" Ukegawa answered.

Nakabachi's smile widened.

"Well then I will tell you,

Answer is- Quantum dissociation"

What?

"Quantum? "

"Due to the pill, your body has now entered the quantum state, In this state the law of physics and causality will be slightly altered. When a person enters this state, the thoughts and actions of this world holds a great significance over reality- Oh can't understand? Well to put it simply

RIGHT NOW YOUR BRAIN IS THINKING THIS IS THE REALITY"

... Huh?

"After coming here many of you might have experienced the same thing, for a few minutes,

YOU FORGOT THAT THIS IS A DREAM"

My eyes widened.

That's...true.

Not only just once, It happened twice. Then, are you telling me..

"That's not a coincidence, It happened because

YOUR BRAIN IS THINKING THIS IS REALITY"

'What!? '

'No way'

"My brain...? " Sanehara spoke, shocked.

Everyone was shocked hearing this.

"That's why, when you get injured or your body gets altered in this world, those injuries will get transmitted to reality. If you have complaints you have to blame your subconsciousness and brain for that"

'Im-impossible'

Hey, hey wait a sec...

Is this...even allowed to sell? What did he just create? No, first of all, Is this possible? Really Nakabachi Hideo is...

HE IS A GENIUS.

Otherwise, this is not possible!

"Wh...y? " Ukegawa muttered.

"Hmm"

"Why did you do such a thing? "

"Ah, didn't I say that earlier?

I WILL TURN DREAMS INTO REALITY"

Wha-

"In reality humans will die, not only humans other life forms too. There is no world that exists in this universe where a lifeform is immortal. If such a world exists then it's not real it's just a dream"

Are you.. Serious?

When he said he will turn dreams into reality,

THIS IS WHAT HE MEANT?

"If you still have doubts don't worry

YOU WILL SEE IT BY YOURSELF

Whether I am telling truth or no-"

"SHUT UP!!! " Ukegawa exclaimed.

"Impossible... Impossible, impossible, impossible, impossible, impossible

IMPOSSIBLE!!! "

"You are quiet stubborn huh, stop whining already and face the reality in front of you, Ukegawa-kun"

"You are telling me to accept this? No way I will. Besides, why didn't you tell me about this before?"

"Ah, Because,

YOU NEVER ASKED"

'........ Eh? ' In unison

Eh?

"If you want to blame someone then blame yourself because, this is your fault for not asking me,

YOU PEOPLE NEVER ASKED ME

that's why I didn't told you"

Wait, what is he saying?

HOW THE HELL WOULD WE ASK HIM? THERE IS JUST NO WAY.

If we think normally, no one would get that doubt. Absolutely no way because-

WHO THE HELL GETS THE IDEA ABOUT FEELING PAIN IN DREAMS!?

But, even if someone asks him..

"Well, even if you have asked me

I DON'T THINK I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU"

(I DOUBT HE WOULD HAVE TOLD US THE REAL REASON)

From the start, We are destined to meet this end…

"Oi, are you toying with me? " Ukegawa asked

"No, I don't plan to waste my time by doing that."

Ukegawa gritted his teeth.

"Ah I see, I see"

"Hmm?"

"You deceived us huh"

Nakabachi narrowed his eyes.

"Deceive? "

"Well played old man. Luring us to this world and making us kill each other and have fun looking at us, this is your real objective right? YOU LIAR!! "

Nakabachi became silent.

"... Liar? "

"Yeah, isn't that right? None of these events are coinciding with your objective. This is not what you have told me! The shit about building a new world and having fun all of that is just a 'Load of Crap'

Ideal world? Hah, This world is worse than the real world. Right? Everyone! "

'Yeah'

'I was right, I thought something is off'

'I can't believe him'

'dreamworld? This is a crappy world'

'Far from ideal'

'THIS WORLD IS SHIT-'

"SHUT UP YOU FILTHY INSECTS!!! " Nakabachi shouted.

Ukegawa and others fell silent.

"You are just a bunch of insects, Don't you dare insult my world"

'Uh'

'*gulp*'

"Load of crap you say? Lie? FYI I didn't tell a single lie! I didn't lie about anything. My ultimate objective is same as before- To create a New world"

"T-then what the hell is this? Which part of this contributes to making a new world? "

'That's right, Why are you doing this? '

"As I expected, you don't get it. You don't get a single damn thing! Ah Now that I think it makes sense because,

YOU ALL ARE INSECTS AFTERALL"

"HUH? WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?"

