I stood there, watching her smile at me as the wind gently swept through her hair. For a moment, everything seemed perfect. But as I looked closer, something felt different.

It was in her eyes.

Beneath that beautiful smile, there was a sadness I couldn't understand. It was as if they were silently telling me something—I'm sorry.

I stared at her, my mind drifting back to what she had said earlier. The more I thought about it, the more confused I became. The smile on my face slowly disappeared as I took a step toward her.

Then I saw it.

A small tear slipped down her cheek.

(My confusion only grew. Why was she crying?)

Before I could ask, her lips parted, and in a trembling voice barely louder than a whisper, she said,

"Liam, I'm sorry."

My eyes widened.

"What do you mean—?"

The words never left my mouth.

Suddenly, my vision began to blur. The world around me twisted and faded as if it were being swallowed by a thick fog. The sound of the wind vanished. Her figure grew distant, slipping further and further away.

The last thing I saw was her tear-stained face.

Then everything went dark.

The moment I opened my eyes, light ceiling was the first thing I saw.

As my vision became cleared, I jolted waking up and looked around.

And I was in a place where nothingness was scene only white color no other one.

The moment I opened my eyes, a bright white ceiling was the first thing that came into view.

As my vision slowly cleared, I jolted upright and looked around in confusion.

I found myself standing in a place filled with nothingness. No walls. No doors. No sky. No ground that I could truly recognize.

There was only white.

An endless expanse of pure white stretching in every direction, as if the world itself had been erased and replaced by a blank canvas.

I turned around, searching for anything—anything at all—but there was nothing to see.

The silence was just as unsettling as the emptiness.

"Where... am I?"

My voice echoed faintly through the void before fading away, leaving me alone in the endless sea of white.

As I stood there, trying to make sense of what was happening, a black screen suddenly appeared in front of me.

It materialized out of nowhere, floating in the endless white void.

Startled, I took a step back.

The contrast between the pitch-black screen and the surrounding whiteness was impossible to ignore.

Lines of text slowly appeared across its surface.

Rules and Guidelines

I blinked several times, wondering if I was seeing things.

"Rules and guidelines...?"

The words only left me more confused.

(What kind of place was this?)

(Why was there a screen floating in front of me?)

(And why would a place like this need rules?)

Countless questions raced through my mind as I stared at the strange message, unable to understand what it meant.

I was about to start reading the words on the screen when a voice suddenly echoed through the white void.

It was neither male nor female.

Cold.

Emotionless.

Mechanical.

[Welcome to the Land of Veritas, Marked G.07.

You have arrived on the island. Survival is not guaranteed. Follow these rules carefully.]

The screen shifted, and lines of text appeared one after another.

As the voice read them aloud, my confusion slowly turned into disbelief.

(An island?)

(Survival?)

(Death?)

(What kind of sick joke was this?)

[Rule 1: Stay Alive

Your primary objective is survival. Death is permanent.

Rule 2: Remain Within the Active Zone

Restricted areas are marked by the System. Entering them may result in injury, disappearance, or death.

Rule 3: Do Not Travel Alone

The island punishes isolation. Travel with at least one companion whenever possible.

Rule 4: Every Choice Has Consequences

The island records all actions. Kindness, cruelty, courage, and betrayal may all shape your future. Choose wisely.

Rule 5: Unknown Creatures Are Hostile

Do not approach unfamiliar creatures unless absolutely necessary.

Rule 6: Trust With Caution

All participants seek survival. Some may become allies. Others may become threats.

Rule 7: Follow Marked Paths

Red markers indicate relatively safe routes. Unmarked areas are unexplored and highly dangerous.

Rule 8: Listen to Warnings

Emergency announcements and system messages are issued for a reason. Ignoring them may result in death.

Rule 9: Complete Objectives

Special tasks will appear periodically. Completing them grants rewards. Failure may carry consequences.

Rule 10: Participate in Every Task Given

All assigned tasks must be completed. Refusing to participate, abandoning a task, or deliberately failing an objective may result in penalties. Tasks are designed to test your abilities, cooperation, and determination to survive.

Guidance

• Observe before acting.

• Gather information whenever possible.

• Form alliances, but prepare for betrayal.

• Keep a weapon and emergency supplies with you at all times.

• Rest when safe, but remain vigilant.

• Adapt to changing circumstances.

• A wrong answer can be just as deadly as a wrong action.

