I ran through the narrow corridor, one of the injured men firmly secured over my shoulder. The torch trembled in my hand, casting dancing shadows along the damp walls of the mine. My ragged breathing echoed against the stone, and each step seemed to amplify the weight I carried.
"I'm here!"
In the distance, Aria was waiting for me, her silhouette lit by the still-flickering fire of the camp.
"Casimir, are you okay?"
I gently laid the injured man on the ground, hiding my concern behind a calm voice.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"
"On my way back to the camp with the one I brought… he told me the rocks didn't fall on their own. That someone caused it on purpose."
I froze for a moment. The idea of a trap crossed my mind, sending a chill down my spine.
"Really? So you thought something might happen to me?"
"Give him to me. I'll take him to the camp."
I handed her the injured man, feeling a mix of relief and unease rising inside me.
"Alright. I'll go get the last one."
"Be careful!"
I headed back toward the collapse, my mind on edge at every creak in the darkness. My eyes scanned for the slightest movement, anticipating danger.
Meanwhile, Aria's voice echoed faintly from the camp.
"Did you do anything before you got trapped here?"
"What do you mean?" a weak voice replied.
"Did you see anyone? An enemy? Or pick up something strange?"
"No… We just set up a small camp and tried to make a fire for hours. Then we explored a bit, and Silas saw something shining. We went to check it out. At some point, there was a tremor and rocks fell on us. But when I caught up to Silas, I saw a silhouette moving above us. I didn't pay attention—I was too focused on not losing him in the dark."
"Who is Silas?"
"The one who stayed behind."
I returned to the camp shortly after, carrying the last injured man on my back. My throat was tight. Everything felt heavier than before.
I laid him down, out of breath.
"It's okay. Everyone's safe."
"Thank you so much…" one of them murmured, his voice trembling.
"Get some rest. While your friends wake up, we'll take care of the camp."
Aria and I fed the fire. The orange glow lit up the pale, exhausted faces of the survivors. We moved rocks to make makeshift benches and crafted three additional torches. The heavy silence blended with the crackling fire, while the mine itself seemed to hold its breath.
"W-what happened?" one of the boys stammered as he opened his eyes.
The second rubbed his head, dizzy.
"My head is still spinning…"
"Who are these people?" one of them asked, fear in his voice.
"Try to gather yourselves," I said. "I'll explain everything."
Their story unfolded within the small circle of firelight. I introduced myself:
"I'm Casimir, and the one with me is Aria."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Kellan," said the one who had been conscious from the start.
"I'm Milo."
"I… I'm Silas."
Aria spoke next, her voice still slightly shaky.
"We come from Mistshroom, east of here. We defeated the territory's enemy with the help of the villagers. It was their leader, infected by a parasite… Without Bikao and Casimir, we wouldn't be here."
Kellan raised an eyebrow.
"Oh yeah? Are those enemies really that hard to beat?"
"Anyone would be shaken by something like that," I said, briefly glancing at Aria. "You've got nothing to blame yourself for."
I couldn't help but smile faintly. Aria noticed and returned a nearly imperceptible smile—but it was enough.
"On our map, we only have Argemira and Point A," Milo continued. "We don't really know where to go…"
"I completely forgot to update my map," I muttered, checking it.
"Casimir?"
Aria was staring at me, eyes slightly widened.
"Yeah, I just saw it. Argemira is rated two stars."
"No… that's not it."
"What is it?"
"The counter. There were a hundred of us at the start, right?"
Silence.
"It's been a while now," Milo said neutrally.
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"There are ninety-two players left," Silas said.
I frowned. My mind quickly processed it: eight people dead already. And probably more traps ahead.
Kellan read the summary out loud, slowly.
"Four players died because of an enemy. Three others due to climate or lack of supplies. And one… by…"
He stopped.
"Why did you stop?" Milo asked.
"What I just read… you're going to have a hard time believing it."
I took a slow breath.
"Say it anyway. At this point, I don't think anything can really shock me."
"By another player."
Silence fell—heavier than the stone around us. Even the fire seemed to flicker under the weight of those words.
Aria clenched her fists.
"You mean one of them is… killing the others?"
My heart skipped a beat. A player capable of killing others. My instincts screamed at me to stay alert.
