CH 336

‹Dungeon Guild Battle Coordination Field›, or also known as ‹Arena›.

Today's venue for ‹Duel Battle› is the 5th biggest arena among the 7, Arena No.5. (T/N - Author's map at the end of chapter)

By the time we made it to the center of the arena, the 15 members of the ‹Best of the Best, the Great Star› were already lined up in a row, waiting for us.

Then Saturn stepped forward with a serious expression and shouted.

"We were waiting for you, Zephyr! Today's the day we are going to surpass you! We just nothing, but just this path!"

That's a quite befitting expression he has for today's guild battle.

He was no longer like the lump of conceitedness and pompousness he was before, instead his gaze was that of someone who had thoroughly grasped their value.

What brought that sudden change I wonder?

Did the bunny hopping training with the ‹Machos› brought the change, or maybe it's the effect from being dragged away by the ‹Public Morale Committee›?

I turned my gaze to the other three standing behind Saturn to confirm my guess.

But as if to say they were just waiting for this moment, the three also stepped forward.

Crap. Why did they come out as well......?

"Fufu. Please look at these biceps. Do you know even the clothes I bought two weeks ago don't fit anymore?"

Jilong abruptly showed off his upper arms.

Damn. I so much want to jab at him in a different sense.

"Everything is just to surpass you, Zephyr. We devoted ourselves to hellish training, and in return, we acquired these muscles!"

I really wanted to ask 'if you gained the muscle, so what?'. At Least say you leveled up.

"Muscles are magnificent. ‹Machos› had said 'the moment we acquire the muscles that tear away our clothes, we should be able to tear Zephyr as well'."

Isn't this just a lame pun? How are gaining muscles connected to winning against me? Besides, Helck's clothes are still in proper shape though.

Hang on, me. There are so many things I want to retort about that I am finding myself short on dealing with them.

They, ——They have been completely contaminated by the muscles!

I knew it, ‹Machos› influence was too much.

I also checked on Polish-kun, but it seems like neither he nor the rest of the boys heard our conversation.

Instead, their ill gazes were focusing on the girl's group of ‹Eden›.

"Haa... Haa... ‹Eden› girls are beautiful as always."

"Indeed. They're like the goddess incarnation."

"To be around the beautiful maidens like them, boys of ‹Eden› are really wicked."

"That's right. My anger is boiling inside me to no end."

"Hannah-sama is so precious. Hannah-sama is so noble. By all means, become my bride, Hannah-sama."

"You insolent! Anyone, toss that guy into the prison!"

" " "Haaa!!" " "

"Wha!? What are you guys doing!? The main event, guild battle, is going to start soon, so sto, stooop------!?"

The boy, seemingly a 2nd year student, was immediately apprehended and gagged and under the encirclement of several people, led away from there.

...The opponent's participation has dropped by one it seems.

Huh?

"What the hell are you guys doing! Line up! Is your motto of 'Brave is hateful' just to that extent!?"

"Wha!? I almost lost control of myself."

"My hand just moved on its own."

"Sigh, you just escaped a narrow death, Sophomore."

"I was saved. You have gratitude for saving me, Saturnnnn."

The members who were about to leave returned under the shout of Saturn.

Something is strange. Saturn seems like a...... proper leader?

Really, just what the hell happened?

Anyway, I gotta pacify Hannah first.

"Say Zephyr, Can I beat them? I suddenly want to beat them down/"

"Yes. I think there's no problem in doing so, Lana-sama."

"There's a problem, a big problem. Stop her, Ester."

"But..."

"No but or whatsoever. Just a few more minutes of patience, okay?"

"...............It can't be helped. Lana-sama, Please have patience until the guild battle starts."

"Fine, if you say so. Zephyr, I order you to create a chance where I can beat their head to my heart's content."

"I get it, so please, don't try to run away without permission."

Lana glanced at me, showing her eagerness to attack the opposition, even Ester was showing her approval, it was tiresome to stop her.

If we didn't start the guild battle quickly, I feel like our members are going to lose control of themselves and cause an incident.

All the girls seem to be getting on their edge since we have come to face ‹Best of the Best, the Great Star›, and it is increasing as the time passes by. Their current appearance is a bit scary.

Once the guild battle starts, can you kindly follow the instructions? Please?

I once again shifted my gaze to Saturn.

"Saturn."

"I know. Let's start ‹Duel Battle› between ‹Best of the Best, the Great Star› and ‹Eden›! Referee is Mukai-sensei! I hope for impartial judgment from Mukai-sensei!"

Saturn actually made a proper declaration!?

I did hear the rumors that those who get themselves dragged into the certain room of ‹Public Morale Committee› suddenly become a different person, so were those rumors true?

Mukai-sensei appeared wearing white robe, holding a tablet-like device on the screen above, and silently nodded.

He's a man of few words as always huh.

Well, the guild battle is finally going to start.

‹Eden› and ‹Best of the Best, the Great Star› parted when 'Player getting ready' characters appeared on screen and both headed for their respective base.

Alright, I will smash you down, ‹Best of the Best, the Great Star›!

‹Eden› base in the north, we're Team White.

‹Best of the Best, the Great Star› base is in the south, and they're Team Red.

Rules are ‹Capture the Castle› ‹15 Members Battle› and ‹Six-Star› field,

Time limit is ‹45 Minutes›.

There are 5 big castles, 2 in east and west each, and 1 in center.

The 2 in the east are nicknamed ‹Northeast Big Castle› and ‹Southeast Big Castle›.

The 2 in the west are nicknamed ‹Northwest Big Castle› and ‹Southwest Big Castle›.

The castle in the center is nicknamed ‹Central Castle›.

With each side having their bases located in the north and south, there are big castles nearby, but the ones in the east, west, and central directions are strategically distanced, making it difficult to capture them all easily.

The question arises whether to divide the team into groups of five in each direction or to worry about the possibility of losing the central Big Castle and sending some members towards the opponent's side. This is the field that tests your strategy, what your first step will be.

The members of each guild take their positions.

We have already finished our meeting, so I divide the members into their respective teams according to the Big Castle they aim to capture.

From my viewpoint, everyone is well coordinated.

Everyone should be able to perform well, and they seem to have firmly remembered the strategy as well.

I gaze at our base. A certain item has been set up here. I have placed it there anticipating its usefulness from the mid-game and beyond.

Generally, it's forbidden to set up any interference or items in the field before the commencement of guild battle, though base is a different matter since supplies need to be kept here as well.

It's forbidden to use ‹Item Bag› in the guild battle ‹Capture the Castle› as well.Only normal pouches and bags are allowed to carry.

Consequently, there is an upper limit to carry the recovery item.

There is no problem with our belonging. Placements are all done as well. Everything is ready.

"It's almost time, Zephyr."

"Let's win this guild battle as well."

"We can't lose this match."

"All preparation complete."

"Let's give our all."

From above, Lana, Sierra, Ester, Karua, and Rika, the experienced group, speak while looking at the screen.

As the screen timer reaches zero and the buzzer sounds, the guild battle begins.