"What? Did you not hear me? Orelse are you one of those type?

INSECTS WHICH CAN'T HEAR"

"Wha- "

"If you are not then shut your annoying mouth and let me talk,

What do you want to know?

Why am I doing this? You want to know the reason behind this? You want to know the purpose of this game? Fine I will tell you, I won't repeat this so listen well. Do you remember that conversation about reality we had before?"

'What conversation? '

"Ah I guess other sessions except 5th don't know

I ASKED ABOUT WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE REAL WORLD? "

'Real world? '

(Flashback-"WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS WORLD?")

Ah that must be it.

"I will rephrase it and ask once again,

WHAT DO YOU THINK MADE THE REAL WORLD SO DIRTY? "

'Huh? '

"The answer is same and simple, Humans!"

"What? "

"Few thousand years ago, this world was much more beautiful. But, now it is fully contaminated from both outside and inside. As I said earlier, people are toxic, this filthy society has polluted the real world with their idiotic thoughts. Yes, that's right, society and people are the reason for the world to end up in that state. That's why

I DESPISE THEM"

"Huh? What does that have to do with this world?"

"Listen till the end, brat"

"Brat?!"

"You see, When I said society,

I MEAN YOU ASWELL"

(Huh)

Don't tell me..Eh?

We all are taken back by his words, slowly everything is becoming clear. People started realizing.

Ah, I started to get it.

I also started to realize

WHAT NAKABACHI REALLY MEANT THAT TIME.

"What..are you saying? "

"In the end, you are also a part of society, and besides there are still toxic, filthy and dirty insects are still lurking among you. I can't let them walk free that's why

I NEED TO WEED THEM OUT"

"Weed them?"

"By... Killing? "

"Looks like you are getting the picture now, Do you think I will let you run free in this world? With that dirty mind of yours? Be real! This is my world! I will never let you, I will never let you pollute this world. That's why I will eliminate the scum!!!"

Ah, I see... So that's how it is

"This will become an ideal world, without any dirt, the people who live in this world are genius and talented. There is no place for scumbags to live here. I will not let you tarnish this world! This world will surpass the real world. If those scums binded by society walk freely, this world will also end up like reality. You know what?

Just being around you makes me want to puke. The thought of breathing the same air as you gives me shivers. I holded back, all this time I acted like normal while struggling inside. But there is no need for that anymore. I will eliminate those trashbags, that's why I thought

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO ELIMINATE THEM?"

Ah this is..

This is the real Nakabachi Hideo huh,

I misjudged his ideology, but I finally understood Nakabachi's real ideals, why he is doing this, for what purpose he is doing, everything.

"That's when I got this brilliant idea"

Nakabachi Hideo, He is trying to..

"WITH THIS GAME, I WILL ELIMINATE THOSE SCUMS"

("With this game he wants to kill those scums")

Haha.. This is what he is trying to do,

What a dangerous person he is. He is crazy, something is really...

SOMETHING IS REALLY WRONG WITH HIM.

"In this death game, you will play several games and by each round the number will be halved, as you clear the games the unfits gets eliminated more and more and at last the one who stands at the end is the most craziest, smartest, talented, rational, logical and befit to help me building this world. I want that person!

With that person I will build the most amazing world.

Ah don't worry, the one who wins this death game and survives

WILL BE GRANTED ANY OF THEIR WISHES"

"When you said your dreams will come true you mean! "

"Yeah, this is what I meant when I said your dreams will come true. Yes, I will grant your dream.

Whoever wins this death game, THEIR DREAMS WILL BE GRANTED"

This is his way of building a new world...

This is so messed up and I hate how logical it is. I know I may sound cruel but,

THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO DO IT EVEN IF IT'S CRUEL.

He really comes up with the craziest ideas. I really can't read him. But, even if it's best there are few things that you can't do.

OUR LIVES ARE ON THE LINE YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT A JOKE.

Once you die everything is over!

