Previously on Captivity...

Round One: Level Three

Target: Find the books hidden in the dorm rooms

Time: 4 hours

Obstacle: Whatever you feel

Reward: Special luxury item

Penalty: None

Adrena's reappearance marked the start of Round One, Level Three: Find the hidden books in the dorms. The task seemed simple, but when the keycards to the dorms were disabled and replaced, the stakes quickly rose. Lumin and Awandea wasted no time, taking all the new keycards and demanding 500 coins per card. Tensions flared as other teams, including Demnin's, tried to negotiate, but Lumin remained unmoved.

As the clock ticked down, Lumin and Awandea swiftly searched the rooms, finding the book for Team AB and giving it to Florida without asking for anything in return. Their quiet efficiency baffled the other players, and their motives remained a mystery. The challenge was far from over, and with the clock ticking, the stakes were only getting higher.

OVERLOOKED
ESCAPE THE HALL LV.3

Time ticked away, each second seeming to slip through the grasp of the remaining teams in the dorm building, who watched as Lumin and Awandea meticulously combed through the dormitory rooms. Team B, C, AB, AA, and AC followed their every move on every floor, observing quietly from the sidelines. Despite the fact that there were no penalties for this level, none of the other teams showed any desire to compete. Curiosity, and the hope of obtaining a book, were the only things that compelled them to follow Lumin and Awandea.

Preliminary Rounds
Round One
Level Three
Target: Find the books hidden in the dorm rooms
Time remaining: 0 minutes
Obstacle: Whatever you feel
Reward: Special luxury item
Penalty: None
Teams remaining: 23

As the final bell tolled, signaling the end of the level, Awandea burst out of the last room on the top floor, clutching a stack of books. Her breath came in shallow bursts, but there was a determined glint in her eye. Without hesitation, she handed the books to Lumin, who was already waiting in the hallway. Lumin, calm as ever, took the books and immediately fished out one from the stack, handing it over to Team C's Hinata.

"This one's yours," he said, tossing it to him without a second glance.

Hinata caught the book, his expression one of mild surprise. He muttered a quick thanks but received no further acknowledgment as Lumin stuffed the rest of the books into his bag. He had done this repeatedly, every time they found a book-each one secured safely in his possession.

"Let's go to the hall," Awandea stretched, the tension easing out of her muscles after their relentless search.

Lumin gave her a quick nod, and the two started making their way to the hall. Behind them, the five teams that had been silently trailing them followed, an odd entourage of competitors who had chosen to spectate rather than participate in the challenge.

When they arrived at the hall, the atmosphere was just as relaxed as when they had left it. Teams were scattered about, some lounging on the floor, others slumped in chairs. The indifferent air was unmistakable-most of the competitors had decided not to bother with the task at all. The appeal of a "penalty-less" level had lulled them into a false sense of security, as if the game itself had granted them a moment of reprieve.

Lumin and Awandea took their places near the center of the room, standing side by side as they waited for the next phase. It wasn't long before Adrena appeared, floating gracefully above the assembled teams. Her arrival caused a ripple through the crowd, those who had been sitting immediately jumped to their feet, the atmosphere shifting from laziness to tense anticipation.

Adrena hovered in the air for a moment, her pale features unreadable as her gaze swept over the players like a predator assessing its prey. Then, without a sound, she landed lightly on her heels in the center of the hall, her hands clasped behind her back. The circle of players instinctively widened, no one daring to stand too close. Her presence was suffocating, a reminder of the power imbalance between the NPCs and the players.

"I see this level was... unchallenging for most of you," Adrena said, her voice smooth but laced with a sharp edge of mockery. Her lips curved into a sardonic smile as she watched the teams squirm under her gaze. The weight of her words hung in the air, a silent accusation that made even the most confident players lower their eyes.

Many of the players visibly tensed, heads hanging low as they avoided her gaze. They had all wanted a break from the relentless pressure of the game, and this level-with its promise of no penalties-had seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so. But now, under Adrena's piercing gaze, they realized that perhaps they had underestimated the weight of their decision.

