(The group from Village 1 exits the room. The walls have stopped moving; Tsubaki is the last one to step out.)
Noru Takeda(He drapes an arm over Tsubaki's shoulder, pulling her into a brief hug.)Nice work, Tsubaki—we made it out. Now, on to the next level. Let's go!(He's clearly excited.)
Tensei BushidaYou seem awfully cheerful for someone who almost died in the last room.
Noru TakedaNah. I knew Tsubaki would pull it off. You can tell—once she sets her mind on something, she's stubborn enough to see it through. The other day she nearly stabbed me just to make me quit the hunter trial.
Tensei BushidaWhat? I'm starting to think trusting you so quickly might not have been the best idea.(He smiles, a bit uneasy.)
Tsubaki IkariNoru, stop making me look bad in front of the new recruits.(She's irritated.)
(Jìngzhōu looks discouraged by Noru and Tensei's exchange, while Tensei seems confused. Noru starts walking toward the stairs.)
Noru TakedaCome on. Let's show those two hunters that we deserve to be here.
Jìngzhōu WángW-Why… are you so confident?
Noru TakedaBecause I'm with all of you—the four best recruits from Village 1. Having you with me in this trial really puts me at ease.(Jìngzhōu and Tensei react in surprise.)
Noru Takeda(He turns back and smiles.)So what do you say? Onward to the next level—let's go!
Tensei & JìngzhōuYeah!(They raise their fists in support. In the background, Tsubaki and Hisoka smile.)
Tsubaki IkariI'd forgotten how good Noru is at influencing people.
Hisoka AhaneYeah. He really does have a talent for inspiring others.
(Noru and Tensei can be seen shouting "Yeah!" like overexcited kids as they dash up the stairs.)
Hisoka Ahane(Watching them with concern.)Though sometimes he takes it a bit too far.
(Jìngzhōu watches them, confused and nervous.)
Tsubaki IkariCome on, let's go before those two do something reckless.
Jìngzhōu WángWe're going to die…(She looks defeated and gloomy.)
Hisoka AhaneWhen things look bad, better to move quickly. Come on, Jìngzhōu.(He gently pushes her forward as she continues to look depressed.)
(Scene change. Noru and Tensei stand in front of a metal door fitted with a camera and speaker.)
Noru TakedaOpen the door!(He bangs on it repeatedly.)
Tensei BushidaSir, could you open it for us? We're ready for the next level.
Massaru – Scientist(From the monitoring room.)Negative. The level will open once the entire team is at the door.
Tensei BushidaCould you at least let us take a look? We promise we won't spoil anything—just to keep the surprise intact.
Massaru – ScientistI already said no. Stop bothering me, I'm very busy.(He can be seen preparing tea.)
(Hisoka, Tsubaki, and Jìngzhōu appear as they climb up the stairs.)
Noru TakedaFinally! Hey, mister-with-the-speaker, everyone's here now. Open up!
Massaru – Scientist(In his mind.)What a nuisance.
Massaru – ScientistScenario Number Two is now open: Area Reconnaissance.Proceed through to the other side and press the red button to open the door.
(The environment beyond resembles a dense jungle—dozens of trees, thick bushes, lush plants, and a heavy, humid atmosphere in the air.)
Tsubaki Ikari"What's the catch? This sounds way too easy to be true."
Noru Takeda"We gain nothing by standing around. Let's move."(He looks energetic.)
(The group pushes forward through the vegetation. Noru and Hisoka take the lead.)
Hisoka Ahane"Hey, Tensei. Any idea what this trial actually is?"
Tensei Bushida"They said it's a reconnaissance game. From a strategic standpoint, it's meant to assess threats, traps, potential enemies, terrain conditions—things like that."
Noru Takeda"But that doesn't make much sense. We've been doing most of that for the past three months."
Tensei Bushida"True. Almost all of it—except for one thing."
Hisoka Ahane"Trap reconnaissance."
(As they move forward, a sharp crack echoes through the area, followed by Jìngzhōu's piercing scream.)
Jìngzhōu Wáng"Aaaah! Ouch! It hurts— it hurts so much!"
Tensei Bushida"Yeah… that confirms it."
(Everyone turns at once. There's a hole in the ground, and inside it, Jìngzhōu's foot has been impaled on a bed of spikes hidden below.)
Noru Takeda(Rushing over, visibly shaken)"Jìngzhōu, hey—stay calm. Breathe. You're going to be okay."
(Jìngzhōu begins to cry from the pain.)
Tensei Bushida"It's a punji stake. I didn't expect these guys to use something like this."(He looks oddly impressed.)
