Chapter – 17
“Yeriell.”
“Ah, Wendy.”
He was checking the embers in the brazier and greeted me with his usual bright smile.
“Yeriell, you’re always smiling so brightly.”
Unlike those two guys who seem like they’re missing a screw somewhere.
Yeriell’s perfect, saint-like smile made me feel warm and fluffy just by looking at it.
“Haha, not at all.”
A smile so warm it almost made me wonder if an angel had disguised himself as a human.
“You have to smile. It’s a world that’s too hard without laughter.”
His gentle words made it feel like the dark night had brightened.
“Please keep smiling like that, Yeriell. I think that smile alone will be a big help.”
Smiling along with him, I held out my hand.
“This is a gift. It’s called a ring that gives hope. I thought it would suit you.”
Yeriell looked surprised for a moment as he stared at the ring I handed him, but soon smiled and tried it on.
“It’s my first time receiving a ring as a gift.”
Fortunately, it fit his finger perfectly.
To be honest, that ring was the 0.1% lucky ring I got from a random box.
It supposedly brings miraculous luck with a 0.1% probability…
But honestly, I picked it because it was too expensive to give away something like a first-aid kit.
“I’m glad you like it.”
Seeing how much he liked it made me feel a little guilty.
Sorry, Yeriell…
Next time I’ll give you something better.
While I was silently confessing my guilt—
“Wendy.”
“Yes?”
Yeriell called out to me as I was about to leave. I turned back, feeling oddly nervous like a thief caught red-handed.
“Your smile shines just as much, Wendy. Enough to brighten everyone around you.”
But seeing that face filled with pure happiness made me feel even more guilty.
“I gain a lot of strength from you too. So please don’t push yourself too hard.”
He really was someone filled with a fairy-tale kind of goodness.
The kind of person who makes you feel lucky just to have them as a teammate.
“Thank you, Yeriell.”
“I should be the one saying that.”
Leaving his gentle smile behind, I walked over to Zenon, who was already wrapped in a blanket preparing to sleep.
“Hey.”
As I approached, he frowned like he was already annoyed.
I tossed the gift onto his stomach.
“Found it on the way.”
“Don’t need it. Take it back.”
He answered without even looking at it.
Seriously, every word from him is prickly.
The humanity I had just restored thanks to Yeriell instantly faded.
“I was going to find you something better, but since you talk like garbage, I decided that gift was good enough.”
He sighed quietly and slowly stood up to look me straight in the eye.
“What’s wrong with how I talk?”
“It’s annoying, blunt, and rude.”
And honestly, his cold face just made me want to pick a fight.
Maybe I kept provoking him because none of it ever worked.
“Thanks for teaching me that skill today.”
Even if he’s annoying, I should still say thanks.
He did help me in his own way.
“And I’m going to keep struggling to survive.”
“Do whatever you want.”
Seriously, how can someone be that uninterested in a teammate?
I sighed lightly and punched his chest softly.
“Let’s work well together from now on.”
Zenon shook his head like he never agreed to help.
I smiled slightly at him.
“Liar. You’ll help anyway. We’re a team.”
“Tch. Believe whatever you want.”
Now he even turned his head away completely.
So arrogant.
At least his face lives up to his attitude.
“Well anyway, use the gift well!”
I quickly left before he could realize the gift I gave him was a [Very Pathetic Dagger].
After giving everyone their gifts—
“I can’t see the mark…”
“…Mom.”
“How did you know my lake number?”
“Why would you give something this useless…”
I watched them all fiddling with their presents with satisfaction before returning to my spot.
This would definitely improve Wendy Porcelain’s reputation among the group.
And my “bosses”… I mean teammates… would think better of me too.
First button fastened properly.
From now on I just needed to continue like this.
A kind, useful, friendly supporting character.
Someone indispensable. Someone who slowly becomes part of the team.
Tomorrow is the first quest.
The first night ended well. Now I just need to keep it up.
“Tomorrow’s quest is definitely that… If I wake up early I can secure the advantageous position…”
I tried to calmly plan tomorrow while lying down.
“Secure… posi… zzz…”
But my exhausted body knocked me out instantly.
