Chapter 159: Last Hour

As the digital announcement displayed the ominous countdown, indicating that there were only 60 minutes remaining before the third-round game would commence, the pressure and anxiety among the gathered players reached its zenith. They huddled together on the top deck of the cruise ship, cherishing the last remnants of comfort and normalcy before the impending trials of the game.

Amidst the crowd, Alan took the opportunity to seek out a particular group that had stood out from the rest. It was led by Merle, the crimson gunner, and his ragtag gang of rednecks. Merle's enthusiastic greeting, infused with his characteristic brashness, met Alan's welcoming smile. However, Alan's offer was clear when he said, "Are you sure you don't want to join us?"

Merle's response was immediate and resolute. "Hell no, you are a government goon now. Besides, we're better off with our small group."

Alan's gaze extended to the four members surrounding Merle, each with their own unique character. There was the mustached Russ, the sassy Ruth, the young and energetic Wyatt, and the stalwart Boyd. Their unwavering loyalty to Merle was evident when all rejected the offer.

Alan then presented his newly crafted weapons and armor as an offering, and sensing their hesitation, he added, "No strings attached. Just consider it a thank you, and I hope for your safety in the next round."

Merle nodded, and his four companions accepted the items with a mixture of excitement and gratitude. Merle, ever one to assert his independence, made it clear, "Don't think that this means I owe you! I have paid my debt!"

Alan responded with an understanding nod. "Of course, Merle." Their exchange bore an unspoken acknowledgment of the complexities that had shaped their relationship within the game.

With a sense of caution, Alan leaned in closer to Merle and his group, speaking in hushed tones as he shared what he humorously referred to as 'government intel.' He provided them with valuable information and insights to aid in their upcoming challenges, concluding with his heartfelt best wishes for their safety and success.

Just as their conversation came to a close, Captain Carter ascended to the top of a podium that commanded the attention of the vast and crowded deck, which now housed over three thousand players. She began to address the assembly,

"Dear fellow players, we are grateful to have so many still with us to join for the next round"

Captain Carter proceeded to recognize and commend the remarkable feats of various individuals, from Lieutenant Summers and his elite special forces team to Cachellos and his formidable Black Sand group. She even mentioned the Blood Patriots and acknowledged the sense of security that players like Marcus Wright provided for the upcoming round.

However, she did not limit her praise to only the well-known heroes. Captain Carter went on to celebrate the unsung heroes—those who toiled diligently to provide sustenance or the private who courageously carried multiple unconscious players to safety. She emphasized that no task was too small, and the collective contributions of each player were vital in securing their collective survival.

As Captain Carter's speech continued, she reached a point where she acknowledged the impressive contributions of the militia, now officially known as the fourth company, "The Wolverine Company." Her words carried the weight of a seasoned orator as she spoke about their leader, Alan, a teacher who had stepped up to lead both military and civilian units. She emphasized the importance of cooperation, weaving it into a powerful narrative.

Alan recognized that he was being used as a symbol of cooperation, a face meant to encourage more civilian players to follow the captain's orders. While he understood and appreciated the captain's intentions, he also felt the gravity of the responsibility placed upon his shoulders.

However, as he stood there, surrounded by over 3,000 players, and saw the hope in their faces, it brought back memories of his own tragic past. Despite all the preparation, he couldn't shake the feeling that it would be a stroke of fortune if even half of them returned from the third round.

This somber realization dulled his enthusiasm for addressing the crowd. He politely excused himself and began to step away. That's when a familiar figure, Captain Farell, blocked his path and voiced his discontent. "After all that honor given to you, and you're just leaving? Huh! What a joke!" The captain's words held a tone of annoyance and disappointment.

Alan, having no desire to engage in an argument, silently proceeded back to his units. Overwhelmed by anxiety, he began searching for any overlooked tasks, second-guessing if there was anything else he should have done.

His reaction didn't go unnoticed by those who were familiar with him. Vicky approached him and asked, "Mr. D, are you alright?" The image of Daniel's death in the previous game haunted Alan's thoughts.

In an attempt to calm his nerves, Alan retreated to a corner of the cruise ship, pulling out a small item from his pocket.

[Name: Cigarettes]

[Type: Miscellaneous]

[Rarity: Common]

[Attributes: None]

[Effect: Reduce fear and anxiety]

Alan took a moment to steady his nerves. He reached into his pocket, retrieved a cigarette, and lit it. Taking a deep drag, he closed his eyes, allowing the familiar ritual to calm his racing thoughts.

A short while later, Vicky, Milo, and Luis joined him on the deck. Their presence was reassuring, serving as a source of strength for Alan. He drew inspiration from their unwavering support. In their eyes, he saw trust and faith, a reminder that they were all in this together. The weight of leadership was not his alone.

As his game link started beeping, signaling the impending start of the second round, Alan and every player aboard the cruise received the message:

[Attention: You have 10 minutes before the second-round game starts]

In the final minutes, Alan made the decision to distribute his 10,000 survival points to each of his team members, ensuring they had a better chance of surviving the round. His generous offer was met with reluctance and concern from Vicky, who protested, "No, Alan, we can't accept them."

Alan insisted, "Just keep it for me and return it to me after the game." One by one, he handed out the points to his loyal team. Among them, Rose, a figure known for her stoic demeanor, approached Alan, silently indicating her request for a share. Alan willingly granted her the points and remarked, "I hope one of these days you will share a little about yourself with me."

The girl remained silent and joined the others, each finding their place within their respective squads of ten. Alan, however, made a deliberate choice not to enter the game without a squad. It wasn't because all the squad leader positions were already occupied by ten Wolverine players but for a more crucial reason.

In the first game, Alan had been teleported to the exact same apartment room as in his previous life. During the second round, being at a party led to his arrival at a different location. Now, he intended to test whether teleporting individually, as he had the previous time, would take him back to the same place from his past life. It was an experiment that held significant importance for his future plans.

In the dwindling seconds before the game's commencement, he looked upon his units and Vicky's smile lit up the scene as she shouted, "Let's go Wolverines!" Her spirited cry was echoed by the others as they followed the chant, rallying themselves for the challenges that lay ahead.

[10 minutes are up]

[Authenticating Element...]

[The third round of the Apocalypse game will begin shortly...]

[Server location: New York, America]

[3,352 players detected]

[Entering Game, Round three...]

[Human versus Inhuman]

[Background: Dark Ages, 300AD, Roman Empire extended far into the reach of Britain. It was a time unknown to the history of men, a time when knights and magic lived among the people, along with dark things creeping in the shadow]

[Main Quest: Survive]

[Time: 7 days]

[Secondary Quest (Optional): Kill the source of darkness]

[Mission Failure Penalty: 10,000 survival points]

With the final notification popping up, the third round of Apocalypse Game, Year 4 has finally begun.