Part 1.

The trees began to disperse slowly yet surely in this primordial dusk. In about two to three minutes, this entirety would be within the parameter of the temple's bottom area. That temple that I, along with Kuzan and Rayazaki once stood in. However, this time around, close to 500 students are in my hands, without a way out, and furthermore, they trust me enough to the point of electing me as their leader.

Nonetheless, none of that would be possible without a special certain someone who has entrusted her entire soul to me.

"....."

On my right side, there she is. A person who shines brighter than the sun to me. Like no other, it feels like the peace of the sun is within the sun's mind. Her silky blonde hair is the practical element of fragrance that the sun has been searching for in his mind, but now that the peace has found peace in its mind, it acknowledges that the element is peace itself. As such, the sun also acknowledges that she is not a person who the sun would die for, but someone who the sun would live for.

In other words, as I cast my glance at Shiori transiently; I closed my eyes for fifteen seconds as I continued to walk forward while in addition reviewing the strategy and what I know in my mind.

Our end destination is without a doubt, the temple. Within the temple, there will be answers as deciphering the ten passwords successfully has managed to lead us to what seems to be the end goal. By normal standards, if my classmates had all cooperated from the start, then the ten of us could have easily finished this exam, but for reasons unknown, we have become severely separated. Yet, at the current moment, with me, I have Kuzan, Rayazaki, and the bastard Hyunda. Kan and Akihiko are dead, so they won't be able to realize their exam positively.

This leaves four other individuals: Sagasuga, Tsudo, Tatsu, and Daniel. I have confirmed their existences through the tablet while Rokoro was guiding the glider in the temple's direction. It's very obvious that the fact that Daniel is on the loose is by no means a coincidence and if he is the one responsible for Kan and Akihiko's deaths then he has to be planning something else; including perhaps all of the students here.

That's exactly why I can't take any chances and unless I confirm his existence, I won't make any sort of risky movements involving any of these people who deeply trust me. Especially Shiori.

Henceforth, with all this in mind, I spoke to Damian and Yoh, in their direction and signaled for them to come to my side as the other group leaders did the same.

"There's a slight chance that those three are cooperating with Daniel, so we aren't going to take any chances. Yoh, Damian, the moment you lay your eyes on Tatsu and Tsudo, I want you two to mirror each other without them noticing and then, you will electrocute them."

Musi's component is an excellent tool to incapacite someone, however, there is a slight weakness to it. Not only does it require an exact parallel distance, but it requires for them to not know what the bars do. As far as I'm concerned, none of them should know what it does. Nevertheless, if Damian and Yoh carelessly walk up to them, they will notice that something is up. And that is why, I spoke to Musi, Yasuda, and Rena."

"Musi, Yasuda, Rena, I need to ask you three a favor."

With their eyes on me, I didn't show a shred of hesitation while being selfish subsequently.

"For Yoh and Damian to go unnoticed, I will need you three to draw Hirakibo Tatsu and Toharoh Tsudo's attention away from them."

"Um, how do you suggest we do that?"

"Yasuda, simply approach them with me along with Musi and Rena. Ask them if they can come forward to see whether or not they have weapons because you're scared of them. It's obviously an excuse to get them lined up and you'll have to ask them to line up. Ultimately, Yoh and Damian will be successful."

Yasuda didn't exactly mind what I just told her, but Musi and Rena were a little bit confused.

"I'll go as well. I can handle this just fine."

"Wait, Shiori. You don't necessarily have to do it---"

"Um, hello? It's my decision. You're the leader, but not the arbiter of my mind, Ryousuke. With that said----I'll be having fun tricking them."

Although I tried to stop Shiori because deep down I am somewhat afraid of what could potentially happen to her should any of them decide to have some sort of psychotic reaction, she nonetheless offered herself.

To this, I sighed and accepted her decision.

"Alright, that's fine."

"Kawahara-dono, I don't understand something! What about Hiroyoshi Sagasuga-dono?! Shouldn't we also use the bars on him?"

Rokoro's question was a fine one. However, the clear difference is that I want to reason with Sagasuga instead of the other two boring side characters with no personality to them whatsoever. In other words, this is a way to save time as I will add the two of them to my collection along with that bastard Hyunda.

"That's not necessary. Sagasuga might be sneaky, but when it comes to objectives like this exam, he will cooperate, like he did in the past, make no mistake. With that said----Shiori, I will need a pair of handcuffs for Sagasuga."

"But why? If your aim is to make him your hostage, you can just electreute him."

"That's not it, Shiori. I want to make him my lab rat to scourge the parameter of the temple and to see whether or not it's safe to walk inside."

Closer and closer, the trees would start to lose their numbers and slowly yet surely, the bottom of the temple along with the first wave of stairs could be witnessed from afar, although we are not there yet.

"Kawahara-dono, that's quite evil. Are you sure Hiroyoshi Sagasuga-dono will cooperate?"

"I am actually not sure. Normally, you would assume he wouldn't, but I think there's a chance that he might. Furthermore----I need to see if Daniel's inside the temple as he could very well be trying to ambush all of you suddenly."

"If I may, Kawahara-dono, could I talk with Hiroyoshi Sagasuga-dono along with you?!"

"......Why not?"

Now that we were in the beginning of the vicinity, I told Yoh and Damian to move out in separate directions. Damian would go to the left side while Yoh would go to the right. However, their distance from one to another would be close to 250 meters. Plus, they would be emerged within the forest still; henceforth how Tatsu and Tsudo could never notice them. But, Sagasuga might, so I have to take my shot.

As we walked in, with the gigantic number of students in our back grouped up in small numbers yet united nonetheless, I could come across with Sagasuga along with my eyesight as Tatsu and Tsudo were on his right side.

"Shiori."

In a low tone, I spoke to Shiori and she understood what I meant to imply. Along with Yasuda, Musi, and Rena, they began to walk up.

Meanwhile, I stood more on the back side as Sagasuga and the other two began to walk up. Noticeably, Sagasuga was the one who attempted to initiate conversation with me despite our physical distance.

"There you are, Kawahara. You weren't joking when you said you'd be here five minutes later, were you? Still, what a number! How did they get in here?"

His bright and cheerful attitude quickly repeled any sort of initial fears from my numbers. It's frightening how rapidly he is able to disfrost an entire dense atmosphere.

However, it wasn't me who answered that, but Shiori.

"Percy Phoenix put us here, against our will. Just like all of you, right?"

"I guess you could say that! Then again---our conditions were very much different and still are. Although, hey, Kawahara? Why is there such a big number here when we are the only ones who need to go inside the temple?"

I answered this time.

"They are trapped here and so, we need to help them out. Sagasuga, would you be as kind as to help these people out of this island?"

The answer to this was beyond obvious, as Sagasuga would by no means show a negative response.

"But of course! I would be only entitled into doing what is right! Do you have a plan?"

"Yeah. Yeah---Yeah, I do. But first..."

Shiori spoke in the other two individuals' direction.

"Would you two be as kind as to come forward and empty your pockets in a straight line so we know you aren't hiding any sort of knives?"

"Trusting criminals is extremely hard for us, so be as kind as to do that simple task, please?"

Yasuda followed Shiori up, and then Musi along with Rena as they continued to walk into their directions, thus closing their distance.

"We are stuck in here and we want to help you three ace this exam as soon as possible!!"

"Let's all return to school together! I know that deep down you aren't bad people!"

Then, collectively, they put on their most earnest yet puppy eyes and pleaded with a single word to them.

"Please!"

Tatsu and Tsudo looked unsure of what to do, until Sagasuga talked to them, which was very surprising as I was hoping that Shiori and the others would have to reason even further.

