—
I had been out for over an hour now, the early morning mist still hanging in the air as I finished a broad sweep of the map. During my scouting run, I marked several key locations for later. On the way back, I paused by the stream near camp, stripped off my sweat-stiff clothes, and took a quick bath.
Once done, I wrung out my shirt and made my way back through the quiet woods.
Today marked the third day of the exam—the first of May. A new month, and with it, the results of the class points allocation would have been shared publicly. With communication cut off, we had no idea where our class stood until we returned to civilisation. All we could control was our performance here.
We were scheduled to return to the lounge by nightfall for the team swap. Holding second place was good, but we couldn’t afford to slip. Not now.
As the team began to stir, stretching and gathering, I laid out the plan, deciding it was time to switch things up.
“We're travelling in pairs today,” I announced.
Kamaye’s brows shot up. “Pairs? That cuts our coverage in half. Isn’t that… inefficient?”
“In theory, yes,” I replied. “But we’ve got two priorities now: gather points and avoid becoming targets. Someone’s getting swapped today. If another team wants to make a move, this is their chance.”
“I don’t get it,” Tylan said, looking like he wanted to argue the point further, but instead he let out a soft sigh and nodded. “But I’ll trust your judgement, Diya-senpai.”
The others followed with quiet agreement. That kind of trust wasn’t given freely; it was earned, built on the success I had led them to.
“When 5 PM hits,” I continued, “everyone heads back to the lounge. I’ll stay behind and make sure the area’s clear.”
“Are you sure you don’t want help?” Priya asked.
I shook my head. “No. The best help is being ready. That means keeping your bags packed and ready throughout the day. When I call for a blip, one of you guards both bags. We can’t let anyone touch our supplies.”
They all nodded.
“Now,” I said, turning to the map. “Priya and Amara—take the northern sector. Tylan and Kamaye cover the southeast and centre. I’ll handle the rest.”
With a slight smirk, I raised my hand dramatically toward the forest beyond camp. “Let’s move out, team!”
They laughed and got to work rolling up sleeping bags, tightening straps, and filling water bottles. After a few final nods, they split off into their assigned directions, disappearing two by two into the woods.
Soon, I was the only one left.
Now… I wait.
—
—
I crouched beneath the shade of a gnarled tree at grid point G2, the rough bark pressing into my back. Uncapping my water bottle, I took a long swig, savouring the cool liquid as it trickled down my throat before pulling out my tablet. A blinking marker appeared just a few metres away as someone was watching me.
Rising, I brushed the dirt off, slinging the bottle back into my pack and looking in the direction of the signal.
“Who’s out there?” I called, waiting for my awaited guest to show themselves.
After a tense pause, I caught a flash of movement as she darted away.
“Why make this so difficult?” I muttered, launching into pursuit. Within seconds, I caught up and grabbed her hand.
She twisted, trying to pull free, but my grip was firm. “Let go!”
“Not until you tell me what you’re doing here, Kameko.”
Kameko—one of Savannah’s team members. Was she here to spy, to gather intel on our camp location? Probably.
“Let me go,” she pleaded again. I loosened my grip but kept my eyes on her.
“Why spy on me? I didn’t know I was such a hot commodity,” I said with a smirk, but she didn’t crack a smile.
“Aren’t you supposed to be with Savannah? Or reporting to her?” I pressed.
Kameko hesitated, her face tightening as if wrestling with a tough decision, then lifted her walkie-talkie.
“Savannah, I slipped away from Diya without raising suspicion. Looks like she’s resting,” she reported calmly as she lied to her team leader.
Static crackled before Savannah’s voice replied, “Understood. I’ll initiate a full map scan.”
“You can hold off on that,” Kameko said quickly. “Let me reach the objective first.”
A tired sigh came through. “Fine. Keep moving.”
Kameko clipped the device back onto her belt.
“Now we can talk without surveillance,” she said, facing me.
I crossed my arms. “And what exactly do you want to talk about?”
She took a step closer. “I want to make a deal, Diya.”
“A deal, huh? That’s bold.”
“Survival is imperative, and I’ll do whatever it takes,” she said, motioning toward the path ahead. “Come with me. If I stay still too long, Savannah will get suspicious.”
She was right. I nodded and walked beside her.
“So, what’s this deal?” I asked.
Kameko stopped abruptly and met my eyes. “Let me join your team.”
A soft chuckle escaped me. “You want to join my team?”
“Yes,” she replied, glancing around as if expecting hidden cameras. “Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s just… I didn’t think anyone would want to join us,” I said. “Besides, Tomiko’s leading. Why not go to her?”
Kameko hesitated, gaze dropping to the forest floor. “Tomiko’s… a lot to handle. I’m not close to Natsumi or Ran either. And my other classmates… aren’t doing well.”
