Chapter 181
Chapter 181
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 181
Chapter Title: The 5×5 Clash (3)
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A short time before Julia encountered Kunter.
The dead center of occupation zone row 5.
Zone 5-3, by the map of occupation zones Julia had drawn up.
The Blue Army side arrived there first.
Two from the 48th Cohort, two from the 49th, and two from the 50th.
They appeared while scanning their surroundings warily, confirmed no one was around, and quickly moved to the center of the occupation zone.
Once they stood before the small mechanism, one of the 48th Cohort members pulled an hourglass from his pocket.
A round glass orb set in a square wooden frame.
Inside the orb, fine blue particles sloshed around.
Truth be told, it was a bit embarrassing to even call it an hourglass.
More like one split in half, perhaps?
At first, he wondered why it was shaped like that, but upon arriving at the occupation zone, its form and purpose became clear intuitively.
"So, we just slot this in here, right?"
"Looks like it."
With his comrade's agreement, the one holding the hourglass placed it into the groove on the small mechanism.
He then turned it to the right.
*Click*.
Something locked into place with a sound, and a small hole opened at the bottom of the glass orb.
*Tok—tok—*.
The blue particles began trickling down bit by bit.
Only then did they understand why it was called an hourglass, and with their task complete, they grinned brightly.
"Easy, too easy!"
"We're basically getting this quest for free!"
Seeing their seniors react that way, the tense faces of the 49th and 50th Cohort members lit up too.
But that lasted only a moment.
"Oh? Smiling already? Think you can smile just 'cause we're smiling?"
"These punks are slacking off! Get to the four-directional watch, now!"
The seniors who had been smirking suddenly snapped at them, and the four juniors froze on the spot.
*Damn, even smiling's a problem!*
*Picking at every little thing!*
Though they grumbled inwardly, the juniors couldn't show it and soon turned their backs to the mechanism, each facing east, west, south, or north to stand guard.
A few minutes passed like that.
"Hm?"
The 49th Cohort member on east watch heightened his aura.
He had sensed someone approaching.
Tension rippled through the group in response, and the sharp gaze of the 48th Cohort member hugging the mechanism grew fiercer.
A moment later.
Upon confirming the faces of those who appeared, the tension drained from the 48th Cohort member's expression.
"What, it's just you guys?"
He asked with a smirk.
Where his gaze landed, eight people wearing white armbands stood.
"Seven from the 50th and one from the 49th... disposable pawns?"
"Hey, isn't that 49th one Teresa Winchester?"
His comrade nodded toward her, and the smirking man's face stiffened slightly.
But as if nothing had happened, he relaxed and sneered again.
"Eh, doesn't matter anyway."
Teresa was fairly well-known even among the 48th Cohort.
And that fame meant her skills were recognized to a certain degree.
*'Second-years, but still just average uncertified 1st dans... well, it's September now, so the top ones might be certified 1st dan.'*
Rumor had it Teresa was aiming for certified 2nd dan.
*'Even as a 'water' cohort, the top spot's the top spot, huh?'*
He smirked at her.
*'I'll check if the rumors are true myself.'*
With that thought, he drew his sword and said,
"I'll handle them. You guys rest."
"Suits me fine."
The 48th Cohort member who drew his sword advanced toward the approaching White Army.
Both the one walking toward the enemy.
And the one who stayed behind.
Neither showed a hint of worry about losing.
On the other hand, the 50th Cohort member eyed the newcomers uneasily.
"Sir, those guys are top ranks in the 50th... those two are rank 2. Joint rank 2, even."
"So?"
"Uh, I mean... be careful. They're... different somehow. And Senior Teresa's a bit dangerous too..."
The remaining 48th Cohort member scoffed at the 50th's words.
"Different how? Why are you getting cold feet? Hey, you know why we get senior treatment from you lot?"
"...Because we've spent more time in the Cradle?"
"And why do you think that's the case?"
"Well..."
When the junior couldn't answer easily, the senior provided it.
"Because you get stronger the longer you survive in the Cradle."
"......!"
"The so-called top dogs in your 50th Cohort are just uncertified 1st dans at best, and those are a dime a dozen even in the 49th's bottom ranks. The 49th's top dogs can be handled by the 48th's lower ranks too."
"Oh..."
"In the Cradle, you grow stronger with survival time, and earn respect with strength."
He draped an arm over the junior's shoulder with a face full of pride.
"For reference, I'm rank 46, and..."
He made no effort to hide it, his confident voice echoing softly across the clearing.
At the same time, he nodded toward his comrade heading for Teresa, arm still around the 50th.
"That guy's rank 15. Pulled off a flame sword just the other day too."
"Ah!"
The Blue Army 50th Cohort member's face brightened.
