Horror momentarily froze every passenger as Who's head lay on the ground, creating an atmosphere of stupor in the subway. However, the surprise reached a new peak when blue pixels mysteriously sprang up, engulfing the bodies of Who and Is. Like a strange digital phenomenon, they disappeared before everyone's astonished eyes.
[Puzzle n°2: The Hunter
✓ Puzzle solved✓
Answer: The real hunter was the "spirit band". This blindfold attached itself to criminals or former prisoners, manipulating them to commit violent acts. It was necessary to neutralize the blindfold, not its victims, to end the riddle.
Elapsed time: 5 hours
Solver: Edano Takehiro]
[Counter: 228 088/240 069]
The terrifying din of the scene had just died down, leaving a shocked Metro in the face of the brutality of what had just unfolded.
Just then, a childish voice rang out again, cutting through the oppressive silence. "Well done, contributor Edano Takehiro, for solving this riddle," she declared in a jovial tone. "1000 coins have been added to your account. Keep up the good work in unlocking the mysteries of this world..."
The subway passengers exchanged puzzled glances, faced with the perplexity of supernatural events. Victory in this macabre game seemed to bring rewards, but at what price?
Edano, now bearing the title of contributor, remained impassive despite the tense atmosphere. "That's how this world works," he declared with a certain resignation. "You have to play by its rules to survive."
I let out a soft sigh. This bastard was stealing my thunder when I was the one who had organized everything.
Saé, looking curiously at my annoyed expression, asked in a questioning voice, "Why are you reacting like this?". I took a deep breath before explaining the ins and outs of my stratagem.
I then revealed my reasoning, explaining: "The riddle clearly stated that there was only one hunter for each dome. So why, every time one was neutralized, another one appeared? That's when I realized that the hunters couldn't be mere humans."
Then, when I saw that blindfold on the so-called hunter's head, as well as his demeanor... he was begging for help, as if he wasn't in control of his actions. That's when I realized that the real danger wasn't the man himself, but what was controlling him: that blindfold.
Saé, impressed by my deduction, seemed reassured. With success, we were able to continue with the rest of my plan unhindered. However, as the subway reached its destination, a question lingered in the back of my mind: why had the hunter targeted us primarily, when there were so many other people in Japan?
Bun didn't know it yet, but there was a reason why he and his group had been targeted.
As I held my head, closing my eyes to try and understand what was happening, a strange sensation came over me. I raised my head, eyes closed, trying to decipher this strange sensation. It was as if someone had penetrated my thoughts and was speaking directly into my mind. Intrigued, I couldn't help asking the others if they shared this experience.
"You heard that strange voice too, didn't you?" I asked, searching for answers among my companions. However, Edano quickly diverted the subject, giving me an incredulous look.
"Have you gone mad? Maybe you just need to rest a bit. These riddles are starting to go to your head," he replied skeptically, dismissing the idea in a mysterious voice.
My eyes landed on Saé, looking for confirmation or a sign of understanding in her gaze. However, she seemed hesitant, as if holding something back. I felt a slight unease, as if an invisible barrier prevented us from fully sharing our experiences.
"Saé, you felt something too, didn't you?" I asked insistently, but received only an ambiguous face from her.
After a few minutes' walk, we had arrived.
Lake Okutama lay before us, a serene expanse of crystal-clear water nestled in the heart of nature. Surrounded by majestic mountains and lush forests, the lake was a soothing sight. The shores were dotted with small paths where the murmur of the wind in the leaves and the gentle lapping of the water mingled.
Peaceful boats floated on the surface, creating gentle ripples with every movement. The mountains were perfectly reflected in the calm waters, creating a natural tableau of unparalleled beauty. A gentle breeze caressed our faces, carrying with it the fresh scent of the surrounding pines.
The silence of the place contrasted with the urban bustle we'd left behind. It was a place where time seemed suspended, inviting contemplation and reflection.
The tranquility of Lake Okutama contrasted with the lingering shadow of the unknown hovering over our shoulders. Saé, observing the surroundings, rightly noted that the place seemed unspoilt, far removed from the chaos that reigned in other parts of the world.
I tried to maintain a fragile optimism by explaining to her that perhaps, here, there was still hope. That perhaps the world was not yet totally plunged into darkness, offering a chance to save it. However, Edano, pragmatic as ever, put an end to our optimism by reminding us that it wouldn't last long, that the next enigma would soon begin, bringing with it its share of challenges and mysteries.
Aware of the need to prepare for the challenges ahead, I suggested we take advantage of the placidity of Lake Okutama to forage for provisions. Our stomachs were sounding hungry after several hours without food, and it was prudent to make sure we were ready for whatever lay ahead. My companions agreed, ready to embark on this new quest in the hope of finding the resources we needed to survive.