"We can't trust everyone anymore if people start killing each other," she said, her voice tense.
"His name is displayed. It's Kaedran."
Kaedran.
Just hearing that name created a tension in the air—an instinctive warning I couldn't ignore.
"It's good we have his name," I muttered. "We'll be able to prepare if we run into him."
"Changing the subject," Milo said, "but you mentioned this territory is two stars… I don't think we had that info before, right?"
"It was unlocked after defeating the enemy in Mistshroom," Aria explained.
Kellan frowned.
"What do you think it means exactly?"
"Nothing precise yet," I shrugged. "Could be difficulty, climate, size… or the enemy's strength. We don't know."
"You came from Mistshroom, so it's one star there?" Kellan asked. "After Argemira, where are you going?"
"We want to reach Point A, just south of here."
Aria leaned over the map.
"We thought we might learn more if we go back there."
Milo studied it.
"It's on our map too. Right next to us. But we couldn't find any exit."
"I guess we'll have to defeat the enemy here first," I murmured.
Milo grimaced.
"Oh no…"
Kellan put a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry! We're five now!"
"But we have no weapons," Silas pointed out.
"That's true…" Kellan sighed.
Aria spoke up.
"Casimir and I got these."
She showed her bow, then pulled out my dagger.
"Unfortunately, we don't have anything else to give you."
"We can try crafting something while exploring," I suggested.
"Even with your torches, that seems difficult," Kellan replied.
"Why?"
"If something happens, we can't defend or heal ourselves. You can help us, but you can't protect us all the time. We'd just slow you down."
"I unlocked something after defeating Mistshroom's enemy," Aria said. "I can create a kind of guild. It'll be easier for all five of us."
"There were posters about that at Point A," Milo added. "I didn't get it at the time, but now it makes sense."
I thought for a moment.
"Alright… I agree. It's better than doing nothing."
Silas looked unsure.
"But… we're forming a team without really knowing each other?"
"Doesn't bother me," Aria replied. "Casimir and I didn't know each other either. And I'll stay with him no matter what."
"In that case, let's do it!" Kellan said.
Aria tapped her watch, and the Clan Creation option appeared. She went around, adding each of us.
"That's it?" Silas asked.
"No. Now I need to pick a name."
"A cool one!" Kellan suggested.
"Can we leave it blank?" I asked.
"You don't want a name?" Aria said.
"I don't want attention. Especially not from someone who kills players. Just put a space. Something invisible."
"I can do that," she said.
"I think Casimir should be the leader," Milo added.
The screen displayed:
"You have been appointed leader of clan ' ' by Aria."
"Why me?" I asked.
"You'll handle it better than me," she smiled. "And you chose the name."
"Great… I now have Mistshroom's map!" Milo said.
"Oh, so maps are shared?!" Silas added.
Kellan sighed.
"Alright. Enough talking. Let's explore."
Day 7.
Two days had passed. We walked without direction, without a sense of time, resting only when exhaustion hit, surviving on the mushrooms from Mistshroom.
We followed the path Kellan's group had taken before the collapse. The deeper we went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The walls shimmered faintly—but nothing felt natural.
Silas carried a bag he had picked up somewhere in the mine, filled with random items he had collected without explanation.
Then he suddenly stopped.
"Look! These are the same stones as before!"
He grabbed the pickaxe from Kellan and started striking the wall.
"Do you even know how to use that?" Kellan muttered.
Silas didn't answer. The impacts echoed through the mine like a steady heartbeat.
"We're not alone," Milo whispered.
Suddenly, a cold voice cut through the silence:
"Don't move."
I froze, my torch shaking. Two figures appeared in the dim light.
The man was massive, wearing a helmet and worn steel gloves. There was something inhuman about his presence—cold authority, restrained danger.
Beside him stood a girl with a piercing gaze.
I whispered to Kellan:
"Players?"
"I don't know…"
"I am Taron. Guardian of Argemira."
His voice was calm—but heavy with threat.
The girl scanned the group, her eyes stopping on me longer than necessary.
"Opaline," she said simply.
A chill ran through me.
"I'm Kellan. Sorry for disturbing you—we're a bit lost. Could you—"
Taron cut him off.
"I know who you are."
He paused.
"I'm the one who caused the collapse on you."