Chapter 37: Divide and Conquer Part 2
Amidst the cheering of the crowds, the players were all having their own meetings before the battle.
Inside a tent, there were 7 people seated looking at a big monitor which showed 30 different places. Today, they were going to rest and look for people with potential.
"We should make it more exciting. We'll bet who will win." Elina said. She wanted to spice things up.
"Hmm, what's the wager?" Gabriel also thought they might as well bet to make it worth while.
"How about… mana stone? It might be a small wager for us but, in the future, we could give them to our students."
"Might as well." Nifa agreed. She also wanted her student or students in the future to grow faster than anyone.
"So, are you all in?" Elina grew excited and rubbed her hands together like a true gambler.
"Why do I see Zigz in you? I mean his class." Rain asked and put a hand on his forehead like he was embarrassed to see a comparison with his friends to these old people.
At the end, they all agreed and casted their votes. Even if they all have a lot of mana stones, they couldn't give anyone a boost right from the start but if someone gave it rather than themselves then it was a valid reason.
"3 high grade mana stones. I'll choose U.S." Linnie voted for her student Leonel.
"5 high grade mana stones. I'll vote for Australia." Julius casted his vote immediately. He believed that he'll get an easy win.
"10 high grade mana stones. Philippines." Rain have enough mana stones, in fact, he was the richest after Hanz.
"Likewise, 10 high grade mana stones for Philippines." Hanz voted for his student's country.
"Well, well, well, you're giving free mana stones. Then, we shall all agreed on 10 mana stones."
No one objected on increasing their bets. They have a place for harvesting mana stones. In fact, they all have 2 high grade mana stones as compensation for guarding the 'base' every year. It might be small but it was hard to get mana stones on other stars or dimensions.
Heavenly city gave free mana stones for contracted guardians of the 'portals' or 'gate'.
"Then, I'll vote for South Korea, as the director."
"I'll vote for Sweden." Nifa gambled to the next powerful team. "We'll never know how it'll turn out. They still have to draw their number for locations."
"Exactly! I'll vote for Canada and Japan!"
"Hey! You're not allowed to pick two!"
"Did I say we couldn't pick two?"
"No…
"See? I'll pay 20 high grade stones."
"Tsk. Why am I even arguing with an old hag?!"
"At least I am not a baby!"
"Baby your face!"
"Yeah, I am baby face!" Rain's lips twitched. He couldn't even fathom how to stop their bickering. Rain glanced at Hanz.
"Looking for him?" Hanz silence confirmed his guess. "He's sleeping. He didn't sleep last night."
The bickering suddenly stopped and Julius looked at Rain like he suddenly grew horns. "Fuck! So, it was true all along!"
"What?" Rain snapped.
"Just… hahahaha secret! Mwhahaha!"
Rain clicked his tongue and didn't mind Julius anymore. Hanz eyes narrowed but didn't comment on anything. He stayed silent after that.
"Sometimes I wonder if Hanz is like Frizzia with a lot of avatars. He wouldn't even react."
"He could only do that with his students. Aren't you his student before? You should know it better than us."
"I know! That's why I'm scared since he found a new one! He wouldn't even spare me second glance anymore! Huhu! My broken heart."
"Tsk. You're a wimp that's why! Not only that, you're too noisy."
The two bickered again like kids. The others didn't pay them any attention because they were used to it. Sometimes Elina have her time where she would act like an unrefined lady and a kid.
"It's starting."
The two stopped and paid a lot of attention on the big screen. The screen showed the 30 leaders drawing their numbers. The host didn't announce it and everyone knew that they have to keep it a secret.
The event Divide and Conquer depended on their luck, timing, skills, tactics, and decisiveness. They have to give everything for the battle.
Before they started the host showed the rankings and the corresponding scores they have based on their rankings on the first event.
10 points – 1st Australia
9 points – 2nd South Korea
8 points – 3rd China
7 points – 4th Germany
7 points – 5th Sweden
7 points – 6th Canada
6 points – 7th Denmark
6 points – 8th Philippines
6 points – 9th USA
5 points – 10th Japan
5 points – 11th Russia
5 points – 12th France
4 points – 13th Netherlands
4 points – 14th Taiwan
4 points – 15th UK
3 points – 16th Spain
3 points – 17th Italy
3 points – 18th Thailand
2 points – 19th Norway
2 points – 20th Turkey
2 points – 21st Jordan
1 point – 22nd Vietnam
1 point – 23rd Finland
1 point – 24th Bulgaria
0.5 point – 25th Ukraine
0.5 point – 26th Austria
0.5 point – 27th Malaysia
0.5 point – 28th Brazil
0.5 point – 29th Poland
0.5 point – 30th Singapore
It will serve as a catalyst on who should they focused on or who should they evade.
Everyone was transferred on the map. They were all in a dark space room so they wouldn't see where they were at.
The commentator started their job. "Miss Agatha, welcome back to us. Now, the players were given 5 minutes for readjusting their stats and skill points."
"You're right, Mr. Shin. But, we all know that those with hidden and unique classes couldn't level up their skills through skill points unless it was a basic skill of their root class."
