Terror Infinity Side B

Chapter 13, BTOOOM

Everyone looked toward Shuai in shock. This young man had a common face, average physical abilities and no specialty. Simply put a good for nothing normal young man, kinda like I was before going through my first mission as the protagonist and enhancements. If Saki didn’t mention him, no one would had thought about him deliberately. He was just like air. He had that kind of presence and value to the team.

Shuai’s mind went blank for a moment after not understand what he was being asked to do, And then a few moments later he suddenly yelled at Saki.

Shuai: Why me? Why should it be me? There are so many people here. Everyone wants to survive through this mission, so why do I have to die? You wanted me dead from the beginning. If there’s one less person sharing the food, you can live for a little longer and because I have no enhancements or a military background you think I am a liability. That’s why you want to kill me, right?

Saki: No, I don’t have the intention to kill you. Even though the risk for being the bait is high, but you are the most suitable choice. Everyone else here is stronger than you. Aqua, Shin, Misaki and even Hikari are veterans who are stronger then you and they have experience. I can plan our next moves easier with them. Zero’s close combat and sniping skills are exceptional. Kampa is skilled at various guns and even limited to handguns he is still a force to be reckoned with as you have seen yourself when we were gathering NPC Chips. Tell me, of what use can you be to us?

Shuai lowered his head in silence. His face got redder and redder and veins surfacing on his hand. Saki continued in a calm voice.

Saki: If it’s under normal circumstance, everyone has something that they are talent at. I won’t judge anyone with numbers and abilities. I won’t be a utilitarian person like now, but you have to understand our current situation. We are fighting against death, any mistake can cause everyone to die here. You are the unnecessary one here Shuai. During these last five days it has been Kampa, Zero, Hikari and I who have been doing all the work and allowing you to get you required Chip amount to survive each day's Midnight Execution. If not for you we all would have beenin a better position not just with Chips but food as well. Deep down, don't you feel ashamed? If you want our group to accept and treat you equally, you have to show us your worth. Otherwise what difference are you from the seven other New Players that died out there?

Saki argument had some merit, yet I finally couldn’t stand it anymore and spoke up.

Shin: No, I don’t agree with your words. I was a normal person when I first got here. I got my current abilities through enhancements, so why is he unnecessary? Everyone is like this in the beginning. If you give him the chance to live through a few more mission from God, he will become a dependable comrade.

Saki remained at Shin's calm and spoke up.

Saki: But... Does he have that chance? To be accurate, do we have the chance to survive this mission? Even given the same amount of points to enhance, the six of us will still be much stronger than him. Also, don’t try to take his place. Everyone has their own responsibilities. You are our biggest reliance in this coming operation after Aqua and the both of you have been a great help to everyone here, but you've worn yourselves out fighting. If possible, I wouldn't want to you fight till the final battle on Day 7. Or do you want to save one person and let the rest of us die?

I was very angry. I myself knew how extremely scared of dying I was. Especially since I now had things I wanted to do and had things to protect unlike in the real world, so I must live on no matter what. At the same time, I understood that feeling of going against death face to face. Even after seeing the full potential of my own physical abilities, I was still on the brink of death. Then was there even a slightest bit of hope for a normal person like Shuai?

Seeing me like this Hikari was about to come over, but it was Aqua who placed a hand on my shoulder, gaining my attention.

Aqua: Since this is a matter that's really between the newbies, I can't say I care either way, but it doesn't look like you or Shuai agree with Saki just deciding for everyone. Let’s do it the old fashion way. We will vote. That would be the fairest method, right? And Shin! Don’t be emotional. Even if you don’t consider about our lives what about you own life and dreams? Are you willing to risk them for someone you too have not acknowledged as a true comrade? I won't.

I finally lowered my head and sat down in resignation at Aqua's words. Seeing this, she spoke in a low voice that only I could hear.

Aqua: Let me also say this. Shin, you were and still are different from Shuai and the rest of them. Time and time again with your reckless behavior you have succeeded one way or another, and have risked your life for not just your own entertainment, but the lives of your friends. Even without enhancements... I acknowledge and accept you.

Shin: ...

Aqua: Since I do feel that way and let you become the leader of us veterans let me tell you this. Don't become a savior. Saving everyone, especially the unnecessary ones will lead you down the path of self destruction.

