The man, whose hair was practically non-existent, giving him a bald appearance, continued to stroke his head as if he were adorned with a full head of hair. This physical contradiction added to his strange aura, giving the impression that he was maintaining an illusion of hair where there was none.
The words he had just spoken, concerning the sea imbued with the powers of ambrosia, were difficult for some to comprehend.
"Is what this guy says true?"
"He's just drunk..."
"After all... Do we have any other choice?"
The idea that seawater could confer invulnerability seemed almost too fantastic to be true, but in this world of extreme survival, no possibility could be ruled out.
Faced with this revelation, some people, seeing no other means of survival, decided to dive headfirst into the pool to drink greedily from the water imbued with the powers of ambrosia. Everyone seemed to have made up their minds, ready to seize this opportunity to survive at all costs.
Taking advantage of this moment of pause, Saé seized the opportunity to ask a question of the man who had gotten them out of a dead end.
"I wanted to thank you."
"Pardon?"
"Thanks to you, we were able to get out of this dead end. However, I still have one question."
"Oh yes, what is it?"
"How come you have ambrosia?"
Banno, the balding man who was always quick to stroke his head as if he had a tuft of hair, replied to Saé in a calm and composed voice.
"Oh, that! My group and I just found it on the ground before the puzzle began. There was a note that said this fruit grants invincibility."
Although he seemed convincing, his explanation seemed somewhat evasive. Saé, although she had doubts about the truth of his words, decided to wait and see for now.
Meanwhile, the group led by Yoneda, dressed elegantly and distinguished from the other survivors, approached Banno, who had thwarted their plans by infusing the seawater with the powers of ambrosia. Yoneda, visibly disturbed by this stratagem, approached Banno with a certain stiffness, seeking answers to their questions.
"Who are you? You seem to know a lot."
Banno, for his part, seemed completely unaffected by the palpable tension in the air. He greeted the confrontation with an amused smile, teasing Yoneda.
"Really, is that your name?"
He introduced himself in a relaxed manner.
"Call me Banno, and no, I don't know anything, but..."
His words were tinged with slight sarcasm, but his voice remained calm and controlled. He explained to Yoneda that he had acted in this way in response to individuals like him and his group, who seemed to deprive others of their freedom.
"Stop always wanting a monopoly by ignoring others, just for your own benefit."
The scene revealed a striking contrast between the haughty bearing of Yoneda and his group, dressed elegantly despite the circumstances, and the relaxed nonchalance of Banno, whose attire was more modest but whose attitude was marked by quiet confidence.
While Banno and Yoneda's group was absorbed in their heated debate, Saé and her team seized the opportunity to head for the field they had initially identified.
"Let's take advantage of this opportunity to leave, now that everyone is preoccupied with their own business."
As they reached the designated area, a glimmer of uncertainty flashed across Ishikawa's eyes. Saé, attentive as always, immediately noticed the subtle change in his mood and walked over to him, concerned for his well-being.
"Ishikawa, is everything okay?" she asked softly, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Ishikawa tried to hide his unease behind a smile, claiming that everything was under control. However, Saé was not so easily fooled. With her keen observational skills, she was able to see deeper than others, and therefore knew when something was wrong.
"You don't need to put on an act with me, Ishikawa," she said calmly. "You know I can see through your smiles."
Reluctantly, Ishikawa confided in Saé, sharing his inner turmoil. "Actually... I feel guilty for betraying them. For betraying the trust of those who believed in me in order to side with you." He also expressed his remorse for compromising his own values and changing his beliefs to suit himself.
Saé listened attentively, absorbing his words with empathy. After Ishikawa finished speaking, a gentle smile appeared on Saé's face, offering him silent but comforting support.
"Ishikawa, nobody is perfect," she began gently. "We all have our moments of weakness and doubt. What matters is recognizing our mistakes and learning from our experiences. You did what you thought was right at the time, and that's all that matters. Don't torment yourself with the past. Look to the future and remember that you are a human being with strengths and weaknesses, just like the rest of us."
Saé's comforting words enveloped Ishikawa in a sense of relief and understanding. He felt freed from the weight of his guilt, knowing that he had the right to make mistakes and grow from them. In the calm of that moment, he realized that he had found in Saé not only a friend, but also a compassionate and wise confidante.
As they stood on the ground, Saé watched with growing apprehension as a crack opened in the sky, tearing the azure canvas with a mysterious and disturbing force.
A violet light burst forth from this celestial crevice, emanating a strange and sinister aura that seemed to permeate the air with unease. The edges of the crack appeared to tremble and undulate like a distortion in reality itself. Saé and her team couldn't take their eyes off this supernatural spectacle, feeling a cold fear creep into their beings as they contemplated the inexplicable.
Suddenly, strange creatures emerged from the crack, rushing onto the grounds of Okutama with savage ferocity. Their grotesque forms and erratic movements seemed to defy logic, adding to the horror of the situation. Saé and her team were caught off guard by this unexpected attack, realizing that their already chaotic world now faced an even greater and unknown threat.
