-A few hours later, the heavy rain finally stopped, but in the end, it kept pouring until the sun went down, so I couldn’t move a single step from behind the rocks.
The sun that had been blazing down on the ground just earlier had fully set, and now a bone-chilling, freezing night had fallen over this “sea of rocks.”
Unlike the last Partner Game, there’s no clock, so I can’t tell the exact time.
And the whole area was ruled by the silence of night, the creepy howls of beasts drifting in on the wind from somewhere, and darkness so thick you couldn’t see an inch ahead.
”Man, it got cold way too fast… The temperature swings in this Game are insane.”
I pulled my school blazer out of my ‘Inventory’ and threw it on, pulling the collar tight around my neck.
Just sitting here behind these rocks won’t get anything started, so I should… hurry up and get moving too.
I activated my self-buff skill that evolved after clearing the second Game-‘Accelerate II.’
The evolution boosted the skill’s base performance by a lot.
At first I was disappointed, like, “Seriously, a duplicate ability…?” but now I’m actually grateful it overlapped. Way better than some half-baked new skill.
Its current stats are-
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
・’Accelerate II’
Enhances thinking, body, and all five senses. *Current: 32x
[Current Level: 5/10]
[Proficiency: 18/100]
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
The skill description itself is way simpler now.
The annoying cooldowns and time limits it used to have are completely gone.
On top of that, the Proficiency level cap has been lifted too.
Right now, I can keep a ’32x’ body enhancement buff running whenever I want.
And of course, I can adjust the output however I like.
What even is this, it’s way too strong… because I can already picture Yuna giving me that exasperated look, like, “What on earth are you even fighting…?”
What if my Status inflates so much that other Players are like, “You’re no fun to play Games with, I’m not teaming up with you”? …Now I’m genuinely getting worried.
”Okay, okay. I was starting to think negative thoughts. Anyway, let me head to the starting point. Yuna might be waiting there.”
A ridiculous base Status of Level ‘2360’ plus a 32x body boost.
With how I am now, I could probably cover the measly 8 kilometers to the destination in no time.
”Alright… let’s go. ‘Accelerate II’-“
The moment I used the skill, my enhanced senses made the resolution of my vision jump, and the scenery became dramatically clearer.
My brain’s processing speed exploded, and it felt like time around me had just stopped.
I dashed straight up to the top of a giant rock mountain, stuck to the vertical wall, and took a forward-leaning pose like I was diving into a pool.
I dug my fingers sharply into the rock surface and bent both legs deep like springs, all the way to the limit.
I perfectly locked onto the direction of the ‘Mapping’ pin I’d spotted with my eyes and the axis of my body.
”Direction’s good! Angle’s good! Buff at max output! Manato rocket, launching!!”
I slammed explosive power all at once into my thigh muscles, which I’d kept relaxed!
I dove like a bullet toward the sky above the ‘sea of rocks.’
-BOOOOOM!!! Creating a tremendous rumble that shook the very ground.
But as if leaving even that shockwave behind, my body kept accelerating faster and faster toward the night sky.
A literal human rocket firework-the Manato Missile-cutting through the cold night air.
”Whoooaaa!? The wind feels amazing! This is the best!!”
Looking down at the vast sprawl of rocks, I raced high and fast through the night sky.
If Yuna ever saw me pulling off this completely insane way of moving, I’d definitely get a lecture-but luckily, it’s pitch dark out here.
-No need to worry about anyone seeing me… or probably not.
The wind on my cheeks was cold and felt great.
The chilly breeze was soothing against my heated body, and it was so comfortable it made the muggy heat of the day feel like a lie.
Eventually, my bullet-like trajectory started to slow down.
Naturally, one jump wasn’t going to get me the full 8 kilometers to the starting point.
”Oh, found a spot that looks perfect for landing!”
I landed vertically on the top of a thick rock pillar about 100 meters tall that was coming up below me.
I killed the falling momentum perfectly on landing, so I didn’t break the rock mountain.
Checking my position with ‘Mapping,’ I’d moved forward about 1 kilometer with just one jump.
At this pace, I’d get there in just a few minutes.
I basically felt like a superhero from an American comic.
-After that, I hopped across rock mountains like a ping-pong ball a few more times.
Before I knew it, I was landing in a wide-open circular plaza, bigger than the rest.
It matched the coordinates I’d pinned with ‘Mapping,’ so this was definitely this Game’s ‘starting point.’
