The game had begun, and with it, the tension in the virtual world of NexaRealm skyrocketed. Team 2 and Team 3, both holding a crown, found themselves in the precarious position of having to survive against the onslaught of four other teams. Although they had been spawned in the centre of the map, the distance between their starting points meant that any hope of collaboration was out of the question. They were on their own, each team forced to fend for itself as the predators closed in.
For Team 2, the situation was dire. Joon-ho quickly assessed their surroundings, his mind racing as he formulated a plan. The dense forest offered some cover, but it also made them vulnerable to ambushes. They had to move, and fast. Staying in one place would only invite the other teams to converge on them. He signalled to his teammates, and they began to navigate through the trees, keeping their movements swift and silent.
Jin-kyong, always the strategist, kept her eyes on the surroundings, ready to provide ranged support if needed. Soo-jin, with her experience in close combat, stayed close to the front, ready to engage any enemies that appeared. Baek-hyeon, the anchor of the team, ensured that they stayed together, his presence a calming force amid the chaos. Min-jae, though still impulsive at times, had learned from their previous battles and maintained his focus, knowing that one misstep could spell disaster.
On the other side of the map, Team 3 was facing a similar challenge. Hyun-ae, the team's Assassin, knew that their best chance of survival was to keep moving and stay hidden. Her quick reflexes and ability to blend into the shadows were crucial assets, but even she knew that they couldn't rely on stealth alone. Kang-dae, as the Tank, took the lead, using his strength to clear a path through the thick underbrush. Sang-hee, the Mage, stayed close, her spells ready to rain down on any foes that dared to challenge them. The two additional members of their team, a Fighter and a Marksman, flanked their sides, providing a balanced mix of offence and defence.
The four opposing teams—Teams 4, 5, 6, and 7—began their advance from the north, west, south, and east respectively. Their goal was singular: to hunt down the crown bearers and claim the prize for themselves. They moved with purpose, their formations tight, as they scoured the terrain for any sign of their targets. The map's design ensured that no team could remain hidden for long. The arena's environmental hazards, from unstable cliffs to treacherous rivers, added another layer of danger, making every decision critical.
As the four opposing teams began their advance from the north, west, south, and east, Team 2 gathered quickly to discuss their strategy. The tension was palpable, but Joon-ho knew that staying calm and thinking clearly would be the key to their survival. With a glance at the minimap, it became clear that they had been spawned right in the middle of the arena. This wasn't ideal—if they stayed put, they'd be sitting ducks, surrounded by teams hungry for their crown.
Joon-ho, always the strategist, was the first to voice his thoughts.
"We can't stay here," he said, his voice firm but quiet. "If we try to play defence in the middle, we'll get pincered from all sides. The other teams will converge on us, and we'll have no way out."
"Agreed," Jin-kyong added, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "We need to move. But where? If we just start running in any direction, we might run straight into one of the other teams."
"We have to take the initiative," Soo-jin chimed in, adjusting her grip on her weapon. "If we're going to get out of here, we need to go on the offensive. Pick a direction and force our way through. Once we're out of the middle, we can reassess and play defence from a better position."
"If we can slip past one of the teams, we'll be in a much better spot. They'll expect us to play defensively because of the crowns. We can use that to our advantage—be unpredictable," Baek-hyeon nodded in agreement, his usually calm demeanour now edged with urgency.
Min-jae, still catching his breath from the initial spawn, looked around at his teammates. He'd been learning to control his impulsiveness, and this was another test of that resolve.
"So, we're going to attack? Which direction?"
Joon-ho quickly assessed the minimap, analyzing the potential threats.
"East," he decided. "It's the closest team to us, and if we can break through, we'll have the river at our backs. It'll be easier to defend one side, and we'll have a natural barrier. We push through, force them back, and then set up a new defensive position."
"If they're expecting us to run or hide, we'll catch them off guard by attacking first. We need to move fast and hit them hard before they have a chance to regroup," Jin-kyong agreed, adding.
With the plan set, Team 2 prepared to move. They knew that staying in the middle of the arena was a death sentence, and the only way to survive was to be proactive. Joon-ho led the way, with Jin-kyong close behind, ready to provide cover fire. Soo-jin and Min-jae flanked the sides, prepared to engage in close combat if necessary, while Baek-hyeon kept an eye on the rear, ensuring they wouldn't be caught off guard by any unexpected attacks.
As they started moving east, the tension only grew. They could feel the pressure of the other teams closing in, but they kept their pace steady, not rushing into the fray recklessly. This wasn't just about surviving the game—it was about proving that they deserved to be among the top teams. They had to show the director, the instructors, and themselves that they were capable of more than just holding onto a crown.
As they approached the eastern edge of the map, they saw signs of Team 5, who had started their advance from the east. Joon-ho raised a hand, signalling his team to slow down and spread out slightly. They needed to approach this carefully—one wrong move could spell disaster.
The goal was simple: avoid unnecessary conflict, relocate to a better position, and then defend their crown from a more advantageous spot. They knew they couldn't afford to waste time or resources on a prolonged battle, especially with three other teams closing in on them.
The countdown on the match timer continued to tick down, and Team 2 knew that every second counted. They were about to engage in what could be the most critical battle of the game, and they had to do it right. They moved cautiously, using the terrain to their advantage—hugging the shadows of large rocks and skirting around clusters of trees. The goal was to remain undetected and slip through the enemy lines unnoticed.
As they prepared to make their move, the arena around them seemed to close in, the virtual environment amplifying the intensity of the moment. They were ready to execute their plan, knowing that this was their chance to prove their worth—or to fall short.
For a moment, it seemed like their plan would work. The virtual landscape around them was quiet, save for the distant sounds of the other teams manoeuvring across the map. They were close to getting past Team 5's position when Min-jae, on the right flank, suddenly froze. His sharp intake of breath was the only sound before he whispered into the comms.
"We've been spotted."
Joon-ho's heart sank as he saw it too—a glint of movement ahead, just beyond a ridge. Team 5 had eyes on them. The stealthy advance had failed.
"Move!" Joon-ho barked, immediately shifting gears. "We've got to get out of here!"
Team 2 broke into a sprint, abandoning their attempt at stealth. Jin-kyong fired a few shots in the direction of the movement to create some cover, while Soo-jin and Baek-hyeon kept their eyes on the rear, ready for any incoming attacks. But the terrain that had once offered them concealment now seemed to conspire against them, slowing their escape as Team 5 began to close in.
The chase was on. Team 5, sensing an opportunity to claim a crown, pursued with relentless determination. The sound of their footsteps and the occasional exchange of gunfire filled the air, amplifying the tension. Joon-ho could feel the pressure mounting as they sprinted through the virtual environment, searching for any way to shake off their pursuers. But Team 5 was right on their heels, and it was clear that a confrontation was inevitable.
With Team 2 running full tilt, the sound of Team 5 hot on their trail, and the realization that they were now in a race against time and their survival. The outcome of this chase would not only determine their fate in the game but also their standing in the eyes of the instructors—and the director. 15 minutes, and the end result can be theirs to hold.