For the first time since Aria started trading—
The line didn't form.
The Quiet Protest
Morning came.
Hunger followed.
But instead of climbing uphill, contestants stayed where they were.
They whispered.
They calculated.
They tried very hard not to look in her direction.
💬 [LiveWatcher]: Are they… boycotting her?
💬 [EconomicsProf]: Classic collective denial.
Aria noticed immediately.
She simply nodded.
"…Expected."
Pride Is a Weak Resource
Downhill, a small group gathered.
"We can do this ourselves," someone insisted.
"We don't need her."
Another nodded vigorously.
"Yeah. Just need to catch something."
They spread out.
They failed.
A snare snapped too early.
A fish darted away.
A fire died under damp wood.
No one laughed this time.
The chat held its breath.
Aria Waits
She did not lower prices.
She did not announce anything.
She cleaned her knife.
Checked water.
Ate her portion.
And waited.
The cameraman shifted uncomfortably.
"…You're not worried?"
She shook her head.
"…Scarcity accelerates honesty."
The First Crack
By noon, one contestant sat apart from the others.
Hands trembling slightly.
Staring uphill.
He stood.
Walked halfway.
Stopped.
Turned back.
The drones followed him, merciless.
💬 [Watcher]: THIS IS SO UNCOMFORTABLE
He tried again.
This time, he didn't turn back.
The First Buyer Returns
He approached quietly.
Didn't speak.
Just held out his wristband.
Aria looked at him.
Then at the fish she was preparing.
"…Five hundred," she said calmly.
He nodded.
Transferred credits without comment.
She handed him the fish.
"…Eat slowly," she repeated.
He did.
Without shame.
Without resentment.
Just relief.
The Boycott Ends Without Announcement
No speech.
No argument.
Just movement.
Another person followed.
Then another.
The line reformed—not desperate, not loud.
Resigned.
Practical.
💬 [TopComment]: Reality won.
Producers Breathe (Briefly)
In the control tent, someone exhaled.
"They're buying again."
The director didn't smile.
"Of course they are."
"Why so sure?"
He watched Aria pour water.
"…Because hunger doesn't negotiate."
Aria Sets Tomorrow's Price
As evening approached, she spoke once.
Not loudly.
"…Tomorrow," she said,
"…the price increases."
No one laughed.
No one argued.
They just nodded.
Closing Beat
As dusk settled, Aria sat by her fire.
Alone again.
She didn't look victorious.
She looked patient.
"…Denial delays learning," she murmured.
"…It never prevents it."
Above her, drones hovered steadily.
Below her, people recalculated.
And the jungle—
indifferent as always—
waited for the next mistake.