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“Ah, I see,” I said slowly. “So that’s why you to run into me.”
She shook her head quickly. “That was luck. I was surprised it was you, honestly.”
“You called this a deal. What do I get in return?”
“I know my physical ranking isn’t great,” she admitted, “but I can compensate with something more valuable. Information.”
That made me pause. “You’re willing to go that far?”
She nodded. “Like I said, survival is imperative. If that means turning on my team, so be it.”
Her resolve wasn’t arrogance but was raw, survival-driven determination. Some would call it cold or even underhanded, but I understood. The swap system was built for moments like this. The school wanted to see how far we’d go. She wasn’t being cruel, just strategic. Like me, she was simply playing the game by its rules. I found myself smiling at the thought.
“I’ll give it some thought.”
She exhaled, shoulders relaxing. “Thank you.”
“So,” I asked, “where are you headed now?”
She hesitated, brows pinching as if deciding whether to tell the truth. But she’d already said she’d trade her team for survival; I was just testing that claim.
I stayed silent, watching her.
“To our secondary site,” she said at last. “I need to pick up a few things we stored there.”
Her tone and body language told me she wasn’t bluffing. She really was willing to play both sides.
“Got it,” I said. “Then I won’t keep you.”
She blinked, surprised. “You’re not going to ask where it is? Or follow me?”
I chuckled, turning away with a wave. “No need. If we end up on the same team, you’ll tell me what matters.”
As I walked off, I felt her gaze linger, still processing what had happened.
“See you at the lounge,” I called over my shoulder.
She stood there for a moment, then turned and disappeared down the path.
Checking the time on my tablet, I saw the screen flicker to 1:27 PM.
Perfect. The next blips would appear soon.
Showtime.
—
—
The day had gone exceptionally well. We’d secured plenty of points thanks to lucky blip placements. But now, the sun was sinking, casting long shadows as the forest slipped into that golden lull before dusk.
I stretched my arms over my head as I stood up from the base of a tall tree at grid point M13. I gave the trunk a final pat before brushing myself off and slinging my pack over one shoulder.
Time to head back.
The dense wilderness soon thinned, and the lounge came into view beyond the testing zone. As I approached, I spotted someone sitting by the entrance. My steps slowed before a smile tugged at my lips.
Marcus.
I raised a hand. “Hey, I’m—”
I didn’t get to finish as he shot up and jogged over. “Are you alright?” he asked, scanning me head to toe for injuries.
Caught off guard by his intensity, I blinked and looked away, heat creeping up my cheeks. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I muttered, trying to sound casual.
His gaze lingered before he spoke again. “We need to talk.”
That got my attention. I met his eyes, noting the change in his body language. It was serious.
“You didn’t just miss my overwhelming charm, huh?” I joked, attempting to lighten the mood.
He didn’t smile.
“What happened?” I asked, my tone dropping.
“You’re being targeted for expulsion,” Marcus said flatly. “By the onlooker.”
“The onlooker?” I echoed. “Ah… the anonymous observer. Wait—targeted? Why me?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. Have you noticed anything strange during the test?”
“No… nothing unusual,” I said.
Marcus exhaled sharply, eyes drifting toward the trees as he thought it over.
“You just got back, so I should let you rest,” he said finally. “We’ll talk more later.”
“Yeah. Alright,” I murmured, glancing back at him before heading into the lounge.
—
—
“Kameko?” I echoed, blinking in disbelief as the name left Diya’s lips.
“Yes?” she replied. “Is something wrong?”
I froze. Of all the people she could’ve chosen, she picked her—Kameko, someone tied to the Purity Group. The same group whose actions had indirectly led to Hazel getting hurt. And now Diya, completely unaware, had welcomed her into our ranks.
The urge to speak up burned in my throat, but I couldn’t. With the listening device attached to me, speaking out might be seen as meddling with the event’s outcome, and even a subtle interference could cause serious trouble.
Still, I needed answers.
“Why her?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral.
“She approached me,” Diya said simply. “And I gave her my word.”
I inhaled sharply. “You promised her?”
Her brows furrowed, worry flashing across her face. “Did I mess up? Was that the wrong call?”
I forced a sigh and shook my head. “No… it’s nothing.”
She didn’t look convinced. Her eyes stayed on mine, searching for an answer I couldn’t give. I smiled softly and ruffled her hair.
“Hey!” she laughed, swatting my hand away. “Do I look like a puppy, Mr Luna?”
That earned a real smile from her, and for a moment, the tension eased.
Later, I sat alone on a bench along the edge of the observation room. Diya and the other team leaders were gathered at the central table, with Sato-sensei and the coordinators watching nearby.
