Updated Task

[You have 10 minutes left]

[Prepare yourself in the incoming monster wave]

[Survive or Find a way out]

[Time: 90:24:60:60]

"Grey, can you prepare everything we need?" Gin asked in an urgent tone.

"But Hyung, what about the other people?" Grey retorts as he points his finger at the people.

"Look at their faces, can't you see it yourself? Most of the people here still can't accept the reality, Just on their expressions, you could tell that they believe they will wake up on their dreams or someone would stop pranking them,"

] 9: 30 [

The duo looked at their surroundings. They saw that some people are still staring at the two gigantic holes, some even started to sleep again and some are praying that the phenomenal event wasn't real.

Seeing them with hopeless eyes, Grey bit his lips as he finally made up a decision inside his mind, "... What do we need to bring, Hyung...?"

Gin nodded before urgently speaking, "Bring at least two-person worth of food that is good for two weeks. I'll find a good shield for you to use. Let's meet up in..."

He slowly moved his attention to a place that is good for meeting up, before pointing his finger at that place.

] 8:23 [

"There"

Gin paused, "I think..."

Gin pointed both his left and right finger in both opposite directions of the gigantic cave, before continuing, "Either that side or the other will be where the monsters are entering."

A short gasp was heard from Grey as he quickly spoke, "Shouldn't we tell them that?"

Scoffing inwardly, Gin shook his head and answered back. "This is only my speculation and if it's wrong, what would the others think? They'll blame me for saying it. Worse, they would think I was crazy."

'I just don't want to carry tons of baggage. Besides, I wouldn't want my plan to ruin just because of this.' He continued inwardly.

] 7:34 [

It was at that moment that they realize some people running towards the center of the cave. They were in a hurry and it was the method that Gin was thinking inside.

"Hyung looks like you are right,"

"Go now. Find the things that I told you earlier."

The two began to part ways as they proceed to do their own tasks. Grey first started by getting a large bag and second put the food inside it.

On the other side, Gin was at the side of the cave and is looking for a good shield for Grey.

] 6:32 [

As time passes, Gin was still looking for a shield but he is starting to lose hope.

Nonetheless, Gin couldn't give up as he needed a weapon for the big guy,

'There must be something here...' Gin mused as he involuntary tapped his feet on the ground.

And his focus that he was building up instantly faded upon hearing a shout that not only him had heard. It disturbed the others, especially Gin.

"Fellow people, why are you running?!" A man loudly spoke, "This is just a test! It is to test us if we are crazy or not. In my opinion, after the timer stops at 0:00, we will wake up and get out from... this!"

He continued, "Yes… this is just a test! A test people!"

Hearing the man's reason that seems a bit logical, some agreed to his statement which quite caused commotion and uproar.

] 5:10 [

"Yeah! Maybe someone or it is the government kidnapped us and started this shitty experiment!"

"I agree. I think this is a new invention made by the government. What's that called again?"

"Uhm… I think it is called Virtual Reality?"

"Maybe we will be on the tv when we wake up for testing this new invention made by the people!"

"Yeah!" The people shouted in unison.

Hearing them saying those things, Gin let out a chuckle from his mouth, 'What a funny thing to say, really.'

He moved his gaze at the crowd for a moment and saw people hesitating. The others who are running at the center were also thinking about what the man had said.

It was a reasonable point, making them question themselves.

Why are we running in the first place?

That man has a point. Why are we running in the first place?

What he just said was correct, isn't it?

Questions keep forming but it only made Gin happier as he mused, 'Please do it more. Convince them that your idea was true. It's not a problem for me, in fact, it will be great.'

The atmosphere inside was now having a mix of emotions. Anticipation, reassurance, uneasiness, and trepidation.

Some even woke up from their sleep as they began to ask what happen. They heard a logical point and can't help but agree with the man.

] 4:35 [

'What a bunch of idiots... Why would the government kidnap us and even what...' Gin paused as he began to think their reasoning, 'Calling this shitty event an experiment for them? They will be arrested before they do that.'

] 4: 25 [

Finally, after some thorough looking, Gin spotted a long rectangular shield in his sight. He felt relief as he began to use his eyes to see the shield.

[Earth Shield] [Bronze Rank] [Category: Shield]

Gin smiled faintly and mused happily, 'I think this is good. Even though it doesn't have stats, I could feel that this is a good shield.'

Thinking those things, Gin move towards the shield and wanted to run quickly yet as soon as he holds the item, he can't help but exclaim.

'Shit! This is too heavy! I think dragging is a good choice but I would waste time.' Gin thought inwardly before sighing, 'Ah shit, I just have to carry this.'

Leaving with no other choice, Gin carried the shield as he began to jog towards the center.

Conserving stamina is needed but he also needed to use his attribute to observe the people he passes by.

'I can't just let someone precious die.'

Gin continued to continue his method but unfortunately, he was disappointed as the only thing he sees is bad ones.

At that moment, he remember the two women earlier as the people couldn't stand a chance at them when it comes to stats.

'Well, if thins turn in an unexpected way, I will find form and form a team with them.' Gin mused inwardly before he continued, 'But first, I should find the two women.'

] 3:50 [

Giving up checking the people's stats, Gin began to concentrates on finding the two and will warn them to come to the center. if they didn't follow, he would forcefully do it.

Looking around like a hunter finding his prey. Gin couldn't find the two in the crowd who are just lazing around, sleeping, started to converse with some people and many more situations.

'They're not here...' Gin mused inwardly as he thought of many things of where would they go, before an answer entered inside his head, 'Are they at the center already?'