I looked around, but it seemed no one else had made it here yet.
”Hmm… looks like I’m the first one here.”
In the center of the plaza stood a single giant old tree, and at its base sat a stone monument giving off an eerie red glow.
”Is this red stone monument like the save point from the first Game?”
Thinking that, I walked up and put my hand directly on the creepy glowing pedestal-but nothing happened, so I activated my ‘Appraisal’ skill just to check.
………………………………………………………………
Name: Checkpoint (Red Stone)
(Description)
Checkpoint pedestal.
Can add or update new info on the God Boy1.
Once it’s been read, no need to stop by again.
………………………………………………………………
”I see… So it’s not the kind you hold your hand over, it’s a pedestal you set the God Boy on.”
I pulled the gray God Boy out of the backpack on my back.
For a second I worried it might’ve been smashed to bits from the human rocket impact, but it was totally fine, which was a relief.
Well, even if it had broken, I’ve got 98 spare ones in my Inventory that I made with ‘Material Editing,’ so it wouldn’t be a problem…
I flipped the God Boy’s power on with a click, set it on the pedestal with the screen lit up.
Then it went beep-boop with a light electronic sound, and the text on the screen rewrote itself with new info.
[③The God Boy runs on four AA batteries. Continuous operation time is 30 hours.]
”…Huh? That’s it? Wait, seriously…? Where’s the rest of the info?”
I waited with high hopes, but the screen display stopped dead, and no matter how long I waited, it showed no sign of going to the next page.
I tried taking the God Boy off the pedestal and setting it again, but nothing happened.
You’ve gotta be kidding me. I already knew this info the second I used ‘Appraisal’!
Making me walk 8 kilometers just to add battery specs as new info. Didn’t see that coming.
”Haah… No one’s here, I got no new strategy info, and on top of everything it’s stupidly cold… Alright, I’m sleeping!”
And so, with the red stone monument at my back, I fell into a deep sleep.
”Good morning! Nice weather today, huh. I mean, it’s still way too hot. I hate the sun.”
I woke up to the sun blazing down on me.
Last night was freezing cold, but the second the sun came up, heat like magma scorched my skin, and my skin’s gonna get totally dark from sunburn if I stay out.
”So, what do I do now? From here… I could go look for the secret treasure, or wait here for Yuna.”
I looked around the circular field again to see five exits total-one wide road and four narrow side paths.
Each narrow path had a circular mark painted on the ground at its entrance, color-coded red, blue, yellow, and green.
I don’t know what they mean, but I’m guessing they’re route branches that’ll split us up in the ‘choice’ coming later.
-Grrrrrr.
My stomach growled loud in the silence, so I pulled a yakisoba bread and cold milk out of my ‘Inventory.’
”I haven’t eaten anything since getting here. Guess I’ll grab a bite while I wait. Everyone’s probably gotta gather here at least once anyway.”
This is a special bread I made myself by combining white bread and yakisoba with ‘Material Editing.’
The rich sauce mixes with the soft bread and it’s delicious, because man, this is the best.
After eating, I was lying around in the shade of a tree spacing out, when I saw two figures coming toward me from the wide road.
I squinted. Black glossy hair, and a familiar navy school blazer.
Oh, it’s Yuna! And next to Yuna, another woman I didn’t recognize was walking alongside her.
”Heyyy! Yuna! Over here!”
I stood up waving my arm big and wide, and ran over to them.
”Oh, Manato! You’re okay, thank goodness…! Last night there was a huge earthquake, I was absolutely frantic that you got caught up in it!”
Earthquake…? What’s she talking about, since I didn’t feel any shaking in particular…
Oh well, whatever. More than anything, let me just be happy we’re back together, but I’m really glad she’s safe.
Though honestly, I knew Yuna would make it to this starting point no problem.
”Yeah, I’m glad you’re safe too, Yuna. I was pretty freaked out when we got separated, but I’m really glad we met up again this fast.”
”Indeed, that’s right. I’m truly relieved as well.”
”Um, excuse me..,” Chika interjected softly.
”Oh, are you thirsty? This Game’s got crazy temperature swings, so I think it’s better to keep drinking water regularly.”
”Yes, I shall have some later. So, Manato, how much of this Game do you understand so far? Have you figured out the rules?”
”Nah, I only know what’s shown in the God Boy’s info! I just got to this starting point last night too.”
