The SSS Beast King: Rebirth of the Legendary Predator
Chapter 45: Forgotten Bonds

Chapter 45: Forgotten Bonds

I stared in utter confusion. It felt like my brain had broken down or malfunctioned. I couldn’t realize what I had done wrong. Even if the real number was bigger than the one I calculated, this still should have been possible! My thinking was flawless, but what wasn’t was my idea.

In the first round, I looked at the majority of the chest around me, and the highest I found was seven. Just by this I now realize that the final number should have been from five to ten. It’s pretty logical if I think of it now.

I clenched my fist, as I felt the blood start to boil from my sudden frustration. Sweat dripped on the ground from my forehead. How many times had I escaped death in this game?

If the highest amount of golden coins spent was seven, then they would have thirteen for the second and third rounds. And even if for some reason they deposited six coins in the second round, they would still have seven.

I was too focused on the idea that many had spent all of their gold in the first round, my calculation and everything was great, but only in that scenario.

But it makes me wonder, how Anri figured this out, I didn’t tell her anything about what I had done in the first round, so she was completely oblivious. Was it dumb luck, or was she a genius in disguise?

I should be grateful, shouldn’t I? She saved my life after all, I should even thank those who said that those who didn’t work together with their teammate shouldn’t be allowed to play in the last round.

So why did I feel a weird sensation in my stomach? Something felt wrong, I just couldn’t put my finger on it. This... only made her more untrustworthy.

[The winners of this game will be chosen through the number of golden coins left...]

I just knew my expression radiated pride. My smile showed all of my teeth, this grin fueled by my genius, even after I got the last round completely wrong, how hypocritical. I’m not quite sure why I was this happy to have figured out just a simple thing. I probably wasn’t even the only one who had figured it out.

Now, we should have won, picking the number just above the lowest in every round, what is the chance of that happening... well there’s no point in calculating it since the system is going to announce the winner shortly either way.

[The winners of the first game are... Anri Ashcroft and Jacob Moon.]

...

So what did we even win again? What had I put my soul and mind to acquire? What was my prize for dominating this game? Immunity right? Seems pretty underwhelming. I sighed, but who knows what this immunity does?

I rolled around on one of the many couches. Since I won the first round, I had many people approach me, some more friendly than others. Some fell to their knees and asked for mercy, the reason for this I only learned later on.

Immunity doesn’t only do what its name is, but it lets you nominate people to be eliminated. Which gave it a whole new nature. It wasn’t just a way to ensure your survival in the food chain, but one to control it entirely.

[The people are getting bored, do something...]

I’ll never get used to the system speaking so ordinarily. It sometimes acts like this, like it isn’t a machine, but a real being. It’s weird, and new.

Now what was it trying to say? Well, simple. Just like at any other TV show, people want to see more of the winners, how they’re using their reward, or just how their abilities are outside the games.

And I guess the system though wasn’t doing a very good job at entertaining them. Well, it wasn’t like I care. Plus, I wasn’t the only winner, so why wasn’t it bothering Anri?

The moon had revealed its beauty a while ago, so who was even watching at this hour? And what was I even supposed to do, recreate some of those scripted pranks? ’Yeah, like hell.’

But I have to say, the sparkling light of the blue moon was quite stunning. The moon in general is always beautiful in The Core. It’s one of the only things The Core inherited from humans through good memories and not those that seem like absolute nightmares like everything else in this cursed place.

As I was watching the moon, I suddenly sensed someone approaching from behind. I turned to see who it was, thinking it was someone else coming to cry for mercy. I can’t say I didn’t smile a little at that though.

My eyes widened. ’Wait.’ Black hair that I can only compare to the color of the endless abyss. Those eyes that pulled you in like black holes. That tall figure was an ancient warrior, but at the same time so thin. ’Dusk? Oh come on, can you stop following me!’

But no truly, just when I thought I had gotten rid of this guy he comes back. What did he even want? Don’t tell me he was also here to plead for his survival. Can’t say I wouldn’t like seeing that.

’Oh Dusk, even with our past memories, I’m not sure if I can prioritize your safety. But I guess if you do something for me I’ll think of it.’ I felt so good, it was time this kid started to show his elders some respect.

I saw how his face changed to one of disgust. Had I said something wrong? I guess I am a little overboard, but I couldn’t have wasted this opportunity. Did he miss me or something? That must be it, he just missed me.

"Who are you?" I froze, dumbfounded by his answer, I felt my heart skip a beat at this sudden confession. Was this a prank? How could he not remember me? I haven’t meanwhile spent all that time in the abyss, so how did he.?It had only been a day or two.

How did he forget who I was?