Jacob learned that the Queen of Hearts had been defeated, along with other kings and queens. Unfortunately, as expected, many had died or been seriously injured.
Like Kuina, who had been stabbed in the arm and was now incapacitated from continuing to play. There were sacrifices as well, but as was Jacob's initial purpose, many of the Beach's experienced players managed to overcome the games despite their deaths.
Aguni's voice echoed in the darkness, a reassuring echo amidst Jacob's confusion. "Well, now that you're awake, it's time to move on to the next game. Everyone should gather at the designated point after the penultimate game. Hundreds of players have died, so those of us who are left should meet up there. Will you be able to move for this final game?"
Jacob nodded in the same way he would at any time and situation, his mind spinning to process the information Aguni had provided. Every word spoken by Aguni seemed to weigh on his heart, reminding him of the gravity of the situation they were in.
Aguni could sense the tension in the air, the weight of the losses and challenges they had faced so far.
"[Given the probabilities, the next game will be extreme, and physical strength will be required, something you lack at the moment, master, act with caution!]"
"In the calculations about the figure games, I knew that the Beach's players, who were the most experienced, could handle a figure game if we split up according to our abilities. Since we're at the very end, this game must be completed by everyone present."
"It seems you're even more terrifying than I imagined, to know everything that was going to happen and how you would pass the tests, you must have used a lot of people for that." Akane now seemed a bit more distant, although in reality, she didn't care about this.
Jacob felt a resurgence of strength within himself. Though the wounds plagued him, the advanced medication he had received allowed him to move with difficulty. With each movement, the pain seemed to throb in his body, but determination overshadowed the discomfort.
Finally, after eating something and drinking a bit of water, Jacob asked a question with his voice hollow from fatigue but still managed to ask: "How will we get to the meeting point?"
Aguni shared a detailed plan for reaching the location where they would meet with the other survivors. The information flowed into Jacob's mind, and he nodded as he absorbed every detail. Beside him, Akane, who had remained silent, listened attentively to the instructions.
"I hope you can move well enough with the medication we were able to provide. Not everyone is in perfect condition, so if you plan on entering a game with those wounds, the likelihood of you surviving without me is slim." Aguni spoke with a mixture of warning in his voice.
Jacob struggled to stand up, leaning against a nearby wall to maintain his balance. Despite the pain, the idea of the final reunion and the possibility of a last confrontation gave him renewed strength.
"Let's do this..." Jacob murmured, his voice steady despite everything, and added, "We need to gather with the others, as not everyone might be as intelligent as me."
Aguni nodded approvingly, his gaze filled with confidence in Jacob. "I expected nothing less from you, Jacob. You've helped everyone complete these games without expecting anything in return, so you have my respect."
Akane joined the group, her eyes reflecting the curiosity she felt about Jacob, and said, "Well, if we finish this game, it means we might all get to go back home, either together or individually. So, I hope we can at least uncover the truth."
The words resonated in the darkness, a silent pact between them. With each step they took, the pain in Jacob's body seemed to diminish in the face of the promise of a better future.
"I hope for that too..." Jacob said with a slight smile.
...
The journey to the final game zone was filled with desolate scenes. Jacob, Aguni, and Akane pressed forward with determination through the empty streets of the uninhabited city of Tokyo.
As they made their way, their eyes were drawn to the flashes in the sky, charred remnants of airships that had once been symbols of threat and game zones.
The twisted and fiery debris contrasted with the darkness of the night, an image that echoed the battles they had fought and the lives lost along the way.
The city lay before them like a nightmare landscape. Abandoned buildings stood as silent witnesses to the devastation that had occurred.
At every corner, debris served as a constant reminder of the struggle they had faced. The wind blew through the deserted streets, carrying with it the echo of their determination.
Finally, as they advanced, the view before them changed. A soft and steady glow cut through the darkness, drawing their gazes forward. With each step, the glow became more prominent, illuminating the night and revealing a monumental structure on the horizon.
A massive dome-shaped building stood before them, an array of light seeming to emanate from within it. The lights shimmered in the night, a beacon of hope amidst the desolation. The dome radiated in the nocturnal landscape, a sign that they had reached the location of the final game.
The hearts of Jacob, Aguni, and Akane beat with a renewed sense of purpose as they approached the building. The light guided their steps, a promise that they had reached the meeting point, the ultimate challenge they would face.
Upon entering the building, the dome turned into a sanctuary of light. The structure was vast and open, with lights filtering through the windows and bathing the space in brilliant clarity. The echo of their footsteps reverberated against the walls as their gazes met those of other survivors who had gathered at this point.
"We're in the final game!"