Area 69:
The dark navy-blue sky is clear of early-morning clouds, and in the corner of the sky, the sun dips into purple hues, while a chill breeze flows everywhere, in contrast to the city-infected area. The trees swinging produce fresh, pollinated free oxygen, and a fresh, muddy earth scent. The silent mountain with a humming sound – a few boots were stepping down from the muddy, slippery path.
"Why are we choosing this muddy area?" Kylie hissed as she placed her feet carefully every time, not to slip.
Give me your hand, Kylie," Finn said, reaching back. His grip was steady, a rare anchor in a world made of sliding mud.
Sara didn't look back, tied her white shirt around her waist, wrapped a giant bag and held a map, pointing to the curvy, big line. "This is the shortest possible way to reach Area 62. If we don't clear this ridge before the evening, the System won't have to kill us—the frost will. Don't complain about small things, we are not children!"
"Sara, but it's so slippery," another friend, Zane, said.
"We are descending the mountain; please, everyone, hold your nearby hands," Sara announced, and she led the team.
At the back of the line, Nate lagged. He pulled a crumpled physical photo from his pocket, a hand-sized image of August and him, her lips pressed against his cheeks with love; it shows their bond. Again, neatly, he slid it into his pocket. "I hope we will meet again!" he thought, the silence of the mountain swallowing his heartbeat, and with a hope, he continued his walk with their team
_____
AREA 99
[PLAYER ID: 666111 | AUGUST BROWN]
[Age: 22]
[Blood type: O positive]
[Occupation: software engineer]
[Strength: Coding, hacking, problem-solving, statistics and analytics.]
[Weakness: fear of insects and reptiles.]
[Current Task: ___]
[Reward points: 2,50,000 points.]
[Current points: 266,000 points.]
[Total points obtained: 326,000 points.]
Examine his history details: [YES] [NO]
Current location map: [YES] [NO]
"Yes! Finally, we got some points by saving thirty people," she said excitedly and hugging Devin happily.
"Control your excitement!" Devin warned.
We could share this trick with everyone... Maybe they'll also get more points," August suggested, indicating she should go outside.
He immediately grabbed her hands and stop her. "Are you serious? It's already evening. If you announced this now. What if they dragged an infected one into this house? We could all be in danger." He started, his voice firm and clear. "Don't worry; I will tell everything after dinner. Plus, we're moving out early tomorrow morning."
The husband of the pregnant woman nodded. "Maybe he's right; we shared the secret, and now we're in danger," he agreed.
"You're a doctor," August hissed, her eyes shimmering with rage. "You're supposed to care."
"August!" he called out.
Whatever!" she shouted angrily, giving a furious look before storming outside.
Devin remains silent. "She always wants to help; I really appreciate that, but you are risking your life too. When will she understand this?" he thought as he went outside the ground hall.
He stood straight, his gaze sweeping the hall, which looked like a leader in the middle of a jungle. Before he spoke, he cleared his throat and clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "Hey, listen up, everyone. I have something to announce," he said with urgency in his voice.
The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to him. The tension was palpable; people's faces were worn and fearful from the threat of the creature outside. Crowded together, they had gathered from the first floor to the ground floor hall.
"Yes, what is it, Devin?" one of them asked, breaking the silence.
Devin held his hands back hug and walked in the same place firmly. Listen up, everyone. I'm covering the cost of dinner tonight. After we eat, I have an important announcement to make. Once the sun goes down, let's all lock up our rooms and get some rest. We have 34 people here and eight rooms. I want you to divide yourselves into groups of four. August and I will join one of your rooms."
"Can I add her to my roommate?" a young man at the back sneered, gesturing toward August. "We've got space in our room. We'll take care of her."
Devin didn't react or scold and just gave a cold, death stare. Instantly, the young boy's smile withered. "Are you all okay with this agreement?" he asked.
Everyone looked at each other and gave an accepting nod. "Okay, we are fine with this deal."
"Thank you for your kind help," everyone said.
Devin, with a smile, walked towards the old-style automatic kitchen, where bread and jam were the only things stored and a rusted old-model coffee machine. "We won't die, I guess," he mumbled, and he scanned his watch to pay, "50,000" and bought two pieces of bread and coffee for all.
The sun was gone. After enjoying their dinner, everyone leaned against the wooden wall and talked about their journey and family gossip.
"I was supposed to be my home! My children will be waiting," an office-dressed woman cried, leaning against another woman.
Inside the room, Devin is seriously searching all his settings and possible ways to use the system. Suddenly, his gaze landed on the time, which showed 8:00 PM. "I think it's the perfect time to announce the strategy to get points," he thought as he rose from the wooden floor, but before he could reach the door, it swung open.
"August!" He called out her name softly for the first time as his gaze jumped to a nearby young woman, who looked to be in her 20s.
August's smile widened, and he was holding another woman's hands tightly. "Devin, this is Bella. I am going to stay with her tonight," she asked in a lower, humble tone.
"Why couldn't she understand the small things? We are leaving early morning," Devin yelled in his mind, as his jaw clenched under his skin, and he didn't want to express it, but his voice betrayed him. "August," he called out her name with rage.
"Yeah! Tell me." August stepped forward in a nonchalant manner
"Can we talk for a minute?" Devin started.
Understanding their privacy, Bella went outside with a casual smile. When the door shut, "Are you serious?" he roared.
Seeing his rage, August's brows dropped in fear of his sudden madness. "No, I mean not like that… she looks like Sara... I don't know; I just feel lonely... Sara's always with me. I haven't talked to her for more than a week." She explained her inner thoughts in trembling words.
"Seriously?"
"You are always showing anger towards me. I don't know why," she continued, a disappointment in her words clearly etched, "This morning you left me, Devin. Do you think I forgot everything? I am not..."
I came back for you," Devin said, his voice dropping to a low, vibrant argument.
"Came for me?" She laughed teasingly, hiding the pain of betrayal. "Why did you come? You should have left, not returned. At least you will be happy, won't you?" She raised her voice and a seriousness on her face, "Did I ask you to back?"
"August, stop! You're so stubborn; you knew the consequences and situation of this world. Still, you want to help people; I get it, but you're risking your life. Can't you understand that..." Devin tried to hold her hand to make her calm, but she stepped back.
"I always do what I like," she replied and left the room, slamming the door shut.
"Ah! Fuck!" he hissed, curse escaping his lips. He followed her out into the hall.
After everyone had gathered, "I want to share an important thing," Devin started.
He clicked his watch, showing all the settings and details. "This is a store; with your points, you can purchase whatever you want." He explained.
"Anything?" One of them asked.
"Yes! Anything, but there must be a price range!" Devin replied. "And I want to tell you a huge, important thing, about collecting---"
Before he finishes his statement, "BEEP"
"Beep!" Thirty-four watches chirped in perfect, chilling unison notification.
The hall went silent as everyone looked at their wrists. Devin felt a cold sweat prickle his neck. He knew the System. It didn't give gifts; it gave trials. "Hey, listen!" he shouted, but everyone was distracted.
"We all get the same task," one of them said.
"It must be toxic gases' task!" Devin thought, suddenly remembering the truth, 'There's no secret room or anything.' He immediately switched on the watch, clicked the notification,
[CURRENT TASK: FIND THE INFECTED ONES AND KILL THEM]
[TASK REWARD POINTS: 10,00,000 POINTS PER PERSON]
[GAME BEGINS AT 2 MINUTES]