The sky was completely dark by the time we boys finally reached the cabin MonoGaru had assigned us.
It stood beside the beach, surrounded by palm trees and small, dim lights that gave it a warmth that felt fake. It was a two-story tropical wooden house with a neatly thatched roof, a small front porch, and sliding glass doors that opened as we approached.
We filed inside. I went first, immediately looking around.
For somewhere "temporary," the cabin was surprisingly spacious. On the left was a fully equipped kitchenette: a gas stove, a medium-sized fridge, a dining table for six, and shelves of neatly arranged plates and pots. Everything looked new and clean. Too clean, as though no one had ever actually used it.
"Bedroom's over here," Rian said, opening a door at the far end of the room.
We all went in and groaned almost in unison.
Four beds, stacked in two sturdy wooden bunk frames, stood on opposite sides of the room. The mattresses were thick, the sheets spotless white, and each bunk had its own little lamp.
But still...
"Seriously? We all have to sleep in here?" Zayn threw himself onto a lower bunk in irritation. "Our rooms on the main island were better. At least we had our own space."
Adi sat on the edge of a mattress, still clutching his notebook.
"Maybe MonoGaru wants us to get to know each other better. Or... he just doesn't want us doing anything in secret."
Dion sighed and stretched out on the living room sofa near the bedroom.
"This is just a regular family vacation rental. The kind you find somewhere tropical. Even the furniture's the same."
We continued checking the cabin. The bathroom at the back was big enough to share, with two showers and gleaming sinks. In the living room stood a large flat-screen TV, with a game console neatly installed underneath it.
Zayn opened the fridge.
"Empty. Nothing in here."
Rian checked the kitchen equipment one item at a time.
"Everything works. The stove turns on, the water runs. But... there's no food at all."
Krisna opened the cupboards and kitchen cabinets.
"Empty here, too. No instant meals, no snacks. Nothing."
Nova, who'd been quiet the whole time, studied every corner. He even checked behind the TV and under the table.
"No surveillance equipment. No hidden cameras that I can find. This cabin... is clean."
Eventually, we gathered in the living room. I sat on the long sofa and switched on the TV with the remote from the coffee table.
The screen lit up immediately.
But there were no normal channels.
Just MonoGaru—and brightly colored promotional videos for Nirwana Island, complete with cheerful tropical music and his singsong voice describing the island's "beauty." A few channels showed drone footage of the beach, the Bazaar, and the cabins, accompanied by his lies.
Adi frowned at the screen.
"I never saw these on the main island. At least it's something different."
We sat in the spacious living room, dim yellow ceiling lights illuminating our tired faces. The TV murmured in the corner, still playing a promotional video no one was watching. Through the slightly open window came the faint sound of waves.
No one spoke. There was only our breathing, the creak of the sofa, and the occasional rustle of palm leaves outside.
The silence weighed on us.
Zayn broke it first. He leaned back with a hand against his head, his voice rough and tired.
"Is there actually... any way out of here?"
Sitting on the floor, Krisna traced invisible patterns in the air. He gave a cynical smile, his empty eyes turning toward Zayn with an unreadable look.
"After our escape attempt went so spectacularly wrong? After four people have died? You can still be that optimistic, Zayn?"
Dion sighed from the end of the sofa. His voice was barely audible.
"I don't even know how long we've been on this island anymore. I want to get out so badly... I don't want to be stuck here forever."
Nova answered from beside the window without turning around, calm and philosophical as ever.
"Almost a week. Once today is over, a new week begins. And in just one week... four people have died."
Adi nodded, his notebook open in his lap.
"I'm sure there'll be another murder. MonoGaru must be planning something. And that mastermind... wants to isolate us here. Box us in with all these new rules until we're cornered into starting another round of this sick game."
I stared at the polished wooden floor. Adi's words hung heavily in the air.
At last, I spoke, quietly but clearly.
"Maybe you're right. But I think this keeps happening because we don't trust each other. Because we don't understand each other."
Zayn turned sharply toward me.
"What do you mean, Reno?"
I took a deep breath.
"What Vina said, what Bima did, even MonoGaru's comments... They all point to the same thing. Every Ultimate here has a goal they've never told the rest of us about."
Krisna immediately challenged me, his cynical smile sharpening.
"So you suspect one of us intends to destroy everyone? That there's a traitor?"
I shook my head quickly.
"I'm not trying to accuse everyone. I'm saying the murders keep happening because none of us really understands anyone else."
Rian paused in cleaning his glasses and gave me a sharp look.
"Get to the point, Reno. Stop talking in circles."
I fell silent for a moment, looking from face to face beneath the dim yellow light.
"Does anyone here still remember... why we became Ultimates? What we became Ultimates for? What we actually wanted to achieve?"