Final Warning

The island does not forgive mistakes. Every choice matters. Survive, uncover the island's secrets, and find a way home.

Good luck, Participant.]

The voice fell silent.

I stood frozen, staring at the screen.

My heart pounded against my chest.

"What...?"

The word escaped my lips as a whisper.

None of this made sense.

(An island? Participants? Objectives?)

It sounded like something out of a game—or a nightmare.

Yet the cold, lifeless voice carried a certainty that made it impossible to dismiss.

I clenched my fists.

"Find a way home..."

The phrase echoed in my mind.

Home.

Suddenly, the memory of the her flashed before my eyes—her sad smile, the tears on her cheeks, and those final words.

A chill ran down my spine.

Looking back at the black screen, I could no longer shake the feeling that whatever had happened to me...

...was no accident.

As I was thinking about her, the voice from the screen came again.

This time, however, it sounded lighter and more cheerful. Hearing it eased some of the tension in my chest.

[Hello, Marked G.07.]

A young boy voice chimed happily.

[I'm Vera, your System Assistant. For today, I will provide guidance, information, and support regarding your activities on Veritas Island. While I cannot interfere directly with the game, I can help you understand the island and its many dangers.]

A detailed map suddenly appeared on the screen. The island slowly rotated while different locations lit up one by one.

[Welcome to your island overview.]

The first section highlighted the endless blue sea surrounding the landmass.

{The Ocean Boundary}

[An endless body of water surrounds Veritas Island.]

The map zoomed outward, revealing nothing but ocean beyond the shoreline.

[Escape is impossible. No participant has successfully crossed the boundary. Attempts to leave the island often result in disappearance, death, or forced retrieval by the System.]

The next area flashed red.

{Dynamic Danger Zones}

Large sections of the island pulsed like warning lights.

[These zones change periodically. Environmental hazards, hostile creatures, and unpredictable events may occur within them. Entering a danger zone is not prohibited, but survival is not guaranteed.]

Several ruined structures appeared across the map.

{Scattered Ruins & Supply Zones}

[These locations contain valuable resources such as weapons, tools, food, medicine, and rare equipment.]

The screen displayed broken temples, abandoned facilities, and crumbling watchtowers.

[Competition for supplies is extremely high. Exercise caution.]

The map shifted toward wide grasslands and rocky terrain.

{Open Fields & Cliffs}

[Areas with excellent visibility but limited cover.]

Images showed steep cliffs overlooking the sea and vast fields stretching toward the horizon.

[These locations frequently become sites of confrontation. Movement can be easily detected by other participants.]

Next, nearly half the island became covered in dark green.

{Dense Forests}

[The forests contain hidden routes, natural resources, and numerous secrets.]

The image displayed tangled roots, towering trees, and narrow trails disappearing into the darkness.

[However, visibility is limited. Participants have gone missing within these regions. Proceed carefully.]

Sixteen glowing markers appeared around the outer edges of the island.

{The Sixteen Buildings}

[Sixteen structures are positioned around the island's perimeter.]

Each marker revealed a different building—mansions, forts, lodges, academies, and bunkers.

[Every group is assigned one building. These structures serve as shelters, strategic headquarters, storage areas, and, in many cases, battlefields.]

The markers slowly dimmed.

Then the entire map darkened.

Only one location remained illuminated.

A massive black tower stood at the exact center of the island.

The atmosphere instantly became heavier.

{The Core}

[The heart of Veritas Island.]

The tower stretched far above the clouds, its dark surface reflecting no light.

[The Selectors reside here.]

The screen zoomed closer.

Countless windows lined the tower, but none revealed what was inside.

[The Core functions as the control center of the game. Monitoring, rule enforcement, event management, and participant evaluation are all conducted from this structure.]

For the first time, Vera's cheerful voice became noticeably quieter.

[Access to the Core is heavily restricted.]

A warning symbol appeared.

[Unauthorized entry is considered an extreme-risk action.]

The map vanished.

Vera's smiling avatar returned to the screen.

[Island overview complete.]

He placed his hands behind his back and smiled.

[Would you like to receive information regarding the participants, the Selectors, or today's first objective, Marked G.07?]

The screen waited silently for my answer.

"Why do you keep calling me Marked G.07?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at the screen. "Is it just some identification code, or does it actually mean something? What exactly was marked, and who decided it?"

[An excellent question, Marked G.07.]

