บท 14: BLUE OR RED III

It's finally over," Rian murmured with a dejected expression. "Is this how we're all going to die in this damn hospital?"

"This system is insane, and so is that child!" Livi yelled angrily, glaring hatefully at the young boy identified earlier as the second pawn chosen by the system.

Axel stood rooted to the spot, unable to decide which box to choose.

"Which death is better, your head being blown up or falling into acid?" Livi asked tearfully.

"Trust me, neither is better," Rosa replied with a heavy sigh. "I would have preferred to die in that car accident in the real world. At least I wouldn't have known it was coming, unlike this terrible death in the game world." Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Damn!" Axel cursed bitterly, unable to make a decision.

"Since it has come to this, I must say, it has been fun getting to know all of you," Rian said, forcing a smile to the other players.

"There's no chance of going back to the real world," Rosa said tearfully. "I should have just died in the real world instead of getting involved in this death game."

"I'm glad I participated in this game," Livi said, locking gazes with Axel. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have met you. And I wouldn't have met any of you."

Everything had finally come to an end. "There's no point in trying," Rian said, his expression defeated as he let out a heavy sigh.

Axel sighed heavily and closed his eyes. "Guess this is the end. The notorious assassin will finally be dead. At least I can see my wife and daughter again. I'm so sorry I failed you, Camille." These were Axel's thoughts as he stood rooted to the spot.

Ding!

(Two minute remaining. Please make your choice now player number nineteen.)

"Axel!" Livi called weakly, standing up and reaching out her hands to hug him, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"What's that?" Rian asked, pointing to a white handkerchief that had fallen from Livi's clothing. All the players turned their gaze to the spot on the floor.

Livi picked it up and unwrapped it, revealing a yellow pill. "Why is this still here?" she murmured angrily.

"Don't tell me that's the yellow pill given by the system," Rosa said. "You still haven't taken it until now."

"That's it, the pills," Axel murmured, opening his eyes and walking up to his team members.

"System! You said I possess golden vision eyes that can see beyond what a normal eye can see," Axel asked, fixing his gaze on the system. "Does that mean my golden eyes can help me locate which box contains the blue ball?"

The other players became alert, waiting curiously for the system's answer.

Ding!

(I don't know, just do what you want to do.)

"Can you just give a straight answer?" Rian yelled angrily, glaring at the system. "Is it a yes or a no?"

Ding!

(One minute remaining to decide player number nineteen.)

"Arrgh!" Rian groaned angrily, his fist clenched, ready to hit the system.

"Don't, Rian," Rosa intervened, holding him back. "That's not necessary."

"Do what you want to do, just as the system said," the beautiful lady from earlier said. "I will haunt you even in death if your golden eyes can save us and you choose not to use them."

"And who do you think you are?" Livi asked with a smirk, her gaze fixed on the beauty in front of her. "A mighty queen or what, you bitch?" she added mockingly.

"Livi, please let it go," Rosa pleaded as she held on to Livi, who was already set on pounding on the beauty in front of her.

"This is not the time for all of this," Rian said as he turned his gaze to the ladies before shifting it back to Axel. "Please go ahead and see if the golden eyes really work wonders."

Axel replied to Rian with a nod and quickly returned to the square shape and closed his eyes, calling for his golden vision eyes in his mind as instructed by the system. When he opened his eyes, he could see all the balls inside the boxes.

He began scanning the boxes, his body tense but his face filled with determination.

"Is the golden eyes working?" Rian asked curiously, his gaze fixed on Axel. "It just gotta be working or we might end up destroying this system before I die."

"Yes! I can see the balls inside the boxes. They're all red," Axel replied confidently. "I just have to locate the blue ball."

"Just calm down, Axel, and check carefully," Livi said as she moved closer to him, while the other players also moved closer, waiting anxiously for his answer. "The ball has to be somewhere."

After much scanning, Axel's golden eyes finally spotted the box that contained the blue ball. But he wasn't sure if he should trust the system or not. One mistake could cost him his life and the lives of his teammates.

"This is so difficult," Axel murmured with a groan, letting out a heavy sigh as he kept his gaze fixed on the box his golden eyes had revealed.

After what felt like an eternity, Axel decided to follow his instinct and choose the box that his golden eyes had confirmed to contain the blue ball.

"I found it!" Axel revealed, a bright smile escaping his lips. "I found the blue ball, everyone!"

All the players turned their gaze to him and then to the box he claimed to be the one containing the blue ball.

Ding!

(Are you sure, player number nineteen? You still have time to change your answer if you want.)

"I'm sure about that box," Axel said confidently, pointing his finger at it. "I choose that."

"Calm down, Axel," Rian said, rushing towards him, his body tense. "Are you really sure that's the box?"

"You have to be sure before choosing, Axel. Our lives depend on your answer," Rosa pleaded with tearful eyes.

"That's it then. If he's wrong, the ground will split open and he will fall into the acid," the beautiful lady said with a smirk. "It's just a matter of time to find out." She added, making the other teammates throw hateful glances at her.

Ding!

(Ten seconds remaining.)

"Ten... Nine... Eight... Seven... Six... Five... Four... Three... Two... One...

Boom... Boom... Boom..."