CHAPTER 61

Surrounded by cool fog and buried chest-deep in the wet sand, the girl with a high ponytail struggled to free her hand, panic escalating with the severity of their situation. Despite her efforts, the sand relentlessly pulled her in, burying her further every time she resisted.

Frustrated, she let out a grunt. She knew that she needed to stay calm, so she did a quick breathing exercise to try and dismiss her exhaustion. Once done, she wriggled her hand with renewed determination, aiming to release at least one arm.

'I just need one hand!'

Suddenly, she felt the restricting pull of the sand ease slightly, and hope spread on her chest. Grabbing the opportunity, she exerted a tremendous force until, at last, she succeeded in freeing her right hand.

Relief washed over her expression, but it quickly crumbled with the sudden wind hitting her face. Blocking it with her free arm, she struggled to make sense of her surroundings until the fog dissipated, clearing her view.

"They're still alive..." she muttered, observing her groupmates who had attacked with her either buried or engaged in combat. When she turned her head to locate their king, her gaze locked onto three figures that ultimately froze her in place.

As she looked at them, realization quickly came crashing. She angrily snapped her head to look at the little boy with blue eyes, buried knee-deep not far from her. Evident madness reflected in her eyes, glaring at the one who had contradicted her plan to attack.

"I told you!"

Her furious scream shattered the silence left by the brief hurricane, jolting everyone out of their daze.

Empowered by the arrival of their offense team, OID76 confidently brandished his pole and struck the still-distracted blonde girl on her arm. The blow inflicted a numbing pain, causing the girl's body to collapse onto the sand with a quick yelp of surprise.

Witnessing this, OSZ61 seized the opportunity and willed the sand to pull her, burying the girl slightly deeper with all the strength she could muster.

As if waiting for the precise moment, OID76 created a large ice sphere the size of an adult's head. It exuded so much cold Aura that the blonde girl closest to him felt chills.

Realizing the purpose of the sphere, she shouted in alarm. "Wait!"

Unfortunately for her, OID76 callously disregarded her plea, hurling the Ice Sphere to the ground with a resounding crash that shattered it into two. The frigid Aura trapped within swiftly fanned out, permeating the moist sand and crystallizing everything in its grasp, ensnaring the children concealed beneath.

In an instant, the sandy trap transformed into an uneven ice field. Its frozen surface was adorned with children's unmoving forms, their eyes wide in astonishment at the sudden twist of fate. The ice exuded a chilling mist, powerful enough to send tropical insects scurrying for cover. It was problematic for insects and children alike. Still, when the sunlight caressed its surface, it glistened like a radiant diamond, casting a mesmerizing glow for the remaining children to marvel at.

Disrupting the stillness, Hirang whistled a tune tinged with amusement. His gaze then shifted to the surviving members of Group 6, namely OEM129 and their king.

"It would be better to surrender your crown," he advised.

Suppressing his shock in the face of this unforeseen development, OEM129 turned his attention to the young girl, awaiting her decision. He harbored a desire to forfeit the crown, and if the girl carried contrary ideas, he swore to persuade her rather than donning the guise of a steadfast knight.

OEM129 was rational enough not to act like a hero to all of their frozen group members. If he did, he was sure the same fate would befall him no matter how he tried to resist. That was why emerging from this predicament unharmed was already a win. Fortunately, their king was not crazy and decided to do what was right.

"I am willing to give you the crown, but you need to release my group," she uttered, her voice maintaining its usual monotonous tone. If they weren't in a tense situation, OEM129 would've teased the girl about whether she genuinely cared about their groupmates with such an indifferent expression on her face. But right now, his main focus was on the white-haired king of the other group.

Hirang gave a low chuckle, his dead eyes briefly flickering with amusement. "You seem to be mistaken. We're not negotiating here. You don't get a say."

Frowning, OEM129 comprehended the gravity of the situation and realized that they wouldn't reach anything by talking to ODE152. His gaze shifted to OAR48 in the distance, conveying a silent plea for assistance through his body language and facial expressions. Even from afar, the desperate call for help was noticeable. However, the kid only gave him a brief look before glancing at the child beside him, the leader of Group 1.

Understanding his silent advice, OEM129 turned to OWS59. He sought help, hoping the child might possess a fraction of rationality or kindness, a stark contrast to Hirang's harsh demeanor. "We swear we won't do anything. We will give the crown and run away," he said, sounding pathetic. But he didn't care. They're no longer in any position to care.

Upon hearing his plea, Hirayon and the other members of the offense team traversed the slippery frozen surface, going to Hirang and the other two members of their group.