Vera smiled pleasantly.

[The designation is not a name. It is a classification.]

The screen flickered, and an image appeared—a strange symbol branded into the back of my right hand.

[Every participant chosen for Veritas receives a Mark. The letter identifies the category assigned by your Selector, while the symbol on your hand identifies the one who chose you.]

I lowered my gaze to the mark on my hand.

"Category?"

Vera's smile never wavered.

[Access to that information is currently restricted.]

A brief silence followed.

Then she continued.

[However, I can tell you this: participants are never chosen at random. Every Mark exists for a reason.]

The words settled heavily in my chest.

For some reason, that answer unsettled me far more than any warning she had given before.

I was about to ask another question when the room suddenly trembled beneath my feet.

"What is happening?" I asked, turning toward Vera.

[It is only a minor tremor. It will cease once the process is complete.]

"Process?"

[Yes. A process in which this white room will be transformed.]

The moment Vera finished speaking, the endless white floor began to change. Color spread across its surface like paint flowing over a canvas. Moments later, the walls followed, their blank whiteness fading into warm tones.

Then a window materialized where there had been nothing before.

Furniture slowly emerged from the empty space—a bed, a desk, a chair, and a cabinet. Each piece seemed to assemble itself out of countless particles of light before becoming solid.

The room continued to shake gently as the transformation progressed.

Finally, a door appeared on the far wall.

I watched in stunned silence as the empty chamber was gradually replaced by what looked like an ordinary bedroom. In less than a minute, the sterile white room had become almost comfortable.

The trembling eventually faded, leaving only the faint hum of the System behind.

[Room initialization complete.] Vera announced with a satisfied smile.

[Now is the time for you to leave this room.] Vera said. [You are free to explore the sixteen buildings scattered across the island. However, be warned—some places are dangerous. Proceed carefully, Marked G.07.]

A cabinet beside the wall clicked open.

[And change into the clothes provided inside that cabinet.]

I followed he's instructions and opened it.

Inside was a neatly folded set of clothes.

After changing, I examined myself in the mirror.

The outfit resembled a military uniform, but it was designed more like a hooded jacket. It was lightweight, practical, and surprisingly comfortable.

As I adjusted the sleeves, something caught my attention.

The Mark.

It was no longer on my forearm.

My eyes widened as I noticed the symbol now resting on the back of my right hand.

A chill ran down my spine.

"Vera... why did the Mark move?"

[That is perfectly normal, Marked G.07.]

"Really?"

[Yes.]

The answer came so quickly that it somehow made me even more suspicious.

I stared at the symbol for a few more seconds before letting out a quiet sigh.

[Well then, Marked G.07.]

Vera's cheerful voice echoed through the room.

[Go outside and learn more about this place and its inhabitants. Observe everything carefully—the buildings, the environment, and most importantly, the people.]

The screen flickered softly.

[Trust is the most valuable resource on Veritas. Find people who will not betray you.]

A brief pause followed.

For the first time, Vera's smile seemed almost serious.

[Because once you leave this room, I will no longer be able to assist you directly. My support is limited to this residence.]

I nodded slowly.

"So from this point on... I'm on my own."

[Correct.]

The room fell silent.

Taking a deep breath, I walked toward the door.

My hand hovered over the handle.

Beyond it lay an island filled with strangers, secrets, and dangers I couldn't even begin to imagine.

Whatever awaited me on the other side...

...the beginning of a story that would change my life forever.

"Liam... I'm sorry." Tears streamed down my cheeks as I gave Liam a faint, bittersweet smile.

My long black hair swayed gently in the wind as I spoke those words.

Liam looked at me in confusion. He opened his mouth, about to say something, but before he could speak, Kent suddenly appeared behind him and struck the side of his neck.

Liam's eyes widened in surprise before his body went limp, and he collapsed unconscious.

I simply stood there and watched it happen without a word.

"Put him on the plane." My gaze turned cold as I gave the order.

"Yes, Ma'am," Kent replied respectfully.

Without hesitation, he lifted Liam into his arms and carried him toward the waiting airplane.

 "Ehhh?"

A voice called out from behind me.

But I recognized it instantly.

"That was the last one, right?" he asked.

"Liam was his name, wasn't it?" he added.

I turned around, and there he was—just as I expected.

Joseph Larson stood a few steps away, wearing the same carefree grin that always seemed to be plastered across his face.

