Deon and Hana were already moving forward through the ruined street. Behind them, Shinso Bridge faded behind smoke, along with Levi, Jason, Celine, and the Flag they had spent last round protecting.

For some reason, leaving them behind felt stranger than he expected.

The team was temporary. He said that himself. Hell, even Levi said the same thing at the exact same time, which annoyed him for several reasons but mostly because it meant the actor understood the situation as he did.

The road ahead was broken in several places, with abandoned cars scattered across the street and pieces of concrete jutting out like teeth. After the First Round ended, things were a lot quieter than before.

Five teams...gone in an instant. Plus the eight that died during the First Round, that’s...33 people.

Deon shook his head, deciding not to dwell on the past, but on the future instead. As things stood, they were Flagless. No different from the teams that had failed.

Let’s see...the nearest landmark from Shinso Bridge is probably Mihan Park. Not as flashy as the bridge, but still a public space that has good coverage and viewing angles.

Exactly the kind of place that would turn into a Chair.

"Mihan Park."

"What? That’s like ten to fifteen minutes away, though?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"It’s our best bet."

Hana swallowed, then looked down the ruined street ahead. "Do you think other teams will go there too?"

"Probably."

"Isn’t that bad?"

"It’s only bad if they’re stronger than us."

"And if they are?"

"Then we negotiate."

"And if they don’t want to?"

"Then we lie."

"And if that doesn’t work?"

"You’re asking a lot of depressing questions. Something wrong?"

But as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized he’d been way too hasty. He glanced back at her. Hana was still following, both Cards held close to her chest. She seemed to be a bit more comfortable now, but her face still held reluctance.

Damn it...I didn’t even think to consult her before the split. Shit, Deon, how could you forget about something like that?

Treating people like objects...No, I absolutely cannot be like her.

Deon slowed at the intersection. Hana nearly bumped into him. "Ah—what is it?"

"You should probably turn back..."

"What? Why?"

"You’ll be safer with Levi’s team," Deon said, forcing the words out before he could change his mind. "And finding a team of three to merge with isn’t impossible. At least that way, you’re guaranteed to move onto the next Round or Game."

"..."

"Arghhh..." he scratched his head, not sure how to get the words out. "What I’m saying is...I took you out of a safe spot on a whim. I didn’t even ask what you wanted. It’s a death game after all, it’s more important if you—"

"It’s fine," Hana cut in.

Deon looked up. "What?"

"I was going to follow you anyway," she said, nodding once. "It’s a lot safer to be with you..."

"Besides," Hana teased, a small smile starting to form on her face. "Don’t you want to keep your investment nearby?"

He sighed, pulling a hand down his face. "First Levi and now you? You guys just love using my own words against me, don’t you..."

"I don’t know what you’re talking about!" she said, raising a hand to hide the smile on her face.

Deon looked away first, clicking his tongue. "Fine. Stay close and keep up. I’m not responsible if you get left behind."

"Aye, aye!"

As they ran, Deon kept his eyes moving, checking for places where a Hound could pop out from. He was constantly checking for other teams, for any signs of an ambush, just in case that was on the table as well.

Yet when the coast seemed mostly clear, he finally had a chance to open up his System and check it again. It definitely held more secrets, as he was completely unaware of Levels before Levi had brought it up.

Speaking of which...I keep letting that actor slide. But next time, I’m going to get some answers...

For some reason, his hand found the [Stream] tab first.

The panel opened like before, but this time something changed...and his eyes found it almost immediately.

[Current Viewers: 9]

What...? How did that happen?

There was a time when he thought 9 viewers meant his stream was dead. But here? Nine meant something else.

He started with one, and that one Viewer had given him the trump Card that he was still holding on to until now.

Yet, there were now nine of them.

Hana noticed him looking at the panel and slowed beside him. "What is it?"

"Hana, open up your [Stream] tab...How many Viewers do you have?"

She furrowed her eyebrows but otherwise did what was told. After a second, her eyes widened.

"I’ve got 2!"

Even her? Hmm...that means Viewers weren’t just attached to whoever killed the most monsters?

Which begs the question...how the hell does Levi have zero?!

But before he could dwell on it more, a small red notification on the side had caught his attention. He clicked on it and was immediately presented with an option.

[Stream Feature Available]

[Would you like to unlock Live Chat?]

[Cost: 80 Points]

Deon stopped walking.

Hana, who had been moving beside him, stopped a second later. "Deon?"

Eighty Points. That’s so steep! That’s literally all of my Points right now!

He hesitated. After nearly dying a few times, carving through Hounds and sending Infantry into the river, the system wanted everything he had earned.

His first instinct was obvious.

Hell no.

Eighty Points could buy Levels. Cards. Maybe even put him close to enhancing [Blade] later. The other contestants probably wouldn’t even come close to eighty Points except the top 5!

But the more he thought about it, the more he realized how lucrative it could be.

Deon realized, that more than anything, the Miracle Royale was an entertainment show. For who? Who gives a damn! If he can survive now, then [Live Chat] would be indispensable.

Hana leaned slightly closer to her panel, reading the exact same message that Deon was. "Live Chat? Wait...eighty Points?"

"Yeah."

"That’s almost everything you have!"

"Is it even worth it? I mean, Points are way too important right now! I think maybe I’d rather have a Card, more Levels, or—"

She paused mid-sentence, staring at his expression. "Wait, Deon...don’t tell me."

Deon knew it was reckless and that it was exactly the kind of thing the Miracle Royale wanted him to do. Levi even told him to be careful with Viewers and their Donations.

But something within Deon told him this was the right move. Before he was a contestant in this Death Game...he was something else:

A livestreamer.

A failed one, maybe. A hated one. A broke one with a dead channel and more enemies than fans.

But still...

If Mira could use her military skills to survive, and Levi could use his future knowledge to stay ahead, then why couldn’t Deon use what he was good at?

This wasn’t just a death game, but entertainment. And if the whole thing was being broadcast anyway...

Fine...

If these psychos wanted content. I’ll give them content. I’ll use everything I have to win this Miracle Royale—

My own way.

His hands hovered over the panel before tapping.

[-80 Points]

[Live Chat Unlocked]

And almost immediately...

Viewers poured in.