Chapter 18: Celebration party

"Nice job Fren," Jorge said to me with a smile. It baffled me how many players actually made it. It was disappointing to see that only we -Ivy, Jorge, and me had made it. I couldn't spot anyone else sporting that signature Thug Dawg jacket with our symbol (A purple skull on fire) on it.

Ivy was trying her best not to make eye contact with me, or even look at me. I know it wasn't a big deal but still, it was a prickly annoyance to be hated without any rational reason.

We approached the statue-in shape of what I assumed was once a GOD but now a disembodied figure. Ivy began to study it while some other players (only six) studied it. I was growing so impatient by the minute. This trash game with its trash set of rules.

"I wanna go back." I said under my breath. This place was definitely my type. But I don't think I belong here.

My train of thoughts was interrupted by the sudden appearance of instructions. The woman's voice spoke.

"PLEASE TAKE YOUR POSITIONS. THIS WILL BE SHOOTING BASED GAME NOW. IT DOES NOT REQUIRE YOU TO SUPPORT YOUR TEAM. YOU MAYE SHOOT ANYONE. LET THE FITTEST SURVIVE OR...DIE-TRYING."

Sooooooooooooooooooooooo...that changed really fast. One moment we're a team, the next we're supposed to rip each other. The countdown started from ten. I ran to take shelter behind a boulder, just like everyone else although the opponent player (RIPERATURE356) was almost eight feet from me just to my right. I decided to shoot him up right away.

As the countdown was about to end, I loaded my rifle and aimed for the head. The player was doing the same. I made a mental note to get out of my spot the very moment the countdown ended.

THREE

TWO

ONE

BOOM! I managed to get away but so did RIPERATURE356. I shot without thinking, without aim. Completely unaware of anything around me, I shot him with the hope that at least one bullet might penetrate his body. Finally, after having my health decreased halfway(I recovered the previous loss before entering room 2), I got RIPERATURE356. I turned around to look at the scenario. After Ivy was done with her bait, she kicked the body out of her way and advanced toward Jorge.

Assuming that I owed him one, I shot Ivy, returning his favor and also enjoying a guilty pleasure. But then, no team right? And she would've shot me too. Unlike the rest of the players, Ivy became, uh...foggy. She became a ghost I think. I could see through her. She also froze (which I personally think was nothing less than a boon).

Jorge stared at me.

"No team means no team and I would not take it easy on ya." I said, trying to sound as confident as possible."

"Oh, don't take it easy. I love a fair fight, too. I don't take it easy myself. Besides, I don't care if I lose or even win, better with the Alpha than to live with the shame of being defeated by rivals." he said with a little bow, shaking his white head.

That, I considered unnecessary and flattery but didn't say anything in this regard though.