Satan’s Game

Cillian pauses briefly but then continues walking forward, with Carlos following close behind.

The forest at night is much quieter than during the day, with no birds chirping. 

The only sounds are their footsteps and the rustling underfoot, amplifying the feeling that they're the only ones moving through the jungle.

"Walking at night isn't entirely safe," Carlos says after some thought. "There are more wild animals, like boars."

Cillian chuckles. "Boars? If I run into one, I'd be chasing it, not the other way around."

Carlos doesn't laugh. 

He explains seriously, "Boar tusks are sharp, and their skin is tough. Regular knives can't pierce them easily. They're dangerous, so don't underestimate them."

Having been lectured, Cillian replies, "Ok. I'll watch the front, you watch the back."

"I'll keep an eye out for wild animals."

"I'm talking about people tailing us," he says mockingly. 

"Humans are much scarier than wild beasts."

"…Fine."

Cillian then asks, "Who do you think is the King?"

"I haven't figured it out yet."

"Keep trying."

"Okay."

Carlos answers so earnestly that Cillian can't help but find it amusing. For some reason, his overly serious demeanor always makes Cillian want to laugh.

He wonders what it is about Carlos that triggers his sense of humor.

After walking for about half an hour, Cillian estimates that, based on the drone's flight path, they still have over two hours of walking to reach the cliff—assuming the path remains easy to traverse.

Night travel is harder than daytime. Visibility is limited, and every dense bush could be hiding something. 

On top of that, they have to stay alert for any footsteps following them.

Another half hour later, they come across a wide river.

Cillian shines his flashlight over the riverbed and can see the stones at the bottom. 

"The water's shallow. We can walk through."

"But the stones will be slippery."

Cillian glances around and notices vines winding like snakes around a nearby tree. 

He doesn't know what kind of vine it is, but it has hard, knotted protrusions. Using his knife, he cuts off a section and pulls on it with force—it doesn't snap. 

He cuts two more pieces and tosses them to Carlos. "Tie these to your shoes. Make sure they're secure."

Carlos understands immediately—additional grip.

They sit down to tie the vines around their shoes. The hard knots add traction without making their steps clumsy.

Carlos steps into the river first, testing the footing. He rubs his foot against the stones. They're still a bit slippery, but much better than he expected.

He extends a hand behind him. "I'll help you."

Having someone steady his across the river is safer, so he doesn't refuse.

Cillian grips his arm tightly as they begin crossing. 

Carlos's pace is cautious, and he takes each step carefully. Cillian doesn't rush him. In the jungle, pressuring someone is foolish.

Suddenly, he stops.

"What is it?" Cillian asks.

"A fish just swam past my foot."

"…"

He continues walking as if nothing happened.

Cillian thinks for a moment and asks, "Carlos, don't tell me—you're afraid of fish?"

Carlos wants to lie but ends up saying, "I'm scared of slimy things."

"Then you must be terrified of worms, snails, and snakes."

Each example makes Carlos furrow his brow.

[Live Comments] Carlos is scared of slimy things? LOL.

[Live Comments] I feel for him, though! The texture is awful. Plus, fish tails slapping you in the face are terrifying.

When they finally make it to the shore, Cillian turns to look at Carlos and can't help but laugh—he looks bad. His face is ghostly pale, almost reflective under the flashlight.

They shake the water out of their shoes and press on.

Crossing the river seems to mark a dividing line. 

The path they were on had been manageable, but the terrain now changes. What looks like solid ground is soft and spongy, with water bubbling up as they step.

"This is swampy ground," Carlos observes after a while. "Be careful!"

He grabs a long stick and starts prodding the ground ahead of him with every step, testing to ensure it can hold their weight before moving forward.

Though it's a safe approach, it's excruciatingly slow and monotonous—so much so that even the viewers grow bored. 

Many switch to other contestants' feeds, hoping for more excitement.

But just as Cillian and Carlos's screen sees a sharp drop in viewers, another feed starts to explode with activity. 

Gradually, the audience returns.

[Live Comments] Whoa, slow down! Someone up ahead just got stuck in quicksand!

[Live Comments] I'll never complain about how cautious they are again. Going fast in a swamp is a death wish—just look at that poor guy!