Adrena tapped her foot rhythmically on the floor, her eyes narrowing. "Of course, you weren't penalized for resting. I understand the need for it," she continued, her tone light but laced with a sinister undertone. "But don't get too comfortable. You wouldn't want to be resting forever, would you?"

A cold silence fell over the room. The unspoken threat in her words was unmistakable. Lumin felt a surge of anger twist in his gut. This was all a game to the NPCs, but their lives were at stake. The very idea that Adrena would manipulate them into fearing rest, even in a level where no penalty existed, was too much to bear.

Lumin clenched his teeth, his glare fixed on Adrena. She met his gaze and smiled-a cold, knowing smile that seemed to pierce through him. It was as if she could read his thoughts, his anger, his growing distrust. The frustration coiled tighter in his chest, but he refused to look away.

"Anyway," she said, her gaze lingering on Lumin for a beat longer before addressing the crowd. "Congratulations to Team E for securing the most books. And well done to Teams C, B, AA, AB, and AC for passing the level."

Her voice rang hollow in the large hall, and as she began to clap, so did the rest of the players, though none of them seemed to have the heart for it. The applause was weak, lacking any real sense of accomplishment. The teams exchanged uncertain glances-there had been no penalty, yet somehow, this level had left them all feeling uneasy as soon as Adrena showed herself.

Adrena's smile widened as she surveyed the uneasy faces surrounding her. "Now then, enjoy the benefits of the books," she said, her gaze flickering back to Lumin and Awandea. There was a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes.

"Benefits?" The voice came from the back of the crowd. It was Akio, a member of Team A. He stepped forward, his face set with determination, breaking the invisible wall that kept the players from questioning Adrena.

He stood tall, looking directly at her. "What kind of benefits do they get?"

A hush fell over the hall. No one had ever dared to speak to Adrena like that before. It was the question they all wanted answered, but no one had been brave enough to ask-until now. Eyes shifted uneasily between Akio and Adrena, the tension palpable.

Adrena didn't answer right away. Instead, she turned her full attention to Akio, her eyes locking onto his with a penetrating gaze. She tilted her head slightly, as though intrigued by his boldness.

"You're a brave one," she said, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. She closed the distance between them in a few quick steps until she was mere inches from his face. Her hand came to rest on his shoulder, and though her grip was light, the weight of her presence made Akio tense.

"The books," Adrena began, her smile widening, "contain important clues. Information about the levels from here on out. Each one has details about different challenges, all the way through the thirty-two rounds of the preliminary phase."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Akio stood still, but his mind was racing. What she was saying was huge. With the information in those books, the teams that had secured them would have a distinct advantage-knowing the target and preparing in advance for the levels to come. It was far more than anyone had expected.

Adrena's eyes sparkled with amusement as she watched the realization dawn on the other teams. "Yes," she continued, "they could even learn about the next level's targets... and penalties."

The full weight of her words settled over the players like a heavy fog. They had miscalculated. What they had thought was a penalty-less reprieve had been a chance to gain crucial information, and they had squandered it. The opportunity had been right in front of them, but their desire for a break had blinded them to its importance.

They had no one to blame but themselves.

Lumin clenched his fists, his gaze fixed on Adrena as she smiled at Akio. A slow realization washed over him, stirring something inside.

"No," Lumin muttered under his breath, his voice low but heavy with understanding. He watched her grin, the cold satisfaction in her eyes unsettling him. His thoughts raced, connecting the dots. "They made sure the teams wouldn't participate..."

Awandea, standing close beside him, barely caught his words, her ears perked as she turned to look at him. Lumin continued in a hushed tone, his jaw tight with frustration. "They made it look like this level didn't matter, like it was useless. But that's the trick, isn't it?" He glanced at her briefly, his expression filled with a bitter realization. "This whole level was a setup."

Awandea's eyes widened in silent agreement. It all made sense now-the relaxed atmosphere, the nonchalant behavior of the teams, the lack of urgency. Everything had been orchestrated to lull them into complacency, to make them believe this level didn't hold any real consequence.

But it did.