"Alright, I understand what is going on. We are criminals and as such, we need to show them evidence that we don't have the tendency of a criminal----which is to wear severely dangerous objects like knives and guns. Shall we then?"

They looked at Sagasuga and then agreed.

"It's not like we had any sort of objects to go around anyways."

"I hate being suspected, so I'll gladly do it."

Then, as they began to walk forward, Shiori and the others distanced themselves slightly. Sagasuga was also walking up in their direction, so I talked to them from afar.

"Sagasuga, you don't need to. They trust you, right?"

United, Shiori, Yasuda, Musi, and then Rena, while five meters away from Tatsu and Tsudo still, agreed with my take on how Sagasuga was not under their suspicion.

However, they each went their own ways about it.

"Sagasuga looks more civilized than the other two."

"Tsudo gives me the creeps for some reason..."

"Sagasuga is a cool guy!!"

"Plus, Sagasuga agreed with everything thus far, so..."

To this, Tatsu and Tsudo were fuming a little bit, but Sagasuga, on the other hand was supremely brimming with flattering.

"Oh dear! Although I don't deserve this much flattery, I am thankful for your moral support. However, Tatsu and Tsudo are also trustworthy individuals!"

Willing to prove the others wrong, Tatsu and Tsudo began to close their distances as they were both in the same line, two meters away from the girls. While emptying out their pockets and revealing that they in fact don't have any weapons, they felt the need to retort back, starting with Tsudo.

"Now that you see that we don't have any weapons, show some damn fucking resp---"

"Don't you ever dare doubt me aga---"

They didn't realize that the moment they intersected in the same line, they became widely exposed to Damian and Yoh who took not a moment of hesitation to set the bars on the forest's ground. As such, to no one's surprise, except Sagasuga, Tsudo and Tatsu collapsed faster than ever.

"Karlos, handle both of them. Keep them on your leash. You are allowed to utilize brutal force should they retaliate."

"Understood, Master!"

Meanwhile, as this was happening, Yoh and Damian slowly emerged from the corners of their respective directions.

"Oh dear, what just happened? Can I have an explanation here?"

Sagasuga was surprised but he remained calm and collected nonetheless as he analyzed Tatsu and Tsudo's bodies covered in an electric current of shock. Truly like a thinker, he even had his fingers on his chin.

"Shiori. Yasuda. Musi. Rena. Good job, back off kindly now, please."

I began to walk towards Sagasuga now that Yoh and Damian had reunited with the other group leaders. Nobody was moving from their positions and Shiori along with the rest of the girls went back. Yet, before Shiori could retreat completely, I asked a favor out of her.

"Shiori, could you---"

As if she could read me completely, she gave me a pair of handcuffs that were in her skirt's right pocket and didn't say another word.

Rokoro now walked by my side as I walked towards to Sagasuga, who remained composed DESPITE what just had happened.

"I'm not taking any chances, Sagasuga. Just like the bastard Hyunda there, they are my hostages now."

"Hm..."

Since Sagasuga had not noticed how beaten up Hyunda is, he started to tilt his head up to northwest and northeast until he spotted Hyunda on the back, as he is under Kuzan and Rayazaki's vigilance.

Then, he exclaimed as he saw his sorry state from afar. Although, not in a way that I had expected it; his reaction lacked composure and was accompanied with a lot of giggles.

"Buhahah!! What happened to him?"

"Do you wanna find out?"

My serious eyes crossed his and he understood that I wasn't joking.

"Oh, I get it, don't worry. Still, what is going on? Why did you do that?"

"As I've said, I'm not taking any chances: so here is an offer."

I elevated the handcuffs and looked at Sagasuga in the eyeball as I offered an ultimatum.

"Receive their treatment or be sheltered from the shock."

"By sheltered you mean, I'll have to wear those? Goodness, Kawahara, that is a bit ridiculous, I must say. Why all this?"

Sagasuga extended his two hands in a way that a prisoner would extend his own hands when being cuffed up. In other words, he choose to be cuffed up instead of shocked, which was smart. Rokoro took care of his ankles as these cuffs cover the wrists and the ankles. It's incredibly hard to walk this way and moving the wrists and the ankles is borderline impossible.

I know this for a fact because I experienced this a few days ago and it was not a plausible experience.

Now that Sagasuga was cuffed up, I explained.

"Daniel."

"Oh, that makes more sense. Let me guess... You think that we are cooperating with him? Hmm, haha--- Unfortunately for you, we are not. Furthermore, we have not encountered him once in this island."

"That's funny. We have explored practically every spot of this island and yet we have not caught sight of him. So, Sagasuga, would you picture a guess as to where he could be?"

He thought for a bit and then tilted his head into the direction of the temple. I then, explained something in addition.

"Kan and Akihiko are dead, Sagasuga. In addition to that, they were brutally tortured and their bodies mutilated. Unfortunately, Sagasuga, Daniel is a fucking problem and I can't expose these people to that problem. So, try and think your hardest as to where he could be. Because there is no way in hell that I'm falling over a stupid trap while endangering these people..."

"...I had no idea that they were dead, actually. That's news for me. But I suppose it's fair that all the suspicion goes to Daniel, then. Well---if what you said is true and you've explored every place on this island, then does that mean you have explored the temple too?"

The answer to this was so obvious that Rokoro answered it for me.

"Sagasuga-dono, that is just impossible because I believe that the temple can only be scourged once the ten passwords are inserted!"

"Yes, that is true. However, there was a small problem. But, that can come later. Anyway, what is your plan at the moment, Kawahara? I'm assuming that you think Daniel is there, right?"

"Yeah, that's right. There's no fucking way that he isn't there."

"Great, great. So?"

He was urging me to explain my plan, but unfortunately for him, he would play a crucial part in it.

"Sagasuga, you will be my tour through the temple as the contents inside must be secured first."

"Kawahara... Are you seriously going to use me as a meat shield because of Daniel? Why not take the others along with you to reinforce your defenses then?"

"That's what you want, but things won't go that way. With that said we wi---"

As I was about to conclude my speech, Shiori put herself on my right side, quickly overthrowing Rokoro out of the picture.

"Excuse me, but what do you think you are doing? Don't tell me you are intending to walk in that temple on your own with him... You are our leader. Be more mindful about the others and manage your resources well. If you intend on going inside the temple to see what's inside first and to see if it's safe, then MAYBE ask us if we would mind walking in with you!"

Shiori's undoubtedly more emotional than usual as a sign of her growing attached to me and beginning to experience more social interactions in general. However---I love her.

The thought of Daniel being there and killing Shiori is beyond terrifying. I know for a fact that if it's a 1v1, that I will absolutely destroy him, but it's an entire different story if he targets Shiori. There's just too much to lose and as such...

"No way, Shiori. Don't be stupid. You are understimating criminals a bit too much. I can't have you die like that."

"Huh?! Who said anything about dying?! As I've said, you are not managing your resources well."

"What are you talking about?"

She sighed and then filled me in.

"Use your components! How did we get vision of Sagasuga and the other two idiots? Was it not through Rokoro, who guided the glider and Zwette's tablet that was transmitting the image? Do it again! Don't just walk in when you can see what's in store ahead first..."

"Kawahara-dono, Denko-dono has a point! But I would like to add that if Sagasuga-dono wouldn't mind cooperating, he could take the glider with him along with Yasuda-dono's cellphone in it and transmit footage to all of us! Then, we would surely be way more safer as we knew what was ahead and then if Daniel Lead-dono is truly aiming to ambush us, we would utilize our foresight! In addition to that, by utilizing the walkie-talkies from Damian-dono, we could establish a perfectly reasonable connection!"

