「The Runners–Team Vortex_7–shall be given a 2-minute headstart」
「No matter where the runners hide, their beads will ping every 30 seconds to display their location so that the taggers can locate them」
'I guess hiding is out of the question... The table's been flipped. Can I even lead a bunch of players I know so little about?'
The doors on the other side of the room opened, creaking as they scraped the floor, dragging debris as they brought in the natural light from outside.
Nico and the other 8 players walked outside, where small shacks and rundown houses were clustered together like a maze.
"What should we do now, Nico?" Lindsey queried, her voice trying to mask her panic.
Nico sighed and scratched the back of his head. "Alright, new plan..."
「1 minute and 30 seconds remaining」
"I need the faster players to make a break for it now. Split up and try not to get caught."
All 5 of the fastest players took off without looking back, leaving behind Nico and the 3 other fighters.
"As for you guys, try and hide in places where the big guys won't be able to find you. If your beads ping, hide elsewhere. Don't hide in the same spot forever. Scout and evade, engage only when necessary."
"What are you going to do?" one of the players, Daniel, asked curiously.
"I'm gonna make sure that no one gets tagged..."
The headstart time had come to an end.
Ace and his team emerged from inside, wearing confident grins and emitting a tenacious aura.
「TAG, YOU'RE IT!」
The alarm blared and the players ran towards Nico, who decided to run away as well.
So far, only 2 players were tailing him while the others chased after the others.
Nico came to an abrupt stop, did a backflip as he jumped over the first players, planting the heel of his shoes straight into his head before landing gracefully behind him.
The second player charged in and threw a punch that Nico evaded by lowering his body, swerving to the side and curling his hand into a fist.
Then, he blocked another punch before grabbing his arm and slamming him violently onto the ground.
「1 / 9 runners tagged!」
Nico noticed the system displaying the message.
One of his teammates was caught and had now joined the fray of playing hunter.
He gritted his teeth. 'Why did our team have to be the runners first?!' he complained to himself as he began running.
「Time remaining: 4:30」
It had only been 30 seconds, and someone was already caught. In addition to that, Nico's bracelet shot a bright light towards the sky, signaling his location.
He clicked his tongue. This mechanic would cost them greatly, especially since someone was caught in the first 30 seconds.
But, acting out wasn't going to help him.
He needed to be cool, calm and collected if he wanted to win this event.
People who act on their emotions always end up dead. He would not be like them.
He had survived long enough to even participate in an event, not because he was determined, but because he was smart.
'So now, it's time to use my big boy brain and pull myself out of this mess!'
Nico jumped through the crevices of the building, narrowly avoided getting grabbed by the leg, and began running on the rooftops.
Looking at his surroundings, he realised that a handful of players were doing the same thing as well, even those from the opposing teams.
「Time remaining: 3:30」
Another bright light flashed in the sky, another predator on the move.
Time had gone by with more beams blasting towards the sky, and no other players had been caught, until...
「3 / 9 runners tagged!」
'How?!'
Nico jumped off the roof, then barrel rolled onto the ground and continued running.
Ace chuckled and stepped in front of him, stopping him from running further.
Nico took a fighting stance and glared at Ace, who simply shrugged and laughed at Nico.
"It's funny. I offered you a spot on my team, and now you can't help but be shook," he taunted with a grating smile on his face.
"I wouldn't say I'm shook. Just disappointed, is all," Nico retorted. "If a man as boring as you is a part of Genesis's gang, then I can't even imagine what the so-called big boss is like."
Ace suddenly stopped smiling. "I do see great potential in you though, Blood Fiend. If there is a way for you to survive, join the Poncho Faction under the roots of Genesis."
"We're not like the other gangs," Ace continued. "Despite our different races, we truly believe that we are still human deep down."
"I don't think there's anything humane about beating up a defenceless girl," Nico responded.
"She belongs to Genesis, just like that slut from the South side of the Adventurer's Guild," Ace cut him off quickly.
They stared at each other for a while, each player trying to predict the other's intentions and motives.
Nico dashed for Ace and the two began brawling.
Sharp punches, precise kicks and timed attacks.
Both players were skilled fighters.
'He's good...' both of them thought simultaneously.
'But, I'm better!' Nico boasted as he dashed towards Ace, parried his punch and created an opening.
Unfortunately, Ace quickly recovered, threw a single punch that sent Nico staggering back, even if he managed to block it. And, each of Ace's attacks were perfectly timed.
Every delayed attack had precision, and years of cultivation and practice, something Nico lacked as a relatively new player.
To conclude the battle, Ace swept Nico off his feet.
Before he could collapse, Ace grabbed him by the collar and held him in suspension, scrutinizing him.
"You, a strong player, chose to side with Lindsey. Why? Is it because she's a woman?"
「4 / 9 runner tagged!」
「Time remaining: 2:12」
"Not in the slightest," Nico retorted.
"Then why?"
"Because she left you. That's the only reason she needs it," Nico retorted, glaring at Ace.
Ace smirked. "You're staying true to your morals. Maybe it is for the best that you don't join Genesis."
Ace then landed a devastating blow to Nico's nose, causing his head to hit the hard concrete ground and his body to bounce off the floor.
Ace then tossed him into a building and scoffed.
「HP: 180 / 260 」
Ace crouched and scratched his ears, staring at Nico, who struggled to pick himself up.
Without saying anything, Ace realised that there was a poor choice of judgement.
Nico wasn't worthy of joining him. He didn't deserve the title of Blood Fiend and was a worthless leader.
"I won't even tag you. You're beyond disappointing as a player."
Nico tried moving his aching muscles but was too disoriented to even think properly.
His vision was blurred as a red holographic screen flashed before him.
This made his heart beat faster.
He remembered his very first day in Olympus and how his vision was this disoriented in only a few seconds of him arriving.
The moment that happened, he immediately felt like the weak version of himself.
That was the naive, weak-willed, and frail version of him...
The one that worked a worthless 9-5 job, had a shitty younger boss who was nothing but a NEPO baby and was always the last one to be chosen.
Nico loathed that version of himself.
And now, he was being reflected in front of his opponent; not as an equal but as hunter and prey with him being the latter.
His skills as a fighter and leader paled in comparison to Ace.
Even if he was scum who hit women, he proved that he had the guts and will to give orders and execute plans perfectly.
He gritted his teeth, his heart burning and his blood boiling.
「Time remaining: 0:00」
「Team Ace has tagged 7 / 9 runners!」
By the time Nico's disorientated mode faded, Ace was long gone and the players on his team had avoided him.
'Ace's plan worked... Take out the stronger guys, tag them and find the faster players later...'
He groaned and punched the wall, destroying the entire house, but injuring himself in the process.
'Being smart isn't good enough. I need to adapt. If I want to be a good leader, I need to learn how to lead.'
He stormed into the hall, his teammates avoiding eye contact with him, doubting his leadership.
They had every right to.
He couldn't come up with a proper plan in case they turned out to be the runners first.
But, he wouldn't allow the event to end here.
Not by a long shot.