The crack in the sky was like a breach in reality itself, pouring a flood of danger and uncertainty upon them. Saé couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness in the face of this uncontrollable force, as her senses were overwhelmed by the tumult of events unfolding before her eyes.
Panic broke out as monsters emerged, spreading terror among the survivors. In the chaotic turmoil, heart-wrenching screams mingled with cries, creating a cacophony of despair.
Knowing that danger was imminent, Ishikawa reacted quickly, drawing on his new special abilities. With determination, he summoned the power of his "Athena's Shield!", forming a huge holographic shield in front of them. Like an impenetrable rampart, it repelled the monsters' attacks, keeping them at bay.
"There's nothing to worry about, I can maintain this shield all night," Ishikawa assured his companions, Sae, Edano, and Bun. "You can rest safely."
Sae, grateful for Ishikawa's help, understood that this was his way of redeeming himself from his guilt. Although she was touched by his gesture, she did not try to dissuade him, simply expressing her gratitude.
Meanwhile, Bun quietly slipped out of their field of vision, curious to observe the situation unfolding around them. In the shadow of the tumultuous events, he hoped to find a way out.
When she woke up, Saé found Ishikawa slumped on the ground, exhausted from staying up all night. Although tired, he was still alive, meaning he hadn't lost any health points. Next to him, Bun remained in the same state, seemingly frozen in his deep distress and anxiety.
As they prepared to face a new day, a notification popped up, warning them that the explosions were imminent.
[The explosions will take place in 3 minutes.
From now on, you cannot leave your territory until the explosions are over!]
The countdown began, plunging everyone into palpable tension. Eyes were glued to the screen, hearts were pounding, and everyone wondered whether their strategy of forming majority and minority groups would prove effective, or whether those who had chosen to defy the system, the group of rebels, would emerge victorious.
[Time remaining before the explosions:
- 1 minute.]
[Time remaining before the explosions:
- 50 seconds.]
[Time remaining before the explosions:
- 20 seconds.]
[Time remaining before the explosions:
- 5 seconds.]
[The explosions are about to go off!]
The countdown ended in oppressive silence, then the first explosions rang out. Their roar was deafening, shattering the silence of the forest. These explosions, though terrifying, also signaled the end of the mystery, the conclusion of the nightmare that had taken hold of their lives.
After the din of the explosions, Saé slowly opened her eyes, her heart still pounding. Ishikawa was there, unharmed, untouched by the explosions. It was an indescribable relief, confirmation that they had made the right choice of location.
The survivors let out a cry of joy, their hearts filled with immeasurable relief. They had just survived another mystery, but their joy was short-lived.
"I can't believe it, we're still alive!"
"We did it, we're not dead!"
"Ono's plan wasn't so bad after all."
"Please, to..."
Their faces darkened as they realized that some of their group had not been so lucky, exploding into dust before their horrified eyes. The loss of a member of their group meant that they too would die, for they were bound together. This event revealed the harsh reality of their existence in this ruthless game where every decision could be fatal.
The festive atmosphere quickly dissipated, replaced by a feeling of despair and resignation. The survivors knew that this victory was tinged with sadness and that greater horrors awaited them. Edano looked at Saé, his eyes expressing both relief at still being alive and the weight of the burden they now carried. "We are still alive, but this puzzle has left its mark," he said, looking at Bun.
[Puzzle #3: -The Invulnerable Beings-
✓Puzzle solved✓
Answer: The crucial clue ~The bomb must be defused implied a thorough exploration of Okutama. Beyond simply locating the bomb, Okutama held three key opportunities: a secondary riddle from Hebe offering ambrosia, a mystical cave offering a protective cloak to reduce damage, and finally a prophetic book. The judicious use of these resources made it possible to overcome the riddle without suffering any loss of life points.
Time elapsed: 4 days
Solvers: Bun Chokan, Sae Kiryū, Edano Takehiro, Ryo Kanjo, Ike Juichi]
Then the childlike voice rang out again, congratulating the survivors on their success in the puzzle. "Well done, dear solvers, for triumphing over this puzzle. There are 48 of you who have survived!" In a cheerful tone, she added, "If you want answers to your questions, go to Hakone by following the shortcut that has been revealed to you. The domes have been left open for the moment. Hurry!"
"Go to Hakone?"
"What's more, she's already told us which way to go, it's not complicated!"
At first, the survivors thought it would be easy. They felt confident, ready to face the next stage of their journey without too much difficulty.
However, their confidence was quickly shaken when they tried to leave Okutama.
"This isn't right. I'm sure we've been here before, haven't we?"
"What are you talking about? You must be tired."
But Sae realized what was happening.
"No, he's right... I feel like we're trapped in some kind of maze."
[A secret puzzle has been unlocked!]