The plan was set: survive until sunset so the ICE wouldn't get their perfect victory. Shon volunteered to spread the strategy to the others, but before she could leave, Sam pulled her and OH NO aside, instructing them on a secret plan. After wishing them All the best, they departed.
As they finalized their strategy, two more NPCs from Shon's class were captured. 15 people remained.
The time was now 3:20 PM—1 hour and 40 minutes left until the game ended.
Sam moved carefully through the terrain, crouching low and staying out of sight. The game had already claimed several players, and every decision mattered.
As he crept forward, his eyes locked onto something unusual—someone struggling to hide behind a cluster of bushes.
Sam narrowed his eyes. Is this really happening? He thought to himself.
He casually walked toward the person and sighed. "Are you even trying to hide, Liabilities?"
The so-called "hiding spot" was laughable. The bush barely covered Liabilities' knees, making his tall frame painfully obvious.
Liabilities let out a defeated sigh. "What else can I do? There's nowhere big enough for me to hide."
Sam shook his head. "Yeah, I get it. Being tall has its pros and cons. You can run pretty fast with those long legs, but hiding? Not so much."
He patted Liabilities on the back. "But honestly, I'm glad you're on our team. With those legs, I wouldn't want you as an opponent."
Liabilities raised an eyebrow. "Should I take that as a compliment or an insult?"
Sam smirked. "Both." Then his expression turned serious. "Look, it's pointless for you to hide in this tiny bush. Instead, I need you to distract the ICE."
Liabilities blinked. "That's just a suicide mission."
Sam shook his head. "Not if you do it right. Listen, you're the only one who can pull this off because of your legs."
Liabilities looked skeptical. "Legs?"
Sam nodded. "Whenever the ICE are about to catch someone, you distract them and make them chase you instead.
If only one ICE is after our teammate, they'll have to choose between catching you or the other person. In that confusion, our teammate will have a chance to escape.
If there are two ICE chasing someone, one of them will follow you, leaving only one to chase our teammate, making it easier for our teammate to shake off and escape.
Liabilities frowned. "And if there are three?"
Sam shook his head. "That won't happen. Tsunami and Toping are the aggressive ones—they're the ones running around catching people.
But July Boy and Hori? They're too low-energy. They'll stay at the base guarding the prisoners. At most, only two ICE will ever chase you at a time."
Liabilities sighed, rubbing his temples. "So basically, you want me to be bait?"
Sam grinned. "Not bait—our team's leg advantage. You've got the longest legs here. You can outrun anyone."
Liabilities frowned. "I guess I can do that... but what's in it for me? Why should I put myself on the line?"
Sam remained calm. "There's nothing in it for you. Even if you pull this off, you won't win anything. But... if you don't do it, you'll have to do that embarrassing thing Toping mentioned in front of all the girls."
Liabilities froze. His reputation was on the line. He thought about how humiliating it would be—especially in front of Shon.
And not only him but shon will also be embarrassed if they doesn't win.
He gritted his teeth. "Fine, I'll do it. Just don't let me get frozen for nothing."
Sam smirked. "Deal. Now, let's get to work."
With their plan in motion, Liabilities prepared to become the ultimate distraction, while Sam moved to find more teammates.
The survival game continued.