Bright thought the cultural festival will result in the number of contestants being reduced; however, the medical technology of this world is far beyond his imagination. His fractured rib was cured in a little over 10 minutes. Even the unlucky dude who got his guts blown out went on to participate in the latter half of the orgy after an hourâs treatment, managing to score himself with a few fine ladies or something.
The hundred contestants are all here without fail. When the show doesnât want you dead, dying is also kind of hard.
After the show, thereâs new rumours flying about, that Beauty and the Beast have reconciled, because they both wanted number 199 dead; number 56 is having much fun with the Outsider ginge, and every time he is physically exercising one can hear him call out number 199âŚ
Not just the contestants, even the staff members are discussing, âthis kind of man has too many problems. Heâs also too merciful. If it were me Iâd definitely have killed Beast. Not like now when you instead have a new mortal enemy. He wonât live long continuing like this.â
âFrom what we saw from the first two episode, number 199 can take hardships. He also knows to adapt; his basic survival abilities are adequate. The problems you said are at most drinking nutrient mixtures, but that did leave an impression. Just imagine when the show airs how people will talk about this quirk of his, and how many will throw money at him so that he would eat something else. I think even the companies making nutrient mixtures will be happy to sponsor him.â
The staff member is convinced, âmaybe. If itâs like that then being taciturn is a selling point too. Even I wanted to see him open his mouth and drag a few more words out of him.â
Before long, everyone seems to have accepted that he was a man of few words, that he is well-endowed but stingy on providing his essence. They would instead feel weird if a day comes where he became talkative or starting to eat meat.
With this cordial atmosphere ongoing, the competition for top 50 has started.
This time it is a treasure hunt. The contestants are allowed to make their teams freely, or they can fly solo. The first 50 to finish their task can pass.
âThe swamp is full of treasures. Please find the most valuable among them and hand them in to the mysterious man, who will judge whether it fits the criteria. Our dear contestants, hurry up and go!â
The rules given by the show are always like that on the surface, masking unfair eliminations as just competition.
What is the basis for the passing criteria?
Assuming everything in the swamp can be a treasure, then if itâs like number 56, he can win with a lump of dirt. Those who did not have value nor can appeal to the audience will probably be eliminated even if they find a full ore vein.
Only 100 contestants now out of the original 500. The number of people has drastically decreased compared to the beginning. Bright doesnât show it on his face much, but he is actually highly concerned. If itâs just wilderness survival, then he isnât worried at all. With these underhanded operations though, someone boring and without connections like him is probably out cold.
Suddenly, he heard someone call his name. Not number 199, but âBright.â
His name âBrightâ means shining light. He only reacted when he was called a second time. When he turned around, itâs the Old Veteran he temporarily cooperated with last season.
Do you respond when a former teammate calls you?
Bright hesitates a little, before walking next to him.
Besides Old Veteran, thereâs the other members of Team 40 from last episode. With him added, the team is complete.
In the many groups formed, they are one of the few that are actually like a team. Not to mention others who are still trying to make makeshift alliances.
Old Veteran sees the question in Brightâs expression, and explains with a chuckle, âmembers entering top 50 have monetary bonuses. I promised Harry Iâll give him mine, so that he has enough to get treatment for the big bloke.â
Thin Bamboo smacks his tongue, âyouâd have to pass first, old man.â
Bright then looks at Ochrehair next to them before looking back, asking with a gaze, then what about number 56?
Old Veteran says mischievously, âdidnât you make me invite him?â
Bright is going ââŚâ To be used like that didnât make him angry. Heâs already been led by Beauty before. Itâs not like itâs the first time something like this happened; then thereâs also Old Veteran whoâs completely open about this. This doesnât make him feel resentful. Even if the deception is revealed itâs not like he will gain or lose anything.
People have always looked down on Old Veteran, thinking he is weak and a burden to the team. Conservative and unable to keep up with the times. Though the wisdom gained from the years is nothing you can scoff at, especially in this highly dangerous world. Bright knows he might not be a good person under all that, but it doesnât stop him from respecting him.