The question hung in the air like a bomb I'd just dropped.
Everyone looked at each other. No one answered right away. The already quiet room seemed to grow even quieter, until all I could hear were the distant waves.
Zayn stared at the ceiling, his jaw tightening.
"..."
Dion closed his eyes, his shoulders sinking further.
"..."
Rian looked down at the glasses in his hands. His fingers stopped moving.
"..."
Adi lowered his gaze to his notebook, but wrote nothing.
"..."
Nova remained by the window, looking outside. His expression didn't change.
"..."
Krisna kept his faint smile, but this time it didn't reach his eyes.
"..."
No one dared answer.
We sat in silence, lost in thoughts that suddenly felt unbearably heavy.
After a long while, Zayn finally spoke. Confusion filled his voice.
"Even if I do remember... I still don't understand why I'm called an Ultimate. What's the point? From what Anya told us... maybe this whole 'Ultimate' thing is made up. Someone deliberately made us believe we're special, when the people on this island just invented it all."
Krisna nodded slowly, his faint smile colder than usual.
"I believe that, too. Especially with the documents, photographs, and even video clips showing that we used to live here. We went to school here. Perhaps we knew each other... before it all disappeared."
Adi gripped his head with both hands, pressing his fingers to his temples as though fighting off a terrible headache. His voice shook.
"I don't want to believe the documents Anya collected. I couldn't handle it if they're real... If we really did know each other before."
Dion finally raised his head from the end of the sofa. His eyes were still dull with thoughts of Bima. His voice was quiet and full of pain.
"What if... we're the crazy ones? How could we kill each other... when we might have known each other before?"
Nova remained beside the window, calmer than any of us.
"Someone has falsified our memories. Erased everything we shared and made us kill each other for some insane purpose."
I could only sit there, turning their words over in my head. Every sentence felt like a blow to the chest.
If we'd known each other before... If we'd lived together on this island as friends, maybe even best friends... why were we now suspicious of each other? Afraid of each other?
Why were we killing each other?
Suddenly, a sharp beep came from both the wall speaker and the TV.
MonoGaru's voice rang through the cabin.
"My darling students~ Nighttime has arrived! Off to your rooms now, and make sure you get plenty of rest. There's lots more fun waiting for you tomorrow~!"
We exchanged brief looks, then rose and headed to the bedroom without saying much. No one protested. We were all too tired to fight.
I lay on a lower bunk, staring at the dark wooden ceiling. Only the little bedside lamps lit the room. Mattresses creaked above and beside me as the others climbed into bed.
But no one really slept.
I could see their eyes in the darkness. Zayn stared at the ceiling, his jaw clenched. Dion's eyes were closed, but his hands gripped the blanket. Rian watched the glasses he'd set beside his bed. Adi still held his pen, though he wasn't writing anything. Krisna lay wide-eyed, the trace of a smile still on his lips.
Even Nova, usually so composed, looked restless.
We were all awake.
Because now we knew the most terrifying possibility of all: we might once have known each other. Been close. Maybe we'd laughed together, shared secrets, or even been best friends.
And now... we were being forced to kill each other.
I shut my eyes, but the thought wouldn't leave me.
The thought that one day, I might find myself killing a close friend.
Or watching my best friend die right in front of me.
* * *
Morning came with brilliant sunlight. The clock read nine.
I woke aching all over, my eyes heavy after a nearly sleepless night. One by one, the others stirred in their bunks. No one said much. We exchanged a few looks, then made our way to the kitchenette.
The food we'd bought at the Bazaar yesterday was still on the table: a few cans of meat, packaged bread, eggs, and fresh vegetables from who knew where. None of us really knew how to cook, but our stomachs were growling.
"All right, let's make something together," I said, rolling up my sleeves. "We can't live on dry bread."
Rian nodded immediately and grabbed a frying pan. "Let's just fry some eggs."
Zayn grumbled as he opened a can of meat. "Eggs aren't enough. Put some meat in there, too."
Without any coordination or plan, everyone started throwing ingredients in, one after another, with very little care.
Adi chopped the vegetables into pieces that were far too big. Dion mixed unidentified seasonings into a pot. Rian and I tried frying the eggs, which ended up burnt around the edges.
Krisna stood in the corner with his faint smile, occasionally offering comments that weren't particularly helpful. Nova watched calmly, stepping in now and then to adjust the heat.
Eventually, breakfast was ready. Burnt fried eggs, a strangely colored canned-meat stir-fry, and slightly charred toast.
None of it looked appetizing.
Adi was brave enough to try it first. He picked up a spoon, took a bite, then suddenly clutched his throat and started coughing dramatically.
