A Clover?

Everybody kept calm with the exception of Miyu and Bruce who wanted to quit. The rest followed Carter's instructions. Simply keep calm, obey orders, and take note of all surroundings. He was practically a natural born leader.

Given that Vanessa's entire cell was being round up for lunch, this was the perfect opportunity to find an escape route. Yet, not a single exit was found. They traveled through dark hallways with little light throughout this prison. It was the lead guard who coordinated them by shouting every other second.

The cafeteria was filled with different slaves, turned gladiators, eating a meaty muck that couldn't be identified. Bruce stared at his food, wanting to barf. Carter was instantly digging in, practically swallowing the mystery meat whole. Guards kept a close eye, to not let them even flinch from their chair.

Vanessa couldn't stop mixing her spoon around in her food, trying to figure out what it was. A scrawny AI prisoner caught her attention. She was trying not to stare. But how could she not? This man was twitching about, looking across the cafeteria in every way.

"Don't look at him," whispered Carter.

Andres was called from across the cafeteria to fight in the stadium. Not that a word was said as he got up and walked out with the guards. Everybody merely kept their head down. Except the twitching man, who came over, flinching every step of the way. He held up his hardened bread to Carter. Not a word uttered, and Carter gave up some meat in exchange.

A quick glance and Vanessa noticed a clover shaped scar on the man's cheek. It reminded her of the leprechaun from last month and the gambler titan from January with the clover print cards. She remained alert, figuring that this strange man was an assassin, looking to ban Jeff. However, not once did the man bother looking at him. Rather, he was more concerned with whispering and tapping to Carter.

Vanessa listened in, hearing Carter's plan to trust this man with the keys that Nami made to get passed down to every other cell. It was a little strange to hear that each cell only used one key. But Carter had already figured such, given that all of the prison guards had only one identical key that they used.

What was more suspicious is how well and trusting Carter was with this man. The two were easily communicative despite the circumstances. It was as though they were practically an extension of one another. It could easily be Carter and El Chales who were trying to ban Jeff. Something that Jeff himself didn't pick up on.

Prisoners were being called up by cell to leave. Before the man stood up with his cellmates, Carter made clear that Jaivva and Vanessa were likely to be in the lead. Likewise, Nami was a intrigal part to the mission success.

Whereas Vanessa was confused as to why, the man merely nodded and left with the rest of his cellmates in an orderly fashion.

"Why are me aaand Jaivva in the lead," asked Vanessa.

Carter kept his head low, refusing to answer. It took Vanessa a moment to realize, that this was not the best place to have such a conversation.

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Back in the cell, where there were no guards nearby, Carter took the initiative to explain himself. Vanessa and Jaivva were teammates, meaning they had a good amount of experience with each other. Likewise, their job classes contrasted as tanks. Jaivva being a more evasive type that is better with obstacles and crafting alongside Vanessa's strong tank style which is better at taking and delivering damage. Together, they were perfect for leading the way out.

It made sense, but left Vanessa to question how Carter was able to speak to the man so easily. Jaivva answered that they were using a Morse code variant with various body parts along with their broken whispering.

A guard ran down the hall, alerting everybody in their cell. Yet, he didn't bother anybody. Whereas many were relieved, Carter noted that it wasn't good. Something had to be happening. Regardless, he kept calm, sitting on the dirty cell's floor.

Miyu whimpered that she couldn't last this much longer. Vanessa tried to cheer her up to stay until Jeff managed to hear that the guards knows of the rebellion. Carter was a bit shocked that he could hear them. But it was no surprise to Vanessa, nor Jaivva.

Carter ordered Nami to hold off on the keys until things die out, causing her to slam down the virtual ball of hay that she had. Jeff continued to listen in, relaying their raid of each cell in the distance.

Jeff shook his head, "Yo, it has to be Logan. It's the only explanation".

Vanessa and Carter both said "no" simultaneously, with the later continuing, "We have too much at stake right now. He'll only try to help us".

Vanessa added, "Even when he looks like the bad guy, he's always trying to help us. Just like in December".

Cell doors being slammed open, were now heard more clearly. Blades sheathing, clanking on various metals, echoed through the halls.

"I'm done," shouted Miyu, "I'm done, i'm done, i'm done. Just get me out of here".

"Yeah, fuck this," said Bruce, who gotten up.

Both were lead to the wall by the Isekai Game System of which opened up and let them out of the game.

Jaivva nudged Nami, "That's why Logan doesn't like a lot of players".

"No," corrected Carter, "He's always been a dick regardless. I hated that guy from the moment we met".

Everyone chuckled, prompting Vanessa to ask how long he's known Logan. The two had apparently met back in middle school and fought ever since. Not that it mattered now. They clearly didn't bother each other much.

It was likely due to them focusing on their game careers. Carter was a part of El Chales, but need to continue to perform well for sponsors and other rewards. Logan of course had money saved up for the pro leagues, but needed to actually make it in.

The thought of the two boy's rivalry sat on Vanessa's head until the guards slammed their cell door open. Each guard was well equipped with weapons and armor. They shouted, lining everyone against the wall.

A few guards stepped in, kicking around hay in search of anything the prisoners could be using against them. Another guard interrogated them as a whole while two other guards patted them down.

Just as they were being lead back inside their cell, a horn was blown repetitively. The lead guard ordered his men to keep watch while he ran to see what was going on. Whereas Vanessa and the rest of the players in the cell were scared, Carter actually had a smile on his face.