Hisoka Ahane"Could you take this seriously?! One of our teammates is injured!"
Tensei Bushida"Relax. I am worried too. I'm just surprised by the choice of trap.I figured they'd use something more visible, easier to avoid. This kind of trap isn't meant to kill—it's meant to torture, to make us quit."
Tensei Bushida"For now, get Jìngzhōu's foot out, clean the wound, and apply pressure.I'll scout for more traps. In this kind of environment, I should be able to spot them. With some luck, no one else will get hurt."
(He smiles calmly. Hisoka looks irritated.)
Tsubaki Ikari"Hisoka, let him do what he thinks is best. Right now, we need to help Jìngzhōu."
Hisoka Ahane"…Alright."(Still clearly upset.)
(Hisoka removes the scarf covering his face.)
Hisoka Ahane"We need to free the trap from the ground. Noru, dig around it with the pick from your inventory. We have to loosen it."
(They dig until the trap is pulled free, but the spike bed is still embedded in Jìngzhōu's bleeding foot. They lay her down and lift her leg.)
Hisoka Ahane"Noru, hold the trap steady. Tsubaki and I will pull her foot out at the same time.Tsubaki, grab the toe. I'll take the heel. Once it's free, we'll remove the shoe and apply the Sealant."
Noru Takeda"Wait a second, Hisoka."
(Noru pulls out a branch from his bracelet and removes his scarf, wrapping it around the branch.)
Noru Takeda"Jìngzhōu, take this. Put it in your mouth and bite down when we pull the spikes out."
Jìngzhōu Wáng(Crying)"Please… just get it out. I can't take the pain anymore…"
(She bites down on the wrapped branch. Tsubaki and Hisoka begin pulling.Jìngzhōu's muffled screams shake the group, but they can't stop now—they need to remove the trap completely.)
(They take off her shoe. Her foot is soaked in blood.As soon as it's exposed, Noru pours the Sealant over the wound. Jìngzhōu screams while biting the branch.Steam rises slightly as the bleeding stops and the wound begins to seal.)
Jìngzhōu Wáng(Sweaty but relieved)"Thank you… all three of you."
Hisoka Ahane"We need to make sure it doesn't reopen. I'll bandage it—try not to move too much."
(He wraps his scarf around her foot.)
Hisoka Ahane"That should hold."
Jìngzhōu Wáng"Thank you… Hisoka."
Tensei Bushida(His voice echoes from somewhere ahead)"Guys… I think we've got a problem."
Noru Takeda"Tensei? Where are you? What happened?"
Tensei Bushida"The good news is that I found several traps. Most of them are punji stakes of different sizes, along with arrow traps and hanging spikes hidden in the trees. There are also fake logs meant to stop us from crossing overhead—the logs are hollow and filled with nails inside.I think the traps become more dangerous the further we go."
Tsubaki Ikari"And what's the bad news?"
Tensei Bushida"Look up."
(Tensei is shown hanging from above, suspended in the air, his eyes covered.)
Tsubaki Ikari"So it seems even you can't avoid every trap."
Tensei Bushida"This one is different. It doesn't match the theme of the level.I'm guessing they added it in case someone managed to reduce the difficulty of the trial for the rest."
Hisoka Ahane"They really do enjoy watching us suffer."
Tensei Bushida"More like they enjoy watching us think under pressure.Don't worry—follow the trail of visible traps. We were close to the exit."
Hisoka Ahane"Understood. We'll keep you informed so you can guide us."
Tensei Bushida"Good. Once you reach the last visible trap, I'll help you get through safely."
(Jìngzhōu struggles to stand up, limping on one foot. Hisoka notices and kneels down in front of her.)
Hisoka Ahane"What are you waiting for? Get on."
Jìngzhōu Wáng(Confused)"N-no, p-please… th-that's not n-necessary. I c-can hop just f-fine."(She blushes.)
Hisoka Ahane"Come on. Don't worry about it. We'll move faster this way.I'm not moving until you get on."
Jìngzhōu Wáng"…O-okay."
(They begin moving through the jungle. In the distance, traps can be seen marked on the ground with branches, and on the trees, Tensei marked the fake logs with X-shaped cuts.They advance several meters until they reach the last marked trap: a metal spiked ball.)
Noru Takeda"Tensei, we've reached the last trap. It's a spiked ball."
Tensei Bushida"That's the one. There should be about 200 meters left until the door.Cut a branch from a tree and use it as a walking staff—stab the ground as you move to make sure it's stable. Advance slowly."
(They proceed following Tensei's instructions. Noru leads, testing the ground with the branch.)
Hisoka Ahane"Tensei, there's a lake ahead."
