Death Game: Isolated

Chapter 1

-Every place inside the town is accessible.

-Players are free to do everything they want with each other inside but should comply with the words of the Game Master.

-It is a game where everything is based on a player's skill and strength.

-No one is allowed to stay inside the tower when the game begins which will last for 6 hours.

-Expect that you will be rewarded when the game ends.

-Last until the end...

These are the only words written in the booklet, the remaining pages were blank. There was also a pen aside the booklet, Ace didn't understand why would they place a pen here.

"The tower? Are they talking about this building?"

Ace looked outside and attempted to open the window but stopped because it was locked, the glass used is not also an ordinary glass because it is thicker and harder. More like a fiber glass.

The other buildings, especially the houses only have a height of not exceeding 7 meters, two-storey building. Ace is currently in the 7th floor of the tower but if you were looking from the outside, the height of this building is not only 7 floors, maybe there are hidden doors here or other means to use to get past the 7th floor.

*Knock knock!

Someone knocked on the door, Ace didn't open it immediately and waited for the person on the other side to speak first.

"Ace?" It was Angel and following her voice, numerous footsteps were heard. Ace opened the door and saw three of his friends and Angel then invited them in.

"It seems like we all arrived here the same way." Darell said while looking around the room.

"I don't know what's going on but I think it's suspicious, have you read what's in the booklet?" She continued.

"Yes. Are your invitations also from CBC Entertainment?" Ace asked, all of them nodded.

"I see, it's no good thinking about this now but we should first see what's gonna happen tomorrow."

Ace was forced to sleep after inhaling the smell from the letter inside the envelope and when he woke up, he was already in a forest without any idea what happened. He's been digging inside his memory about a place like this near a mountain but he can't find anything that's why he thought they were already outside the province or were too far from the reach of the public.

Is it even possible to travel that far but not wake up from deep sleep? Yes, the medicine they used to force them to sleep is strong enough to last more than a day.

Ace didn't completely think of the things happened as suspicious, maybe this was planned long time ago with their parents and the people behind this activity.

'Was it some kind of a secret game? Or a prank?'

Because if that's the thing, their plan is really flawless.

Then what if they were really abducted and forced to participate in some kind of experiment? Or their bodies will be used as a carrier for illegal products? Hopefully, it would not be this way.

"Where did you open the letter?" Darell asked Sofia.

"In my room."

"How about you?" Ace asked Darell.

"Both of us were also in our rooms when we opened it." She answered as she pointed her hand at her boyfriend, Jiel, who's standing quietly in the corner near the window.

The two girls looked at Angel.

"I opened it when someone gave it to me."

As what Ace said earlier, it is not the right time to think about it that's why Jiel, Darell, and Angel left first leaving only Sofia and Ace.

"You don't know that Angel girl?"

"Huh? No. Why do you ask?"

"She won the Best Chemist of the Year twice, first was during her 2nd year in college and the second was on her 3rd year."

"Is that so? Unfortunately, I don't know her."

Sofia rolled her eyes and tightly held Ace's hand which surprised him. He stopped his attempt to widen the distance between them when she saw her eyes.

"Ace, I'm scared..."

What's there to be scared? Ace thought but didn't want to say it aloud. Sofia doesn't know what's happening, just like everyone, that's why she's scared.

They were just in their houses and when they woke up from sleep, they just found themselves in a different place, who would not feel scared about it? More importantly, they don't even know where they are or what the hell is going on.

Game? Game Master? What do these words mean?

"Go back to your room first, okay? Let's talk again tomorrow."

'I am nervous, it's like my instinct is telling me something...'

*Sigh

Ace opened the door for Sofia and left. Is sticking to logic and reason help you make better decisions? Not always. One cannot ignore instinct, although most of the time, we should act according to the situation and not based on instincts. Ace knew this fact but he can't help being nervous, he's being nervous of something he didn't know.

The nervousness swelling in his heart is different from when they were competing in the Summer Camp in front of thousands of audiences, only one thing can make him feel this way. Danger.

Ace laid on the bed and closed his eyes, attempting to sleep. But with the thoughts running inside his mind, it took him a while before falling asleep.