"Ugh... argh... I've been poisoned!" he choked out.
Everyone panicked.
"Adi!" Rian cried.
"Holy shit, are you serious?!" Zayn jumped to his feet.
I was about to run for the first-aid kit when Adi burst out laughing.
"Ha! Just kidding! Hey, this is actually good. Seriously."
We all glared at him.
"You bastard!" Zayn threw a napkin at him.
Rian took a bite, then nodded slowly.
"Huh. He's right... It's pretty good."
Dion tried some next. His eyes widened a little.
"This is way better than the food we had in the Main Building's cafeteria."
Nova tasted it calmly and nodded.
"Agreed. There's something... new about it."
Zayn ate greedily, then chuckled.
"Who knew we could cook? Even if it looks like crap."
I was the last to try it. The flavors were simple, but somehow, on that hot morning, it tasted good.
We ate together around the small table. The mood felt a little lighter than it had last night.
Once we'd finished breakfast, our MonoWatches vibrated together.
MonoGaru's voice came through.
"Good morning, my students~ You're all awake, aren't you? Then please gather in the plaza right away. I have an important announcement~!"
We exchanged a look and headed out of the cabin toward the plaza.
It was still morning, but the air was already sweltering. Many of us had shed our usual outfits for the clothes that had magically appeared in the cabin's wardrobe. Somehow, they fit every one of us perfectly. By the time we were walking to the plaza, sweat was already beading on our foreheads.
"Why's it so damn hot?" Zayn grumbled, fanning his face. "It's not usually this bad."
MonoGaru was waiting in the middle of the plaza in full tropical vacation gear: an oversized, brightly colored floral shirt, a beach hat tilted to one side, and huge sunglasses that looked both ridiculous and strange.
"Good morning, my children~!" he called cheerfully. "Starting today, it's going to get hotter and hotter thanks to a sudden shift in the climate. Perfect weather for a tropical island vacation, wouldn't you say?"
No one seemed particularly interested. We simply stared at him, tired and irritated.
MonoGaru chuckled as though our reaction didn't bother him. He began circling us with his wide, teasing grin, his torn wings stirring in the increasingly harsh morning sun. His gaze traveled from face to face, as if he were savoring our exhaustion and annoyance.
"So, my darling children... What do you think of your new island? Beautiful Nirwana Island?" His voice dripped with fake sweetness. "Starting to feel at home? Has it given you a little more enthusiasm for your days here?"
No one rushed to answer. The plaza grew hotter, sweat trickled down our foreheads, and the complaints we'd been holding back finally spilled out.
Zahra wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. Her voice was fiery, but tired.
"Sure, it's beautiful. But I don't need a beach and souvenir shops. I need to know we're not going to die tomorrow."
Selena hugged herself, her voice low and bitter.
"Just stop lying. Tell us what this is really about. You still want us to kill each other, don't you?"
Rian pushed up his sweaty glasses, his expression serious.
"It's all too nice. I'm sure there's a trap behind it. I'd rather be back on the main island. At least we knew what we were dealing with there."
Zayn crossed his arms.
"This island's just bait. You want us to have fun before you tell us to start killing each other again, right?"
MonoGaru gave a coy little laugh, a note of satisfaction beneath it.
"Hee-hee-hee~ I've got plenty of interesting things planned to spice up this killing game. Don't worry, you won't get bored. Just wait and see~!"
A large hologram suddenly appeared behind him, displaying a glowing map of Nirwana Island. Blinking markers showed the locations of various minigames.
"As I mentioned before," MonoGaru continued brightly, "you'll be playing a few minigames before the main event. After all, currency is the only way to survive on this island. Without it, you can't eat, you can't drink, and you can't even sleep comfortably in your cabins."
Zayn cut in loudly.
"I'm not playing your games or using currency just because you say so."
MonoGaru gave a casual little shrug.
"Suit yourself. But from now on, currency will be used all across the island. Your survival is going to depend on it."
Adi's face flushed with anger.
"You can't just change the rules whenever you feel like it! That's not fair!"
MonoGaru giggled.
"Why can't I? Isn't that what governments do? They change the rules whenever they like for the 'greater good'~!"
He went on in an even brighter voice, ignoring our anger.
"To make things more exciting, you'll be divided into teams of three."
The hologram brightened, displaying our names in groups.
"Team One: Reno, Dion, and Lira."
"Team Two: Krisna, Rian, and Zahra."
"Team Three: Zayn, Nova, and Selena."
"Team Four: Aulia, Adi, and Sinta."
MonoGaru clapped his little hands.
"Your first game is called Lost and Found! You'll be searching for the little robots I've scattered across the island. They've escaped their nest, and I'd like them back. Whoever catches them and brings them to the designated place—the cage near this plaza—wins! Your reward will be lots of currency and other exciting goodies~!"