Upon hearing all of this, I realized that I am surrounded by competent individuals who have demonstrated from time to time, the willingness to act not only for their benefit but for a collective benefit.

"Ahhh... I am such an idiot... I overlooked something this obvious... Hahah.....Ha."

Meekly and weakly, I titled my neck backwards and looked at the afternoon sky above me as I laughed out loud.

And then, I received a small punch on my chest by Shiori.

"Playing the white-knight card like that. Stop it."

I looked at her as our eyes met and I felt a connection that I had never before. If the sun doesn't mind dying for someone, then surely the sun has a place in his heart to find the will to live for that person. And if that person that the sun is willing to live for has elements that must be acknowledged, then how can the sun even begin to doubt them?

The thought of manipulating Shiori is abnormal to me right now and surely, the me from a few days ago, would not have hesitated into manipulating Shiori into walking right there, but admittedly, I got scared and my emotions clouded my intelligence.

Rokoro is right, isn't he?

By utilizing the glider, we can scourge the entirety of the parameter and see the contents on the temple. Communication is not an issue because we can just utilize Damian's walkie-talkies. All of this was so simple yet the thought of utilizing this for my own gain completely became extraterrestrial to me.

"You're right... Sagasuga, you want this exam to be done with, right?"

"That is the case. I want to floop onto my room's bed and have my beauty sleep."

"Fantastic, I am the same. With that said, carry this glider with you and walk through the temple on your own. If you get killed, then Daniel is there. If not, then he's not there and the temple is a safe place to walk into."

Sagasuga looked fairly balanced in terms of his attitude still, but he lashed out a complaint, not to me, but the rest as well.

"How is everybody fine with what he's doing? If I get killed by him, then you are all to blame for allowing this, you do realize that, right?"

Although I didn't expect this sort of claim to have any impact, it did as many started to actually question the morality of this quest. Then, Rena made a suggestion to me, by coming closer.

"Um... Isn't it fine if we just... utilize the glider and have Rokoro use the remote to guide it instead of... relying on another human being to walk in...? That's a bit messed up."

It didn't occur to me at all that what I just suggested is immoral. Am I insane for not being aware of the immorality of my actions or did I become so accustomed into doing this sort of things that I just don't care anymore?

Regardless, I'll have to start caring and as such, I patted Rena on her head as I in addition agreed with her.

"You're right, Rena. Sagasuga, you're spared for now. Alright, initiate the glider! We are scourging the entirety of the temple through the cellphone! If Daniel is to be found there, then we will have to rethink our strategy!"

I spoke to all of the students in this parameter, or to those of who I could. I can see that some students are taking it easy as they are eager to go home while some are more worried than the others.

The current strategy is to utilize the glider and have it walk into the very top of the temple to then see what is within the temple. As such, we have formed a circle in the very bottom entrance, in the middle of the initial golden stairs. Shiori is on my right side and Zwette is upholding her tablet on her thighs so everyone can see the image clearly. Damian is managing the other students as he naturally cares more about the others since he has a high morality. Karlos is taking care of Tsudo and Tatsu. Rayazaki and Kuzan are keeping Hyunda down. Yasuda, Rena, Youjo, Musi, Yoh, and Rokoro are within the circle as they are undoubtedly curious as to what is going to happen. Lastly, Sagasuga is in the middle of the circle as his chains trail right into my hands to make sure he doesn't go anywhere.

"I am the very top, Kawahara-dono! The ocean is so beautiful!"

"Yeah, whatever, Rokoro! Walk in, walk in!"

"Youjo, don't be so impatient! This is hard!"

".....Make sure to look around for Daniel Lead... He is our top target...."

Yoh's absolutely right. There is no other place in this island where he could be except for the temple. It wouldn't make any sense for him to be inside the sections because this is the final destination. He HAS to be inside the temple; there's just no other logical response to this argument.

"That's weird... Even though the entrance is clearly dark, the glider is providing night-vision to us."

I said this because the entrance of the temple was beyond dark when I, Rayazaki, and Kuzan firstly encountered it yet it remains the same way.

"The glider is amazing, Kawahara-dono! I insist on taking this with me! You must let me!"

"Are you sure that's all you want? The walkie-talkies sound pretty good as well."

"Kawahara-dono! I have no idea how to thank---"

"You stupid otaku, watch where you're going!! You just slammed the glider onto the wall!!"

"Guaaah! My masterpiece! Be safe, my child!"

Rokoro reminds me of a certain part of my past; but the past is irrelevant. I've decided to discard my past and no-longer think about it. My entire character will be defined no longer by the past but my future developments.

I've decided that's the type of person I want to be. But still, Rokoro's inner eccentric attitude certainly puts him out of the others around him. It would usually make him an outcast yet he has found a place to be himself in. That is great...

I took a deep breath with my eyes closed and looked at the sky once again as I thought that to all these people; I wouldn't mind dedicating my life to them and getting them out of this island would only be the start of that ambition.

"You're certainly anxious."

"I can't help it, Shiori. I am excited yet anxious as you've said."

In her direction, I looked at her. It's weird because I would usually feel the need to initiate physical contact with the one I love yet I think that I love her to the point where that's not even required. As a matter of fact, isn't physical contact in a relationship just a way of portraying your feelings? A channel of expression? But----It's... weird.

I don't feel the need to do any of that. She's the one I want to grow older with.

"Heh, for someone who had a negative opinion on Daniel Lead, it's ironic that he is your ultimate arch-enemy!"

Shiori smiled and giggled at the same time while beautifully hiding the thumb of her lips with her gentle right index finger; slightly crooked.

"I still have a negative opinion on him. It's just dumb to overlook him at this point. Because, if we find him and secure him, then there's nothing else against us."

"Well, duh! That's pretty obvious, isn't it? Hey, look... The sun is going down."

By spinning in the direction of the blue horizon, at the right side of the temple, the radiance of the sun captured both of us.

As our hands slowly intertwined with one another alongside our heads softly touching one another; I wondered about something and that something, I spoke to Shiori about.

"Do you think the sun looks the best when it's falling down?"

"I think the sun... Well, to me, the sun is often more characterized as something that's always rising. But I think that the sun is kind for giving the moon the time that she needs to be herself in the night."

That sun, emitting its honorable light to everything---allowing a contrast to be formed with whatever it collides with----it's majestic in a sense because it gives a meaning to everything.

However, if the sun is not aware of this and thinks that he can't give a true meaning to anything, then...

"Then, Shiori, does that mean that the sun's true meaning is to live for the moon?"

"It... It could be. Don't they both live for each other, in the end? Huh, that's weird, Ryousuke!"

Shiori then stopped looking at the sun and likewise, so did I so I could ultimately meet her shocked expression with my wide open eyes as her faced closed in.

"I've always thought that the sun would die for the moon and likewise, the moon would die for the sun! A cycle of life and death, but now... Now that you've mentioned it, I think that instead of dying for another, they are living for another..."

"And they will always be."

As I finished that sentence, we once again looked at the sun from afar, beginning to fall down even deeper; sinking in that furthest horizon occupied by water so translucent yet mix-colored.

I spoke the truth to her then.

"I don't have a family."

"..........."

"So, I can't ever try again with them. I am sorry."

"What would you say to them if you could talk to them again, Ryousuke?"

I thought deeper and deeper into this question more than I should and arrived at the firm conclusion.

"Probably... Something like: "I want to feel your warmth because you are my parents and... that's what parents... are supposed to do... To give warmth to their child..."

".........."

Shiori thought for a while in silence and then spoke on her turn.

"I have a bland background. However, my father died when I was 4 years old from a car accident. I think that was when my mother lost her heart and thought to herself that maybe I shouldn't become like her----attached to something that will eventually die---my father---and so, she put her standards in my mind and over the years, I've done nothing but studying."

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

"..........."

I posed silence as a way to show respect as Shiori continued.

"Lately, I've been thinking too much about so many things, but... I don't know how to confront my mother on this new person that I became. I think she'll hate me and I don't want that. I love my mother... And, I am scared of having to fake my previous self in front of her just to gain her approval. I... don't want that."

"She would probably have a heart attack if she knew about us, wouldn't she?"

I laughed very lowly and she giggled as well while giving me the truthful answer.

"I would be surprised if she can look at your face in the first place."

"Heh, sounds interesting. It looks like I'll be going back and forth along with my mother-in-law."

She laughed furthermore.

"Hahaha, that's just impossible! In the first place, for my mother to be your mother-in-law, you and I would........ have.... to........"

As Shiori's eyes glistered while looking in my direction, I didn't say a word. I didn't ask whether or not she was fine with what I've just implied. After all, I want her to know that I am someone who will always be secure when it comes to her.

Therefore.... It's not the right thing to do---to show doubt like that. I won't do that.

"I'm gonna cry..."

"I'll join you too, Shiori. But no snot, please.

"Oh, shut it!"

"Haha, that's the first time I've seen you get embarrassed! Let me mess with your cheeks for a bit."

Softly, I grasped her right side of her cheeks and poked it firstly with my index finger. Simultaneously, she also did the same with my left ones, going as far as making my teeth show itself.

Her ephemeral tears flowing down without making a sound in response were by far the most beautiful moment I have captured in my entire life.

"Wanna hear a joke?"

"Mhm?"

This joke is so good that I'm having trouble holding myself back from completely bursting out from laughing. So, with a lot of effort, I said the joke to Shiori.

"The best-man should be Karlos..."

"No... Stop----Hahaha!! You can't be serious! I would tolerate Rokoro, but Karlos!? That's just too much!"

Her laugh was out of control to the point where she wouldn't hold back how she truly felt like before, so I continued as I felt immensely happy.

"What sort of response would you give him if he proposed to you on spot during the wedding day? You know, how in those romantic movies that shit always happens."

"I don't know... It would have to be brutal to the point of shattering his entire spirit, that's for sure..."

"Wow, you're serious. You would actually---Hahaha!! Shiori, you're evil, I swear!"

"Like you're one to talk, Ryousuke! Karlos, as our best-man?! Is there something even more evil than that?!"

"Like I said, I...."

For a while, we continued our silly conversations that would last a while. We talked and talked about how the current people around us could influence us in the future and we were always looking forward to such events.

So much, that we forgot what we were even doing in the present; so lost in a train of happiness filled with laughter and joy. Never did I want the future to come faster.

I would internally ask myself: When is the future?

But, eventually...

"Kawahara-dono! Denko-dono! This is massive!"

Forced to return to the present, Shiori and I acknowledged Rokoro's call, as everyone was surrounding the circle, suddenly. We had to stop gazing at the horizon; at that sun. Our talks would have to halt themselves for a while.

"What happened, kiddo?"

"You won't believe this! We found Daniel Lead!"

"Seriously?!"

Excited at the thought of having the final piece in the palm of my hand, my eyes opened themselves supremely along with my smile.

However, Zwette and Yoh had something to say in regard to this.

"It's weird because...."

"....You should take a look...."

In doubt, I approached Zwette's tablet and as the glider stood still in a particular area of the temple, I could ultimately grasp what they were actually referring to when they meant they found Daniel.

Part 2.

Given that the vicinity of the temple is safe to explore completely, with me, I took Sagasuga, who is under my vigilance. Shiori, Rokoro, Zwette, and Yoh insisted on coming along. Ultimately, Kuzan and Rayazaki brought Hyunda along under their own vigilance.

As such, we began to climb towards the top of the temple since the entrance of the temple was not at the bottom, but at the very top. Needless to say but by now, the night sky was threatening to dominate upon us. Therefore, I had to make this trip as fast as I possibly could. Furthermore, since I wasn't paying any attention previously to what the tablet was showing us, this would be my first time to actually visit the inner temple.

"Kiddo, what is exactly inside the temple?"

Rokoro, who is just one step behind me, in-between Rayazaki and Kuzan who are keeping Hyunda under vigilance, began to explain as we approached the very top; climbing the very few remaining degrees.

"The inside of the temple for what we have seen is actually quite simple! There are ten floors before a massive door! Sagasuga-dono, do you know what that door is?!"

"Hm, if I had to picture a guess, it would be for the last area to be accessible? And if that's the case, then we need to descend down to the last floor, don't we?"

"I believe so!"

According to what Rokoro just said there are ten floors and if there are ten floors, they most likely are related to the fact that there are ten passwords. If so...

"Rokoro, was there a password confirmation entry?"

"No, not at all! I believe it's related to the fact that we have correctly inserted every password before and as such, there isn't a password confirmation entry nor computers to do so! I daresay that you were right on the money, Kawahara-dono!"

I smiled as I thought to myself that I was too.

"You best believe I was, kiddo."

Continuing on, we walked in, but Sagasuga would always walk in the front because I was always putting him in the front line. I didn't know whether or not this dark hall would contain the same level of toxicity as before, so if Sagasuga started to demonstrate inability to suddenly breathe, I would pull everyone out.

However, in that specific silence, as we walked into the dark linear hall with no illumination whatsoever, nothing happened. Sagasuga was breathing just fine.

Ultimately, the first floor was met with a door that was already open in the end of the linear hall and as such, the moment we walked in that vicinity, the hall was suddenly illuminated by flashing lights from above; to the point where we had to shield our vision with our forearms collectively.

"Eureka! This, I did not expect!"

"...So much light..."

Rokoro and Yoh made their complaints yet the rest was doing just fine, myself included. Especially Sagasuga, who didn't even blink at the sight of the flashing lights from above.

Also, for the first time ever, I could analyze the structure of the hall. Abrasive green-lights would come from the top of the high ceiling without a visible end at sight, for some reason. Yet those green lights would be intertwined with the flashing lights from the above structure which just further confused me. The ground of the hall is constituted of geoglyphs, once again, just like in one of the previous hidden sections.

The temperature here is somewhat cold, but not to the point of freezing. If anything, our way down to the second floor below had been successfully cleared. Beyond that open door with a plausible far-wider entrance where a group of 20 people could at least fit it all at once, we walked in as we met the spiral stairway that would lead us to the floor below.

Brightly illuminated as well, the second floor was at sight; this time, with a different structure as it was no longer linear. However, despite having a different structure, it didn't pose a challenge. However, I daresay that it would have posed a challenge if the passwords weren't correctly inserted one at the time. As such, before we walked further, at the end of the spiral staircase; Rayazaki, on the top of the staircase, made a comment.

"Is it just me or are the passwords linked to what perhaps each floor would pose?"

"What do you mean?"

Shiori, curious, just like the rest of us, looked at Rayazaki and posed that question.

"You see, before all this, we came here and Kawahara reasoned that the atmosphere here would be like Mars, but what if that only applied to the first floor? What if the first floor here is connected the the correct password from the first section?"

"Rayazaki, that's most likely it, you're right. We never really deciphered the first password---because..."

Something weird happened then. As I tried to remember why we couldn't ultimately decipher the password from the first section, I couldn't fully remember it. As such, I placed my right hand on the right side of my brain whilst attempting to remember as hard as I could.