***

*Ring

He didn't know what time is it but the sun is just beginning to rise when the ringing sound spread all over the building where they are staying. It was like an alarm clock.

Ace didn't see any bells inside the building so were did the sound come from? From the outside?

The ringing sound lasted for a minute before turning off. Just like Ace, everyone heard footsteps in front of their rooms.

"You're given 5 minutes to prepare." The man wearing a tuxedo and white mask said when Ace opened the door. He gazed at the room beside him, the door was also open.

Ace went back inside the room and opened the wardrobe and discovered there are men's clothes inside, he just picked a set of white shirt and black pants then went to the restroom.

It's only 5 minutes but it is enough for him, he didn't know for girls who take hours just by choosing what to wear.

And after 5 minutes.

"Your time is up." The masked man opened the door of the room and pushed Ace outside. It was the same for his neighboring room, a boy wearing earrings on both his ears were walking to the stairs with his hands in his pockets.

The students were strangely obedient, it was expected because the masked men ordering them what to do have guns. They were just being cautious.

***

52 people can be seen standing in a basketball court while the masked men had their own positions on the perimeters of the court.

Ace didn't forget to bring the booklet and the pen with him just in case.

"52 players, each one of you have a card that you should hold on no matter what and keep it away from others. If you tell other players what card you have, expect that you will be eliminated first from the game." The man wearing white tuxedo reminded them.

"I'm sure you know the rankings of playing cards, from the Ace to King. The Ace can take the lowest rank but is also the highest ranked card. The club is the lowest among the 4 suitmarks, followed by diamond, heart, and the highest is spade."

"From Ace to number 10, if your card is a spade, you have the authority for only today, once you go back to your rooms you will know what we mean by authority."

"Meanwhile, from Jack, Queen, and King, you will do the job of a hunter. Even if you are holding a Jack, Queen, or King card but are not of spades, you cannot hunt those from Ace to number 10 who's holding cards of spades. If you want to hunt them, let a hunter with a spade card to do it."

So it means that even the King of Hearts cannot hunt 1 of Spade. The royal card or face card holder whose card is not of Spade, he cannot touch someone with a Spade card, doesn't matter if the number of the card is high or low.

"This game is about cards. The one who has the strongest and most cards will win but you should also be careful in order to prevent the others from taking your hard-earned cards."

The participants didn't know what they mean but if it's about having the more powerful card or card combination, they understand it. So how can they get other player's cards?

"Question, how should we get other person's card?"

Someone asked. The man wearing a white tuxedo, the leader of the masked men, looked at the one who asked this question. His mask moved a little. Did he smile or what?

"Attempting to get other person's card is an irreversible life and death battle. If someone tried to get other's card but failed, the hunters will do the job to clean the mess. The hunters have the most advantage, if many participants failed to get their opponent's cards, the hunters will be the ones to eliminate each one of you and get your cards. Failure means death for the both."

"So what do you mean by failing to get the card?" It was Angel who asked the question.

"A lion and a tiger can't share the same food, in order for them to get their hands on the food, they need to fight each other and the one who won will have the food. If you surrender your card in return that your opponent will let you go, think again because the hunters will go after you. A fight between two card holders should have a winner, the loser will be eliminated by the hands of the winner or the hunters but if no one won the fight, the hunters will hunt both of you and get your cards."

Everyone nodded their heads after understanding.

It is just a matter of stealing and defending.

"If you managed to take your opponent's card, it's your win. You will just wait a few minutes for your opponent to be eliminated by a hunter or the hunters if you didn't eliminate him yourself."

'Luckily, my card is Ace of Spades, I have the authority for now. But what does authority mean?' Ace looked around. There were gloomy faces and bright faces among the crowd. Meanwhile, Angel is smiling as she just heard a good news.

Someone might think that being eliminated meant they will leave this place. Some wanted to return home and leave this unfamiliar place. They didn't pay much attention to the "death and life battle" in the words of the man wearing a white tuxedo, maybe it was just a different term they replaced with life and death.

