บท 16: The Second Round
The serpentine Scraper moves with a speed and agility that takes Ryo by surprise. One moment, they're standing still, and the next, they're a blur of motion, closing the distance between them in an instant.
Ryo barely has time to react, throwing himself to the side as a blade-like weapon slices through the air where he was standing. The attack is swift and precise, and Ryo knows immediately that this opponent is far more dangerous than the last.
Hana reacts quickly, leaping back to avoid the Scraper's follow-up strike. She holds her stance, watching their opponent's every movement, her body tense and ready.
"Stay on your guard," Ryo warns, his voice tight. "They're fast."
The serpentine Scraper grins, twirling the weapon in their hand with practiced ease. "You think you can keep up?"
Without waiting for an answer, they launch into another attack, their movements a blur of deadly precision. Ryo and Hana are forced onto the defensive, dodging and weaving as the blade slices through the air around them.
Ryo's mind races, trying to find an opening, a way to turn the tide. He glances at the broken stone they spotted earlier, an idea forming in his mind. They need to get their opponent over there — if they can just maneuver them into the right position, they might have a chance.
"Hana!" Ryo shouts, his voice strained as he ducks under another slash. "Lead them to the edge!"
Hana nods, understanding immediately. She breaks away, darting toward the far side of the arena, the serpentine Scraper hot on her heels.
Ryo follows, keeping his distance but staying close enough to draw the Scraper's attention when needed. Hana moves with purpose, her steps calculated as she leads their opponent toward the broken stone.
The Scraper, sensing a trap, hesitates for just a moment, their eyes narrowing.
"Trying to lure me in?" they taunt, their voice dripping with amusement. "You'll have to do better than that."
Hana smirks, and Ryo can see the spark of confidence in her eyes. "Oh, we will."
With a sudden burst of speed, she pivots, changing direction and running straight for the broken stone. The Scraper, caught off guard, hesitates for a split second — just long enough for Ryo to make his move.
He lunges forward, swinging the branch at their opponent's legs, aiming to throw them off balance. The Scraper, quick as ever, leaps back, but the maneuver puts them exactly where Ryo wants them.
"Now, Hana!" Ryo shouts.
Hana, already in position, shoves the broken stone with all her strength. The heavy piece of debris teeters for a moment, then crashes down, narrowly missing the Scraper but sending a shower of rubble and dust into the air.
The Scraper stumbles, momentarily blinded, and Ryo seizes the opportunity. He charges forward, tackling their opponent and driving them back against the wall of the arena. The force of the impact knocks the weapon from the Scraper's hand, and Ryo pins them against the wall, his heart pounding in his chest. The serpentine Scraper struggles against his grip, their eyes blazing with fury, but Ryo doesn't let up. He presses harder, using every ounce of strength he has to keep them immobilized.
"Now!" Ryo shouts, his voice strained. "Do it, Hana!"
Hana, her face determined, rushes forward, her eyes locked on the discarded weapon. She snatches it up and turns to face their trapped opponent, the blade glinting ominously in the dim light.
The serpentine Scraper's eyes widen with fear as Hana steps closer, the weapon held steady in her hands. "Wait! Don't—"
Hana doesn't hesitate. She drives the blade into the Scraper's shoulder, the force of the strike pinning them to the wall. The Scraper lets out a howl of pain, their body writhing as they try to pull free.
Ryo steps back, breathing heavily. The fight isn't over yet, but their opponent is weakened, pinned down and vulnerable. He looks at Hana, who's still holding the weapon, her hands trembling.
"We can't let them go," Hana says, her voice shaky but firm. "If we do, they'll come after us again."
Ryo nods. He knows she's right. This place doesn't allow for second chances or mercy. They have to finish what they started. But even as he steels himself, he feels a pang of guilt. This Scraper is just like them — trapped in this brutal world, forced to fight to survive.
The serpentine Scraper glares at them, their eyes filled with pain and defiance. "You think this is over?" they sneer, blood trickling from the corner of their mouth. "You have no idea what's coming."
Ryo's grip tightens around the branch, but he doesn't strike. Instead, he takes a deep breath and steps back, his mind racing. There's something about the Scraper's words, a hint of something more behind the bravado.
"What do you mean?" Ryo asks, his voice low.
The Scraper laughs, a harsh, rasping sound. "This city… the Guardian Trials… it's all just a setup. They want you to think you're getting stronger, that you're fighting for something, but it's all a lie. We're all just pawns in their game."
Ryo frowns, his mind struggling to process the words. He's known since the beginning that there was more to the Crap Field than what they were told, but hearing it laid out like this — it's a chilling realization.
Hana looks at Ryo, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "What should we do?"
Ryo glances back at the serpentine Scraper, who's still pinned to the wall, their breath coming in ragged gasps. He knows what he should do, what the rules of this place demand. But something inside him rebels against it. Killing isn't the answer. Not if there's more to this than they understand.
Ryo lowers the branch and steps back. "We're not like them," he says quietly. "We're not going to kill you."
Hana's eyes widen in surprise, but she doesn't argue. Instead, she takes a step back as well, lowering the weapon. The serpentine Scraper watches them warily, disbelief and relief mingling in their gaze.
Ryo kneels down, keeping his distance but making his intentions clear. "What do you know about this place? Why are we really here?"
The Scraper hesitates, then lets out a bitter laugh. "You really don't get it, do you? This city, the trials — it's all just another part of the Crap Field. The real test isn't about strength or survival. It's about obedience. They want to see who will follow orders, who will play their game."
Ryo's heart sinks. He had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed shakes him to his core. "Who are they?" he asks, his voice tense. "The ones running this place?"
The Scraper's eyes narrow. "The Managers. The ones who control the Crap Field. They're not just testing us — they're experimenting on us. Seeing how far they can push us before we break."
Ryo feels a cold fury building inside him. He's known since the beginning that the Crap Field was a twisted game, but he hadn't realized the extent of the manipulation, the cruelty behind it all.
"We have to get out of here," Hana says, her voice barely above a whisper. "We have to find a way to escape."
Ryo nods, his mind racing. But how? They're trapped in this city, surrounded by other Scrapers who are just as desperate and dangerous as they are. And beyond that, the Managers are watching, controlling everything.
The serpentine Scraper's voice breaks through his thoughts. "You're fools if you think you can escape. No one gets out. Not unless the Managers let you."
Ryo glares at them, his jaw clenched. "We'll see about that."
Before the Scraper can respond, the man with the mechanical arm steps forward, his expression unreadable. "Enough talking," he says, his voice cold. "This round is over."
Ryo and Hana step back as the man approaches, his gaze shifting to the wounded Scraper. He looks down at them, his face impassive, and then nods to two guards standing nearby. The guards move forward, grabbing the serpentine Scraper by the arms and dragging them away, their struggles growing weaker as they're pulled from the arena.
The man turns back to Ryo and Hana. "You've passed the second round," he says. "Rest while you can. The final round will begin soon."
Ryo watches as the wounded Scraper is taken away, a knot of guilt and anger tightening in his chest. This city, these trials — it's all a game, a cruel, twisted game designed to break them down, to see how far they'll go to survive.
But he's not going to play by their rules. He's going to find a way out. For himself, for Hana, and for everyone else trapped in this nightmare.
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