Shin: ...

Saki then sighed after seeing that neither me or anyone else was against the idea of a vote.

Saki: Then we will start the vote. Those that accept my plan to have Shuai act as bait for the enemy while the rest of us pick them off from behind raise your hand.

We all did as we were asked and the results were clear. The result was five votes for and three against. Saki, Kampa, Zero, Misaki and Hikari voted for the plan. Shin, Shuai and surprisingly Aqua voted against the plan. That decided Shuai’s fate. Either conform with the plan to be a bait to gain the group’s acceptance, or leave the group without any food or water, and he also won’t get any protection. Shuai would be forced to go out on his own, find his last NPC Chip and somejow find a way to stay alive on an island filled with Btooom assassins.

Shuai looked extremely emotional. Zero and Kampa stood next to Saki silently. The two of them had their hands behind their backs and in their hands were guns in case Shuai goes wild. When everyone thought he was going to burst, he took a few deep breaths and calmed down. He looked at Saki with hatred and spoke.

Shuai: Ok, I will be the bait. Just like you all wish for, I will be the bait!

They all felt a shiver from the hatred in his eyes. Though I didn't even need to see the person's eyes to feel the hatred coming from Shuai. Afterwards. Shuai kept his head down the whole time. After the voting, I walked over to a corner and sat there in silence. Hikari walked over towards me after a while. She didn’t really know what to say, but to her surprise I decided to speak first.

Shin: Hikari, are you also afraid of dying?

Hikari: Uhm… Yes, I am afraid of dying.

Shin: I am also afraid of dying, everyone is afraid. I.. Though I understood this in the last mission, but I didn't. No one is really safe in this place, so why do we have to push the dangers over to someone else? The rest of us will only be safe for a little longer. It is as Aqua said and that I have yet to see Shuai as a comrade, but whoever can best accomplish this mission should go instead. I am afraid of death, but I don't want to see those around me die.

Those were my honest thoughts. Despite enjoying in a sick way that I am in the world of Btooom, I am still afraid.

Despite the dangers in H.O.T.D, I was pretty much going with the flow. I nearly died, but I was enjoying the ride as an bystander, while leaving the difficult parts to Aqua. Now that I have the power to fight, to fight for my own life and knew of the dangers that come with a life and death battle like the ones in manga... Most likely my fear is winning over my joy. Still, despite that, I don't want anyone to die juat because I was afraid.

Aqua was right. I don't see Shuai as a comrade yet, not do I for Saki, Kampa and Zero, but I still don't want to see them die. At the very least, we all spent nights under the same roof and have talked to each other. Even more, while I was unconscious they took Hikari in and looked after me.

I don't want to see any of them die and I have the most power and experience with fighting the Btooom Soldiers and Btooom Commander after Aqua. If... If there should be a bait, someone who can face multiple enemy combatants then shouldn't it be me?

It was then when I was in deep thought that Hikari interrupted me with a serious face.

Hikari: I think Saki is right. If this is under normal circumstances, then you are correct. But we are not facing normal circumstances. You know just as well as I do that we are going against death on this island… How can we afford to protect a useless person without anything in return?

I remained silent for a while before speaking again.

Shin: ... I can’t refute what you said. Yes, perhaps you and Saki are right. But I still wish everyone can bond together even though I would never be caught dead giving a speech about friendship and comrades ( I hate those anime ). Everyone can do our best to survive, and not the strong will oppresses the weak. If we had encountered the same situation in our first mission, how would we all feel? Won’t we hate everyone and this world ( I would, despite this being the fantasy world of my dreams. Like how the Hero of the Shield came to hate the sword and magic world he was brought to despite being an otaku )? And if Shuai really comes to hate us and this world, can we really count on him. If it was me then I wouldn't.

Hikari: What do you mean? Shuai agreed to the plan and didn't leave the group.

Shin: You need to watch more survival oriental manga, Hikari. In these types of situations it rarely goes as smart people like Saki and you plan. Right now Shuai has no hope for the world and now can't trust us since we are basically offering him up to die. What would you do if you were in his place, Hikari?