"Why.. Why didn't you say this earlier? " Kazuki asked

"Yukimura-kun, Like I said, you never asked. No one asked me how I am going to build a new world. "

"What about Fulfilling our wishes? "

"Did you forget? I said everyone have a 'chance' but I never said I will surely fulfill"

"What about every night will be fun? " Ukegawa asked

"Ah, yes every night will be fun, even this moment is fun

FOR ME THAT IS"

"Ideal world?"

"For me it is"

"Wonderful world?"

"For me it is"

"Every second will be fun? " Sanehara asked

"For me that is"

"What about paradise? " I asked

"It's absolutely a paradise, FOR ME THAT IS"

Ah, this is-

HOPELESS.

"I said right? I never said a lie"

That's right, He isn't lying, He never lied. The one who is at fault is us. We never asked him for details, We were convinced with his answers. That's why we were easily lured into this mess.

THAT'S ALL THERE TO IT..

"Looks like everything is clear now, Now then,

STOP WASTING MY TIME AND START KILLING-"

"I refuse" Ukegawa rejected.

"Huh? What did you just say? "

"After hearing all this, Do you really think I will play along with you?

I WILL NEVER RISK MY LIFE FOR THIS CHILD'S PLAY"

"Child's play? "

"Do you think I will accept this? This is basically asking me to die! There is no way I am playing this stupid game, I misjudged you old man, I thought you would bring bliss to me but it looks like I was wrong.

THIS WORLD WON'T GIVE ME BLISS IT JUST MAKES ME SUFFER EVEN MORE.

HEY, Are you guys okay with this? At this rate everyone will die, count me out, this is not what you promised me that's why

I REFUSE"

'Y-yes'

'That's right, there is no need to obey him'

"Well said, brother(Aniki). There is no way we will go along with him" Ukegawa's pair guy said.

"I see"

"HUH? What is it?"

"You refuse to participate huh? Hmmmm, looks like you people still don't understand what situation you are in. You people forgot one important thing"

Nakabachi slowly removed his glasses.

(Ha!)

Huh? What is.. This? My body is... Trembling? Eh?

"Araki-kun? "

I get…I get these really bad vibes, something

SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

This overwhelming aura and presence, I felt something like this before. Yes, at the seminar!

Huh?

Am...I scared? My heart rate suddenly increased. And

Once again, I started to see things, which don't exist. Black aura, no, miasma is spread across the crowd. The room became dark all of a sudden.

"Let me remind you once again"

I know, I know the source deep inside. Where this feeling is coming from, I know but I don't want to realize.

"I am the creator of this world,

I AM THE GOD.

Are you telling me,

YOU WANT TO DEFY THE GOD?

A merely human like you? "

His eyes were glowing red, looking down on us. It was as if the god descended, such an overwhelming presence took over my thoughts. This is what it feels like to anger the god.

A throne started materializing and Nakabachi firmly sat on it, crossing his legs while looking down on us.

"G-God? Cut that act. No matter what you say my answer will not change

I REFUSE"

" *Sigh* I see, too bad. I thought you would be willing to help me. Since it came to this I have no choice then"

"Help you? I'd rather die than help-"

*fingersnap*

*cut*

My eyes widened.

"Aniki? "

*bounce*

What? Everyone looks kind of shocked? Also my EYES KINDA LOOK RED, What happened?

"A-araki- kun"

Sanehara?

"There is b-b-b-b-blood.. Blood on your fa-face"

Blood? What is she talking about?- *roll* hmm? I felt like something just touched my feet-

My eyes widened.

…..Eh?

Why? What happened just now?

WHY IS UKEGAWA'S HEAD IS NEAR MY FEET?!

Eh?

"His he-he-he-he-head has…"

Sanehara, to be honest I saw and I know what happened but I don't want to believe it, I don't want to believe what I just saw

THAT WITH JUST A FINGERSNAP UKEGAWA'S HEAD WAS CHOPPED OFF FROM HIS BODY, SPLASHING BLOOD ON THE FLOOR AND REACHED MY FEET.

I DIDN'T WANT TO BELIEVE THAT.

This liquid on my face, This is re-re-real blood?? This color, This smell-

Ah... No doubt.

IT'S REAL!

Tha-that m-m-means..