[Live Comments] Please slow down. The Sorcerer is about to die up there!

Carlos takes the flashlight and leads the way, carefully scanning the ground ahead.

Cillian, not knowing much about swamps, listens as he explains. "Swamps look harmless but can swallow you whole if you make the wrong move."

The ground is overgrown with short grass, no taller than their shins, swaying gently in the night breeze.

Carlos focuses on two areas in particular: barren patches of blackened soil and spots covered in vibrant green moss. Both, he knows, often conceal hidden dangers in swamps.

It doesn't take long for them to spot a disturbed patch of moss-covered ground. 

Someone has already fallen in.

Ahead, a wiry man dressed in black struggles in the mud. 

Under the flashlight's beam, his eyes reflect the light, but his other features remain obscured by mud smeared across his face.

He's up to his chest in soft, wet earth, and every slight movement causes him to sink deeper.

Carlos shouts, "Stop moving! Lean back—spread your weight—your legs—"

"Wait," Cillian interrupts. "We can help him, but only if he agrees to hand over everything he has."

Carlos freezes, turning to him with a frown. 

"This is a matter of life and death."

"So? Why not strike a deal? I'm not refusing to save him."

Carlos's frown deepens as realization dawns. 

"Yesterday, when you saved me, you made it a transaction too. Cillian, do you see human lives as just another kind of trade?"

"Yes." Cillian hears the judgment in his voice but doesn't waver. "If you want to play the saint, you shouldn't be in this game. And if you want to win, you shouldn't be so naïve."

Carlos goes quiet, then murmurs, "My goal isn't to gain all the world's knowledge."

"Then what is it?"

"I want to break Satan's rules."

Cillian pauses briefly, and Carlos says seriously, "This game isn't just about scheming to win."

[Live Comments] Oh my, is Carlos an angel?

[Live Comments] ...Watching this feels wrong.

[Live Comments] Carlos, stop being so dramatic! Aren't you afraid Satan will make you his next victim?

Cillian observes him for a long moment before sighing and giving in. "Alright."

 "You agree I should save him?" Carlos perks up immediately.

"No. We've gotten four items from Ali and the Medic—take the drone, the medicine, and the pot. From this point on, our partnership is officially over."

Walking alongside someone with a hero complex? 

No thanks. That's dead weight.

He had grown out of his idealistic phase long ago. Carlos clearly hadn't.

What rules? 

The point of the game is to win.

Carlos hesitates, then nods. 

"Alright. Thank you."

"What for? Go play hero."Cillian smirks. 

He splits their supplies and walks off, taking the flashlight. 

Feeling a bit charitable, Cillian lits the stick Carlos holds before leaving, so Carlos's not entirely in the dark.

[Live Comments] Is it just me, or is the flashlight really worth more than those three items combined?

[Live Comments] Yeah, the drone's useless now, and Cillian doesn't even need the medicine since he can drink untreated water.

[Live Comments] I love how decisive Cillian is. Carlos, you're losing votes.

[Live Comments] If I vote for Carlos again, I'm a fool!

[Live Comments] If I vote for Carlos again, I'll drink water upside down!

With Cillian gone, Carlos feels a strange sense of emptiness. But he quickly remembers someone still needs his help.

Holding the burning stick, he moves closer to the man stuck in the swamp. As the firelight brightens the man's face, Carlos recognizes him—it's the same wiry guy who had dragged him into the water earlier!

The man recognizes Carlos too. 

What the hell????

His initial desperation shifts to hopeless resignation, assuming Carlos won't save him. 

Heck, he's probably lucky Carlos doesn't push him deeper.

Carlos… doesn't plan to save him either.

In fact, he takes a few steps back, raises the flaming stick in a mock farewell, and says, "Goodbye."

Then, he skirts the edge of the mud and walks away without looking back.

[Live Comments] ??????

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Night falls, and the broadcast clock strikes midnight. The live feed from the shadowy rainforest fades into a leaderboard.

[Today's Betting Pool Rankings]

1st: Warrior

2nd: Assassin

3rd: Boxer

4th: Strategist

5th: Sniper

6th: Medic

7th: Sorcerer