Chapter 76
this is a fictional story by realTensai
The curtains closed over the first day of the survival game, and Alvis and his roommates were sleeping. Well, they were supposed to sleep, yet Alvis wouldn’t close his eyes yet. He stared at his system and the survival game’s system, analyzing it once again, this time with enough time and silence at his hand.
Alvis’ heart wouldn’t stop knocking against his ribcage just thinking about his limited respawns. The moment he had seen it, he didn’t have the time to fully understand what it meant, given that it was one of the many problems he had to face. However, now he understood the gravity of this situation.
He had three respawns he could use. After that, he would be in his last life state, a state he wasn’t quite fond of. Looking back, it should’ve been obvious that the Devil wouldn’t grant him unlimited respawns forever. Yet Alvis didn’t know the criteria which determined the times he could respawn.
Can the Devil even control it?
If Alvis was in the Devil’s position, he wouldn’t even grant himself one respawn, after all, failure would only benefit him. Yet the Devil didn’t do that. Either he couldn’t do it or there was another reason he decided against it. Both options were equally possible.
It just means I can’t trust everything the Devil says.
A rather obvious thing to think, yet also complicated to execute. The Devil was the only one who knew about Alvis’ system, so he was the only source of information Alvis had. Even if Alvis were to second guess everything he said, the Devil could still frame Alvis’ thinking to a certain degree. However, as long as Alvis was aware of that it shouldn’t be a problem.
This isn’t the thing I should be focussing on now.
Alvis couldn’t possibly know what the Devil was scheming, but it didn’t matter right now, anyway. With only three respawns, Alvis had to make the most out of every life. If he wanted to win, he couldn’t waste time.
But how do I even win?
The conditions to clear the level didn’t change; all it said was to win. If he were to follow the rules the Priest set out, winning would mean being the last survivor. Alvis just shook his head. Even with the new rule of teaming, this wasn’t an option.
He would be lying if he said that the thought of forming a team with Lia and his friends and winning this game together didn’t tempt him, yet he wouldn’t choose the easy way out.
I can’t forget my newly formed life motto.
Alvis would live a life of no regrets. Abandoning everyone but his friends just so he could survive would go against it. However, that meant he had to find another way to win if he wanted as many people as possible to survive. And with the rules where they were now, teaming was the only option. Yet Alvis was sure that there had to be some loopholes he could exploit.
In the worst-case scenario, we just have to forcefully bring this game to an end.
The one who created this game was the Devil Cult’s Priest of Knowledge, Elric Zweistein. If he were to die, this game would most likely end too, which could only result in Alvis’ win. Either way, Alvis had already made up his mind.
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I’m coming for your head!
He wouldn’t let this chance slip by. A Devil Cult’s Priest just came into his city and was within close range. All Alvis had to do was catch him and slay him. It was his responsibility as the leader of the Devil Hunters.
Alvis had already tried reaching out to Adler, yet all the communication to the outside was cut. It was impossible for Alvis to know what was happening on the other side of the barrier. Still, if Adler knew they were stuck in here, he would try his best to get him out. Though the same went for the WRO, the hope Mr. Woltzer bet everything on. Yet Alvis still thought it was unlikely that outsiders could help them.
It would be too simple.
Leaving this matter aside, Alvis looked at his system again. He still had to complete his daily quests, even within this survival game. However, he would do it before breakfast every morning, just like he had done on his class trip.
Whilst I’m at it, I should visit Elise again.
Alvis had sent her a message, yet she didn’t respond. Her behavior was more than odd and Alvis’ inwards twisted just imagining what she went through right now. However, he didn’t know what he could do for her, especially if she wouldn’t talk to him.
I will just keep trying.
Moving on from this topic, Alvis focused on the new rules of the survival game. He understood how teaming worked, but he wasn’t sure about quests. How would they work? What would be the rewards? How many would there be? There were several questions he couldn’t answer yet, though as soon as the first quests would be available, he would get the answer.
“Ahhh~”
Alvis’ mouth opened on its own as tiredness overcame him.
I guess I will sleep now.
——
Alvis tried his best not to devour his sandwich in one go. A hard task after completing his daily quests just this morning. However, their food was limited, which meant Alvis had to hold back quite a bit.
“How I’m supposed to survive off of two sandwiches?” Dane said, already finished with the first one.
“Be happy that you got two,” Maya said in a stern tone. “Elves, humans, and dwarves only get one.”
“Are we already so low on supplies?”
“Of course not. But that doesn’t mean we should be lavish.”
Dane just clicked his tongue and then started picking up the last crumbs of his bread.
“Hey Alvis,” Sekki said, pausing his eating for a second. “Do you have any news from Mr. Zweistein?”
“I visited him just a few minutes ago, but he isn’t opening his doors.”
As Alvis saw everyone’s tense faces, he continued.
“He is just overly cautious. Many people are after him having heard the Priest’s name.”
“But how can you be sure he is innocent?”
“Dane?!”
“It’s alright Lia, it’s a valid question,” Alvis said, unfazed. “I guess it’s just my intuition after spending so much time with him.”
Alvis’ eyes didn’t waver, as his words reflected his heart. Even though he didn’t know much about Elise, he knew for a fact that she wasn’t part of the Devil Cult.
Dane seemed to accept his answer, and they continued eating.
“I must say, it’s rare for you to spend time with us Maya,” Sekki said, changing the subject. “Where did this change of mind come from?”
“Don’t get your hopes up. I’m not here because of you,” she said, her words as cold as ever. “I’ve decided to stay at Lia’s side for as long as this game continues.”
A soft smile formed on Alvis’ face as soon as he heard that. Maya knew about Lia’s good-hearted nature and how she would probably try to deal with everything on her own. That was why Maya decided to be at her side, acting as her supporter and mental pillar.
She is a good friend.
As long as Maya was with her, Alvis could ease up, knowing Lia was in good hands.
“What a beautiful friendship.”
“Just shut up.”
Why do I feel like those two have a past?
“Al, Maya, let’s have a student council meeting today.”
Alvis nodded, and Maya did the same.
“You want to have a meeting in times like these?” Dane asked.
“It’s because we are in a dire situation that we need those meetings,” Lia responded almost immediately. “In this chaotic time, the student council should aid the teachers to keep the peace.”
“I get what you mean, but what do you want to do?”
“That’s what we will find out in today’s meeting.”
“I can inform Chao and the first years about it,” Alvis said.
“Thank you.”
They soon finished eating and went to class together. Their first lesson was with their homeroom teacher, Ms. Myth, so they were all together. However, on their way to class, it happened.
“— Hello, I hope you’ve slept well.”
Everyone stopped in their tracks as the Priest’s voice echoed throughout the entire school. Alvis’ heartbeat skyrocketed as he awaited his next words.
“You did well surviving the first day. No one died. I hope you will keep sticking together.”
His words had a sarcastic undertone that made Alvis’ stomach roll.
“I got some good news for you.”
The second he said that everyone’s survival game system opened up.
“The first quests are here.”