The air in the plaza grew hotter. We looked at each other, caught between exhaustion, anger, and confusion.
MonoGaru only chuckled again, his torn wings fluttering playfully beneath the scorching sun.
"Have fun, my children~ And remember... your survival depends on how much fun you have playing~!"
The hologram behind him shone brightly, the robots' blinking markers turning the island map into a challenge we couldn't avoid.
After MonoGaru vanished with his teasing laugh, we remained in the sweltering plaza. I stepped back and looked at the others one by one.
Everyone's clothes had changed completely.
Earlier that morning, back at the cabin, we'd found the wardrobe filled with new clothes and a small note handwritten by MonoGaru himself.
"Since it's going to get hotter, and you're not at school anymore, think of this as a field trip! Wear these casual outfits and make yourselves comfortable~ Have fun~!"
Now, beneath the blazing sun, those clothes made everything look brighter and so different from the black-and-white uniforms we'd worn on the main island.
Adi stood across from me in a neat top patterned with soft green leaves and brown shorts, looking more relaxed than usual. His thin cotton overshirt hung open, with a black tank top visible beneath his layers. His captain's hat remained firmly on his head despite the heat. He looked like a city kid on vacation, but his eyes were still sharp and calculating.
Beside him, Krisna wore a colorful bandanna and a shirt covered in almost blinding abstract patterns. Bright red, yellow, and blue clashed together, as hard to make sense of as he was. His loose shorts gave him a more relaxed look, but the faint smile on his face hadn't changed.
Lira stood next to Krisna in a thin, off-the-shoulder top that left her pale shoulders bare. Her light, short skirt stirred in the breeze. With her silver hair hanging loose, she looked softer and more melancholy in the sunlight.
Nova had resisted taking off his thick black jacket, but the heat had finally beaten him. Even so, he still wore all black: a thin, long-sleeved shirt and loose black trousers. The dark clothes made him stand out even more against the tropical setting, like a shadow that refused to disappear.
Rian looked ready for a desert war, wearing a short-sleeved khaki shirt covered in pockets, cargo shorts, and worn boots. His thick glasses still perched on his nose. He looked like a mechanic taking a vacation in the desert.
Selena was easily the most stylish of us. Her bright floral crop top went with fitted denim shorts, and her two-toned hair was tied up high. She looked fresh and energetic, even if her face still showed a little exhaustion.
Sinta's outfit was the simplest: a loose white T-shirt and plain cotton shorts. But her woven bag still hung from her shoulder, packed with herbal remedies and little bottles. She looked like a country girl getting used to the beach weather.
Zahra was as bright as ever. She wore an athletic tank top and army-green sports shorts, along with a wide straw hat decorated with little flowers she'd picked herself. The tan lines on her shoulders and thighs stood out even more in the sun.
Zayn seemed to be suffering the most. He'd already taken off his outer layer, leaving only a short-sleeved shirt open at the chest. He kept fanning himself with his hand and grumbling.
As for me, I wore a simple blue outfit with a short, lightweight vest and loose cream trousers. It was comfortable, but it felt strange after spending so long in heavier clothes.
Then Aulia walked over. She wore a light cream top and matching shorts, but her favorite batik shawl was still wrapped around her neck and shoulders, as though it were a part of her she couldn't take off. Her wavy black hair fell loose, giving her a softer, more natural look in the tropical sunlight.
Our new outfits made the plaza feel far more colorful and alive than our days on the main island. As though we really were on vacation, instead of trapped in a killing game.
But beneath the bright colors and light fabrics, our eyes hadn't changed.
They were still full of unease, exhaustion, and distrust.
Zayn wiped the sweat from his neck and shook his head.
"I don't know if I want to play this. Feels like another trap."
Selena hugged herself and spoke quietly.
"Same... I'm so tired."
Dion just lowered his head, his eyes still empty.
"I don't even know what to do anymore..."
Standing among us, Aulia suddenly spoke in a polite but firm voice.
"MonoGaru may be telling the truth about needing currency for everything. We should check our balances first."
Everyone raised their wrists. The little MonoWatch screens lit up almost together. A few seconds later, the reactions began.
Lira's eyes widened.
"There's a charge here! They've taken some of my currency!"
Sinta grumbled as she stared at her screen.
"It's... for staying in the cabin. We have to pay just to sleep now?"
Zayn's voice rose in anger.
"Are you kidding me? He's charging us for a place to sleep, too? This is straight-up extortion!"
Krisna smiled faintly, his voice flat and cynical.
"Just like a government."
Zahra went pale as she looked at her screen.
