Satan’s Game

Cillian has never been a deep sleeper, and in a game where vigilance is key, he wakes up immediately when the Boxer starts moving.

The relentless swarms of mosquitoes last night made it worse — getting a decent night's sleep in this rainforest seems impossible.

Ali stretches, his powerful limbs flexing as his muscles ripple under his skin. 

His physique seems almost exaggerated, as though extra layers of muscle are sculpted onto his frame. 

With the lush greenery behind him, he looks like a real-life Hulk.

Carlos wakes up around the same time. Despite being tall himself, he looks almost small next to the Boxer's towering frame.

Noticing the vast difference in strength, Cillian decides it's best not to provoke the Boxer. 

With hands like his, he could crush a human skull as easily as an apple—too dangerous.

"I won't be borrowing your fire tonight," Ali says abruptly.

Carlos checks his watch and replies, "Based on the typical progression of past games, Peace Mode shouldn't end before tonight. You'll still need fire."

Ali smirks, his tone mocking. 

"You move too slow. I won't turn back for your fire."

"Well," Carlos replies, unfazed. "Got it. Goodbye, then."

Ali laughs heartily, his voice booming like a beast's roar. 

"If we weren't opponents, I'd probably like you. Since you already know my codename, I might as well tell you my name. I'm Ali, as Muhammad Ali ."

"Got it. Goodbye."

Ali offers one last "Goodbye" before disappearing into the rainforest. 

Despite his massive size, his movements are surprisingly nimble, and he moves with remarkable speed.

Carlos watches him leave and then points to the deep tracks Ali left in the ground. 

"We can follow his footprints. It's safer."

Cillian can't help but wonder if this guy plans to clear the first quest by this way.

"To be safe, let's keep a hundred meters between us. After you."

" Ok. See you."Carlos doesn't argue. 

He slings his backpack over his shoulder and follows the Boxer's trail without hesitation.

[Live Comments]Damn, the Strategist's pacing totally changes the vibe. This doesn't even feel like a survival game anymore.

[Live Comments] Same here.

[Live Comments] Same! I'm switching perspectives to watch someone else. I'm here for the adrenaline, not… whatever this is.

While waiting, Cillian snuffs out his fire. Thanks to his choice of fire as an item, he doesn't have to worry about carrying any embers or kindling.

Finding dry wood for fire in this damp rainforest is no easy task, and carrying unnecessary burdens would only slow him down.

On his way, he spots an abandoned beehive high up in a tree. It would make great material for a makeshift candle, but he doesn't need it.

Once the fire is extinguished, he estimates that Carlos has put enough distance between them. Only then does he start moving.

He has to admit, the Boxer's massive frame makes for an excellent trailblazer. Thanks to Boxer's efforts, he doesn't need to pull out his knife to clear the branches and vines blocking her path. 

The way forward is smooth and unobstructed.

However, he starts to feel thirsty.

The rainforest's high humidity causes excessive sweating, and without replenishing water, dehydration will set in quickly—an embarrassingly avoidable way to die here.

Cillian has already crossed two small streams but chose not to drink from them.

Jungle water often harbors invisible parasites, even if it looks crystal clear. He knows better than to take that risk.

Getting infected in the jungle is a one-way ticket to death—whether it's a fever or diarrhea, the outcome is the same.

Though Cillian has medicine, he's not about to waste it unnecessarily.

Soon, he spots a water vine hanging from a tree. These vines are nature's reservoirs, storing clean, filtered water.

The vine looks like a moss-covered, rusty pipe dangling from above.

Cillian pulls out his knife and slices through a section of the vine. Immediately, water begins to flow steadily from its hollow interior.

He tilts his head back, catching the water mid-air instead of drinking directly from the vine. 

While the water itself is safe, the cut edge of the vine contains toxins that can make lips swollen, numb, and itchy if touched.

Once he finishes drinking, he notices another water vine nearby, this one already twisted off and standing upright in the ground. Its hollow interior gently ripples with water, as if inviting anyone who passes by to drink.

[Live Comments]The Strategist left this! What a thoughtful guy!

[Live Comments] Am I on the wrong channel? I wanted life-or-death drama, not this wholesome kindness!

Judging by the footprints, only Ali and Carlos passed through here.

It's obvious Carlos left the water vine as a marker, ensuring those behind him wouldn't miss the opportunity to rehydrate.

Cillian considers it briefly, then decisively kicks the vine over.

—It's not like anyone behind him would risk drinking it anyway, suspecting it might be poisoned.

