Factory Infiltration
Zien emerged from the abandoned hospital and scaled the ridge, ascending the mountain.
"This way."
He reached the summit in an instant.
Zien crossed his arms, gazing down at the base of the mountain.
A lake-deep snowfield.
His black training robes fluttering in the wind.
Zien, surveying the open vista, looked every bit the martial arts master from a wuxia tale.
So that's the building village, huh?
From his vantage point, the path to the cave was blocked by what looked like a fortress of buildings. Nicknamed the building village. It was a stronghold dense with structures, led by a massive factory.
Still, I've gotta push through.
Zien's decision was risky.
The factory in the building village was the perfect defensive position. Most parties avoided lingering there once it was occupied. But it was also the rational choice.
This won't cut it.
What Zien wanted wasn't just safely scraping by with one round. That level of performance wouldn't turn heads.
He wanted to etch his party into the minds of the officials. For first-years aiming to get gate assignments, it was an essential step.
And if I want to grab some viewers and sponsors on the side...
There had only ever been one option.
Zien raced along the ridge. His speed was like a gale, but he left no footprints or sound in his wake.
The building village, packed with dilapidated structures, had fallen into ruin from neglect. It was like a forest in the heart of a city—the spot that best captured the uninhabited island map's unique vibe.
"No guards at all. They're really slacking off."
Zien strolled through the building village like a tourist and addressed his viewers. Of course, he couldn't see their reactions. His only line of communication was...
Amy.
She was clearly unhappy with Zien heading into the factory alone.
I know.
That's why Zien had heightened every sense in his body. Not just mentally—he was spreading faint mana across his entire form, a high-level technique to sharpen his reactions.
Right now, he could even hear leaves falling to the ground.
But...
No one's here.
Zien was scouting the factory from the rooftop of a nearby building. Aside from the factory, there were no signs of life in the other structures. It meant every last person was committed to defending the factory fortress.
Whoever they are, solid strategy.
Communication gear was a high-grade artifact in battle survival, hard to come by.
If coordinating's tough, bunching up like that isn't a bad call.
Plus, committing so openly to defense deterred most parties from even attempting an assault. The factory had two entrances: the main gate in plain view and a straight-shot back door. Charging the front gate solo was suicide.
The back door, meanwhile, limited Zien's signature mobility.
Or rather, the moment he approached the factory, ranged magic tools would rain down.
Zien brushed off Amy's messages lightly.
Amy's messages grew more desperate.
Whether it was distrust or plain fear, Amy's barrage showed no sign of stopping.
Yeah, for real.
This was his chance for a big splash.
Whoosh!
His Stigma glowed, and a sword materialized in Zien's hand. He'd just finished prepping for a new Magic Tool. He'd gained one from eating Yggdrasil's fruit in the crystal cave, and his unique trait gave him plenty of MP.
Didn't expect to use the Magic Tool this soon.
Tssst!
Mana surged from Black Fragrance, making his robes billow. The pitch-black blade, whose nature was to cleave.
Space Slash
1500 MP consumed.
Current MP: 511 / 3300
Before it, not even space was safe. The sword traced slowly through the air. A wound lingered in its path, a rift forming. Beyond the torn fissure, the factory's interior shimmered into view.
Tzzzt! Crackle!
The rift sparked with mana.
In that instant, the ironclad gate forged by three united parties crumbled to a single Magic Art.
Unlike the opener, caster Vernon sounded dead serious.
"Celia Academy... I can't believe this is first-year teamwork."
"Yeah, I'd buy it if they were pros. So clean and organized."
Bluma was a 6th-rank Saber, but she was genuinely impressed by Celia Academy.
As expected of Celia... True to their prestige.
[Celia Academy]
[Lucia Elquenes - View]
The trio from Celia Academy strode boldly down the road. No one blocked them now.
Kua, freely manipulating water.
Demona with her halberd taller than herself.
Lucia, walking with sword in hand.
Their individual prowess and teamwork were on another level from other academies.
Parties foolishly blocking Lucia's path were swept away by Kua's tidal waves and shattered by Demona's halberd.
They'd wiped out four parties on the road alone.
"Looks like Celia Academy's heading to the school. Probably to take down the boss mob Witch, right?"
Bluma nodded at Vernon's question.
"Yes. Plenty of time before airdrop, and Celia's party can definitely handle the witch."