Standing before their white-haired enigmatic king, Hirayon spoke. "Let's just let them go. We don't need to kill them," he suggested, emphasizing his dislike of violence.

Usually, if it were in any other game, Hirang would back down. But the piled frustration of being unable to engage in combat overwhelmed him, unleashing a surge of bloodlust he had been trying to hide from Hirayon. Instead of giving Hirayon the answer he would like, he gave him a resounding rejection.

"I don't want to. They attacked first. They should learn what happened to people who tried to mess me up," he remarked, his cold voice resonating with finality and an apparent disregard for the lives of the frozen children.

Acknowledging the validity of Hirang's perspective while holding firm to his stance, Hirayon reasoned out. "They could help us later once we were in trouble in exchange for letting them go now."

"They could just as easily turn on us and attack again," Hirang retorted, his Aura exuding a discernible malevolence.

Hirayon locked eyes with Hirang, recognizing that the child's current demeanor stemmed from the frustration of his constrained abilities. However, he couldn't allow the children's lives to be used to sate his frustrations.

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"This is a game to test our teamwork and unity. Let's decide as a group. A vote will determine their fate. What are your thoughts?" Hirayon proposed to make Hirang back down with the help of other group members. Though he wasn't sure what the others wanted to do, he relied on the natural kindness an oddity has. It's a pretty naive way of thinking, but it wasn't entirely wrong, considering they're still ignorant kids.

"Am I a fool in your eyes? Obviously, they won't side with me," Hirang seethed, resentment evident at the thought of Hirayon's belittlement.

Out of ideas, Hirayon conceded. "Then go. Do what you want. Kill them," he said and stepped aside, allowing Hirang to see the buried frozen statues of the four Group 6 members.

Relief washed over Hirang, a stark contrast to OEM129's bewildered state. He doesn't know Hirayon's personality, but with his apparent dislike of violence, OEM129 thought he was different from Hirang. Yet, he was just like other kids. Uncaring and indifferent to other people's lives, prioritizing a win over anything else.

OEM129 didn't know what to do. He felt desperate to protect his comrades but was shackled by their dire circumstances, powerless in front of strong children. At the same time, he was also scared for his own life.

'I'm no different. I'm also prioritizing my own life,' he thought, guilty of criticizing Hirayon when he couldn't even muster the will to step forward.

Hirang directed his attention to OID76, issuing a command with an air of authority. "Go, fulfill your duty. End them," he spoke like an actual tyrannical king.

Yet, to Hirang's surprise, the young boy vehemently shook his head, clearly rejecting the given task. Though feeling dread from Hirang's dead stare, OID76 roused his will with the fact that Hirang couldn't use any of his abilities and stared back at the kid, grounded at his decision.

Utterly mad and speechless, Hirang snapped his gaze at OSZ61, who, in return, averted her gaze. When his eyes landed on OAR48 beside the little girl, he also looked away. When he finally looked at the last member of their group, OFF134, the kid stared straight at Hirang's eyes. It was as if OFF134 was mocking him, humiliating him with his stare alone.

"What bull... so, no one wants to kill them?! Weaklings!" Hirang exclaimed piercingly in frustration.

Stepping closer, Hirayon spoke. "This is a team battle. You might do whatever you want in a different setting, but not here. With your role as the king, you can't do anything without us."

Hirayon flamed Hirang's seething fire, uncaring whether it was his last straw. Even when faced with the boy's explicit anger, he didn't back down and told Hirang the truth.

Faced with such defiance, Hirang's pitch-black eyes seemed to darken more, and his protruding veins at the neck and forehead looked harsh, indicating the intensity of his anger that was about to burst.

Hirang's system was in chaos. The weight of accumulated stress and anger pushed him to the brink, eating his remaining trembling control. Finally, as if there was a snap, a dark, ominous smoke seeped from his body, signaling an imminent unleashing of the formidable darkness looming to run wild.

Perceptive to his shift in Aura, Hirayon swiftly made a giant Water Orb thrice his size. It lacked any Aura inside, unlike his usual destructive Water Orbs. He propelled it toward Hirang, trapping him within its aquatic confines.

Startled by the abrupt turn of events, Hirang found himself struggling to keep his breath and held his right hand to cover his mouth. Quickly adapting to his situation, his domineering eyes emitted a glare, fixed at Hirayon when it suddenly turned into a daze. Seconds later, he calmed down, his anger momentarily quelled by the soothing embrace of the water.

Yet, his mind was in utter chaos. His now wide and questioning gaze remained fixed on Hirayon, who seemed unfazed by the perplexed reaction.

Oblivious to Hirang's current emotional state, Hirayon redirected his attention to the remaining team members. "What do you guys want to do? I propose releasing them in exchange for the crown, but I am not the one who fought them, so you two should probably decide," he said, pertaining to the defense team excluding Hirang.

