He decided to stop using the skill. Her expression, from being in a daze, turned back to normal. She looked around in confusion.
"Huh? Did something happen?" She asked while thinking hard, as if she had forgotten something.
"Nothing. You were just in a daze. You're probably hungry, right?" He was quick to use the [Soul Reflection] skill on her.
"Not really." She replied with a sigh as she raised her hand to pressed 'Tears of Themis' as her constellation.
He watched her, and she appeared to have visual distortions, but only for a second, which meant that she was lying.
Before Hirotsuka could say anything, the angel spoke.
[ Now that everyone is familiar with the basics, I will accompany you to your designated rooms. ]
Ravielle led them toward an immense, modern tower that stretched impossibly high into the sky. The building was sleek, almost otherworldly, with a metallic sheen that reflected the light in subtle rainbows. As they entered, angels awaited them at each designated room, quietly observing and guiding.
[ Following the rankings from the first scenario, the top ten will be assigned rooms on the highest level. The others will be placed on the floors below, according to rank. Should your rank change, you will be teleported immediately to match your new standing. Food will also be distributed according to rank. ]
Whispers immediately filled the air, a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Some glanced nervously at each other, while others fidgeted in frustration. Then, without warning, a translucent window appeared before them, displaying the rankings from the 1st Scenario.
1st Scenario
└ 1st place: Hirotsuka Kyoutsu 00:01:00
└ 2nd place: Kim Ryu Hyun 00:10:15
└ 3rd place: Lilith Evangello 00:13:07
..
....
....
A mixture of sighs and murmurs swept through the group. Some visibly relaxed, while others clenched their fists in irritation. Hirotsuka scrolled down the list, his eyes scanning quickly until he found Akari. She was in 10th place, barely managing to be there. He exhaled softly, relief washing over him.
"Looks like we're on the same floor!" Akari said with genuine enthusiasm after letting out a sigh of relief.
Hirotsuka offered a small, approving smile and nodded.
Then, following the rankings from 1 to 10, 11 to 20, and so on, each angel would be their guide and assistant. For Hirotsuka's group, they got an angel named Nielle.
[ Nice to meet you all, dear humans. I'm Nielle, who will be your guide and assistant, so don't be shy to ask if there's something that you don't understand. ]
The angel smiled happily as she guided them to a teleporter. There were 5 in total. The angels had told them that each floor could only access the ones below. They were prohibited from accessing floors above them.
When they arrived at the top floor, it was really luxurious and modern-looking. There was even a place for them to exercise or practice fighting. They even had their own cafeteria, while the ranks below them had to eat at a cafeteria in the lobby.
Akari and the others were in awe of the place. Hirotsuka turned on the ability to see through his blindfold to see what was so amazing about this place because Akari kept on tugging his sleeve.
The place seemed good, he admitted. But other than that, he didn't find it that interesting. Then the angel guided them to the rooms. Beside the doors of each room, there was a scanner.
Everyone talked about which rooms they were going for. Hirotsuka walked up to a door that was near the practice room.
Akari followed along and stood at a room beside him. Everyone stood by their doors after making some decisions.
[ You may select any room you wish and place your palm on the scanner to claim it; the room will then transform into whatever you desire. You can now put your hand on the scanner. ]
Everyone did just that, and in an instant, the room around them shifted. Even their doors changed, each now bearing a nameplate declaring its owner. The transformation was seamless, taking only a few seconds.
Hirotsuka stepped inside his room and let his eyes scan every corner. It was exactly as he had imagined. A king-sized bed dominated the center, perfectly positioned near large windows that framed the city below. In one corner, a sleek desk awaited for work or study, while a small rest area included a mini fridge and a comfortable chair. A spacious wardrobe and empty shelves lined another wall, ready to hold the things he intended to bring.
"Your room is huge!" A voice exclaimed. Hirotsuka had already sensed her presence, so it came as no surprise when Akari appeared.
She walked straight to the windows, leaning against the sill to admire the view. The city stretched out beneath them, dazzling and modern, with lights glinting like tiny stars even in the afternoon.
Before Hirotsuka could respond, Akari grabbed his arm and tugged him along to her room. He followed without resistance, curiosity piqued.
