It meant that returning immediately resulted in elimination from the competition.

In various ways, it was a challenging game, both dangerous and restrictive.

But if the four of them joined forces, they could somehow manage.

Then, at least, they could prevent a major disaster by shouting for a return in advance.

But even that hope turned out to be in vain.

Teleport gates suddenly appeared all over the arena.

The official pointed beyond the gates.

“These gates are connected to the inside of the hunting grounds. Each participant will start the game from a different location. The destination will be randomly determined according to the coordinates recorded on the bracelet.”

Moving randomly.

Then the four of them couldn’t act together.

They looked at each other simultaneously.

The situation Prodia feared had indeed happened.

‘Could they have intentionally targeted us?’

Irtis somehow had that thought.

At the opening ceremony, the four men formed a team and presented a dance.

Perhaps because of that, they might have expected them to stick together during this competition.

Irtis quickly reached out to his colleagues.

It was to read the coordinates marked inside their bracelets.

But then, the official shouted.

“Then let’s start.”

‘Jeez…!’

There was no time left.

Irtis spoke to everyone.

“Do you all remember what Prodia said last?”

Everyone nodded silently.

“…Until we meet again, don’t get hurt.”

They had to part without even properly saying goodbye.

The participants in line jumped into the gates one by one.

A while later.

The place where the four men woke up was in different locations within the hunting grounds.

Splash!

With the sound of falling into the water, cold water began to flow into Sharack’s nose and mouth.

In front of him spread a wide and azure lake.

The place he arrived at was probably some kind of empty space above the water.

‘What on earth is this situation…? Ugh.’

But who was Sharack?

Among the Southern people, there was no one who didn’t know how to swim.

Especially for Sharack, there was one outstanding skill.

Swimming (SS).
For a moment, he was taken aback, but he soon corrected his posture and skillfully began to swim. Fortunately, not far away, the shoreline became visible. The lake didn’t seem as large as he had thought. However, suddenly, a loud noise came from behind him.

Splash!

Surprised, Sharack turned around. Then, several participants appeared in the air and fell directly into the water. ‘Oh no…!’ It was the same situation Sharack had experienced a while ago. Probably, the starting point for some participants, including himself, was right on this lake.

However, there was a problem. The participants who had just fallen didn’t know how to swim. “H-help us!” “I can’t swim… cough.” Seeing them struggling in the water, Sharack turned back into the lake. Could he rescue everyone alone?

‘I’ll give it a try!’

As Sharack hurriedly swam out, suddenly, in the distance, there was a clattering sound. The sound was indistinguishable. It was a carnivorous fish. “Uh, ahh!” Participants who spotted the carnivorous fish started screaming. The situation could become dangerous for Sharack as well. However, without any hesitation, he moved forward. Just as he was about to reach the nearest participant,

“Return!”

Pop!

In the end, that participant couldn’t endure the situation and pressed the bracelet to shout ‘Return.’ Seeing this, other participants made the same choice. “We’ll return!” “Return!” With a bright light, they disappeared from the lake instantly.

Sharack stared blankly at the spot where they had been.

How could the royal family let this happen?

What would happen if participants were left in a lake inhabited by carnivorous fish?

However, the sound of carnivorous fish clashing their teeth was heard again.

If he kept being absent-minded, he would also be in danger.

Sharack quickly started swimming to the opposite side. However, the carnivorous fish were faster in pursuit than he expected.

Clatter!

Just as the sharp teeth of the fish were about to catch his foot,

“Ugh…!”

Finally, he reached the edge of the lake and hastily pulled himself up. The carnivorous fish, having missed their prey, clashed their fierce teeth a few times, circled around him, and then disappeared.

Fortunately, Sharack managed to get out of the lake without major injuries.

However, his heart remained heavy like clothes soaked in water. He couldn’t save a single person. The only consolation was that no one was injured.

Still, he couldn’t stay immersed in such feelings.

This competition was genuinely dangerous.

He needed to find his colleagues quickly.

He didn’t know what might have happened to them.

He took off his wet clothes, squeezed them tightly, and then vigorously shook them towards the empty space.