Our food resources still remained large, despite all the trips we had made thus far. Food for more than one week was within our grasp henceforth we needn't worry about that peculiar factor affecting our routine. I am thinking in this particular factor because Saitou has been counting the number of fruit pieces he has on the food bag. Noticeably, I am handling all the heavy work as I carry all the components obtained in the previous sections. Of course, the cloud reactor and the flasks are the arguably heavier parts as everything else is subpar to it in terms of weight.

Naturally, the elevator from the mountain would take us back to the platform where the blazing sun stood tall. This was a place that we had been in quite a few times. In this platform, we can access any of the sections we want; if we had cleared them, of course and the upcoming section would be open for a grand leisure if we had successfully done so.

As we crossed over to the sixth elevator, which was unironically the elevator that would lead us to the seventh section instead of the sixth, I talked to Saitou as I saw him make some abrupt movements with the food bag.

"Saitou? What's wrong?"

He replied back rather meekly but he didn't trade eye contact with me while doing so.

"It's--- Ah, nothing, I'll stop. We are here, yeah?"

"Yeah."

It's true. Right now we are in front of the good old cylindrical tower that is in fact an elevator. By pressing the button, we are subjected into the new section. This is by all means the path of action, so there aren't any doubts over here.

Before I could go on and press the button, I overheard something between Saitou and Takeshi. Takeshi being the one who initiated the interaction by himself.

"Do you think we will have to go through nothing like the last section?"

"....."

Saitou remained silent instead of interjecting like always. That wasn't like him because he's not one to hide his thoughts, so something else must be going on. However, the faster we progress the better, so I won't pay much heed; regardless I will cast additional attention to Saitou's mood.

I pressed the button and the door opened itself. Only one button would lead downwards, so I pressed that button subsequently as soon as we all got inside the elevator.

This time, the elevator rhythm was slow and it wasn't pushy. However, something was feeling a bit too strange. This whole thing, these events, they lack... people. I mean this exactly as it is. Everywhere throughout the world; the better the environment---the higher the likelihood of a society being there, or so it stands to reason to think that way at least.

Ever since I first came to Ryousuke's senses, I have witnessed a beautiful Waterway with crystal clear water in peak conditions. Nothing about it was dirty nor poluted. One could argue that this type of water is brandly artificial and lacks natural gradients yet it felt extremely new. Afterwards, came the inhabitable desert that could go on for infinity for what it seemed like but in reality it was a lost... city? I still remember the very presence of Hajime and how even though there were rooms and even an amphitheater there weren't anyone around except for him. If we take out Hajime, we have not encountered someone else.

It's one thing to not find anyone in a desert. I think it's perfectly reasonable not to, but at least in that Waterway, maybe someone... Even then, if I take both environments into consideration, finding someone could be highly unlikely. However, afterwards, in that mountain, how come, there was, once again, no sign of life?

Saitou and Takeshi have claimed that this is a deserted island, but as far as I am concerned, this is beyond a deserted island. I don't mean to create doubts about them; my point instead is that these environments lack the elements of a society as a whole.

What I am trying to insinuate with my thoughts here is that an underground substantial world like this doesn't even begin to make any sense in the first place. With every elevator, the scenario is different. What on earth is this technology even capable of? Changing from a Waterway to a desert and then into a mountain without showing any signs of being remotely connected except for an elevator to do the connection?

"Think we'll find someone this time around, Rayazaki?"

"Don't know. But I am nervous. I mean, come on... Susaga and Ryoken aside, there are seven others... What on Earth are they doing...?!"

"Maybe they still haven't all figured out what this underground world really is about?"

"Nonsense, Kuzan. We know Hyunda and Sagasuga have been here, so where are the others? This is supposed to be a competition but we are out here just plain discovering everything we encounter and..."

Saitou's silence struck the elevator without any response from us. As it stands, human interaction and the fear of the unknown both are colliding. He is desperately wanting to communicate with another human being in order to hopefully find answers.

Answers to perhaps what this underground world really is and how this is even here in the first place... Yet, how are we supposed to find such answers if they don't know it either? That's not even the real issue. We can't ask someone else questions if they are nowhere to be spotted.

