The location was the base of ss-2, the same ss that the ss-1—or not, <Best of the Best, the Great Star> had a verbal battle in the arena.
It was located on the southwest end of the field, nearby the marsnd sandwiched between a great mountain and mountain range, thus allowing entrance solely from north and east side. But if anyone dared to take the northern route, they would be facing the long, narrow defence line extending up to four squares, thus leaving only the eastern route a viable way for a raid.
But aside from the advantage the natural terrain grants them, the base in itself was boiling with a buzzing air.
"Hey guys, take a look at the recap broadcast! Those bunch from ss-1 are acting so boldly!"
"Woah, those showoff! They''re locked in a confrontation against ss-15!"
"99 points?! Hey, that''s definitely not the best for us, eh!?
"You don''t have to state the obvious!"
"Damn! Aren''t they unting too much? We''ve to pick up our pace as well! Thest thing we want is to fall behind them!"
Recap Broadcast—Once every 10 minutes, the highlights of the match would be shown in the giant screen at the centre of the arena, or students could also check them out on their ?Smartphone?. ss-2 had obviously been checking out for any changes, and saw ss-1''s fearless charge, while ss-15 never got the chance to make a turn around.
Neither of them had ever thought someone would be able to make such a prominent head start of 99 points. The value of 99 points was so tremendous that it had instantly warped the faces of all ss-2''s boys in fluster.
"9-99 points, hey tell me it''s just a bad dream I''m having? This would need us to at least attack two bases!"
"No shit, that''s why we must hurry up. Our opponents aren''t just going to watch silently either!"
"Have scouts found out where the other sses'' bases are?! We''re ready to move at any time!"
The news of 99 points falling into ss-1''sp had been a huge shock for them, however it also greatly stroked their rivalry spirit.
A major chunk of points source were the guardian monsters who could only take action within the two squares of the respective base. The close proximity was enough to even give their enemy a chance to retaliate. However, ss-1 had managed to do it, thoroughly so. And 99 points mean they''d wiped out all the guardian monsters. A ss so strong could also take down the ss the base had belong to at a wrong step of their.
An ordinary n wouldn''t cut in if they wanted to cross that limit; they would have to attack at least two bases, or maybe focus fire on one base to eliminate them. They''d option too, like using hit-and-run tactics to annoy one base and immediately pull back once guardian monsters were out ofmission, but whether they could surpass ss-1 was another matter.
The only option they had, should they want to surpass ss-1, was to either attack bases in row and take down their guardian monsters, or concentrate their firepower onto one base and focus on bringing it down.
They also had the ss-1''s base to attack considering they knew its location, however this could only be ast resort method. No matter how they growl at each other, it was a fact that letting emotions control them, and starting a confrontation would push them into a disadvantage. The fight was bound to sap their strength and psyche, and that was best to avoid in the current scenario.
But, while notparable, raiding multiple bases wasn''t going to be easy given the risk. The ideal scenario would have been to tread slowly, gather information about their opponent and chip away their strength slowly. They would have several points by then, and normally, that was considered great. After all, staying for more than 10 points would have turned the small smirkish into a full blown confrontation between two sses. s, ss-1 wasn''t following the normal pattern, so this added pressure to them.
They really should focus on taking down other ss bases, except ss-1''s, first. ss-2''s members all nodded in affirmation.
It''s just they''d yet to find any such base. They''re caught up in a feeling of patience forgging behind what was the crucial step in the initial phase of the match. They''d already dispatched their team, but they''re still without any result yet.
And finally, just as they''d feeling antsy all over seeing ss-1 head start, they''d finally gotten the information that they sought.
"Report! A base has been spotted at the further end in the east from our base!"
"Finally! Alright, let''s go!"
"Zip your mouth, you moron! And you, is there information which ss it is?"
"They couldn''t figure it out, however it seems like a high-ranking ss."
"High-ranking ss huh......"
The leader of ss-2 received the information from the messenger.
Sporting a crew cut, sun-tanned skin, with eye-catching tall height and a boxer-like build—he was Sedan. He was also the male student in question that Key-senpai had once told Zephyr he was paying attention to. (T/N - From chapter 45)
His job was ?Great Boxer?, excelling both in strength and wit to be at the top of ss-2. Receiving the report, he went through many calctions inside his head, and pondered over their next course of action; should they see who it was, or immediatelyunch their attack?
