Battle Royale: Position is Everything
In a Battle Royale, if you had to pick the most important factor, it's undoubtedly 'position.' In games, you're usually only told your own team's location, and you have to figure out everyone else's on your own. This uncertainty is what gives rise to strategies like camping out, making you hypersensitive to sounds and directions. That's why cheats revealing enemy positions are the most in-demand. Just knowing where your opponents are lets you seize advantageous spots.
"Two here. Three there. And finally, three over here."
"I see. So we're right smack in the middle."
After scurrying around and gathering intel, we confirmed we were dead center. Of course, positions could shift with the next mana field contraction, and they might have already. But it wouldn't change much.
A closer look at the other teams showed most were camping too. Once you're eliminated, revival is impossible without a teammate left. That forces extreme caution, naturally leading to holing up in houses.
"But why do all the teams have only two or three people instead of four? Because of scouts?"
Grace asked, puzzled, as she marked the map. The standard was teams of four or three. But the ones I'd reported topped out at three. Full foursomes were virtually nonexistent.
"Me."
"Pardon?"
"I did it."
Obviously my handiwork. I'd tailed their scouts and snatched them clean, then extracted the info. Methods varied. Waterboarding was easiest, but fire worked too. Tie 'em tight to a chair, light their thighs ablaze, and answers spilled out.
Same for eliminations. To avoid dropout, they gave positive responses in all sorts of ways.
They won't make me do counseling later, right?
No attack rights meant squeezing every advantage. If anyone's at fault, it's the profs for these restrictions. Plus, the stress on students makes it a lesson in multiple ways. Shame I couldn't go full human bomb. That would've made the exam easier.
"Got it. So the other teams can't scout much... We can claim a prime spot."
To pinpoint positions, you need sounds or scouts. I'd wiped theirs out, so they'd be in a bind. Moving recklessly is dangerous; staying put is too. Add the shrinking mana field on top.
Grace stared at the map awhile, then nodded and pointed to one side.
"Let's head there first. We need to check how far the mana field shrinks, but deeper in is better."
"B-but won't lots of people crowd there?"
Lee Yeonju was right. Depending on the shrink direction, we might clash head-on. With four-plus teams. Especially since Kara's crew was in that zone—highly risky.
"It's fine. You haven't forgotten our plan, right? We just sit tight and do nothing. Let them fight each other without bothering us. Sneak in quietly undetected, and we're golden."
"Easier said than done..."
Talk is cheap. But smart teams avoid fights too. Plus, the dreaded pincer—getting sandwiched—looms, demanding caution. As said, one elimination and you're done. Revivals exist but limited.
"Still, like Yeonju said, we should prep for contingencies. Sivar can defend, but offense is weak. Let's brainstorm before the field shrinks."
"What if Yeonju or Sivar draws eyes as a decoy?"
"Too risky. We're already down to three; losing one hurts bad. Fields keep shrinking, fights ramp up. We gotta dodge combat."
Sneaky? Maybe. But wise. Skip needless scraps. Scores might dip, but ranking's king. Battle Royale gaps between first and second are huge. With meh offense, avoid disputes.
As the saying goes: Victory without fighting is best.
"Time to think artifacts too..."
[The mana field will shrink soon.]
As Grace spoke, the announcement blared. We checked our bracelets. Outside the next field? It warns and points direction.
"...Gotta move. Position is..."
"The direction Grace mentioned."
What timing. The shrink headed exactly where she'd said. Map showed a bustling district—dense buildings. Prime for street fights.
Perfect.
Urban combat's a hassle. Scout each building, enter to clear. But not for me. Smash 'em, and foes drop automatically. Building crumbles, they're out. Done.
"Hope enemy teams clash before we move..."
Grace glanced at me, eyes hopeful. Lee Yeonju wore a similar look—another request incoming.
No skin off my nose, so I agreed. But I had one ask.
"Grace."
"Yes?"
"Don't scold."
"Huh?"
Her sharp eyes went wide and dopey—kinda cute.
"Uh... no clue what, but I won't. Got a plan?"
"Yeah. Yeonju."
"?"
She blinked. I asked her.
"Help a sec."
Took too long solo. Prep done.
"...Family finds out, I'm branded criminal."
"B-but it's the exam, right?"
"Does that look okay?! That insane crap?! Where'd he even learn that?!"
Grace flipped out again, storming off solo.
Most teams avoided fights now. Exam rules, sure—but mainly no scouts left, courtesy of Sivar's sneaky takedowns. Intel dried up; they hunkered down. Follow the field if it moves, nothing more. Activity risks targeting.
"Time to shift. Borderline outside—better move."
"Got it."
Luna's team was no different. Scoutless, ultra-cautious. Her style: camp core, skirt field edges. Dodged needless brawls, minimal losses. One fight so far—clean win.
Time to engage soon.
She fiddled with her sheathed sword. Field shrinking meant more clashes. Her eyes gave intel edges, but big-picture strategy lagged. Teammate helped there, but soon useless.
Sivar's no-attack... Watch Kara sis and Elvin.
All three locations unknown. Noise might pinpoint, but nada.
Luna crept carefully—no drawing eyes. Ambush kills. Scan surroundings, step wary.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Then—a footstep rang loud in her ears. Not teammate. She'd mapped theirs long ago.
She raised a hand: halt. Team froze.
"..."
"..."
Silence fell; the sound vanished. Luna tilted her head, puzzled. A teammate spoke.
"Issue?"
"...Nah. Mistake. Forward."
She pushed unease aside. They neared the district—open path, no ambush spots. Risky stroll.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Clear now. Luna whipped around.
"Who's there!"
"Wha—?"
"Anyone?"
Team armed up, faces shocked. Then—from behind, a figure slipped out.
Barren tree-line, scant cover. One tiny tree hid someone.
Who?
Luna narrowed eyes at the robed stranger. Identity hidden. Foe for sure—everyone but allies is enemy.
As she drew sword, the figure unhooded.
"...Huh?"
"Why's that guy...?"
Like her team's shock, Luna reeled. Robed intruder? Sivar.
Why here? How'd he track? Solo? Why?
No attack rights—pointless face-off. Too blatant for scout.
Chaos reigned sans Sivar. He checked a map, eyed her team, nodded, pocketed it.
Straight stare, then—robe shed.
Flutter!
"...What?"
"Th-that's..."
Robes gone: bombs plastered everywhere. Low lethality, but knockout plenty. Multiple = suicide vest.
"...Sivar? What the hell is... that...?"
Luna lowered blade cautiously. Why bombs? Teammate work? Self-volunteered?
Brain scrambled. Meanwhile, Sivar raised hand slow, pointed with spread fingers.
"Go there. Or..."
Pointed vest.
"Boom."
Terrorist declaring self-destruct. Pity: first-years. Monster fights, sure—human combat? Green. Slow uptake.
Kara? "Crazy fuck!"—sprint cursing. Sivar knew, added:
"Not going? Then..."
Running pose.
"I come."
Charged team.
"R-run there! Hurry!"
"Gahhhh!!"
"Cr-crazy bastard! What is that! What!!"
True herding began.
Faith has increased!