Kapitel 28: Battle Royale [End]

On the virtual battlefield, the most imposing figure finally made his entrance. It was Sam, with a presence that dominated the environment. He carried his colossal sword with surprising ease, casually resting it on his shoulder. His red eyes burned with fierce determination, reflecting the intensity of his iron will.

Chloe and Yuki, who had been focused on the battle between Dean and Ellie, froze upon noticing the new dominant presence on the field. Yuki, whose eyes normally remained serene and almost closed, now opened them fully, revealing a mix of respect and caution. "This guy is dangerous..." he murmured, his voice almost a whisper but filled with unmistakable intensity.

Ellie, who until that moment maintained a confident and challenging posture, felt a wave of surprise and discomfort upon witnessing Sam present on the battlefield. She knew well the strength of Sam, but seeing him there, imposing and determined, cast a new light on the situation.

However, amidst this atmosphere charged with tension and surprise, there was a single figure who completely stood out from the scene: Dean Carleone. With a calm and almost amused smile on his lips, Dean seemed to enjoy the moment as if it were a spectacle made for his entertainment. His blue eyes shone with an intriguing vivacity, as if he were about to reveal a hidden trick up his sleeve.

Sam's red eyes, vibrant and full of almost palpable energy, scanned the field, quickly assessing the situation. He fixed his gaze on Chloe and Yuki, analyzing their positions, before meeting Ellie's irritated look. "I managed to arrive in time..." he reflected internally, a sense of duty fulfilled filling his being.

Finally, Sam's gaze fixed on Dean, whose confident smile vividly contrasted with the rest of the battlefield. Dean's blue eyes met Sam's red ones in a silent duel, a clash of two natural forces that promised to be the strongest on this battlefield.

"Dean..." Sam's voice was a murmur, laden with seriousness. His red eyes stared at Dean with an intensity that could cut steel.

The silence between us stretched for a moment, before I finally broke the tension with a pinch of my classic humor: "You're staring too much. Don't tell me you fell for my perfect little face like this girl here behind me." My hand pointed negligently at Ellie, while a mischievous smile appeared on my lips.

"What?" Ellie's response was a mix of surprise and indignation. Her voice trembled slightly, betrayed by anger. "I'm not in love with you, you idiot!"

"Oh, how she plays hard to get, right?" I continued, savoring each word as I provoked Ellie. Watching her irritation was like watching a show - amusing and utterly irresistible.

Sam, in turn, observed the exchange between Ellie and me. His determined expression softened, returning to his usual gentleness. A slight smile formed on his lips, as if he found some humor in the unexpected scene. "Are you two always like this?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

I turned to Sam, still smiling, and said in a teasing tone: "Well, you know how it is... Some people just can't resist my charm." My gaze shifted from Sam to Ellie, with a spark of mischief. "Isn't that right, Ellie?"

Ellie huffed, clearly frustrated with my attitude, but there was a glint of challenge in her eyes. "Don't start with those jokes, Dean. I'm itching to strangle you."

I shrugged, unconcerned, my gaze turning back to Sam. "So, what brings us the honor of your presence, Sam? Came to join the party?" My tone was light, but my blue eyes shone with genuine interest.

"I came to help Ellie, but it seems like you don't need it," Sam commented, observing Ellie with an air of detachment.

"I don't need help, especially yours!" Ellie retorted, with a mix of irritation and disdain.

Sam just shrugged, his calm expression belying the tension of the moment, as if he were dealing with someone going through puberty. "Okay, okay, I'll make sure to remember that," he responded, almost with a smile.

Then, Sam turned to me, examining the crown tattoo on my wrist. "So you're the leader..." he said, more to himself than to me.

With a casual glance at my wrist, I shot back: "Seems like this little gem makes me the center of attention. Who would have thought, huh?"

Sam responded with a thoughtful 'hmm', shifting his gaze to Yuki and her companion, before focusing his sword on me. "Consequences, I suppose."

"Consequences," I repeated in a low, almost amused tone. "Yeah, the consequences of being marked as a walking target. I feel like those doctors in a war, with a big target on their back." I positioned myself for combat, not without casting an ironic glance at Ellie. "So, Ellie, are you joining the party, or would you prefer to watch from the box seats?"

Ellie, with fierce determination, released her green aura, as if preparing for a storm. "I won't miss this chance to teach you a lesson," she said, eyes fixed on me.

With a sly smile, I thought: "Fighting against Sam is already a calculated risk that, frankly, I don't calculate very well. Now, adding Ellie to the equation? That's practically an invitation to a funeral."

At that moment, I saw Chloe approaching with lethal grace, twirling her spear. "Looks like our little bet will have to wait," she said, with a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Oh, it seems so," I replied, keeping my expression relaxed. "But you know how it is, I love a good suspense. It makes things more... interesting."

The tension was palpable in the air, almost as if we could touch it. The four of us - Sam, Ellie, Chloe, and I - were positioned in an electrifying standoff, reminiscent of a classic action movie scene. Weapons ready, gazes fixed, a choreography of suspense and danger. I, Dean, couldn't help but think, with a hint of sarcasm: "What if my weapon jams at the crucial moment? Well, there I'd be, the writer, trapped in a misfortune of his own creation."

But what happened next was something not even the most creative writer could anticipate.

Abruptly and shockingly, Chloe, the most unexpected and protective partner I could have, spun her spear in her hands at a dizzying speed and thrust it horizontally into my head. The sharp blade passed from one side to the other, going through my ears.

"Huh?" was all I could murmur, completely surprised. And I was not alone in my surprise; Sam, Ellie, Yuki – all had their eyes wide open, shocked by the sudden twist.

Chloe, the only one who shared my peculiarity, gave me an enigmatic smile. "You'll thank me later," she said, her tone suggestive that there was something more behind that extreme act.

While the blade was still embedded, I realized Chloe's play. A final smile escaped my lips as I addressed Sam: "Lucky you."

Sam displayed an expression of perplexity, unable to immediately assimilate what he had just witnessed. As he tried to process Dean's words, the young writer's corpse collapsed to the ground. Blood began to spread across the floor, emanating from the fatal wound, while Chloe's spear fell beside with a metallic sound, echoing the abrupt end of a life.

"I guess he kicked the bucket," Chloe commented, showing remarkable coldness in the face of the shock and confusion spreading among those present.

At that moment, a blue screen appeared before Chloe's eyes, bringing an unexpected message: [Rule Violation]. Virtual reality did not forgive transgressions: [Fatally injuring a teammate is against the game rules. Punishment: Team Disqualification].

With a casual movement, Chloe ran her hand through her hair, throwing it back with a theatrical gesture. With a complicit wink in Sam's direction, she began to dematerialize. Dean, already inert on the ground, disappeared along with her, leaving behind only an empty battlefield and an atmosphere charged with surprise and uncertainty.