"What do you think of this place?" Aguni found Jacob in a location with far fewer people.
Jacob paused and looked around before saying, "It's a suffocating place, something to escape from reality, but your friend, The Hetter, seems to be deviating from the game's objective."
Aguni understood what Jacob meant; he himself was aware of it, as it was his friend they were talking about. "This place might seem good, but it's confusing everyone, consuming them, and giving false hopes."
"To believe that we can return just by having all the cards is dreaming big. Even games with a difficulty level of 10 are deadly for us as players." Jacob smiled and said, "Once the kings appear, we'll meet the creators of the famous games that took our lives away."
"Well, I'll take care of that." Aguni said goodbye to Jacob and then exited through the back door of the hallway.
"Do you also believe that the kings and queens are already among us?" Jacob posed this question to the air, and a figure in a white hoodie emerged from the far end of the hallway.
"You're much smarter than most people here, so I'm interested in knowing if you'd like to work together with me." The man who stood by Jacob's side spoke as if they were acquainted.
"I'm Jacob, by the way, and if you're looking to manipulate someone, I'm not the right person." Jacob remembered this man, who had participated in the game at the apartment building.
"I'm Chishiya. The idea that the rivals for the next games are already among us intrigued me. Though it's a crazy theory, it's much better than The Hetter's idea that we'll return once we find the cards." Chishiya said this in a calm tone.
"In the ninth trial of spades, I feel like I faced an administrator. That man who was killing everyone was definitely a hunter. Since weapons had been removed by the Beach, it was impossible for that man to be carrying military gear."
Jacob remembered the one-eyed man and spoke sincerely to Chishiya. He knew that if Chishiya was setting a trap, they would be aware of it before it took effect, thanks to his intelligent assistant.
"Did you manage to kill him?" Chishiya asked after considering Jacob's words.
"I shot at him several times, but he was wearing armor, so he might be close by. He's not at the Beach, so he must be outside the vicinity." Jacob smiled and said, "All the games have patterns that connect them with others, so they must all be created by different people, one for each suit of the deck."
"You're more observant than I thought, that's correct." Chishiya smiled and said, "The spades are possibly geared towards confrontation, and each trial has a relationship with the world of war. The diamond trial is designed by a clever but not-so-wise man. The hearts represent vicious and cruel trials, while as for the clubs, they might relate to history."
"You've connected them well..." Jacob looked into the distance as Arisu and her friend were talking to Beach residents, seemingly seeking information.
"Well, see you later." Chishiya walked away slowly.
Jacob watched his departure and said, "When the time comes, we'll work together, as we can understand each other better than we would with anyone else."
Allies were forming, as were the problems. And the game, the final game before facing the kings, was about to begin.
This place is a warzone, except that only a few have seen it. And it's all because power is divided, and utopia can crumble very easily.
"Intelligent assistant, what is the downfall of a utopia?" Jacob asked his intelligent assistant while searching for Usagi, who should be nearby.
"[The downfall of a utopia is the gradual process in which an idealized society or system begins to crumble, losing its essence and failing to meet the initial expectations!
This can be caused by factors such as corruption, unchecked power, complacency, or failure to adapt to new challenges.
As internal contradictions and social tensions escalate, the utopia becomes unsustainable and fades away, leaving its followers disillusioned and facing the reality of its limitations and weaknesses.
The downfall of a utopia can lead to either total disintegration or the search for new paths to achieve a better society...]
And the new path in this place would be a massacre, and what would be the best scenario for that... Indeed, the game of ten of hearts.
...
"It's time for the games!"
"We have located a new playing zone at the Shinagawa building!"
"Cars in parking lot two!"
"Adachi and Koto, form two groups."
"The Hetter!"
"The Hetter!"
"The Hetter!"
The Hetter stepped forward, extending his hands as if he were a ruler, and declared, "Comrades! The time has come again. Fear not! This is a war against fear."
"Everyone here has the courage to overcome their obstacles. All who are gathered here right now are united! We must come together, collect all the cards, and return to the original world as one!"
"And today is the day!"
"So, we are an army to collect their cards." Arisu observed from a distance and said that.
"Of course, what do you define as utopia?"
"It's still a bad idea to stay here," Kurabe said with a vigilant expression.
"It's better than nothing," Jacob said as he walked away with Usagi.
"Aren't you going to play?" Arisu asked Jacob.
"We prefer to rest. We've already faced very difficult trials, so we'll keep a low profile these days."
Jacob had classified many people in this place, and the most important among them, based on the knowledge he had at his disposal, were diverse.
For example, The Hatter is responsible for creating and controlling complex and dangerous situations in which the protagonists must face challenges and make difficult decisions to survive. His goal is to test the participants' will and force them to confront their fears and weaknesses while seeking an escape from the dystopian world in which they are trapped.
In addition to being a key element in the plot's development, The Hatter is an enigmatic figure who adds intrigue and suspense to the series, as his true intentions and motivations are gradually revealed throughout the story. His presence contributes to the tension and uncertainty surrounding the protagonists as they struggle to survive in this unknown and deadly world.
Therefore, they had reached an important point in the story, and exciting things were about to begin.