Chapter 5: The Manager's Game
After the long, harrowing night, the remaining Scrapers are exhausted and on edge. The field is eerily quiet, the usual buzz of conversation replaced by a tense silence. The air feels heavy, as if waiting for something to happen.
Ryo's mind is still reeling from the night's events. He's beginning to understand just how dangerous and unpredictable the Crap Field truly is. He glances at Hana, who is sitting quietly beside him, staring at the ground. He wants to say something, to break the silence, but he doesn't know what.
Before he can find the words, the Manager's voice booms across the field:
"Attention, Scrapers! It's time for a special event. Today, you will face a new challenge: The Manager's Game."
A collective murmur ripples through the crowd. Ryo's stomach tightens with anxiety. He has no idea what this "game" might entail, but he knows it won't be anything good.
The Manager continues:
"This game is simple. You will be paired up and face off against another team in a series of trials. The winning team will receive special upgrades, while the losers… well, let's just say the losers won't be around to complain."
Ryo's heart sinks. He looks around, trying to gauge the reactions of the other Scrapers. Some look determined, others terrified. He notices the scarred man from before, standing with his arms crossed, a slight smirk on his face. Clearly, he's ready for whatever comes next.
Ryo feels a tap on his shoulder and turns to see Hana. She looks nervous but resolute.
"Let's team up," she says, her voice barely a whisper.
Ryo hesitates for a moment, but then he nods. He doesn't have many options, and he knows he'll need someone he can trust — or at least, someone who doesn't seem like they'll stab him in the back. Hana seems scared but sincere, and he figures they might stand a better chance together.
The Manager's voice returns:
"Prepare yourselves, Scrapers. The first trial begins now."
Suddenly, the ground beneath their feet shifts and trembles. The field morphs into a large arena, with tall walls rising around them, trapping them in. Ryo and Hana find themselves on one side of the arena, facing another pair of Scrapers — the scarred man and a woman with sharp, calculating eyes.
The first trial is announced: A Test of Strength. Ryo gulps, feeling the weight of the challenge. He knows he's not particularly strong; he's relied on his quick wits and instincts to get this far. But now, brute force seems to be the order of the day.
The ground between the two teams opens up, revealing a large boulder. The objective appears on a floating screen: Push the boulder to the other side before the opposing team. The first to cross the finish line wins.
Ryo glances at Hana. She looks even more nervous than he feels, but she nods determinedly.
"We can do this," she whispers. "We just have to try."
The whistle blows, and both teams rush to the boulder. The scarred man's team moves quickly, with the scarred man taking the lead. He's clearly strong, and the woman beside him isn't far behind. Ryo and Hana struggle to push their boulder, sweat pouring down their faces. The rock is massive and heavy, and they're already falling behind.
Ryo grits his teeth, his frustration mounting. He tries to push harder, but his muscles burn with the effort. Hana's face is red with exertion, and she's breathing hard.
"Come on," Ryo mutters, more to himself than to her. "We can't lose. We have to—"
Before he can finish his sentence, the ground beneath them shifts again, and the boulder begins to move more smoothly. Ryo's eyes widen in surprise, and he realizes the field itself is changing, making it easier for them to push the boulder forward.
He catches a glimpse of the Manager watching from a raised platform, a wicked grin on his face. Ryo understands — this isn't just a test of strength; it's also a test of perception and adaptability.
"Change direction!" Ryo shouts to Hana. "Push from the side!"
She hesitates but follows his lead. They push the boulder sideways, taking advantage of the shifting ground. The other team, still focused on brute strength, doesn't notice the change as quickly. Slowly but surely, Ryo and Hana gainground on their opponents. The scarred man and his partner push with all their might, but their strategy of relying on sheer force is now a liability. Ryo and Hana, adapting to the Crap Field's shifting terrain, inch their boulder forward until they're neck and neck with the other team.
Ryo's muscles scream in protest as he pushes, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He can see the finish line just ahead, but so can the scarred man. The other team realizes they're losing their advantage, and the woman yells something to the scarred man. Without warning, they abandon their boulder and rush toward Ryo and Hana, intending to sabotage them directly.
"Watch out!" Ryo yells, but it's too late.
The scarred man lunges at Ryo, knocking him to the ground with brutal force. Ryo's head spins from the impact as he struggles to stand, but the scarred man is on him, pinning him down with an iron grip. Hana shrieks in panic, trying to keep the boulder moving, but the other woman grabs her, pulling her away.
"This isn't just about strength," the scarred man growls, his voice low and menacing. "It's about survival. You should've known better."
Ryo's vision blurs as he feels the weight of the man on top of him. He struggles, fury rising in his chest. A lifetime of bottling up his anger, of avoiding conflict, flashes before his eyes. He's tired of running, tired of being passive. Something snaps inside him.
With a sudden burst of adrenaline, Ryo kicks the scarred man off him, using the man's weight against him. The scarred man stumbles, momentarily surprised by Ryo's strength. Ryo doesn't waste the opportunity. He grabs the thick branch he carried from the shelter and swings it with all his might.
The branch connects with a sickening crack against the scarred man's arm. He lets out a grunt of pain and steps back, but his eyes are filled with rage. Ryo can tell he's not used to being challenged.
Hana, meanwhile, is still struggling with the other woman. The woman has her pinned against the boulder, her face twisted in a cruel smirk. "You're too weak," she sneers. "You won't last here."
Ryo's anger flares again. He rushes toward Hana, swinging the branch wildly. The woman ducks, but she's forced to let go of Hana in the process. Hana scrambles away, her breath coming in short, panicked bursts. She looks at Ryo, her eyes wide with fear and gratitude.
"We need to push!" Ryo shouts, his voice hoarse. "Forget them — let's finish this!"
Hana nods, and together they return to the boulder. The scarred man and his partner are recovering, but Ryo and Hana are already pushing with all their might. The shifting ground continues to work in their favor, and the boulder inches closer to the finish line.
The scarred man snarls in frustration, but he doesn't make another move to attack. Instead, he watches with a cold, calculating gaze as Ryo and Hana push the boulder over the finish line.
The sound of a loud horn echoes across the arena, signaling their victory. Ryo collapses to his knees, gasping for breath. Hana follows suit, her face flushed and covered in sweat. They've won, but the price was high.
The Manager's voice returns, full of twisted amusement.
"Well done, Scrapers. Ryo and Hana, you've proven yourselves in the Test of Strength. Your reward: a strength upgrade."
A small, glowing screen appears in front of Ryo and Hana, showing their names and stats. Ryo's strength stat increases slightly, and he feels a strange surge of energy pulse through his body. His muscles feel a little less fatigued, and he realizes the upgrades are more than just numbers — they're real, tangible changes.
The Manager's voice darkens. "As for the losers… let this be a lesson. Failure is not tolerated here."
The scarred man and his partner stand still, watching as black tendrils snake up from the ground and begin to wrap around their legs. The woman's face contorts in fear, but the scarred man remains eerily calm, even as the tendrils pull him down.
"Next time," the scarred man growls, locking eyes with Ryo. "Next time, you won't be so lucky."
With those final words, the two are swallowed by the ground, leaving no trace behind. Ryo shudders, the weight of what he's witnessed settling heavily on his shoulders.
Hana, still trembling, turns to Ryo. "We… we did it," she whispers, her voice barely audible. "We survived."
Ryo nods, but his mind is elsewhere. He knows this victory is only temporary. The Crap Field is merciless, and every trial will only get harder from here. The Manager's game is far from over.
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