The map didn't stay still.
It never did.
Arjun stood in Zone 17-B, watching the projections shift in real time.
Blue zones.
Red zones.
Neutral zones.
Moving.
Changing.
Expanding.
"…They're accelerating," he muttered.
The drone confirmed.
[Multiple factions increasing expansion rate]
"…So the pace just increased."
The older man looked uneasy.
"…Because of Phase 2?"
"…Because of competition."
The system pulsed.
[Zone Conflict Frequency Increased]
"…Here it comes."
A new alert appeared.
[Zone 12-A has been captured]
The map shifted.
A cluster expanded.
"…That's Sector 09," Arjun said.
"…The one who contacted you?" the girl asked.
"…Yeah."
The cluster grew.
Five zones now.
"…They're not slowing down."
Silence followed.
"…Neither can we," Arjun said.
But even as he said it—
The system flashed again.
[WARNING]
Arjun's eyes sharpened.
"…What now."
[Raid Activity Detected]
The map zoomed in.
Zone 17-A—
Flashed red.
The squad froze.
"…That's ours," the older man said.
"…Not anymore," Arjun replied.
The system updated.
[Incoming Raid — Zone 17-A]
Enemy Faction: Unknown
Estimated Strength: Medium–High
"…They're testing us," Arjun said.
The girl clenched her fists.
"…Then we stop them."
Arjun didn't move immediately.
He analyzed.
Distance.
Position.
Timing.
"…They chose 17-A."
"…Why not 17-B?" the older man asked.
Arjun answered instantly.
"…Because 17-A is weaker."
Silence.
"…So they're smart," the injured man said.
"…Exactly."
The system displayed updated data.
[Raid Objective: Capture Zone 17-A]
Arjun turned.
"…We move now."
No hesitation.
The squad followed.
Fast.
The moment they crossed into Zone 17-A—
The atmosphere had changed.
The calm—
Gone.
The zone flickered.
Unstable.
"…Too late?" the girl whispered.
"…No," Arjun said.
"…They're still here."
Movement.
Ahead.
Six figures.
Not monsters.
Humans.
Organized.
One stepped forward.
"…You're late."
Arjun didn't slow.
"…You're early."
The man smirked.
"…Same thing."
The system activated.
[Zone Defense Mode Active]
A new interface appeared.
Defensive Buffs Applied:
+20% Combat Efficiency
+15% Movement Speed
Zone Awareness Enhanced
"…Good," Arjun muttered.
The enemy group spread out.
Formation.
Prepared.
"…They know what they're doing," the older man said.
"…So do we," Arjun replied.
He stepped forward.
"…Last chance."
"…Leave."
The enemy leader laughed.
"…You think this is negotiable?"
Silence.
"…No," Arjun said.
"…I don't."
Then—
They moved.
Fast.
The first attacker lunged.
Arjun dodged—
Countered—
Fired.
The shot hit.
The attacker staggered.
"…Not weak," Arjun noted.
The second came from the side.
The girl intercepted—
Barely holding.
The older man engaged another.
The battlefield split instantly.
Controlled chaos.
Arjun focused on the leader.
"…You're the key."
The leader smiled.
"…Same thought."
They clashed.
Fast.
Precise.
Human vs human.
No patterns.
No predictability.
Arjun adjusted.
Faster.
Sharper.
A feint—
A step—
A strike—
The leader blocked—
But staggered.
"…You've fought before," he said.
"…So have you."
They moved again.
Faster now.
More aggressive.
The system pulsed.
[Zone Stability: 72%]
"…We're losing ground," the drone warned.
"…Not for long."
Arjun stepped in—
Closer—
Riskier—
He fired point-blank.
The leader barely dodged—
But lost balance.
That was enough.
Arjun raised the rifle.
"…End."
Silence.
The battlefield froze.
The enemy group hesitated.
The leader exhaled slowly.
"…You win."
He stepped back.
"…We surrender."
The system reacted instantly.
[Raid Defended Successfully]
Zone 17-A: Secured
The pressure vanished.
The enemy group retreated.
Not defeated.
But—
Acknowledging loss.
Arjun lowered the rifle.
"…That was fast," the girl said.
"…It had to be," Arjun replied.
The system updated.
[Zone Defense Reward Granted]
+600 Combat Points
Zone Stability Increased
Arjun looked at the map.
The war wasn't slowing.
It was escalating.
And now—
It had reached his territory.
"…Next time," he said quietly—
"…they won't test us."
They'll try to take everything.