Joining the Alliance

Zoro watches Prince with a calculating gaze, his lips curling into a smirk as he asks, "How strong is Kael, really?"

Prince chuckles darkly, the sound rough from exhaustion and pain. "He wiped out everyone on this layer," he says, his voice low and laced with bitter admiration. "Every player, every demon. No one was left standing."

Zoro's eyes narrow slightly, an interested gleam in them. "Interesting," he murmurs, clearly weighing the implications.

Leon steps forward, his expression unreadable as he regards Prince with a mix of suspicion and calculation. "You've got two options, Prince," he says calmly, his tone unwavering. "Join the Third Alliance, or become a prisoner. That's the reality here."

Prince's shoulders sag slightly, the weight of his predicament settling heavily on him. He glances around the room, at the grim faces of the Third Alliance leaders, the cold stone walls, and the dimly lit torches casting eerie shadows. He knows he's caught in a game of survival where the stakes are impossibly high.

"I have no choice, do I?" Prince replies, his voice tinged with resignation. "I'm ready to become a member of the Third Alliance."

Zoro nods approvingly, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Good," he says, his tone satisfied. "Welcome to the team. We could use someone with your skills."

Leon's eyes flicker between Prince and the rest of the room. "The Third Alliance is growing stronger by the day," he says, his voice low and serious. "But we're not just about power and survival. We've got a plan. A vision for what this game could become."

Prince nods, his expression hardening with determination. "I'm in," he says, his voice resolute. "What's next?"

Leon steps closer, his gaze intense. "You'll need to prove yourself," he says. "There will be tests, challenges—both physical and mental. But if you succeed, you'll have a place in this alliance, and we'll support you as you rise through the ranks."

Zoro watches the exchange with a critical eye, clearly assessing Prince's reaction. "This isn't about just joining an alliance," he says, his voice low and contemplative. "It's about becoming something more—stronger, smarter, more ruthless. You've got potential, Prince, but you need to embrace the darkness if you want to survive here."

Prince meets their gazes, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. "I understand," he says, his voice firm. "I'm ready to do whatever it takes."

As the leaders discuss Prince's next steps, Aryan, Selena, and Kai remain unaware of what's unfolding at the Third Alliance's HQ. Aryan lies in his makeshift camp, nursing his wounds from the battle with Leon, while Selena hovers anxiously by his side, her gaze darting nervously between him and the horizon. Kai, on the other hand, seems lost in thought, his eyes shadowed with concern.

"What's on your mind, Kai?" Aryan asks, his voice hoarse from the battle.

Kai hesitates, glancing away before meeting Aryan's gaze. "I've heard rumors," he admits softly. "About an attack on the Third Alliance. It's worrying."

Aryan frowns, his mind racing with possibilities. "Do you know who's behind it?" he asks.

Kai shakes his head. "I don't know," he says. "But something feels off. We need to be prepared."

Selena's eyes flicker between the two, a worried frown on her face. "Do you think the Third Alliance is a threat?" she asks cautiously.

Aryan nods, his expression grim. "They're not to be underestimated," he says. "They've been gathering power, getting stronger day by day. And now they've got Prince in their ranks. We need to keep an eye on them."

As the conversation continues, a sense of unease settles over the group. The Third Alliance's growing strength poses a direct threat to their survival, and no one knows what the future holds. What's next for Aryan and his team? Will they be able to hold their ground against the rising power of the Third Alliance, or will they be swallowed up by the chaos of the game? The chapter ends with a sense of anticipation—what awaits Aryan and his team as they face the unknown challenges ahead?