*'Certified 2nd dan!'*
If rank 15 was certified 2nd dan level, rank 46 would be a solid certified 1st dan.
*'Plus the 49th seniors look like mid-to-upper ranks too...!'*
Only then did the Blue Army 50th understand his 48th Cohort senior's overwhelming confidence.
Seeing the junior's expression change instantly, 48th rank 46 smirked.
"Get it now? Even solid players from the 49th, let alone 50th, are no match for him an..."
Before he could finish.
*Shruk—*.
Teresa, melting into shadow, appeared right in front of the oncoming 48th rank 15 and thrust her spear like a beam of light.
As if anticipating it, the attacked 48th swiftly swung his sword in counter.
His blade was already cloaked in the flame aura marking certified 2nd dan.
A red-hot sword.
A spear thrusting straight ahead.
Their clash was expected to end obviously in favor of the flame sword's overwhelming power.
Except.
*Shy—*.
Until Teresa's spear whipped around like a serpent, igniting red before the blade could.
*Shyurik—*.
In an instant, her spear glowed red-hot, tracing a crimson arc that smacked the sword aside.
*Boom—!*
Sword and spear collided with a massive explosion.
*'What?!'*
Caught off-guard and struck, the 48th's arm flew back, exposing his chest wide.
In that instant, as if waiting, Gunter appeared and swung his two-handed sword mightily at the 48th's chest.
Seeing the rising two-hander, the 48th gritted his teeth.
*'This punk?!'*
As if his stance had never faltered, he yanked his sword back into a guard position.
One wrong move, and his upper body would be sliced deep, a severe wound.
Yet certified 2nd dan was no lie; he barely blocked Gunter's sword.
The problem was, he had only blocked it.
*Boom—*.
Another explosion rang out.
*Kuduk—*.
The 48th grimaced at the sound from his own arm.
*'What power?!'*
To produce this force and impact required at least a force blade.
Meaning the 50th before him was at least certified 1st dan.
*'Damn!'*
Cursing inwardly, unable to fully absorb the blow, his body launched into the air.
Airborne, he tried to regain his posture somehow.
And right then.
*Whung—*.
"......?!'
The moment he sensed a dark shadow over his head.
An enormous bulk slammed down on him, a massive shield crushing with terrifying force.
*Boom—!*
"Kruk?!"
First impact from the shield.
Second from smashing into the ground.
Reeling from the successive shocks, the 48th spat blood as his mind faded.
His last thought was one.
*'These guys... what are they?'*
The spear that smacked aside his flame sword just now.
It was clearly flame realm, and far denser in color—more refined than his.
The sword that launched him skyward and the shield that pounded him down both bore force realm auras, and not crudely, but masterfully honed.
What stunned him most was how seamlessly they linked.
As if they'd drilled it hundreds, thousands of times.
With that thought, the 48th rank 15, who had stepped out so cockily to handle the White Army, passed out cold.
Meanwhile, the 48th with his arm around the 50th's shoulder.
"Uh......?"
Stunned by what unfolded before him, he stood slack-jawed, half-dazed, as the 50th he'd been leaning on muttered with a woeful face.
"See? I told you... they're different."
As if that aggrieved voice was the signal.
"Let's go, Gunter, Poppi."
"Yes."
"I'm hungry!"
Led by Teresa, Gunter, and Poppi, the full eight of the White Army charged the Blues.
*Kwaaaang—!*
Meanwhile, right next door in occupation zone 5-4.
*Sruk—*.
Goetz Loetern crouched before the zone's mechanism, watching the pure white particles slowly trickle down inside the hourglass.
Lost in pointless musings like *'I wonder what principle this mechanism runs on?'*, he lifted his head at the faint boom from afar.
"...Looks like they're already having a go over there."
He murmured softly, gazing toward 5-3.
His eyes drifted beyond, past the trees encircling the zones.
Imagining some distant spot far off, the bright voice of the one who devised this absurd plan echoed unbidden in his ears.
* * *
"What do you mean, 'handle them'?"
At Julia's question, Yuri extended her index finger.
"The occupation forces take the five nearest zones first and hold as planned."
Like Julia had, Yuri traced 1-5, 2-5, 3-5, 4-5, 5-5 in order.
"But we're upping the occupation force to 25 per zone."
Julia stared in disbelief at that.
"Twenty-five?! That's too many!"
Even her own suggestion of twenty had been extreme, yet Yuri went even further.
But the one who suggested it was utterly calm.
"Twenty's cutting it too close, isn't it? Might as well go all-in with 25."
"Even so..."
"If you're going extreme, commit fully—no half-measures, or it'll flop."
"......"
Julia's mouth shut before those unwavering golden eyes.
In the meantime, Yuri tapped Teresa's shoulder.