"Why are you here, Joseph?" I asked as I walked past him toward the other plane.

"Nothing special," he replied with a shrug, falling into step beside me. "I just came to wish my fellow Selector good luck."

His grin only widened as he followed me toward my plane.

 "Hey, Gianna, you wouldn't mind giving me a ride to Veritas Island, right?" Joseph asked.

I shot him a sharp glare.

He immediately flinched.

"Haha—just this once!" he said quickly, rubbing the back of his head with an awkward smile. "I promise I won't ask again next time."

I let out a weary sigh.

Sometimes, arguing with Joseph was more exhausting than simply giving in.

"Fine."

His eyes lit up instantly.

"Really? Yay!" he shouted excitedly, looking more like a child who had just received a gift than an adult.

I shook my head in disbelief.

A few minutes later, we boarded the plane. Joseph practically skipped up the stairs while I followed behind at a much calmer pace.

Once everyone was on board, the engines roared to life.

The plane slowly began moving along the runway before accelerating into the sky, carrying us toward Veritas Island.

 "You really have a taste for luxury, Gianna," Joseph said as he leaned back in his seat, glancing around the cabin of my private plane.

The soft hum of the engines filled the silence.

I didn't answer.

My eyes remained fixed on the window as the clouds drifted past outside.

Joseph studied me for a moment before speaking again.

"Hey."

I remained silent.

"Why did you choose them?"

The playful tone he usually carried was gone.

"Aren't they your friends?"

His gaze sharpened.

"Well... except for Liam."

The cabin suddenly felt colder.

"Just a minute ago, you looked at him differently than the others."

I slowly turned my head toward him.

Joseph was no longer smiling.

For once, he looked genuinely serious.

"What are you trying to say?" I asked calmly.

"I'm asking why."

He folded his arms.

"We've both been Selectors long enough to know what this means."

His voice was quiet.

"You didn't choose random people."

I looked away again.

The clouds outside seemed endless.

"They all had potential," I replied.

Joseph let out a dry laugh.

"That's the official answer."

Silence.

"Try again."

My fingers tightened slightly against the armrest.

Joseph noticed.

Of course he did.

He always noticed things he wasn't supposed to.

"You're unusually interested," I said.

"Because you're unusually emotional."

His response came immediately.

The words hung heavily between us.

For several seconds, neither of us spoke.

Then Joseph sighed.

"You cried."

My expression remained unchanged.

"You never cry, Gianna."

The steady drone of the engines seemed louder than before.

"Not when missions fail."

"Not when people die."

"Not even when you became a Selector."

His eyes locked onto mine.

"But you cried for Liam."

I closed my eyes.

A painful memory flashed through my mind.

A boy smiling.

A promise made years ago.

A future that would never happen.

When I opened my eyes again, the emotion was gone.

Buried.

Locked away.

"He'll survive," I said.

Joseph shook his head.

"That's not what I asked."

The cabin fell silent once more.

For several moments, only the steady hum of the engines could be heard.

Then I finally spoke.

"They will be the ones to succeed my plan."

My cold gaze settled on Joseph.

The moment our eyes met, his expression changed.

Joseph immediately became alert.

He had seen that look before.

It was the look I wore whenever I had already decided on someone's fate.

"And when that plan succeeds," I continued calmly, "Veritas's wrongdoings will be exposed."

I tilted my head slightly, resting my cheek against the back of my palm as I stared at him.

"And its Patrons will fall along with it."

The temperature inside the cabin seemed to drop.

For the first time since boarding the plane, Joseph looked genuinely uneasy.

The usual carefree grin on his face faded.

Instead, a small, nervous smile appeared.

"That plan of yours..."

He paused.

"...am I part of it?"

There was a trace of humor in his voice, but it failed to hide the caution underneath.

I looked at him for a moment.

A long moment.

Then I turned my gaze back toward the window.

The answer never came.

Joseph stared at me in silence.

The absence of a response was somehow more unsettling than any answer I could have given.

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Yeah..."

He leaned back in his seat.

"I figured."

Neither of us spoke again.

Beyond the glass, endless clouds stretched across the sky.

Inside the cabin, silence reigned.

Only the distant roar of the engines accompanied us as the plane carried us closer and closer to Veritas Island.

___________

Several hours later, our plane finally arrived at Veritas Island.

As the aircraft descended through the clouds, the island came into view.

