The gunshots had already given away his position.
Asad stood still for a moment, listening.
Footsteps. Multiple.
"They're coming…"
He quickly looted the fallen player—shotgun, ammo, and a basic vest. His hands moved faster now, more confident. The fear was still there, but something else had taken its place—focus.
The Survival Code flickered again in his mind.
Two red outlines appeared through the wall.
"One on the left… one behind the house."
Asad's breathing slowed.
"Think. Don't panic."
The door burst open.
A player rushed in, firing wildly with an SMG.
Asad ducked behind a table as bullets tore through the wall. Wood splintered around him.
"Come out!" the attacker shouted.
But Asad didn't respond.
Instead, he moved.
The red line flashed—predicting the enemy's next step.
Left side. Aggressive push.
Asad rolled out from cover just as the enemy advanced.
Boom!
One clean shotgun blast.
The enemy dropped instantly.
"2 KILLS CONFIRMED."
"No time…" Asad muttered.
The second enemy was still outside.
He jumped through the window, landing behind the house. Grass brushed against his hands as he crouched low.
The Survival Code activated again—
A faint path appeared, guiding his movement.
"He's waiting… aiming at the door."
Asad smirked slightly.
"Wrong guess."
He circled quietly, each step careful. The tension in the air was suffocating.
Then—
He saw him.
The second player stood near the corner, rifle ready, eyes fixed on the house entrance.
Asad raised his pistol.
For a second, time slowed.
Bang!
The bullet hit.
The enemy staggered but didn't fall. He turned quickly—
"You—!"
Bang! Bang!
This time, he dropped.
"3 KILLS CONFIRMED."
Silence.
Only the distant sound of gunfire remained.
Asad leaned against the wall, breathing heavily.
"Three people…"
His hands shook again, but less than before.
"I can't hesitate… not here."
A new message appeared in front of his eyes:
SAFE ZONE SHRINKING
NEW OBJECTIVE: REACH THE CIRCLE
He looked at the map in his mind. The next zone was far. Too far to reach on foot safely.
"I need transport… or teammates."
Teammates.
The word felt strange now.
Could he trust anyone here?
Before he could think further, a voice called out:
"Hey! Don't shoot!"
Asad instantly raised his gun, turning toward the sound.
A girl stepped out slowly from behind a tree, hands up.
"I'm alone," she said carefully. "I don't want to fight."
Asad narrowed his eyes.
"Everyone says that."
She gave a weak smile. "And yet, you didn't shoot immediately. That means you're thinking the same thing I am."
"And what's that?"
"That surviving alone is harder."
Asad stayed silent.
The Survival Code didn't show any immediate threat from her. No red lines. No danger signals.
For now… she was safe.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Zara."
He hesitated for a moment, then lowered his gun slightly.
"…Asad."
A temporary alliance.
Nothing more.
But deep down, both of them knew—
In this world, trust could break faster than a trigger pull.
And only one of them could truly win.