Cross-legged on the grass, Caution closed his eyes and tried to do the one thing he despised the most...

Nothing.

The task felt impossible. All he could think about was his name on the leaderboard, slowly rising the ranks. Since hearing his wife, a wild impatience surged. Every day was a mental war and time dragged on like never before. On top of this, over the past three days, a little revelation had hit him. For quite some time, an unusual feeling about the world had lingered at the back of his mind and now he finally knew what it was...

Time did not heal for contestants. Any feelings of loss, pain and anguish that resulted from entering the death game refused to disappear. Psychologically, he was being tortured.

Just before Manny decided to pursue boxing as a career, his parents died in a car crash. He had gone through the normal mourning phase and wept with his sister, Yemi. However, as the years accumulated, the huge hole in his chest slowly filled up and whenever he reflected on his parents, he was able to smile about the good times they spent together.

But the creators refused to let this healing process take place. 16 years had passed and Caution was still in mental anguish. Manny's last fight with Flavio was extremely vivid as well as the previous interactions with his friends and family. Every smile, every joke, every promise... they were all too clear. Everything he loved dangled in front of him, teasing him like a treasure out of reach. It was too much.

Caution let out a deep breath in an attempt to regain control but failed miserably. His thoughts were chaotic, bouncing from various topics.

What weapon does Vidal wield? At the state you're in now, can you even beat him?

Technique and heart aren't enough. Whether you like it or not, those stats matter. Don't let the win against Senni fool you. She knocked you down easily.

You need to be stronger, much stronger, and you know exactly how...

His heart rate spiked. Sweat dripped down his forehead. He felt stuck in a cage, as the thoughts repeatedly cycled in his mind, pounding at his skull.

“Knocking someone out and murdering another human being are two different things. Can you really bloody your hands?”

Caution jumped to his feet and threw a furious combination, each jab cleanly cutting through the air. "This is pointless! Isn't there any other way?"

Astel opened one eye. He had been sitting right next to him on the grass. "I don't know. Meditation is the only way I know how to passively increase the perception stat."

"This feels pointless."

"It works. You don't trust me?"

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"No, I do."

Astel closed the open eye, smiling slightly. "Let's continue then."

Caution sat back down. Fifteen seconds passed. "Just to clarify, I trust you wouldn't lie about meditation increasing perception. Generally, I don't trust you at all. We're enemies and you shouldn't trust me either."

"Nah, I trust you," Astel said without hesitation.

"Then you're insane."

"Alright. Let's continue."

Only five seconds passed.

"You have to be joking. You can't trust me. You know my intentions."

Astel's eyes remained closed this time. "One little trick to help with meditation is to stop talking. I know it's a bit whacky but give it a shot."

"Your mere existence stops me from achieving what I want," Caution said coldly. "I could try to kill you at any moment, I can't stress this enough."

Oh, so you called the truce off?"

"No, but--"

"Then shut up," Astel snapped. He sighed. "We're not getting anywhere. Let's stop for now."

Caution blinked twice, slightly surprised at the outburst. "You don't think I'm going to go through with it, do you?"

"With what?"

"Killing you."

Astel shrugged. "Maybe. Look, can't I be optimistic? You could have easily hunted me down before encountering me in Adventurer School yet you didn't. You could have immediately attacked me but decided to create a truce. It seems like you're reluctant. I think you're a good person."

Caution paused, not sure how to respond at first. It felt impossible to be hostile. "Good people change," he said eventually. "They just need the right trigger."

There was an awkward silence.

"Your stats are coming together nicely," Astel said.

Caution opened up his profile page. "Mhm," he grunted. "I gave strength, magic and vitality a boost."

Status

Name: Caution Hunt (Level 15)

Titles: Ultimate Challenger

Class: The Champ

Health points (HP): 40

Mana consumption: 0/40 (MC)

Stats

Strength: 67 (+20) Agility: 32

Stamina: 43 Vitality: 8 (+5)

Perception: 5 Magic: 20 (+10)

Healing: 1 Free points: 0

Special items: Crimson energy store. (Creator gift)

"Your health is still pretty bad for someone who prefers close combat," Astel said. "But I see what you're going for. Your mana consumption has doubled which should help you handle the crimson cube now. Have you tried it?"

"No."

"You should try a few tests."

"That's the plan."

"Have you figured out what your Ultimate Challenger title does yet? It's probably something extremely helpful. Seeing as you're a professional boxer, I believe the creator might have given you a unique skill related to that. Or maybe-"

"Okay, what's your deal?" Caution said.

Astel stared at him innocently. "Hm?"

"Why are you always trying to help me? "What's your objective? Are you trying to attack me with kindness so you can take me out when my guard is down?"

"Nope," Astel said. He sprung to his feet with a determined look in his eyes. "I want to travel around the world with friends and explore it as an experienced adventurer. I want to visit every dungeon that exists and help liberate all the Death Zones plagued with monsters. I want to enjoy this life to the fullest and survive for as long as possible. I'm just trying to be happy, Caution. It's not that deep."

You're just trying to be happy, huh?

The words resonated strongly. Ultimately, that was exactly what Caution wanted too.

His glare disappeared as he thought about Astel's hopes for the future. It seemed like a fun and challenging journey, the type he loved the most. He admired the balls to have such an ambitous goal.

Out of nowhere, glowing text appeared in front of them.

Another contestant is nearby. Check the Radar tab for more information.

Caution cracked his knuckles. The crimson cube above him spun madly. "Your dream isn't possible in this world, Astel. Not as a contestant."