(Noru shifts his path using the branch and continues along the edge of the lake.)
Tensei Bushida"It must be full of traps. How long is it?"
Hisoka Ahane"About a hundred meters.That's too long to try building a bridge—maybe an improvised raft would work."
Noru Takeda"There's a hatch over here."
(He carefully lifts it using a rock as a lever, staying cautious in case it's another trap.)
Tsubaki Ikari"Stairs. Looks like the next hundred meters will have to be underground."
Tensei Bushida"Most likely—but don't let your guard down. I won't be able to help you once you're down there."
Hisoka Ahane"Understood. We'll see you on the other side."
(They begin descending the stairs, roughly fifty meters down. The space is tight, with a few lamps illuminating the narrow descent.)
Hisoka Ahane"Move carefully. There's very little room to maneuver.I'll go first with Jìngzhōu—if there's a collapse trap, we'll be better positioned to clear the way."
(They advance carefully through the tunnel, with Noru at the end of the line.)(Hisoka rubs his eyes frequently; the further they go, the more symptoms appear. Jìngzhōu begins to feel nauseous and dizzy, Tsubaki develops a headache, and Noru starts coughing lightly.)
Hisoka Ahane(Gasping, struggling to breathe) Something's wrong… it feels like the air is getting thinner the deeper we go.
Tsubaki IkariMaybe there isn't even an exit. That would explain why it's getting harder to breathe.
Noru TakedaThat's possible, but it doesn't explain the rotten smell in this tunnel.
Hisoka AhaneA rotten smell? When did you start noticing it?
Noru TakedaAbout twenty meters back. It wasn't very strong at first, so I thought it wasn't bothering you.
Jìngzhōu Wáng(She vomits to the side. Hisoka grimaces in disgust while continuing to carry her.)(Still dizzy as she speaks) Hydrogen sulfide…At the academy where I studied, they taught us about gases found in mines. I don't remember all the symptoms of inhaling it, but… I know it smells like rotten eggs.
Hisoka AhaneThen that's the tunnel's trap. Take out the Hinero vial from your bracelets and drink it. I just hope it's not too late.
(One by one, they take out the vials they were given on the first day of the trial, drink them, and keep moving. Gradually, the symptoms fade until they reach the other end of the tunnel. There is another ladder leading up to an exit hatch.)(Outside, they are all seen sitting down, breathing deeply, some still coughing.)
Tsubaki IkariWe made it. Everyone's okay.
Jìngzhōu WángI'm still a little… dizzy, but I'm fine.
Hisoka AhaneThe Hinero prevented further exposure to the hydrogen sulfide, but it doesn't seem to immediately cure the symptoms once you've already inhaled it.
Tensei BushidaWelcome back. I was starting to worry, but you did well. (He is still hanging.)
Hisoka AhaneThanks. Let's get out of here—I don't think I could handle another trap like that.
Noru TakedaI'll move ahead and check for traps along the rest of the path. Catch your breath in the meantime.
(Noru cuts another tree branch and begins probing the ground with it. The door is visible ahead; he remains cautious, but there don't seem to be any more traps.)
Noru TakedaAll clear. I'm going to press the button on the door.
Tsubaki IkariAlright, we're coming.
(The door opens. Tensei is lowered and freed. They all enter a corridor, and the door closes behind them.)
Massaru – Scientist(Over the loudspeaker) Congratulations on clearing the second level of the trial. When you're ready, climb the stairs to proceed to the next level.
Noru TakedaAlright, time to move on to the next one! (He looks excited.)
Hisoka AhaneEasy, Noru. There's no need to rush. We've already cleared two levels. Maybe we should rest a bit—it's been seven hours since we entered. We should get some sleep.
Noru TakedaWhat? But—(He looks at Jìngzhōu, Tsubaki, and Hisoka, all visibly tired.)…Alright. That's probably for the best. I think I got a bit carried away.
(Scene change: the monitoring room. Massaru is reviewing the feeds while Shigeru lies on a bed.)
Shigeru – VikingThey made it. I was sure they wouldn't get past the gas trap without that Bushida kid.
Massaru – ScientistYou underestimate them. They're not as useless as they look. I'm sure they won't struggle as much in the next scenario.
Shigeru – VikingAnd Team Two? How are they doing in Level Three?
Massaru – ScientistThey still haven't figured out the trial. They decided to sleep for a while and activated the sensors, taking turns keeping watch in case of an attack. They might crack it by dawn.
Shigeru – Viking(Yawns) If that's the case, maybe it's time to—zzzzz.(He falls asleep instantly. Massaru just rolls his eyes, mildly annoyed.)