Ace knew that two of the 12 hunters are his friends. The remaining cards when he picked the Ace of Spades were the Jack of Clubs, King of Diamonds, and Ace of Heart.

"Is it a rule that we should not let others know the type of card we have?" Ace asked.

"Yes, that is the first rule of survival. The higher the rank of your card, the more dangerous it is for you, everyone will aim to have a powerful card combination. We do not recommend telling anyone what card you have even if it is your friend, it will not be fun if many will be eliminated at once, right?" His mask moved, he is smiling.

As much as Ace wanted to know the cards of his friends, he can't, because this man said he shouldn't.

"I know you will not play this game seriously without knowing what is at stake, it is not a joke that you will all die if you let others have your card. The hunters, all of the 12 hunters were warned and persuaded by us to do their jobs and do something for you to realize that this game is not a joke!"

His tone suddenly changed.

"5 billion pesos, 5 billion for those who can last until the end of the game."

*Gasp

"What if there are more than one winner?" A student named Mike asked.

"Well, they will divide the prize. Why? You don't believe my words?" It was not only to Mike, this masked man is also looking at the students one by one, looking at their facial expressions.

"5 billion is not a small amount. We don't even know if your words were true."

"Then?" The masked man asked, his hand reached on his back.

"Well, at least prove it. We didn't come here in our own volition, we were kidn*pped. How can we believe the words of our kidnapper?"

The masked man seem to ponder something, his finger touched his chin before replying to Mike.

"Hmm... You're right."

*Click

"I-just-need-to prove-something..." He emphasized each word. None talked, even Mike became quiet after hearing the clicking sound.

After a few moments of silence, a loud gunshot reverberated in the area.

*Bang!

"!!!"

"s**t!"

"That's it." Who would take their words seriously? 5 billion? Do they have that much money? Some of them even find the masked man's words ridiculous, they will die if they let others take their cards? Maybe the students will believe if he told them they are human traffickers and are selling human organs. But that's only a matter of earlier...

The one who asked for a proof were shot on his left shoulder, another word will surely end his life today. Proof? The bullet which was already inside his body is the proof.

"Mike!" Someone ran over and pressed the hit part to lessen the bleeding. All the students surrounded Mike who's laying on the ground, his eyes show he can't believe what just happened.

"You! Are you crazy!? You think you can get away from what you did?" It must be his friend.

"It is just to make you realize that this is not just a normal elimination game. Elimination means death, none can blame me. He asked for a proof and I gave him, I just did the right thing, right?" He approached Mike who's laying on the ground and took his card, 10 of Hearts.

"Your card is not a spade? The situation might not be like this if it's a spade, what a pity."

Jayson watched the masked man as he pointed his gun to his friend's forehead. His eyes widened, his heart is beating rapidly.

"10 of Hearts, eliminated."

*Bang!

Everything went so fast. It was not even 30 seconds when Mike was still standing and now he's already dead!

"Mike! You s**t!" His friend let go of Mike's dead body and rushed to the man wearing a white tuxedo. He wants to strangle this person and beat him to death but was stopped because a subordinate of the masked man appeared behind Jayson and pinned him down.

"If you don't want to die, stay still." He pointed his rifle on the head of Mike's friend that made him stiff, although he's mad about his friend's death, he cannot shake off the fear he is feeling after witnessing a murder first hand.

Mike's blood splattered on his chest, the shot that killed his friend is still playing repeatedly inside his mind.

"Jason, your friend is already dead. Shouldn't you stay strong to survive until the end? This is just the start of the game, if none of you started to move tonight, the hunters will make their first move. They will just give you a slight push to play our game."

The man wearing a white tuxedo turned his back and whispered something to his subordinate and gave the card which was owned by Mike to him, his subordinate headed to the tallest building where the participants were staying.

The students cannot fully digest what this masked man is talking about, they are still in a state of shock.

Jason, on the other hand, stared at his bloody hands where he held the dead body of his friend earlier. Tears started pouring from his eyes.

A masked man approached Mike's body and was about to pull his corpse away when Jayson charged at him with his body.

*Bog!

