"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Jason burst forth from the side.

Levi stayed quiet, mostly because Mimi had already chimed in.

"Correct!"

Mimi giggled, spinning once in the air. "For your information, Musical Chairs is considered one of the more exciting early-round games! Especially when selected as the First Game!"

Celine’s brows drew together. "...First Game?"

"Yup yup!" Mimi raised one tiny arm as if giving a classroom lecture. "When Musical Chairs appears as the First Game, the average mortality rate is approximately sixty percent!"

Sixty-percent...? That much?!

Deon glanced over at Levi, who was now avoiding eye contact.

Did that actor know that and made the call accordingly? And how am I the difference maker here?

Jason stared at Levi, then back at Mimi. His face had lost most of its color. "Then he’s right...?"

It placed one ribbon-like ear against its cheek, pretending to think. "Hmm...based on current team composition, terrain disadvantage, active Horde size, and most importantly...individual combat proficiency—"

Mimi pointed cheerfully at Levi, then at Deon.

"Yes! These two have the highest projected survival probability within Team 1! Congratulations!"

And with another spin, it disappeared in a burst of confetti, vanishing as fast as it appeared.

For a moment, only the timer remained.

02:41

02:40

02:39

The translucent barrier around the bridge flickered faintly as more Hounds gathered outside it, their claws scraping uselessly against the invisible wall.

But now Deon could see it clearly. A few Infantry had started to pile up as well, pounding against the barrier.

"Tch. Fine."

Hana looked toward him. "Deon..."

"Don’t look at me like that," he muttered. "I’m not doing this because he told me to."

Deon selected [Shop], then focused on the newly revealed option beneath it.

[Levels]

A new panel unfolded in front of him.

[Current Level: 0]

[Available Points: 39]

[Purchase Level 1?]

[Cost: 1 Point]

"What are the prices for purchasing Levels?" Deon looked up to Levi and asked.

"The cost doubles every time you purchase a Level," the actor answered without a care in the world.

So he’s not even hiding the fact that he knows it...

Whatever, with my 39 Points, if the cost doubles every Level, I should be able to buy five Levels.

Damn it...let’s hope it’s worth more than an Uncommon Card.

[Level 1 Purchased.]

[Level 2 Purchased.]

[Level 3 Purchased.]

[Level 4 Purchased.]

[Level 5 Purchased.]

Deon felt the change in his body immediately.

There was no dramatic flash or aura wrapping around his body like the RPG games he used to play. Instead, it felt like his body had suddenly become...better and his mind clearer.

It felt like his body had gotten rid of some of the excessive movements while the connection between it and the brain became noticeably faster. When he flexed his fingers, he could feel the energy stored within them.

Levi watched him carefully. "Feel it?"

Deon closed his hand into a fist.

"...Yeah."

"That’s why Points matter."

Deon looked up, eyes hard. "Don’t sound so proud. I still don’t trust you."

Hana tugged at his shirt a second after. She was looking at her own panel, lips pressed together.

Deon glanced over. "Something wrong?"

Hana hesitated, then said quietly, "I only have two Points."

Shit, that’s right...I’ve been getting all the kills. Even with the kill she had, it was only a partial contribution.

Deon looked at the bridge and the dozens of monsters waiting just beyond it before glancing back at her.

He opened the transfer menu before he could think too long on it, part guilt and part something else.

[Transfer Points?]

[Recipient: Hana Jung]

[Amount: 5]

[Confirm?]

Hana jolted as her own panel flashed. "Ah—Deon?!"

"That gives you seven," Deon nodded. "Enough for three levels."

"What? Wait, these are your Points!"

Deon looked away first, clicking his tongue. "Whatever, just think about it as my investment in you."

"...So don’t die. Or that makes me look like a bad businessman."

For a second, she looked like she didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or scold him.

"...You’re really bad at being nice."

"I’m not nice."

"Right."

"I’m serious."

"I know."

Deon pointed at her panel. "Levels. Now."

