Warmth.
Yuji blinked awake first.
A fire crackled nearby.
His body still ached—
but the wounds were gone.
"…Huh?"
He sat up fast.
Takeru was already waking beside him.
Slowly.
Carefully.
"…Where are we?"
Yuta sat across from them.
Calm.
Watching the fire.
"…You're awake."
Yuji touched his chest.
Then looked at Takeru.
"…We were stabbed."
Takeru nodded once.
"…Confirmed."
Silence.
Yuta spoke first.
"…I used Reverse Cursed Technique."
Yuji blinked.
"…You healed us?"
Yuta nodded.
"…Through the blade."
A pause.
"…It was the only way to stabilize your condition quickly."
Takeru looked at him for a moment.
"…You attacked us intentionally."
Yuta didn't deny it.
"…Yes."
Yuji frowned.
"…That's insane."
Yuta exhaled slightly.
"…It was necessary."
Silence stretched.
Then—
Megumi stepped into the firelight.
"…You're both finally awake."
Yuji's eyes widened.
"…Megumi?"
Megumi nodded.
Serious.
Tired.
Yuta stood slightly.
"…We need to talk."
The fire popped softly.
Megumi looked at them both.
"…Tsumiki is trapped."
Yuji blinked.
"…What?"
Takeru's gaze sharpened.
"…Explain."
Megumi exhaled.
"…Kenjaku started something called the Culling Games."
Silence.
Yuta continued.
"…It's a massive death game spread across Japan."
Megumi's voice lowered.
"…My sister—Tsumiki Fushiguro—is inside it."
Yuji clenched his fists.
"…So we go in and get her out."
Megumi nodded once.
"…Yes."
Takeru looked toward the fire.
"…Objective defined."
Yuta added:
"…It's not just rescue."
A pause.
"…It's survival."
Silence.
Then—
a voice from behind them.
"…Me and my brothers shall assist you."
Everyone turned.
Choso stood there.
Calm.
Focused.
Yuji blinked.
"…You're here now?"
Choso nodded.
"…I have decided."
A pause.
"…Kenjaku's influence must end."
Takeru watched him.
"…Your allegiance is stable?"
Choso's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…My brothers are gone."
A beat.
"…But I will protect the remaining ones."
Yuji frowned.
"…Remaining ones?"
Choso looked at Yuji.
Then briefly at Takeru.
"…You."
Silence.
Yuji sighed.
"…That still feels weird."
Choso didn't react.
Just stepped closer to the fire.
"…I will assist you in the Culling Games."
Megumi nodded slowly.
"…Good."
Yuta looked into the fire.
"…Then it's decided."
Takeru stood.
"…We enter."
Yuji followed.
"…Let's go get Tsumiki."
The fire burned lower.
And somewhere far away—
the Culling Games had already begun waiting for them.