Since their car was wrecked, they couldn’t move fast. Grace offered her motorcycle to Jack. Jack was about to take her offer but he then saw it was getting dark. It was not wise to travel through unknown territory in the dark.

Furthermore, Stefan and Naomi insisted on following if Jack continued his journey. Though the two could see this fourth team didn’t consider them enemies, they still didn’t want to stay behind if Jack didn’t stay. The motorcycle and its sidecar could only hold two people. Thus, Jack decided to stay there for the night.

He hoped Kramer and the others find a safe place for the night as well.

They went into one of the ruined houses Grace and the others had reorganized into a temporary fortress. This house had three stories.

In a room on the second floor of the house, Jack and Grace exchanged information about what had happened while the others kept watch around the house. Their two teams went through the same matches and sacrificial rounds. The difference was Grace’s team managed to save all the sacrifices, allowing them to enter this battle royale match with a full team.

It was because Grace and Spring Crown managed to save all five sacrifices that they earned the respect of the team. They were elected unanimously as the leaders. Spring Crown gladly stepped down and let Grace have the spotlight.

“Where is the rest of your team?” Jack asked.

He only saw seven people. Aside from Grace, Spring Crown, and Evan, the other four were the ones who ambushed them using the spike strip.

“We lost two people due to an ambush earlier before you came,” Grace answered. “They came using a large truck. We were caught by surprise. The huge thing just rammed into us on the street. Many of us lost our shields in that attack. The two who were killed were run over by the truck. They lost one shield when they got hit by the truck’s front bumper. The remaining two shields were when they got pancaked by the truck’s front and rear wheels.”

“I guess those vehicles are included as the tools that can cause damage to us,” Jack remarked.

“Spells and skills can as well,” Grace said. “The ice wall that hit your friend was from the ethereal you almost killed earlier today. He has the Elementalist class. He used a tool that allowed him to use his spells one time.”

“Such a waste he wasted that tool on us,” Jack said.

“He thought you were that other team,” Grace said. “After the truck ran over us, four people came out of the back of the truck to finish the job. One was especially troublesome.”

“Is it an old elf?” Jack asked.

“Yes, you’ve already met him?” Grace asked back.

“His team was the reason mine got separated.” Jack then told her about what happened to his team until they arrived here.

“That’s why you want to go back, to search for the rest?”

Jack nodded.

“I’m sure the others are okay,” Grace consoled. “Rest here today. Tomorrow, we will go and search for them together.”

“No, you need to take care of your team here. Your people have prepared the defense of this place. You will be safer here rather than following me out into the open. Don’t worry, I can take care of myself.”

“I know you can,” Grace said. She preferred to go with Jack than stay here with the others. But the others had come to look to her for decisions. She didn’t have the heart to leave them behind just like that.

“So, how did you deal with the old elf’s team?” Jack asked. “That old elf is an experienced martial artist.”

“Yes. Spring Crown and I fought him both. He must not have expected to face capable martial artists, so he called for his friends to use their tools which allowed them to access their skills once. But when he saw us using the same skill-free tools, he called for a retreat. They ran to the truck that was waiting for them, before driving away. After that assault, we decided to take a defensive position.”

“They must not have expected you to have those tools,” Jack said.

“Yeah, the enemies’ faces definitely showed surprise, but I’m also surprised they can create so much trouble for yours and my team with only five people.”

Jack then told her about his theory that the old elf’s team might be the past participants of this game. Grace agreed with his hypothesis. However, she was also confused as to why such a team only had five members.

“They might have split up to cover more grounds,” Jack guessed. “Which means the next time they attack, they might do it in full force. Your team threatens them the most now. The other two teams are scattered and wounded. They will be using all their resources on you. You must take caution.”

Grace nodded.

𝒏𝒪𝑣𝗲𝒍𝗇𝔢xt.𝓬𝑂𝓂

“By the way, you said two of your members have died. That still leaves one more. Where is this last one?” Jack asked.

“The last one went on a patrol like Spring Crown and I did before you came. We returned when we heard the sound of tires popping. He might have gone further so he didn’t hear the sound.”

“He went by himself? Is he suicidal?” Jack asked.

“Well, I guess you can call him a loner type, but he can take care of himself,” Grace replied. “He is also an expert martial artist.”

“A martial artist? Did he happen to come to this place with a friend named Dina?” Jack asked.

“I don’t know, he is not too talkative,” Grace answered. “But he did mention he came with someone. Is Dina an elf?”

“She is,” Jack said.

“Then she is probably Tom’s friend. Oh, his name is Tom, by the way. I’m sure he would want to accompany you to look for your team if he learns of this.”

Jack sighed. “Unfortunately, Dina died when we are ambushed by the old elf’s team.”

“Oh, no… Tom will be sad hearing this.”

“Well. She is a player. She won’t die for real. We need to figure out first how to escape this place, then we can think of a way to save her.”

“How? We don’t even have any idea about this place.”

Jack then told her about what he had learned when he used his incorporeal state. About Euphosine, Talia, and why this faction devolved into such a state.

During their conversation, they suddenly heard a commotion. Someone ran down from the third floor. It was Spring Crown, who was keeping watch from up there with a few others.

“Tom has returned, but he is not alone,” Spring Crown said.

“What do you mean? Do the people with the truck come again?” Grace asked.

“No. Whatever that is chasing after Tom, they don’t look humanoid,” Spring Crown answered.

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