OSZ61 hesitated but decided to express her thoughts. "Most of my Aura was drained, but I don't mind releasing them or at least freeing them from the ice."

Understanding her worry that the group would come and attack them later, OID76 spoke. "No need to worry. They'll be too weak to pose a threat later," he assured.

Curious at his answer, she asked, "Does your ability involve draining their Auras and transferring it to you?"

"I wish. I'm not that skilled yet. My ability only drains their Aura. It doesn't get transferred to me," OID76 explained.

Hirayon then turned his attention to the remaining two members of the group. "And you two? OFF134? OAR48?"

Without the need to think of their answers, they both nodded in agreement, signaling their affirmation.

With a decision reached, OID76 cleared the ice, freeing the frozen children. In exchange, Group 6's king inflicted a wound on her hand and surrendered the black crown, a gesture that concluded their conflict, ending the clash between the two groups.

*****

After a few minutes, Group 1 relocated to a different area with flat terrain. Ensuring a comfortable resting spot, OAR48 utilized his ability to clean the ground, and later, the group encircled the area with ice to ward off insects.

Seated in a circle, the group immersed themselves in the serene ambiance, listening to the gentle sounds of creatures and the occasional splashing water.

Above them loomed a massive half-filled Water Orb large enough to allow Hirang to swim or float on the water provided by Hirayon. And with OAR48's help, they managed to fill the air for their white-haired king to breathe.

Observing Hirang's prolonged aquatic stay in the orb-shaped pool, Hirayon inquired, "Aren't you planning to get out?"

Hirang, adorned with three crowns, nonchalantly peered through the translucent water orb, meeting Hirayon's gaze below. "Nah, I'm enjoying this. It's fun."

Though his expression remained the same, contradicting his statement, his eyes looked livelier and calmer.

Slightly irritated, Hirayon reminded him, "You realize our Auras are still sustaining that orb, right?"

With still-dead eyes and a mischievous grin, Hirang replied, "Give me five more minutes."

Annoyed but choosing not to engage further, Hirayon redirected his attention to the ground, indifferent to the group's curious glances.

The relationship between Hirang and Hirayon puzzled the group. No matter how many interactions they witness, they would never get used to the two exhibiting a brotherly connection that defied their expectations. OFF134 even speculated on the true nature of their relationship, questioning if they were siblings as OWS59 knew ODE152 well. Moreover, Hirayon knew how to calm Hirang, making them wonder how long they had known each other.

Unbeknownst to the rest, Hirayon and Hirang were equally taken aback by the unexpected impact of the Water Orb earlier. Initially, Hirayon created the orb as a means to prevent Hirang from unleashing his ability. But it also inadvertently served as a calming force, pacifying the dark turbulence within Hirang. For the first time since discovering his elemental power, Hirang experienced a sense of tranquility and peace.

Breaking the silence, OAR48 inquired about the group's next plan. "What's our next move? We already have three crowns. My suggestion is that we stay put and defend our current location."

Hirayon, seated beside OAR48, looked around at the group. His eyes traveled to his right, from OID769, OSZ61, OFF134, to OAR48, gauging their reactions and whether they had any other suggestions.

Considering the depleted Aura levels among the group members, the idea of dividing the group became increasingly impractical as only OWS59 and OFF134 had enough Aura to fight other children.

"I agree with OAR48. It hurts my pride to admit this, but most of my Aura was drained from controlling the wet sand," OSZ61 confessed. Her tone was hesitant, and her eyes were looking at the ground.

Nodding, Hirayon then looked at OID76, waiting for his answer.

"I can still fight, but not for long," he said simply.

"I am good to fight anytime," OFF134 said with a rather stoic tone. He practically didn't do anything, striking his warrior pride, so he wanted to fight other children to regain his esteem.

"I can still fight, too, but I think it would be better to remain here and defend once other groups find us," Hirayon said, noting that most of the group was not in top condition to be in a long fight.

"What if they have the same strategy as us? Remain in a single location?" OFF134 expressed his concern. He understands their current condition but still wants to hunt other groups.

"With three crowns, we can already win this game. But if another group ever manages to get three crowns, we're bound to fight at the end. Even if we remained here, I'm sure Tedie would do something about it for the two groups to meet."

Surprised at such knowledge, OAR48 asked Hirayon. "He can do that?"

"Well, if the audience got bored from watching, he'll have no choice but to make things more interesting," Hirayon answered. His voice was clear in the quiet forest and the arena, letting everyone, including Tedie, hear his remark.

"That cheeky brat."

R E H I L I Y A