Her room was a world apart. The floor was carpeted with soft, green grass, dotted with delicate flowers and dandelions. Vines crept along the walls, weaving naturally toward the ceiling. Like his, her windows were enormous, letting in sunlight that made the space glow warmly. A queen-sized bed sat against one wall, its sheets and mattress so soft that she claimed it felt like sleeping on clouds.
There was a cozy rest area, a book nook with plush cushions, and a large TV mounted on the wall. Perfect for her since she really loved watching movies. He noticed that each room also had its own personal bathroom.
As he was about to turn off the ability to see through the blindfold, a voice came from behind—greeting him and Akari.
"Ah, greetings! I see we've finally met." The man said smoothly.
He turned around and examined the man's appearance. A tall man with a toned body type. Slick black hair with a pair of crimson red eyes, smiling in a way that felt fake, but Akari obviously didn't realize that.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Kim Ryu Hyun." The man introduced himself.
Akari stepped forward, offering a polite smile. "I'm Akari Kim, and this is Hirotsuka Kyoutsu."
Hirotsuka gave a short nod, his gaze assessing, before activating his skill.
[ The skill 'Eyes of Insight' is activated. ]
[ Status Window ]
└ Name : Kim Ryu Hyun
└ Age : 26
└ Class : Puppeteer
└ Sponsor : The Obsidian Eye
└ Exclusive Attributes : None
└ Exclusive Skills : Dance of Strings Lv. 1, Marionette Overlord Lv. 1, Heartstrings Lv. 1, Shadow Puppet Lv. 1
└ Overall Stats : Physique Lv. 9, Strength Lv. 8, Agility Lv. 8, Magic Power Lv. 7, Endurance Lv. 7
└ Owned Coins : 400
└ Remaining Stat Points : 0
Hirotsuka tilted his head slightly, scanning Ryu Hyun's stats with a slight frown. He knew this man by name—the second-place guy in the rankings.
"So, we'll be roommates, huh?" Ryu Hyun said in a bright, casual tone.
"I hope we can get along… really well."
Akari returned the smile warmly. "Of course. I'm sure we'll manage."
Hirotsuka noticed Ryu Hyun's gaze flicker toward him—a quick, calculating look before the man's smile tightened just a fraction.
Without another word, Ryu Hyun gave a small nod and departed.
Hirotsuka let his eyes linger on the departing figure for a moment, thoughtful. As long as he doesn't do anything, it's alright, Hirotsuka thought to himself.
Hirotsuka noticed that there was something off about him but just brushed it off since Ryu Hyun hadn't done anything concerning yet.
The angel's presence faded without a sound, leaving behind a quiet that felt almost unnatural after the chaos of the day. For the first time in hours, Akari could breathe without feeling like something was watching her every move.
"Looks like we're done for today." Hirotsuka muttered, stretching his arms above his head as if shaking off the tension clinging to him.
Akari nodded, though her body still felt heavy. "Yeah… finally."
The two of them walked side by side down the dimly lit corridor, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished floor. Neither of them spoke much. Eventually, the faint hum of voices and clinking utensils grew louder, leading them to the cafeteria.
Warm lights illuminated rows of neatly arranged food. The cafeteria was far more luxurious than anything Hirotsuka expected—almost absurdly so, considering the deadly nature of the game they were trapped in.
Long counters displayed an overwhelming variety of side dishes: glossy stir-fried vegetables, perfectly cut fruits, soups that still steamed gently, and desserts that looked like they belonged in a high-end bakery rather than a survival game.
Akari paused for a moment, scanning everything. "…They're really feeding us well for people who might die tomorrow."
Hirotsuka let out a quiet scoff. "Probably to keep us from rebelling."
At the far end of the hall stood a single NPC behind the main counter. Unlike the others scattered around the game, this one wore a polite, completely detached yet oddly welcoming smile.
"For main dishes, you'll have to order," Hirotsuka said, glancing at her before walking forward. He had seen how others got their food earlier.
They approached the counter together.
"I'll take the chicken chop." Hirotsuka said without hesitation.
The NPC gave a small nod. "Order received."
Akari hesitated for a split second, still thinking about what to eat before speaking. "…Bulgogi, please."
"Order received."
The moment the words left their mouths, the process began.
There was no sound of cooking. No clatter of pans or sizzling oil.