At its center stood a massive circular structure that towered above everything else—a symbol of Veritas's authority and power.

The plane slowly approached the rooftop landing platform located at the very top of the building.

This was the Core of Veritas Island.

The heart of the entire organization.

A place where the ten Patrons, three Hosts, and more than thirty Selectors resided and carried out their duties.

The aircraft touched down smoothly on the landing pad.

A few moments later, the engines powered down.

Joseph stretched his arms as he stood up.

"Home sweet home," he muttered.

I ignored him and stepped out of the plane.

A cool breeze immediately greeted me.

Waiting near the landing platform was a woman with long silver-blonde hair and sharp blue eyes.

She wore an elegant white coat over a formal black outfit, giving her an air of authority that few could match.

The moment she spotted me, a bright smile appeared on her face.

"Gianna!"

Jeannette Robertson.

One of Veritas Island's three Hosts.

And one of the few people I considered a friend.

She walked toward me with confident strides.

"It's been a while," she said.

"Three months," I replied.

Jeannette laughed.

"You actually counted."

"Someone had to."

Her smile widened.

For a brief moment, the tension that had been following me seemed to ease.

Then her eyes shifted toward Joseph, who had just stepped off the plane behind me.

"...And of course you brought trouble with you."

"Hey!" Joseph protested. "That's a terrible way to greet someone."

"It's an accurate way."

Joseph placed a hand over his chest as if wounded.

"I've always treated you with kindness, Jeannette."

"That's exactly why I'm suspicious."

I could feel a headache coming just from listening to them.

Jeannette glanced back at me.

The amusement in her eyes gradually faded.

Instead, her expression became serious.

"You've completed the selection?"

"Yes."

"And the candidates?"

"They've all been secured."

Jeannette nodded slowly.

"I see."

There was something in her gaze.

Concern.

As if she already knew there was more to the story than I was willing to tell.

But being the person she was, she didn't ask.

Not here.

Not in front of Joseph.

Instead, she stepped aside and gestured toward the large entrance leading into the Core.

"The others are waiting."

Her words caused the atmosphere to grow noticeably heavier.

The others.

The Hosts.

The Patrons.

And the Selectors who served under them.

I stared at the towering doors ahead.

Sooner or later, every plan had to begin.

And mine was no exception.

"Let's go," I said.

Without another word, I walked toward the entrance of the Core.

The others followed behind me.

-------

As we entered the room, we were greeted by a grand gathering.

Rows of chairs were occupied by the Selectors, each seated in their designated places. In front of them stood twenty-six additional chairs, reserved for the Top 26 Selectors. Towering above the hall were ten giant screens, each displaying the shadowed silhouette of one of the Ten Patrons. Their identities remained hidden, their presence alone enough to command respect and silence.

At the front of the room were three chairs reserved for the hosts.

Jeannette took her seat in the center host's chair, carrying herself with calm authority.

Joseph walked toward the Selectors' section and sat in the tenth chair.

As for me, I made my way to the seventh chair and settled into my seat, quietly observing the room as everyone prepared for the voting to begin.

Then—

The chamber echoed with laughter.

One after another, the Patrons cast their votes.

Glowing symbols appeared beside the names of the chosen groups on the enormous screens, marking predictions of victory, failure, and survival. To the Patrons, it was less a serious evaluation and more a form of entertainment.

"A complete waste of a selection."

One of the shadowed figures scoffed.

"I give them five days."

"Five?" another replied. "You're far too optimistic."

A wave of amusement spread through the screens.

"They'll be dead before the first month is over."

"Just like the last batch."

"Just like the batch before that."

The laughter grew louder.

Many of the Selectors remained expressionless. They had heard these remarks countless times before. The Patrons enjoyed reminding them of one simple truth:

Everyone eventually died in the game.

Every candidate.

Every champion.

Every hopeful soul is selected for greatness.

Sooner or later, death claimed them all.

One Patron leaned back in their seat.

"You Selectors become attached too easily."

Another nodded.

"You spend years searching for talent, nurturing potential, building expectations..."

Their voice dripped with mock sympathy.

"...only to watch them die."

More laughter followed.

The chamber felt less like a council meeting and more like a gathering of predators discussing prey.

I remained silent in my seat.

Joseph looked equally uninterested.

Even Jeannette simply watched from the host's chair without interruption.

The Patrons continued their amusement.