"Well, aren't you quite informed Miss Agatha."
"Let's just say that the heat around us got to me yesterday. The heat and passion of the crowds and players made me think of how I could improve my skills on this day and the following days."
"I commend your eagerness to learn, Miss Agatha. Also, those who didn't know, each player were given a selection of their equipment while adjusting their stats. Their choices could help them or ruin them."
"Now, we can see that everyone is getting excited but hold your horses because it's only starting."
"3… 2… 1… start!"
The countdown reached 0 and every players were released on their cages.
"Oh! Nice strategy. They all turned their backs on each other to erase the chance of having a blind spot. Great thinking!"
"Yes, some were starting to move. Equipped with their own weapons, they are battle ready."
"Oh no! The first fight is on its way!"
"Vietnam and Sweden!"
"We also have Denmark and Finland!"
"Teams were meeting one by one. Who will emerge victorious while protecting their flags!"
"Let us review the rules of this game. The game was designed to conquer bases. But, unlike other divide and conquer, your main base wouldn't be that impactful. Each base you control or each flag you get in an occupied base of your enemies will give you a point."
"Let's say you let your enemy occupy your base, and attacked another base but because the base had fallen to others, you could get the flag of the 'occupier' and choose to raise your own flag or not. But, you could only raise a flag once on each base. Each flag bearers have limited flags but unlimited chance to get a flag."
"As long as you get flags you might win, that's where the divide came from. Divide and conquer bases. Unfortunately, the company assigned a 'Flag bearer' which is the key to winning or losing this event. Flag bearers couldn't be detected because the flags were invisible. Once the flag was raised could it only be seen."
"And Mr. Shin, there's no way stealing will work, right?"
"Of course, whether you wipe them out or not, as long as you have the greatest number of raised flags or flags of enemies you'll win the event."
"Oh! Vietnam lose. They exited the game early but, luckily they still have their base before they were wiped out so, it was considered as having a point."
"So that's how you secure a point. You could just let them kill you all if you have a lot of points and bases. But, of course, they didn't know that secret function, right Mr. Shin?"
"Yes, Miss Agatha. We only gave them brief explanation of the rules of gaining a point. They still have the mentality of winning by eliminating all their enemies."
"Oh! Finland was also wiped out. Fortunately, they have a point. We still have 28 countries."
The fight intensified. Each team have their own strategy but others stormed their way and wreak havoc to others.
"Austria, Jordan, Singapore were out. They got 2 points."
"While the other team divided their numbers to score higher, they couldn't apply it powerfully."
"Mr. Shin, who do you think will emerge victorious on this round?"
"Hmm, I can't say for sure but US, South Korea, Sweden, Denmark, Australia, Russia, Germany, France, Canada, China, and Japan were doing good but, we know for sure that one wrong move and they could meet in a battlefield that will weaken them."
"Yes, I also thought so. US is leading the scoreboard with 12 points. They occupied 3 bases and got 9 flags. They also got a good place. 3 bases with only one way in."
"Yes, we also know that an individual was scoring for US alone."
"Yes, they made the right choice."
"We also have Australia at the second place with 11 points. Denmark at 9 points. China and South Korea at 7 points."
"Oh! 2 teams will meet on!"
"Germany met Japan! Germany headed by Flick and Japan headed by Matsui. Both players were Gunslinger. An Undead and a Human."
"One team will remain, while the other will perish. What a good battle!"
"Let's give a short description of their teams. Germany has one hidden class player while Japan has two. Who will win the fight?"
"Yukio, nice to meet you. We'll see who's the best marksman."
"You said what I wanted to say. Let's see who will emerge victorious."
"Everyone, formation!" Flick's strategy was to focus fire on one enemy while others will support and distract the enemy.
Unfortunately, Japan has a greater grasp on the battlefield.
"Sakura, Shadow, Phoenix, go!"
Sakura was a samurai. Shadow was a ninja. Phoenix was a fighter. They all have great mobility and burst damage. Japan really gave their all in picking their representatives.
Flick's expression grew grim. He could only try his best. He was the leader. He'll carry the fight if he have to!
Flick moved on his own and intercepted Phoenix. He could only trust his vice captain for holding the others. Why he didn't try to stop the other two? Because, he have to decrease their opponents fighting prowess as fast as possible and assist his team, after all, they could gain an advantage after killing one.
Flick unleashed his 'Death Dance'. It was created by himself. Like death collecting the lives of the people hit by his barrage of bullets. Phoenix couldn't evade all of the bullets. One bullet struck his health 5% of his max HP. It wasn't based on his attack power but the overall damage of it, a fixed 5% of health.
Yukio also made his move. Unlike Flick who was a short range Gunslinger, he was one of the longest range players but deadly. He dealt burst damage and erase his enemies.
He only needed a moment, one wrong move and the battle will end.
Near the battlefield of Germany and Japan, a youth was walking towards them. "I could feel the trembling of the souls." He said it with his poker face. A youth without showing any change in expression nor tone. But one thing was for sure, he was strong enough to travel alone.