Yet within seconds, barely even a full minute, the dishes appeared before them, freshly plated as if they had just come out of a professional kitchen. The chicken chop was perfectly seared, its surface glistening under the light, while the bulgogi released a rich, savory aroma that made Akari's stomach tighten in sudden hunger.
Akari blinked, staring at the food. "…That was fast."
"Top 10 privilege," Hirotsuka replied casually, already picking up his tray. "Guess we don't have to wait like the others."
They found a quiet table tucked near the corner of the cafeteria after getting a glass of water. The noise of other players faded into the background as Akari sat down, staring at the bulgogi in front of her for a brief moment before finally picking up her utensils.
For a second, everything felt… normal.
Then she took a bite.
The flavor spread instantly—rich, sweet, and savory all at once. It was warm, comforting… almost too perfect for a place like this.
Akari let out a small breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"…It's good."
Hirotsuka smirked faintly, already halfway through his meal. "Of course it is."
For a while, neither of them spoke again.
They just ate quietly and steadily.
Then, someone suddenly came forward with a tray of kimchi fried rice topped with a fried egg and a glass of water. It was Kim Ryu Hyun.
"Mind if I sit here?" He asked with the same smile again. Akari nodded.
Ryu Hyun sat down in front of Hirotsuka, settling into his seat with an easy posture. The faint clink of his spoon against the plate filled the brief silence before he spoke again.
He exchanged a few light remarks with Akari—small things, nothing too deep. Just enough to ease the atmosphere. A comment about the food, a quiet joke about how surreal everything felt. Akari responded here and there, her voice soft but no longer as guarded as before.
Then, after a moment, Ryu Hyun's attention shifted.
He looked at Hirotsuka.
Not sharply. Not challengingly. Just… directly.
"How about we form an alliance?" Ryu Hyun asked.
The words were simple, but the timing was bold.
Hirotsuka paused mid-motion, his utensil hovering slightly above his plate. One brow lifted slowly as he leaned back in his chair, eyeing Ryu Hyun with clear skepticism.
"…You don't waste time, do you?" He said.
Ryu Hyun smiled faintly. "Not really. Feels like a waste, especially in a place like this."
Hirotsuka studied him for a second longer, then let out a quiet breath through his nose. "And why me?"
"Because you're strong and precise. I saw you kill that monster in a swift motion in the forest earlier," Ryu Hyun answered without hesitation. "And you're already working with someone reliable."
His gaze flicked briefly toward Akari before returning to Hirotsuka.
"I think we'd balance each other out."
Hirotsuka tapped his fork lightly against the edge of his plate, the soft metallic sound breaking the rhythm of the moment.
"And what do you bring to the table?" He asked flatly.
Ryu Hyun didn't seem offended.
Instead, he rested his chin lightly on his hand, thinking for a second before answering. "Awareness, I guess. I tend to notice things early."
A small shrug followed.
"And I don't panic easily."
Akari glanced at him, quietly observing.
Hirotsuka's eyes narrowed slightly, not fully convinced but not dismissing him either.
"An alliance isn't just convenience," Hirotsuka said. "It's trust."
Ryu Hyun nodded. "I know."
"Then why should I trust you?" Hirotsuka pressed.
For the first time, Ryu Hyun didn't answer immediately.
He looked down at his food for a brief second, then back up. His expression was still calm, but a little more grounded.
"You shouldn't." He said simply.
That earned a small reaction.
Hirotsuka's brow furrowed slightly.
Akari blinked.
Ryu Hyun let out a quiet breath, a faint smile returning. "Not right away, at least."
He straightened a little in his seat.
"But we can start with cooperation. See how it goes. If it works, trust comes later."
The honesty in his tone made the offer feel… less like a trap and more like a practical choice.
Hirotsuka didn't respond immediately.
He glanced at Akari for a split second, just enough to acknowledge her presence in the decision, before looking back at Ryu Hyun.
"…And what if it doesn't work?" Hirotsuka asked.
Ryu Hyun gave a small, easy shrug. "Then we go our separate ways. No hard feelings."
Silence settled over the table again.
But this time, it wasn't tense.
It was thoughtful.
Hirotsuka leaned back slightly, eyes still on Ryu Hyun, weighing his words carefully.
Akari watched the two of them, her fingers tightening slightly around her utensil without realizing it.
The decision hung there, unspoken.