Meanwhile, in the centre of arena—
Three bases had been sporadically spread nearby there. In the south stood a huge mountain, while in the east a mountain range rose sharply, creating a valley between them.
One of the three bases, belonging to the ss-45, a high-ranking job dominating ss, had been located in that valley. The other two bases stood in the east at an intermittent distance, their backs facing the mountain range.
The first base to the east from ss-45 had been of ss-99, a mid-ranking ss, and second had belonged to ss-116, prevailing in it were the low-ranking jobs.
The mountain range in itself had been quite a special terrain, with deformed areas in multiple ces. Those spots were quite the fitting ce to keep their base hidden.
In the eat or be eaten sort ofpetition, ss-99 and ss-116 were the rock bottom of the group, the likes ofmb thrusted in the pack of hungry wolves. Hence their attention had been to hide themselves as much as possible.
But that was a fleeting thought as they''re immediately found by ss-45, who then put forth the condition to join theirmand should they want to survive which leads to the current situation.
"Coboration…you say? You mean to form an alliance?"
The discussion was happening in a certain corner of the mountain region. ss-116''s leader parroted the exnation the leader of ss-45 had given.
"It''s not an alliance in strict words. It''s more like... giving a helping hand when in need. Also, themand will be in hand of ss-45. ss-99 and ss-116 would assist by creating diversion, search enemy, and ry messages etc."
"W-What''s the difference between this and an errand boy?!"
"Now, the decision rests on you, alright. We will just use a fair method to earn the points then in other cases."
The leader of ss-99''s grunted in displeasure when he heard the words of Gin, a boy with a rock like rectangr face, and also the leader of ss-45.
A total of six people had been there; the leader of each ss, and their respective guards.
He said negotiation, but it was merely a concealed warning. It need not to say, but the gulf between high-ranking jobs and low-ranking jobs was huge. Should they were to sh, ss-45 could easily wipe the floor; their sses were akin to autumn leaves, a gust of wind could scatter them away.
But, on the other hand, ss-45’s proposal was like a form of salvation for them.
The Interss battle had been using the rank based system. The obvious method to jump higher in the leaderboard was to earn the points, and to earn points, they ought to take down bases which would be game over for the said ss.
The ranking order was typically decided on which base fell first. So basically, the ss who had their base drop first would be rankedst, the secondst to follow would be ranked 7th position and so on.
Then again, ranking only matters as long as they could survive till the time up.
On the other hand, academy would also confer some rewards based on ss ranking, though it''s applicable only up to the 7th rank. Unfortunately, there was no reward for thest ranker.
Coming to ss-116, they''d never thought of winning out in this match—or rather, assuming they could win would be the peak of ignorance, they thought.
Their block was crawling with two giants that stood at the peak, and as much as three high-ranking jobs dominated sses. It was totally impossible for them to even try to fish in the chaotic water. Rather, it would be better to face reality, and just hope they''re notst.
s, no more it was the time where low-ranking job sses could make aeback likest year. But, they atleast only had seven high-ranking jobs sses, a contrast to 50 of them this year. Though, this year was akin to the chaotic sea, with tidal waves crashing on them one after another.
In the end, since they had not been aiming for top, and also to avoid thest ranking, the term proposed by ss-45 wasn''t entirely bad for them.
"Very well. ss-116 shall now be under ss-45''smand here onward. I will ry the message to our ss."
"Now this is what quick wit. Alright then, we will be counting on you."
"W-Woah there, are you for real, ss-116?! You''re agreeing to their errand boy, and at worst, even the meat shield!"
"Oh please, I have made quite the concession just in this, you know?"
"Right. ss-99''s leader, if he had been serious, we wouldn''t have been seeing each other on the table of negotiation."
"......tsk."
ss-99''s leader certainly didn''t like the negotiation—or coercion. But he couldn''t find any word except a groan. He was clearly implying they could’ve used force too.
"We do not have much time. So, I would love to have your answer here, ss-99. It would be great if you agree, and it''s also alright if you don''t. It''s just, get ready to decorate thest ce."
"Cooperation my arse, don''t you think you sound too impatient, ss-45? I wonder just what had caused one of the top sses to be so jittery. We''re the bottom of the barrel even among mid-ranking jobs. I doubt we would even be much help, so why?"
Being pressed on for an answer, ss-99''s leader worded out his discontent, but he also couldn''t but think what had pushed them to their limit, and asked back.
They''re ss-99, and in the list, they''re quicker to be found when you count from bottom, barely clinging to the rank of mid-ranking ss qualification. As if they''re not enough—merely a gathering of mid-low ranking jobs—they''re even bringing out ss-116 to join their cause. The suspicion was obvious.
The man with a rock-like face—Gin crossed his arms and replied in a heavy tone.
"You said it, we''re the ss-45, a high-ranking ss. But, do not be mistaken that we''re on top. In fact, we have already formed an alliance with ss-24, or you can say forced into."
While he had been negotiating here, a part of their ss was out there with ss-24, following the strategy to take down ss-2 who had raided ss-24''s base. But, the whole chain ofmand was in Starkeus''s hand.
Gin''s presence here was proof enough. ss-45 was a mere tool for ss-24 to achieve their means, and as much as he would like to say otherwise, ss-24''s leader was just that much of a genius in strategy. Perhaps, this ambush would chip away much of ss-2''s strength.
On other hand, though, they were barely given any time and were forced to take part in strategy promptly. Gin did believe the result is all that matters. He also believes they should be able to top other sses in the block and reach the top. But—no. He couldn''t let it happen.
"We''re not ss-24''s match, neither in wit nor in strength. I doubt we could even outwit them if we shed. This is why we need the cooperation of many, and their strength, to fight back for a chance of victory."
"So, like, you''re saying your main target is ss-24? This is why you need our help huh..."
"Pretty much. If they managed to take down ss-2, then the winner of this block would most likely be ss-1 and ss-24. There''s nothing for us here at all."
"Wow, you sure are being quite candid, huh. What if we betrayed you?"
"If it happens, so be it. I said it—there''s nothing for our ss in this ordeal. In that case, why bother doing a roundabout way?"
"So, we will first defeat other sses with our coboration, and in the end, we will ham down at ss-24? It''s not going to be easy, you know."
"But in contrast, you''ll be ranked better. After all, either of your sses would only remain at the rock bottom typically. There''s only merit for you, with nothing to lose."
"Don''t speak for others, ss-45! Tsk, but there''s no denying we are in deep trouble given the situation. Fine, our ss will cooperate with you. Of course, if we''re doing it, we better win this, alright?"
"Obviously."
After getting a rundown from Gin, the sh guy—leader of ss-99 shed a look of stubborness. but ultimately decided to join hands.
Gradually, the battlefield was changing its course.
Well, it seems like notes are all jumbled and cut off. I will rearrange them ASAP. Simr with the maps.