Survive Or Control
* * *
I gathered everyone in the school gym, the air buzzing with anticipation. The faces before me reflected uncertainty.
I stepped up onto the stage, which was located at the front of the gym, with my high-ranking officials standing behind me: Yunji, Jake, Aiden, and our newest addition, Mercy.
The moment felt heavy with significance, a turning point that needed the right words.
I glanced back at my team, each of them vital to what we'd built so far.
Yunji, Jake, Aiden, and the newcomer, Mercy, all stood behind me, representing the backbone of our operation.
Each one of them had proven their worth, and it was time for everyone to know it.
I took a deep breath, letting my gaze sweep over the crowd.
"Today, we redefine ourselves," I began, my voice steady and confident. "You've seen the battles, the chaos, the challenges we've faced. We've lost much, but we've gained something greater—a chance to rebuild, to become stronger than we ever were."
I turned to my team, introducing them one by one. "Yunji, who ensures that each of you has a role and a place, guiding our non-combat members to be the backbone of our support."
The crowd listened intently as I continued. "Jake, our combat leader, who stands at the forefront of every battle, protecting us with unwavering courage."
I gestured to Aiden. "Aiden, who not only helped us secure victory on the first floor but also bridges the gap between different groups, fostering unity."
Finally, I nodded to Mercy. "And Mercy, our strategist, whose sharp instincts and decisive nature help us navigate this new reality."
I paused, gathering my thoughts.
This was the moment to solidify our identity. "The world we knew is gone. There are no more countries, no more divisions that kept us apart. From today forward, we forge a new path together."
I let the anticipation build before I continued. "We will be known as The Shadow Ravens. A name that signifies our resilience and our strength. Together, we will rise above the chaos."
Raising my gun high, I declared, "For the Shadow Ravens!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices filling the gym with renewed energy and purpose.
The high-ranking officials behind me shared in the moment, their smiles reflecting our shared determination.
In that instant, I knew we were ready. Ready to face the challenges of the fifth round and beyond, ready to claim our place in this new world.
My thoughts were clear—I had to lead us through the storm and toward the dawn of a new era.
* * *
[System Notification]
Round 5 will begin in 10 hours
Under the blood-red sky, I stood on the rooftop, watching as the Shadow Ravens transformed our school into a fortress. Barricades and lookout points lined the perimeter, ready to withstand whatever might come. Behind me, Yunji stood quietly, taking it all in.
"The fifth round is going to be different," I said, my voice cutting through the silence.
Yunji listened without interrupting. I pointed toward the nearby apartment complex, its towering structures looming ominously against the crimson sky. "You see that?" I asked. "Those apartment buildings are all on our street. There must be hundreds of people inside each one."
My eyes scanned the horizon, counting the number of buildings visible from our vantage point. "Just from what we can see here, there are at least a couple dozen buildings on this street," I noted, feeling the weight of the challenge ahead.
"So, what's the game plan?" Yunji asked, her eyes following mine.
"We defend," I replied firmly. "Our numbers are small compared to theirs, and the fifth round will bring chaos like never before. Each building is like a fortress with its own king, and the streets will be a battlefield."
I continued, explaining my strategy. "We need to hold our ground and let them come to us. With our limited numbers, it's better to use our home advantage. We've fortified the school, and we know this place better than they do."
Yunji nodded, understanding my plan. I could see that my confidence and foresight reassured her, even in the face of overwhelming odds. As we stood together on the rooftop, I knew the coming round would test us all, but I felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
* * *
As Yunji turned to leave the rooftop, she paused at the stairwell, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. The preparations for the defense were underway, and there was much to be done. As she descended the stairs, she nearly collided with Mercy, who was making her way up.
"Yunji," Mercy said, her voice smooth and confident. "Got a moment?"
Yunji narrowed her eyes, taking in Mercy's calculating gaze. "What do you want?"
Mercy shrugged, leaning casually against the wall. "Just thought we should talk. You seem to have a problem with me."
"It's not just me," Yunji replied sharply. "What you did on the fourth floor…killing all the teachers? That was brutal."
Mercy's smile widened, unfazed. "Power isn't pretty. You know that. I did what was necessary to survive."
"Survive? Or control?" Yunji shot back. "There's a difference."
"Call it what you want," Mercy said, flicking a piece of imaginary dust off her sleeve. "I see opportunity, and I take it. I won't apologize for doing what it takes to come out on top."
Yunji crossed her arms, standing firm. "There's more to leadership than just grabbing power. People need to trust you, not just fear you."
"Trust is a luxury," Mercy replied. "Fear is reliable. And let's face it, Yunji, you're just as ambitious. You lead the non-combat members. You've made decisions for them."
