Ethereal strings, shimmering with a faint, otherworldly light, coiled around each individual brick, exerting a precise force that dislodged them from the weakened wall. The energy coursing through the strings hummed with power as they propelled the bricks through the air, each one hurtling toward Musabori with deadly intent. Musabori, encased in his nearly impenetrable black riot armor, barely had time to react. The weight of his protective gear, while offering unparalleled defense, also slowed his movements. The barrage of bricks struck him with full force, the impact reverberating through the armor and staggering him where he stood.

This wasn’t how the matter reconstructor was designed to be used. Typically, it served as a tool for dismantling materials, breaking them down into their base components for easy collection. But in this desperate situation, Toru had repurposed it as a weapon, and the strain on the device was evident. Sparks flew from the device as it emitted a high-pitched whine, the internal mechanisms protesting the misuse. Toru glanced at it, knowing it was badly damaged, but he didn’t have time to dwell on it. Musabori was incapacitated for the moment, and Toru knew better than to stick around.

With his opponent temporarily out of commission, Toru sprinted away from the castle grounds, his heart pounding with adrenaline. His mind raced as he tallied up his progress. So far, he had taken out 26 contestants, a significant number that had put him ahead of most others. “Twenty-six down, and still counting,” he thought, a mix of satisfaction and wariness filling him. Despite his successes, Toru was acutely aware that Musabori was still alive, and there was no feasible way for him to take down someone so heavily armored with the tools he currently had at his disposal. “Wish I could take him out too, but there’s simply no way with that heavy-ass protection,” he muttered under his breath as he continued to run.

As he put more distance between himself and the castle, Toru noticed how the atmosphere around him had shifted. Unlike the chaos of a few hours earlier, the vicinity was now eerily quiet. Most of the combatants had either been eliminated or had chosen to retreat. Those who remained were likely too exhausted or too cautious to engage further in battle. Toru welcomed the relative peace, using it as an opportunity to strategize his next move.

He soon found himself on a road that skirted the seaside, a stark contrast to the claustrophobic confines of the castle. The salty sea breeze offered a brief respite from the oppressive heat of battle, and Toru allowed himself to breathe deeply as he slowed his pace. He was now on Grimtide Street, a narrow lane that ran parallel to the coast, west of the castle. The street was deserted, save for the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore. It was the perfect place to take stock of his situation.

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Toru raised his wrist, activating the UI that tracked his vital signs and overall condition. The translucent interface projected a series of readings into the air before him.

Toru Hamada

Body: Functional

Mind: Operational

Exhaustion: Below-moderate

He sighed at the bland report. “Not very informative, eh,” he muttered, though he was relieved that his exhaustion levels hadn’t reached a critical point yet. Still, he knew that the battle was far from over, and he needed to recover his strength and prepare for the next encounter. The matter reconstructor was in dire need of repair, and without it, his ability to gather materials and craft essential gear would be severely hampered.

His next priority was clear: he needed to collect the resources necessary to fix the matter deconstructor and to craft additional equipment that could give him an edge in the increasingly intense competition. As Toru began to formulate a plan, a system window suddenly popped up in front of him, blocking his view of the street.

One sixth of the players have been eliminated

Entering main scenario now

The message was simple, yet its implications were significant. Out of the initial 1200 players, only 1000 remained. Toru smirked, realizing that he had personally sent home about 10% of the eliminated participants, thanks to his clever tactics and quick thinking. “This is already looking better than last year,” he said to himself, reflecting on his improved performance.

Just as he was beginning to feel a sense of accomplishment, another notification appeared in his HUD, this time accompanied by a faint sound that indicated the destruction of his turret.

Your turret has been destroyed by a ‘riot shield’

Toru’s smirk faded slightly as he considered the implications. The turret he had so carefully placed had finally been taken down, likely by an opponent who had managed to close the distance and engage in direct combat.

“This isn’t over yet,” Toru thought, as the realization set in that the competition was only going to get fiercer. The opponents who remained were likely the strongest and most resourceful, and he would need to be at his best to survive the next phase. He knew that Musabori was still out there, recovering from their encounter and possibly hunting him down for revenge.

Toru glanced around Grimtide Street, scanning for any signs of danger or potential materials he could use. The quiet, seemingly serene setting was deceptive; danger could be lurking just around the corner. But Toru was ready. He had already proven his resourcefulness and tenacity, and he was determined to keep pushing forward, no matter what challenges lay ahead. The game was entering its main scenario, and Toru was prepared to face it head-on, armed with his wits, his skills, and the resolve to emerge victorious.