Until—

A chair moved.

The sound was barely audible.

A simple scrape against the floor.

Yet it was enough.

Instantly, the laughter vanished.

The room fell silent.

Not gradually.

Not awkwardly.

Completely.

The kind of silence that seemed to swallow sound itself.

I looked toward the source.

Gianna had stood up.

The woman herself hadn't said a single word.

She merely rose from her seat.

And somehow, that was enough to silence ten Patrons.

The newer Selectors looked confused.

Some glanced between the screens and Gianna, unable to understand what had happened.

The older Selectors, however, understood perfectly.

Because all of them remembered.

Three years ago.

The same chamber.

The same screens.

The same seats.

The same Patrons.

And the same woman.

Back then, Gianna had stood exactly where she stood now.

She had been younger.

Less experienced.

Far weaker than she was today.

Yet she had done something nobody had ever dared to do.

She had threatened the Patrons directly.

The memory remained vivid in everyone's minds.

A chilling memory.

Not because of her words.

But because of how she had spoken to them.

She laughed.

A strange laugh.

A laugh filled with excitement rather than fear.

As though she had been offered the greatest challenge of her life.

As though the thought of opposing the Patrons genuinely entertained her.

Her eyes had sparkled.

Her smile had stretched wider and wider.

And while standing in the center of this very room, she had declared—

"I'll be the one to destroy you."

The entire chamber had frozen.

Yet she hadn't stopped.

Her laughter had grown louder.

"I'll tear down the Patrons."

Another laugh.

"And when I'm finished..."

Her gaze had swept across every screen.

"...this island will fall with you."

For a moment, nobody had spoken.

Nobody had moved.

The declaration sounded insane.

Completely insane.

And perhaps that was why it had been so terrifying.

Because Gianna sounded like she was having fun.

As though she genuinely intended to do it.

As though she could already see it happening.

Many Patrons had mocked her afterward.

Others had dismissed her as a delusional fool.

But three years had passed.

And things had changed.

Far too many things.

Impossible accomplishments.

Broken expectations.

Carefully laid plans overturned one after another.

Again and again, Gianna had achieved things that should not have been possible.

And with every success, the memory of that declaration became harder to laugh at.

The present returned.

The chamber remained silent.

Gianna slowly lifted her gaze toward the ten screens.

The shadows of the Patrons stared back.

No one laughed.

No one mocked her.

No one even interrupted.

A faint smile appeared on her face.

Not a threatening smile.

Not an angry one.

The same smile that had unsettled everyone three years ago.

The smile of someone who genuinely enjoyed impossible challenges.

She crossed her arms.

Then she spoke.

"Continue."

Her voice was calm.

Dangerously calm.

"What happened?"

Her eyes moved across the screens.

"You were all laughing a moment ago."

The silence deepened.

Several Selectors lowered their heads to hide their expressions.

Even the hosts remained quiet.

Gianna tilted her head slightly.

The smile never leaves her face.

"Don't stop on my account."

Nobody answered.

Not a single Patron.

And for the first time that day, the ones who had been laughing moments before looked far less amused than the people they had been mocking.

Gianna's room was illuminated by the cold glow of six surveillance screens lined across the wall. Each monitor displayed a different individual confined within an identical white room, their every movement carefully observed.

Seated before the screens, Gianna leisurely sipped her coffee. Her golden-yellow eyes reflected the flickering lights of the monitors as she silently watched the six participants. After a moment, she let out a quiet sigh, the sound barely audible in the otherwise silent room.

"What's with that sigh?"

A voice suddenly spoke from behind her.

Gianna didn't need to turn around to recognize it.

Leaning casually against the doorway was Jeannette, a playful smile dancing across her lips as she watched her friend from across the room.

Jeannette stepped closer and examined the six surveillance screens.

Unlike most newcomers, none of the people inside the white rooms were panicking.

None screamed.

None pounded on the walls.

None begged for answers.

Instead, they remained surprisingly calm.

Yet the confusion on their faces was impossible to hide.

Their eyes wandered around the unfamiliar rooms, silently searching for clues while trying to understand what was happening.

Jeannette tilted her head.

"They're handling it better than most."

"Of course they are."

Gianna's answer came immediately.

Her golden eyes never left the screens.

"I chose them myself."

Jeannette wasn't surprised.

That only made her more curious.

"What's so special about them?"

Gianna rested her chin on one hand.

