Jack scooped up his little puppy, Coco, slipped on his shoes, and bolted out the front door. The glowing map hovered beside him as he ran, tracking the moving gold dot—his only clue to the King's location.
He wasn't the only one outside.
Other people were running too, panic written across their faces. No doubt they had received the same terrifying message.
"Wait, Jack!" a voice called out behind him.
He skidded to a stop and turned. It was his neighbor—Rose.
She wore slippers, black shorts, and a white zip-up jacket. Her skin was clear except for a few freckles across her cheeks, and her curly brown hair bounced with each hurried step. Her eyes were a piercing mix of blue and green.
"Rose, not now," Jack said, turning away. "I don't have time for bickering."
He remembered all too well how often she yelled at him for Coco pooping on her lawn.
"You idiot," she snapped, catching up. "I just wanted you to wait. I don't want to look for this so-called 'King' alone." She made air quotes, clearly still skeptical.
Jack didn't respond at first. But he knew—this wasn't a joke. Not with how the game spoke of elimination.
"Fine. Then hurry up," he said.
Suddenly, a pop-up appeared in front of everyone nearby, hovering in the air like a digital warning. Rose's sarcastic expression vanished.
"Not this again…" she muttered.
The message read:
"Please select one of the following: ARMORED BOX or HOLY SWORD."
"The King will make his decision shortly."
A countdown appeared in the corner of the screen: 00:59…
Jack's stomach tightened.
"We have to choose before the timer runs out," he said. "No telling what happens if we don't."
Rose glanced at the options nervously. "What do we pick?"
Jack hesitated. The glowing choices floated before him—Armored Box or Holy Sword.
He looked around. Some people were already selecting.
Rose waited, clearly relying on him to choose first.
He clenched his fists. He didn't know how the King was chosen, didn't know who they were or how they thought. Maybe they were just a scared person forced into this role… or maybe they were a cold, bloodthirsty killer.
The clock ticked down.
10… 9…
With a deep breath, Jack reached out and tapped the Holy Sword.
A second later, Rose did the same.