Chapter 26: Hide and Seek - 2
At 1pm, the test for team A began.
~~~
Darkness prowled all around blocking all light from vision. The darkness seemed so thick that it was better to describe it as pitch black than simple shadows, with the only real source of light being a metallic cube that floated in the air with a deep blue tinge.
The lighthouse casted a direct light towards the ground, lighting up the plain white floor atop which walked a man with a purple track suit.
The man had an average looking face with a lean build that didn't suggest any muscle at first glance.
Sigh! The man sighed, notions and visions flooding his mind unbidden.
I'm going to be hospitalized after this aren't I?
I hope he doesn't break a bone...
I wanna go home!
Shibisu's mind was a mess, his consciousness and rationality like a piece of insubstantial fog that fazed in and out of existence; the reason of which was his current predicament as per which, he was the bait.
Team A organized themselves rather quickly with Khun at the forefront. Khun was truly a mastermind at planning, effortlessly formulating a plan that the ranker wouldn't expect and winning the trust of all the participants.
However, to Shibisu, his plan couldn't be said to be ideal. Why? Simple, their plan was unlike traditional thinking; which was to seize the ranker's badge and win the game without ever leaving the second circle!
However, Shibisu was the bait to draw in the ranker first, a way for them to prepare in advance when the ranker arrives and land a decisive victory.
It's so dark... it's like he could pop up at any moment from anywhere... Scouts really aren't a great position.
Shibisu lamented at his fate. Should I change positions? He thought.
Just then, something spoke into his ears.
"Hey! Can you hear me!" Shibisu jumped at the voice, screaming out in he process.
"Bastard! You scared me!" He yelled back.
"Why are you getting scared? You're supposed to attract the ranker." Khun said in reply. Shibisu shook his head, readjusting the communication tool in his ear.
"...isn't it bad?"
"What?"
"That Bam is on another team." As his words landed, Shibisu felt the voice on the other end go quiet for a split second.
"Too bad. But what can we do? It was designated." He said simply.
"Don't you know? If we catch the seeker there's almost no chance for Bam to pass the test." Shibisu shook his head, feeling pity for the boy.
"I know. But we can't give up the test because of him right? In a test, its every man for themselves." He said.
"You're cold hearted."
"Thank you."
Shibisu's expression turned a bit strange at the awkward topic of conversation.
"What about the ranker?" He asked.
Shibisu looked on into the darkness, and then he focused on the observers, tools that aided Scouts in mapping out the area and sending back information.
"I don't see anything. Nothing on the observers either." He said.
Suddenly, he perked up.
"Why do you think he will come? It's pretty obvious I'm the bait with this big lighthouse." He pointed to the Lighthouse up above."
However, the grim tone of Khun came in response.
"He come come. For sure."
Shibisu sweatdropped at his confidence.
Suddenly, his eyes widened.
"Khun..."
"Yes?"
"He's here."
Shibisu adopted a combat stance, holding his fists in front of him.
The wind around him seemed to get restless, which was strange in and of itself, since the shinsu density inside the sphere was particularly dense, even making it hard for Anaak to move.
The strange howl of the wind rang in his ears as strange whispers seemed to come from the darkness.
And then, he turned to the right.
His eyes met two glowing red gots, moving about in the darkness.
"Your two observers move about in predictable patterns. Easy to avoid if you're a good enough Scout." A voice called out from the red dots.
The light house's light extended, illuminating the darkness ahead and eventually making the ranker appear from the darkness.
Quant stood in place with a smile and chuckled.
"Why are you standing around like that? You're making it so obvious that you're the bait." He smiled.
~~~
Team B sat in a room with a large round table. They were seated in a semi circle with a large television screen in front, displaying the happenings of the first game of Hide and Seek which the Team A were partaking in.
Winston sat with Bam to his right and Serena to his left.
Further to the right, next to Bam sat the princess of Jahad, Endorsi who was getting flattered by one of the fishermans on the team.
Winston shook his head and smiled compassionately as he looked on at his team. There was no need for him to do anything in the test to be honest.
Within the fisherman position, he had the highest chances to be promoted further and passing the test. Not to mention his points, which still stood at the impressive number of 4800, far more than the amount the chosen fisherman was promised to get upon tagging the seeker.
That was the reason that Winston was not worried in the slightest. He was going to pass anyway. All he needed to do was participate and show off some of his potential and strength.