"Do not worry. I firmly believe once we reach the tenth section something massive will happen."

"You think?"

"Indeed, Takeshi."

Unlike Takeshi, Saitou kept his silence once again. His eyes are far more open than the usual. Plus, he's been eating his nails for a while. Rapid brain activity could be indicated through the act of nail-biting, though many may not know this. In other words, there is something that's eating Saitou and he isn't really in the mood to share with us.

I will not force him to speak and will instead wait until he feels like talking. Because, after all, the elevator has reached its destination.

A description of the location was already on the tablet that Saitou is holding and the reading was the following:

"The Pharos Lighthouse at Rigel. Let me guess, this is about Rigel?"

"Yeah, it is. Rigel is the seventh brightest star. However, don't let the number of seven let you belittle Rigel, because Rigel, of all stars, should not be belittled."

"I got it, I got it."

We all then focused our attention onto the current scenario that we would face. A gentle marine breeze flew through the elevator and though expectations of a complex environment were at hand, it wasn't quite the case at first as it was a wide image of a blue mild-tempered ocean that greeted our eyesight.

Since the ocean waves were behaving themselves calmly, they weren't getting in the way of the constructed forward path with rocky boulders on each of their side. That single path had a pattern of geoplhys in their mosaics; mysteriously. It was barely above the water, but it wasn't as if there was an infinite ocean around us.

In order to properly grasp our current environment, it's firmly important to be aware that the elevator where we are at the moment is only showing the top of it. In other words, it's as if the elevator came from the underground and it erupted into the upper ground; not the other way around. Aside from the elevator, behind it, there is an endless ocean with absolutely only blue infinite water to be shown. An end could not be captured; however the truly important decisive factor was how if we continued to look forward into the path ahead of us, a contrasting proposition was in check.

"That is the biggest cataract I have ever seen!!"

"Daku! Daku! That's a cataract, right?!"

They are both using the word quite wrongly...

"It's, first of all--- a waterfall, but yes, it's a cataract."

There is a swift end and a big tremendous gap in the horizon with a very wide horizontal length. That gap is no other than a product of the waterfall that's causing all the water from the ocean to fall down. Nonetheless, it's not as if we can see what's beyond the waterfall, so what Saitou said right as I had this conclusive thought felt what Takeshi and I collectively thought at the same time.

"It's like that's the edge of the world."

"Don't worry, it's not as if we have a way to get to that edge as far as I'm concerned. I see no boats or anything of that sort. Plus, our path is far too simple this time around."

I laid out the instructions for Saitou and Takeshi rapidly as I made my mind up.

"We follow north right into the Lighthouse. There lies our dilemma."

By "dilemma" I was referring to the gimmick that we would have to face every section, however, as we began to walk into the lengthy mosaic-filled path that held a brutal total of 250 meters in length underneath this dusk, (the sun differed from section to section and in the previous section---The Holy Mountain of Capella--- the sun was in a morning state, unlike this one which is far more tired in that regard) Saitou interjected ever so slightly, remembering us what had happened previously.

"Dilemma? Yeah, right... We are just going to get spoon-fed again..."

His expression grew grim and grimmer by the second. Being near him would make anyone at least distance two to three meters as he looked ready to commit a serious act of violence just based on the way he was feeling towards this possible circumstance.

Nevertheless, Takeshi, knowing Saitou for a while now, didn't hesitate to speak his mind and didn't treat Saitou as an outcast, which, in my opinion, was actually the right call.

"True, true... But hey! Maybe not! Maybe this time around, they didn't go over to the lighthouse!"

"I seriously hope you're right, Kuzan. I want to have some fun, goddamn it... Or else..."

"Or else?"

I was the one who asked him that question, but I was by no means instigating him, I was relatively curious to know the depths of his thought process in regards of the possibility, but I was unsuccessful.

"Nevermind..."

We continued.

What was bizarre was how I couldn't spot seaguls despite the fact that I could clearly spot a variety of fish underneath the translucent ocean. By the way, should the water waves begin to storm violently, we would most likely be swept into the cataract and well...

