The dim light of the arena flickered as Daniel collapsed to the ground, clutching his chest. His breath was shallow, but he was alive. The timer above him ticked its final second before blaring a sharp tone:
"Trial One Complete. Participants Remaining: 687."
Daniel's vision blurred as the voice of the administrator rang out, emotionless and mechanical.
"Survivors, prepare for transport."
The next moment, Daniel found himself in a large hall, surrounded by the remaining participants. The atmosphere was tense, fear and exhaustion painted across every face. Some cried silently, others stared at the ground. The psychological scars of the first trial were evident.
A bold man with a booming voice broke the silence. "After all we've been through, the least you could do is reward us for surviving!"
His words ignited murmurs among the crowd.
"He's right."
"What's the point if we don't get anything?"
Others remained quiet, the memory of the punishment for disobedience still fresh.
The administrator's voice cut through the unrest.
"Rooms and roommates will be assigned shortly. Food will be provided. Rest until the next trial begins."
The crowd's dissatisfaction grew louder.
"Rewards will soon be distributed."
The murmurs subsided as everyone processed the announcement.
---
Daniel found himself assigned to a small, plain room with two others.
The first was a sharp-eyed girl with long hair tied back. She scrutinized him before cracking a faint smile. "Daniel Evans...from Jameson High, right?"
He hesitated. "Yeah. And you are?"
"Naomi King," she said, leaning against the wall. "We graduated together. Well, you graduated. I just barely made it."
The second roommate, Nicolas, entered last. His piercing glare locked onto Daniel immediately.
"You," Nicolas growled, his voice dripping with disdain.
Daniel's heart sank. He remembered Nicolas now. A freshman from his school—bright, ambitious, but someone whose life had spiraled after a bullying incident. Daniel had walked away from the scene, unwilling to get involved.
Naomi surprised, intervened "You know each other", "He is the reason my life is ruined, and how I ended up in this mess" Nicolas spat. "You watched them beat me, and you did nothing. And then... and then..."
Daniel opened his mouth but couldn't find the words.
"Enough," Naomi said, stepping between them. "Save it for later. We've got bigger problems."
---
Food trays slid under the doors. Bread, water, and meat. The sight of the meat immediately raised suspicions.
"What if it's the others who died..
?" someone whispered nearby.
Naomi grabbed her portion and sat next to Daniel. "You're not eating?"
He shook his head.
"Suit yourself." She began eating, though her expression betrayed her unease. "Might as well get used to this. It's our reality now."
Daniel frowned. "You seem...oddly calm about all this."
She laughed bitterly. "Calm? Sure. After everything I've been through, what's another nightmare? I'm just surprised we don't even get rewards after surviving."
Daniel said nothing.
Naomi sighed. "You know, after all I've done to make it this far, I thought there'd be something. Anything."
---
The administrator's voice returned.
"Apologies for the delay. Rewards for surviving Trial One will now be distributed. Rewards are randomized and may vary."
Excitement rippled through the room. Some participants received glowing items, perks or injections; others stared at their empty hands, their frustration mounting.
Daniel glanced at Naomi, who clenched her fists. "Randomized? That's...ridiculous."
A new wave of dissent broke out among those who received nothing. Angry voices rose, demanding fairness.
The administrator interrupted.
"It appears dissatisfaction remains. While I empathize with your frustration, we did not expect this much would survive, but, I also desire a more entertaining experience. As a remedy, a Side Trial will begin immediately."
The room fell silent.
"You will have 10 minutes to steal perks from one another. Killing is permitted. Those who survive may keep their stolen rewards. Begin."
---
The participants were transported into a massive, dimly lit hall. The walls seemed to pulse with energy, casting ominous shadows across the floor. Everyone glanced around nervously, trying to gauge the situation.
"The Side Trial begins now. You have 10 minutes to steal perks and kill others to take what they have. Survive, and you may keep your stolen rewards. Begin."
The administrator's voice cut off, and chaos exploded instantly.
Screams filled the air as people lunged at one another, fists, weapons, and raw desperation driving their actions.
Daniel's heart raced. He glanced at Naomi, who looked unusually calm.
"Stay close," she said, grabbing his arm.
They tried to weave through the chaos, avoiding the clashing bodies. But they didn't get far before two men, their eyes wild with greed, stepped in their way.
"Hand over your rewards," one snarled, brandishing a jagged metal pipe.
Daniel raised his hands defensively, stepping in front of Naomi. "We don't want trouble."
"Too bad," the second man sneered, lunging forward.
Daniel barely dodged the attack. Naomi shoved him aside and countered with a well-placed kick, knocking the first man back.
The second man swung his pipe at Naomi. She ducked, but the weapon grazed her arm, drawing blood. She gritted her teeth and retaliated with a punch to his face.
Daniel scrambled to his feet and tackled the first man, wrestling the pipe away. With a surge of desperation, he swung it, hitting the man squarely in the chest. The man crumpled to the ground, unmoving.
Breathing heavily, Daniel turned to see Naomi locked in a fierce struggle with the second attacker. The man had her pinned against the wall, his hands tightening around her throat.
"Naomi!"
Daniel ran forward, slamming the pipe into the man's side. He groaned and released her, stumbling back. Naomi didn't hesitate. She grabbed a shard of glass from the ground and plunged it into the man's neck.
Blood sprayed as he collapsed.
Naomi stared at his lifeless body, her hands trembling.
"Naomi," Daniel said, his voice shaky. "We need to keep moving."
She nodded, wiping her hands on her pants.
They moved cautiously through the chaos, stepping over bodies and avoiding other fights. But just as they reached a clearing, a familiar voice froze Daniel in his tracks.
"You're not getting away that easily, Daniel."
Daniel turned to see Nicolas standing a few feet away, his body glowing faintly with stolen perks. His eyes burned with hatred.
"Nicolas, we don't have to do this," Daniel said.
"Oh, but we do," Nicolas growled, stepping closer. "You ruined my life. Now I'm going to end yours."
Without warning, Nicolas charged.
Daniel barely had time to react. He raised the pipe to block Nicolas's attack but was overpowered. Nicolas was faster, stronger, and relentless.
The force of the blows drove Daniel to his knees. He gasped for air as Nicolas loomed over him, ready to deliver the final strike.
"Get up, Daniel!" Naomi shouted, rushing to help.
But Nicolas turned on her, kicking her aside. She hit the ground hard, groaning in pain.
Fueled by desperation, Daniel used one of his perks—a small vial he had pocketed earlier. He smashed it on the ground, releasing a blinding flash of light.
Nicolas stumbled, disoriented. Seizing the moment, Daniel lunged forward, driving the jagged edge of the pipe into Nicolas's chest.
Nicolas gasped, his eyes wide with shock, before collapsing.
Bloodied and exhausted, Daniel staggered back, dropping the pipe. Naomi crawled to her feet and grabbed his arm.
"Come on," she said, pulling him up. "We need to get out of here."
They ran, dodging the remaining fights, until they found an empty room.
---
Once inside, Naomi locked the door and leaned against it, panting.
Daniel sat on the floor, clutching his side. "Thanks...for the save."
Naomi looked at him, her expression unreadable. "You helped me first, but still, I didn't do it for you."
Daniel blinked. "What do you mean?"
She sighed, crossing her arms. "I used to resent you too. You always seemed so...untouchable. Like nothing ever affected you. But now, seeing you like this...I don't know."
Daniel didn't respond.
Naomi's eyes narrowed. "By the way, Daniel...how many perks did you get?"
Her question hung in the air as the atmosphere started to get tense.