The End Of Second Trial

After a few hours, all of participants were in the Trial Room Number Two. Almost all of the group members were able to arrive there. Hakim can see that not all of the participants were there. "It seems like our group managed to gather here safely." he remarked, relief evident in his voice.

Sarah nodded, her eyes scanning the room. "But look, some of the groups are missing members. The trials must have been tough on everyone."

Ezat, who had been quiet since their encounter with the Guardian, spoke up. "We did well to stick together. It made a big difference."

Rizman agreed. "Yeah, teamwork was key. I can't imagine going through this alone."

Just then, an announcement echoed through the room. "Congratulations to all participants who have successfully completed the first trial. Your teamwork and resilience have been commendable. Unfortunately, some of your fellow participants were unable to make it, a testament to the difficulty of these trials. Now only four groups were able to completed the task"

Hakim felt a pang of sympathy for those who hadn't made it. "I hope they're okay," he murmured.

The voice echoed through the room, cold and mechanical. "As for the bonus trial, only two groups managed to clear it successfully—Group Mira and Group Hakim. Thus, the members of these groups will receive rewards for their efforts. Additionally, the impostors that have been identified will face their penalties."

Sarah's brow furrowed in confusion. "Impostors? What does that mean?"

Before anyone could respond, Ezat, visibly anxious, grabbed Hakim's collar. "You didn't—did you?"

Hakim remained calm, brushing off Ezat's grip. "Sometimes, fooling your teammates is the best way to fool the enemy. But relax. Your name hasn't been called yet."

The voice resumed its chilling announcement. "Now, the names of the impostors will be revealed. If the correct person has been named, the impostor will receive a penalty. If the wrong person is accused, the entire team, except the actual impostor, will face the consequences."

Sarah's face paled. "What do you mean, an impostor?"

The voice responded with unsettling precision. "The short food supply? The wild animals finding your location? That's the work of the impostor."

Screens around the room flickered to life, revealing the results:

Group Hakim

Impostor Named: Ezat

Real Impostor: Ezat

Group Mira

Impostor Named: Thomas

Real Impostor: Thomas

Group Yao

Impostor Named: John

Real Impostor: John

Group Rik

Impostor Named: Rebecca

Real Impostor: Rebecca

A murmur spread through the room as the participants processed the results. The voice cut in again, more menacing this time. "It seems all of the guesses were correct. As for now, the impostors will be eliminated from the game. Your teams will continue with the remaining members."

The air in the room grew heavy with tension as the voice announced the imposters for each group. The moment Ezat's name appeared on the screen under Group Hakim, all eyes turned to him.

Ezat stood frozen, his face pale. "I... I didn't want to! I had no choice!" he stammered, his voice shaky.

Hakim calmly stepped forward, loosening Ezat's grip on his collar. "I figured it out," Hakim said quietly. "But I hoped I was wrong. You should've told us."

Ezat lowered his head, guilt etched across his face. "I didn't mean to betray any of you. They... they made me. You all should die with that monster." His words were barely out when the mastermind's people entered the room, swiftly escorting the named imposters away. The remaining participants stood frozen, absorbing the weight of what had just unfolded.

Sarah turned to Hakim, eyes wide with disbelief. "You knew?"

Hakim nodded solemnly. "There were signs, but I didn't want to accept it at first. He was scared, and that fear made him an easy target. But the final proof came in the penalty room video. He refused to take the penalty, which doubled the punishment for the others. Also, there is another reason but I am tired to continue explaining."

Sarah's face contorted with shock. "I can't believe it. I thought... I thought maybe he was changing. Wait, you saw the penalty video?"

"Yeah," Hakim replied, his voice steady. "I needed to make sure I was choosing the right people to trust."

"But how could you even watch it?" Sarah asked, still trying to process everything.

"For those of us without penalties, we have the option to request access," Hakim explained, his tone measured yet firm.

Rizman, attempting to break the tension, chimed in, "Well, at least the food supply won't run out now."

The tension eased slightly, but the betrayal still lingered in the air. As Ezat and the other imposters were taken away, the voice resumed.

"Now that the imposters have been dealt with, the remaining participants may continue. The next trial will test your strategic thinking and resourcefulness. Your team will receive instructions shortly. Rest and recover—you've earned it."

Hakim's group was handed their reward—a tablet filled with useful information and tools for the upcoming trial.