"...What's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing, Shiori... I must've forgotten, that's all. Weird... But, Rayazaki, since we didn't decipher the first password, if it's connected to the first floor, then the challenge that the first floor would present us is no longer present for that reason. I was right when I said that we had to do each step at the time. It didn't matter if we cleared the other passwords, if the first section's password remained to be inserted. It's a clever defensive mechanism, to say the least."

If my reasoning is entirely correct, then that explains a lot of things. Supposedly, each floor would have defensive mechanisms encrypted to act should all the passwords not be inserted. If so, then walking into the temple without all the passwords inserted; even if the first one is already inserted, it wouldn't matter because in one of the floors where the correct password hasn't been inserted, the defensive mechanism would block anyone from progressing forward.

In other words, my reasoning was entirely correct since only inserting the correct passwords already enables us from clearly walking into this temple.

Regardless, we continued to move forward and the second floor, instead of being linear, had upper and lower stations that the stairway would connect.

To put it in perspective; from where I stand, in the front---in the end of the spiral stairways, there is an empty station containing a square and all I have to do is to walk in the direction of that square; in a linear way, that is. However, that's where it starts to get tricky.

A stairway containing about to ten degrees extends itself in the northeast direction to yet another empty station in a shape of a triangle. Afterwards, there is yet another stairway that goes down to southwest direction; however instead of landing on a triangle, it lands on a circle. Likewise, the same pattern is repeated afterwards except the direction changes from southwest into southeast and the landing place is a rhombus.

Subsequently, the direction changes to northwest and the ultimate destination of the sequence is a parallelogram. Each of the empty stations have a tremendous wide space, so no one has to worry about the very terrifying fact that there is a gigantic dark void below; should anyone fall below. By contrast, it descends down in south direction, but in a forward way as the upcoming spot would be a trapezoid.

With four other geometrical landing stations left, the direction it would follow would be north once again. Naturally, since the landing spots are in fact geometrical figures it would mean that the destination would be one of those: a kite. Similarly, the direction it followed was north once again and it was met with an empty station in the form of a trapezium. This time around, the direction it followed was not north, but simply south and the empty station took the shape of an upside-down triangle; fully inverted.

At last, to complete the entire path, the stairway went in a north direction towards a decagon. To further give meaning to the supposed completion, there is a visible linear path that is to be followed afterwards.

"Ugh, I hate geometry!"

Stepping on the first square, Kuzan lashed out that complaint, meanwhile, Rokoro, already on the trapezoid, counter-argued.

"But, why, Kuzan-dono?! Mathematics are so fun if you just allow yourself to discover them instead of rejecting them! It's a common misconception that mathematics are boring! All you have to do is to put your mind to it!"

Way past Rokoro, alongside Sagasuga and Shiori, I agreed with Rokoro in my own way, while on the upside-down triangle.

"Rokoro, has a point, but Kuzan here is so driven into stealing that math is a foreign language to him!"

"How is it fun though? Just hearing what the teacher has to say about it makes me want to spin my own chair until I pass out..."

Yoh, on the kite, said something about that.

"....Maybe it's the teacher's fault and not the subject..."

Afterwards, Rokoro met up with us in the decagon and asked Sagasuga a question.

"Sagasuga-dono! I've been meaning to ask you this, but do you have any idea who came up with the idea behind this island?!"

I didn't see how Sagasuga could possibly know any of that, but his answer was strangely vague. He smiled like usual with his eyes closed and didn't mind answering the curious Rokoro.

"Maybe someone who wouldn't want others to visit this island? Ha! Ha!"

His laugh was separated in two different parts which was something that I had never witnessed before.

"Why would you say that, Sagasuga-dono?"

"Well... Isn't it just obvious? Arguably everything about this island is encrypted. For what reason is it encrypted? Have you asked yourself that question?"

"....That's... That's an interesting question, Sagasuga-dono! But, no matter how I look at it, wasn't this island purposely encrypted for the sake of the difficulty of the exam? That's what I can only think of!"

"There you have it! Therefore, weren't the ones behind our program the ones who came up with this island? Simple, right?"

"I suppose!"

All that Sagasuga did was to simplify what Rokoro attempted to instigate. But it's not as if I have a spectacular interest about this island as a whole. All I am interested in is following through. With that in mind, we met another spiral staircase as we descended to the third floor and just as one could predict, the structure changed once again.

First of all, the entire floor is made out of lava. However, what's keeping us from not stepping on the lava is a floating elevator on the very entrance of the floor. Unlike the previous floor, this one was far more simple but arguably more dangerous.

"Holy moly! The floor is made out of lava! What madness is this?!"

"....How're going to cross it...?"

To Yoh's question, Rayazaki gave his opinion, although, it was already pretty obvious.

"We have to use that elevator, which is floating, for whatever reason."

To clarify, although the elevator is without a doubt floating, it's important to recognize where it is exactly floating. There is a small space that separates from where we stand and the upcoming space where there is lava overflowing below. The heat is already tremendous but the elevator itself is fairly wide. No doubt about it: more than 20 people fit there and as such, all we had to do was to approach the end of the space from where we currently are and climb onto the elevator that has a supporting stairway case that will evidently lead to the floating elevator.

It's, however, extremely unnatural that there is a floating object...

"But what could be supporting the levitation of this elevator?! Could it be the lava?! It's as if the gravity around the elevator does not function! Marvelous! Simply marvelous!"

Rokoro, closer to the lava below the elevator remarked that the lava could be this sustaining force, but what he implied was quite absurd.

"Kiddo, what you just suggested is highly advanced and something that is... impractical. Defying gravity is not an easy feat."

"But Kawahara-dono! How do we explain what is happening?! Didn't you say before that the atmosphere you felt back then was the same as on Mars?! Kawahara-dono, we must inform the outside world about this! Imagine the countless scientific minds that would beg to have their hands on this! Our progress as a race would be astonishing!"

".............."

No matter how I look at it, this elevator is being supported by standing on the air and in the same area as the lava below so the only logical explanation is that the lava contains a repelling force that does not allow the elevator to be attracted to it. Exactly what would happen if you turned two attracting metals in the opposite direction: if you attempted to collide both, they ultimately wouldn't be able to connect as they are not attracted to each other via magnetic force.

"This is reverse magnetic force, more than likely. Anyway, let's get going. All aboard!"

The moment we all hopped in the elevator, the elevator automatically took us to the other side where lava could not reach us. It also occurred to me what the defensive mechanism here could be, in the case that the password for this floor was not inserted. Perhaps the elevator would work, but midday, it would collapse or something like that. In the end, if that would be the case, then anyone would be engulfed with the lava.

We continued to the fourth floor the same way we did on the other floors; a spiral stairway would always lead us below until we found a changing structure. Yet, this structure changed far too much for any of us to calmly process it. In the exact second we came into contact with the fourth floor's ground, it all changed.

"What?!"

"But how is this possible.... Didn't we just come across a straight-forward linear path?! How did it change into this?!"

".....Perhaps it changed because we walked in....?"

Noticing the difference in the atmosphere, I suggested something after Kuzan, Rokoro, and Yoh had voiced their thoughts.

"Everyone! Back off right from where we came from!"

On my order, we all went back to the stairway case, but we didn't know where the stairway case was, so what we did instead was to retract the exact same steps and thus, after a while, we were once again in the spiral stairway case.

"Ryousuke, what just happened?"

All eyes were on me and as Shiori asked, I suggested something.

"What happened was the following: the moment we stopped making contact with the stairway case, we became exposed to what this floor has to offer. However----all we have to do is to keep a clear eye on the destination that we have to follow. In other words..."

I pointed at the end of the linear hall ahead of us which would lead to yet another spiral stairway case.

