The Gamble for the West
John sat in the dimly lit meeting room, his heart pounding as he finalized his strategy. The system's quest to take the five territories of the West was ambitious, almost reckless. But the reward—a skill that could level up his entire group—was too valuable to ignore.
[System Notification]
Quest: Take Over 5 Territories of the West
Objective: Capture and hold five territories in the West.
Reward: Unlock Skill - "Level Link"
Failure Consequence: System will reduce your current abilities by 20% for one month.
John's hands trembled at the thought of failure. He couldn't let that happen. The stakes were too high.
---
The next day, John gathered Marcus, Tyler, Kyle, and Alex in the meeting room. They were his core team, and he needed their absolute trust.
"We're taking five territories in the West," John announced firmly.
The room fell silent. Tyler was the first to react, leaning forward in his chair. "Are you serious? Do you know what you're saying? The West is Dante's territory, and we've barely consolidated our hold in the South."
Marcus, leaning against the wall, smirked. "Bold move. But I'm in. This will be fun."
Kyle and Alex exchanged uneasy glances. "John," Kyle began, "how do you plan to deal with Dante's forces? They won't just sit back and let us take their territory."
John's lips curled into a small smile. "I've already planned for that."
He explained his strategy. Before their meeting, John had approached Eli, the East leader, for help.
---
Flashback: John and Eli
John stood before Eli in the abandoned factory where they had first met. The East leader's sharp eyes bore into him, calculating as always.
"You want me to attack the West?" Eli said, arching an eyebrow. "And why would I risk my forces for you?"
John took a deep breath. "Because it benefits you too. After Dante's forces are weakened, we split the territories—50-50."
Eli chuckled dryly, shaking his head. "You're bold, but naïve. 70-30."
John clenched his fists. "60-40. Final offer."
Eli's smirk widened, and he leaned in closer. "80-20."
John's heart sank, but he knew he had no leverage to negotiate further. Gritting his teeth, he nodded. "Fine. 80-20."
---
Back in the meeting room, John revealed the deal to his team. "Eli's forces will attack from the East, drawing Dante's attention. While Dante's busy, we'll strike from the South."
Alex's jaw dropped. "You're working with Eli? That guy doesn't seem like the sharing type."
"I had to make sacrifices," John admitted. "But this way, we'll face less resistance. Each of us will lead a group to take one territory. We strike hard, fast, and simultaneously."
Marcus chuckled. "I like it. Let's see how Dante handles this."
---
The Attack Begins
The following day, news spread quickly across the West. Eli's forces launched a surprise assault on the East border, seizing several minor territories. The chaos sent shockwaves through Dante's camp.
Dante, lounging in his usual spot at a run-down arcade, slammed his fist against the table when his scouts delivered the news.
"Why is Eli attacking?" Dante growled. "He's never made a move like this before."
His second-in-command, Trevor, stepped forward. "Should we retaliate?"
Dante nodded sharply. "Send our top five fighters to push them back. Make it clear that the East doesn't mess with the West."
As his fighters left, Dante leaned back, his mind racing. Something didn't feel right.
---
Meanwhile, John's plan was in motion.
Tyler, Kyle, Alex, Marcus, and John each led a group to attack five territories along the southern edge of the West. Their movements were coordinated, swift, and ruthless.
Marcus's group tore through their assigned territory with brutal efficiency. His strength and experience as a former leader made his team unstoppable.
Tyler and Kyle's groups worked together to overwhelm their targets, using their combined strength and tactics to subdue resistance.
Alex's group focused on speed, catching their opponents off-guard and taking control before anyone could react.
John's group, though less experienced, relied on his leadership and strategies. With his newfound skill "Leader's Intuition," he directed his team with precision, avoiding unnecessary confrontations and striking weak points.
---
Dante Realizes the Trap
Hours later, Dante received a second report. His southern territories were under attack.
"What?!" Dante roared, slamming the table again. "The South is attacking too?!"
Trevor's face paled. "It's a coordinated strike. While we're distracted by the East, they're hitting us from the other side."
Dante's eyes narrowed. "John. That nerd… he's smarter than I thought."
He stood, his wild grin returning. "Let's see how far he's willing to go. Ready the remaining fighters. We're taking back our territory."
---
Back in the South's Camp
By nightfall, John and his team had successfully captured five territories.
[System Notification]
Quest Completed: Take Over 5 Territories of the West
Reward: Unlock Skill - "Level Link"
John felt a rush of energy as the new skill activated. The system explained its function: by linking with his group, John could now distribute training points to help them grow stronger.
The victory felt surreal, but John knew the battle was far from over. Dante wouldn't take this lying down.
As his group regrouped, Marcus approached him. "Nice work, leader. But this is just the beginning. Dante's going to come at us with everything he's got."
John nodded, determination in his eyes. "Let him. We'll be ready."
---
To Be Continued...