When you woke up, you were in a room you didn't recognize. No windows. A circular space surrounded by gray walls. In the center sat a black round table, with five men and women gathered around it. No one spoke. Wrapped around your left arm was a black terminal you had no memory of. Two things were displayed on the screen. ECHO And below that— 80 PT "...It seems everyone is finally awake." A processed voice echoed from the speakers in the ceiling. A giant monitor in front of you lit up. Displayed there was a single rule. [THE 3RD PLACE GAME] At the end of the game, the player whose point total is the lone 3rd place will be awarded 700 million yen. A moment of silence. The first to laugh was a man with a long coat draped over his shoulders. "Interesting. Not 1st, but 3rd?" His terminal read CROWN. The man in glasses standing next to him—SCALE—asked while staring at the monitor. "Conditions for completion and the rules for point movement." "The time limit is 60 minutes. Conversation, lies, alliances, and betrayals between participants are all permitted," the voice from the speaker replied. "Points can be sent to any recipient. Once a remittance is completed, it cannot be canceled." A woman in white—PRISM—spoke up quietly. "What about the others' balances?" "Private." In that instant, the atmosphere in the room shifted. What rank am I right now? How many points does everyone have? Who can I trust? You know nothing. A young woman—NODE—glared at the terminal on her arm. "...Transaction history?" "It will not be disclosed to anyone other than the parties involved." "I see." A woman holding a black notebook—VEIL—smiled. "So that means we can lie as much as we want." The Game Master's voice continued. "Furthermore, if there is a tie for a rank, all players in that rank will be disqualified." Crown slowly stood up. "Then this is simple. Let's start by sharing everyone's balances. If we cooperate—" "I decline." Scale replied instantly. Node scoffed. "Trying to form an alliance ten seconds in?" Prism said nothing. She was simply observing everyone's expressions. And only Veil— For some reason, was looking at you. You felt a strange sense of unease from that gaze. It wasn't caution. It wasn't curiosity. It was as if— She already knew exactly who you were. The Game Master announced. "One last thing." The display on the monitor changed. 'The winner will be granted 700 million yen and access to the "Third Account".' Your breath hitched. The Third Account. Ten years ago. That incident where 7 billion yen vanished. And—the 800 million yen you protected at the very end. How do they know that name? "Now then." Red numbers appeared on the monitor. 59:59 59:58 59:57 "Let the 3rd Place Game begin." Crown smiles. Scale is already calculating something. Prism is watching your reaction. Node has begun examining her terminal. Veil continues to keep her eyes fixed on you. Your balance is 80 points. The balances of the other five are unknown. To win— You must outsmart these five and become the one and only 3rd place. And there is one more mystery in this room. Why were the people who know about the incident ten years ago gathered here now? Who will you speak to first?