"They're survivors."

The confidence in her voice was absolute.

"They have the intelligence to endure the psychological games."

Her gaze shifted to another monitor.

"The adaptability to overcome the physical trials."

Another screen.

"And most importantly..."

A faint smile formed on her lips.

"They have the potential to win."

Jeannette stared at her.

Winning wasn't a word used lightly on Veritas Island.

Most participants died long before reaching the end.

Even those considered talented eventually broke.

Yet Gianna sounded certain.

Almost excited.

"You think all six can make it that far?"

Gianna chuckled.

"No."

Her smile widened.

"I think they can go much further than that."

The room fell silent.

The screens continued displaying the six individuals, each isolated from the others.

Separated.

Confused.

Completely unaware of the role they were about to play.

Jeannette narrowed her eyes.

"You didn't choose them just because they're talented."

It wasn't a question.

It was a statement.

Gianna slowly leaned back in her chair.

The amusement on her face deepened.

"Naturally."

Her fingers lightly tapped against the armrest.

"If all I wanted was entertainment, there are plenty of candidates."

The monitors reflected in her golden eyes.

"But these six are different."

Jeannette felt a strange chill run down her spine.

Whenever Gianna looked that pleased, someone was usually about to suffer.

"Different how?"

For a brief moment, Gianna remained silent.

Then she smiled.

A smile that carried neither kindness nor mercy.

"They're pieces."

Jeannette frowned.

"Pieces?"

"Pieces that will help me tear this rotten island apart."

The atmosphere inside the room instantly changed.

The playful mood vanished.

Only cold determination remained.

Gianna's eyes focused on the six screens.

On the six people who had no idea they had already become part of something much larger than themselves.

"The Patrons believe they're untouchable."

Her voice was calm.

Too calm.

"They believe Veritas Island will exist forever."

A soft laugh escaped her lips.

"How arrogant."

Jeannette said nothing.

Because she knew Gianna wasn't joking.

Not this time.

For years she had watched.

For years she had planned.

And now—

The first pieces were finally moving across the board.

Gianna lifted her coffee and took a slow sip.

Her smile never disappeared.

"Let's see if the ten Patrons enjoy being hunted as much as they enjoy watching others suffer."

The six screens continued to display the isolated participants.

For several minutes, nothing seemed to happen.

Then, simultaneously, a soft light appeared within each white room.

A humanoid figure materialized before every participant.

Not human.

Not alive.

An artificial intelligence specifically assigned to guide newcomers through their first days on the island.

The assistants wore neutral expressions and moved with mechanical precision.

Though the surveillance cameras captured every movement perfectly, no sound came through.

Gianna and Jeannette watched in silence as the AI guides began speaking.

Each participant listened carefully.

Some asked questions.

Others simply observed.

The assistants answered them all with unwavering patience.

They explained the purpose of Veritas Island.

The fundamental rules that governed survival.

The existence of the Patrons who watched from above.

The various regions spread across the island.

The safe areas.

The dangerous areas.

The restricted zones where death was almost guaranteed.

The locations of settlements, resources, shelters, and facilities.

Everything a newcomer needed to know to survive their first few days.

The lessons continued for nearly an hour.

Eventually, the participants appeared to understand the reality of their situation.

Confusion remained.

But panic never arrived.

Jeannette quietly observed the screens.

"They're adapting quickly."

Gianna nodded.

"That's one of the reasons I chose them."

On the monitors, the AI assistants finished their explanations.

The white rooms immediately began to change.

Walls shifted.

The empty floors transformed.

Furniture materialized piece by piece.

Beds.

Tables.

Chairs.

Wardrobes.

Shelves.

Personal necessities.

Within moments, each sterile white chamber had become a fully furnished living space.

A temporary residence.

A starting point.

The six participants cautiously examined their new surroundings while the AI assistants remained nearby, waiting to answer additional questions.

Jeannette folded her arms.

"So this is where they begin."

"No."

Gianna's smile deepened.

"This is where they prepare."

She reached toward the control panel beneath the monitors.

Her fingers danced across several commands.

The surveillance feeds immediately changed.

The cameras inside the rooms vanished.

New perspectives appeared.

Forests.

Roads.

Ruined buildings.

Trading districts.

Training grounds.

Observation towers.

Mountain paths.

Rivers.

The vast landscape of Veritas Island unfolded across the six screens.