"We've barely got anything left. We'll struggle to buy food."
I stared at the small number on my MonoWatch and let out a heavy sigh.
"MonoGaru really is forcing us to play. If we don't, we won't have any currency. And surviving here is going to get a lot harder."
Dion nodded wearily.
"This island really is nothing but traps."
Aulia looked at each of us in turn. Despite her exhaustion, determination filled her eyes.
"Then we should form our teams and take part in this first game. We can try to find out what MonoGaru is planning while we play. We can't simply do nothing."
We exchanged glances. No one was enthusiastic, but none of us had another choice. One by one, we reluctantly nodded.
I joined Dion and Lira as assigned. We stood a little apart from the others, studying the map on our MonoWatches.
Dion wiped his forehead.
"This island's pretty big, even if it's smaller than the main one. Finding little robots here won't be easy."
Lira looked around anxiously, her voice gloomy.
"There must be so many places they could hide. Looking for them in this heat is going to be exhausting."
I watched the other teams heading off in different directions.
"Looks like they've already claimed places like the Bazaar, the museum, the cabins, the beach, and the shopping areas. We should try somewhere no one's picked yet."
Dion turned to me.
"Where, then?"
Lira nodded slightly.
"I'll follow you. I don't really know."
I thought for a moment, then pointed toward the area that was still deserted.
"Let's search around the abandoned apartments and the bridge. No one's taken those spots. Maybe the robots are hiding there."
Dion and Lira exchanged a glance, then nodded.
"All right," Dion said. "Let's try it."
* * *
The three of us approached the abandoned apartment building cautiously. The sun climbed higher, its heat stinging our skin, but the area around the tower felt colder and more oppressive.
Its looming shadow made the air feel stifling, as though the place had been designed to unsettle anyone who came near.
When we reached the main entrance, I stopped in surprise.
The guard robots that had kept such a tight watch yesterday... were gone.
Every last one of them.
Where rigid metal bodies and glowing red eyes had stood, there was nothing.
"Uh... Wasn't this place off-limits?" Dion asked, frowning suspiciously.
Lira approached the large sign still mounted beside the door. She read it in a quiet, shaky voice.
"It says 'Dangerous Area.' But... it doesn't actually say we can't go in. It's just a warning."
I nodded, thinking back to yesterday.
"When Rian and I came here, MonoGaru's robots were guarding the whole place. They blocked us as soon as we got close. Now... they're all gone."
Dion scratched his head, puzzled.
"Did MonoGaru leave it open on purpose? To make finding the missing robots easier? Or... is there another reason?"
Lira stepped back, gripping my sleeve.
"I... I don't want to go in. What if there's something in there? It's dark, and the sign says it's dangerous..."
Dion shook his head, his gaze fixed on the closed glass doors.
"A place like this is exactly where those missing robots are likely to hide. We won't find anything if we don't look."
I stared at the doors for a moment. They looked so ordinary now.
Finally, I nodded.
"Dion has a point. Let's go in. But carefully. We don't know what's really in there."
Lira still looked uncertain, but she gave a small nod and followed behind me. We approached the main entrance. I pushed gently, and the door opened without resistance. No lock. Nothing stopping us.
It surprised me. Yesterday, this entrance had felt like an impenetrable iron wall.
Inside... it was dark.
Pitch-dark.
Stale air washed over us, carrying the smell of old dust and damp. A thick layer of dust coated the once-polished marble floor, and cobwebs hung in the corners.
Strangely, though, there weren't any insects. Not even a spider. Just empty webs swaying in the breeze from the open door.
Dion felt along the wall on the right until he found an old switch. He pressed it. Fluorescent lights flickered on across the ceiling, buzzing faintly before settling into a dim, steady glow.
Lira pressed closer behind me, tightening her grip on my shirt.
I walked farther in, looking around. It really did look like the lobby of a luxury apartment building that had been abandoned for years. A long reception desk stood in the center, buried in dust. The leather sofas in the waiting area were cracked and faded. Large wall-mounted screens were dead, leaving only empty black rectangles.
Dried plants sat in pots in the corners, their leaves brittle.
At the far end of the lobby were two exits: a stairwell door marked with a red sign, and a large elevator with its metal doors firmly shut. I had no idea whether it still worked.
The silence was broken only by our footsteps and the occasional buzz of the fluorescent lights. Dust stirred with every step, making the air feel heavier.
I swallowed.
"This place really is abandoned. So why did the guard robots suddenly disappear? And why can we just open the door now?"
Dion and Lira didn't answer. They only scanned the room warily.
We began exploring the lobby, moving with care. Every step left a clear footprint in the thick dust coating the marble.
Lira stayed closest to me, clutching the back of my shirt and glancing nervously in every direction. Then she stopped beside the dust-covered reception desk.
