Volume 2 of Alice in Borderland (今際の国のアリス, Imawa no Kuni no Arisu), the manga series written and illustrated by Haro Aso.
Plot[]
Arisu, Karube, Chouta, and Shibuki adapt to life in Borderland, reflecting on their past while searching for purpose. Arisu and Karube join the next challenge, "Game of Tag", held in an apartment building. There, they encounter new players, including Usagi and Chishiya, and clear the game through teamwork and deduction.
Summary[]
Arisu, Karube, Chouta, and Shibuki begin their first full day in the Borderland. Each recalls memories from their previous lives: Shibuki being reprimanded by her boss, Chouta overhearing his parents argue about debts, Karube being mocked for not having a father, and Arisu being compared to his younger brother. They all question what it means to live. The group spends the morning by the river, where they fish, swim, and share a meal. Arisu feels happy simply to be alive. Later, Karube proposes that he and Arisu participate in the next game, while Shibuki remains behind to look after Chouta. That night, Arisu and Karube register at the Toei Sendagaya Apartment Building, and their second game begins.
Inside, a voice announces the Five of Spades, "Game of Tag", warning the participants that a murderer will appear. The players spread out as gunfire echoes through the building. Arisu and Karube attempt to coordinate the survivors, while other players, including Usagi and Chishiya, act on their own. Veteran participant Nitobe explains that the suits determine the type of game: Spades test physical ability, Diamonds test intelligence, and Clubs require teamwork. The Tagger, wearing a horse mask, hunts the players down with multiple firearms. Many are killed as the survivors try to find the safe zone.
Arisu deduces the correct route and, with Usagi's help, presses the final button just before time expires. The Tagger is defeated, and the remaining players receive their Five of Spades cards. Chishiya searches the corpses and collects a few more cards, intending to survive.