Thanks to the preview round, everyone was now buzzing about the rules of the game. But Midari Ikishima had already lost interest. She yawned and headed back to her room for a nap.
Naoki was tired too. As a student, she didn't have endless energy.
Led by attendants, they each returned to their rooms.
Of course, the cruise ship's guest rooms were luxurious. Naoki rolled around on the bed twice, took a shower, and began drawing cards with a sense of ritual.
**System: Congratulations, you've drawn the special ability card "One More Chance"!
Hmm, she had drawn that one before. It was basically an extra life. Not bad.
Next!
**System: Congratulations, you've drawn the special ability card "X-Ray Vision"!
Now that was huge. Knowing the number and position of bullets? In this game, that was an extraordinary advantage.
With a bit of experience left, Naoki lay down on her bed, feeling quite satisfied.
...
She slept soundly until 8 AM, then went back to sleep for another two hours. By 10, she finally got up and made her way to the main hall.
To her surprise, most people were already there.
After lunch, they drew lots to decide the teams.
Naoki was either lucky or unlucky she wasn't in the same group as Midari Ikishima.
She had joined this life-or-death gambling event mostly to gain affection points with Midari Ikishima. Playing a game together would've been the perfect bonding opportunity.
"#1, #9, #23, #34, #53, #78."
No familiar faces from yesterday.
After the draw, everyone eyed each other with a mix of curiosity and caution. Naoki had nothing in particular to do and simply waited for the match to begin.
3 PM.
The match officially began!
Naoki and her opponents sat around the gambling table. Ten matches were starting simultaneously in the hall.
Luckily, Naoki's game was in the first batch, and since Midari Ikishima hadn't started yet, she came over to spectate.
"The revolver will be loaded twice per round, and the game ends when only one player remains or all bullets are fired," the host explained.
He held up a die. "I'll roll to decide who picks the bullet count card. You're first. Clockwise."
He tossed the die. It landed on three.
The third player from Naoki's right #23.
After some thought, he said, "I'll pick the second card."
Then he added, "Two is my lucky number."
The host revealed the second card and sent it off for loading.
Naoki narrowed her eyes. Using X-Ray Vision, she confirmed what Midari had suspected. The five cards on the table weren't evenly distributed: two with the number two, two with three, and one with four.
#23 was lucky. He picked a two.
That meant there were only two live bullets this round.
"Now, you'll each receive an Item Card," the host continued. He shuffled and handed one to each player.
Naoki flipped hers over. The card allowed her to copy any other player's Item Card, provided she specified the player in advance.
Powerful. Ideally, she should wait until someone revealed their card to choose the best one.
But with her X-Ray Vision, she didn't need to wait. Even with the cards face-down, she could see them clearly.
The host placed the loaded revolver on the table and spun it.
This time, the muzzle pointed at #23.
He clearly hadn't expected to go first.
With no idea how many bullets were loaded, he hesitated.
"Players may use their Item Cards before firing," said the host.
No one made a move. It was too early to waste a card.
"I'll shoot #34," said #23. He couldn't bring himself to shoot himself.
The host smiled. "Anyone using an Item Card?"
No one spoke. All eyes were on Naoki.
She glanced at the gun pointed at her and used X-Ray Vision. The bullets were in chambers 3 and 5.
If she won this round, #53 would likely shoot her next.
But this shot...
She scanned the Item Cards. Someone had a Forced Target card. She could copy it to redirect the shot.
But what if #1 still had a real bullet and aimed at her next? She couldn't deal with multiple attacks.
If she earned 10 million yen too quickly, she'd become a target.
The safest strategy was to give money away.
That way, the third player might aim elsewhere. Even if they didn't, she could redirect the shot.
Early winners became early targets. Those without money were often left alone.
"I won't use any cards," she said calmly.
"No one's using cards. #23, fire. #34, no dodging," the host warned.
Tension spiked. #23 pointed the gun at her stomach, then closed his eyes and pulled the trigger.
Click.
A dud.
"#34 earns five million yen!"
#1 looked visibly disappointed.
"#34, your turn."
Naoki picked up the heavy gun. The weight was indistinguishable regardless of bullets.
She didn't aim at #53. Instead, she pointed at #9.
"I'll shoot #9."
#9 panicked. One blank was already spent; odds of a real bullet were rising.
"I want to use my card," #9 said. He played a Bullet Removal card, which allowed one bullet to be taken out.