Hiakri: I... Don't know. When they suggested leaving me behind on Day 2 when we were being chased, I didn't give much thought about them before leaving. I was... More worried about you Shin, my comrade dying because of me.

Shin: ...Thank you, but what you need to get is that Shuai has yet to develop such a bond with with anyone here. His answer and yours to being left behind are vastly different if I had to guess. Even the protagonist of Guilty Crown got pushed down and left behind by his friends just because of the way he treated them when he had their best interest at heart, while hating the harsh choices he had to make. Just because you make the correct decision doesn't mean that you made the right choice.

Hikari: ...

I then explained to Hikari what could potentially ho wrong.

1. Shuai could sneak off and hide to the end of the mission.

2. Try to kill us while we have our guard down for forcing him to be the bait ( Maybe with a BIM/bomb ).

3. Or maybe while he is acting as the bait as planned he warns the enemy that this is a trap even knowing he himself could die by doing so.

Shin: Depending on how he is feeling, long as he could get the chance to laugh at us in the end Shuai may even be content with us all dying together on this island.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Shin: Saki.

Saki: What is it?

I had finished talking to Hikari and went over to Saki. I had also just finished speaking with everyone else and all that was left was Saki, the one who came up with the plan for Shuai to act as bait.

Shin: I have come up with a compromise.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

The Na Ring contained an abundant amount of food.

Food, water, bread, cheese, jerky, and some snacks, rich in both quality and quantity. They also had the cases from the supply drops. Even though they had all been eating a good amount of food everyday, there was also enough water to last everyone a day or two. But just to be safe, they split the food and water into eight portions. Everyone received enough to last the last two days of the mission. Saki placed Shuai’s portion out for him and explained what would happen now.

Saki: This is your portion. As long as you prove you are useful to this group and not a burden to us, then the food and water here will belong to you. Furthermore you will also become a member of our group.

Shuai: ...Gezz, how wonderful of you.

Saki: Your welcome.

Shuai: ...

Seeing Saki not understanding sarcasm, Shuai took the food and water silently and with his head down. He then moved to the side and started eating by himself. The others also wanted to ignore Shuai since the whole situation was akward, but Shin and Saki went over to Shuai who was eating alone.

Shuai: What do you want? You have another idea on how to make the bait more effective?

Saki: Possibly, but not in a way that would change the plan by much. Shin came to me earlier and suggested an idea.

Shuai: An idea?

Saki: A compromise.

Saki then explained.

Earlier, Shin went around to Saki and the others while Shuai went out for a walk ( Followed closely behind by Zero so he didn't run ), and they all came to an agreement. By doing this for the team and risking his life by acting as bait, the rest of the team will offer Shuai 100 points worth of goods from each of them once they get back to the Terminal Lobby.

Shuai: Why did you suggest this? Do you feel sorry for me?

Shin: Not enough to take your place if that is what you are asking ( I lied ). While Saki's plan isn't wrong, it is wrong to send you out there without motivation not just to live, but to live for the team. You might not understand, but 100 points from each of us can go a long way. You can't use these points to enhance yourself, but you could get some very good tools to aid in your survival. Also, if it is possible for us to pool in our points together we could even get the Progressive Knife from Eva.

Shuai: That is nice and all, but isn't this what you would call a bribe?

Shin: So what? We aren't friends yet and I don't think of you as a comrade, but anyone who will risk their own life for me and my comrades, willingly or not, will become a comrade to me. So even if not today or tomorrow, I want you to be my comrade and friend. I'm not doing this to be nice either. It is because I honestly believe that teamwork could be the key to surviving in God world and these missions. One thing that I also realized from my first true battle was that one man's power is limited. If the others were by my side things would have went a lot smoother, and even if only Aqua it is needles to say how easy the battle would have become. My power might be great, but if not used correctly then it is meaningless, yet ( Oh my god, I really am giving that speech ) as a team me, the veterans, the newbies and your own power... What can't we accomplish?

Shuai: ...Fine. So is the speech over?

Shin: Yeah, but was the last part necessary? That was embarrassing enough.

Shuai doesn't say anything after that, but he stopped looking at Saki in the others with hate. Still wasn't love or like, but for now it had to be good enough.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Authors Note:

Rate/Follow/Favorite/Comment.