Flash!
Then the main screen switched. Not to Celia's trio on the road, but to a man in black training robes.
Switching main cam in this situation?
Vernon was puzzled but ad-libbed smoothly.
"Oh! Main camera's switched to Arcana. Viewers might know this student better as 'A'... Huh?"
Zien stood at the infamous factory. The screen showed the situation at a glance: nine huddled students and Zien infiltrating.
It looked utterly reckless.
"W-Wait, did he just enter the factory? How, why!?"
Bluma forgot her broadcast poise, slipping into casual speech in her shock. Vernon felt the same absurdity.
"Uh... Did he really infiltrate the factory solo? Against nine! That's straight-up suicide! What is Arcana thinking!?"
Krunch!
As if answering Vernon's shout, Zien cleaved a massive pipe with his sword.
Pssshhh!
Steam billowed massively from the pipe. Zien retreated swiftly. Vernon finally caught on and explained.
"He smashed the steam pipe for a smokescreen effect. That's... pretty seasoned."
"Sure, he's battle-savvy, but charging nine solo? Total recklessness. Has he forgotten he's the party leader?"
Despite her words, Bluma's face showed anticipation. Naturally. Zien was the first-year who'd slain a 4th-rank boss Hyperus and repelled Desire. She knew his other feats well.
I'm surprised, but if it's Zien's skill, maybe he can pull it off.
What actually bugged her was something else.
Hmm... If we cover him too much, we won't be able to recruit him.
Bluma smiled slyly at the screen. As she thought, plenty of officials were watching this event. Even for Bluma, if Zien caught the government's eye, scouting him would be tough.
"Exactly."
Vernon, however, criticized Zien's recklessness without a shred of doubt.
"Party leader elimination means total wipe, yet this reckless call? Can't understand it."
Still, Zien's bold move had undeniably pulled the main cam back to Arcana from its Celia favoritism.
The factory, shrouded in steam.
Amy's monitor showed only a blurry silhouette of Zien's back.
Laugh or cry?
The tension was killing her.
In her booth, Amy forgot her commentary, gnawing her nails.
"Yay, main cam's on us! Score!!"
She'd clawed back some viewers from Celia's road-sweeping trio.
This was the main cam effect.
Twitch numbers like this? Amy couldn't even guess how many were watching the main broadcast.
"But 9v1 is too much!"
This gripe was genuine.
He's strong, I get it... But is he insane? Charging in?
Her reaction only hyped the viewers more.
The speaker volume spiked. Amy pressed her ear to the monitor.
"Ahh! Sound! I hear sounds! Everyone quiet!"
These guys...
Amy stared holes through the monitor. But the steam blurred everything; she still couldn't tell what was happening. All she knew was the murmurs growing louder.
Oh? They're closing in?
The speaker volume rising meant Zien was nearing the enemies.
Eek! He planning to fight right away?
Sudden stealth action.
Amy's face paled.
But in this steam, the 9-to-1 numbers advantage faded.
To Zien, everyone inside is an enemy anyway.
Visibility be damned. Sense the mana and cleave.
Might even have a shot...
Then a woman's voice rang clear from the speaker.
"You sure you guarded the entrance straight?"
One of the nine holding the factory. The sudden steam had the three parties showing signs of fracture.
"Sigh, that's why I said shoot when I was lurking."
"But earlier you said wait till they hit the trap?"
"Sorry, that was the glasses girl."
"Haa, yeah, why team with the school even if we're rushed?"
"They're listening now."
Voices tangled in the steam. With no visibility and parties splintering, chaos bred more chaos.
"Quit the noise. Everyone huddle up and just hold... Gahk!"
The death rattle blew the starting whistle.
"Hey! What!?"
"Tch! Party leader, fall back!"
Urgent shouts accompanied the shimmering light particles of elimination.
"9—now 8—v1!"
Amy gulped.
The factory was now a steam-filled mess where friend and foe blurred. It was every man for himself. And Zien was the strongest student there.
We got a chance!
Amy's eyes sparkled with renewed vigor. She shouted capitalist cheer.
"Arcana fighting!"
Stage set.
Viewers were fired up, wallets open, ready to become Arcana fans.
One final step remained.
Amy prayed desperately at the screen.
Please win!!!
Lose and it's hell.
Win and it's heaven.
This moment was her biggest turning point.