”Hey!!” Chika shouted, raising her voice.
”Whoa!? …What, you scared me!”
”Oh my!” Yuna gasped.
”S-Sorry! I’ve been trying to talk to you this whole time…”
I was so into talking with Yuna that I completely ignored her existence.
No, I noticed you standing there, you know, though Yuna, you got so surprised just now that your voice went all cute and cracked, smirk.
When I looked over at Yuna, maybe to hide her embarrassment, her face was bright red and she was glaring back at me with squinty eyes.
…Why are you glaring at me?! She’s the one who scared me!
I let out a sigh and turned my eyes to the person next to her.
Standing there was a young woman who looked like a college student.
She had medium-length brown hair that curved softly.
Her slim, healthy, pretty bare legs stretched out from a pair of short hot pants.
She was wearing a cool, summery outfit, a stylish white blouse that looked like a dress, paired with hot pants.
”Sorry, sorry. I was just so happy to see Yuna again that I couldn’t help it…”
”My apologies as well, Akiyama-san.”
”No, it’s fine! Is he… the fiancé you mentioned yesterday, Shikijo-san? The one participating with you?”
”Indeed, that’s right. Oh, Manato. I met her yesterday along the way. Her name is-“
”Nice to meet you! I’m Akiyama Chika. I’m a second-year in college. I just got dropped here not long ago and don’t know anything yet, but please treat me well!”
I thought she seemed like a bright, energetic person.
Normally I’d expect someone to be panicking, but maybe she got that phase over with yesterday.
”Hey, I’m Kageyama. Second-year in high school. Nice to meet you. Hey Yuna, how much have you told Akiyama-san?”
”That we got caught up in a Death Game, that we cannot return to our original world unless we clear it… and that this is our sec-ond Death Game.”
Yuna quickly glanced at me, sending me a look.
I see… got it, so the way she stressed “second” means she’s kept my skills and crazy Status completely hidden.
Well, it’s dangerous to show your hand to someone you just met.
And we haven’t even decided if we’re going to work together, so for now, I’ll just play along.
”Um, so you two have been participating together since the last Game and survived, right? I was, um… out with my childhood friend Yuji, and before I knew it I was thrown here… while I was wandering around completely lost, I ran into Yuna-san2.”
”I see. Oh, and you don’t have to talk to me so politely. I’m younger than you, so let’s just talk casually with each other. I’m not good with formal speech either.”
”Honestly… Akiyama-san aside, Manato, you need to be more proper with people older than you. And you don’t need to be polite with me either, Akiyama-san.”
”Haha, okay, thanks! Then I’ll take you up on that. You two really are close, huh.”
”Well, in a way, we’re bound by a ‘solid bond’!”
”Ooh! I’m super curious about how you two got bound together!”
This person’s actually pretty fun to talk to, and I smiled back.
”That’s…”
”Ahem! You two, let us put that aside for now and get our situation sorted out, shall we?”
”Oh, sorry, Shikijo-san.”
”Yep, got it.”
The moment I answered in my usual tone, Yuna’s eyes went sharp and scary.
…This is probably gonna be a full-on lecture when we’re alone.
In contrast, Akiyama-san smiled at me with a cute grin.
…Now that I look at her, she’s actually pretty cute.
She has a distinctive smile that scrunches up, but her features themselves are really well put together.
If she were in my class, she’d be the type the guys wouldn’t leave alone. Probably the most popular girl in class.
…Anyway, just to be safe, I’ll activate my ‘Appraisal’ skill.
………………………………………………………………
Name: Akiyama Chika
Gender: Female
Age: 20
Race: Human
Level: 1
HP: 120
(Description)
Second-year at Hinowa University. Beautiful.
Bright and a mood-maker for those around her.
Has a childhood friend who is a guy.
Has been hopelessly in love for 10 years, but is shy when it comes to romance.
The reason she fell for him is “because he’s kind and always protects me.”
She was planning to confess on his upcoming birthday.
(Fetishes)
Likes kind and cool guys (= likes her childhood friend)
Secretly perverted.
(Weak points)
Nipples, clitoris, ears, butt, front wall of the vagina (G-spot)
(Three sizes)
B78・W57・H77 (C cup)
(Sex life)
Mast**bates five times a week. Virgin.
Mast**bates while thinking about her childhood friend.
