After that, the three of us waited at the Starting Point plaza, chatting and killing time, when the other Players started showing up one after another.
The first to appear was… a 32-year-old guy named Kenzo Gouda, who calls himself a PE teacher.
He was wearing a lame tracksuit, had a needlessly big frame, and was probably close to 190 centimeters tall… and his voice was way too loud.
The moment he spotted us, he demanded, “The hell you lookin’ at!? You got any food or water!?” Gouda barked aggressively all high and mighty, so we handed over a little CalorieMate1 to avoid any trouble and kept our distance.
On top of his intimidating attitude, the way he looked at the women was gross and nasty, so Yuna and Akiyama-san both hated him on sight.
About an hour after that, three people showed up all at once.
The first was a man wearing a fancy tailored suit in this insane heat… Zaizen Akihiro.
According to Yuna, he was apparently one of the candidates for an arranged marriage with the Shikijo Family.
She said this was her first time meeting him in person.
He seemed to notice Yuna too, and gave her a meaningful look, but he didn’t say anything and quietly withdrew to the shade of a tree.
Well, I guess wearing a three-piece suit in an environment where freezing cold and scorching heat keep switching would be rough; his forehead was dripping with sweat.
The second was… a 40-year-old woman named Andou Ryoko.
I could tell at a glance… she was this Game’s hysterical one.
The moment she arrived, she started screaming, “What is this place! Call the police right now!” Where does she even get the energy?
The third was a guy with a gentle face who was desperately trying to calm Andou-san down… Kishi Ryouhei, 30 years old.
Apparently, he was out with his family when he suddenly lost consciousness and woke up in this world, so he was probably this Game’s decent-guy slot.
I figured he was taking the same position as old man Haruo from the last Game.
…A few dozen minutes later.
The last one to arrive was a man in a hoodie pulled down deep, wearing a creepy grin… Tajima Tetsuji.
A 25-year-old part-timer with eyes like a snake – wet and sticky.
The moment he arrived, he didn’t even try to hide his greedy lust, eyeballing Yuna and Akiyama-san and licking his lips… that’s how gross and pest-like he was.
…If he ever lays a hand on Yuna, I’ll kill him on the spot.
In the end, all the Players who gathered were also first-timers at this Game.
The only ones with Game experience were me and Yuna.
Where did all the other PartnerGame clearers go?
Maybe they’re being forced into a different Game somewhere without us knowing.
For now, I made sure to firmly tell Akiyama-san to keep quiet about the fact that Yuna and I are experienced.
If it got out to everyone, there was a risk of causing unnecessary caution and trouble.
Well, if it does get out and these guys try to hurt me or Yuna, I’ll just fight back without mercy.
They’re all just Level 1 weaklings without even Skills, anyway…
Also, when I used ‘Appraisal’ on the men and the old lady, it only showed Level, Skill, gender, and age.
Even though I could see Yuna and Akiyama-san’s details in full.
Is this that thing where ‘Appraisal’-kun just skips info I don’t wanna know about?
…Convenient as hell. I don’t wanna see old man fetishes anyway.
Anyway, the flow was for the 8 people gathered here to sort out information together.
Everyone held their God Boy over the red pedestal and checked the added rules.
Judging from the written rules, there seem to be ’10’ Players… two short.
So we 8 decided to wait at the Starting Point for the remaining 2 to arrive.
”Hey! Why the hell were we all gathered in a place like this!? Any of you know where the hell this is!?” Gouda roared, stepping forward and trying to take charge like a total leader wannabe.
He probably figures on instinct that nobody can push back if he uses his size and strength as a shield.
There’s no way I can cooperate with a self-centered meathead Player like this.
”I don’t know… I was also out with my family when I suddenly lost consciousness, and before I knew it, I was here… Really, where is this place?” Kishi replied softly in a deliberately calm tone.
But his face showed panic and unease he couldn’t fully hide.
This guy didn’t give Yuna any gross looks, so he’s got a high score in my book, and depending on how things go, I might be able to work with him.
”Who gives a damn where this is, just send me home right now! I don’t care if this is a Game or what, don’t you mess with me!” Andou shrieked frantically. How she even got here is a total mystery.
Seeing how she came in with Kishi-san, he probably led her here by the hand.
…I’m not teaming up with this old lady; she’s obviously gonna be dead weight.
”Tch… shut the hell up, you old hag! Screamin’ your head off ain’t gonna change jack, so pipe down!” Tajima snapped back, clicking his tongue.