"We have to keep on walking in that direction! Despite... what it might seem."

"But Kawahara-dono! We were in outer space just now! Yet we were able to breathe just fine!"

I counter-argued.

"There is no way that we were in actual outer space just now, Rokoro. This is just plain CGI. There is absolutely no way that we were on Titan's lake, in Saturn's largest moon... We could breathe just fine and our bodies didn't start to decompose themselves. It's just a stupid prank. Acknowledge that, yeah?"

"I see! Oh, I'm somewhat disappointed, Kawahara-dono! I thought for a second that we were in fact in... Wait, did you just say Titan's lake?! As in the lake that has similar liquid to the water on Earth?!"

"Yes! However, it's called "liquid methane" as it suggests that there are hydrocarbon lakes; which in addition means that human life would actually, potentially, stand a chance there."

But I told Rokoro something that he was slowly forgetting.

"Don't forget it's just CGI."

Afterwards, slowly, we entered the hall and became one with a land of soft sand that contained a small density of sand on its surface. Yet, in this atmosphere, deserted dunes could be observed from afar, despite the fact that those dunes would most likely just be blocked by the walls in this hall. Furthermore, unlike a normal desert, there were a lot of lakes around everywhere. I checked my own two hands and tried to breathe. Everything went just fine.

Shiori, in the middle of this, kneeled down and grabbed a portion of sand with her two hands as she looked at me in awe.

"Ryousuke.... Should this be happening? Didn't you just suggest that this is in fact CGI? Something that is under the category of CGI should not... be grasped... right?!"

My eyes widened in surprise as I couldn't believe what was happening before my own two eyes, but I insisted with my own reasoning.

"That---That can't be true... Maybe it's---"

However, I knew not how to explain what was currently happening and it shocked me. For once, I didn't know the answer to something and it started to annoy me slightly. I tried to think therefore.

This has to be the work of CGI. The moment someone walks in, the CGI activates and we are under the impression that we are in outer space; in Saturn's largest moon: Titan. Specifically, in one of its lakes. However, the fact that it is CGI implies that anything we touch should be real, so how come I am also able to grasp this sand? I feel it in the right palm of my hand, so how come this is possible under the influence of CGI?

My reasoning is flawed? That could be the answer. This can't be the real Titan because we would all just die instantly; plus, we are in fact on Earth and not on Titan, a moon of Saturn---a planet that is far, far too ahead of us for us humans to be in. As a matter of fact, it would take humans SO long until they reach Titan that it's absurd to consider this a reality, which can only mean one thing. This is not CGI, but it is at the same time. The atmosphere has changed exactly to what is Titan, but we are somehow able to maintain our physical perception despite... not being on the real Titan? It's not as if the hall has anything besides what is the hall which is just a straight forward area.

"Look! I can feel the water too!"

"You can't be serious, Kuzan..."

Midst my thought process, as I watched Kuzan a few meters away from me on my right grasp and drink the water from the closest lake, I didn't manage to believe it.

"But I am!"

"He's serious, Kawahara! I can feel it too!"

Although Kuzan is holding Hyunda through his chains, Rayazaki is also doing that but grasping the silk translucent water from the lake that is under a orange gradient; as a result of the far away sun on the west side.

Shiori and I, along with Sagasuga and the rest went to meet up with them on our right side and also attempted to feel the water with our palms.

"Mother in heaven! This! This---This!! What madness is allowing this event to be possible?! Kawahara-dono, how can we be able to have physical sentience in a place like this when we are in fact not on the real Titan?! This sort of technology would allow the human mind to transcend our very modern limits!"

"Ryousuke, this is real! Actual water!"

Shiori kept splashing the water from left to right in order to express her physical sentience to further give me a sense of reality.

"...Real water.... This is so cool..."

Yoh looked fairly happy at the thought of experiencing something completely unnatural and as for me, I was still undoubtedly unable to believe that this is real, but as I felt the water scourge through the wit's of my palms, my mind recognized that this is in fact reality.

"Magnificent... It's so---"

Strangely, as I would begin to contemplate the abstract aspect of this water in the palm of my two hands, nothing to me was more strange at the sight of Sagasuga and Hyunda, in perfect resonance, kneeling down on the bay of this lake and then, in pure synchronization, they would drink the water of this lake without speaking a word.

"What the..."

In such a surprise, all of us, except the two of them, questioned what they were doing. Certaintly, I questioned whether or not they were just that thirsty, but they never even for once expressed such thought so it occurred to me that this event, was out of my understanding. And then, Sagasuga spoke in my direction with an apathetic face to me.

"Kawahara... Shall we not lose any more time? I want to go back as soon as possible. Let's follow the path forward as it will lead us to the upcoming floor for sure."

Hyunda did not speak as he tilted his neck in the opposite direction while looking to his right, where there lied the planet classified as an ice giant: Uranus. It contains such a beautiful glacial transparency that it nullified any possible interpretations of what the inside could look like. A storm raging for a thousand years spree to come would be on its way and nobody would notice thanks to the shrouded atmosphere on the outside.

"I envy...."

He spoke those words in a very low empathic voice...

"...Let's go."

Eventually, just as I had previously concluded, all we had to do was to follow the linear path and the scenario disappeared just like that, as if it was an illusion. Afterwards, the fifth floor would be on our sight as we continued to further dive deeper into the temple through the spiral stairway case.

The fifth floor contained an amphitheater, out of all the things to contain. The done itself was gigantic to the point of having no ceiling. Structure-wise, it resembled a roman amphitheater but the sideway seats were absolutely more adequate than old stone rumblings as they looked to be fairly new. A cavity towards the middle would make us walk into it as it has the shape of a cross. Meaning that in the middle of that cavity, there would be a two-way dual-path split to us.

As I walked in there, I spoke out loud.

"This is where we would most likely die, no?"

"Probably, Ryousuke... For example, maybe this is a death trap and anyone who would come across this path would be ensnared by two gigantic balls coming from both sides?"

"That could be it, Shiori. Anyhow, our path is clear."

Ahead of us, at the end of this lonely hollow amphitheater with low illumination to it, there is an open door containing two separate doors as well which would give us access to the floor below; the sixth one.

Descending down the path to the sixth floor, I confirmed something with Rokoro.

"It's on the ninth floor, correct?"

"Yes, Kawahara-dono! That's where we spotted it!"

"I see..."

Still, to think that he managed to get that far... There's only one logical explanation that I can think of as to how that was possible. Regardless, on the sixth floor, we would soon stand in.

Upon descending the stairway case, we found a mechanical bridge separating us from the upcoming downward spiral stairway case that would connect us to the seventh floor. Something to remark about the bridge under extreme artificial illumination is that both of its sides contained a heavenly blue and it wouldn't take a fool to notice that there is something underneath it.

However, it didn't cross our minds that whatever it could be, could be, for example, an environment, since we are at the very depth of the temple. Nonetheless, that was exactly it, as on my right side, along with Sagasuga, Shiori, and Rokoro, we observed the very existence of a purely white mountain that contained a very identical long bridge to this one before connecting to the holy mountain itself.

An atmosphere so clouded yet there is a sun there; it looks to be on midday or so I would assume.

"Kawahara-dono! That's an environment! There's no doubt about it, this current floor reflects something about the section that it corresponds toward!"

"It's more than that. It's not just this section... Something about the floor that we are or were in suggests or implies content of the section the password is corresponded to. It's more like to say that environment is the one where the sixth section would lead us toward."

"It's beautiful... I somewhat regret not going there..."

Yoh commented that as he is undoubtedly attracted to the mountain, for some reason. However, in the end, it was a fairly simple section as all we had to do was to cross the mechanical bridge without any sort of difficulty on our way.