"Tessha, pick any number from 1 to 5 that catches your fancy."
"Suddenly? Why?"
"Come on."
Puzzled for a moment, but accustomed to Yuri's quirks, Teresa picked casually.
"Five."
"Good!"
Hearing Teresa's answer, Yuri drew her sword and slashed a line across the occupation zone map.
*Zzzik—*.
A clean straight line from 5-5 through 5-4, 5-3, 5-2... to 5-1.
As everyone stared in confusion at her abrupt action, Yuri glanced one way and said,
"Pervert, you take one zone that side."
No sooner had she spoken than a reply came from beyond the human barrier.
"Surely you're not calling me 'pervert'?"
The voice was followed by the barrier parting left and right.
Revealing Goetz, crouched down.
Yuri nodded at him.
"You know it."
"Haha, 'pervert'... what a humiliating title! So unfitting for me!"
"Yeah, you're the only one who thinks that. Anyway, you take that zone."
"Haha, Little Owl? Did you half-hear what our White Rose said earlier? That taking one zone needs at least 18, more even? And you want me to solo it? Ridiculous!"
Goetz waved it off as impossible, but Yuri fixed him with a steady gaze.
"No whining."
"......"
Goetz's waving hand slowed to a halt.
The smile on his lips faded away.
*'Those eyes...'*
A gaze that pierced right through him.
It held ironclad conviction: *'I know you can do it.'*
"......"
"......"
The staring contest between Yuri and Goetz lasted a moment.
Goetz raised the white flag first.
"Hmm, fine. But...!"
"But?"
"Attach just one person of my choosing. Then I'll cooperate without complaint."
"Sure. Who?"
No sooner said than Goetz strode forward, knelt on one knee before Arin, and extended a hand.
"Blue Rose, would you grace me with your company?"
"Eek?!"
Arin yelped in horror and hid behind Yuri at his sudden demeanor.
Yuri scowled.
"Ugh, why her of all people? Can't pick someone else?"
Arin's face lit up instantly at that.
"No one else. It must be the Blue Rose! Refuse this, and I won't cooperate!"
Arin pressed even tighter against Yuri's back at Goetz's firm declaration.
Meanwhile, Yuri stroked her chin, pondering.
"Tch, no choice then..."
With a brief click of her tongue, she turned to Arin.
"Arin."
"U-Uh?"
Sensing doom, Arin backed away, but Yuri's hands gripped her shoulders.
"You're sacrificing this time."
"Y-Yuri?"
"Quest ends, I'll make whatever you want for a week."
*Pat-pat*.
Patting Arin's shoulders, Yuri nodded to Goetz.
"Deal accepted."
"Oh ho?"
"You take 5-4. Possible?"
"I'll give it my best."
Yuri marked an X on 5-4 with her sword as the excited Goetz replied.
Meanwhile, Arin slumped to the ground behind Yuri.
"Y-Yuri... our Yuri... abandoned me?! How could you!"
Trembling in shock, she got a shoulder pat from Poppi crouching beside her.
Ignoring it entirely, Yuri called the others.
"Tessha, Poppi, Gunter."
The three turned at her summons.
"I'm adding five more to you three. Take 5-3."
She didn't ask if it was possible.
She assumed it was.
*'Originally planned four including Arin.'*
But Goetz took Arin, so she filled the gap with five.
Without waiting for a reply, Yuri X'd 5-3.
The onlookers watched, utterly baffled.
Even quick-witted Julia was no exception.
Unable to hold back, she asked,
"What... are you even doing?"
"What else? Planning."
"What's the point of this?"
Julia pointed to the X'd 5-3 and 5-4.
Yuri answered her doubt.
"They're not idiots—they'll predict we'll concentrate on column 5 to some extent, right?"
"Yeah..."
Unable to deny it, Julia nodded.
So Yuri tapped column 5 with her scabbard tip.
"That's why we'll sell it hard—go all-in on column 5."
"...How's that different from my strategy?"
"Difference? Obviously! We're not really after column 5... we're after row 5."
"What... what are you even saying?"
The more she heard, the more confused Julia grew, frowning.
Suppressing her frustration, she pressed,
"Occupation force of 125, minus you-know-who and a few more like Goetz Loetern... leaves just 15. You saying those 15 take the remaining two zones for bingo?"
Her question now tinged with irritation, met Yuri's flat reply.
"Nope. Me alone."
"...What?"
Julia and everyone blinked, doubting their ears.
But their hearing was fine.
"14 of the 15 as scouts..."
Yuri's index and middle fingers stabbed the two farthest zones.
5-1 and 5-2.
"I'll take those two solo."
"......"
A chill silence descended instantly.
In its midst, Yuri's matter-of-fact declaration continued.
"I'll complete this bingo."