Maybe he can’t hide his irritation – he’s been bouncing his leg and pacing around the same spot restlessly for a while now.
The heat and hunger are probably stressing him out bad…… this guy’s a total no-go.
”…”
Last was the suit guy, Zaizen, quietly resting alone in the shade of a tree.
I can’t read what he’s thinking, but when I prompted him to update his God Boy info, he silently showed me the screen, so at least minimal communication works with him.
Still, it bothers me how he keeps watching Yuna from a distance with those creepy eyes.
Yuna and I stood side by side a good distance away from them.
Akiyama-san was resting in the shade a little ways off, same as Zaizen.
”So… how ought we conduct ourselves in this Game, Manato?” Yuna asked, tilting her head.
”We can’t say for sure until everyone’s here, but if possible, I’d like to aim for clearing it through ‘cooperation,’” I replied after a moment’s thought.
”Surely you must have observed… several amongst this group possess not a single shred of cooperative spirit. Furthermore, the instructions upon the God Boy explicitly state: [In this Game, each Player is free to cooperate with or oppose the others.] There is truly no requirement to force everyone to act in unison, is there?” Yuna pointed out, pointing to her screen.
”Yeah, I’m well aware of that. That’s exactly why I think we should cooperate. Everyone wants to go back to their original world – that feeling’s the same for all of us,” I reasoned firmly.
”Haah… very well. We shall proceed with that endeavor for the present. …Furthermore, I presume the two of us shall naturally operate as a pair?” Yuna sighed softly.
”Obviously. Even in the Route choices coming up, we’ll absolutely pick the same path. There’s no way I’m letting Yuna act alone,” I stated without hesitation.
”Hehe… indeed, I understand completely,” Yuna murmured with a gentle smile.
Yuna’s lips curled into a somewhat satisfied smile, and just as the two of us were hashing out our strategy-
”Ah…!! Yuji-kun3!!” Akiyama-san, who had been resting in the shade, shot to her feet and took off running toward the wide road.
I looked over, and there were two figures walking toward us – probably the last Players.
One was the college student Akiyama-san called “Yuji-kun.”
Tall, with black hair and a handsome face you could tell was good-looking even from far away.
And the other was… a gal4 walking beside him with flashy bleached blonde hair.
A top boldly exposing her full chest, and a red miniskirt.
Countless piercings glittered and jingled on her ears.
With Yuji-kun in the middle, the gal and Akiyama-san were arguing fiercely about something.
I couldn’t hear the words from this distance, but… is this that thing people call a “love triangle mess5“?
Yuji-san, if you’re a man, I think you should stick to just one girl! I’m already completely full with just Yuna.
Eventually, the 10 of us all joined up and did quick self-introductions with each other.
Sure enough, everyone seemed to be a first-timer at this Game.
It was really the right call to tell Akiyama-san to keep quiet.
I’d assumed all the survivors of the second Game were participating in this Game.
Yuna probably thought the same thing and told Akiyama-san.
…Maybe that was a bit careless, but hey, as long as she doesn’t spill, it’s fine.
”Now then, shall we review the regulations of this round together once more? There remain several matters we have yet to properly discern..,” Yuna proposed to the group quiet and calm.
Actually, this time Yuna had warned me to “stay quiet as much as possible.”
Apparently, when I open my mouth, there’s a high chance the conversation gets complicated and goes off track.
Even though I supposedly maxed out both affection and Trust Level, in situations like this my Trust Level is apparently zero… sad.
Well, she seems to have her own ideas, so I decided to quietly behave and keep my mouth shut.
”Yes, let’s do that,” Kishi-san, the gentle one, nodded first at Yuna’s suggestion.
”Allow me to commence by disclosing the rule in my possession, though I presume you have all previously observed it,” Yuna stated, displaying her screen.
[① Each Checkpoint has a Red Stone prepared. By reading the Red Stone with God Boy, you can obtain new information.]
This is the one we checked yesterday.
”Next is me. Well, mine doesn’t say anything important either,” Tajima muttered, pulling out his device.
[② Only at the Game Starting Point is important information split among each Player. Therefore, proceeding after everyone is gathered is recommended.]
Well, yeah, this isn’t all that important either.
At most, it just tells me it was good I didn’t rush ahead and try to clear it alone.
”Ah, next is me. Um, here,” I held out my God Boy.
[③ God Boy runs on four AA batteries. Continuous operation time is 30 hours.]
Comparing them like this, my info really does feel lame.
Why the hell is it battery life, I couldn’t help but mentally roast myself.
