Lives at Stake

The 7,453 remaining players casually looked around or talked to others, while Nicholas's childhood friend – Juro just puts his both hands on his shoulder.

"You know, you need to cheer up more dude!, even in deadly games.. have some charisma left on you!"

He slightly widens his smile and pats his hand in his shoulder, while nodding lightly.

"Yeah.. i'll try."

Juro smiled and shakes him gently.

"Thats the spirit!"

Nicholas slightly chuckled softly when he shakes him gently keeping it slow and cool, but he can feel his enthusiasm, he just wasn't on the mood for it, after an hour – an Artificial Intelligence (AI) came in to provide food and significant goods for them to replenish tommorow in the next game, they all walked towards the AI and grabbed the food and drink then thanked.

Once all of them got Food and Drink they sat down in their beds or in the floor next to their own personal beds, Nicholas ate his food with Juro being his neighbor in his side.

"Yo!, this thing is not bad!, it's tasty!"

Nicholas nodded in agreement and kept eating, but also spoke at the same time.

"Yeah, it's sweet."

They eventually kept eating after talking for a bit, the sweet and tasty food still savors them, Juro kept talking to Nicholas to keep him entertained.

"So.. how is your mom doing?, i mean.. how is Auntie doing?.."

Nicholas looked at him, and spoke about his mom, a bit nervous.

"Oh yeah, uh– I don't know where is she right now.. but she's doing fine, i mostly help her of course."

Juro smiled widely while nodding.

"Okay, your such a good boy to Auntie!"

Nicholas smiled and nodding, he has been with his mom since his dad cheated on her for another woman back then, he smacks his head to not think of that stupid–father again.

"Yeah, I'm a good boy to my mom like every other normal sons to their moms.."

Juro smiled mischievously — his past might be more tragic and brutal then everyone in the cube.

"Yeah.. I'm also a good boy."

When Nicholas stared at him with his sadistic smile, he felt a slight fear in his hands, like some sort of something horrifying is hiding within his Childhood friend's soul.

Next day – they all woke up with the alarm ringing thats set by the System, Nicholas grabs his blanket and puts it aside then walks off to the center of the Sector.

•The game will start shortly afterwards, i repeat, the game will start shortly afterwards.•

Juro kept at Nicholas's side and spoke towards him.

"Hey, what do you think will be the next game is?.."

Nicholas shook his head, saying "I don't know.", Juro nodded and looked at the Large TV screen, After a minute a Door opens Infront of them, they all checked the large room, they all went in without any problems with human trafficking.

After all of the 7,453 players went in, the System explains the game, them, listening whilst stretching.

•The next game will be Scavenger Hunt, find the items hidden deep in the sand within the time remaining.•

•3:00•

They all scattered around and digged as fast as they can, Nicholas was having a hard time digging with his hands, his hands we're shaking in fear.. "No!, don't die here you idiot!.."

Someone finally grabbed a item – but its broken in half, he looked up and got shot in the head, all of the Players gasped loudly.

•No. 8,827 Eliminated•

•If the item you grabbed is broken, your Eliminated.•

They all knew that they had a chance of getting a broken item, so they digged gently and softly, some got normal items that aren't broken – but some we're unlucky and got shot in the head instantly, with 2 Minutes remaining on the timer, Nicholas hasn't found one item yet, Juro finally grabbed an item that is not broken, but he looked at his Friend who was struggling.

He ran towards him and pulls a toy shovel in his pocket, Nicholas was surprised that he bringed it here.

"Use it."

Nicholas nodded and grabbed it out of his hand and started digging with 1 minute in the timer, Thousands of them got an item that's not broken and left immediately, Nicholas finally got an Item after, with 10 seconds on the clock, he ran towards the door and watches it close as he entered–

A Sound of gunshots we're heard all over, Nicholas was breathing heavily, greatful that Juro helped him.

•The remaining players left will be shown in the Large Television.•

Nicholas stood up and walked towards the Middle of the Sector and everybody looked at the TV screen, to see the remaining players.

•Over 7,453 players, only 6,533 survived the game.•

Juro did the math as quick as he can.

"930 players got Eliminated.."

Nicholas was in shock.. "That many?!" Suddenly a door opens at the right side of the Sector, it was No. 950 who led the Simon says, he walked coldly towards Nicholas and Juro.

"Lets team up."

Nicholas was dumbfounded by this, the guy who was emotionless of the deaths he had caused by "THAT" game earlier, wanted to team up?..

"Why.. may i ask?.."

He puts a finger at his lips, Juro's eyes widen.

"I know.. the next game."

Juro instantly shook his hand and nodding, instantly putting him on the team.

"Yes!, welcome to the team!, your name?.."

He hesitated for a second until speaking up.

"Simon, it's actually my true name.."

Nicholas and Juro nodded and welcomed him with both smiles.

"Alright Simon, welcome to the team!.."

One girl also came in to join the team with them, she was a bit shy and nervous.

"I.. i wanna join to!.."

They all looked at the girl who wanted to join – she was practically beautiful by her looks, and felt innocent, Nicholas also welcomed her.

"Sure, join in!, whats your name.. uh.. No. 0,008?"

Her eyes sparkled in excitement when he lets her in, she also spoke her name.

"I'm Eliza!, nice to meet you!"

And for that, the team was formed, they all Introduced themselves one by one and talked to each other while eating, and laughed together like their having the best time of their life — but there will be major consequences later on after this "fun".