2 - Chapter

Darkness.

Cold, endless.

I am here again.

In the void.

A system window flashes before me, and a familiar mechanical voice begins to speak:

[Welcome to the game.]

[You have been killed 99 times.]

[You are now in round two.]

[The rules remain unchanged.]

I clench my teeth.

[You can't attack.]

[You can't escape beyond the level borders.] [You can't die in front of other players until you reach the final stage.]

I already knew this.

The dog was the bait.

I had relaxed too much.

The cafe was the first lap. I managed to survive it, but I couldn't survive round two.

The red garden was round two.

What's next?

The world went dark again.

And then a bright light.

And I woke up.

I opened my eyes suddenly.

All around me was a city street.

The murmur of distant voices. Lanterns casting a faint light.

I'm here again.

Back at the beginning of the second round.

- Shit...

My body remembered the pain. Remembered the knife stabbing into my back, the way the floor hit me with its icy breath.

But I'm alive.

Behind me was a familiar sound.

Footsteps.

Heavy, slow.

My heart clenched.

I didn't turn around.

I knew who it was.

He was already there.

I jumped out of my seat, almost tripping.

The blurry faces of people who didn't even turn their heads flashed by.

They didn't see me.

They didn't see him.

The system had said he couldn't kill me in front of the others, but I knew that wasn't going to save me.

I ran to the only place I knew.

The coffee shop.

The door swung open and I stepped inside, breathing heavily.

The room was as quiet as it had ever been.

Waiters walked between tables, faceless customers drank coffee.

I walked over to the same table as last time and sank into a chair.

I reached for the menu with shaking hands, but I didn't read it.

I just tried to pretend that everything was okay.

That I didn't feel his gaze outside the door.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself.

I have to hang on.

Coffee.

The last time I drank it, my head cleared. The system even showed a message, "Vigor +3 hours."

So it's not a coincidence.

If coffee helps me concentrate, I need more.

I raised my hand and a waiter came right over.

- Four cups of coffee, please.

The waiter nodded silently, but didn't leave.

He held out his hand.

- 15 silver coins.

I blinked.

- What? - The first cup was free. The rest was for money.

I felt cold sweat running down my back.

The first one was free?

I didn't even think about it last time. I just had a drink, that's all.

So the game had given me a small head start, but not anymore.

I quickly opened the characterization window, hoping that I had some money.

[Inventory:].

- 0 silver coins.

Crap.

I can't even afford a cup.

I swallowed, feeling the panic come back in waves.

I don't have any money.

But I need coffee.

I looked at the waiter, trying to look confident.

- Could I have... another free cup?

He looked at me as if he'd just heard the dumbest request of his life.

- You only get one free cup," his voice was emotionless, as if pre-programmed.

I clenched my fists.

It wasn't going to be that easy.

- But this is my first time here-" I made an innocent face. - I just didn't remember drinking coffee.

The waiter didn't react.

- The first cup had already been taken.

- But...

Shit.

I couldn't afford to waste time. How much power did I have left?

I opened the system window and froze.

[Remaining vitality: 1 hour and 42 minutes.] Less than two hours.

After that, I'll get sluggish again and won't be able to react quickly.

I took a deep breath.

If they wouldn't give me coffee, I'd have to ask for something else.

- Do you have anything free? You know, like... a treat or a sampler?

The waiter blinked slowly, as if analyzing my request.

- We're having a special today," he finally said. - A free muffin for new customers.

My heart leapt with joy.

Bingo!

- Then I'll take the muffin!

The waiter nodded and left, and I leaned back in my chair and exhaled in relief.

Okay, it wasn't coffee, but it was something.

If coffee made me feel awake, maybe food would too.

When the waiter returned and placed the muffin in front of me, I immediately opened the system window.

[Item information:] - Chocolate muffin.

- Effect: "Restores focus for 30 minutes. Makes you feel a little better."

Great!

I picked up the cupcake and took a bite.

It was sweet, soft, but most importantly, I immediately felt the heaviness in my head lift a bit.

I've got to take advantage of every opportunity this game has to offer.

I finished my muffin, but the respite was short-lived.

Just like last time, people began to leave the cafe.

They got up from their seats and walked out - silent, synchronized, like programmed puppets.

I didn't want to be alone.

If I went with them, he couldn't kill me.

But this time I was smarter.

As I passed the tables, I quickly grabbed my fork and hid it in my sleeve.

This time I wouldn't be defenseless.

We walked outside.

I could feel his eyes on me.

He was somewhere nearby.

But as long as I was in the crowd, he could do nothing.

Just like last time, I reached this strange public park.

A scarlet garden.

Red leaves rushed under my feet. The air smelled damp and metallic.

I looked down at my hand.

The fork was gone.

I froze.

What? I frantically checked my pockets, my sleeves - but it was gone.

And then a system window appeared before my eyes:

[Warning! Player is prohibited from using weapons.]

Shit! - Really...? – I whispered.

My only defense was gone.

I had nothing left.

If the system forbids weapons, then I must have another way to defend myself.

I took a quick look around.

Find a clue. Anything.

Scarlet leaves swaying in the breeze. Red trees reaching up. Benches covered with dark stains.

I turned sharply and looked at the men sitting in the park.

Perhaps one of them would help me.

But they acted just like the men in the cafe. Blurred faces, slow movements, complete indifference.

As if they were just part of the scenery.

No. They wouldn't help.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to remember the details of the last time.

And then it hit me.

The dog.

The last time I petted the dog.

What if it was the trigger?

What if it wasn't me this time?

I froze, listening to the stillness of the park.

Somewhere behind me there was a familiar sound - light paws on the ground, soft breathing.

It was coming closer.

If I'm right...

I took a step aside. ...then I might have a chance to avoid this trap.