Still, knowing how artificial this all is, aside from the very fact that this is symbolizing primal nature, I daresay that the likelihood of that actually happening is rather low. I could be completely wrong though. Also, the dusk light was enough to guide our path as the orange sun intersected with a gradient of soft black in the shy horizon never fell down below it.

Shortly after ten to fifteen minutes, we reached the entrance of the Lighthouse.

In regard of the overall height of the Lighthouse, I described it with words towards Saitou, on my right, and Takeshi, on my left.

"Rigel towers our sun in overall height. Dimension in general, is a better wording, sorry. Therefore, don't let the colossal height of this Lighthouse intimidate you. Whatever is inside, we are going to find a way onto the next section. Hopefully, something as nice as the last component will be waiting for us this time!"

"Heck yeah!"

Takeshi couldn't help but jump high as he resonated deeply with my speech.

Saitou, on the other hand, was continuing to grow grimmer and he said something somewhat spiteful in return.

"So we are just going to fool ourselves because there's always a reward at the end?"

Though, before I could reply back, Saitou quickly amended his attitude to my surprise.

"Sorry, I didn't mean that. Let's go in."

"What's with you?"

"Zip it, Kuzan."

"Muuuh..."

I'm worried about Saitou. There's no telling what he might do and I'm afraid that I don't want him to portray any sort of hatred towards us. However, it's abundantly clear that he hates being the subject of Hajime right now.

As I had previously concluded, it's a horrible feeling. Nobody likes to be toyed with to a condenscing extent like this, for example. There's no other choice though. My goal here is to obtain the components and give Ryousuke the clear advantage here. I've already explained that to Saitou, but maybe he forgot?

We'll see.

Now, onto the scenario. A gigantic golden door stood open and at first all we saw was the fairly illuminated hall ahead with two pedestals in the center alongside a circle beneath it. But after taking a long sight to our lefts we saw a computer password entry and saw that a password had already been successfully input.

To no one's surprise already, I argue. Still, Saitou could barely contain himself and shackled himself on his own silence before moving forward.

"What are these for?"

Takeshi already took the initiative and examined the two pedestals in the center of the circle. Both of them were of low height, not even reaching beyond a single meter. Dark green at its core but surrounded with a shade of silver in its exteriors. The true main purpose of those two pedestals was for them to be checked.

Very much like when a grocery is bought, it is scanned by a machine. On top of the pedestals, there is a bar scanner and normally, this implies the need for a card.

However, to our confusion, there were three cards in this hall. One on the right pedestal and two other on the left pedestal.

Two of those cards were silver-branded and looked fancy. They were no match in terms of elegance in comparison to the gold-branded card that stood alongside the unworthy silver card. Needless to say, these cards all had their fair share of purposes. Upon us, forward, there was a locked golden door and it didn't take a fool to realize that by scanning two cards, we would have the equivalent of a successful result which was the door itself opening.

Saitou, thought of something else for a second. He wasn't in the mood to play the fool or explain things to Takeshi as they went, so he fired a rapid-fire conclusion right off the bat.

"Here's something that's very probable: The golden card isn't supposed to be here and it's the finishing prize at the top of the Lighthouse. Or something like that."

He continued but this time, he took ahold of the golden card and simultaneously trashed the other two silver cards aside to the ground fiercelessy.

"Hey, Kuzan. Mind trying something out for me?"

"Like what?"

Saitou smirked and handed Takeshi the golden card to him right away.

"I want you to pass that golden card onto the pedestals' checks."

"Yeah, alright."

As one would expect or maybe not, Saitou's yet-to-be-spoken's guess was right on the money. The outcome was that the door would open once both of pedestals' entries were checked.

Most likely, it required a silver card in each and couldn't be used both ways. We could have tried and seen it for ourselves, but even I truly believe it's utterly pointless, because...

"I knew it. I so fucking knew it. Whoever completed this before us put the master card of the entire Lighthouse in the beginning so we could be spoon fed again...!"

Our dilemma at the moment was not actually the gimmick of the section, but how we were not facing any dilemma whatsoever. But, this thought doesn't make any sense because, so what if there is no gimmick to face? That's all the better, because once the tenth section is cleared, then we will be able to---

Actually, I will be gone by then, huh?

"What're we gonna do?"

