Lynx stopped in his tracks. He controlled his facial expressions, keeping his presence neutral before slowly looking back over his shoulder.
"Who are you?" Lynx asked flatly.
Reilly flinched, holding one trembling hand up to her chest. "I know how you fight. I heard what happened to you after we moved away..."
Lynx's gaze stayed cold. "You're still with them. If you're looking for forgiveness, save it. I don't hold anything against you, so it's pointless. In the next round, I know Sun is going to send a mix of my childhood friends and at least one of his strongest fighters."
"But... you're still our leader—"
"I'm no leader," Lynx cut her off flatly. "I just guided you all. Once it is done, people go their own ways."
Reilly looked down, her eyes narrowing in silence. Lynx turned around and walked right past her without slowing down.
"Tell Dip to go all out," Lynx said as he passed. "And for the record... I might not be your leader anymore, but I'll always be your friend."
Reilly froze. She quickly looked back, but Lynx was already gone. A small, bittersweet smile formed on her face.
"I wish... we were still together as a team," she murmured to the empty air.
...
In the arena, the crowd was roaring, excited for the next stage of the tournament. Drones hovered above, broadcasting the arena to the world.
A lot of people in the audience were wearing black clothes with the number five to support Team Five.
Sitting in the participant stands, a silver-haired girl leaned against the railing. Her assassin-style gear had a badge pinned to her chest that read: [Marim - 4].
"It appears Team Five has won a lot of hearts from their previous battle. What do you think, Joon?" she asked, spinning a small dagger between her fingers.
Joon, sitting next to her with his arms crossed, looked annoyed. "Shut up, sis. Our match is right after this. Besides, Team One isn't even a real team, it's just one guy who ended his match without breaking a sweat." He shuddered slightly.
"You're worrying too much. We're assassins," Marim replied casually, patting his head like a dog. "It'll be a piece of cake."
"Stop petting me!" Joon snapped, swatting her hand away.
...
"I request members of Team Five and Team Seven to quickly arrive at the battlefield!" the staff announced over the speakers.
Three members of Team Five walked through the tunnel. Their badges read: [Dip - 5], [Sun - 5], and [Lif - 5]. They wore white martial artist clothes suited for combat.
"Where is Reilly?" Dip asked while aggressively warming up on the field, cracking his knuckles with a clear determination to win.
"It doesn't matter," Sun gave an evil grin. "If she's a second late, we'll swap her place with another. Are you ready, Lif?"
Lif stood right behind them, looking around at the crowd with a blank face. "Mhm."
And on the other side... Rey was lying flat on the stone floor, yawning loudly and taking a quick nap.
"The match will begin shortly! Any late arrivals cannot join once the match starts," the staff announced.
Sun nodded toward their tunnel, and a masked guy walked out to take Reilly's spot on Team Five.
On the floor, Rey slowly stood up and dusted off his pants. He looked back at Team Seven's tunnel and grinned.
"Took you both long enough!" Rey called out.
Lynx and Lucia walked out side-by-side. But something about both of their eyes was dead cold.
{Oh shit... They are hella serious. I need to lock in as well.} Rey's lazy posture instantly vanished as he dropped into a proper stance.
...
Both teams faced each other, giving off strong killing intent.
"Don't underestimate them," Lynx said quietly.
Rey and Lucia nodded, their focus locked in.
Sun took two steps forward, spreading both arms wide with an arrogant smile. "So we meet again, Lynx! Let's settle this with a death match!"
{I've already won,} Sun grinned to himself. {Once he agrees, he'll be forced to either kill Dip or get killed by us.}
The staff announcer spoke into the mic. "A death match proposal! Does the opposing team agree?"
Lynx stepped forward calmly, looking up at the drones above the field. He raised his index finger.
"What if we make it spicy and add a special rule for this match? Kill the Leader. The moment one team's leader dies, the match ends."
Sun raised his hand, trying to cut him off. "That would be boring and easier to do—"
Lynx suddenly laughed out loud, then stopped abruptly. Reaching up, he pulled his high collar down, exposing his face to the entire stadium.
In Team Five's lineup, Dip's eyes widened. {So she wasn't lying... it really is him!}
Up in the participant stands, Marim held her cheeks, staring down. "I mean... he looks okay, still not really good enough for me though."
"I don't think he's showing his face for you, sis. Nor are you that beautiful—"
SCHWING.
Before Joon could finish, Marim held a sharp knife right at his throat, her eyes glowing red. "What was that?"
"N—Nothing...!" Joon squeaked.
Down on the floor, Lynx clapped his hands once to draw every eye back to him.
"Ah... sorry," Lynx said smoothly. "I know, Sun. But you're forgetting the masters watching us from above are wise. They aren't here just for brainless killing machines that will turn on them later. They want candidates with actual brains and willpower."
Lynx looked up toward the VIP boxes. "Please raise your hands if you agree to this change of rules."
Inside the VIP section, the masters and the sect leaders seemed impressed. It was true, they weren't looking for mindless animals.
One by one, the masters raised their hands. Even the mysterious figures in the top box raised theirs.
Lynx didn't fool them, it was a two-way deal. For Lynx, it would allow him to avoid killing his childhood friend, as for the high authorities it would let the participants know that they must behave if they wish to be picked.
Isbell took the mic directly from the staff. "We have received a message from... The Administrator. He has approved 'Kill the Leader' as a temporary rule for this match only!"
Sun was furious, his chest heaving. "This is nonsense! Changing rules for a single match?!"
"Silence!" Isbell shouted as she smoothly landed on the field. "This is The Administrator's order. If you can't obey, accept defeat before the match begins."
Sun glared at Lynx with pure rage. "Fine. This rule still works in my favor. You die either way."
Both of them smiled menacingly at one another.
"I will be the referee for this match. I will confirm if someone is still alive or not," Isbell said, stepping out of the boundaries.
...
"Start the match... NOW!" Isbell announced.
Instantly, both teams rushed toward each other across the floor.
"Who takes who?!" Rey shouted mid-sprint, pulling soft blue gloves from his pockets and snapping them onto his hands.
~
[Hand of the Moon]
Buff: Attack Speed and Accuracy increased by 10%.
~
"Take whoever you want!" Lynx called back, drawing twin daggers alongside Lucia. "If you can't deal with them, switch with Lucia. Sun is mine!"
Team Five charged together as a tight group.
"They're trying to stick together," Lynx commanded sharply. "Lucia, use it and separate them!"
Sun grinned, holding his face as the distance closed. {Good... even if you separate us. I'll still be left isolated with someone who absolutely hates you.}