"Wait... There's something here."
She pulled out a sheet of paper from beneath the dust. It had yellowed badly, but the writing was still readable.
A recruitment flyer.
Dion and I leaned closer to read it with her.
"To a select group of researchers, outstanding students, officials, and other distinguished individuals: Join us on Nirwana Island. We offer luxurious accommodation and highly competitive salaries to those prepared to build the future of humanity."
I stared at the flyer for a long time before speaking quietly.
"So... Nirwana Island really was a home for the people who built all of this. Not just an emergency shelter."
Dion nodded. Then his eyes widened at something on the opposite wall.
"Hey! Come here, quick!"
Lira and I hurried over. He stood in front of a large, dusty directory listing apartment numbers and the names of their residents. Time had worn away some of the lettering, but most of it was still legible.
Dion pointed to one line with a trembling finger.
Apartment 78.
The name beside it was faded, but unmistakable.
Haris Vermana.
For a moment, none of us spoke. The stuffy air in the lobby seemed to grow heavier.
"That's... Aulia's brother," Lira whispered, her voice shaking. "The Ultimate Ideologist... One of the people who founded this island."
I swallowed hard.
"We have to tell Aulia. This is too important."
But Dion firmly shook his head.
"Not yet. Seeing this would hit her hard. She's already been through enough with everything that's happened. Let's check the apartment first. If there's anything dangerous, we can be ready before we tell her."
Lira nodded, though her face was still pale.
"I agree... We should look first."
I hesitated, remembering how devastated Aulia had looked since yesterday.
Finally, I nodded.
"All right. We'll check the apartment first. If we find anything suspicious, we'll tell her."
We headed for the elevator at the far end of the lobby. I pressed the call button, not expecting it to work.
But it did.
The metal doors opened with a soft creak that echoed through the empty room. We stepped inside, and Dion pressed the button for the seventh floor.
The elevator rose slowly. The lights flickered, occasionally going out for a few seconds at a time. Lira grew more frightened with every blackout and pressed closer behind me.
The old mechanism groaned, as though the building itself were complaining that we'd disturbed its peace.
At last, the elevator stopped on the seventh floor with a loud ding.
The doors opened.
The hallway was silent and orderly, despite the dust. Once the light switch was found, dim wall lamps came on. The carpet had faded, but it still looked expensive. Apartment doors lined both sides in neat rows, as if the residents had simply gone away on a very long vacation.
We walked slowly down the corridor until we reached Apartment 78.
The dark wooden door still looked solid. Beside it, the resident's nameplate remained clearly visible, though rust had crept around the edges.
Haris Vermana.
I stood before the door, my right hand reaching for the handle.
Then I hesitated.
My heart pounded. Behind me, Dion and Lira's breathing sounded loud in the silent hallway.
I took a deep breath and pushed down on the handle.
Click.
The door opened easily. No lock. No resistance at all.
Warm light spilled out to greet us.
The apartment was... immaculate.
Perfectly tidy. Perfectly clean. Not a speck of dust.
The ceiling lights shone brightly, as though someone had switched them on only minutes ago. The air was fresh, carrying a faint scent of wood and floor cleaner.
The three of us froze in the doorway.
"What... is this?" Lira whispered shakily. "All those rooms we passed were open... empty... covered in dust. But this one... looks like it's just been cleaned."
Dion stepped inside first, his eyes wide.
"Yeah. It's spotless. Like... someone's still using it."
I followed them in. The place really did feel lived in.
The bed in the middle of the room was neatly made, its white sheets smooth enough to look freshly ironed. A fridge hummed in the kitchenette. I opened it briefly and found fresh food inside: milk, eggs, fruit, even a few cold canned drinks.
On the desk by the window sat a computer. Its screen was dark, but its indicator light glowed green.
I went over and tried to turn it on. The screen lit up immediately, but a password prompt blocked access.
"Password," I muttered. "It's locked."
Dion went to the right-hand wall and found a large board covered in flowcharts and diagrams. He narrowed his eyes, then called us over.
"Look at this."
We joined him.
It was a blueprint of the island. Plans to expand and renovate the main island. The date in the corner was clear: work had begun two days ago.
The details matched exactly what MonoGaru had told us yesterday. The closure of the Main Building. Access to the new island. Even the sudden change in the climate.
A chill crept up the back of my neck.
"This project... only started two days ago. That means... someone planned it. And someone's overseeing it."
Lira gasped from the other end of the apartment.
"Everyone! Come here!"
We hurried over. She stood in front of another room, its door wide open. Inside, a huge window offered a sweeping view of the island. We could see Nirwana Island laid out below us in startling detail.