Slowly I came back to my senses, my heart rate increased rapidly.

(Ha.. Ha... Ha.. Ha.. Ha)

HE IS…D-D-D-D

(DEAD? )

'His head…is not there'

'N...o'

'He is dead… '

'He killed him?'

"Hey, Aniki? "

"Rather than worrying for your friend"

"Huh"

"YOU SHOULD WORRY ABOUT YOURSELF"

"Eh-"

His body began to fall, but

ONLY HIS UPPER PART.

HE WAS CUT IN HALF.

"Here is a fun fact,

Why did I choose a white room?

BECAUSE RED GOES WELL WITH WHITE"

Red... Blood.

*Fall* his body fell to the ground.

'No... No!!!!!!!!!!!!! '

'He died'

'He is serious'

'He is God..'

'God will.. '

'He will kill us'

'No, I don't want to die'

"Finally we are on the same page, to tell the truth I know it, there will be few idiots who will try to disobey me. Because, no one wants to risk their life like this. For this purpose I needed to do this, First of all-

Why do you think I selected 502 members? Don't you think it's odd that I selected 2 extra people"

Ha...Ha...Ha

(DON'T TELL ME! NO WAY)

'What? '

"Because, I should show a example

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU DISOBEY ME? "

This man, I can't believe him.

"Don't worry, don't worry

THEY BOTH DIED WITHOUT ANY DOUBT.

Ukegawa-kun's head chopped off from his real body too, I guess he will be on news tomorrow, Ah his friend too"

What is he saying? With such a joyful face.

SOMEONE JUST DIED YOU KNOW!

"Eeek" Sanehara screamed.

Slowly, ukegawa's head started to move and fly towards Nakabachi's hand on its own.

It's flying?! On its own!?

It landed on Nakabachi's right hand, spilling blood on the floor.

"Good work, Ukegawa-kun. You became a fine example. Also,

I OWE YOU A LOT FOR HUMILIATING ME THAT TIME

THANK YOU VERY MUCH"

I started sweating.

Stay calm, don't waver, stay calm.

"With this, We are even-wait I guess it's pointless to talk to a dead person. Atleast, May your soul rest in peace" *crush*

E....h?

After seeing this, one thing has made clear

NAKABACHI HIDEO IS NOT A HUMAN- no wrong, he 'was' a human, Just before few minutes he was, but from this point onwards

HE IS NOT A HUMAN ANYMORE.

'a...a..a..'

He crushed...him?

Nakabachi crushed his head with his hand, his head crushed to pieces and spilling the blood, slowly his flesh remains started disappearing.

'kyaaaaaaaaa!'

'It's over..'

'Seriously...?'

"A-a-raki-kun, he just…he just…what sho-should we d-do?"

"Uh-ah, don't worry, you can see right? There is nothing we can do now because,

IT'S ALREADY TOO LATE"

"So, now you get it right?

YOU ARE NOT IN A POSITION TO REFUSE ME.

Right now, There are only two choices in front of you. One, Play the game and survive. Two, like Ukegawa-kun and his friend, die here.

Unfortunately,

THERE IS NO OTHER CHOICE FOR YOU

Now, what will you choose? "

Ha...ha...ha.. I can't hold my breath.. My hands are shaking..

This is...the god's authority? ABSOLUTE ORDER. He demonstrated the power gap between us and made it clear,

If we defy him, HE WILL KILL US.

(Damnit!!)

"Personally I won't recommend the second choice. But remember one thing, by the end of the game

EVERYONE EXCEPT ONE WILL DIE.

If you want to survive, right now, right here Kill the other. In this world,

IT'S KILL OR BE KILLED"

'kill...'

'Or be killed'

"Besides, I don't get it. I don't get why you are refusing to play? You took my money right? Then do as I say, Why are you defying me? If you ask me, this is a golden opportunity! If you win, your dreams will come true. Of course, Risk is great but you can gain a lot. This is really high risk-high return

THIS IS ONCE IN A LIFETIME CHANCE!

How you lived until now and how you are leading your life now none of it matters, in this world everyone is equal, between you there is no difference in power. Everyone has an equal chance to win. If you win

YOU CAN MAKE A GREAT COMEBACK IN REAL WORLD TOO!! IT'S TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE. "

Huh? What kind of nonsense is he saying?

