Tokyo Colony 1
The group continued down the street.
Takeru suddenly stopped.
"Wait."
Yuji looked back.
"What?"
Takeru looked upward.
His Kogane appeared beside him.
Takeru pointed at it.
"Add a rule."
The Kogane hovered in place.
"Please state the proposed rule."
Takeru spoke clearly.
"A player can exit the Culling Game by spending 100 points and inviting a substitute player from outside the barrier to take their place."
The Kogane remained silent for a moment.
Then—
"Rule accepted."
A ripple of cursed energy spread throughout the colony.
The new rule was added.
Yuji stared.
"…That was easy."
Takeru nodded.
"Yep."
Higuruma looked thoughtful.
"That could allow players who no longer wish to participate to leave."
Nanami nodded.
"And replace them with someone from outside."
Megumi frowned.
"Which means someone else has to take their place."
Takeru shrugged.
"That's the trade."
Hana looked at him.
"Why add it?"
Takeru smiled.
"Because there are people who shouldn't have to stay trapped in this."
He looked toward the distant barrier.
"And if someone wants out badly enough to spend 100 points…"
He turned back toward the group.
"…they should have a way out."
Yuji nodded.
"Fair."
Takeru looked up at his Kogane.
"And now…"
He pointed dramatically.
"Let's go find Takaba."
The Kogane hovered beside him.
"…I have no information regarding Takaba's current location."
Takeru sighed.
"Worth asking."