After the staff returned the gun, Naoki noted that chamber 5 had been removed.
She smiled and pulled the trigger.
Click.
Another blank.
#9 collapsed with relief.
"#9 earns five million yen!"
Now it was #53's turn.
He aimed at #9.
#9 was shocked. "Why me? You should shoot #34!"
#53 sneered. "This is life-or-death gambling. Don't pretend to be noble. You used your card. That makes you safe to target."
True. Naoki hadn't played any cards yet. If she had something strong, she could force a misfire.
**System: Because you didn't panic or reveal your card, you avoided being targeted. MIdari's affection increased by 2 points.
Exactly. Everyone saw Naoki stay calm under threat, which made her seem more dangerous.
Even with a bullet removed, the odds of getting shot were still significant.
"Any cards?" asked the host.
Silence.
#9 could only pray.
Bang!
Gunpowder filled the air. #9 took a bullet to the chest and collapsed, unable to speak.
The crowd gasped. Even knowing the stakes, seeing someone shot was jarring.
The host checked him. "#9 is unable to continue. Eliminated!"
#53 showed no remorse. A chest shot was likely fatal or at least incapacitating.
"#9's five million yen goes to #53."
A cruel smile spread across #53's face.
Now it was #78's turn.
He hesitated. #34 and #53 both had five million, but neither had revealed their cards.
Should he shoot one of them?
Or target #1?
If he shot the rich targets, #1 might retaliate. But if he attacked #1 and it was a blank, #1 wouldn't likely shoot back.
After seeing #9 die, #78 decided survival came first. Winnings changed hands, but living mattered more.
"I'll shoot #1."
#1 was shocked. "Why me? I don't even have any money!"
"Anyone using cards?" asked the host.
#1 clenched his teeth and played a Double Prize card.
"If this is a blank, #1 gets ten million yen!"
Naoki chuckled. Now there was an even bigger target.
#78 pulled the trigger.
Click.
No bullet.
#1 was safe for now. But he was now the richest player.
Midari scoffed. "Idiot."
She had a point. Revealing his card only made him the biggest target.
Unplayed cards made others hesitate.
With #9 gone, the final shot returned to #23.
#1 now realized just how tempting his bounty was. He looked at #23 nervously.
But #23 didn't shoot him. Instead, he looked at Naoki and #53.
By now, most players had figured out the game's trap. Going after the rich got you killed.
Assuming there were three bullets total, one was removed, and one fired. That left one bullet.
If he shot #34 or #53 and hit, he'd get five million. And with #1 around, he still wouldn't be the biggest target.
Naoki looked harmless. #53 was a ruthless shooter.
"I'll shoot #53."
#53 scowled.
"Any cards?" asked the host.
Long silence.
#53 raised his hand. "You'll regret this."
He used a Forced Target card to redirect the shot.
#23 turned pale. He hadn't expected such a powerful counter.
"Choose your new target," said the host.
#1 was stupid. #78 was calculating. #23 was an enemy. #34 was brave.
Only Naoki had revealed no cards and had prize money.
If the shot missed, her card would still be revealed. If it hit, she'd be gone.
"I choose #34."
Everyone was stunned. Even #23 looked confused. He thought he'd be the target.
But without a card to save him, #23 was spared.
The gun now pointed at Naoki again.
"Any cards?"
All eyes were on her. This had to be a live bullet.
With X-Ray Vision, Naoki knew it wasn't.
Blanks and real bullets were color-coded for reloading.
Midari licked her lips, watching her intently.
"Me? Of course not," Naoki replied calmly.
The crowd murmured in disbelief.
"It's the last shot!" #23 shouted. "And you're not using a card?!"
#53 sneered. "Your card must be useless just like #1's."
Naoki smiled. "Who knows?"
"#23, fire," said the host.
#23 aimed at Naoki's chest. After one round, his mercy was gone. He had to shoot to eliminate.
Click.
Blank.
#23 said nothing. The hall erupted in noise.
"It was a blank!"
"Unbelievable!"
"#34 earns another five million. Total: ten million. Round over. Prepare for Round Two," the host announced.
#53 clicked his tongue. He was clearly annoyed.
Naoki felt eyes burning into her. She turned. Midari was watching with hungry eyes. Clearly, that performance had thrilled her.
**System: Midari Ikishima admires your boldness. Affection +1!
Naoki sighed. Just one point?
She returned her gaze to the table.
Round Two was about to begin.