Do you know the odds?

Winning rate is 0.2%, you know!!

If every is game is like this or even more dangerous then there is no way-

"Don't worry, YOU CAN WIN"

Huh

"Unlike the real world, this world is fair. Money doesn't influence this world, just your intelligence and knowledge will empower you. No matter how weak you are in the real world.

IT DOESN'T MATTER.

Let me tell you the key to victory, being strong is not enough to win this game. That's right

THIS WORLD DOES NOT WORK ON

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST-

It's SURVIVAL OF THE SMARTEST"

Survival of the... Smartest?

"The smart, no, the smartest will win and move forward, to win this game your body strength doesn't matter, your mental strength is the key. How do you use others? How do you deceive? Everything counts.

That's why, in order to win this game, you need to deceive others, betray them, and crush them. To do that, throw away your humanity, ethics, everything! Those are just unnecessary things for you. You fight alone and win alone. Don't forget, only one will survive. Other than yourself,

EVERY OTHER PERSON IS YOUR ENEMY.

The person who tossed their morals and humanity,

WILL BE STANDING AT LAST"

Throw away…humanity?

"How long do you intend to be a human?"

Huh?

"This game is not something a human can win. If you want to win, no if you want to survive then hurry up and abandon your humanity. It's high time to show your true colors. Be true to yourself, you want to live right?

IF YOU WANT TO LIVE KILL THE PERSON IN FRONT OF YOU AND START THE GAME

if not,

I WILL KILL EVERY ONE OF YOU

DON'T WORRY

I will not leave a single soul, Without mercy

I WILL KILL YOU"

When I first got to know him, My first impression was that he is a genius.

He is a genius and a bit crazy, but now that I got to know him I can describe him even better.

He is a genius, crazy and an unbelievable PSYCHO PATH.

A real mad scientist!

A big screen popped up behind Nakabachi indicating 10:00.

'What is that? '

"I am giving you 10 minutes, finish the first round before that orelse

I WILL MASSACRE EVERYONE OF YOU"

'Wait! -'

"Now, LET'S BEGIN THE GAME"

It's over…There is… no other choice.

WE HAVE TO PLAY THIS DEADLY GAME.

Everyone lost hope, finally everything came to light. Few hours back we didn't even anticipate something like this would happen. No one could have predicted this.

Of course, it's obvious, no one can because,

WE CAN'T PREDICT NIGHTMARES.

'Please… '

"Hmm? "

'Please, let us go. Many lives are connected to us. Our family and work that's why'

"So what? "

'Huh? '

"You see, I don't give a damn about that world. If your death ruins other's lives then so be it.

I DON'T CARE"

Ah that's right, THIS BASTARD DON'T EVEN CARE ABOUT THAT WORLD.

Do you remember? When I said there are two possible reasons for DLC to hide their location. I didn't mention the second one right? Let me tell you the second reason and THE REAL REASON.

DLC, no, Nakabachi,

HE DON'T WANT US TO REPORT THIS TO THE COPS.

That's why he took those measures. He actually doesn't give a shit about raids, world war or other companies. He doesn't want us to let the public know about this game and his crimes. He is,

HE IS REALLY A PSYCHO!!!

I gritted my teeth. Why? How?

HOW DID WE END UP IN THIS SITUATION?

You planned everything from the start for this moment, right? NAKABACHI HIDEO!!

"Come on, hurry up. If you want to live then you know what to do right? JUST KILL ALREADY From today,

YOU ALL ARE MURDERERS"

Everyone started to feel the danger, they finally understood risks, this is an inescapable fate everyone got to know it. If you want to survive

YOU HAVE TO KILL THE OTHER.

It's about to start,

In a matter of seconds it's going to start, THE CALAMIT-

'B-boss? What are you-'

What? I turned my head.

"Oya" Nakabachi became attentive.

'B-b-boss, I can't… breat- please stop if you…continue I.. Will-'

"Sorry Kiyama, thank you for working under me until now. We were really a good gang but THAT ENDS TODAY"

'Gah… st..op'

*crush*

(H…uh)

"Thank you for dying for me"

Wha-?