The island looked peaceful at first glance.

Beautiful, even.

Yet both women knew how deceptive that appearance was.

Countless graves were hidden beneath that beauty.

Countless dreams had ended within those lands.

Gianna leaned forward slightly.

Her golden eyes scanned the new feeds.

"Keep learning."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Though the participants could not hear her, she spoke as if addressing them directly.

"Understand the island."

"Understand the game."

"Understand your enemies."

A faint smile appeared on her face.

Because unlike every other group before them, she had no intention of allowing these six to merely survive.

Survival was far too small of a goal.

Her gaze drifted toward the distant skyline shown on one of the monitors.

Toward the heart of Veritas Island.

Toward the place where the ten Patrons sat above everyone else.

Watching.

Judging.

Believing themselves to be gods.

Gianna's smile slowly widened.

"Grow stronger."

"Become sharper."

"And when the time comes..."

A dangerous glint flashed through her golden eyes.

"Make them regret ever creating this island."

The screens shifted once more.

Instead of focusing on the interiors of the rooms, they now displayed the common areas scattered throughout Veritas Island's sixteen residential towers.

Hundreds of newly arrived Marked were beginning to leave their assigned rooms.

The atmosphere was strange.

No one truly understood where they were.

No one fully grasped the dangers awaiting them.

Yet curiosity proved stronger than fear.

Small conversations began forming throughout the buildings.

Some exchanged cautious greetings.

Others introduced themselves.

A few immediately started gathering information from anyone willing to talk.

The first day had begun.

And with it, the first fragile alliances.

Jeannette quietly watched the feeds.

"They're making friends already."

Gianna shook her head.

"No."

"Hm?"

"They're gathering resources."

Jeannette glanced at her.

Gianna's eyes remained fixed on the screens.

"Information is a resource. Connections are a resource. Trust is a resource."

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"The smart ones understand that instinctively."

Across the monitors, Marked from various groups mingled with one another.

Some looked nervous.

Some looked excited.

Others remained cautious while observing everyone around them.

Among the crowd were the six individuals Gianna had personally selected.

Yet none of them met.

Not once.

One belonged to Group 5.

Another to Group 1.

The others had been assigned to Groups 16, 9, 4, and 7.

Separated from the moment they arrived.

Scattered across different towers surrounding Veritas Island.

The sixteen massive residential buildings stood like silent giants around the island's central region.

Each tower housed its own collection of Marked.

Each operated independently.

And each contained future survivors...

Or future corpses.

On one screen, a young man from Group 5 exchanged greetings with several newcomers while quietly observing their behavior.

On another, a woman from Group 16 sat alone in a lounge area, listening more than she spoke.

A participant from Group 9 was already asking questions about resources, exits, and patrol schedules.

The one assigned to Group 4 was exploring every floor of the building.

Meanwhile, the members of Groups 1 and 7 were doing the same in their respective towers.

Different personalities.

Different methods.

Yet all six shared one trait.

They were adapting.

Fast.

Jeannette noticed it immediately.

"They're already studying their surroundings."

"Of course."

Gianna crossed one leg over the other.

"The first round begins the moment they arrive."

Jeannette frowned.

"The official announcement hasn't even happened yet."

Gianna chuckled.

"That's what the island wants them to believe."

Her gaze swept across the screens.

"Every conversation."

"Every decision."

"Every person they choose to trust."

"It all affects their chances of survival."

The six selected Marked were unaware of one another's existence.

They didn't know they had been chosen.

They didn't know someone was watching them.

And they certainly didn't know they were pieces of a much larger plan.

For now, they were simply strangers trying to survive their first day.

Below them, hundreds of Marked continued introducing themselves.

Laughter occasionally echoed through the common areas.

Some discussed theories about the island.

Others speculated about the Patrons.

A few were already dreaming about becoming champions.

Gianna found it amusing.

Most of them still viewed Veritas Island as a game.

They would learn soon enough.

Her smile slowly faded.

Because she knew what awaited them after the first round began.

The island was patient.

It always allowed newcomers a brief moment of comfort.

A brief moment to feel safe.

To make friends.

To believe they had time.

Then it would remind them exactly where they were.

A place where survival was never guaranteed.

A place built upon death.

And somewhere among the hundreds of Marked now wandering the sixteen towers, six future stormbringers were quietly taking their first steps.

Unaware that their paths would one day shake the entire island.