In the middle of the upcoming downwards stairway case, Sagasuga made a remark to me.

"So far; so good, isn't that right, Kawahara?"

"Yeah. It's stupid how easy the exam was to solve, ultimately, Sagasuga. All we had to do was insert the right passwords and then go straight here. Hah."

I chuckled out loud as I reflected on the lack of difficulty in this exam.

"I wonder."

"About what?"

"Maybe there's another task to be done once we reach the bottom of the temple? It's more than likely that the exam is organized in a group of phases. The first phase is the gathering of words. The second phase is the decoding of the words. Wouldn't it make sense for there to be a third and last phase? Just a thought."

As I thought about Sagasuga's words, Shiori couldn't help but agree.

"That would make sense, wouldn't it...? What do you think, Ryousuke?"

"Whatever it is, I just hope that it doesn't require the ten of us criminals to do it, otherwise we are completely screwed because some of them are dead..."

On the seventh floor floor, the strangest thing happened. Out of nowhere, we were met with a water bay that contained a wooden bridge to walk into. Needless to say, yet another forward path, but this path would be far longer. Furthermore, on both of our right and left sides, we could witness a vast blue ocean around us. A sky so cerulean mixed with a soft embrace of white under a radiant sun above.

We attempted to look to our right side as we crossed the wooden bridge but outside of the fact that the wind gust was softly embracing us, nothing but the unparalleled length of an ocean greeted our sights.

However, Yoh, while looking in the opposite direction, noted something, that not many of us could notice.

".....There's a.... lighthouse... there...!"

"Really?"

I approached him on the edge of the wooden bridge as we both supported our bodies in the very linear edge separating the bridge and the sparkling ocean. I looked further and further in the direction that Yoh quietly pointed at and I could spot a very small yet tall figure; lonely in that ocean as I could grasp firmly a watery horizon from afar.

"You weren't kidding, there really is a lighthouse there."

"I wonder what it could be for?"

Sagasuga commented that while also looking in our direction. Rokoro didn't hesitate on giving his thoughts to us.

"It probably has something that would blow my mind! Something even more magnificent that would place itself above the fact that we are standing in the middle of an ocean inside a temple! Revolutionary technology! I will change the world once I inform the outside world about this!"

"Woah, you plan on telling the whole world about this? I respect your dedication, but... What will you do once a lot of people doubt you, out of curiosity?"

"Not to worry, Sagasuga-dono! My curiosity will overwhelm their doubts and I will give them evidence about this place, no matter what!"

"Hahahah... I like you! Good job in picking up such interesting individuals, Kawahara. I am most shocked at your change. You have my utmost honest congratulations!"

Showing a genuinely happy reaction, through his cuffs, Sagasuga raised an applause in my direction and then, Shiori whispered something to my ear.

"Good for you. Even a fellow of yours recognizes the fact that you have indeed changed. You should try and see if he can change too."

"........"

I didn't answer to her but I took her words into consideration. In addition to that, we all started to walk forward into the end of the wooden bridge.

Losing distance between me and Sagasuga, I spoke to him on a more personal level.

"Why not change too? If I can do it, you could do it too, no?"

"Eh? But what's wrong with me? I abide by morality constantly. As a matter of fact, my core philosophy of balance prevents me from being a bad person."

"...Come on, Sagasuga, get real... I'm talking behind that face of yours..."

Our eyes crossed far more serious than before.

"No."

That was his answer and thus, I sighed. Afterwards, I looked in Shiori's direction with a hopeless face. She, however, had the face of someone who was hoping that I would be able to convince Sagasuga still and as such, I attempted my luck again.

"Look, man. You're not a lost cause like the other clowns."

"You're right about that. Thanks!"

"..........."

That was not what I meant at all... He's hard to argue with, for some reason. It's like behind his usual facade lies a person that won't listen to any other person than himself or someone... above him. Wait, I think I want to try something out.

"Sagasuga, is there a person you consider above you?"

"What a strange question. But, yes. Of course."

"Who?"

He then stopped walking and put a grim face on as he told me to mind my own business in his own way.

"I don't believe I have the obligation to answer you, do I?"

I sighed once again as I am now someone new, who won't instigate others completely.

"I suppose not. My bad."

Dissapointed, I looked at Shiori, but she gave me a thumbs up instead of being disappointed like I am in myself. I acknowledged that she viewed my effort as something that should at least be recognized. Yet from the start I knew that reasoning with Sagasuga is the same as arguing with a wall.

Nothing ultimately happens.

Towards the eight floor we went as the bridge soon met a downwards path that would once again connect us to the floor below; the eight.

Just like in any floor, the structure changed completely. Although there wasn't a bridge this time, there is a sheltered passage to the other side covered in dark steel with very small windows made of glass on each side. Exactly like walking into the school at night, through a lonely hall, we all gained that feeling of reminiscence.

It was also quite illuminated as well but even though the path ahead was obvious, we were all curious to know what the outside had to offer; in other words, we all looked through the windows scattered around.

In the first window on my right, alongside Shiori and Sagasuga, we looked at the outside scenery.

"What exactly happened there? It's a destroyed city, isn't it, Ryousuke?"

I corrected Shiori, since there is a more appropriate saying to this.

"This is a dystopia. It's all singed and ruined but... ironically enough, it looked highly advanced in terms of technology."

The buildings resemble that of a metropolis, a very mechanical one. There is no sun outside, but the lights from the destroyed buildings scattered through the massive city remain. A single sight of nature does not run in this place as everything is mechanical.

"Fools."

For some reason, as we were watching the city, Sagasuga spoke that word.

"Were you talking to us?"

"Ah, no. I was thinking of something else, don't mind me. Also, can we get going? There's nothing be obtained here except for lore and I am not interested in it. Besides, we can't even get down there."

"You're right. But it's fun and surprising at the same time, Sagasuga. This fake organization is trying too hard to impress us."

Throughout the island, I've lost count of the amount of times the mighty "Illuminati" have been foreshadowed but it's all a joke. They don't exist. First of all, their history began as a society that would fight for their own rights against the abuse of the state in terms of power. However, nowadays, they don't have an enemy. Furthermore, they were banned from existence.

This is nothing more than a cheap---well, not a cheap, but a far too thought-out imitation. There's no doubt that there's a lot of effort into this, but this is probably something that the ones behind the exam thought it was funny for us to overthink about.

Alas, we made our way to ninth floor and the lights started to fade out.

"Rokoro, where was it?"

"If I recall correctly, Kawahara-dono... In the middle of the area."

"I see... Everyone, do your absolute best to not get creeped out."

At last, we would walk into the ninth floor. Although the lights were very poorly illuminated, it was enough for us to see it. Something happened in this floor and that something is no other than the lack of change in the overall structure. I won't say that it isn't yet another linear path, but in this wide square-shaped area, there is a certain factor that would catch the attention of someone who would walk in, without a shadow of doubt.

The ceiling above is now open and by looking at the top of it, one can see the multitude of spears aligned in order to strike down any individual who would dare to walk in this vicinity without the right to. That right being: the correct password being inserted first.

As we walked in, we descended the small four degrees of the stairway in the forward direction. The statues in the two sides contained spears as well, but the spears above would undoubtedly be the ultimate cause of fatality.

After all, this is what happens when you get too greedy.

"Daniel, Daniel. I can see now you weren't anywhere to be found. Like I thought, you were in here, but I must admit, you outsmarted me to the core."

In all my previous thoughts before, I never for once thought that Daniel was dead all along. As I thought, I was overestimating him far too much.

