Chapter 139: Ch 139: The planning Committe

"Did everyone hear about the next task?"

An emergency meeting had been called the second Task Six had been revealed. The main reason behind this was that Rin would not be able to look after everyone during the next round.

He had a feeling that the people closest to him would end up fighting each other (or doing something worse) if he was not there to stop them.

That was why it was important to have this strategy meeting beforehand.

"Do we have any more clues about what the next task will be about? Well, besides the vague guidelines provided by the system?"

"I think I already know what the next task will involve. So I will start by telling you all what you need to do if you want to survive."

To guarantee the lives of over 500 people was not an easy claim to make. Nor did Rin expect everyone to make it back alive. But he did want to increase the odds of people returning.

"First, check your teammates’ intentions. If it feels like they’ll betray you, then knock them out. Unfortunately, numbers will be a key component in the next fights."

There were a lot of trigger-happy people here who would love nothing more than to shoot the first person who irritated them.

And while their settlement could afford to make a few enemies, the more they avoided, the better the outcome would be.

"Second, don’t avoid fighting, but if you can make it boring, make it boring. The more you stand out, the more extra rounds you’ll likely have to fight."

The next task was based on entertainment. It sounded simple at first glance — get divided into teams and fight. But the core purpose behind it was to introduce potential future hunters to the higher-ups.

Rin did not recall the original source ever mentioning whether the higher-ups found anyone interesting enough to keep an eye on. But it was easy to predict this based on the fact that this had originally been an action story.

Those people would still be interested in the original characters. Albus, Shelly, and Amelia would likely become the first targets of those higher-ups. But that was not necessarily a bad thing.

’Should I try to draw some attention to myself as well? Maybe it would allow me to learn more answers that way?’

Rin’s instructions were clear, but a few people looked hesitant. Since Rin was easy to approach, those people did not keep their worries to themselves for long.

"What if our team has far less combat ability? We might all die."

"Don’t worry. That’s what you all worked so hard for. You won’t die so easily. And if nothing else works, just play dirty. Nothing is more precious than your life. So come back safe and in one piece."

No one replied to his words of encouragement, but they all hardened their resolve to return alive.

...

[Task Six will now begin. Suitable teams will be assigned based on user experience to date.]

[Congratulations, the right team has been chosen for you.]

There was a sudden shift, and then Rin found himself alone in a white space. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"This space...I have been here before, but I don’t recall when."

That distant call felt so close and familiar. Rin-

[Destination has been found. Welcome to the match production team.]

Rin’s current surroundings were completely different from what he had expected. Instead of a fighting arena, he had ended up in the middle of a conference room.

Hardly anyone there looked human, and the others looked just as shocked to see him. Those creatures pointed toward him and yelled something he could not understand.

[System is booting back up. Retrieving a special language bundle. User can now understand the temporary staff better.]

The speech of those creatures suddenly became clear. But Rin was not sure whether that was a good thing or not. They were all discussing him...more specifically, the fact that he was human.

"Hey, is one of those supposed to be here? The last I heard, they went extinct."

"I heard they were too stupid to understand us, so they never discovered our existence."

"But this one came here. Do you think he’s different?"

"Different or not, what can a human even do?"

The creatures were openly discussing him, completely unaware that he could hear them talking about him. But Rin was too startled to reply or join the conversation.

The arguing did not last long because a figure slithered into the hallway, dressed sharply. The creature looked like a mix between a snake and a blob, flopping awkwardly as it moved.

"Everyone, please take your assigned seats and allow me to welcome you all to our first games committee. I hope you have a wonderful time here."

The half-snake man spoke without malice, but Rin could feel his eyes lingering directly on him with unveiled interest.

Once everyone (including Rin) settled down, it was time to start the meeting. But that was where the problem began, and Rin was at the center of it.

"Hey, I know we are not supposed to question how things are run here, but isn’t this suspicious? How did a human get here? Is that even possible?"

The snake clapped his hands together in a merry way.

"Well, what an unusual question. You know we don’t question how someone ends up here, so let’s not start now. So, unless anyone has any other unnecessary questions, shall we begin—? Oh! I see a lot of dissatisfied faces around."

"Sir, with all due respect, how can we allow a human into our circle? They’re weak."

"Hmm, you are right. Humans are weak creatures. That’s why this meeting has an additional purpose — for all of you to learn self-control. I was told that the final decision of this meeting would lie with the human."

’System, you didn’t tell me any of this! Just where did you throw me?’

[Don’t worry, Rookie. The system has already made arrangements for your safety. You will become the star of this committee and rise in the rankings.]

[Ah, but just to reassure you, no one other than you and that snake-like creature are system employees. Well, aren’t you glad to meet a co-worker?]