"Hoo... That was something extreme. How many people must have survived?" Since this is a team test, there must be someone else to continue to the next phase, but most likely, the majority will die.
Jacob didn't discover any riddles or traps in these tests, so he couldn't think of any other way to overcome this phase of the test other than climbing. He had a strength that was at the peak of adult humans; he had trained a lot in the previous world, and all his stats remained the same since he is in his avatar, so his skills are indeed monstrous.
Right now, all of Jacob's muscles felt numb, his heart was pumping blood intensely through his veins, and his breathing needed time to stabilize. Usagi wasn't a heavy girl, but she carried at least 70 kilograms of equipment, including her weapons, boots, vest, and other tools.
If he had brought his rifle, surviving this test would have been ten times more difficult than it is now. Therefore, he was at least satisfied that this test was physical and that they were given the option to choose.
Looking at the shelf they were on, it was connected to certain machines, and it seemed like this field would be the next test. Therefore, when Jacob looked down and saw the entire structure connected to different things unlike the others, he knew it was a structure connected for all players.
So, those who passed this phase of the game would climb up to the shelf they were on. Having made this observation, Jacob determined that the next phase of the test would be a player confrontation.
"Are you okay?" Usagi, after looking around, saw Jacob with his eyes closed and asked, "Do you need help getting up?"
Jacob shook his head and, after calming his whole body, said, "No, the next phase of the test should be starting."
"Here, this test doesn't seem to require anything more than skill, and it's possibly a confrontation." Usagi had been observing the place and determined that it was a confrontation test.
Having come this far, the remaining players should be very tired, and that varies depending on who is carrying their partner. Jacob, who held his shotgun, looked at the other places where people could appear, and so far, there was no one.
At that moment, a hand held onto a metal pipe, and then a duo of competitors managed to climb to the top. They were the two adult men who had greeted Jacob, so their strategy must have been good to reach this place.
Time kept running, and in the end, another duo of young players reached the top, leaving only 6 people out of the 20 who had participated in the game.
"There are four people, three of whom are armed." Jacob reminded Usagi, who was crouching on the metal pipes.
"[Tilín, tilín, tintín!]"
"[Congratulations for passing this test. The next test is called: Deadly Arena!]"
"[Rules to win this round: Eliminate all the remaining players on the stage; the victorious duo will win this game.]"
There was a dead silence in the surroundings. Jacob, standing, signaled to Usagi not to stand up and looked at the four people who were in two different directions.
"Do we have to kill each other? That's insane, man!"
"Do you think the rules mean that?"
The old man who greeted Jacob said, "Yes, it's a shame!"
Bang!
Moments later, one of the young men's head exploded like a watermelon, and the duo of old men killed him so quickly that he didn't have time to comprehend his own death.
Jacob didn't waste time and fired his shotgun rapidly. The pellets hit the metal pipes, and sparks flew everywhere. Usagi, who was below Jacob, didn't waste time and fired from a blind angle.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Ahhh!!! You son of a bitch!"
Jacob and Usagi were in the shelf, ready to face the two old men and the defiant young man. Both teams were armed: Jacob and Usagi had shotguns, while the old men and the young man had pistols. Tension filled the air, and everyone knew this battle would be intense.
"Do you think you can defeat us, inexperienced youngsters? We have been through wars and battles much tougher than this."
"It seems like that bullet in your friend's leg says otherwise. Let the young ones live and die honorably!" Jacob loaded more shells into his shotgun and prepared to fire.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The battle began with bursts of gunfire and thunderous echoes resonating in the alcove. Jacob and Usagi moved with agility, taking cover and shooting with precision.
"Usagi, on the right! Cover me as I approach," Jacob called out, waiting for Usagi's response. She replied, "Got it, Jacob!"
Usagi provided cover fire as Jacob swiftly advanced towards one of the elders. However, amidst the exchange of gunfire, Jacob took a hit on his shoulder, causing him to recoil.
"Jacob!" Usagi shouted in alarm.
"It's just a graze, not a serious wound," Jacob frowned as he reloaded his shotgun.
Despite his injury, Jacob remained steadfast and continued to fight. Usagi approached him, providing support and additional cover fire.
"We need to be faster!" Usagi declared, determined.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gunshots and bullet ricochets continued to echo in the alcove. Jacob and Usagi moved with skill and agility, while the elders and the young player demonstrated their experience in these games.
"Usagi, we have to press them! Let's go for the young one first," Jacob asserted, knowing they couldn't advance without eliminating the most troublesome target, the sole surviving youth from the opposing duo.
"Let's go together!" Usagi was ready to move forward.
Jacob and Usagi synchronized their movements, launching an offensive against the defiant young player. Despite his youth, the young player displayed great skill, evading shots and counterattacking with precision.
However, under the dual assault, the young player was first injured in the leg and then his head exploded from a shotgun blast delivered by Jacob.
"I need you to keep them occupied. I'll flank them while you shoot," Jacob suggested an optimal plan to proceed.
Usagi was ready, and the plan was set in motion. Jacob ran, blood spilling and sweat drenching his body. Every move was crucial, every shot and strike carried the intensity of the moment.
Finally, Jacob slid into cover and with his Glock pistol, eliminated the two elders who were reloading their weapons.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Hoo... Hoo..." Smoke billowed from the barrel of Jacob's pistol as he looked at the lifeless bodies of the elders.
"We did it, Usagi!"
"[Tilín, tilín, tintín!]"
"[Congratulations on winning this game. Both players must proceed to the exit via the descent from the alcoves.]"
Jacob glanced at the descent and let out a relieved sigh. At least they didn't have to go back down the way they had climbed. After collecting the weapons from the fallen opponents, they silently made their way back to the car.