Once Wendy woke up, she felt something light in her pocket. It was a note, with a small message in it.

'The numbers you need are 4398. Congrats on winning, Wendy.'

Wendy looked over at Andrei's body. So him and Amber were gone, huh? Guess it was time to hit the exit.

After the walk over, she was met by Cyrus, Odebode, and Vanessa.

"Here's the numbers." She announced, waving the paper towards Cyrus.

"Hey, you made it!" Odebode shouted with a smile.

"Yep." Wendy nodded. "Andrei and Amber are dead, though."

"Yeah, we saw." Odebode replied quietly. "But…we made it. Actually, where's Silvia?"

"No idea." Wendy said. "She left me this note when I was knocked out. Dunno where she went."

"Guys. I'm pressing enter." Cyrus said quietly. The button was pressed. For a minute was complete silence, before a shock was delivered to Cyrus, causing him to fall to the ground.

"Ha! Just kidding." A smooth voice announced over his watch. "You got it right. Congratulations."

The gate opened, revealing a man with crimson skin slowly clapping on the other side.

"So, these are my winners? Again, I offer my congratulations."

"Who are you?" Cyrus asked sternly.

"My, such an attitude from a recent winner?" The man asked, jokingly feigning offense. "But if you must know, I'm Mersache, the man who runs NeoBunny. A few other things as well, but NeoBunny's currently the most relevant. Since your hosts have unfortunately passed in the recent challenge, I felt it appropriate to congratulate you personally. And offer my thanks."

"Thanks?" Vanessa asked.

"Yes, indeed. Watching you succeed has been immensely enjoyable, and a massive help in my research. And now I feel it ready to engage in the next section of the games going forward."

"Going forward?" Odebode asked.

"Yes, yes." Mersache nodded. "The district building is outdated! The next stage of the gauntlet is to take it all over Nova City! To let the people get up close and personal with every competitor!"

Wendy swung at him with her metal pole. Clean shot to the head. And he wasn't even moving, just staying in place with his smug expression plastered onto his face. But just as the pole made contact with him, his face melted into his neck, reappearing once the pole was behind him.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"Anyway." Mersache continued, unfazed. "The time has come for the District Building's grand finale!"

He snapped his fingers, and the buildings behind him were engulfed in a rapidly growing series of flames as the smaller areas of the district building slowly fell to the ground. In a matter of seconds, the area was nothing but a pile of rubble.

"Silvia?!" Cyrus asked.

"Is Silvia okay?" Vanessa asked.

"I'll check once the rewards are dealt with." Mersache replied casually, reaching into his pockets. And out he pulled four sets of keys.

"Your housing. I hope the areas are to your liking. And remember, your next five crimes are accounted for, and your previous records never even happened."

Wendy was the first to take her keys.

"I'm guessing I can bring my family up?" She asked calmly.

"If they can fit, they're allowed."

Cyrus and Odebode were next to take their keys. Odebode smiled towards Cyrus as he collected his, and Cyrus in turn nodded.

"Um, I…don't need the house, thanks." Vanessa said quietly, shaking her head. "I'm fine where I am."

"If you say so." The man replied with a soft nod, putting the keys back in his pockets.

"But you can give it to a survivor next year! Have six winners instead of five!"

"Noble. I'll consider it." The man said calmly. "Anyway, your transportation to your housing is behind me, and as for Vanessa, I'll arrange something to get you."

The four winners moved where he directed.

"Excuse me, sir." Cyrus said with a light cough as he walked past.

"Yes?" Mersache replied, not turning around.

"Turn around." Cyrus demanded quietly. "I want you to face me."

"Wow, what a tone." The man whispered, joyfully spinning on his feet to do as he asked. "What do you need, exactly?"

"I need to let you know something. All this time of you and your cronies controlling this city and subjugating it's people are coming to an end. Enjoy it while it lasts, because the control you have on this city is purely a mental one. And once the people realize it, you'll have nothing but luxury food to dine on before the people take your head."

The man stood in place for a second. Gazing up at the sky above them, a layer of glass seperating them. He calmly walked up to Cyrus, who didn't move an inch.

"I look forward to it." He whispered into his ears. "Now if you excuse me, I have some business to attend to."

He disappeared into the pile of smoking rubble, leaving the four winners alone.

"Well, see you guys at the housing." Wendy said calmly. "I'm outta here."

"Yeah, see you." Odebode replied calmly. "And Cyrus…if you're planning on doing anything, you know where I am."

In the ruins of the city, Mersache walked up to the bar, the only place still standing. And once he opened the door, he saw Silvia, pouring several drinks into a mixer and pouring it into her mouth.

"May I ask what you're doing?" He asked calmly.

"Celebrating my victory." Silvia replied sarcastically.

"Interesting." Mersache nodded. "Well, I have the keys to your house here."

"Give em to Andrei's family. And take care of his mother."

"Oh, you weren't messing around with that statement? Quite admirable, I'll admit. But sure, they can have it. And if I may, I give my full congratulations on your brother making it to Brickwall."

"Thanks." Silvia replied, taking another sip of her concoction. "Anyway, I'm out. Gotta collect my brother."

"And if anything happens to him, they will face the full extent of my wrath." Mersache nodded. "Well, it seems safe enough to walk out of here. Have fun with your future endeavours."

And with a short bow in respect, he quickly melted goodbye.

Silvia took another sip of her drink. She sat at the table, thinking about the remaining winners. Wendy, Vanessa, Cyrus and Odebode.

Whatever comes next, good luck guys.