Chapter 12: Queen's Cull
The Beach arena was a crucible of tension, its air thick with the sterile, dusty scent of Meteor Echoes, a grim omen of the game's stakes. The neon Q♥ pulsed overhead, its cold light casting jagged shadows across the sandy stage, each flicker a heartbeat of dread. Kirito's pulse raced, his sweat-damp t-shirt clinging to his skin, the Visa Clock's red glow ticking relentlessly against his wrist.
"A face card. This isn't a game—it's a slaughter," he thought, his inner voice sharp with fear, masked by a tight grin.
[SYSTEM: HOST STATUS.]
[STRENGTH: 10. AGILITY: 10. STAMINA: 10. SYSTEM POINTS (SP): 20.]
A figure stepped onto the stage, her presence a haunting contrast to the neon's glare—a woman with dark, wavy hair, her mournful gaze piercing, her voice a melodic chill that seeped into the air. The Queen Proxy Echo began to sing, her melody a cold blade that cut through the crowd, chilling Kirito's skin. Usagi's scar pulsed brightly on her cheek, a physical echo of her buried trauma, her posture rigid as the song struck deep.
[SYSTEM: TRAUMA ALERT: USAGI'S SCAR PULSES. PAST LOSS ACTIVATED. MAP #3 PAYOFF.]
"We need time to crack this betrayal," Kirito thought, his heart hammering.
[SYSTEM: QUERY: INITIATE 'VISA PHANTOM' (COST: 50 SP)?]
"Buy us a day. We need to think," he commanded, his focus narrowing.
[SYSTEM: VISA PHANTOM ACTIVE: TEMPORARY VISA EXTENSION +1 DAY (ILLUSION). TOTAL SP: -30 (DEBT).]
The Queen's voice sharpened, her song accusing Usagi, each note a dagger aimed at her past. "You betrayed your team. You left them to die. You're no hero—you're a coward."
Usagi froze, her eyes distant, grief crashing over her, her scar burning under the neon's glow. A sharp jolt, like a sarcastic prod, flickered in Kirito's mind, urging him to act. Arisu rushed to her, his arms wrapping around her in a fierce embrace, his voice raw.
"Focus! You're here now! Your loss isn't their weapon!"
Usagi gasped, leaning into him, her eyes clearing, her voice a whisper. "I… I couldn't save them. But you're right. I'm here."
The Queen's melody faltered, her gaze narrowing as the team's unity defied her assault. Kirito stepped forward, his grin defiant, his voice steady. "Your song's off-key, lady. We don't break that easy."
The game demanded betrayal, but they countered with loyalty, their votes unanimous, their trust unyielding. The neon Q♥ dimmed, the game won.
[SYSTEM: GAME CLEAR: Q♥. REWARDS: 250 SP GAINED. VISA EXTENSION: 7 DAYS FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS.]
[SYSTEM: MORAL REMINDER: COMPASSION OVER BETRAYAL. ALLYSHIP INCREASES SURVIVAL METRICS. (+0 SP).]
[SYSTEM: TOTAL SP: 220.]
The team stumbled onto the sandy shore, the waves' rhythm soothing the air, a stark contrast to the arena's weight. Kirito checked his phone, its glow hidden, his heart lifting at the SP haul.
"220 SP. Brutal, but worth it," he thought, his grin softening.
Usagi sat on the sand, her head resting on Arisu's shoulder, her voice thick with lingering sorrow. "I told myself I was alone. Safer that way. But you… you took the Queen's worst shot for me."
Arisu's voice was steady, a quiet vow. "I'll protect you, Usagi. You're my reason to survive this hell."
Their bond deepened under the dim starlight, a quiet flame in the cold night. Kuina's smile was rare and genuine, her cigarette's ember glowing. "Good. Drama's done. Now we plan the next hit. We're a team, and we're strong as hell."
The dawn light crept over the shore, painting their faces in pale gold as they moved to a hotel room, its cracked walls bathed in soft light, a fragile sanctuary. Kuina began to hum, a defiant twist on the Queen's melody, sharp and bold.
[SYSTEM: QUERY: INITIATE 'PUZZLE' (COST: 0 SP)?]
"Where's the next cull hitting?" Kirito thought, his focus sharpening.
[SYSTEM: PUZZLE INITIATED: MAPS NEXT QUEEN CULL LOCATION. PROCESSING…]
Arisu and Usagi sat close, their fear of the Queen's power lingering, but their resolve unyielding.
[SYSTEM: PUZZLE COMPLETE. NEXT CULL: J♦ (COMBAT/TRAP). WARNING: HIGH PHYSICAL RISK. HOST'S INTELLECTUAL SKILLS LIMITED.]
Kirito's grin was tight, his eyes flicking to Kuina's fierce gleam. "New plan. Physical challenge next. Kuina, you're up. Lead the charge."
Kuina's warmth vanished, replaced by a hard, eager smile. "Finally. I've been itching to fight. We'll outlast her, all of us."
Their footsteps crunched on the sand, a unified rhythm as they moved toward the Jack of Diamonds, its promise of combat a test of their unbreakable bond.
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