”Alright, next is my turn!” Gouda stepped forward, yelling in the same needlessly loud voice as always.
You don’t have to yell that loud, I can hear you, you muscle-brained gorilla!
[④ Regarding the Game, the following acts are Penalties.]
・Violence and killing at the Game Starting Point.
・Destroying another Player’s God Boy.
・Destroying a Red Stone.
・Transferring God Boy between survivors.
・Destruction of all Players’ God Boys.
※If all God Boys are destroyed, everyone gets a Penalty.
Here, the game’s forbidden actions were laid out all at once…… this is some pretty important info.
”Pardon me, Manato. Have you already employed your ‘Material Editing’ to produce additional God Boys?” Yuna whispered leaning close in a voice only I could hear.
”Yeah, all set,” I replied, and Yuna nodded approvingly. “Splendid… very good. In that event-“
As soon as she heard my answer, she squinted and dove deep into thought.
Maybe she’s already putting together a strategy in her head.
What’s probably bugging her is that last item-‘Destruction of all Players’ God Boys.’
Well, as long as I’m here, we’re not gonna hit a dead end where all the God Boys get wiped out.
After all, I’ve got 98 backups in my Inventory, and nowhere does it say “duplicating is banned.”
”What the hell is wrong with you people!? You get dragged to some random ass place out of nowhere, and you’re all just sitting around like it’s no big deal!?” Andou shrieked, flailing her arms.
”You been yappin’ your damn mouth nonstop, old hag2!” Tajima yelled back, glaring at her.
”Old hag2!? The hell did you just call me!? Are you the bastard behind this? Did you kidnap me!?” Andou snapped, pointing an accusing finger.
Tajima and Auntie Ando2 are going at it again with their pointless arguing.
Can’t they just move things along…? This heat is starting to get on my nerves too.
”Ms. Ando, please calm down for a moment. Right now it’s time for all of us to share the information we’ve gathered. Everyone’s anxious together… okay?” Yuji intervened smoothly.
His real name is apparently Mishima Yuji, and he goes to the same university as Akiyama-san.
”…Fine.”
Auntie Ando2, still looking grumpy but maybe overwhelmed by Yuji-kun’s looks and calm demeanor, reluctantly revealed her God Boy.
[⑤The item at the Starting Point is under the roots of a ponderosa pine tree]
This “ponderosa pine” is that huge old tree standing all alone in the middle of the Starting Point plaza.
When you dig around the roots, there were bottled waters for everyone and 20 boxes of CalorieMate6 hidden there…… everyone splits it evenly.
Honestly, my ‘Inventory’ has infinite food and ‘Abyss’ can supply water, so I don’t need any… but hey, my policy is to take what I can get.
If I said “I don’t need any,” it’d just buy me unnecessary suspicion.
”Alright, next is me!” Akiyama announced, stepping up and showing her God Boy.
[⑥The Checkpoint is divided into 4 Routes. Each person must choose one. However, at least one person must choose each Route. If any Route has zero people, everyone gets a Penalty]
This was shared yesterday too-important info for choosing Routes going forward.
Four paths. If at least one person isn’t assigned to every Route, everyone gets a Penalty.
…Now, next is the quiet suit guy, Zaizen. As always, his face is like a noh mask7-can’t read what he’s thinking.
Zaizen silently held up his God Boy screen for everyone to see.
[⑦Each Route has 5 Checkpoints. There’s a hidden treasure at the 5th Checkpoint]
So this is the objective after splitting into Routes.
No matter which path you pick, there are 5 Checkpoints.
Apparently a ‘hidden treasure’ sleeps at the 5th Checkpoint… what, that’s surprisingly simple.
Rather than annoying puzzle-solving, it’s more like a relay format where you clear each Checkpoint.
But it seems like there are 4 hidden treasures.
Can you collect all 4 with just one Route?
”Um, next is me,” Yuji-kun cheerfully pulled out his God Boy, being easy to talk to, sharp, and definitely the voice of reason in this group.
[⑧Each Checkpoint has items prepared for survival. Those seeking survival tools take the Red Route. Those seeking weapons for self-defense take the Blue Route. Those seeking food take the Yellow Route. Those seeking information take the Green Route.]
Here it is-!! The most important info for strategizing!!
So the 4 Routes apparently give different items, fully color-coded by ‘food, tools, weapons, info.’
What should I do… Food is out of the question since I’ve got tons in my ‘Inventory.’
Weapons too-if I get anything stronger, the game balance would collapse and it’d get boring.
