The battlefield shook with chaos. Screams, blasts, metal clashing—it all echoed under the emerald sky.
The shrinking zone glowed bright, pushing everyone together like rats in a cage.
Jax leaned on his sword, eyes locked on the carnage below. His thoughts drifted even as weapons clashed.
'This world… Aeroria. Five countries. Arcadia Spires, Neo Veridia, Lumina Apex, Solaria, Atthelgar Dominion. And right in the center of them all, Starlight Academy. The stage for everything.'
He smirked faintly. 'Fitting. This whole world is just a game board.'
The mention of Ava earlier had triggered memories.
She was the only heroine from a poor background.
Everyone else had been dripping with wealth and status.
'Kiera… her mother Paige Rayne. A business tycoon in Neo Veridia. Real estate developer. Exclusive wellness and spa chains. Gambling sites. Match-bet empires. Even shady websites in disguise. That woman had her hands in everything.'
His eyes flicked to Kai. The fool was still panting beside him.
'Then there's this clown's sister. Thalia. Daughter of the world's greatest artist. Actor, singer, dancer—she's the full package. On top of that she owns cosmetic empires and clothing brands. Lumina Apex bows before her mother's fame.'
He smirked again, darker this time.
'And Zinnia… her family empire is even worse. Art galleries and auction houses. Pharmaceuticals. Shopping malls. Gourmet food empires. Even a next-gen game development studio. All Neo Veridia dominance. That family prints money with every move.'
He licked his lips. 'Speaking of Zinnie… where the hell is she? Haven't seen her since earlier.'
As if the thought itself summoned her, a sudden flash cut across the battlefield.
Plasma roared, tearing the air. The beam smashed into Kiera's back. Boom!
She was thrown like a ragdoll. Her HP bar dropped.
[Kiera HP: 900 → 500]
[Kiera MP: 400]
Kiera hissed through her teeth, rolling to her feet, whip clutched tight. "Tssk… cheap shot."
She turned sharply. Her eyes widened when she saw who it was.
[Avatar Name: Titania – Mecha Gunner]
[Name: Zinnia Reed]
[Zinnia HP: 400]
[Zinnia MP: 500]
Zinnia stood firm, rifle glowing, her lips curled into a smug smile.
Kiera spat venom. "Bitch. Playing fair isn't in your blood. I could have guessed."
Zinnia tilted her head, mock sweet. "Fair? Dear Kiera… there is no such thing in games. You're too naive. That's why you're not fit for the academy."
She raised her heavy rifle. The barrel glowed bright. "Rail Shot."
Shhhhk! A piercing beam blasted forward.
Kiera snarled, chain whip lashing. "Dire Lash!"
The whip curved through the air, intercepting the beam. Sparks exploded as metal clashed against energy.
[Kiera HP: 500 → 450]
[Kiera MP: 400 → 380]
[Zinnia HP: 400]
[Zinnia MP: 500 → 450]
Jax's eyes glimmered. He watched silently from above. 'Perfect counter. Titania outranges Veyra completely. This fight… Kiera is already screwed.'
Kiera spun her whip. "Piercing Thorns!"
Spikes erupted along the chain, shooting forward like blades. They tore the ground open, curving toward Zinnia.
Zinnia smirked, finger pulling the trigger again. "Suppressive Fire."
Rat-tat-tat! Bullets screamed through the air in a stream.
Sparks rained as the spiked whip clashed with endless bullets.
Kiera gritted her teeth, muscles trembling as she tried to push through.
[Kiera HP: 450 → 400]
[Kiera MP: 380 → 360]
[Zinnia HP: 400]
[Zinnia MP: 450 → 400]
Zinnia laughed lightly. "Psshh… poor little Rayne. Still think your whip can reach me?"
Kiera's jaw clenched. "I'll make you eat those words."
She twisted her body, chain spinning in a deadly circle. "Rending Spiral!"
The whip blurred into a spinning storm, shredding everything in its path.
Bullets shattered, rocks split, the ground itself torn apart.
The storm closed in on Zinnia like a tornado of blades.
Zinnia slid back, boots skidding on broken stone. Blood trickled from her arm where the chain had grazed her.
She hissed. "Clench… so you do have bite."
Her rifle gleamed again. She slammed a glowing capsule into it. "Grenade Burst!"
Boom! Explosions ripped across the field. Shockwaves knocked Kiera back, dust blasting into the air. The chain whip spun wildly, but her body staggered.
Kai shouted, voice panicked. "Don't you help your sister?! She's getting crushed out there!"
Jax's eyes never left the fight. "Why would I?"
Kai's face twisted in disbelief. "How can you say that?! She's your sister and—"
Jax cut him off coldly. "In a fight, there are no brothers or sisters. No relations. They're distractions. Think logically, clown. This is competition. Every elimination means one rank up. If she dies, I move higher. If I save her, I'll eventually have to kill her myself. Best to let her drop."
Kai's mouth hung open. "You… you're insane."
Jax smirked. "No. I'm a gamer."
Back on the field, Zinnia's eyes gleamed with cruel delight. "You're finished, Kiera."
She fired again. "Rail Shot!"
Shhhhk! The beam tore through the battlefield, cutting across Kiera's shoulder.
[Kiera HP: 300 → 150]
[Kiera MP: 260]
[Zinnia HP: 250]
[Zinnia MP: 300 → 250]
Kiera roared, spinning her whip desperately. "Dire Lash!"
The chain slashed toward Zinnia, but bullets ripped through it.
Suppressive Fire filled the air. The whip snapped back uselessly.
[Kiera HP: 150 → 80]
[Kiera MP: 260 → 240]
[Zinnia HP: 250]
[Zinnia MP: 250 → 200]
Her breaths came sharp.
Hhhk! Sweat dripped from her forehead.
She staggered, legs trembling.
Zinnia's smirk widened. "Pathetic. Your stamina is gone. Your MP almost dead. And you still think you belong here?"
She raised her rifle for the last shot. "Rail Shot!"
The piercing beam ripped forward, glowing like judgment itself.
Kiera screamed as it smashed into her chest.
Her body flew back, crashing through broken walls. Dust and light exploded.
[Kiera HP: 80 → 0]
Her avatar shattered, body dissolving into glowing fragments before vanishing.
Eliminated.
Zinnia lowered her rifle slowly, lips curling into a wicked smile. "One Rayne down."
Kai dropped to his knees, face pale. "No… she's gone… eliminated…"
Jax didn't flinch. His gaze stayed locked on Zinnia. His grin spread wider.
'Just as I thought. Kiera was never the problem. Zinnia… she's the one. A perfect counter, high IQ, ruthless with every move. Watching her was worth more than saving anyone.'
He leaned on his sword, voice low, twisted. "Looks like it's time. And that bet… or more precisely, my devotion points… they're about to grow."
His lips curled higher, eyes glowing with a manic light. His laugh ripped through the night.
"Psshhahahaha!"