Takeshi asked, rather reluctantly. Saitou would usually take the initiative to talk here, but he instead opted not to and waited for my reply rather attentively.

I turned around and issued the simple path of action. There wasn't any thought that was supposed to be given here, because, again, it was simple.

"We scout the entire Lighthouse and search for a way to advance. We needn't worry about any troubles since we most likely won't face any."

"Yosh!"

In symphony, Takeshi nodded. I was glad about that.

Our loud footsteps began to advance onto the next stage. On my right side, Takeshi stood, ready to scout the entire parameter along my side.

And on my right side, stood---- not Saitou.

I noticed then that only my footsteps and Takeshi's were being heard and not Saitou's. And that was because Saitou had not moved from his initial position. He was starring facedown to the geoglyphs in the ground, but not out of curiosity.

"Rayazaki?"

"Saitou?"

He was waiting for us to notice the very fact that he wasn't moving or going alongside with me. It didn't take long to make him talk as he was more than obliged to do it himself. He began by fiercely looking in my direction with a grim look in his eyes.

"This is stupid. I'm not doing it."

"W-Why not, Rayaz---"

Takeshi attempted to verbally fight back right away, but I hand-signalled him to retreat for now as I thought that this was related to our current circumstance and that he was finally going to speak his own mind out.

"Saitou, what's wrong?"

"Nothing really... I don't feel like doing this anymore. You and Kuzan can go ahead and conquer the other sections."

"But I would like you to be by my---, no, our side if possible."

"Well, it's not possible anymore. Sorry."

I'll try to reason here.

"Why is it not possible anymore? Because this is stupid?"

"Exactly. You're a smart guy, actually, far more than that. I don't fault you for prioritizing objectives instead of prioritizing how I feel. It's alright, after all, you are only doing this for Kawahara."

So he does remember about what I told him back then. How I was essentially doing Ryousuke's work and that my presence here would have no effect after all the conditions are cleared out.

Now that I think about it, my existence here is pretty heartless and almost feels robotic. As if I was created for an ultimate purpose and anything that doesn't include that ultimate purpose is unnecessary.

Needless to say, that's not how I am though. I can't simply cast my emotions aside and use everyone else around me as a tool for the sake of my "ultimate" goal. Henceforth, what Saitou just said is unacceptable.

"But I do care about how you feel, Saitou. Tell me."

I took a seat in the cold ground as the late orange sunlight peaked through one of the sideway windows. As I took a seat, so did Takeshi, on my left side and Saitou, in front of me, though he took longer than usual.

"It's really nothing special, it's more of a personality problem. I can't stand being played like this and so, I can't help you."

"I understand. The more we advance, the more we are being played with. That's true. However, we don't have much of a choice, do we?"

I thought this was evident and I wasn't just half-heartly doing this. Otherwise, I would have just not cared for both Takeshi and Saitou and would've moved along; leaving everything else to Ryousuke afterwards.

"I don't believe so. You and Kuzan can perfectly continue without any problems. I am not saying you two are more than fine with what's happening, but I am really not. I know you two might be resisting, but I'm calling a quits on this. It's too much for me and I don't want to whine all day long, so can you do us all a favor and move on from this? Go on."

Saitou unbelievably said all this which struck both Takeshi and I with emotional pain. Furthermore, he pointed at the next stage ahead as if to tell us to move it.

However, I didn't give in and placed my left hand on Takeshi's right shoulder as he was about to burst from being betrayed on the inside by Saitou.

"It's alright, believe in me."

"...Please."

With Takeshi placing his trust on me, I re-focused on Saitou.

"Saitou, what do you intend on doing?"

So far, he was answering everything with extreme speed, almost as if he had already thought this whole conversation out. His answer's speed was about the same as the previous ones.

"I'll just go back to the surface and fail the exam. It's alright because I will have three failed exams and I will be at my limit. But it's not fatal."

"Just so I get this straight, you don't want to do this anymore because you can't stand being played like we are, right? There's nothing else?"

To this, he answered with absolutely no hesitation.

"It's only a matter of pride. I don't mind losing on my own accord. But winning on someone else's accord? Fuck that."

