The ascent up the mountain is strenuous. The online guide indicated it would take us around four or five hours to get to the top if we are in good physical condition. Of course they are in perfect shape. Me? Not so much. Which results in me being out of breath only one hour into our hike.

How the hell am I going to last for another four hours?

"Can we please take a short break? I need to catch my breath and drink a sip of water," I say as I huff out loud. Bent at a ninety-degree angle and with my hands on my knees, I do my best to breathe in and out to stabilize myself.

"Humans." Ze bristles.

Thea takes my hand, helping me to a boulder by the side of the road. She hands me the bottle of water and gently pats my back.

I look at the three of them looking entirely unbothered, not one hair out of place, not one drop of sweat on their foreheads.

"How are you guys not tired? My lungs are on fire!"

"They have military training," Thea points out.

"And you? What's your explanation?"

"I'm training now?" she answers sheepishly. I shake my head at her non-answer, gulping down some water as I rub circles on my chest. The shoes I'm wearing are not making this any easier. The soles are thin, causing my feet to chafe against the rough terrain. At this rate, I'll end up with blisters all over.

Despite that, however, it only takes looking at Ze's smug expression for me to launch myself to my feet and give them the signal that we can continue.

I need to push myself if I want to be rewarded at the end. I'm not that naïve to not realize that this game will likely sap me of all my strength, both physical and mental. But rewards like that are not given, they are earned. And I need to earn my place among the five who will make it to the end.

Gritting my teeth, I push my body forward, using my determination as fuel.

But every step hurts.

Maybe I should have taken Nikki up on his daily gym trips. Or, maybe, instead of reading while he was working out, I should have also put in some effort.

I trail behind, the distance between me and the others increasing with every step. In spite of my effort, I'm no match for them. Ze is the first, walking with unnatural ease. His spine is straight, his hands behind his back—his usual unbothered stance. Behind him, Cer always keeps a slight distance. I noticed this before, too, and I wonder if this has to do with their ranking in the army. Perhaps it's his way of showing respect to his superior.