The colonies had gone strangely quiet.
No more desperate players running through the streets.
No more frantic requests to leave.
No more Kogane announcements.
Everyone who wanted out was already gone.
Now there was only one thing left.
Takeru looked around at the remaining group.
Yuji.
Megumi.
Higuruma.
Nanami.
Hana.
Sukuna.
Takaba.
And everyone else who had chosen to stay until the end.
Takeru smiled.
"Alright."
He looked at his Kogane.
"Let's get us out."
The Kogane hovered in front of him.
"Please specify the desired action."
"Same thing."
Takeru raised his hand.
"Use the points."
Higuruma stepped forward.
"I'll help coordinate."
"Perfect."
One by one, the players were processed.
"Rule activated."
"Player has exited the Culling Game."
Another.
"Rule activated."
Another.
And another.
Takeru kept going.
His points dropped rapidly.
But he didn't stop.
Yuji looked at him.
"You're really using all of them?"
Takeru nodded.
"Yep."
"Even after everything?"
"Yep."
Takeru smiled.
"We're leaving together."
The final few players were processed.
"Rule activated."
"Player has exited the Culling Game."
Silence.
Takeru looked around.
"…Is that everyone?"
The Kogane floated beside him.
"Confirmed."
Takeru blinked.
Then smiled.
"Finally."
The barrier began to dissolve.
The oppressive cursed energy that had surrounded the colony faded.
The streets became quiet.
Normal.
Yuji stepped forward.
"We're actually out."
Megumi looked around.
"…Finally."
Higuruma exhaled.
"It appears the Culling Game is over for us."
Nanami adjusted his tie.
"A welcome development."
Takaba threw his arms into the air.
"WE'RE FREE!"
Takeru laughed.
"Yeah."
He looked back at the empty streets.
So many people had entered these colonies.
Some had fought.
Some had suffered.
Some had simply wanted to survive.
And now…
they could leave.
Takeru stretched.
"Alright."
He looked toward the others.
"Let's go home."
Yuji smiled.
"Yeah."
The group began walking away.
For the first time in a long while…
there was no barrier waiting for them.
No points.
No rules.
No Kogane.
Just freedom.
Takeru looked up at the sky.
"…Finally."