The Box: Fate
Chapter 9 — The Missing Name
The road toward the hill became steeper as the ox cart slowly moved forward The seventeen players walked beside it while carefully watching the forest around them
Morning light spread across the mountains but the forest still felt quiet and mysterious
Some players were checking their skills again while others were observing the path ahead
Kataki walked slightly behind the group while thinking
His eyes moved across the players one by one
Akira
Axel Hatanaki
Murasaki
Aaron Moses
Sharky Bee
Mikochi
Kuro
Kyoshiki
Joel
Monk Fish
And the others
Seventeen players
At least that was what the Game Master had said
But something about that number still felt strange
Kataki slowly looked ahead again
Then a memory returned to his mind
A moment from the very beginning
A flashback
When the players had first arrived in this strange world the bright light had slowly faded and the seventeen people standing in that open field had begun looking at each other with confusion and curiosity
One by one they had started introducing themselves
Akira had spoken first with calm confidence
"My name is Akira
Axel Hatanaki had laughed loudly
"Axel Hatanaki
Murasaki had introduced herself quietly
"A name is enough Murasaki
Aaron Moses had simply nodded
"Aaron Moses
Sharky Bee had smiled
"Call me Sharky Bee
Mikochi had spoken with excitement
"Mikochi
Kuro had crossed his arms
"Kuro
Kyoshiki had followed calmly
"Kyoshiki
Joel had said his name simply
"Joel
Monk Fish had spoken next
"Monk Fish
One by one the players had introduced themselves while trying to understand the strange situation
But even back then something had felt slightly off
The introductions had finished
Everyone had counted the players around them
But for a brief moment Kataki remembered seeing a figure standing at the edge of the group
Someone who had never said a name
Someone who had disappeared into the crowd before anyone could question it
The memory faded
Back in the present Kataki narrowed his eyes slightly
When did that player arrive
And when did they disappear
Ahead of him Zanaki suddenly glanced back
Their eyes met for a brief moment
Zanaki seemed to understand that Kataki was thinking about something
Then Zanaki looked around at the other players
Some of them seemed completely unaware
But a few of them looked slightly thoughtful as if they had also noticed something strange earlier
Still no one said anything
For now they continued moving forward
Because suddenly a loud roar echoed from the mountain path ahead
The oxen pulling the cart became restless
The old cart driver quickly pulled the reins
"Monsters
Several dark shapes jumped down from the rocky hill
Four large wolf like creatures surrounded the road
Akira stepped forward immediately
"Everyone get ready
Axel Hatanaki grinned again
"Perfect timing
Murasaki raised her hand as purple energy appeared again
Aaron Moses moved to protect the cart and the old driver
Sharky Bee quietly circled to the side
Mikochi rushed forward with excitement
Kuro and Kyoshiki prepared themselves calmly
Joel and Monk Fish stepped into position
Zanaki cracked his knuckles
"Alright let's go
But one person did not move
Kataki
He stood a little distance away watching the players instead of the monsters
His eyes carefully followed each person
Their movements
Their reactions
Their fighting styles
And sometimes his gaze stopped on certain players for a little longer
As if he was searching for something
The monsters attacked
The players fought back immediately
The road to the village had turned into another battlefield
And while everyone was focused on the fight Kataki quietly continued watching
Waiting to see if the mysterious player would reveal themselves