And in front of that window stood a large camera with a massive lens, mounted on a sturdy tripod.
I frowned.
"What's a camera this big doing here?"
Lira didn't answer. She only pointed at the wall beside it, her hand trembling.
We stepped closer.
The wall was covered in photographs.
Incredibly detailed photographs.
Photographs of us.
Every movement. Every activity. Every event, meeting, and search we'd made. It was all there.
Candid shots taken from a distance, from hidden angles, from above, from the side. There were pictures of our arrival on the island. Of the first Trial. Of us eating in the cafeteria, walking through the corridors, discovering the archive room.
Even the newest photograph was there: all of us standing in the plaza that morning in our casual clothes, while MonoGaru announced the teams.
Every picture was neatly mounted, with a clearly printed date and time beneath it.
Dion doubled over, covering his mouth. His face drained of color.
"Who... Who took all these pictures...?"
Lira sank to her knees, shaking violently. Tears spilled down her cheeks.
"This... This can't be happening... Someone's been watching us... from the beginning..."
I stood frozen before the wall. My chest tightened. I struggled to breathe. Cold spread down my back and all the way to my fingertips.
Every photograph felt like an invisible eye staring at us, even now.
The mastermind we'd only suspected until now... The proof was right in front of us.
Someone—or something—really was watching our every move.
Every step. Every word. Every secret we uncovered.
And whoever it was, they were still here.
Still watching us.
Before we could recover from the shock of the photographs, something moved in the corner.
A small, four-legged robot emerged from behind the desk. Its body was a shiny metal box about the size of a cat. Tiny wheels on its legs carried it swiftly and silently across the floor. A pink light blinked on its head.
I recognized it at once.
"That... That must be one of the robots MonoGaru meant!"
Dion turned sharply, his voice tense.
"We should focus on what we've found. The robot can wait—"
But it didn't give us time to think. It darted toward a large red button on the wall near the exit, moving lightly but purposefully.
Lira took a step back, her voice trembling.
"A red button... That usually means danger, right?"
I lunged to stop it, but the robot was faster. One of its legs struck the button with a sharp click.
WEEEEEEEOOOOO—
An alarm erupted throughout the building. The deafening siren filled the corridor, and red emergency lights flashed across the ceiling.
A cold mechanical voice sounded from hidden speakers.
"Intruder detected. Intruder detected. Security protocol activated."
The little robot spun around and shot out of the apartment at incredible speed.
"Shit! After it!" I shouted.
We raced after it. Lira was still shaking, but she ran behind me. Dion took the lead, his strides quick and sure.
The robot sped toward the elevator at the end of the hall. Its doors slid open just as it approached.
But as they opened fully, dozens of medium-sized MonoGaru guard robots emerged. Their red eyes blazed. The guns in their hands snapped up.
They opened fire.
Shots hissed through the air in a rapid psst-psst-psst. The little robot dodged nimbly, leaping toward the emergency stairwell. We ran after it, ducking as bullets flew around us.
One grazed my sleeve, leaving a searing sting along my arm.
"Ghk!"
Dion pushed Lira ahead of him, shielding her with his body. A bullet struck his arm. He grimaced but kept running.
"Keep moving! Don't stop!"
We burst through the stairwell door. A long, dark flight of concrete steps stretched below us. Alarms blared on every floor. The guard robots pursued us, their metal footsteps echoing like war drums.
We raced down floor after floor, gasping for breath, sweat mingling with dust. Lira nearly tripped several times, but Dion and I took turns steadying her.
By the time we reached the lobby, we were surrounded.
Flamethrower robots appeared from every direction, blue flames burning at their nozzles. Jets of fire shot across the room, setting dust and old carpet alight.
The little robot kept running, deftly dodging the flames. We followed, ducking and jumping as heat scorched our skin.
Then we reached a dead end.
The little robot stopped before a wall, seemingly confused. Behind us, the flamethrower robots drew closer, their flames growing larger.
Dion didn't hesitate. He spotted a large window above us and slammed his shoulder into it with all his strength.
Glass shattered.
He was cut, blood running down the arm that had already been shot, but he ignored it.
"Up! Hurry!"
He lifted Lira first. She scrambled through the broken window and dropped to the ground outside.
"Reno, your turn!"
With Dion's help, I climbed through. The moment I was out, I turned back and hauled on his hand with everything I had. Before climbing out, Dion grabbed the little robot with his bloodied hand.
All three of us tumbled onto the ground outside the building.
But it wasn't over. The guards kept coming. Flames and gunfire burst through the broken window.
Lira hurriedly helped us to our feet.
"Run! They're not stopping!"
We ran as hard as we could, trying to get clear of the building. Our legs felt like lead. Our breath came in ragged gasps. Blood still poured from Dion's arm.