For now, they all took advantage of the rare moment of respite. After a grueling week in the forest, battling both physical and mental trials, the comfort of a warm shower and a real bed felt like a luxury. Each member retreated to their rooms, savoring the chance to finally relax and recover.

Rizman collapsed onto his bed with a deep sigh, staring at the ceiling as the tension in his body slowly unwound. Sarah stood under the hot water in the shower, letting the steam soothe her weary muscles, while Hakim flipped through the tablet, trying to stay focused on the upcoming trials.

"What can this tablet do? I cannot unlock the password. Does this mean it is really related with the next trial?" Hakim asked himself for a few times. "I guess I need to take a rest first before next trial begin. I need to prepare my mental.

Thus, all of them take a good rest and waited for the next announcement to happen. After a few hours passed, Hakim goes out to the cafeteria to find something to eat. As he was there, he found that there are some group there. First in his thought that he doesn't want to approach them as it might affect for the next trial.

But, as soon as he took the food and searching a place to sit, someone approached him from behind. He looked at behind and find it is Mira.

"Hey, Hakim. Glad to meet you survive this far." Mira said.

"Okay, thanks for the compliment." Hakim said then, he move to the empty sit where no one around at there. 

"Hey, why you are so cold." Mira asked.

"We're from different team does not make me to feel unsecure with you?" Hakim said.

"Well that might be true. I am sorry for leaving you for the first trial. I don't know that you are quite stoic when you enter the trial by yourself. I mean you're quite awesome that you pass that trial. I guess you receive the first place but hiding it." Mira said in sarcastic.

"Okay, Mira. What's it do you want?" Hakim said in a serious tone.

"Well you're aware of the tablet that has been given to your group. I mean to you." Mira said.

"Yes." Hakim answered.

"Can you crack the password of the tablet?" Mira asked.

"Well, that's secret. I cannot answer that question." Hakim eat quickly and leave Mira behind.

As Hakim stepped out of the cafeteria, he bumped into Rizman. "So, what did that girl want from you?" Rizman asked, curiosity etched on his face.

"Let's talk about it in my room," Hakim replied, motioning for Rizman to follow.

Once inside, Hakim recounted his conversation with Mira, explaining everything in detail.

"I get it now," Rizman said, nodding slowly. "I see why you're so wary of her."

"That's exactly why I didn't take her offer," Hakim said firmly. "I'm not falling into any traps she's setting."

Rizman's expression shifted to one of deep thought. "By the way, how did you figure out Ezat was the imposter in our group? And when did you even submit that information?"

Hakim smiled knowingly. "Remember when we entered that cave and I tore up that letter? It contained all the information about the imposter, and it was obvious Ezat was the one. He kept trying to avoid tasks, acting suspicious. The way he distanced himself from anything too risky was a dead giveaway."

Rizman blinked in surprise. "Wow, I hadn't even considered that. I thought after we tried to trick the imposter, the game was over. I had no idea you'd figured it out that early."

Hakim chuckled. "That was just the start. Once we caught on to him, Ezat began following orders to blend in, but he still tried to slow us down in subtle ways. Luck was on his side though. Even then, do you know how he survived the first trial on his own?"

"How?" Rizman asked, leaning in.

"He sacrificed his own teammate," Hakim replied.

Rizman's eyes widened. "Then why did you let him stay, knowing all that?"

Hakim leaned back. "If anything went wrong with the team, we'd know he was the cause. It was better to keep him close."

Rizman raised an eyebrow. "That's risky. Why take such a gamble with someone so dangerous?"

"My master always said, 'You can't keep a parasite around for too long. They'll grow stronger than you expect.'"

"So, you eliminated him before he could grow into a bigger threat?" Rizman asked.

"Exactly," Hakim confirmed with a nod.

"But what if you were wrong? What if the imposter wasn't him?" Rizman asked, sounding concerned.

Hakim smirked. "That's the secret of this trial I haven't shared yet. Let's just keep that part between us for now."

Rizman sighed. "Alright, keep your secrets then. But if anything else comes up, you better tell me first."

"Deal," Hakim agreed, and the two exchanged a quick fist bump before heading out.

After a while, announcement began. The speakers in the hallway crackled to life, cutting through the silence. "Attention all participants, the next trial will begin in thirty minutes. Please proceed to the Trial Room Number Three for further instructions."

Hakim and Rizman exchanged a quick glance. "Looks like it's time," Hakim said, standing up and grabbing his gear.

"Yeah, let's do this." Rizman said steadily.

Then they left the room and proceed to the location told.