I smirked but not in a mocking manner and before he could assume that I was mocking him, I spoke up quickly.

"I see! Well, since that's the case, why not press the switch on the winning button?"

The reasoning here is quite simple. Since Saitou has decided to not go on with us, he is essentially allowing himself to lose, even though he could find other alternatives to win this exam. However, I believe that he believes that advancing any further is the equivalent of playing into Hajime's hands, so his mind is stelled on not advancing. As such, by offering him the winning button switch, he will not only win the exam, but he won't get played into Hajime's hands.

Still...

"I will pass. I also don't run away from a fight. Again, losing on my own accord is fine. Plus, you best save that component as you might not know what that bastard Hyunda has in store for us. Christ, what a clown, I swear to God..."

It really is a matter of pride like Saitou just said.

Though, he wasn't done and once again reinforced something he had said earlier.

"This is a bit absurd. I am not the most mature person ever, but I can at least tell others when I am going to be a problem and I am currently a problem. Again, ignore me."

Hm... He isn't sulking, he's just speaking his mind.

According to my own perception, this might be the highest form of respect Saitou has given me. Not only did he fundamentally believe that I am Izayoi Daku and not Ryousuke Kawahara, but he has been a help thus far. More than just help, honestly. He's been a great friend. It's not often that I get the chance to witness this. In addition, Saitou isn't someone to point out his own flaws to just someone out there because he has his own pride, therefore, if he goes out of his way more than one time to point out his own flaws, then he is showing his utmost respect.

Knowing this, how can I possibly abandon him?

Takeshi crossed eye glance with me and I said something to him that I feel like he saw coming for a while. We both rose the corners of our lips and formed a sardonical smile consecutively.

"Looks like our advancement will be put to an end, Takeshi!"

"It appears so!"

Saitou wasn't really understanding what we were currently implying so he confusingly spoke up.

"What are you two..."

I enlightened him.

"We are failing with you, Saitou."

"Yup!"

But he didn't take this way too well and revolted a bit.

"Are you two stupid?! This won't change the way I feel towards you two, damn it! To me you two are still my precious friends and Daku, I'll never forget you, even when you are gone, so, rethink this. Please."

I answered extremely fast, however.

"No can do. I am the leader, and as such, I order you to stand down and fail alongside with us."

"Ugh... Goddamn it... Wait..."

As if he had thought of something extremely quick, Saitou spoke his mind.

"I remember now. I theorized something earlier and came up with a plan in case this happened. It's a bit dumb, but would you care to listen?"

"Yeah, why not?"

Shooking both my arms, I shrugged and allowed Saitou to speak.

"Okay, okay, so... I think that they are playing us, but that's only because they know we don't have any choice but to go forward. But, how do they know that we really succeeded? Are they really going to wait around for us to succeed in everything? Like, what if we just don't do that? Won't their plan not succeed?"

Saitou keeps referring to "them" which refers to Hajime and Sagasuga, I assume. Regardless, it's an interesting take. He's assuming that there is a flaw in this whole plan. But he then explained how that wasn't actually a flaw at all, at least in theory.

"It won't succeed, that's why they have to make sure that it does. But how? I asked myself countless times. It's for a fact that there are no cameras here, so, hypothetically speaking, if they had a base somewhere else, I don't fucking know, to watch us or something, but thus far that hasn't been the case, so... I could only grasp one logical conclusion."

What Saitou said afterwards blew my mind slightly.

"One of them will eventually return to the section that we successfully cleared. Given that they are basically doing everything for us, it won't take us that long, so I reason that one of them will eventually backtrack and check if there were changes within the section. By noticing the changes, they will assume that we have moved forward."

"Wait, that's insane! Who would think of something like this...?!"

Takeshi was too busy getting excited over this but I kept in silence and demanded to know more from Saitou as I was quite curious.

"And where did that take you, Saitou?"

"You see, Daku, if we stay here and mirror the entrance of the elevator from where we came from, then we will find the one responsible for ensuring that we have actually succeeded."

"So we lay out a trap?"

"Exactly! He will have to come eventually, otherwise we can just take advantage of the fact that they don't even have a way of asserting our success and think of something better."