Yunji clenched her jaw. "I'm trying to protect them, not rule over them."
Mercy chuckled softly. "We'll see how long that lasts. When things get tough, people look for strength, not ideals."
"Maybe," Yunji said, her voice steady. "But strength doesn't have to come from cruelty."
The two locked eyes, a silent challenge passing between them. Yunji knew Mercy was cunning and driven, and that made her dangerous. But Yunji was determined not to let Mercy's ruthless ways dictate the future of their group.
"Stay out of my way," Yunji warned as she moved past Mercy, heading down the stairs.
Mercy watched her go, a smirk on her lips. "See you around, Yunji."
* * *
Mercy watched Yunji disappear down the stairwell, feeling a mix of amusement and annoyance. Yunji was too naïve, too idealistic. In a world like this, ideals wouldn't get you far. She shook her head and continued up to the rooftop, where she found Erebus gazing out over the red-tinted horizon.
"Got a minute?" Mercy asked, stepping onto the rooftop. Erebus turned, his expression sharp and calculating.
"What do you need, Mercy?" he replied, his voice cool and direct.
Mercy walked over, joining him at the edge of the rooftop. Below, their group moved with purpose, setting up defenses and organizing supplies. She had seen how Erebus commanded respect, not just through strength, but through fear and decisiveness.
"You've got them all working hard," Mercy noted, nodding toward the people below. "They're scared of you. They should be."
"Fear keeps people in line," Erebus replied. "Trust is secondary. As long as they follow orders, we'll survive."
Mercy leaned on the railing, eyes scanning the distant apartment buildings. "Yunji doesn't trust me. But you knew that already."
Erebus nodded. "She has her reasons. But I don't care about personal squabbles. You're here to do a job."
"Exactly," Mercy said, her smile sharp. "I'm here to help. I can strategize and find weaknesses in our enemies."
Erebus glanced at her, his gaze piercing. "That's why I made you part of the team. But remember, everyone is expendable if they're not useful."
"I understand power," Mercy replied. "And I know you'll do whatever it takes to keep it."
Erebus smirked slightly, a dark glint in his eyes. "I will protect those who stand with me, but anyone who opposes us will be crushed. It's as simple as that."
"Vision with a ruthless edge," Mercy said approvingly. "I can get behind that, as long as it doesn't mean holding back."
"I wouldn't ask you to change," Erebus said. "Channel your ambition into our plans. You'll find that power isn't just about who's strongest—it's about who's willing to do what others won't."
Mercy nodded, appreciating his directness. Erebus wasn't just another leader; he understood the necessity of brutality in their world. Maybe this alliance would lead to greater things than she had initially anticipated.
With one last look at the view from the rooftop, she turned to head back downstairs, ready to put her skills to use in ways that would cement her place in Erebus's empire.
* * *
Standing on the rooftop, I surveyed our base, the city stretching out beneath me. The red sky painted a grim backdrop, and the scene below was a mix of chaos and eerie calm.
I took a moment to think about how the system was functioning, piecing together the roles and responsibilities that had been established.
Yunji was holding her ground with the non-combat members. She had around 300 people under her command, all focused on managing supplies, maintaining defenses, and keeping everything running smoothly. Their work was vital—without their coordination, our base would fall apart. I knew Yunji's ability to organize and lead them was one of our greatest assets.
Jake was managing the combat team. With about 200 members, his job was straightforward but crucial. These were the fighters, the ones who had seen plenty of action.
They equipped with a range of weapons and gear, much of it bought by karma from previous battles. Jake's role was to keep them in line and ensure they were ready for whatever came next. He had a knack for discipline and strategy, which made him the perfect leader for this group.
Then there was Aiden, who was tasked with integrating the new recruits. He had to evaluate their skills and decide if they should join the combat team or help with non-combat roles. It was a tough job, but Aiden's previous experience as a king made him the right person for it. He was sharp and knew how to quickly assess what each person could contribute to our cause.
And finally, Mercy. She was handling the political side of things—dealing with alliances, strategizing, and making sure we were positioned well for the battles ahead.
She'd chosen a few people to assist her in this, working behind the scenes to keep us ahead of the curve. Her role was less about direct confrontation and more about ensuring our long-term success.
The system wasn't perfect, but it was holding up. We had a solid structure, each person in their place, and everyone knew their role.
The 5th round would test everything we'd built so far. This was the real deal—the point where we would either solidify our power or fall into chaos.
As I looked out over the city, I felt a mix of anticipation and calm. Everything was set, and now it was time to face the chaos that was coming. The 5th round was just around the corner, and we had to be ready for whatever it would throw at us.