The Box: Fate
Chapter 34 — Echoes of the Akatsuki Group
The road to Liya was long and the heavy atmosphere of the rising Demon King was starting to make everyone restless To break the tension the sixteen survivors began talking about their lives before the Box—back when they were just voices on a screen
Man I still can't believe I'm actually walking next to you guys Axel Hatanaki said kicking a stone In the WhatsApp group I thought Sharky Bee was a forty-year-old dude living in his basement
Hey! I told you guys I was athletic! Sharky Bee retorted adjusting his gear
Zanaki walking with his hands behind his head let out a loud laugh Remember the group name? Akatsuki We were such massive anime nerds We spent three years arguing about power levels and never even knew what each other looked like
He then smirked a mischievous glint in his draconic eyes Speaking of the group... do you guys remember how many girls actually joined the Akatsuki chat? I swear at one point it was just Murasaki Hina and Anastasia carrying the whole team while we argued about Naruto
It was five actually Murasaki said coolly not looking back But the other two left because you kept spamming memes at 3:00 AM Zanaki
Zanaki grinned Fair point But hey speaking of that night... the night I shared the link to the Box game in the chat... man you guys have no idea what you interrupted
The group slowed down their curiosity piqued despite themselves
What are you talking about? Akira asked raising an eyebrow
Well Zanaki leaned in his voice dropping to a theatrical whisper That night I wasn't just sitting at home being a nerd I was actually at a high-end hotel with a supermodel-level girl We were having this romantic dinner candles everywhere very classy I only checked the phone because the notification sound for the Akatsuki group was so annoying
The entire group stopped A dead silence fell over the forest path
Axel Hatanaki was the first to break it He burst into a loud mocking laugh A supermodel? You? Zanaki the guy who once cried in the chat because he dropped his ramen on the floor?
It's true! Zanaki protested waving his hands She was beautiful! Long hair amazing eyes I told her Sweetheart I have to send this link to my legendary squad it's a matter of life and death She was so impressed by my leadership skills
Anastasia rolled her eyes so hard it looked painful Zanaki we all know you were probably sitting in your pajamas eating cold pizza when you sent that link
No really! I'm a romantic guy in the real world! Zanaki insisted looking at Kataki for support Kataki tell them! You know I've got rizz!
Kataki who was walking steadily with his silver-blindfold didn't even turn his head Based on your typing speed that night and the three typos in the word download I calculated a 99.4% probability that you were running toward your charger in a panic because your phone was at 1% battery
The group erupted into laughter
Ouch! Logic-bombed by the blind guy! Sharky Bee wheezed doubling over
You guys are cruel! Zanaki sighed though he was smiling I'm telling you I was a legend back home A total lady-killer
Sure Zanaki Hina said gently patting his arm as she walked past And I'm the Queen of the Moon Let's just keep moving toward the cure Romeo
As they continued walking the banter didn't stop For a few hours they weren't legendary hunters or survivors of a death game They were just the Akatsuki group finally meeting in person sharing stories that nobody believed and laughing in the face of an uncertain world
Even Kataki lips curled into the tiniest of smiles beneath his blindfold They were far from home but in this group they had found a new one