Then, the moment we crossed the edge of the building's grounds, the robots stopped.
They stood motionless at the entrance, as though there were an invisible line they couldn't cross.
We ran a few more yards before finally stopping and collapsing onto the grass.
All three of us struggled to catch our breath. Lira was still trembling violently. Dion gripped his bleeding arm, wincing. The little robot we'd chased now sat quietly in his grasp, its pink light blinking.
Dion suddenly got up, his face flushed with pain and anger. He glared at the four-legged robot clutched in his left hand and shook it roughly.
"You stupid piece of junk!" he snapped. "This is all your fault! We wouldn't have had to run for our lives if it weren't for you!"
The robot squirmed weakly, its pink eye light blinking as though in protest. Dion ignored it and growled again.
Lira hurried over, pale and worried. Her eyes moved from Dion's heavily bleeding arm to mine, covered in scrapes and reddened burns.
"Dion... Stop moving around! You're still bleeding! And Reno... your wounds... We need to treat both of you!"
My arm and shoulder stung, but I shook my head quickly.
"We can't go back to the cabin. It's too far. Let's head to the Bazaar. There has to be somewhere selling medical supplies."
I tore a strip from my short blue vest and wrapped it around Dion's gunshot wound. The fabric soaked through almost immediately, but at least it put some pressure on the bleeding for now.
Dion winced as he held his arm, his face growing paler.
Lira gently took the robot from him. It started squirming again, but she hugged it tightly and spoke in a soft, firm voice.
"Hey, you little troublemaker... No more tricks, okay? You've caused us enough trouble already."
The robot finally went still, its pink light blinking slowly, as though it understood.
We began limping toward the Bazaar. Dion held his injured arm. Lira walked between us, cradling the robot. I tried to ignore the sting of my burns and scrapes.
Every step was difficult, but we didn't have a choice.
As soon as we reached the Bazaar, we ran into Adi's team. They'd been browsing the shops when they noticed the state we were in. Adi, Aulia, and Sinta rushed toward us, alarm written across their faces.
"What happened?!" Adi cried.
They moved into action without wasting words. Adi and Aulia helped me to the nearest bench, while Sinta took out the medical supplies they'd just bought. Lira fetched water and clean cloths.
Sinta worked quickly. She carefully removed the bullet lodged in Dion's arm, then applied an herbal remedy from one of her little bottles. Its distinctive scent filled the air. Lira helped her wrap the wound in a clean bandage.
"Thank you, Dion..." Lira said, her voice still shaking. "If you hadn't protected me, I might've been the one who got shot."
Dion managed a faint smile, though his face was pale with pain.
"It's what I'm supposed to do. I just want to help as many people as I can..."
Meanwhile, Adi and Aulia cleaned my injuries. Aulia wiped the blood from my arm with a clean cloth, her voice gentle but full of concern.
"Reno... What really happened in that apartment building?"
I told them everything, quietly but clearly. Finding Haris's apartment. The blueprint for a project that had only just begun. The wall covered in photographs of us. The huge camera watching the island.
Then the guard robots had chased us out before we could get to the bottom of it, and now the building was heavily guarded again.
Adi and Aulia grew more tense as they listened. Aulia looked even more crushed than before. Tears glistened in her eyes when I mentioned her brother again.
"What a shame..." she whispered.
The others nodded, their faces troubled.
"Such a shame..."
But I wasn't ready to leave it at that.
I reached into the pocket of my cream trousers and pulled out something I'd quietly taken from the wall of photographs.
A picture of Aulia.
It looked like a candid shot, taken while she'd been sitting alone in the garden by the fountain, a gentle little smile on her face.
"Reno... I know you're into Aulia, but come on..." Adi said when I showed it to them.
"R-Reno... My picture... What do you want it for?" Aulia blushed.
"No! That's not why I took it! What I'm trying to show you is..."
I explained that I hadn't taken it simply because it was a picture of Aulia. There was another reason.
I turned the photograph over and showed them the back.
There, in small, neat handwriting, was a code.
1125.
"This picture wasn't properly attached to the wall. I got curious and took it down. Then I found this code on the back," I said quietly. "I don't know what it means... But it might mean something."
Adi frowned, narrowing his eyes at the numbers.
"1125... What's that supposed to mean?"
Aulia said nothing. Her eyes were still bright with tears, but she couldn't look away from the photograph.
Everyone fell silent, staring at the little code as their thoughts raced.
We'd only just escaped the danger in the apartment building.
Now we had a new clue, one that made everything even more complicated—and more frightening.
1125.
Four simple digits that somehow felt like the key to something much bigger.
And we had no idea where they would lead us.