There was a big guy standing with light clothes, short hair and he was bulky and looked powerful. He.. He just lifted his friend who is his pair and choked his throat.

*throw* he threw his dead body.

"Hah, survival of the smartest? As I expected power is everything *deep breath*

LISTEN YOU LOSERS, I WILL WIN THIS GAME IF YOU GET IN MY WAY

I WILL KILL YOU, GOT IT? "

"Wonderful, truly wonderful!! Looks like you get the assignment,

TAKAHARA MINERU-KUN,

Truly a Wise choice! Yes, that's the spirit. I thought the game is not started yet but I was wrong,

THE GAME IS ALREADY STARTED"

He just…killed him? Are we really going to do this?

IS KILLING IS THE ONLY OPTION?

"Hehe, looks like this will be entertaining. Let me give you a piece of advice. Apart from being smart, one more important thing matters,

That is FASTEST FINGER FIRST

If you are smart but slow in deciding, then you will die in no time. The smartest and the fastest will win. This rule will apply to both worlds.

Takahara-kun, You have quickly killed your opponent before giving him a chance to think, which is also a smart choice. "

"Hmph" Takahara narrowed his eyes.

"With that Takahara-kun you have advanced to the next stage. So now then, one down, more 249 to go. Come on, Before they kill you

MAKE YOUR MOVE. "

I see, looks like I was wrong-

THE CALAMITY HAS ALREADY STARTED.

[Alive- 499, dead-3]

Ha… ha… Ha.. Breathe.. Just breathe. Don't think, don't see. Just stay calm and analyze the situation.

Right now, We are in a huge white room, Few guards near the walls, Nakabachi sitting on a throne, Sanehara behind me, 499 dreamers are alive, 3 people dead, blood on the floor and the task we were given-

TO KILL EACH OTHER.

The Survival rate is 0.2%. If I don't kill then he will kill me, How are we, no,

HOW AM I GOING TO WIN THESE ODDS AND SURVIVE?

"Everyone! Please don't forget"

Huh?

"TIME IS TICKING"

[7:02]

WHA- 3 minutes… have passed already? More 7 minutes! This is bad! Think! What should I do? What should I do? At this rate-!! No Wait, First, what about every-

'Hey'

'What happened? '

'Sorry, but Can you please DIE FOR ME? '

'Hey you are joking..right?'

"*smile*( IT FINALLY STARTED) " Nakabachi thought.

'I have future that's why'

'What are you talking about? You want to play this game?'

'If I don't he will kill me, this is no time to think!'

'Sorry *punch* I am really sorry *punch* Die'

'DIE FOR ME *punch* I WANT TO LIVE'

'I ALSO WANT TO LIVE! '

'Gah..'

*Stomp* *stomp*

'Stop!'

'Sorry, but you have to die'

'You.. I thought you were a friend'

'Ah so, but I didn't considered you as one though'

'Stop.. What are you doing, Dad? '

'You good for nothing son, at least die and prove yourself as useful * squeezing the neck* '

' *coughx2* H-Huh?! As a father you have to fulfill your son's dream, in fact you have to die for me!!! *Kick* '

Everyone started brawling.

The… Hell?

Everyone? What is.. Happening? Are they sane? They are really..

THEY REALLY INTEND TO PLAY?

'My hair!! '

'Ah!! '

'Die, die, die'

'No hard feelings, this is just for my sake'

*punch*

(This… is bad)

They are really…trying to kill

What is this?...What the hell is this!?

"More 6 minutes left, Hurry up"

Shit! There is..no time. After 6 minutes he will kill us!

What should I do? What should I do? What should I do? There is no time! At this rate he will kill us, I will die- wait

I WILL DIE? Me? Here? Like this?

WHY?

First of all I never asked to be a part of this, I was dragged into this mess. You people forced me into this and now you are asking me to die? Are you kidding me?

AM I GONNA DIE?

"No way…"

No way, No way, no way, no way

NO FREAKING WAY!!!

I refuse to accept this!! Even if it is God who says that-

I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS!

No matter what!!

Then, what should I do? How can I survive-

No, there is a way. I can survive

IF I KILL SANEHARA I CAN SURVIVE

Because, I have no choice, right? Otherwise he will kill me. What now?