* * *
Chirp chirp.
A relaxed morning where even the birds seemed done hunting.
[A new quest has arrived!]
[A new quest has arrived!]
[A new quest has arrived!]
“Ugh… so loud…”
I frowned at the piercing notification sound.
Did I just pass out yesterday?
Guess it’s time to get up.
I stretched and slowly opened my eyes.
I had fallen asleep on bare ground with just a blanket, yet I felt refreshed…
Maybe I’m naturally suited for sleeping outdoors?
Warm sunlight and a lazy comfort wrapped around me.
I feel like I’ve felt this before in real life…
When was it?
“Man, why is this alarm going crazy…”
This sharp alarm and this strange freshness.
I’ve definitely felt this eerie déjà vu before.
Wait…
I remembered.
This is exactly how it feels when you wake up after oversleeping.
That exact feeling.
I froze for a moment before jumping up.
“AHHH! Everyone wake up!”
Damn it!
This was not the time to lie around comfortably.
This morning was when the first gate began.
The true beginning of the original story started today.
Oh no.
The first trial would start at a random location in this area.
From what I remembered, the first trial—<Forest Evil Spirits>—was structured to heavily favor teams that arrived first.
The rules were similar to hide-and-seek.
Except instead of just finding someone—
You kill them when you find them.
That was the terrifying rule.
Anyway, when you arrived you could choose your position.
There were two choices.
First: <Ruler>
The most advantageous role. You gain points by defeating Evil Spirits.
Once you reach your assigned points, you can move to the second gate or stay to support teammates.
Second: <Evil Spirit>
You must hide and avoid being caught.
You cannot attack—only run.
If you survive the time limit, you can move to the second gate or support your team.
Naturally, in the original story, almost everyone chose Ruler.
Liriane’s team also all chose Ruler and cleared quickly.
Though many unethical things happened during that process.
Things they later deeply regretted.
Still… I can’t be an Evil Spirit.
At first, people resist the idea of attacking fellow survivors.
But if it were that easy, it wouldn’t be a survival story.
If Rulers refuse to attack Evil Spirits for a certain time—
Or hesitate even when one is right in front of them—
They feel their throat being crushed.
A penalty.
That pain ensures they attack.
Reality hit me like cold water.
No time to hesitate.
I immediately started waking everyone.
“Liriane, Eden! Wake up. We’re late!”
I shook the two sleeping in a corner.
“Mmm… sister?”
Liriane opened her eyes sleepily.
Seeing her innocent face, unaware of what was coming, made my chest tighten.
Wait… when did these two start sleeping together?
When did they get so close?
Then—
“Eek! What is this doing here?!”
Ah… guess they didn’t get close after all.
Maybe they just instinctively moved toward another person while sleeping.
They had rolled toward each other like little caterpillars wrapped in blankets.
I sighed and shook Eden.
“Wake up, Eden!”
“……”
“Wake up.”
“……”
“If you don’t get up I’m leaving you.”
“I’m up.”
He immediately got up like he was never asleep.
“Why are you here anyway?”
Eden looked at Liriane.
“No idea. I woke up here. I was alone before.”
“You weren’t scared and came here?”
Liriane’s face turned ice cold.
“Seriously? You rolled toward me first.”
“Just admit you were scared.”
“…Hey!”
Their bickering woke Yeriell too.
“Ugh… Wendy?”
He wobbled like a zombie, slapped his cheeks, then lifted his head.
“I’m sorry for waking late. I slept well for the first time in a while. What time is it…?”
“……”
“I promise this won’t happen again! Please don’t abandon me! I’ll earn the ring’s worth!”
…I wasn’t going to abandon you!
And that ring…
Its stats are honestly embarrassing.
It’s basically a trash luck item.
“I was just joking. Eden wouldn’t wake up…”
I sighed and looked around.
“Everyone awake now?”
Now everyone was gathered.
“Pack your things. We’re leaving.”
“Yeees…”
“Okay, sister!”
The sleepy group started packing.
Alright. Blanket, food… what else…
While checking my bag, I felt something was missing.
What was it?
Probably nothing.