The information was too short to concretely make a n. He had wanted to y safe, but, now that they''re burning in me of rivalry, he could already imagine the argument other ssmates would follow up if he said so. If he yed it wrong, they might truly jump out on their ord.
"Hey, Sedan! What''s there to fear, it''s just another high-ranking ss at best!"
"Yeah. Our end goal is to smash the faces of those <Best of—ss-1 fes! How do you expect to challenge ss-1 if you get cold feet here!"
"......Recalling the details, ss-1 had a confrontation with ss-15, which means both of their bases should be somewhere in the north, I presume. I think we don''t need to have much apprehension about the North and East..."
Pressed on by others, Sedan hurriedly went over the details.
If ss-1 and ss-15 had been in the north, the only other high-ranking ss they might encounter would be either ss-24, or ss-45. Former could give them a bit of hard time, but thetter was a cinch.
Besides, they could always retreat if the situation turned south. And considering his ssmates wouldn''t give up here, and even might act rashly, Sedan made up his mind.
"Alright, I will join your guys as well! Defense Unit, make sure to uphold the northern defence line at all cost, no matter what, and keep messenger standby all time! East Unit, do not dare to lower your vignce no matter what. We''re departing in one minute, so get your preparation done in 40 seconds!"
"Let''s gooo!!"
"It would be a good warm up before the main dish that''s ss-1!"
The boys immediately stirred in delight when Sedan announced his n. It just happened that... the ss-2 was mostly boys dominated. With 28 students being male out of 30, this had made for quite a striking scene,
A slight—<span data-sentryponent="defaultRenderMark" data-sentry-source-file="index.tsx">or just maybeee, it could be the main cause—reason why they antagonise <Best of the, ahem, ss-1 so much could be attributed to the gathering ce of pretty girls that was ss-1.
Their base, located in the southwest, near the edge of the arena, was almost in the straight line from the ss-1 base, in the south. Affirming where the ss-1 base was, they had settled in this location which was neither too far, nor too close from them. So, even if ss-1 came to attack them, only the north was the viable option, so they had first blocked it first while expanding their scouting range in the east. After all, they might have a wild encounter with ss-1 if they expanded to the north, something that they would''ve wanted to avoid as much. ss-1 was their enemy, but they''re not the only opponent.
After going through possible scenarios, Sedan arrived at this conclusion.
"Everyone, just be careful to not get deported! Our goal is the First Ranking in this block! I will not allow any sort of blunder."
" " "Rogerrrr!" " "
"It''s time!"
And so, ss-2 began their strides in big.
Albeit, they''re not the only one who had been out making their move. Much like ss-1, their base location had beenpromised by others too. Maybe, they shouldn''t have been that hasty.
However, with everyone''s focus on ss-1, they''d yet to realise this fact.
◇ ◇ ◇
In the southeast direction, sandwiched between a pond and ake, the base of ss-24 appeared like a floating citadel. The terrain only left one viable route for them to be attacked.
With only water around that did nothing to hide their base—rather, it was even more strikingly standing out with nothing around as a cover, ss-2 had thus managed to spot their base. Now, they''re marching onward.
Thenky boy''s expression, who received the report of so, showed no sign of fluster, and only gave a simple nod.
"So they''re finallying, huh. They sure made their mind quick."
"It''s bound to happen after seeing that recap broadcast. It''s just a pity they''re ss-2."
The report hade from another boy; sporting a huge build for a 16 year teenager. He sounded disappointed in his words.
"There''s nothing we can do in it, s. Let''s leave the meeting with ss-1 forter."
Thenky boy, too, whispered out in slight dejection in response to the beefy guy.
They''d been fourth in order to select their base, and having no idea who the previous three bases belonged to which ss, they''d pick the position assuming what would be ss-1''s base. However they''re off the mark from their target. They dispatched a scout in the west to check out on them and they turned out to be ss-2 instead of ss-1.
But, they only mulled over this fact for a moment before throwing it aside, and broke into a broad smile.
"Either way, our moment to shine hase. Everyone, it’s about time to greet our guests, so make sure our guests see nock of entertainment, understood?"
Thenky boy stood up from his chair, and spread his hands in a theatrical gesture.
If you like this novel, please give this novel rating and review in <span data-sentryponent="defaultRenderMark" data-sentry-source-file="index.tsx">. It will help the website and also help people find this novel!