Alexander studied the transparent indicator hovering at the edge of his vision. The red numbers ticked steadily downward: 37:42:18... 37:42:17... 37:42:16...

  Quota deadline. A constant reminder of the Game's true nature beneath its beauty and complexity.

  "We need to talk about the weekly requirement," he announced as the team gathered in their cabin after dinner. No need to eborate—everyone knew what he meant. The killing quota hung over every pyer's existence, an inescapable reality of survival.

  Riva leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Options? We've been lucky with natural encounters so far, but that's not a reliable strategy."

  "Some teams are already forming hunting parties," Valeria noted, scrolling through her notes. "Not for animals—for other pyers. The aggressive group from the western forest took down two solo pyers yesterday."

  Elijah frowned. "Pyer hunting is efficient for quota—five credits per elimination instead of fractional values for wildlife—but it's unnecessary when there are alternatives."

  Alexander nodded. He'd been analyzing this problem since they arrived at Vilge Center. "I've been mapping herbivore patterns across our territory. There's a consistent migration through the eastern meadows at dawn—rge herds moving from night shelter to morning feeding grounds."

  He unrolled a rough map on the cabin's small table. "Here, here, and here," he marked three locations with charcoal. "The herds follow predictable paths. If we position correctly, we can fulfill our quota without a single pyer confrontation."

  "Herbivores only count as half-credit each," Riva pointed out. "We'd need twice as many."

  "Twenty each to meet individual requirements," Alexander confirmed. "It's achievable with proper coordination. More time-consuming than pyer hunting, but with added benefits."

  Valeria nodded, immediately understanding. "Resource gathering simultaneously with quota fulfillment. Efficient."

  "Exactly," Alexander tapped the rgest marked location. "This valley has the highest concentration. The animals are peaceful unless threatened, which means we can be selective and methodical."

  Elijah studied the map thoughtfully. "If we're taking their lives for our quota, we should use everything possible. Hides for crafting, meat for provisions, bones for tools."

  "That's the pn," Alexander agreed. "We fulfill our requirement while gathering materials for future needs. Much more useful than leaving pyer bodies behind with minimal salvageable resources."

  Riva began checking her equipment. "What's the approach? Standard hunting formation?"

  Alexander shook his head. "I've developed something more specific to these herds." He sketched a quick diagram. "Crescent formation with rotating positions. Valeria and I take point positions at each end. Riva handles central targeting. Elijah provides support and begins processing immediately."

  "Maximum efficiency, minimal waste," Valeria observed.

  "And we maintain distance from other hunting groups to avoid territorial conflicts," Alexander added. "We leave before dawn to secure optimal positioning."

  They arrived at the eastern valley while stars still dominated the sky. A light mist clung to the tall grasses, creating ghostly shapes in the pre-dawn darkness. Alexander guided them to positions along the natural path the herbivores would follow—a gentle slope leading to water and fresh grazing.

  "Remember," he whispered as they took their positions, "clean hits only. No unnecessary suffering, no chasing. The migration patterns remain consistent only if the herds aren't traumatized."

  Elijah quietly arranged his processing tools—specialized bdes for hides, containers for useful components, preservation materials for meat. His expression was solemn. Though these were digital constructs rather than actual living creatures, he approached the necessity with respect.

  The first light of dawn brought silhouettes on the horizon—rge deer-like creatures with distinctive branch-like antlers that glowed faintly in the dim light. They moved with graceful coordination, unaware of the hunters waiting along their path.

  Alexander gave the signal as the herd reached optimal range. Their opening volley was precisely coordinated—four perfect shots that dropped the lead animals instantly. The herd startled but, with no visible threat and no chase, soon resumed their forward movement at a more cautious pace.

  The team settled into their strategy with practiced efficiency. Alexander and Valeria maintained boundary positions, ensuring clean shots and managing herd movement. Riva provided precision elimination of selected targets. Elijah moved quickly between downed animals, processing essential materials before moving to the next.

  By mid-morning, they had accumuted more than half their required quota. The meadow floor was clean—no bodies remained, as Elijah had processed each animal completely, storing usable materials in their inventory while returning unusable portions to the earth with quiet words that sounded almost like thanks.

  "Different approach," observed a voice from the treeline.

  Alexander turned to see two Vilge Center hunters watching their operation with interest. He recognized them from the Scout's Lodge—experienced pyers who had been on Floor 3 for months.

  "Your method preserves the migration patterns," the taller hunter noted. "Most groups chase after initial contact, which pushes the herds into new territories. Within weeks, predictable hunting becomes impossible."

  Alexander nodded acknowledgment. "Sustainability matters. The Game rewards thinking beyond immediate needs."

  "Your processing technique is thorough," the second hunter said to Elijah, watching him carefully separate hide from meat from bone. "We've been wasting potential resources."

  "Everything has purpose," Elijah replied, hands moving with practiced precision despite this being his first time processing these specific creatures. "Seems wrong to take more than we need or use less than we take."

  The vilge hunters stayed to observe a while longer, occasionally asking questions about specific techniques. By midday, they had departed with new ideas to share at the Scout's Lodge.

  "We're building a reputation," Valeria noted as they continued their work. "Methodical. Efficient. Respectful of resources. Valuable social currency."

  Alexander nodded. Every interaction shaped how others perceived their team, which would affect future negotiations and alliances. His father had taught him to manage reputation as carefully as any other resource—one of the few lessons he still considered valuable.

  By te afternoon, they had completed their individual quotas with time to spare. Elijah had processed enough materials to fill their inventory with high-quality resources—leather for equipment repairs, meat for provisions, specialized components for crafting recipes Mira had taught him.

  As they walked back toward Vilge Center, the quota indicators in their interfaces shifted from red to green, the countdown repced with a simple "Fulfilled" status that would remain until the next cycle began.

  "Different kind of satisfaction," Riva commented as they walked. "Usually quota completion just feels like relief. This feels like...accomplishment."

  Alexander understood what she meant. They had met the Game's brutal requirement while maintaining their own standards—finding efficiency without unnecessary cruelty, gathering resources without waste, fulfilling obligations without targeting other pyers.

  Small victories in a system designed to erode humanity. Worth celebrating, if quietly.

  "The western group took down three more pyers this morning," Valeria reported, checking her information network. "They're building a reputation too—as predators to avoid."

  "Different strategies for different priorities," Alexander said. "They optimize for combat experience and intimidation value. We optimize for resource efficiency and alliance potential."

  As they approached Vilge Center's outskirts, he noticed several hunters observing their return with interest. Word had spread about their methods. By tomorrow, he suspected others would adopt elements of their strategy—the crescent formation, the processing techniques, the respect for migration patterns.

  That night, with quota fulfilled and resources secured, Alexander allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. The Game would continue to present challenges—increasingly difficult as they progressed—but their approach was proving effective. Strategic. Efficient. Yet still retaining something essential that other teams seemed to be losing floor by floor.

  Perhaps that was Helena's most important lesson, though she had never stated it directly: maintaining humanity might be the most crucial skill for surviving the Game.