Zone 17-C didn't feel like the others.
Arjun stopped at the boundary.
Not stepping in.
Not rushing.
Observing.
"…Something's off," he muttered.
The air wasn't heavy like a hostile zone.
Not unstable.
But—
Not neutral either.
Controlled.
But… different.
The drone scanned.
[Zone 17-C — Status: Controlled]
[Owner: Unknown Faction]
"…Unknown, huh."
The older man stepped beside him.
"…We going in?"
Arjun didn't answer immediately.
"…Not blindly."
He activated Local Scan Field.
The map expanded.
Movement appeared.
Not scattered.
Not random.
Organized.
"…They've set positions," Arjun said.
The drone confirmed.
[Defensive formation detected]
"…So they're expecting visitors."
The girl frowned.
"…Or enemies."
"…Same thing," Arjun replied.
He crouched slightly.
Studying the layout.
Entry points.
Elevations.
Blind spots.
"…They're not beginners."
The injured man spoke.
"…Then why are we here?"
Arjun stood.
Eyes focused.
"…Because they're close."
"…And they're growing."
The system pulsed.
[Zone Conflict Available]
"…If we don't move now…"
"…They will."
Silence.
Then—
Movement.
Inside the zone.
Figures appeared.
Not monsters.
Humans.
Five.
No—
Eight.
Standing openly.
Not hiding.
"…They see us," the girl whispered.
"…Yeah," Arjun said.
"…That's intentional."
One of them stepped forward.
Tall.
Calm.
No visible weapon—
But confident.
"…You're the ones from 17-A and 17-B."
Not a question.
A statement.
Arjun stepped forward.
"…And you're controlling this zone."
"…Correct."
Silence stretched.
"…So," the man continued.
"…You came to take it?"
Direct.
No hesitation.
Arjun didn't deny it.
"…Yes."
The squad tensed.
The man didn't react aggressively.
Didn't move.
Didn't threaten.
Instead—
He smiled slightly.
"…Good."
"…At least you're honest."
Arjun's eyes narrowed.
"…You're not attacking."
"…No."
"…Why?"
A pause.
"…Because fighting you now…"
"…would be inefficient."
Silence.
"…Explain," Arjun said.
The man gestured slightly.
"…Look around."
The map updated.
Nearby zones—
Flashing.
Moving.
Other factions.
Closer than before.
"…If we fight," the man continued—
"…we weaken each other."
"…And someone else takes both zones."
The older man frowned.
"…So what—you want a truce?"
The man looked at Arjun.
Not the squad.
"…Temporary."
Silence.
"…Until?" Arjun asked.
"…Until the next phase stabilizes."
The system flickered.
[Phase 2 Expansion Ongoing]
"…You already understand it," the man added.
Arjun didn't respond immediately.
He looked at the map.
Then at the zone.
Then at the faction.
They were strong.
Organized.
Prepared.
"…You're not weak," Arjun said.
"…Neither are you."
Another pause.
"…So what's your condition?" Arjun asked.
The man didn't hesitate.
"…We don't interfere with your zones."
"…You don't interfere with ours."
"…For now."
The girl whispered.
"…That sounds too easy…"
Arjun's eyes stayed locked on the man.
"…And when that 'for now' ends?"
The man smiled slightly.
"…Then we fight."
Silence.
Clear.
Simple.
Honest.
The system pulsed.
[Temporary Non-Aggression Pact Available]
Arjun exhaled slowly.
"…You're buying time."
"…So are you," the man replied.
Both understood.
This wasn't peace.
This was—
Delay.
Arjun turned slightly.
Looking at his squad.
Then back at the man.
"…Fine."
The system reacted.
[Temporary Pact Established]
Zone 17-C — Neutralized (Temporary)
The tension dropped—
Slightly.
But not gone.
Never gone.
"…Smart choice," the man said.
Arjun didn't respond.
"…Don't mistake it for weakness."
The man nodded.
"…Same to you."
The connection between zones—
Shifted.
Not allies.
Not enemies.
Something in between.
Arjun turned.
Walking back toward his territory.
The girl followed.
"…That felt wrong."
"…It was," Arjun replied.
"…Then why accept?"
He looked at the map.
Zones expanding.
Factions moving.
War building.
"…Because fighting now…"
"…would've been a mistake."
The older man nodded slowly.
"…So we prepare."
Arjun's eyes sharpened.
"…No."
"…We evolve."
Behind them—
Zone 17-C remained.
Watching.
Waiting.
And the war—
Moved to its next stage.