They moved without drawing attention, slipping through the shifting zone while the others focused on easier targets and obvious threats.
Daeven stayed slightly behind the group, his gaze constantly moving, measuring distances, reading intentions before they became actions.
Around them, the fights were no longer isolated.
They were spreading.
Small clashes turned into chains of violence, and every elimination fed the system further.
The board was accelerating.
Kael walked at the front, her posture relaxed but ready, her eyes scanning for anyone worth fighting.
Lyria stayed close to the boy, guiding him subtly whenever his steps hesitated, her ability clearly active as she adjusted their path with small movements.
Daeven noticed.
She's improving.
Not in power.
In control.
Good.
That made things easier.
The less chaos inside the group, the more he could focus on everything else.
Then—
A shift.
Daeven stopped.
Not abruptly.
Just enough.
Kael noticed instantly.
What is it?
Daeven didn't answer right away.
His eyes were fixed ahead.
Three people.
Positioned too well.
Not fighting.
Waiting.
An ambush.
Lyria felt it a second later.
The paths… they're wrong ahead.
Kael smirked slightly.
Finally.
Daeven spoke calmly.
Don't rush.
We control this.
The boy swallowed nervously.
Control… how?
Daeven stepped forward slowly.
By making them move first.
He didn't hide his presence.
He let them see him.
A mistake… for most.
Not for him.
One of the three moved immediately, stepping out with a confident posture.
A man.
Lean.
Sharp eyes.
Knight.
Daeven recognized it instantly from the subtle movement pattern and stance.
Unpredictable.
Fast.
Annoying.
The man smiled faintly.
You saw us.
Daeven didn't respond.
The other two stepped out as well.
A bishop.
And a pawn.
Balanced.
Planned.
Kael cracked her neck slightly.
Three against four.
I like those odds.
Daeven corrected her.
Not yet.
He stepped forward again.
Just enough to take the focus.
The knight's eyes locked onto him.
You're the leader?
Daeven answered simply.
No.
The knight tilted his head slightly, amused.
Then you're the one thinking.
A short silence followed.
Daeven didn't deny it.
The knight smiled wider.
Good.
That makes this interesting.
Then—
He moved.
Fast.
But not toward Kael.
Toward Daeven.
Exactly as expected.
Daeven shifted his weight slightly.
Timing.
Distance.
Angle.
Everything aligned.
The moment the knight entered his range—
Daeven stepped aside just enough and redirected his momentum with minimal force.
Not a block.
Not a clash.
A correction.
The knight's attack missed completely.
His eyes widened for a fraction of a second.
Kael was already there.
Too slow.
Her strike landed cleanly, forcing him back.
Not defeated.
But shaken.
The bishop on their side reacted, launching a long-range strike toward Lyria and the boy.
Lyria moved instantly.
Not fast.
Precise.
She pulled the boy just a step to the side.
The attack passed them harmlessly.
Daeven noticed everything.
Good.
Very good.
The pawn hesitated.
That hesitation cost him.
Kael shifted her attention for half a second.
Enough.
One strike.
He went down.
[ PARTICIPANT ELIMINATED ]
The energy flowed again.
Kael exhaled.
Stronger.
The knight clicked his tongue.
You're annoying.
Daeven looked at him calmly.
You're predictable.
The knight smiled again.
Then I'll fix that.
This time, his movement changed.
Less direct.
More erratic.
Daeven's eyes sharpened.
Better.
But still not enough.
The bishop tried to create distance, launching another attack.
Daeven moved first.
Not to block.
To interrupt.
He stepped into the angle, forcing the bishop to adjust.
That small disruption broke the timing.
Kael closed the gap instantly.
The bishop didn't have time to react.
Another body fell.
Another glow.
[ PARTICIPANT ELIMINATED ]
Now only the knight remained.
He stepped back slightly.
Not afraid.
Thinking.
Daeven respected that.
A little.
Then leave.
Daeven said it calmly.
The knight blinked.
You're letting me go?
Daeven didn't move.
Yes.
Kael frowned slightly.
Why?
Daeven answered without looking at her.
Because he learns.
A pause.
And we'll meet him again.
The knight laughed softly.
You're interesting.
He looked at Daeven one last time.
Then disappeared into the chaos.
Kael clicked her tongue.
You should've let me kill him.
Daeven finally looked at her.
No.
A pause.
He'll be useful later.
Lyria looked confused.
Useful… how?
Daeven didn't explain.
Because he wasn't sure yet.
But he felt it.
Patterns were forming.
Players were emerging.
This wasn't random anymore.
This was a game within the game.
The zone trembled again.
Smaller now.
Faster.
Daeven looked ahead.
Time is running out.
Kael smirked.
Good.
Lyria took a breath.
Then let's move.
Daeven nodded slightly.
They continued forward.
Stronger.
Sharper.
More dangerous.
And Daeven…
Was no longer just observing.
He was starting to control the flow of the game.
Quietly.
Carefully.
Like a player no one had noticed yet.