The final countdown

The morning sun cast a golden glow over the last remaining square kilometer of the forest, now encircled by the ever-encroaching zone. With each passing hour, the safe area grew smaller, the tension within the remaining players mounting with every step. Roland's team had no healer since Eva's death, leaving David patched up with basic first aid. Though it was a poor remedy for his burns, it was just enough to keep him going. As a mage, he wouldn't be on the front lines, which provided a small comfort.

On a cliff overlooking the forest, Kai, Roland, Lucy, and David lay fully camouflaged with grass and bushes, surveying the surroundings. Kai checked his system, noticing only 14 players were left alive. With only a few hours remaining until the zone would shrink to just 100 meters, every move they made was critical.

They felt a surge of hope with David's return, adding strength to their group. Kai looked at his teammates and spoke in a low voice, "Alright, here's the plan. Roland, you'll scout the front. Lucy, you'll guard our rear. I'll stay with David in case of an ambush. David, your focus is to blast any enemies we encounter."

David nodded, though he still winced from his injuries. "Got it. I'll do what I can."

Roland led the group along the edge of the zone, ensuring no enemies would catch them off guard from behind. Soon, they spotted a team of two moving cautiously through the underbrush. Roland was about to move in for the kill when Kai stopped him.

"Let me and Lucy handle this," Kai insisted. "You need to save your strength for Juggernaut. We depend on you and David too much in fights. I need to prove that I'm not just a burden."

Roland gave a slight nod, respecting Kai's decision. "Alright. Just be careful."

Kai and Lucy crept closer to the two enemies. These were no ordinary opponents; surviving until this point meant they were either very cunning or incredibly strong. The two adversaries were clearly very strong, one with a massive physique and the other thin, with sharp, calculating eyes.

Lucy aimed an arrow at the larger man's heart, hoping to use his size against him. To their shock, he caught the arrow effortlessly.

"Not bad," the large man rumbled, his voice a deep growl.

Realizing the chance for an ambush was lost, Kai and Lucy charged forward. Kai activated his Berserk Charge, doubling his strength for a few crucial seconds. He slashed at the large man, who blocked the attack but was pushed back several meters by the force.

The thin man moved with the agility of a serpent, countering Lucy's every shot with deft movements. Kai and Lucy fought valiantly, their movements synchronized through countless life-and-death battles together. Despite their best efforts, the enemies proved more resilient, countering every move with brutal efficiency.

The large man grinned wickedly as he pushed back against Kai. "You think you can take me down? I've faced worse than you."

Kai growled, swinging his sword with ferocity. "You haven't seen anything yet."

The thin man darted in and out of the shadows, striking at Lucy with deadly precision. Each clash of their weapons sent sparks flying, the sound of steel against steel ringing through the forest. Lucy's arrows flew with lightning speed, but the thin man dodged them with ease, his movements a blur.

David watched, itching to intervene. "I should help them," he muttered.

Roland held him back. "No. Kai and Lucy need this. They've been under a lot of pressure. If we step in now, they'll only resent us."

Kai's Berserk Charge began to fade, and he felt his strength waning. The large man took advantage, landing a heavy blow that sent Kai stumbling backward. "Is that all you've got?" the large man taunted, raising his weapon for a killing strike.

"No!" Lucy shouted, firing a rapid succession of arrows at the large man. He deflected two, but the third struck his shoulder, causing him to roar in pain.

Kai regained his footing, his eyes blazing with determination. He lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air. The large man blocked, but Kai's relentless assault forced him back step by step. "I won't let you win," Kai growled.

The thin man saw an opening and charged at Lucy, his blade aimed at her heart. Lucy spun away, her bow transforming into a short sword in her hands. She parried his strike, their blades clashing in a furious dance of death. The thin man's eyes glinted with malice. "You're good, but not good enough."

Lucy smirked, a fierce glint in her eyes. "We'll see about that."

Their battle raged on, each strike and counterstrike a testament to their skill and determination. Kai and Lucy fought with everything they had, drawing on their training experience and the bond they shared. The large man and the thin man were formidable foes, but Kai and Lucy refused to back down.

The fight reached its end as Lucy's eyes suddenly glowed with determination. She notched three arrows simultaneously and aimed at the large man. "Pierce!" she cried, her skill enhancing the speed and sharpness of the arrows by 20%.

The three arrows spiraled towards their target. Kai was barely holding off both enemies when he heard Lucy's shout. He dodged just in time. The first arrow missed the large man, but the second he caught with a triumphant sneer. He never saw the third arrow behind it, which lodged itself between his eyes. He fell with a look of disbelief, dead before he hit the ground.

Seeing his partner fall, the thin man dashed into the forest, realizing the battle was lost. Kai and Lucy chose not to pursue, aware of the dangers of splitting up.

Roland and David approached, congratulating them on their hard-fought victory. As they were planning to loot the big guy.

Suddenly, a scream echoed from the direction the thin man had run. Which made them alert as Kai instruct David to fall back a bit and hide somewhere in case of an ambush.

Ronald, Kai and Emily stood on their ground as they prepare for another fight.

Moments later, shadows began to emerge from the forest. They saw the thin man impaled on a spear, held by a brutish figure. His face still held the terror he has been through.

Six men stepped into the clearing, followed by two more familiar figures. The sight of them sent a surge of rage through Roland and others.

"Oooooooo! Look Look who we have here! Hehhehe! the feminine figure announced, her voice filled with cruel amusement as she giggled.

"Emily," Roland growled, his voice dripping with venom.

Juggernaut and Emily's team stood before them, their faces marked by the same cold determination that mirrored Roland's. The final confrontation was at hand, and the stakes had never been higher.

Kill count :

Kai +12

Roland +32

David +18

Lucy +14

Eva +3