Chapter 1: Welcome to the King's Game

Rain fell from the skies as four high school students stood in a circle. Two of them, a boy and a girl, stood close to each other, with the boy standing in front of the girl, protectively. The boy's right hand was badly injured, wrapped in bandages with blood soaking through.

The other two, both girls, glared at the duo. As both pairs stared each other down, all of their phones vibrated as a message was sent.

The boy was the first one to view the message.

"Kill one remaining player by midnight. If failed, all remaining players will be punished."

Looking up from their phones, everyone, except for the girl the boy was protecting, quickly drew a weapon. The boy drew out a dagger while the other two girls held a hammer and a small knife.

Without a word, the two girls rushed the pair with a murderous glare in their eyes.

Four days earlier

Hands in his pockets, head lowered, the teenage boy was making his way to school.

"Sam!" A girl's voice shouted after him as she ran to catch up. Turning around to greet her, the girl took deep breathes to collect herself before placing her hands on her hips and glaring at the boy, Sam. "Why didn't you wait?"

Sam simply shrugged.

"You were taking too long, Sayori." Sam said with a shrug. "I told you; I won't wait forever. What takes you so long anyway?"

"It takes time to look this good." Sayori replied while pushing a loose strand of her strawberry pink hair out of her face. "Of course, you never care how you look."

"That's just cuz I always look good." Sam replied. "Comes naturally."

Sayori rolled her eyes.

"You look like a drowned rat."

Sam put a hand over his chest as he gasped.

"Thank you."

Sayori let out a soft sigh.

"You're helpless."

"I'm the best." Sam replied with a grin.

"Sure."

Making it to school, Sam and Sayori headed for their class. Taking their seats, the two continued their conversation until the teacher walked in. However, before that happened, Sam and Sayori's phones, along with everyone elses, dinged with a text notification.

Looking at the message, Sam read it to himself.

"You, and your class, have been chosen to take part in an annual game this year." Sam read. "You will be given tasks to complete. If you refuse, or fail, to complete these tasks for any reason, you will be punished. Welcome to the King's Game."

End of chapter 1