They started moving, their footsteps cautious but steady. Shadows stretched across their path, twisting and shifting with each step. Xia Yunfei kept her eyes fixed on the map's faint pulse, guiding them through the dark.
As they walked, the silence grew thicker, broken only by the occasional rustle or creak from the forest. Tension hung heavy in the air; every sound felt like a threat waiting to spring.
A young woman, barely older than Xia Yunfei, whispered from behind her, "Do you think we'll make it?"
Xia Yunfei glanced back, offering a steady look. "As long as we stick together and keep moving. Fear is natural, but letting it control you? That's what the System wants. Don't give it the satisfaction."
The woman nodded, her gaze determined but wary as she avoided the twigs sticking out.
Suddenly, a chill ran through the group as they sensed something—an invisible presence, a feeling of being watched. Xia Yunfei felt it too, a faint prickle at the back of her neck, as if the forest itself was alive and aware of their every move.
Then, just as they passed a dense thicket, she caught a glimpse of a figure in the shadows. He leaned against a tree, half-hidden in darkness, watching them with a calm, predatory intensity. His dark attire blended seamlessly with the shadows, but his eyes gleamed, catching the faintest sliver of light.
He smirked, a cold expression that sent a chill down her spine.
"It made you the group's leader? It paired us together??" he asked, his voice low and mocking, his gaze lingering on Xia Yunfei.
Before she could respond, he faded back into the darkness, his presence vanishing like smoke. Xia Yunfei clenched her fists, her heart pounding.
"Keep moving," she ordered, her voice firm. She wouldn't let them see her fear. She had people to lead, and now, with the System's mark of leadership on her, she couldn't afford to hesitate.
Xia Yunfei led the group carefully down the winding forest path, every step feeling like an endless journey through the shadows. The faint light of the map still glowed softly in her hand, but she could sense it—whatever this "beacon" was, they weren't there yet. Instead, they trudged forward, tired, wary, and bracing themselves for the unknown.
Then, through the dense tree line, the dim outlines of structures began to emerge. Xia Yunfei slowed, eyes narrowing as she made out the faint shapes of several small cabin houses scattered ahead, tucked deep into the forest as if waiting for them.
"What is this…?" she whispered, though part of her was relieved to see something—anything—that felt like shelter.
The others slowed, murmuring in low voices, their steps cautious but tinged with curiosity. The distrustful man sneered. "So this is where the System's dumped us for the night?"
One of the other participants, a young woman with short, black hair and a nervous expression, whispered, "It's… kind of eerie, isn't it?"
Xia Yunfei ignored their comments, stepping up to the first cabin and pushing open the door, which creaked under her touch. Inside, she found a simple but strangely orderly setup: a narrow bed, a table, and a small chest of drawers. The furnishings were sparse but oddly suited for survival, with provisions tucked neatly into a corner.
Turning back, she noticed a plaque mounted beside the doorway, glowing faintly in the dark. Her own number, 001, was engraved into the metal, her new title as Team Leader marked clearly beneath it.
At that moment, she heard another voice call out, "Hey, there are rooms upstairs!" She climbed the narrow staircase, the wooden steps creaking, and found herself in a large room at the end of the corridor with another plaque engraved with 001.
She glanced back as the others began to wander into the cabins, some with mild fascination, others with guarded suspicion. Each room bore a number corresponding to each participant's rank, clearly marking them in some twisted hierarchy. The distrustful man's plaque bore 0489 and was on the ground floor, his room much smaller and less furnished than hers.
"Hah, figures they'd give the 'leader' the best room," he muttered from behind her, folding his arms as he leaned against the door frame, his eyes narrowed. "Not that it means much in this place, does it?"
Ignoring him, Xia Yunfei walked to the window, looking out at the cabins scattered around them. A shiver ran through her as she considered what this setup meant—why had the System given them such specific accommodations? Was this another test? And why this eerie, orderly semblance of comfort?
Suddenly, the System's voice echoed through the space, cold and detached, echoing across all the cabins.
[Notice: Participants are to remain in their designated quarters. Teamwork is encouraged for survival. The next trial begins at dawn.]
Murmurs of frustration and fear spread through the group, everyone's eyes darting from one cabin to another.
"So, it's really a… rest period?" one of the participants asked aloud, incredulity and skepticism blending in her voice.
Xia Yunfei glanced back at the man marked 0489. "Believe it or not, we'll need the rest. We don't know what the System will throw at us next."
The distrustful man rolled his eyes. "Easy for you to say with your private suite up there. What makes you so sure this isn't some trap?"
She gave him a hard look, voice low. "None of us are safe. We're all in this game together, so I suggest you save your complaints for later—when we have a choice."
After a tense pause, he gave a grudging nod, moving back to his own cabin.
"You all go back to the your rooms and get some rest."
Yunfei turned and walked up the stairs, she didn't know why the system gave her a room upstairs but she knew it wasn't because she was the team leader.
As Xia Yunfei finally settled into her cabin, she took a moment to breathe deeply, trying to shake off the tension that hung thick in the air. The silence was abruptly broken by a soft knock at her window.
It opened and she found Mo Ran leaning casually against the frame, his expression a mix of curiosity and amusement. There was something unsettling yet compelling about him, an aura of control that was hard to ignore.
"Interesting choice, choosing to lead," he said, tilting his head slightly as he assessed her. "Most would shy away from the responsibility in a place like this."
Xia raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Leading isn't about choice. It's about survival. If I can keep my team together, we have a better chance of making it through this."
Mo Ran's smile deepened, but there was a cool edge to it. "Survival, yes. But have you thought about what that really means? In a game where alliances can shift like the wind, trust is a dangerous gamble."
"I'm aware," she replied, her voice steady. "But I'm not about to throw my team under the bus to play it safe. We need each other to face whatever the System throws our way. And I don't plan on dying here."
He chuckled softly, his gaze unwavering. "You've got fire, Xia Yunfei. I like that. But it can burn you, too. Watch your back, even among your own."
Xia leaned against the doorframe, matching his intensity. "And what about you, Overseer? How do I know you're not watching for a weakness to exploit?"
"Fair question," he replied, straightening up. "But I'm not your enemy—at least, not yet. I'm here to observe, to ensure the System's rules are followed. How you navigate this game is entirely up to you."
"Is that your way of saying you don't interfere?" she asked, skepticism creeping into her tone.
"Interfere? No. I'm here to oversee. But I might lend a hand if I find it… entertaining." His eyes sparkled with mischief, as if he relished the thought of chaos.
"Entertaining for you, maybe," Xia shot back. "But I'm not here to amuse anyone. I have a goal, and I'll do whatever it takes to achieve it."
"Ambition. A good trait to have in this environment. Just remember, ambition can lead to both greatness and downfall," he cautioned, his tone shifting slightly. "Stay sharp, stay aware. You can't trust the System, and you can't trust everyone around you."
"I won't forget that," she said, determination lacing her voice. "But I also won't let fear dictate my choices."
Mo Ran regarded her for a moment, his expression contemplative. "I admire your resolve. Just be careful. The line between leader and liability is thin, and this System has a way of testing it. Don't think it likes you, it just wants to break you. Only special people have 001 in their ranks. I'm curious to see what you're going to achieve."
With that, he took a step back, the moment stretching between them. "I'll be watching, Xia Yunfei. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need… guidance."