So the choice comes down to ‘survival tools (Red)’ or ‘info (Green).’
Between those two, I’d say ‘info (Green)’? It seems like there’d be info useful for finding the hidden treasures.
Curious about what Yuna thought, I leaned in close to her ear and whispered.
”Yuna, which Route do you think is best?” I whispered leaning in.
”Let me consider… ‘Info (Green)’ appears to be our sole prudent choice. I am exceedingly curious regarding the underlying intention of this game. Should our selection coincide with another, we may make the necessary adjustments..,” Yuna pondered thoughtfully.
”Got it, I agree,” I replied, on the same page as her as expected.
If we can hold onto info, we can probably figure out where the hidden treasures are.
The other Players’ eyes changed instantly when they heard this info.
Everyone went silent, thinking hard, and a heavy, eerie tension started filling the plaza.
”My goodness, it appears to be my turn next. Pray tell, is everyone faring well~?” Asuka chimed in cheerfully.
She’s the woman who showed up late with Yuji-kun.
She doesn’t like being called by her last name-she said “Just call me Asuka~” all friendly-like.
A gal8 completely out of place in this harsh rocky mountain field, she’s the “pale gal8” type with translucent white skin.
And the rule she presented was-
[⑨If a survivor becomes the last one standing, they can return to their original world]
…Ugh, there it is, what a landmine of a rule.
Evil text, like God is egging us on to “kill each other.”
Sure enough, some of the less cooperative people’s eyes instantly turned vicious.
Geez. This is why Death Game newbies are such a pain!
But hey, relax. As long as me and Yuna are in this game, killing everyone else to be the last one standing is 100% impossible, so please give up-sorry, newbies!
”Last is me,” Kishimoto-san said, presenting the final rule.
[⑩After clearing the Game, survivors advance to the next Game]
Yep, knew it. Man, Kishimoto-san drew the same crappy info card as me!
The other Players’ faces twisted in despair-“The next Game…!? It doesn’t end even after clearing!?”-but me and Yuna already knew, so no shock there.
Now all 10 people’s rules are on the table.
From here, who picks which Route and what they’re scheming-heh, this is getting super interesting!
Trivia:
- Zaizen was a marriage candidate for Yuna through the Shikijo Family, making his silent observation of her potentially more politically motivated than predatory.
- Tajima’s comparison to a snake with “wet and sticky” eyes echoes the earlier description of Gouda’s lustful gaze, but Tajima’s reaction is more openly predatory and less physically intimidating.
- Manato notes his Trust Level with Yuna is zero in public situations despite being maxed out, suggesting Trust Level may fluctuate based on context or perception rather than being a static stat.
- The rule about transferring God Boy between survivors implies the game anticipates alliance-building and betrayal mechanics from the very start.
- Manato’s 98 spare God Boys combined with the absence of any anti-duplication rule means the destruction condition is practically impossible to trigger, making that rule a trap for anyone who doesn’t know his secret.
- Asuka’s rule about becoming the last survivor is the only rule that directly incentivizes murder, and her cheerful delivery of it makes her either oblivious or secretly dangerous.
Translation Notes:
1 ↩ A Japanese energy bar/compact nutritional food product, often used as a portable ration in survival situations or by busy workers. Similar to a nutritionally balanced protein bar.
2 ↩ Japanese honorific for aunt or middle-aged woman. Used here with a slightly dismissive or familiar tone, similar to calling someone “old lady” or “ma’am” depending on context.
3 ↩ Japanese honorific commonly used for male friends, juniors, or colleagues. Here, Akiyama uses it affectionately when calling out to Yuji, suggesting familiarity or closeness.
4 ↩ Japanese subculture style (gyaru), characterized by flashy fashion, bleached or dyed hair, heavy makeup, and trendy clothing. A fashion and social identity rather than just a descriptor.
5 ↩ Manato’s internal phrase “痴情のもつれ” refers to a messy romantic entanglement or jealousy-driven dispute, often involving overlapping affections.
6 ↩ A Japanese energy bar brand by Otsuka Pharmaceutical, commonly used as compact survival food. Well known in Japan as a convenience store staple and pop culture reference.
7 ↩ A mask used in traditional Japanese noh theater. Carved with a fixed expression that appears to shift with lighting and angle, making emotions hard to read. Used here to describe someone whose face reveals nothing.
8 ↩ A Japanese fashion subculture known for bold tanning, blonde hair, flashy nails, and trendy clothing. Asuka is specifically a “pale gal” variant, meaning she keeps her skin very white instead of tanning.