SHOULD I KILL SANEHARA?

Mm. That's the only choice, that's the right answer Because, Look at the timer there is no time to think. If I hesitate here I will die. That's why

I WILL KILL HER.

Kill her and survive, It's the most logical thing. I can think about the rest later. For now, I can't afford to die here,

I HAVE TO SURVIVE NO MATTER WHAT

That's why I should-

H..uh

I looked at sanehara and found myself speechless. She was shaking.

Ah, I am an idiot, just take a look at her. How scared she is. No matter how you see, this task is too much for a girl like her. And besides-

(Flashback- "A-a-araki- Kun I-I love you, please go out with me")

She loves me, she can't possibly kill me. There is just no way. And here I am thinking of killing her while she is tremb- Huh?

My eyes widened,

" Mmmmmmmmmmmm"

(Tremb…ling?)

Wait, wait a damn second- Is she really

trembling? No wrong, She-

Sanehara is not trembling! No, no way

She is-

"Hahahahhhahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahhahahahhhahahhahahahahhahahahhahahahahhahahahhahahahahhhahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahah"

E…h?

"Oya? oya oya Looks like something really interesting is going on" Nakabachi said to himself, smiling.

I became completely speechless. Out of all that happened today, this is the most surprising and TERRIFYING THING I HAVE WITNESSED. Yes, more than this game I found this exact moment terrifying. Because,

Sanehara, she was not scared, in fact

SHE WAS LAUGHING.

"Hahahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahahhahahahahhahahahahhahahahahahhaha"

"Hey…Why? Why are you

laughing..Sanehara?- No, WHO THE HELL ARE YOU? "

"Ha..That was a good laugh"

"Sanehara… ? "

"Sanehara? Ah now I go by that name right I almost forgot, Well it doesn't matter now, nevertheless this is a problem. Really this sucks"

What? Eh? What the hell is this? Are my eyes and ears deceiving me? Why is her tone quite different? Quite? Are you kidding?

WHOSE VOICE IS THIS? WHO IS SHE?

Her voice almost sounds like a different person.

Sanehara? Is that..Sanehara? Sanehara right?

"By the way Araki-kun, you look so shocked, Haha I kinda like that reaction"

"(What is going on?) "

" *yawn* I am so tired of acting, looks like there is no need for that"

(Acting? Eh? )

By the way, There is actually one more thing I forgot to mention, When you know that your life is in danger not only your real self takes control over your body,

YOUR FACADES WILL BE EXPOSED, MASKS WILL FALL OFF FROM YOUR FACE AND

"You… This is.."

"That's right Araki-kun, this is the real me

THE REAL SANEHARA KASUMI"

YOUR REAL FACE WILL APPEAR.

"The real…Sanehara? "

"To tell the truth, I actually hate you. I hate your guts, I hate your attitude. I hate everything about you"

"Huh? "

"On the rooftop, honestly I was scared that you found out my plan and my cover had blown. But looks like you were not sure that time so let me confirm

IT'S JUST AS YOU SAID

I WANT TO EXACT REVENGE ON YOU"

My eyes widened.

No matter how hard I tried, I really couldn't believe what just happened. I can't hear what she is saying either, but I knew one thing for sure

I WAS RIGHT ABOUT THIS GIRL.

I was right all along, about everything. From the start,

I WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING!!!

But, I didn't want to believe it. That's all there to it.

"But I didn't expect that my chance would come this fast"

"Hey Sanehara, wait- wait a sec, What are you-"

"Well this also works, this way is more easy and efficient, Mm, I changed my mind, Sorry Araki-kun, I really really can't afford to die here, That's why(dakara)

I WILL KILL YOU"

Sanehara Kasumi, In everyone's mind she is just an innocent, pure and honest person. If I have to say, She was like a rose flower..

'But'

After seeing this, I finally realized one thing,

EVEN ROSES HAVE THORNS.

"Nice! This is Very nice! This is getting more and more interesting! I was right, You people are really interesting! Looks like this is going to be a long night, Comeon, my dear dreamers

IT'S TIME FOR THE CLIMAX OF THIS ROUND"

["More 4 minutes and 8 seconds left"!!]

"Make sure to entertain me till the end,

I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO IT."

…………..What?