Only three days remained.
The weight of those words hung heavily over the team like a storm that refused to pass. The forest around them felt quieter than before, but not peaceful—more like it was watching them, waiting.
Daniel stood near the edge of their temporary camp, looking out at the endless stretch of trees. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting shifting shadows on the ground. Everything looked calm… but nothing felt safe.
"Three days…" Felix muttered, breaking the silence. "If we don't find the treasure soon, we're out."
Lucy crossed her arms, glancing around. "And we're not the only ones searching anymore. Yesterday we saw at least two teams nearby."
Zoya sighed softly. "Which means the chances of a fight are increasing."
Noah leaned back against a tree. "Then we don't split anymore. It's too risky now."
Everyone turned toward him.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Daniel nodded.
"He's right," Daniel said calmly. "From now on, we stay together. If we find the treasure, we protect it. If someone tries to take it…" his voice hardened slightly, "…we fight."
A faint smile appeared on Felix's face. "Finally, something exciting."
Mary didn't smile. Instead, she looked at Daniel—just for a second—before looking away again. There was still a quiet tension inside her, something she hadn't fully let go of since the competition began.
"Then it's decided," Felix said. "We move together."
The Search Begins
They moved deeper into the forest.
The terrain slowly changed as they walked. The ground became uneven, roots twisting across their path. The air felt heavier, more humid. Somewhere in the distance, the sound of rushing water grew louder.
"A waterfall," Lucy said.
As they approached, the trees opened up into a wide clearing. A tall waterfall crashed down from a rocky cliff, its mist spreading through the air like fog. Sunlight reflected through the water, creating a faint rainbow.
For a brief moment, it felt… peaceful.
But Felix wasn't looking at the waterfall.
He was scanning the surroundings carefully.
"This place is too open," he said. "If there's a treasure nearby, others would come here too."
Zoya stepped closer to the edge of the water. "Still… we should check. It could be hidden around rocks or behind the fall."
"Fine," Felix nodded. "But stay alert."
Uneasy Presence
They spread out slightly—but not too far.
Daniel and Mary stayed close together.
"Be careful," Daniel said quietly.
Mary glanced at him. "You too."
For a moment, their eyes met… and then both quickly looked away.
They continued searching—checking behind rocks, near tree roots, along the edges of the water.
Nothing.
"Nothing here," Noah called out.
"Same here," Lily added.
Felix frowned. "Then we move—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Because suddenly… the air felt different.
Zoya turned her head slowly.
"…We're not alone."
The Enemy Appears
From the other side of the clearing… figures began to emerge.
One by one.
Then more.
And more.
Dark uniforms. Confident steps. No hesitation.
The group froze.
"…How many are there?" Lucy whispered.
"Too many," Noah replied under his breath.
There were more than twenty of them.
They walked forward like they already owned the place.
Felix clenched his fists slightly but kept his voice calm. "Stay together."
The opposing group stopped a few meters away.
One boy stepped forward—tall, confident, with a smirk that made it clear he didn't see them as a threat.
"Well…" he said slowly, looking at all eight of them. "…only eight?"
A few people behind him chuckled.
Zoya narrowed her eyes.
"We didn't come here to count numbers," she said sharply.
"Oh?" the boy tilted his head. "Then what did you come for?"
Daniel stepped forward before anyone else could respond.
"Treasure," he said simply.
The boy's smirk widened.
"And you think you can compete with us?"
Daniel didn't react.
Instead, he looked straight into his eyes.
"My name is Daniel Williams."
For a split second—
Silence.
The reaction was instant.
"…Williams?"
"That Williams?"
"No way…"
Whispers spread through the enemy group.
The leader's expression changed—not fear, but interest.
"…So it's true," he said softly. "A Williams is here."
Behind Daniel, his team stayed ready—but tense.
Because even with that name…
They were still outnumbered.
The Pressure Builds
No one moved.
The waterfall roared behind them, but the silence between the two teams felt louder.
Felix leaned slightly toward Daniel. "We shouldn't fight yet."
"I know," Daniel replied quietly.
Mary's eyes moved between the two sides. Her grip tightened slightly.
Something didn't feel right.
Something was about to happen.
The Moment That Changed Everything
Then suddenly—
A voice rang out from behind.
Loud.
Clear.
Excited.
"HEY—!"
Everyone turned instantly.
Zoya stood near a cluster of rocks, her eyes wide with shock and excitement.
In her hands—
A small box.
"…I FOUND
Time froze.
Both teams stared at the box.
Then—
Slowly…
The leader of the opposing team smiled.
And this time—
There was no humor in it.