Game of Higher Hands - I Need a Better Plan”

15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIuVEMzKbQ

The city feels quiet.

Too quiet.

I sit on a bench and look at the map again.

One glowing mark.

Many grey ones.

A treasure map.

Great.

Exactly what my life needed.

More problems.

I put the paper away and lean back.

Then I think about the six people.

The "chosen" team.

The people who wanted the shard.

I fought the boss.

I nearly died.

I won because something changed at the last second.

Luck.

Timing.

Maybe fate.

Whatever it was, I survived.

But surviving once does not mean I can do it again.

I close my eyes.

Then open them again.

No.

I need to be honest.

I am not strong enough.

Not yet.

I can fight.

I trained before.

I know how to throw a punch.

I know how to move.

I have two abilities now.

But that doesn't make me invincible.

One against six?

Bad idea.

Very bad idea.

Especially if they are experienced.

I remember the team leader.

Calm.

Careful.

Not the kind of person who loses control.

The others trusted him.

That means they have worked together for a long time.

And then there is something worse.

The shards.

If they are collecting them…

they probably already have some.

One.

Maybe two.

Maybe more.

Who knows what those shards can do?

I don't.

And I hate not knowing things.

I take out the map again.

The paper is quiet.

I stare at it.

"...Can they find me with this?"

No answer.

Of course.

But the idea stays in my head.

If this map can show other shards…

then maybe other shards can show me.

And if that is true…

then the six people might already know where I am.

I suddenly don't like sitting on this bench anymore.

I stand up.

"Okay. New rule."

I put the map away.

"Don't stay in one place."

The wind blows.

A car passes nearby.

Everything looks normal.

But my mind keeps working.

If they can track me…

then they will come.

Maybe not tonight.

Maybe tomorrow.

But they will.

Because they need the shard.

Because they want to save the world.

Or because they simply don't trust me.

Honestly?

I don't trust me either.

I start walking again.

Slowly.

Thinking.

I need information.

I need training.

And I definitely need to stop almost dying.

Then—

I hear footsteps.

Behind me.

I stop.

The footsteps stop.

I turn around.

Nothing.

I narrow my eyes.

No.

Someone is there.

I can feel it.

Then six figures walk out from the shadows.

I blink.

Once.

Twice.

"...No way."

The six people from the dead city.

Standing right there.

Alive.

Perfectly fine.

I look behind them.

Then back at them.

Then behind them again.

"What?"

The girl from before crosses her arms.

"You sound disappointed."

I point at them.

"The city disappeared!"

The team leader nods.

"Yes."

"And you're here!"

"Also yes."

I stare.

"You weren't inside when it closed?"

The leader looks confused.

"We were."

I blink again.

"Then why are you not gone?"

The six of them exchange looks.

The leader finally answers.

"Because that's how it works."

I raise both hands.

"That explanation is terrible."

For the first time, one of them almost smiles.

Almost.

I take one step back.

Not enough to be obvious.

Just enough.

Six people.

Again.

Still six.

And I am alone.

Again.

I slowly put my hands into my pockets.

Relaxed outside.

Thinking inside.

Can I beat them?

No.

Absolutely not.

Could I beat one?

Probably.

Two?

Maybe.

Six?

No chance.

Especially if they have shards.

Especially if they know things I don't.

I hate this situation.

The leader notices my movement.

"You don't need to be nervous."

I laugh.

"That sentence usually means I should be nervous."

He doesn't deny it.

Interesting.

I keep my smile.

But my brain is already working.

Distance.

Escape routes.

My new speed.

Possible attacks.

I can run.

Probably.

Maybe.

But I don't know what the shards can do.

And that bothers me.

A lot.

The leader looks at me.

"We're not here to fight."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Because last time, it looked like you wanted to take my map."

Silence.

Fair enough.

He takes a slow breath.

Then says:

"We need to talk."

I look at all six of them.

Then at the empty street.

Then back at them.

I smile.

Small.

Careful.

Because one thing is suddenly very clear.

The dead city is over.

But the real trouble?

The real trouble has just started.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu1SAGkq2K

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