Wildfire Warfare
While tinkering with bombs and such, the announcement blared through the speakers.
Announcement. From this moment forward, student Sivar will be granted attack rights. Students, ensure no disruptions to your plans...
It was declaring that I of all people had been handed attack privileges. The professors must have finally lost patience with my flashy rampages. They seemed to prefer I just eliminate people outright rather than pull these stunts.
You might ask why not just step in and disqualify me like they wanted. I had a firm answer for that.
"Sivar, now that you can attack, shouldn't we clear those out?"
"No."
Fat chance. Last time, I'd have whooped with joy the second I got the green light, but not today. The goal was to exploit the exam field to harass enemy teams or push them near elimination. How could I pass up this massive fun?
Especially since crafting weapons like stone axes and spears back in the forest had been a blast. I should ask Ellie to help brew herbs and stuff later. The results always felt so rewarding.
"...You sure about this? We're still in a good spot either way. Mind checking the map first?"
As I pondered my next creation, Grace called out to me. I couldn't ignore the team leader, so I sidled up beside her and peered at the map.
Our hideout had shifted while I was causing chaos. We were now tucked away on the outskirts of the bustling district, houses clustered tightly. No one had shown up—lucky break.
"It's about time we focused on the artifact. Considering the magic fields so far..."
Grace started drawing circles on the map with a pen—the shrunken fields up to now. They began as huge circles, gradually contracting toward our position. When it reached the current size, something clicked.
"Feels like it's shrinking toward one fixed point, right?"
As Lee Yeonju said, the fields were contracting around a specific spot. Hard to spot when it was massive, but now it was obvious.
"Exactly. But it's not certain. I based it on the fields you've seen, Sivar, but I can't confirm the center."
"Still, high chance it's there."
"Yeah. If it really is, we'll have to move—and likely clash with other teams."
Grace's marked center was in the bustling district. Not dead center, but amid dense buildings. Promising, but not definite. We'd need to search at least three structures. Worse, the next shrink would dictate how many more.
In the worst case, five or more.
"We have two immediate plans. You block other teams while we hunt the artifact. Or we all search together and fight head-on if needed. What do you think, Yeonju?"
"Hmm... Both have clear pros and cons. Even ransacking buildings solo would be tough."
No matter how much aggro I pulled, Grace and Lee Yeonju couldn't stray far. It'd take too long, and an ambush would wipe us. Grace nodded, aware of it. Our small numbers meant heavy restrictions.
"Sivar's our strength—but ironically, also our weakness. Without you, our power drops sharply. We need to use you wisely, but..."
Even with attack rights, the dilemma lingered. The ultimate spear and shield only shone depending on the wielder. Stray too far, and the girls were vulnerable; too close, and efficiency tanked. Like debating whether to use a master sword for defense or slicing fruit.
"Best would be sealing off the area entirely... but even you're just one body."
Grace pointed to the suspected artifact spot. We'd know after the next field, but blocking access outright was ideal.
"Hmm... Huh?"
I was thinking bombs wouldn't cut it when I scanned for materials. There—a jar on the shelf. I eyed it, then set it down quietly. Popped the lid to check inside: pitch-black liquid sloshing innocently.
"Whatcha do— Oh, that's oil."
"Oil?"
"Yeah. Every house has it. Useless bulk, so we left it."
Lee Yeonju explained. The jar was too big to carry. I poured a splash on the floor to test. Real deal.
"Yeonju."
"Yes?"
"Fire. Got any?"
"Lighter? Here..."
She handed over a lighter from our loot. We had cigarettes too, but no smokers, so we ditched those but kept the lighter. Might come in handy.
Whoosh!
Flicked it on the spill—roared to life, confirming oil. I stomped the flames, but they clung stubbornly. Panicking a bit, I smothered them with my other hand.
"Good."
Perfect idea. I scoured the house for glass bottles—anything fragile. Emptied one, filled it with oil, stuffed the mouth with rag.
"...What now? Making something weird again?"
Grace chided as I worked, but her face said whatever.
I jammed the wick tight, admired the sloshing payload.
"Mm."
Nice. Satisfied, I stashed it in my bag.
"Grace."
"Yes?"
"I'll block 'em solo. You two hunt."
She got it—odd look asking if that'd really work.
"Not bombs, but that?"
"Yeah."
Confident nod. This would do.
Beep!
[The magic field is shrinking.]
Soon, the shrink announcement hit. Grace rushed to the window, scanning outside.
"...Worst case. At least five houses to check."
Dreaded scenario. One house took ages; five-plus was hell. But fine by me. Like a golden goblin, I packed my Molotovs and stood.
Just had to deploy them now.
"I'm off."
"You sure you're okay?"
Grace's worried check. I nodded.
"Yeah."
All animals fear fire.
"It'll work."
Humans too.
After Sivar's naked reveal, teams scattered. Everyone had a rough idea of positions. Luna's group fought nonstop en route to the district. One teammate down—bittersweet mercy: no Kara encounter. Facing her would've doomed them all.
Attack rights to Sivar... This'll be rough.
She knew about it already. Extra caution needed. She'd avoid fights if possible, but noise had exposed them. With the field minimalizing, clashes would intensify.
"You okay?"
"Yeah... for now..."
The last teammate panted, mana-exhausted despite stamina. Normally, a recovery potion, but bag lost in the last scrap. Two down, survivor battered, no loot. Miracle they'd lasted—but no guarantees.
"Rest in that house. Recovery first."
"Got it... Huh?"
Teammate trailed off, eyes bulging. Luna followed his gaze—up.
"...Sivar?"
Sivar, bold on the rooftop of their rest spot. Headache enough with enemies; him? Knowing his rights, Luna scowled. End of the line.
Run...?
Best option. Enter the tiger's den sane, get bitten—done. She gritted teeth, mana primed for flight, waiting his move.
Sivar stared down, hand in pocket. Out came a glass bottle.
Hiss!
Luna blinked curiously as he lit the wick. It blazed fiercely—oil-soaked. He reared back, bellowed.
"Fire!"
"...?"
She tilted her head. No clue why. But the follow-up floored her.
"Burn!"
"W-Wait... No way?!"
Magic?! Sivar casting?! Since when?!
While Luna reeled, he hurled. Bottle spun, flame whirling. His throw was elite—her dynamic vision barely tracked.
Crash!
Not at her—right in front.
Whoosh!
"Gah?!"
Bottle shattered, flames erupting huge. They surged her way. Luna dodged sideways, singed by the near-miss heat.
What the hell did he do?!
She whipped toward him, stunned.
"Magic!"
No doubt.
"Fire magic!"
Sivar was at it again.
"Burn!"
Crash!
An arsonist debuted in the exam.
"No! Just attack normally, you idiot! That's what the rights are for!!"
"How do we clean this up?"
"...Beats me."
Professors clutched necks as terrorists gave way to pyromaniacs.