Their bodies slammed against the cemented ground. Jayson clenched his fist and was about to punch the masked man when their leader, the one wearing a white tuxedo kicked Jayson's head. His body rolled to the ground, his bloodshot eyes glared at the leader.

At this moment, before he could even get himself killed just like his friend, some students stopped him.

"LET ME GO! YOU FUCKERS!! I will kill you..." His last words became weak and stopped fighting back against those holding him down.

"Sigh, I know you're hurt but don't get yourself killed next." Someone patted Jayson's shoulder. It seems like the voice has a spell that made him calm a little.

Ace tried to walk forward to Mike but a hand tightly gripped his shoulder When he looked whose hand is it, he saw Jiel and behind him were Sofia, Angel, and Darell. They all have the same facial expressions telling him to stop what he's about to do.

Ace sighed and watched a group of masked men carrying a stretcher and took Mike's corpse away from the place.

"What just happened..."

"They just killed someone..."

Most of the people were petrified, they were contemplating what they should do and sometimes looking at the giant gates which were already locked. Should they just run and leave? They were smart enough to remove this thought in their minds because they knew they will become the next Mike if they did something funny.

"Seems like leaving this place will not be easy."

They were speaking but it seems like their words lack emotions. Mike is only a college student just like the other people here but his fate was so cruel.

*Tot

The giant monitor on top of the tallest building changed its display, it was a hand holding a key.

"Of course, won't it be useless if you can leave here that easy when we had our hardest time just to kidnap everyone and take them here?" A woman's voice was heard from the speaker.

"Now now, your meals were prepared, you should eat first so that you will have a strength to play our game."

*Tot

"51?" The number that was shown before were 52 and now it changed to 51 after Mike was killed.

"What should we do?"

"I don't know, I don't know..."

"f**k! We don't even know where we are and now we're going to play a game?"

The students almost have the same thoughts except the intensity of emotions they're feeling.

"We didn't even agree to play anything, why are we players?" Someone mumbled but the leader of the masked men heard it.

"The moment you opened the invitation we gave you, you are already a player and will abide with every words we say." The man wearing a white tuxedo spoke and finally left after the other subordinates cleaned the bloodstain on the ground.

"Let's go, I am also hungry." Jiel pulled Darell with him and followed the man wearing white tuxedo.

"Are you really going to follow them?" Someone spoke to Jiel.

"Yes, shouldn't we at least do everything they say to learn the know-how?"

He's right. If they want to leave this place or even know what is this place, they should accomplish something what the masked man told them to do. They won't achieve anything if they are just standing there.

They were kidn*pped and put in this place, even if they can find a way to leave, this place is still surrounded by mountains and thick forest making it even harder for them to identify which direction they should go.

They arrived in front of a restaurant, outside the building is a group of masked men standing on guard, there's also another one inside wearing an apron and serving their food.

"Enjoy your meal." Jiel carried the tray with a bowl of rice, egg, and a fried fish.

'Enjoy your meal my ass...'

"Here..." The other four followed him. He sometimes find it strange that everytime he looked at Angel, she is also looking at him. Maybe later on, Darell will be mad again.

The two girls and him knew who Angel is, it was only Ace who didn't know and wouldn't still know if Sofia did not tell him.

While they are eating, Ace spoke.

"Hey, don't you know anyone here except from us?" He asked Angel.

"No, everyone are strangers to me. It's only normal because I don't socialize even in my school." She answered.

"If we got out of this place, be sure to remember the way back here. The police might laugh at us but if we tell them about this place, they will believe us." Darell told them.

"For now, our parents are probably searching for us. It may not take long for them to find this place since everyone here don't have ordinary backgrounds." Ace is a son of a lawyer and a soldier, his father holds a high position in the army but...

"You're really thinking about that now? Are you even sure we can leave this place alive? They might as well kill us all if they knew what you were planning." Jiel refuted their words.

"Remember that you were inside your houses when they kidn*pped you, even if the authorities are searching for us, it will take a long time before they find this place and that's if there's no one protecting this place with a high political power." He then added, those who heard his words even if he's not talking to them nodded their heads.

Someone sitting in the corner alone just snorted after hearing their words.