The Next Phase

CHAPTER 9: THE NEXT PHASE

Anon stood in the doorway of the convenience store, turning to address his two companions. "All right, pack your stuff. We need to move before the circle shrinks."

"Aye aye, captain," Viper replied, already slinging his hefty backpack over one shoulder.

Brea nodded, adjusting her knapsack as she hoisted it over her shoulder.

Satisfied that they were ready, Anon nodded sharply. "Let's go." Holding his phone as the compass, he led the way.

The trio moved in a steady line, the atmosphere quiet except for the occasional crunch of their footsteps. Anon and Brea maintained their silence, but Viper, as expected, broke it with his usual chatter.

"Hey, Miss Brea, was it? That knapsack looks like it's giving you some trouble. Want me to carry it for you?"

Brea blinked, glancing down at her bag. "R-Really? Are you sure?"

"Of course!"

With a bit of hesitation, she timidly slipped the strap off her shoulder and handed it to him.

"Thank you so much, Sir Viper."

"It's no problem at all, Miss Brea." His voice was warm and friendly, and though his face was obscured by the mask, Brea could almost imagine him smiling.

"But isn't it heavy?" she asked, concern creeping into her voice as she noticed him now carrying both his bulky backpack and her knapsack.

"Well, as you can see—" Viper spread his arms wide for emphasis—"I'm a pretty big guy. And under this coat is a body built like a tank."

"Oh! Were you perhaps a military officer, Sir Viper?"

"Hahaha, who knows? My identity is top secret, remember?"

"Oh, right! I'm so sorry for asking."

"No harm done, Miss Brea. All is forgiven."

Leading the group, Anon tuned into the conversation behind him despite himself. With nothing better to do but check his phone for updates on the circle's progress, he let their banter fill the otherwise tense air.

"But seriously, I'm so relieved that you're kind, friendly, and reliable, Sir Viper," Brea said with a light giggle. "Honestly, I was a little scared of you at first."

"And I'm really happy you guys let me join," Viper replied, his tone warm. "Who knows what would've happened if I stayed solo this whole time?"

Brea nodded, her expression softening. "Yeah... Actually, if it wasn't for Sir Anon, I wouldn't have made it this far. He's saved me more than once already."

"Really?" Viper exclaimed, glancing ahead at Anon. "Well, it's good to know we've got such a dependable leader who'll stick his neck out for us!"

"Mhm," Brea said, her voice filled with hope. "With the three of us working together, I truly believe we have a chance of making it out of this game alive!"

"Well said, Miss Brea. Very well said," Viper responded with an encouraging nod.

At the mention of surviving, Anon cast a sidelong glance back at Brea, who seemed so earnest in her optimism. His expression darkened slightly as a bitter thought crossed his mind.

'Making it out alive, huh…? Unfortunately, that's not the main objective of this game, Brea. To truly finish this, each of us will have to kill someone… Can you really do that?'

As if sensing his gaze, Brea caught him looking at her. Misinterpreting the heaviness in his eyes, she gave him a shy, sheepish smile, which only deepened the weight of his thoughts.

For the next several minutes, the trio walked on. Viper, as usual, kept the mood lively with his chatter, drawing Brea into conversation. Anon remained mostly quiet, leading the way as he kept an eye on the phone and the terrain ahead.

Before they realized it, they had arrived at the new Safe Zone.

Vrrrrtttt…

A buzz emanated from their phones.

[ALERT!!! YOU ARE NOW SAFELY INSIDE THE CIRCLE! THE THIRD PHASE OF THE ARENA ZONE WILL BE SHRINKING IN THIRTY MINUTES. PLAYERS WILL BE NOTIFIED FIVE MINUTES BEFORE THE ARENA ZONE SHRINKS.]

[TIME REMAINING - 26:49]

"Good… We made it with plenty of time to spare," Anon said, his voice steady but laced with a subtle edge of relief.

He lifted his gaze toward the horizon, where the sea of deep crimson loomed ominously, steadily encroaching upon the yellow sky like a bloody mist spreading its plague. The faint sound of screeching, likely originating from the multitude of skeletal fiends who clawed their way out from the depths of hell, was advancing closer, and it sent an involuntary shiver down his spine.

"Phewy… I definitely do not want to get caught by those nightmarish skeletons outside the barrier," Viper remarked, sidling up beside him. "I'd rather off myself than get shredded and ripped apart by those monsters. Wouldn't you agree?"

Anon didn't reply immediately. His eyes remained fixed on the sky, his thoughts briefly lost in the surreal sight. Finally, he muttered, "...I don't know. But one thing's for sure—I don't want to die, no matter how it happens."

"Heh. Yeah, I figured as much," Viper said, his tone lighter. "You strike me as the type who values his life when it comes down to it."

"I mean, who wouldn't?" Anon asked with a slight frown, raising an eyebrow at the peculiar observation.

"Hahaha! Fair point, fair point. Most people do, after all. It's only natural to want to keep living—you only get one shot at it. But you'd be surprised how many folks just… give up when things get too tough. It's easier than fighting tooth and nail in a hopeless situation, y'know?"

"...Sounds like you've been through something like that before," Anon remarked, his tone laced with curiosity.

"Maybe I have," Viper replied cryptically, a playful lilt in his voice. "Maybe I haven't. Who's to say?"

Anon exhaled softly, choosing not to press further. Instead, he shifted his focus, scanning the other players gathered within the Safe Zone.

"Anyway, what's our plan now, Captain?" Viper asked, breaking the silence.

"I want to talk to some people, see if we can gather any useful information," Anon said decisively.

Viper nodded. "Sounds like a solid plan."

Then, Anon turned his attention to Brea, who had been quietly observing the exchange. "What about you, Brea? Any ideas or suggestions you'd like to add?"

Brea shook her head slightly. "No, I think we should stick to your plan."

"Alright then," Anon said, his tone firm. "We'll stay together—no splitting up. It's safer that way, and we're less likely to get picked off one by one."

With that, the trio moved as a unit, navigating the uneasy tension and wary gazes of the other players around them.