Wanting to see where Old Veteran wanted to go with that, Bright doesnât deny it, assuming responsibility. The smile on Old Veteranâs face becomes more visible.
Their team has formed once again.
âIâm gonna be the captain!â Ochrehair announces arrogantly. Bright doesnât say anything and walks towards the arena.
Old Veteran follows on and walks side-by-side with him at the front.
âTime to go, Big Retard!â Thin Bambooâs voice has a chuckle mixed in. Itâs not clear whether itâs aimed towards Big Retard or number 56, then his next sentence clears it, âthatâs not how you appeal to someone.â
âDamn it! Whoâs appealing to him!â Ochrehair cusses, stomps his feet, before grinding his teeth and follows behind.
He could have won while being served by others. Why did he choose to group with the unprofitable yet exhausting number 199?
That damn guy, he must be laughing at him behind that back!
Iâll make you know my greatness one day!
Looking at the desolate swamp deeply submerged in waters, so wide you cannot make out the horizon with the fog blanketing all over it, Bright sighs out of appreciation.
The sound is light yet it was faithfully recorded. Under the camera, the manâs side looks tough yet his gaze affectionate. Thereâs an intimacy to nature being exuded here. Itâs the kind of eyes youâd never see him use to look at a person.
Rather than getting familiar with people here, Bright would rather roll about in mud.
âCountry bumpkin,â remarks Number 56 sarcastically. Everyone acted as if they were deaf and didnât hear it.
The vast swamp is a paradise for animals, yet also a graveyard for humans.
âWhen you see black flatland without so much as a blade of grass, you have to be careful. When I was in the middle of a mission while I was young, a friend of mine stepped into the mud like that and sank below in less than 3 seconds.â Old Veteran is surely living up to being the most experienced person in the team. He is recounting everything one needs to pay attention to traversing a swamp. âThereâs muddy areas that are wet and soft in the swamps. If someone ends up trapped in those it will be hard to get out. Be careful when you see wet moss as well, it might be empty under that.â
Everyone listens attentively. These experience are valuable.
âWhat should we do now? Look for the mysterious person?â Thin Bamboo asks.
Thereâs reed growing throughout the swamp. Bright proposes that they make some ropes using that first, and tie it to each other so they can help each other in need. He also made some makeshift tools for anti-personnel and anti-animal use.
To do a good job, one must first sharpen one's tools.
Number 56 continues his job of being sarcaster-general, âHa! Might as well go cut some people up first! Quickly reducing the number of contestants is more effective than any other method.â
This was also what Old Veteran wanted at first.
He knows he should have been eliminated last episode, and his chances are only slimmer now. He has to take a risk so he contacted the others.
Heâs old now. He might have been able to sell his ass if he was younger, but now? Ha, dream on! Heâs got the spirit but not the body, okay? He doesnât have good background or an interesting backstory either. The only thing of value he has is his experience being a soldier, but he hasnât won any medals either, and got discharged due to injuries. All in all, if he were the audience he wouldnât be interested in someone like himself either.
The only thing he can do, then, is to parasite off of strong contestants and eliminate others. This is his last chance.
From how he is not immediately doing what Bright says, he can be seen to be supportive of number 56 on this.
The power dynamic in the team has changed slightly.
Thin Bamboo does not offer any opinion, saving himself from potential trouble.
With his first order from his second time leading a team questioned, Bright realises he has made a critical mistake. Teammates who were obedient before are not guaranteed to do so continually. He will have to make them tied together by common interests.
And number 56, despite his unpleasant tone and constant challenges to him, can be said to be one of the most clear-headed people among the contestants, as he is practically reminding Bright continuously,
âHow will you secure a place in the Top 50 Lineup for us?â
Authorâs notes:
Bright: I canât lead the team wellâŚ
Ochrehair: Kill before rape or rape before kill?
Old Veteran: How are these two not screwing each other yet?!
Thin Bamboo: Dumbass author finally gave me a name.