Chapter 114: BE NICE. FIND IT.

Chapter 114: 114: BE NICE. FIND IT.

They tried other methods after fixing their hair. They stood farther away and pointed their fingers at the gate, inscribed their names into thin air before it, and even tried holding hands.

But nothing happened.

"Oh gosh..." Kael ran a hand through his hair. "It’s of no use. They know we hate each other, so let’s just leave."

"Shut up," June snapped. "Or I’ll throw you in for another electric round."

"..."

Ryan sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. "Or maybe we should all just kiss each other or something to increase our compatibility."

"..." Everyone stared at him in shock.

"You really should stop reading yaoi early in the morning." June shook his head.

After a while of contemplating, Ryan finally said, "I have an idea..."

"If it’s about kissing, then I’ll have you kiss the gate." June stared at him.

Ryan smiled as he adjusted his glasses. "Unfortunately, it’s not about kissing..." He paused before continuing. "The gate clearly doesn’t need us to have an already established compatibility... so what if we establish harmony right before it?"

June slowly nodded. "Like... try being friends right here or something...?"

"Yes. It’s impossible for it to be genuine immediately, so we’ll just have to force something genuine." Ryan said. "Since the gate detects malice that hinders compatibility, we can maneuver around it by saying things that counteract that malice."

"But that’s clearly lying." Kael raised an eyebrow. "We don’t like each other."

"That’s why we won’t lie. We’ll say genuine things," Ryan explained. "And I think we should start by saying something nice to everyone. Something true and nice about the other person."

June slowly nodded with his arms folded. "I guess it’s worth a try." He turned toward Nyx with a smile. "I’ll go first."

June smiled, holding Nyx’s hand as he said, "I think you look extremely good-looking..."

Nyx’s cheeks immediately flushed as he smiled in response. "I also think you look good... always..."

The two stared at each other with tiny, embarrassed smiles.

The memory of their discussion early that morning flashed through their minds.

Before boarding the helicopter that morning, June had met privately with Nyx for a quick discussion. He didn’t want the awkward situation from the previous night affecting their cooperation today.

June’s message had been simple.

He had gently patted Nyx’s head and thanked him for boldly expressing his feelings.

Then he had told him, "Give me some time to think. I’ll give you a response soon."

Nyx had been happy with that. He had smiled brightly like an eager puppy as he said, "I’ll wait for however long you want."

And so, the two exchanged similar smiles now.

"..." The rest stared at the two of them getting all bubbly as Ryan smiled.

Kael felt shivers run down his spine. "Can we just try the kissing option instead?"

"No one wants to kiss you," Ryan snapped.

"You..." Kael glared at him.

Simon turned toward Finn and said, "I think you’re really hardworking and dedicated... I admire that about you."

Finn nodded as he responded, "Mm. I also think you’re hardworking and admirable..."

They were done, and everyone turned toward Ryan and Kael.

Ryan was immediately speechless. "Why am I paired to speak with him?!"

"Well, it was your great idea, though..." June shrugged.

Ryan was speechless. He couldn’t believe his own plan had backfired and now he had to say something nice about his asshole.

Kael folded his arms. "I might as well just hit my button."

"Don’t even try." Simon cast him a cold glare.

Kael rolled his eyes.

Against their will, the two faced each other with their arms folded while trying to think of something nice to say.

"Ryan first," June said.

Ryan rolled his eyes as he thought for a moment.

"Be nice..." June reminded him.

"I’m finding it..." Ryan searched his brain for several seconds before finally opening his eyes and staring at Kael.

He forced a smile.

"I think your red hair... is quite nice."

Kael tilted his head.

June shook his head with a smile. "We can’t lie now. You said the other day that his hair looked like chili pepper."

"..." Kael was speechless.

"Well, I wasn’t lying then, though." Ryan shrugged.

"..."

"At least I don’t look like an unemployed philosopher from the early eighteenth century in those old-fashioned glasses," Kael snapped.

"What?" Ryan scoffed. "Are you being for real now? These certainly look better than that ugly shirt you wear every day, bragging that you got it from some designer when I literally saw it on discount on Shein!"

The two went on and on while the other four simply stood there watching with their arms folded.

"I think they’re the problem..." Nyx said with a nod.

"Clearly..." June nodded before stepping between them to stop the argument.

"We’ll end up losing the game before it even starts, so please..." June smiled at Ryan. "Let’s be nice. Find something."

Ryan closed his eyes and forced a smile.

"Okay. Actually..." He slowly opened his eyes and stared at Kael. "I actually think you’re good-looking... That’s the only good thing for now..."

Kael folded his arms as he stared back at him.

"Well... I actually think you’re not bad either. And the glasses look cute on you. That’s it for now."

The two stared at each other, almost waiting for the gate to reject their words.

But immediately, the gates began pulling open.

A purple portal-like space appeared beyond them.

Shocked, everyone turned toward the opened gate before looking back at Ryan and Kael.

June smiled.

"Well, I guess your brilliant plan worked."

Nyx nodded. "And none of them were actually lying..."

Ryan and Kael stared at each other before simultaneously rolling their eyes. They dramatically folded their arms and turned away.

June shook his head before staring at the gate.

"We’re already done here, so let’s get going. Zone Two." He said as they all made their way through the gate.

As soon as they passed through, the gate dissolved into purple dust and disappeared behind them.

Then, as they continued walking, they heard a sound.

[Welcome to Zone Two: The Survival Zone.]

June stopped and stared into the atmosphere ahead of them.

The sight before them was indeed chaotic in the most dangerous way possible.

"It surely is survival, alright..." Ryan said.