Adrena's sly smile only confirmed it for Lumin, as if she had been toying with them the entire time.

The atmosphere in the hall had grown tense after Adrena left. Most of the teams threw hateful glares in Lumin and Awandea's direction, their resentment evident as they mulled over the missed opportunity. While some sulked quietly in corners, others openly cursed themselves for their carelessness, wailing at their foolishness. Whispers filled the space, but no one had dared to approach Lumin or Awandea-until Camille from Team D marched forward.

Camille's footsteps echoed sharply as she stormed towards the chairs where Lumin and Awandea sat along the wall. Her face twisted in fury, fists clenched at her sides. When she reached them, she stomped her feet, her rage boiling over as she glared down at them.

"You guys could've at least told us not to take the level lightly!" Camille's voice cracked with anger, echoing through the hall. Her fists trembled at her sides, her frustration boiling over. "We're all in this together, aren't we? Or is that just a lie you tell yourselves to feel better about leaving the rest of us behind?"

She wasn't the only one who had felt the sting of regret. Many other teams had been giving Lumin and Awandea hostile stares, but none had had the nerve to confront them like this. Awandea, who had felt the weight of those glares, was caught off guard by the boldness of Camille's outburst. She narrowed her eyes at Camille, but remained seated, her leg crossed over the other in a calm, defiant posture.

"How is this our fault? And when did we ever say that we are all together in all this?" Awandea shot back, her voice low but laced with irritation. She didn't flinch or rise to meet Camille's fury, though her gaze remained sharp. They were being blamed simply for taking the game seriously-something everyone should have done. This wasn't a simple competition; it was a matter of life or death. Awandea's eyes flicked over the hall, scanning the faces of other players who looked away quickly, avoiding eye contact.

Camille scoffed at Awandea's response, her anger flaring even hotter. "I know we all want to live. But you can't just leave people in the dark like that! We may not be friends, we may not even be on the same team, but we're all humans! We should be trying to help each other survive in this godforsaken place!" Camille's voice cracked, the frustration and fear in her words unmistakable. Her eyes flickered toward the shining remote in Lumin's hand-the reward for completing the level. The luxury item that allowed them access to flying cars, a resource far more valuable than Lumin's bike. The sight of it only fueled Camille's bitterness.

"You even have cars now! You could've given us the books, just like you did with them-" Camille's words were cut off abruptly as Awandea suddenly stood, her movement quick and dangerous. The flash of a blade shimmered in front of Camille's face, the cold steel reflecting the dim light of the hall. The knife was sharp, its edge catching the air as Awandea held it with practiced ease, her expression deadly serious. The proximity of the blade to Camille's eyes made her freeze in place, the color draining from her face.

Awandea's piercing glare bore into Camille, her voice low and dripping with menace. "Listen carefully," she began, her tone icy. "The moment people started dying here-killed by that golden NPC," she referred to Alara, Adrena's ruthless sister, "you should have realized this isn't a picnic. This is survival. And if you're too blind to see that, then you don't deserve to make it out alive." She stepped closer, the blade hovering dangerously near Camille's skin, the air between them thick with tension. Camille stood paralyzed, her breath caught in her throat, too terrified to speak.

"It's not my fault you didn't use your brain," Awandea hissed, her eyes locked on Camille. "So don't come around blaming me or my teammate for your stupidity." With a final, pointed stare, Awandea took a step back, still holding Camille in her gaze. Slowly, she exhaled, sliding the knife back into the holster on her belt. The metallic click as it settled back in place felt like a sudden release of pressure, though the air still crackled with unspoken threats.

Awandea's glare shifted to the other players who had gathered behind Camille, their faces pale with uncertainty. None of them dared to move or speak, fearful that they might draw Awandea's ire next. Camille, too shaken to retort, took a step back, her shoulders slumping as the anger left her.

"Listen, everyone!" Awandea's voice rang out, sharp and commanding. The scattered groups of players fell silent, their eyes drawn to her as her words echoed through the hall. "It's not my fault for trusting my teammate's judgment, and it's not his fault for using his brain and deciding not to take this world lightly," she continued, her tone daring anyone to challenge her. "So don't you dare think your stink eyes will make me feel guilty. Guilty for what? For surviving?" She paused, her gaze sweeping the room. "If you're looking for someone to blame, look in the mirror."