Each leader had a sheet listing every participant’s name and one task: choose one member to swap out and one to bring in. The only restriction was that no team leaders could be traded.
It didn’t take long. Judging from their quiet nods and lack of discussion, they had likely already agreed on their choices beforehand. One by one, they handed their forms to Sato-sensei, who glanced over them before nodding.
“Alright,” he said, setting the papers aside. “You’re dismissed. Rejoin your teams.”
The leaders filed out, leaving the room empty except for the Sato-sensei, the coordinators, and me.
Sato-sensei turned, waving the stack of papers in his hand. “Want a peek at their picks, Luna?”
“Since you’re offering…”
I rose and crossed the room, taking the papers from him. The results were neatly listed in black ink:
Team Diya
Team Nagamine
Team Natsumi
Team Tomiko
Team Savannah
Team Ayaka
The reasoning behind the swaps was unclear, likely varying for each team leader’s strategy. I scanned the list again, trying to piece together their reasoning, but it all felt shrouded in subtle calculation.
“Thanks,” I said, handing the sheets back.
Sato-sensei scratched the back of his head before turning to Mr Petr. “Take this for confirmation. Let me know once it’s verified.”
“Understood,” Mr Petr replied, tucking the papers under his arm as he left.
I followed soon after, gently closing the door behind me.
—
—
Everyone sat cross-legged on the tatami mats around low wooden tables, the air rich with the aroma of grilled fish, miso soup, and neatly arranged sushi. It was clear everyone was savouring their meals, likely relieved to finally eat without rationing points as carefully as before.
Tonight, I sat among the team leaders instead of the coordinators. Not that I disliked dining with the coordinators, as they could be quite entertaining at times.
Diya and Natsumi flanked me on either side, with Tomiko across the table. Diya seemed back to her usual vibrant self, far from the gloom she had carried in the days leading up to this exam.
Just then, a soft buzz from our phones drew everyone’s attention. A notification popped up simultaneously on all our screens. The rankings had been updated, and the team in last place was displayed front and centre: Natsumi’s.
I glanced at her. Instead of concern, she stuck out her tongue playfully. Was this a coping mechanism? Or did she have some secret strategy up her sleeve?
The rest of the results followed: Tomiko first, Diya second, then Nagamine, Savannah, Ayaka, and finally Natsumi.
Diya grinned and slung an arm around my neck. “Still going strong.”
Whatever plan she was weaving was clearly paying off.
I smiled faintly, though my eyes drifted back to Natsumi. There was more beneath her playful facade; I was certain of that and I couldn’t shake the unease settling in my chest.
I couldn’t help but worry.
—
—
We’re officially halfway through the exam. The team’s holding strong, and we made a swap today. Kamaye out, Kameko in. So far, the plan is unfolding exactly as I hoped. Here’s everything I tracked for the day:
LEADERBOARD (10:30 PM Update):
1st – Team Tomiko
2nd –
3rd – Team Nagamine
4th – Team Savannah
5th – Team Ayaka
6th – Team Natsumi
Our position hasn’t changed from yesterday, but maintaining second place keeps the pressure on Tomiko and gives us a solid advantage over the rest.
BLIP DATA (Location – Time Spawned – Points Earned by Us):
Q2 – 9:00 AM – 20 pts
D17 – 9:10 AM – 15 pts
N3 – 9:15 AM – 20 pts
D9 – 10:20 AM – 10 pts
T4 – 10:25 AM – 5 pts
A17 – 10:35 AM – 5 pts
M19 – 10:40 AM – 5 pts
P9 – 10:50 AM – 10 pts
L6 – 10:55 AM – 15 pts
S5 – 12:00 PM – 5 pts
D12 – 12:10 PM – 20 pts
K19 – 12:15 PM – 10 pts
O10 – 12:30 PM – 10 pts
I19 – 1:30 PM – 10 pts
E4 – 1:40 PM – 5 pts
I6 – 1:45 PM – 10 pts
O20 – 1:55 PM – 15 pts
A19 – 3:00 PM – 15 pts
L15 – 3:15 PM – 20 pts
O17 – 4:15 PM – 20 pts
N20 – 4:25 PM – 15 pts
N12 – 4:30 PM – 15 pts
O2 – 4:40 PM – 20 pts
L20 – 4:55 PM – 20 pts
POINTS SUMMARY:
- Blips Collected:
- Totem Captures:
- Bonus Points:
- Totem Captures:
EXPENSES:
- Items Purchased (30 pts):
- Food Packs – 15 pts
- Bottled Water – 15 pts
FINAL TALLY:
- Total Points Earned:
- Total Spent:
- Overall Total Points:
- Total Spent: