The game had been barely past 20 minutes. Yet, thest ranker was concluded, and much to everyone''s sheer astonishment, it was ss-2.


    The result had swept the whole audience into a state of disarray.


    "U-Unbelievable! ss-2 has been eliminated first—!!"


    "Shocking, truly, no one should have seen thising! Who could have thought one of the peaks would be uprooted and plunge to the ravine just like that, buried so deeply that they have no other chance toe back!"


    "Now it''s truly the whichever way the fortune favours battle situations!"


    A fervent exmation remark escaped from the mouth of Cass—She was a young announcer who had recently gained poprity as the host in the guild battles, and was the holder of advanced job ?Multi-talented Entertainer?—as it boomed across the entire venue. By virtue of her wild enthusiasm, along with the cheerful outlook, she had wormed her way into the heart of the audience.


    "A raging situation that no one had seening, truly. It was a bleak situation for the ss-2, having been pressed on by three high-ranking sses no less. However they''d not let themselves crumble away even to the end, this much is due for them."


    A young, striking man—Stephan, the co-announcer, and holder of advanced job ?Scion? stated calmly from next to Cass. Their tag-team had recently been sought even to be the host for the guild battles of high-ranking battle. In fact, they''d received the invitation for the first arena, too, albeit they turned it in favour of the first year''s battleground—fifth arena.


    "Indeed, ss-2''s final struggle had been as bright as the sparkle''s final radiance! I had almost thought it is game over for them when they''re caught up in the trap of ss-24, pincered by the ss-45—"


    "But they didn''t take the trap lying down as well. They''d lost as much as 14 of theirrades, but they trade-off with ten of their opponents as well. They''re fantastic, finding that silver lining to make a counter and leaving with four of them alive."


    "Let''s not forget the shine that''s Sedan-kun, the leader of ss-2! What a throbbing sight it was when he pulled the rearguard, allowing allies a chance to escape!"


    "Plus, immediately after arrival, he had plunged into confrontation against ss-1 and took down one of their members. He''s the absolute MVP for the ss-2, albeit it''s a pity their ss is nowst ranked. I believe he has a fair chance to be chosen for a reward for the first block''s first battle.”


    The duo shifted their attention to the just eliminated ss-2—but more so to their leader.


    The ss-2 led an offence against the ss-24, but little did they know they''re mere rat in a trap. Sandwiched between the pincer attack of two sses, ss-2''s leader disyed unparalleled valour, protecting his ally while also breaking the opponent''s lineup.


    Then, after arriving soon, he turned to the northern defence line under the direction of paper-fan girl Rumi and Addie the Giant Hammer user where he brought down the leader of <Best of the Best, the Great Star>—one of the three titan guild of first years, earning a considerable merit.


    Afterward, he faced the joint raid from ss-24 and azure scarf tied ss-45 but a pity, theck of defence force became their Achilles heel. By the very end, ss-2 only had 5 members left. And along with the fall of their base, the remaining one—like Sedan, Rumi and Addie—too, were deported soon.


    It was an unfortunate oue, but Sedan''s performance had brought a wave of excitement over the audience greatly.


    And now, with the ss-2 down, the situation in the arena has taken another drastic turn.


    "Wowza—! We have some movement in the south—! ss-1 has jumped on ss-24!! Gracious, the north has started to take action too! T-This, the next sore thumb to target is ss-1?! What a tantalising development, behold, ss-15 and ss-58 has been moving toward the ss-1 base as well, seemingly with the intention to strike them down—!!"


    "The chaos has dyed the whole match in its colour, rendering it impossible to pinpoint the direction the match may be heading. The multiple alliances, like the heads of hydra, must have received the news of ss-2 fall. In the south, ss-1 may face the brunt of ss-24 and ss-45, while charging toward them from south is ss-15 and ss-58. They should''ve had no way of learning the news, yet they''ve taken action at the same timing oddly."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "But whatever may be the underlying conspiracy, now we have to see if ss-1, the supposed immovable behemoth, will fall down here or not! Or, will they blow the trumpet of retaliation!? With the stagepletely unfolding, the tumultuous happening is just the start it seems!"


    "Indeed, taking your eyes off even for a second seems impossible. So keep watching, as the chaos in the battle of the first block has just spread its wings!"


    ◇　◇　◇


    Zooming out from the audience side, and back to the arena—


    Near the northwest area, the base of ss-58 was crowded with a multitude of ss-15 students. In the centre of the crowd was Nevis, leader of ss-15, and Atrutuo, leader of ss-58.


    "Nevis, after sorting out the information, I have confirmed the majority of ss-1''s force is out of their base. Now is the chance for us to mount a raid."


    "Thanks. I have also brought in full force. We oughta make a move immediately, yeah."


    "In addition, it seems ss-2 has suddenly fallen. The headcount of ss-24 and ss-45 has also reduced as a result, and the one to take ss-2 is ss-24."


    "I see, then they should be opting out of the battle for now. I have some words with ss-99 and ss-116 as well. They''ll noty a hand on our base while we''re wrapping up ss-1."


    "Well, they could have joined the cause against ss-1 though. The more force we have, the more foolproof will be our tactic."


    "Their hesitation is understandable however. The gap between us is so wide after all. Any of our proposals most likely will be taken as asking them to be canon fodder for us."


    As the two leaders discussed, burning with fighting intent, they received their news.


    "The wait is over! ss-58 has finished its preparation!"


    "ss-15 is also ready to sweep the floor."


    "Just what I was waiting for. Not even ss-1 should be able to defend against our outnumbered force."


    Nevis stood up from his seat at the report, Atrutuo followed after him.


    "Very well, as nned, ss-58 will take a detour from the south."


    "Right, while we will proceed from the east. Let''s win it!"


    "For the victory! ——Everyone, the moment of retaliation is finally here! Except the five reserved personnel, the rest of the force will follow me to crash down on our opponent! Make a break for the victory!"


    "You heard it, ss! We''re going to take down ss-1! May the victory be ours!!"


    " " " " "May the victory be ours!!" " " " "


    The shout from their leaders evoked the seething feelings within the two sses, their booming shout travelled akin to thunderous roar.


    ss-58 tactic involved dispatching almost all of their 25 members in the south, forsaking any thought of keeping room for other cases. They know very well they''ll be mowed down instead if they''re not going with a 100% do-or-die mindset.


    Having lost three of their members right in the beginning, ss-15, the one undertaking the raid route in the east, was simrly opting for an all-out attack. Of course, each side had their own vested interest, and apprehension, but that side was suppressed by the giant that was ss-1. If they want to escape the fate of low rankers, they''d have to bite the bullet here.


    The situation had further changed drastically by the fall of ss-2, who was supposed to be one of top contenders, but ss-15 no longer had the time to slowly watch over the situation. With their scouts thinning out, alone they''re not an opponent of the supposed alliance of ss-25 and ss-45.


    Meanwhile, ss-58 had been under the severe pressure by having their back to ss-1, living in the constant fear that any moment could be theirst in the arena. Either ss-1 or  ss-24 and ss-45 need to be taken down while they''re alive.


    With various thoughts dying the backdrop into a colour of urgency, ss-15 and ss-58 ultimately decided to set their eyes on ss-1, their initial target.


    If they win against them, they would get the entire 399 points, propelling them to the throne of number one. Against such a lucrative chance, ss-15 decided to y all cards in their hard, brining entirety of their force for the raid.


    ◇　◇　◇


    Meanwhile, back to ss-1 base—


    The base only had 14 of their members roaming around, a number that certainly could put them into jeopardy should they receive the attack.


    But that said, had they been so easy to tackle, they wouldn''t have the title of Strongest ss in the first year. They''ve already received word about ss-15 and ss-58 forcesing to target them.


    Yet—


    "Hehe, Karua''s kitty is really so cute and docile."


    Only the refreshing giggle of Princess reverberated around distinctly.


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