The engine roared as the old UAZ sped across the uneven terrain.
Dust rose behind them, trailing like a signal to anyone watching.
Asad gripped the steering wheel tightly, eyes fixed on the road ahead. Zara sat beside him, scanning the surroundings with a rifle in her hands.
"We're exposed," she said.
"I know."
The safe zone was still far, and the blue zone was closing in faster than expected. Staying still meant death. Moving meant risk.
There was no safe choice.
"Turn left," Zara suddenly said. "There's a hill. We'll get a better view."
Asad hesitated for a second—then followed her direction.
The UAZ climbed the slope roughly before stopping near the top.
"Out," Asad said.
Both of them stepped out quickly, weapons ready. The wind was stronger here. From the hill, they could see a wide stretch of land—fields, scattered houses, and in the far distance… movement.
"Enemies," Zara whispered.
Asad focused.
The Survival Code activated.
Red outlines flickered—three players near a broken building. One of them… was lying down.
"A sniper," Asad muttered.
As if on cue—
CRACK!
A shot rang out.
The bullet whizzed past Asad's ear.
"Down!" Zara shouted.
Both of them dropped instantly behind a rock.
"Sniper confirmed," Asad said, breathing hard.
"They saw us the moment we stopped."
Zara peeked carefully, then pulled back.
"They have the advantage. High ground, distance, and a sniper."
Asad clenched his jaw.
"No… not entirely."
The Survival Code showed him something more—movement patterns. One of the enemies was flanking from the right.
"They're splitting up," Asad said. "One is coming around."
Zara looked at him, surprised.
"How do you—"
"No time. Just trust me."
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
Then she nodded.
"Fine."
Asad moved quietly along the rock's edge, circling toward the right side. His heart pounded in his chest. Every step felt heavier than the last.
The grass rustled softly.
Then—
He saw him.
The flanker. Moving carefully, rifle raised.
Asad didn't wait.
Bang!
The shot hit the enemy's shoulder.
He cried out and fired back wildly.
Tat-tat-tat!
Bullets tore through the ground near Asad.
Asad dodged, using the Survival Code's guidance to move just in time.
He fired again.
Bang!
The enemy fell.
"4 KILLS CONFIRMED."
But there was no time to celebrate.
Another shot rang out—
CRACK!
Zara screamed.
Asad's heart froze.
He turned—
Zara was on the ground, clutching her arm. Blood stained her sleeve.
"I'm hit!" she gasped.
The sniper.
Asad's eyes burned with anger.
"Stay down!"
He looked toward the distant building. The sniper's position flashed faintly in his mind.
Too far for a pistol. Too risky to rush blindly.
Think.
Then he saw it—
A bike, half-hidden behind a tree nearby.
An idea formed.
"Zara!" he called. "Can you cover me?"
She winced but nodded. "For a few seconds… maybe."
"That's enough."
Asad sprinted toward the bike.
CRACK!
Another sniper shot—barely missed.
"Go!" Zara fired back, forcing the sniper to reposition.
Asad jumped onto the bike and started it instantly.
The engine roared.
He drove straight toward the enemies.
"Is he insane?!" Zara muttered under her breath.
Bullets started flying toward him.
The Survival Code lit up wildly—red lines everywhere, predicting danger.
He swerved left, then right, narrowly dodging incoming fire.
Closer.
Closer.
The building was just ahead.
He jumped off the bike mid-motion, letting it crash forward as a distraction.
Then—
He ran inside.
One enemy stood there, shocked.
"You—?!"
Boom!
Asad fired the shotgun.
The enemy dropped instantly.
"5 KILLS CONFIRMED."
Only the sniper remained.
Silence filled the building.
Asad moved carefully up the stairs. Each step echoed softly.
His grip tightened on the gun.
At the top—
He saw him.
The sniper turned, eyes wide.
For a split second, both of them froze.
Then—
Bang!
The shot fired.
The sniper collapsed.
"6 KILLS CONFIRMED."
Asad stood there, breathing heavily.
"It's over…"
He quickly looted a sniper rifle and rushed back outside.
Zara was still alive, barely.
"You're crazy…" she said weakly.
"Yeah," Asad replied, kneeling beside her. "But it worked."
He used a med kit on her.
For a moment, everything felt… calm.
Too calm.
Then—
The Survival Code flickered again.
A red line appeared.
But this time—
It wasn't coming from outside.
It was…
Behind him.
Asad's eyes widened.
Slowly… he turned.
Zara was standing.
Her gun… pointed at him.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly.
"But only one of us can win."
The world went silent.
And in that moment—
Asad realized…
The real game had just begun.