Oiii~~ Itsuki. Why are you standing there?
Sorry, I am coming.
I walked towards Hayato.
Then we started walking.
After a few moments, a notification buzzed on our tablets: Supplies have been dropped. Check out the map for the locations.
I quickly checked my map and said,
"Hayato, look, the closest supplies are 300 meters away."
I looked and counted; there were 60 supplies marked on the map.
"Itsuki, I think we should better hurry."
I nodded, and we started to walk at a faster pace.
We didn't run because the ground was still wet and slippery. If we weren't cautious, we would slip and fall.
Hayato also understood.
But after maybe 100 meters, we saw a black box.
"Itsuki, look at this..."
I checked the map another time; there was no sign of this.
"Hayato, maybe it's a special package. I think the drones also drop special packages that don't show on the map."
Hayato also agreed with me.
"Then Itsuki, we should open it."
We opened the package.
There were three things in total.
At first, I saw some bandages.
"Itsuki, these bandages will help us if we get any injuries."
Then my heart filled with joy.
"Look, Hayato. It's meat!"
There was more than 1 kg of meat. I don't know which animal's meat it was. But! Meat is meat.
Then I saw the last thing: a knife. It can be used in both bad and good ways. It turns out I will use this knife for many things.
"Itsuki~~ You look so lost. Are you okay?"
"Yeah. It's nothing. I am completely fine."
"Then Itsuki, we should get going."
But then both of our tablets buzzed. We checked at the same time.
Global Task: Chess.
Reward: For participating: 20 echo points. For winning: 40 echo points.
Penalty: 20 echo points.
Instructions: Places have been marked on the students' maps; there are 60 places total. Two students are required to start the match, so a total of 120 students can participate. When two students are present, the match will start immediately without waiting. Even a student who doesn't know chess can also participate. There is no time limit. If a chess match starts anywhere, it will be removed from the map.
"Itsuki, let's go. If any of us win, it will be good."
"Yeah, Kaito, you are right."
I checked the closest location of the chess match from us. The closest location was 50 meters away.
"Then Itsuki, let's go. We should better hurry before anyone else goes there."
I put my tablet back and started walking along with Hayato.
"Hayato, have you ever played chess before?"
"Yes. But I only know the basics. I am a beginner, to be honest. What about you, Itsuki?"
"Same here. I also know the basics, but I've been playing chess for a few months now."
As we talked during walking, we saw some drones. We had reached the destination.
"That was fast."
"Yeah."
It was full sci-fi. Drones were monitoring the chessboard. The chessboard was on a table with two chairs. There was also a clock; then this match will have a time limit. There were two people holding guns.
Then we walked. There was another man holding a notebook. We got to him. Maybe we could register there.
I got closer to him and said, "I want to register for the chess match."
"You can register, but you need to answer three questions."
* What's your name?
"Itsuki Nakamura."
* What's your age?
"16 years."
* What's your chess experience?
"3 years."
"Okay. Itsuki Nakamura, you have successfully registered for the match. Please go and sit. Once your opponent arrives, the chess match will start immediately."
Then Hayato went to register. He was asked the same questions, and then he also registered successfully.
He sat in front of me. We both put our bags beside the table. He got the black pieces, and I got the white.
Then I heard the voice: "The match is beginning in..."
"3"
"2"
"1"
"Begins."
I played my move fast, and soon enough, both of us were playing competitively. He was playing better than I expected. He is not a beginner. He was hiding his true potential like me.
Then I played my ultimate move. I had set a trap, and now if he takes my queen, it will be checkmate.
Then Hayato laughed. "Well, Itsuki, why are you giving me your queen? Are you some kind of stupid?"
Saying this, he took my queen with his knight.
"Well, Hayato, you will know why I gave you my queen."
I moved my bishop.
"Checkmate!"
"How?"
"Well... Sometimes you need to sacrifice. Because sacrificing is the best way to become better."
Then, a notification buzzed: Congratulations for winning the game. You have received your 40 echo points.
Hayato received his 20 echo points.
We are both doing good. But I don't know how much time will this friendship last.