………………………………………………………………
…Well, this is about the standard starting spec for a normal Player.
Because my eyes have gotten too used to Yuna’s standards, Akiyama-san’s profile actually looks super normal to me.
And while I was staring at Akiyama-san, Yuna’s hand reached over from beside me and squeezed the flesh at my waist really hard.
”Ow ow ow ow!?”
I turned to look, and Yuna was glaring at me with a face like a demon.
No no, I’m not cheating, because I was just checking her Status with ‘Appraisal’!
Ow ow ow ow…! No joke, that really hurts, since Yuna might be way more possessive and jealous than I thought.
I seriously need to be careful about staring at other women from now on…
”Uh, um… right! Do you two have ‘God Boy’?”
”‘God Boy’? You mean this item that looks like a handheld game console?”
”Oh, that! I have one too!”
The two of them pulled out from their bags gray God Boys with exactly the same design as the one I had.
Huh, now that I look, Yuna’s backpack from when she was transported is gone, or did she just swap out the contents…?
”There’s a red pedestal over there. If you set the God Boy on it, the info gets updated. I think the updated data is probably the rules for this Game.”
”Very well, understood. Akiyama-san, let us go.”
”Okay!” Chika agreed with a nod.
The two of them headed straight to the red pedestal in the center and placed their God Boys on it.
My guess is that the info each Player gets is split up and different.
After all, my info is just garbage about “it runs on batteries.”
…I hope so, at least if everyone’s info was about batteries, we’d have no hints and would just have to brute-force our way through.
”Just as Manato stated, the info got updated!”
”Me too! The text on the screen changed!”
”Can you two show me? I’ll show you my screen too.”
”Yes, certainly.”
”Okay, go ahead, Manato-kun3!”
The three of us brought our God Boys together and read each other’s screens.
[①Each checkpoint has items and Red Stones prepared. By reading the Red Stone with the God Boy, you can get new information]
[⑥The checkpoints are divided into 4 routes. Each must be chosen. However, at least one person must choose every route. If any route has zero people, everyone gets a Penalty]
① was the info on Yuna’s God Boy, and ⑥ was the info on Akiyama-san’s God Boy.
Yuna’s info was already known, but Akiyama-san’s info was an extremely important rule for clearing the game.
Probably, those four narrow side paths stretching from the plaza are what’s called ‘routes.’
I’m really glad I didn’t rush ahead and dive into some random path.
The fact that the updated info is numbered means we should probably wait until all the other participants gather here.
I want to compare everyone’s God Boy info and figure out the rules.
There’s so much I don’t understand, and yet this is awesome! This is getting really interesting!
No doubt about it, this Game’s genre is a full-on ‘mystery solving & treasure hunting Game’!
”Muh… this is getting interesting!!”
”Huh?” Chika blinked in confusion.
”Akiyama-san, pay him no mind, simply ignore it. It’s like his usual ‘fit.’”
Don’t look at me like I’m some weirdo, Yuna, and Akiyama-san, don’t stare at me with those warm eyes like “Ah, I see…” while ugh… only true gamers can understand this.
Trivia:
- Manato’s worry about Status inflation making him unfun to play with foreshadows the social isolation that overpowered Players may face in later Games.
- The God Boy’s battery info being the only new data hints that the checkpoint system is either trolling Players or hiding deeper mechanics tied to the four colored paths.
- Yuna mentioning an earthquake that Manato never felt suggests the two were separated into different spatial or dimensional zones during the night.
- Yuna stressing the word “second” with a pointed glance is her silently telling Manato she has kept his skills and abnormal Status hidden from Chika.
- Manato’s own God Boy only displays useless information about running on batteries, which hints the devices are deliberately handing out different pieces of the puzzle to each Player.
- Chika’s Appraisal profile lists her as a ten-year one-sided crush who planned to confess on her childhood friend’s birthday, quietly setting up emotional stakes beyond the Death Game itself.
Translation Notes:
1 ↩ A pun on the real-world Game Boy handheld console, with 神 (god) swapped in. The name signals it is a special device tied to the Death Game rather than an ordinary toy.
2 ↩ Standard Japanese honorific showing polite respect for someone of similar or higher social standing. Used throughout by Chika, who speaks formally to everyone she has just met.
3 ↩ Familiar Japanese honorific typically used for boys or younger males. Chika uses it with Manato-kun, showing she has relaxed into casual friendliness.