—And isn't it better if they don't know about it?

Cillian continues walking. About 30 minutes later, he hears the sound of rustling leaves ahead. 

Peering through the dense foliage, he spots a figure crouched on the ground, struggling with something.

Could it be Carlos again?

He deliberately delayed his departure to avoid catching up to Carlos, but if it's really Carlos, then his pace must be agonizingly slow.

Though still in Peace Mode, Cillian doesn't let his guard down and approaches cautiously.

Once he's closer, he gets a clear look at the person's back.

Stopping a few meters away, Cillian calls out, "Hey, snail."

 "You're fast." Carlos glances over his shoulder.

"…"

No, you're unbearably slow.

Cillian walks past him, intending to leave, but curiosity gets the better of him.

"What are you doing?"

Carlos is holding a long, round tree trunk, painstakingly peeling away its outer layers. 

Without a knife, it's clearly not an easy task—the ground is littered with ragged strips of bark, making the whole thing look like it was chewed by a dog.

"Ali knocked over a banana plant when he passed through here. The tender core is edible," Carlos explains as he finally peels away enough to reveal a slender, white center no thicker than two fingers.

He holds it out to Cillian. 

"It doesn't taste great, but it's a good source of carbs and can help restore energy."

Cillian doesn't take it. 

From the time he entered the rainforest, all he's had are a few bites of cocoa fruit, so it's not like he isn't hungry.

But with everyone converging on the side quest, arriving late could cost him valuable time.

"Thanks but no ," he says and walks away.

Carlos doesn't insist. Instead, he mutters to himself, "The game won't end this quickly. Saving energy is the key to a marathon."

He takes a bite of the banana core, grimacing slightly at its bitter taste. 

"If only there were palm hearts. I hear those taste way better."

Carlos chews slowly, each bite taking dozens of chews before he swallows. 

He walks leisurely, as if he's a tourist on a casual jungle expedition.

Cillian, on the other hand, moves quickly but still hasn't caught sight of Ali. Judging by the trail of broken branches, it's clear the Boxer isn't walking—he's sprinting. 

Small tree limbs snapped along the way suggest his body might as well be made of iron.

What a machine.

Up ahead, he spots a cluster of four or five banana plants with dark green leaves. Several bunches of bananas hang from the trees, but they're unripe—hard and green, untouched by forest animals.

Naturally, if they were ripe, they wouldn't still be here.

Remembering Carlos's earlier advice, Cillian decides to make use of the plants. He pulls out the knife and cuts down one of the banana trees. A few quick slices reveal its core.

The banana flower core, though not large, is long and packed with nutrients. In a rainforest, bananas are a reliable food source.

With the knife in hand, it doesn't take his long to chop down three trees. He eats one core and stows the other two in her backpack along with a bunch of unripe bananas.

[System Notification] Acquired one food item. Inventory capacity: 5/30.

Cillian continues forward.

Barely five minutes later, Carlos reaches the same spot. He notices the remains of the chopped banana trees and the two remaining bunches of bananas. Without hesitation, he picks them up.

[System Notification] Acquired one food item. Inventory capacity: 15/30.

[Live Comments]What's the Strategist stuffing in his bag? It's practically full. 

[Live Comments] He's been collecting everything he sees! Even that fire-starting setup from last night is probably in there.

[Live Comments] Doesn't matter—he doesn't have to carry it himself. The system takes care of that.

Carlos's pace remains slow, his leisurely approach testing the patience of viewers. 

Some have already switched to watch the other six players, and his vote count is plummeting, along with the betting pool for him.

As he walks, the sound of rushing water grows louder. The closer he gets, the more intense it becomes.

Carlos pauses to listen carefully, identifying the distinct crash of water hitting rocks. Judging by the sharpness of the sound, he estimates the waterfall must be at least twenty or thirty meters high.

Pushing aside the dense foliage, he finally reaches a clearing.

There, he sees a magnificent waterfall cascading into a river below. On a rock near the base of the waterfall stands Cillian, gazing intently at the rushing water.

Carlos steps out into the clearing and realizes they aren't alone.

Ali is also there, his massive frame impossible to miss. And on the opposite riverbank, a woman stands watching them silently.

Before Carlos can say anything, his system chimes in his ear, the notification tone sharp and jarring.

[System Notification]

Warning: You have reached the first destination. Open the treasure chest to obtain a clue and unlock the second side quest.

Now it makes sense why everyone is gathered here.

The clue is right in front of them.