Hunter or Prey

> [System Announcement]

[The First Selection will begin in 1 hour.]

The glowing message floated in the air, reminding Ryo that time was running out.

He turned to the others, gripping the crowbar he had scavenged earlier.

"We don't have much time. We need to decide—do we fight or run?"

The mother clutched her son protectively. "I don't want to fight."

Takeshi frowned. "But if we just run, won't we get caught?"

Ryo took a deep breath.

They still didn't know whether they'd be Hunters or Prey.

But one thing was certain—doing nothing meant dying.

---

The Risks of Hiding

If they were Prey, they would have to avoid being killed until the time ran out.

But in the novel, hiding wasn't always safe.

Some Hunters weren't human.

If they ran into a monster-type Hunter, no amount of hiding would save them.

And if they encountered a human Hunter, they would be hunted for sport.

Ryo clenched his fists.

They needed a backup plan.

"If we're Prey, we'll have to hide—but we should still be ready to fight back," he said. "If we're Hunters… then we take the offensive."

Takeshi exhaled. "So… we prepare for both?"

"Exactly."

The older man, who had been quiet, finally spoke. "How do we do that?"

Ryo's mind raced.

"We need a defensible position—somewhere we can barricade ourselves if needed," he said. "And we need an escape route."

Takeshi nodded. "Got it. I'll check the exits."

Ryo turned to the mother. "You and your son, gather food and water. If we have to run, we'll need supplies."

She hesitated, then nodded.

The older man tightened his grip on his pipe. "I'll find something to reinforce the doors."

Ryo exhaled. "Good. Move fast."

---

Preparing for the Worst

The group scattered, each working on their tasks.

Ryo, meanwhile, focused on one more thing.

He checked the system messages still floating in his vision.

> [Hidden Bonus: Early Insight]

[First Selection: The Hunt Begins.]

> [Beginner's Privilege: 0:58:40 Remaining.]

Time was ticking.

He needed to push his advantage before the selection started.

And that meant finding a way to become a Hunter.

---

The Hidden Path to Becoming a Hunter

In Apocalypse of the Chosen, there were always loopholes.

Even if the system assigned someone as Prey, there was often a way to change roles—if you were smart enough to find it.

The problem?

Those loopholes were different in every scenario.

But there was one consistent rule:

> The system rewards those who take risks.

If he wanted to change his fate, he had to do something dangerous.

Ryo's eyes flickered to the ruined subway tunnels just outside the department store.

Dark. Unstable. Full of unknown threats.

A perfect place to hide…

Or a perfect place to die.

He exhaled.

If I was the author, where would I put the loophole?

And then—

A thought clicked.

The first Hunters are always given a chance to prove themselves.

And the best way to prove yourself in a hunt…

Was to kill something before the game even started.

---

A Desperate Gamble

Ryo turned back to the group.

"I'm going into the tunnels."

Takeshi nearly dropped the bag of supplies he was carrying. "Dude, what?!"

The mother paled. "That's suicide!"

The older man frowned. "Why?"

Ryo took a deep breath.

"There's a way to become a Hunter before the game starts."

They stared at him in shock.

"The system rewards those who act first," he continued. "If I kill something before the Selection begins… I might be able to change my role."

Takeshi swallowed. "But what if you die?"

Ryo smirked. "Then I'll have made a really bad bet."

Silence.

Then—

The older man exhaled. "You're insane."

"Probably."

Takeshi hesitated. "Then… should we come with you?"

Ryo shook his head. "No. If I fail, you guys still need to survive."

The mother bit her lip. "Be careful."

Ryo nodded.

Then, gripping his crowbar tightly—

He stepped into the darkness.

---

The Hunt Begins

The subway tunnel was silent.

Too silent.

Ryo moved carefully, his heart pounding in his chest.

Every shadow felt like a trap.

But he kept going.

He had to find something to kill.

And then—

A faint sound echoed through the tunnel.

> …skritch… skritch…

Ryo froze.

Something was moving in the darkness.

Slowly, he raised his crowbar.

Then—

A figure lunged from the shadows.

Ryo barely had time to react.

He dodged to the side, the creature's claws slicing through the air where his head had been.

He turned, getting his first good look at it—

A Grotesque.

A twisted, half-human creature with too many limbs and glowing red eyes.

Ryo's breath hitched.

In the novel, these things were low-level predators.

But that didn't mean they were weak.

If he hesitated—

It would kill him.

The Grotesque screeched and charged.

Ryo swung his crowbar—

It slammed into the creature's skull, sending it crashing to the ground.

But it wasn't dead.

It twisted unnaturally, screeching in rage.

Ryo clenched his jaw.

I need to finish this.

He raised his weapon again—

And drove it straight into the creature's head.

A wet, sickening crunch echoed through the tunnel.

Then—

> [You have slain a Grotesque.]

[Your role is changing…]

[Congratulations. You are now a Hunter.]

Ryo's breath caught.

It worked.

Then—

A new message appeared.

> [Hunter Ability Unlocked: Predator's Instinct (Lv.1)]

You can sense the location of nearby Prey.

Ryo's heartbeat quickened.

This wasn't just a survival game anymore.

He wasn't just running from death.

Now—

He was the hunter.

And the real game was about to begin.

---

To Be Continued…