Certaintly, it makes sense. In theory, we could very well hide in the water, for example, and wait until the suspect walks into the path towards the Lighthouse. Then, we launch an attack and ask some questions. By some, I mean a lot. Whatever the case is, if it means that we can advance and that Saitou will regain his posture, then I am more than happy to go along with this.

"What do you intend of doing once we capture this guy?"

To Takeshi's question, Saitou answered very confidently. He pointed with his right index finger up to the top as well.

"We sack as much information as we can out of him through any means necessary. If it's Sagasuga, then we beat the shit out of him and then Hyunda's next!"

I intervined.

"We will attempt to reason first and use physical force as our last method. Agreed?"

"Yeah, sure!"

"Fine....."

Takeshi didn't really care much but Saitou looked displeased but not entirely.

Not done however, Saitou began to speak more about his plan.

"It would be foolish to simply await for him at the elevator, so here is what we are going to do: We are going to scout the Lighthouse and look for another elevator. The one that leads to the platform oil rigs. This is because there are only two ways to get here. Either through where we came from or the other elevator. In other words, we have to block two entrances."

"But we are three, Rayazaki..."

Implying that was not a problem at all, Saitou smirked supremely.

"Relax, relax. I got it covered. Daku here, will guard the elevator within the Lighthouse through whatever way he finds the most sneaky and we will dive onto the water outside. I will be on the right side of the water and you will be on the left side. This way, should he try to escape to the other side, the other side's receptor will catch him. Should he walk either into the elevator or the Lighthouse, we chase him! Of course, we should allow him to advance into the middle of the path so we have an even edge on him!"

Upon hearing that thorough explanation, Takeshi got up and clenched both of his fists in a dignified happy manner as he exclaimed himself to Saitou.

"That's amazing, Rayazaki! I had no idea you were capable of thinking that far! Where have you been hiding all this stuff?!"

"I'm a military genius, you bet!"

"Really?!"

Saitou had already gotten up and his mood had completely recovered. Midst all this, I realized that perhaps Saitou was checking the food supplies earlier on because he really wasn't going to move forward.

But now that we have placed our trust in him, he is capable of being better and objectively speaking, turning himself into a better person. He even agreed to use reasoning first before utilizing physical force which would be our last resort. As far as I'm concerned, this is a massive improvement.

Ultimately, I got up and administered the plan of action.

"I will explore the depths of the Lighthouse and find the elevator while you two will follow the plan as Saitou said. Should you need anything, scream as loud as you possible can. Shout my name from the abysmal depths of your lungs; I will heed your call!"

Excited, I raised a fist and in a sequence of synergy, they bumped it.

"Good luck!"

"Yeah!" x2.

Saitou and Takeshi started to detour towards the entrance of the Lighthouse with confident expressions on their faces, but before even attempting on doing so, they had to pick up their bags which they had left on the floor earlier. As for me I adjusted my bag and even though it weighted a lot, I felt a brim sense of strength within me as I firmly believed in the plan.

Not only is it good in theory, but if we are successful, then we can hopefully get some sort of answers about what these sections even are and what is Hajime's plan.

No doubt about it, but this won't fail. The moment one of them walks right through the elevator, they have fallen into the trap. Saitou and Takeshi outnumber whoever comes in and I definitely won't lose in a fight.

It was then that I murmured something unconsciously lowly.

"Strike first; win first..."

.....!!!

A disturbance within the atmosphere was immediately noticed but not through the visible naked eye. Saitou was still grabbing his bag from the ground as Takeshi was doing the same; they both had not noticed yet, but the footsteps of another person within the area were approaching in.

Only through my enhanced ear audition was I capable of noticing the presence of someone else via their own footsteps' sounds.

Out of instinct, I turned around and faced the open door and saw a figure walking in as I questioned it.

"Who goes there?!"

The figure stood in shock for a short while as he perhaps had not believed that he was making that much noise in the first place. As for Saitou and Takeshi, it took them a while to notice but once the figure starting to formally clap whilst walking in our direction, they both took clear notice of the figure's anatomy as it became evident to us that we were not trapping anyone in the first place.

It's the other way around.

"Most impressive. How about a rematch, Kawahara?"