Because, right here, in front of me, Daniel Lead stands, with multiple spears stabbed on his chest, face, and ultimately, his legs. He wasn't able to fall down on the floor since the spears adjusted to his body posture and are penetrated on the ground.

"...Wait, what happened exactly...?"

Yoh wasn't exactly creeped out because we already knew that Daniel was dead, but Sagasuga explained it for me, since our thought processes were practically identical.

"I think what happened was the following: While Kawahara and the rest of you were deciphering the passwords, Daniel took advantage of what you were doing and bought his way down here. In other words, since you all had inserted eight correct passwords, there wasn't any sort of challenge to Daniel down here. However, he made a fatal miscalculation..."

Shiori, who wasn't phased by this since she already knew what had happened followed Sagasuga up.

"He didn't take into consideration that it was necessary to clear all the passwords and in addition thought he could just walk in without any sort of consequences. He was clearly wrong. I must say, out of all of you, he was probably the dumbest. Not only did he refuse to cooperate, but he probably was the one who killed Kan and Akihiko. A coward to the very end. This might be cold, but he got what he deserved."

"It's not cold, Shiori, it's just the truth. He wasn't very smart at all, so this is a fine end for him. With that said..."

Rokoro finished my sentence with a smile on his face.

"Kawahara-dono, this means that since Daniel Lead-dono is dead, we can safely move everyone in once we find what the next floor contains!"

"Exactly, kiddo! Let's go!"

I high-fived Rokoro, as Shiori and Yoh were all happy at the thought of no oppositions being at our sight. If Daniel is dead, then there is nothing to worry about. Kan and Akihiko are dead like him, so they are not threats. Sagasuga is chained up like that bastard Hyunda, so it's impossible for them to utilize their strengths. They will never be able to talk their way out to safety on my watch. Furthermore, Tatsu and Tsudo are under Damian and Karlos' watch. Karlos will put them in their place should they try anything funny. Lastly, Rayazaki and Kuzan are on my side.

All the pieces are with me and as such, we moved into the tenth floor by crossing the room right into the last stairway case that we would utilize.

However, as we did, I lagged behind and talked to him.

"Look at you. So pitiful... I don't know what you two had going together, but I could tell you were planning something along with him. Yet, he was a fool for overextending himself like this."

"............"

With his entire spiky hair covering his front eyes, I couldn't get a clearer look at him, so I grabbed his face and forced my way in and I could only capture an infinite hollowness in his eyes that reflected despair without hope at sight.

"Say something, bastard. I want to hear it."

"...You win."

Never in my entire life did words cause my emotions to stir up in a happy way like that before. The corners of my lips rose to full heights and my confidence bursted when Hajime Hyunda at last, admitted defeat. I started to laugh out loud then.

"That's what you get! That's what you fucking get for not acknowledging me. I command close to 500 people but look at you! You couldn't even maintain your "friend" alive. So, how does it feel like?!"

"....."

He is so dead inside that he can't even move his lips. But, I realized something as I let go of his face and moved forward.

I am a changed person and I won't treat someone in an evil manner again. This is the last time and as I approached Shiori, I clarified that.

"...Sorry, that was the last time. I promise."

"...Don't do that again... Even Yoh and Rokoro could barely recognize you..."

"....Sorry..."

I cast down my glance but at the same time, I took a deep breathe as I collected all my spirit while moving forward to the next floor.

The tenth and last floor, at the very bottom of the temple contained a wide area in the shape of a triangle. This area, in addition, is highly illuminated, but the particular main attraction would be the gigantic door that has the height of thirty meters. Exactly like entering the boss room, that door and what's beyond it, would give a similar feeling. Nonetheless, the door was firmly locked, because, before it, there are ten machines that have the purpose of acknowledging one's fingerprints.

Aside from that, there are two elevators on the right and left side of this triangle-shaped area. I daresay that those elevators will probably lead us to a hidden exit that will in addition lead us to the outside area of the temple where we can hopefully meet up with everyone. That would spare us the trouble of walking up all over again. However, just to make sure, I gave Rokoro and Yoh the orders.

"Rokoro, Yoh, can you check if those two elevators have a function that allows you to go up?"

"Absolutely Kawahara-dono!"

"...Ok."

Meanwhile, Sagasuga posed a question in regards of the machines ahead of us.

"Are you not going to try that out to see what it does? If so, can I try it first?"

"Why not? Show me what they can do. Take the middle machine."

"Certaintly."

Since I was curious as to what it did, I allowed Sagasuga to take control of the motion here and he went with the fifth machine, as he put his right hand on the recognition machine. The result was something that we would all take immediate note of.

"The upper part of the door vanished into thin air..."

"Wait, does that mean that the door is an illusion?"

"Can't we just walk through it then?"

Kuzan and Rayazaki assumed all of that from Shiori's remark, but I corrected them.

"I doubt it. Anyway, Sagasuga, do the same on the right one to see what happens."

"Got it."

However, nothing happened and so, he turned himself in my direction and spoke his mind.

"I could be wrong here but... I believe that we need someone else with different finger-prints. There is a reason as to why there are ten machines. Why doesn't Hyunda try it, for example?"

".........."

Skeptical, I looked at Sagasuga and then Hyunda. As I saw nothing wrong with that, I attempted to speak, but had to hear Yoh and Rokoro's reports first.

"...It only leads up..."

"Indeed! This means we don't have to walk up! Mamma mia!"

"As I thought, fantastic. Kuzan, Rayazaki, make him do it."

On my command, they brought Hyunda closer to the sixth machine and did it.

Shiori then noted what happened as he did that.

"Now the second upper part disappeared. It's strange because there seems to be only three pieces left, if I calculate the sizes. Ryousuke, try it to see it the middle piece disappears; I want to try my theory out."

"Just a second then."

Instead of going for the seventh machine, I went with the fourth one on the other hand and just as Shiori had theorized, the middle part of the door vanished as we could actually capture light from beyond the door but we knew not where it would lead us yet.

"Okay, nice! I think that if the sizes don't differ that it should only take two more people for the door to completely vanish!"

Understanding their roles without anyone having to tell them, Kuzan and Rayazaki didn't hesitate in going to the third and second machines to ultimately insert their own finger-prints.

"Eureka! It's gone! Our way in is at sight! What do we do now, Kawahara-dono?!"

It's true. What lies beyond is most likely the end of the exam. Furthermore, Shiori's theory suggests that it's not necessary for ten people to be successful in getting here in order to complete the exam. It's only necessary that at least five people insert their finger-prints and as such, the program that is keeping us under watch has acknowledged the five of us as the exam's winners.

Nonetheless, it is at times like these that I think to myself that instead of using this achievement to myself, I have to share it with those important to me and as such, I spoke my honest thoughts to Rokoro.

"Let's go up and inform everyone about this! Can you imagine how happy they would be about this, kiddo?!"

"I think so too, Kawahara-dono! I can't wait to see their reactions!"

"Exactly! You get me!"

With my path of action successfully put out, we started to make our way to the left elevator as we would soon climb our way up.

Yet, before that, Shiori spoke to me as we purposely lagged behind.

"I'm proud of you. You didn't prioritize this exam completely and instead prioritized getting the others out of this island."

"I couldn't have done this without you, I think. Along the way, I might've lost myself and went back to the old me."

She smiled as she was happy at my words and I did the same, since her smile is highly contagious, in a good manner.

"Well then. It's our win, Ryousuke. I know it's a bit early to throw the rockets up, but we did it. Now, all we have to do is to tell the others about it!"

With faith in our success, for the first time in my life, as we took this elevator, I, along with someone I deeply care about, could acknowledge that we did something remarkable with our actions.

Undoubtely, it's our win.