Kujo Yua was furiously berated.

Despite her repeated clarifications that the Police Department hadn't dispatched a strike team to the island, the other party only saw her as putting on airs and criticized even harsher.

Confused, Kujo Yui suspected someone under her might have acted independently, so she immediately did a headcount, found no one missing, and questioned if the other side was mistaken.

As a result, she was berated furiously again.

...

Meanwhile, Minamoto Tamako and the others took advantage of the garrison quarters and sneaked inside.

Inside the equipment room, there were only a few guards left, whom Fushimi Roku dealt with. They successfully captured two rifles and three submachine guns.

After interrogation, Fushimi Roku learned that those stationed here weren't the army, nor any official institution. It was a group of mercenaries, or more accurately, a 'security company'—they were well-equipped and relatively undisciplined, since it was just a paid job.

Minamoto Tamako, now armed with a rifle, didn't rush to attack but went to the outskirts to test the gun.

She continuously adjusted the sights, familiarizing herself with the weight and accuracy of the gun, striving for certainty and precision.

A large group of security personnel searched through the forest, relying solely on manpower to find enemy targets inch by inch, as sophisticated equipment like drones was not available in those days.

Jungle warfare exerted immense mental pressure, as no one knew when a volley would suddenly come.

"Let's move, let's go; we'll stealthily shoot and then run."

Minamoto Tamako had planned well, focusing on harassment tonight, ideally switching shifts—two people harass, two rest, and one ready to support at any time—to maintain high energy and crush the opponent's morale through continuous raids.

Minamoto Tamako's plan seemed smooth, but before she could execute it, the security personnel withdrew from the dense forest.

They stopped searching.

Minamoto Tamako was furious, feeling as though she had overestimated the opponent and punched into thin air.

Lying in the bushes, she peered through binoculars (also seized equipment), grumbling in complaint, "Why are they so lazy!"

"Not necessarily laziness," Fushimi Roku remained calm, "Someone might be commanding. They might have guessed your guerrilla tactics... An experienced commander wouldn't make such a basic mistake. It's inadvisable to spread people out since they have a numerical advantage anyway, and gathering together increases their advantage."

Fushimi Roku actually wanted to venture in alone. Despite high risks, he'd be unrestrained and could do as he pleased, as long as Uesugi Shion was eliminated tonight, the mission would be accomplished.

But Minamoto Tamako didn't see it that way; she thought an individual's strength was ultimately limited, and it was better to unite and achieve a synergy where 1+1 is greater than 2 through cooperation.

Moriyama Yasurou had no thoughts at all; she simply hoped Fushimi Roku would quickly resolve the situation so she could sleep soundly in the future, without worrying about being inexplicably kidnapped by a cult for forced indoctrination on the island.

To be honest, she was somewhat PDST-ed too; she would often dream of forced cult indoctrination scenes at night, which greatly affected her sleep but not her daily life, unlike Kazama Tatsuya's evident symptoms.

"Let's meet up with Senior Kazama and them first," Minamoto Tamako said.

As the three were about to move, a broadcast suddenly echoed from the center of the building throughout the island. Speakers hanging on trees and microphones on telephone poles buzzed in unison.

"Moshi moshi... Moshi moshi..."

The speaker was testing, and Fushimi Roku and Minamoto Tamako recognized the voice—it was Uesugi Shion.

Not only did Fushimi Roku's trio look up, but also Kazama Tatsuya and Watanabe Shunya across the distance eyed the towering structure. The patrol boat drifting at sea heard vague human voices too, while Kujo Yua stood on the deck, unable to make out the specifics as the sea breeze brushed her face.

"I know you're listening."

Uesugi Shion's voice swept across the entire island.

Her voice was slightly distorted as if she were running: "Thanks to you, I'm no longer Cat Island's designer; and thanks to you, I'm now free."

Minamoto Tamako glanced at Fushimi Roku, wanting to ask the meaning of 'thanks to you'. Fushimi Roku gestured for her to stay silent and keep listening to the broadcast.

"Cat Island's curator is hunting me, and is also hunting you."

Uesugi Shion continued, "I hacked into the broadcast system just to tell you that the second round of the bet has started."

"It's you five, and I've brought five people, hunting each other on this island. The one who survives to the end is the winner."

"Don't think about escaping; the Maritime Defense Bureau has blocked the coastlines, and Cat Island's curator is hunting with the security company as well."

"As soon as dawn breaks, they'll set up a firewall, burning the island's forests circle by circle until it incinerates us alive."

"Consider this as free information I'm offering to ensure we start at the same point."

"Oh yes, there's one more thing..."

Uesugi Shion's voice grew increasingly faint, like a distorted radio, accompanied by a sizzling noise, whether due to her running or the curator's attempt to stop the broadcast on Cat Island.

In the final second before the broadcast ended, Uesugi Shion's voice revealed an uncontrollable excitement:

"I've found you."

...

Minamoto Tamako was startled, flipping over and twisting on the grass, with the feeling of a horror film when you hear 'I've caught you!'

"Where are they? Where are people?" she asked nervously.

Moriyama Yasurou became a bit reactive too but didn't look around. She instinctively leaned closer to Fushimi Roku, whispering against his arm, "Are there people?"

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