Her words hung heavy in the air, causing a stir among the players, some of whom averted their gaze, shame prickling at their skin. Others, however, weren't ready to back down.

"But if you knew this wasn't just the game letting us rest before a storm, like most of us thought, then you should have warned us! If not help us, at least give us a heads-up," Souta from Team I spoke up, his voice hesitant yet defiant as he stepped forward. His eyes bore into Awandea, searching for some kind of explanation, some accountability.

Awandea's eyes narrowed, her fury barely contained. "You little shit," she muttered under her breath, her hand twitching toward the knife at her side, ready to snap. "I-"

Before she could launch into a tirade, Lumin spoke, cutting through the rising tension like a blade. His voice was calm, but there was an undeniable edge to it. "We didn't warn Team C, B, AA, AB, or AC either," Lumin began, his voice calm but cutting. His cold gaze swept across the hall, silencing any murmurs. "They followed us because they were curious-because they bothered to ask why we were running to the dorms, even though there was no penalty. And because they took things seriously, even if it was just out of curiosity, I helped them with the books." He paused, letting his words sink in. "The rest of you chose to sit back. That's on you, not us."

His words were measured, almost chilling in their simplicity. Lumin's presence was imposing, the quiet confidence that radiated from him unsettling to many. He had always been a figure of intrigue among the players-a strategist, quick to sense something was off about the game. His reputation as someone who eliminated others during the selection rounds preceded him, but he had never been known to speak much. This moment-Lumin talking with such clarity and force-was a shock to everyone.

He let his gaze sweep across the room, locking eyes with player after player, making sure they understood every word. "I would have helped you too, if only you'd shown up," Lumin said, his voice never rising, yet the weight of his words pressed down on the room like a vice. He looked directly at Souta as he finished speaking, the quiet challenge in his gaze unmistakable. Souta swallowed hard, shrinking back slightly under the intensity of Lumin's stare.

The room fell into a stunned silence. No one had ever heard Lumin speak this much, let alone with such conviction. His reputation had always been shrouded in mystery-he was the one who had figured out early on that something sinister was at play. But beyond his strategic mind and the intimidating aura that surrounded him, he had always kept to himself, a figure of silent authority. Now, hearing him speak, it was clear he wasn't someone to be trifled with.

Lumin's glare intensified as he continued, his voice steady and unyielding. "I eliminated many players during the selection rounds. None of them died, as you know. They were simply sent back." His words carried a weight that made some players shift uncomfortably, the memory of those early rounds still fresh in their minds. But then Lumin's tone darkened. "Well, until the clock hit after two hundred."

A palpable tension gripped the hall. Everyone knew what had happened after that mark-when players had stopped being sent back and started facing permanent elimination. Death.

Lumin glanced at Awandea, the briefest moment of shared understanding passing between them. His next words were colder, sharper. "So, just know," he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "I will do anything to survive. And if you want to make it out of here alive, so should you." His words hung in the air, a chilling reminder of the stakes they were all facing. The room fell silent, the weight of his declaration pressing down on everyone.

The players could feel the finality in his statement, the hard truth that hung between them all. The room was deathly quiet now, no more whispers or bitter muttering. What Lumin had said was undeniable-this wasn't a game anymore, it never was. It was a war for survival, and no one could afford to be careless. Lumin had made that clear, and there was no arguing against it.

As the players stood in silence, many of them exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of their own mistakes beginning to sink in. The regret, the anger, the fear-it all swirled in the room, but no one dared say another word. Awandea, her knife still resting in her holster, sat back down beside Lumin, her expression hardened, but a faint smile of satisfaction playing at the corners of her lips.

In this world, survival wasn't a matter of fairness. It was about making the right decisions, trusting the right instincts, and above all, being willing to do what it took to make it through. And both Lumin and Awandea had just reminded everyone of that harsh reality.