Hana nodded quickly and selected the option. Her posture straightened slightly, and the trembling in her hands eased just enough for her fingers to stop shaking around the card.

She looked down at herself, surprised. "Oh..."

"Feel stronger?"

"I think so," she said softly. "I feel lighter."

"Then try not to waste my investment."

Hana gave him a small smile. "I’ll do my best."

Deon looked away again. "Do better than that."

Levi watched the exchange for a moment before giving a small nod.

"Good."

Deon glanced at him. "Don’t say good like you planned that."

"I didn’t," Levi said. "But it was the right choice."

"That makes me want to take the Points back."

"You won’t."

Deon clicked his tongue. Annoyingly, the actor was right.

Levi’s gaze moved past him, toward the south end of the bridge where the barrier shimmered faintly beneath the pressure of gathering monsters. Hounds paced beyond it, scraping their claws against the invisible wall.

"You and Hana take that side."

Deon stared at him. "What?"

Levi pointed toward the far entrance of the bridge. "Jason, Celine, and I will hold the north side. You two hold the south."

"Wait, wait, wait." Deon lifted a hand. "You’re putting three people on one entrance and two people on the other?"

"Yes."

"You know the situation is more dangerous, right? Wouldn’t it be better if all five of us tried to clear one side before the other opens up?"

Deon’s eyes narrowed, looking at the amount of Infantry that had turned up on the southern side.

"Are you trying to kill me?" Deon complained. "The south has more Infantry!"

"Exactly," Levi replied. "Jason’s [Shield] is better against Hounds. Your [Trip] is better against Infantry."

"How do you know my exact Card?" Deon started. "I tested it once. It could’ve been anything. I could’ve been [Stumble], [Balance Break], [Slip], or whatever other stupid names this system comes up with."

"Does it matter right now?"

Deon’s jaw tightened. "It matters a lot."

"Then survive first," Levi said. "Interrogate me later."

Jason adjusted his grip on his shield, still looking unsettled from earlier. "Isn’t that too much for two people? Even if he leveled up..."

"He can handle it," Levi said. "He’s the highest Level in our group. No—probably in the entire Scenario right now."

"I’m not suddenly some superhuman just because I bought five levels," Deon looked back.

But for the first time since they met, a small smile appeared on Levi’s face. It wasn’t the charming celebrity smile he probably used in interviews or on magazines.

It was the smile of someone watching a bet he already knew would pay off.

Levi pulled out his [Fireball] Card before starting to walk to the Northern side.

"Then find out."

Deon hated that answer. Mostly because the moment Levi said it, a part of him wondered if it was true. Celine and Jason followed him, looking hesitant but pressing forward regardless.

Hana stepped beside him, still clutching the green-bordered card in one hand.

"Deon..."

He glanced at her. "You ready?"

"No."

"Good. Honest answer."

"That doesn’t help!"

"It wasn’t supposed to."

Despite the complaint, she moved with him as he started toward the south end of the bridge, both Cards in hand.

Deon reached the south entrance and stopped just inside the shimmering barrier, staring at the wave outside as he gripped his katana tighter.

Dozens of Ruined Hounds filled the street beyond, crawling over cars, traffic signs, and one another. Infantry were slamming on the barrier, looking like they were able to break it at any moment.

Above them, the timer continued to fall.

00:10

00:09

00:08

"Look," Deon started. "Use Physical Boost on yourself if it looks like they’re going to get past me. Run towards Levi if you can and—"

"No!" she shook her head fervently. "I’ll be right by your side and make sure nothing happens to you!"

00:05

00:04

00:03

Since when did this naive girl become so brave?

But even as he thought about it, Deon couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at the corners of his lips.

He gripped his katana tighter, replying finally.

"Yeah...I’m counting on you." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

00:02

00:01

Ding!

[Preparation Time Ended.]

[Defense Phase Beginning.]

The translucent wall shattered like glass—

And with that, the real First Game finally began.