“I taught you everything that will help you survive. In this short time, you’ve learned to use all kinds of weapons, you should use guerrilla-style tactics, stay hidden, and only attack when you are sure to get the kill. We are almost out of time. Let’s go to the waiting area.”

  “What are my chances of survival?”

  “When we started, you had zero chances; now you might have a thirty percent chance of survival, give or take.”

  “That low! I’ll need a miracle to come back in one piece.”

  “Don't discourage yourself, you have a fighting chance now. Let’s get the elevator.”

  The elevator took them to the same floor where they had the briefing. There were a lot of people, so Chris and Arwenwel had to squeeze between the other participants to find the front desk, so Chris could discover the chamber where his group would be. He was in the thirteenth chamber with group 13B. They had to wait for group 13A to finish. From the waiting room, they could watch the ongoing match. Arwenwel had to leave Chris behind because her supervisor called her. Chris sat down in an empty seat between what looked like a minotaur and a lizerdmen. They didn't even notice that he sat next to them; they were too absorbed in the battle that was taking place.

  “That’s it, pin him down and finish him.” Said the Minotaur.

  “No, you idiot, escape from his clutches and get up.” Said the lizardman.

  'They look like two dads who are watching their favorite team play against each other. The difference is that here one of them will lose their life.'

  Chris managed to get a glimpse when the one who was cheered on by the minotaur managed to end the fight, but not without getting injured.

  “Yes! That’s it, how you do it.” The Minotaur stood up and began laughing.

  “Why are you laughing, you fool? That wound will make him an easy target.” The lizarman was amazed by his reaction.

  “You are right, but what a great honor it is for them to die in this glorious contest. My tribesmen's greatest achievement is to die on the battlefield and be taken by the god’s messengers to their eternal resting place.”

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  “That's why when people think about minotaurs, they can only see you as some barbarians that are hungry for war. You are all simple-minded creatures.”

  “I might not be bright, but I can still understand when someone is making fun of my culture. Pray that you’ll not run into me by accident, because at the first sight of you, I’ll leave everything behind and hunt you down until either of us ends dead.”

  'Note to myself, never make fun of a minotaur if I want to stay alive.'

  “What did I say? Simple-minded creature. Will see who ends up dead.”

  Their quarrel was cut short by the blare of a horn; group 13A had its victor. An elf, sharp-eyed and steady-handed, had taken down the final contender from afar with a single, silent shot. Then, everything went dark. Chris found itself seated on one of the stone pedestals arranged in a wide circle. A moment later, a voice echoed from above, deep and commanding.

  “Welcome, everyone! My name is Abugan, and I’ll be your host for today’s slaughter. Make yourself comfortable, it’s going to be a long day, maybe even longer, before a victor is decided. As you all know, only one of you will become a reaper. Now the rules are as fol...”

  “Can we start already? I’m waiting to crush some skulls.” A big ogre interrupted the host.

  “Did you just interrupt me?” The host snapped his fingers, and the ogre was struck by lightning, ending his life. “Kids these days, they don’t have any respect for their elders. Does anyone else have something to say? Good, then let’s get back to the rules. You thirty unfortunate souls, sorry twenty-nine, will fight each other on this island until one remains. There are weapons scattered around the island and necessities like food or medicine. Now, without any more delays, let the match begin.”

  As the host finished, he snapped his fingers again, and we all got randomly transported to the island.

  'I have to get a weapon and shelter, and I don't have much time. I should try to get to a vantage point to observe my surroundings.'

  It looked like Chris's luck had run out; a beastman had stumbled into the area. Luckily, Chris had climbed a tree just before they crossed paths. The creature hadn’t seen him yet, but it sniffed the air, senses sharp. It knew prey was near.

  “I can smell you, little human. It won’t be long before I find you.”

  'I just got here and I’m already screwed. Fuck my life!'

  A distant explosion drew the beastman's and Chris’s attention. On a nearby hill, two figures clashed; one human, the other a towering mass of moving stone. The human tried to cripple the giant by blasting one of its legs, but it wasn’t working. He had to keep dodging each massive swing or risk being crushed like a bug.

  “New playmates. I’ll let you be this time, human. I got your scent, and I’ll track you again. I’ll go and have fun with those new toys, have fun playing in the trees.” The beastmen began heading to the other two fighters.

  'Fuck! He knew where I was. He likes playing with his food. I have to run away and mask my scent.'

  Chris was not the only one who got in trouble. Back at the firm, Arwenwel knocked at her supervisor’s office door.