With his lips curled upwards, Gin continued, 'Good.'

This time, Gin started to sprint towards the center while bringing the heavy shield with him. He was slightly faster that it only took a few seconds before he was at the center, near the timer that had suddenly appeared when the task is updated.

Coming near the center, Gin roams his eyes around and easily saw Grey as he looked like a tree standing in the middle.

Gin was the first one called Grey with a loud shout before the big guy turned around, hearing a familiar voice.

The two waved at each other before Grey started to close his distance at Gin.

] 3:20 [

Gin hurriedly give the shield to Grey as he felt his stamina was slightly exhausted. Yet, he felt it was rejuvenated upon seeing Grey's smile when he received it.

"Hyung, thank you for this. I think this is good and ahh...!" Grey slightly exclaimed as he stop, before he gets closer to Gin, whispering something to him,"…Many people are talking to team up with them. I decline them because I already have you, Hyung. And, they seem to be not trustworthy."

It made Gin form a smile as he pats Grey's back, before promising inwardly, 'My judgment to you is not wrong, Grey. You really are a good guy. Hmm... I'll at least protect you a bit them.'

Gin was about to answer but he refrains from talking, seeing the glared of the people over the back of Grey, 'How uncomfortable...'

Gin peeked his head at the side before giving them a sneer. 'Yes, just look at me like that. What…? you didn't get this big guy? How sad.'

Seeing the people backing off, Gin also stopped from sneering before he turned his head at Grey, and speak in a serious tone, "Grey, we need to talk."

Gin paused as he pointed his finger beneath the timer, "Let's stand there while facing each other's back. I'll take this side and yours is that."

Grey nodded his head before the two walked in that direction.

] 3:00 [

Below the timer, Gin and Grey are standing while facing each other's back as they watch the entrance of each hole they currently see.

"Grey, listen carefully, ok? I'm about to say our plan in this situation," Gin calmly spoke as he looked at the hole he was assigned with, "And, I only have at least three minutes to explain everything."

"Okay,"

Upon hearing a response, Gin nodded and breathed, "Both of us are going to leave this place."

"You see, two conclusions formed inside my mind a while ago." Gin paused, "Remember that the task was to survive or find a way out, right? The updated task we saw earlier, I mean."

"Yeah…"

Gin continued, "You also see that there is a timer, this one above us. One for the ten-minute timer and below it is another timer. Now, if convert the other timer into months, we will have to stay here for full three months."

Gin started to play his bow by plucking its string, "But here, a question formed. Does it say that we are going to face the incoming monster wave for three months? No. Does it also say that we're going to fight the monsters here? No also."

Gin stop his playing his bow and continued, "The task only told us the word prepare. Besides, if you think about it, even if all people here decided to help each other, fighting a monster wave for three months straight is just absurd."

] 2:00 [

"So, this is the conclusion I made." Gin paused, "First, we have to survive after we get out from that monster wave which the task told us and we needed to do it for three months. After three months are done, someone outside would probably fetch us when it is done."

Gin took a breather, "Now… this is easy because the procedure is crazy."

"..."

Gin didn't wait for a response as he quickly spoke, "What I would say right now may be a bit harsh."

"…"

"We will let some people die."

Gin paused for a second, "Of course, the ones who can't accept that this is real will be the ones sacrificed."

"..."

Even though it was faint, Gin heard a slight movement and a gulping of saliva from Grey but it all doesn't matter, as he knew that it is the most efficient choice he have.

A moment of silence descended but it soon broke down when Gin asked for a clarification, "Are you ready? Decide fast because we don't have much time."

'Depending on your answer will I decide to let you live or die though…'

"..."

It was silent. The crowd's voice felt deaf on Grey's ears as he only kept thinking the words that Gin had said to him. It was making his mind hazy but he soon let out a voice from his mouth.

"Are we… going to survive… i-if we sa-sacrificed them?" Grey stuttered in a low voice.

Gin turned around, patted Grey's back before uttering a word, "Yes."

] 1:20 [

Feeling happy that he would let Grey die, Gin then asked, "Then, why would I tell you to go to the center?"

Grey answered in a confident voice, "It's because we don't know where the monsters would enter."

"Correct," Gin agreed before continuing, "Either you or I will tell if the monster wave will go on your side and this side. When they entered, we'll escape the hole where they're no monsters. I'm sure they wouldn't be too harsh to bring the monsters to both sides."

"I see, well it is easy to guess." Grey answered before he continued, "But Hyung, what about our food? We only have two weeks of it. It wouldn't be enough for three months."

Gin smiled a little before retorting, "I already told you the answer earlier."

Grey tilted his head at the side before thinking the reason for it. Seconds pass, a gasp was once heard from his mouth before saying, "So that is the reason for s-sacrificing those people..."

Gin also utter the word yes again.

With his thoughts are correct, Grey had his eyes widen, "Wow Hyung. Are you a reincarnation of someone intelligent? Amazingly, you thought all that for ten minutes..."

Gin formed a questioning expression before he sighed and shake his head, "No, I'm not a reincarnation of someone or something like that."

[You have gained +1 Intelligence]

'Eh?'

] 1:00 [

Suddenly, it felt like Grey had been hit by a bolt of lightning but instead a struck of realization. he quickly said, "Hyung, what you just said is the easy method. Does that mean the other is hard?"

"Hoh, I thought you forget it."

"So, is it hard?" Grey asked for clarification as he needed Gin to confirm his thoughts.

And it did.

"Yes."