"I hate this team! What am I going to do with all of there useless regulars!" The regular that had been smothering Endorsi with flattery and sweet words yelled suddenly. Then, his tone took a direct change and appeared almost subservient. "Of course that doesn't include you, O glorious Princess of Jahad." He said.
Endorsi smile and her eyes momentarily wandered to towards Winston who sat just one seat across from her. Then, she shook her head.
"You're our team's only hope!" The regular yelled again.
"Oh sweet." She smiled sweetly towards him.
Then, Serena who sat on Winston's left pointed towards the screen and called out.
"Look! They've already met the seeker!" She yelled.
Everyone turned their eyes towards the screen, looking at the scene of Quant engaging in a conversation with Shibisu.
"They already found them without an observer? Are the rankers that fast?!" Someone yelled.
"Rankers are scary..." someone droned.
Wisnton contemplated.
Even if it's a ranker, the test has only just started 5 minutes ago. The ranker will take his time travelling to each contestant to gauge them out for assessment.
At the end, the chosen 'it' had only one way to go, which is the thin bridge that leads to the exit. He only needs to catch them at that point. With Anaak's speed, reaching that point can be said to be a moderately easy task, if not for the shinsu density.
Winston shook his head.
With all those factors combined, it doesn't make sense for the ranker to be so fast in his approach. And that means a single thing. They're purposefully leading him into a trap. And he followed to see what they would do. Either Shibisu has acted as the bait to stall the ranker so Anaak has more time to reach the exit, which would eventually fail due to Anaak's reduced speed and the ranker's comparatively monstrous movement potential, or the second strategy...
Winston's eyes sharpened suddenly. They're planning to snatch the badge right then and there! He smiled. Either one can be called an optimum strategy and neither has better chances at succeeding. But thinking of Khun...
Winston's eyes travelled to the screen as his smile widened.
On the screen, Quant talked with Shibisu for some time, about how there were spear bearers and Fisherman closeby for an ambush.
And then, the red haired ranker proceeded to dodge spears thrown at him and destroy the Lighthouse in the air.
Taking care of the light source to confuse the people and seize the initiative... quite a nice strategy. I suppose I comes with experience. Winston mused.
Then, the ranker moved about in the darkness unimpeded by the utter loss of vision.
Suddenly, a lighthouse turned on in the distance, casting it's light onto the ranker who was behind Shibisu. The light of the Lighthouse extended to reveal a green skinned girl with a reel inventory floating behind her, Anaak!
Winston watched on as Anaak threw a hook attached to the reel inventory, wanting to tag the seeker and win the game right then a there.
In that moment, Winston even felt that might just win, solely because of the surprise factor of the attack. However, just as the hook was about to touch the badge on the ranker, a howl of the wind sounded out.
Whoooooooooooo!
With that, the ranker disappeared into thin air, merging into the darkness around him in a burst of speed and camouflaging into the surroundings.
Winston drew in a short breath, thinking of what might happen further into the fight. Quant, as he understood him, was an incredibly petty individual who did not like to lose and went all out even against regulars on the test floor.
And the ambush to tag the seeker at this point was a blatant disregard for his strength.
Winston chuckled as the regulars in the room were riled up, shouting things like 'Take care of them already!' and 'Way to go! Kill them all!'
After that, the red haired ranker gave them 30 minutes and 32 seconds to do whatever they wanted and to run.
And so, the run was on.
They underestimated the ranker. Their oversight in the plans led to them getting behind in the opportunity to go for the exit.
Winston shook his head in disappointment.
It's always better to overestimate an opponent than to underestimate them. Khun ought to have known the capabilities of a ranker quite well, given that he's from the Khun family... Winston scratched his chin and looked towards Bam who was beside him.
Bam appeared quite shaken, his eyes widened and his pupils shrunken down.
Winston narrowed his eyes and looked on at the screen.
Unless... he has some other plans to speak of...
Winston took another look at Bam and smirked.
"What do you think?" He asked.
Bam turned to him and turned his head quizzically.
"What?"
"Team A. What do you think? Will they pass?" He asked.
Bam shook his head with utmost confidence.
"Yes! They will pass!"
Winston chuckled.
"Shouldn't you be hoping for them to fail? Your on Team B, they aren't your teammates now." He laughed.
Bam looked down, appearing conflicted.
"Should I... should I wish for that?" He asked.
Winston looked at him. "Maybe. You tell me." He chortled.
Bam didn't speak anything. To the side, Endorsi looked at them with an unknown expression.
~~~
A/N: I was feeling especially generous today. So here's another chapter.
Throw some Stones.
Also, leave a review.
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