BXBX NOVEL Vol. 9 - Chapter 436 - We're losing? Let's aim for a comeback!
Not sure if you will get the last hit? Fret not, just leave it to luck!
Well, this was actually what made <Dungeon Activity> interesting. Practice brings strength, and through that, one could brute force there way as well. However when tactic, firepower and luck met each other, the whirlpool of uncertainty turned to make the tide of battle even more exciting. I mean, otherwise how could we expect the spirit in a game, right?
Like now, we were obviously strong, but white team managed to snatch the victory through luck. Ah, this is the brilliance I live and die for.
But of course, one could bring that luck down to nothing by twisting the situation with their strength. When luck doesn't favour the loser, then just surpass it! It was when one got hold of the abstract concept of luck---perhaps, visible only to heaven and god---that they took a leap to a greater height.
This exquisite beauty of a balance was the striking part of <Dungeon Activity>. It was like a head-turner enchantress, pulling in me and alike connoisseur of balance to a rabbit-hole that we could never extract ourselves. Not that any of us wanted to leave either, since it was just that interesting. Man, it was truly a masterpiece.
Ahem, my monologue dragged a bit, but my point should be clear by now. We may have lost the lead but this was hardly any spirit crushing matter.
I glanced at the screen above and confirmed the current score.
<White (4280P) vs Red (2250P)>
E.T.A - 26 minutes and 31 seconds
<Arc-Arcadia> was obviously at the lead by bagging <Northern Big Castle> and <Western Big Castle>. On the other hand, <Eden> only had <Eastern Big Castle> and was on the losing front.
Our opponent didn't waste any breath and all of them had immediately chased after me and Pamela, who decided to target west. It was an overwhelming difference between our numbers, 2vs8.
I would spare the obvious. The <Western Big Castle> slipped out of our hands as well! Uh-huh, the old saying 'strength is in number!' was actually not wrong.
Pamela and I were the first ones to reach <Western Big Castle>, however we couldn't overcome the number difference. It wasn't exactly uncommon in the game.
We tried to take advantage of the gap in their attack timing as well, but they completely went 'brrr' as soon as the HP of the castle had reduced to 20%. It was a complete failure. I actually lost! Ah, this was the thrill that had entrapped me in its allure! This was why I was Romeo and <Dungeon Activity> my Juliet!
Fumu, that said, the pinch called for counterattack. Just you wait, team white! Except that we couldn't take any extreme measures like PvP battles. Ah, what a tough world it is! There were only a few ways we could do it.
"Alright guys, I will explain our next course of action. I will explain it on the way."
Right now, we all had gathered at the central area and were running around while taking down the small squares.
Well, we should have been looking out to reduce the number of opponent while scoring the points once mid-phase of the guild battle was on, but it would have been suicide with number disadvantage. We would never be able to win no matter how small squares we hunt down.
So acting on the idea that 'we might as well gather at one point and look for a way out,'...or well, that was the gist.
Meanwhile, <Arc-Arcadia> was adhering to the rulebook, and had split into three teams as they amassed the points.
Since we had taken control of the central region, <Arc-Arcadia> was prioritising the small squares at the edge of the field; nearby the Big Castle and base.
Alright, they shouldn’t be able to eavesdrop on us. I swiftly explained the strategy which barely took two minutes.
"---And that's the basic gist. It's not like all doors have been locked up for us. We can still hope for a better outcome. Ah, but of course, I don't mind losing since it's the promotion exam for <Arc-Arcadia>. However it had e2 honour in line."
"Indeed. Winning or losing doesn't matter, and that's the stage for sub-members to shine, but even so, it's a matter of our honour as parent guild. Only this should be avoided." (Rika)
"I agree. It would be a problem in many ways if <Eden> actually lost without doing anything. It's really a hard spot to make a comeback but this is also our chance to showcase our intelligence." (Misato)
Responding to my selfishness in the guise of 'I hate losing' was Rika, as she started thinking of plausible ways with a serious expression. ...Ahaha, it'll leave a bad taste in the mouth, no?
On the other hand, Misato affirmed my claim from a different angle; as if winning should be the only way for us. I mean, it would certainly showcase the strength of <Eden> if we still won in this odd situation. Hmm, but whom are we appealing to? For job hunting?
"I will do as Zephyr-san says-desu!"
"It might sting a bit for them, but we should really aim for victory."
Pamela simply flinged the matter with carefree expresion. But Sierra, too, assertively pushed for a win, much like Misato.
Alright, that might not be exactly a maturish decision coming out of us, but if our members wanted to win at all cost, then so be it.
"It's a war then! First of all, make sure that this central region must remain in our grasp, and then this route of squares we have cleared shouldn't be disturbed. Re-clear the squares if there's any gap. Be mindful of time however, strategy would be a waste if there's little bit of left only. That’s all, let's begin our counterattack!"
"We're going then." (Sierra)
"Understood." (Rika)
"We'll handle it from here!" (Misato)
The group of Sierra, Rika and Misato swiftly left for <Northern Big Castle> direction as soon as my words ended. I waved them off.
Except for Misato, they've plenty of experience. So they should be able to execute the plan. Well, well, things have started to heat up!
“Let's go, west is for us to take down, Pamela. We're taking a detour from here.”
“Alright-desu!”
With that, the gears began to move forward for <Eden>.
The first node in this plan was team Sierra, who has been entrusted with <Northern Big Castle>.
Sierra and team first cleared all the squares leading to north from the central region and then launched their offensive at <Northern Big Castle>.
Taking down a big castle awards 2000P, surer, but it wouldn't lower our opponent's score at all. Simply scoring points won't cut it out unless we make a comeback. Also, it would be a useless endeavour if the opponent took it down once again.
So trying to take down <Northern Big Castle> with only just 20 something remaining minutes must have been an incomprehensible plan for <Arc-Arcadia>.
Our opponents were surprised seeing Sierra's team launching an offensive on the Big Castle, but they still moved in to stop her and gathered at the <Eastern Big Castle>. It seems like they have gathered to hold a strategic meeting. Oh, nice move.
If the opponent’s plan seems incomprehensible, then just gather everyone's input. Well, that was hardly an option available in the game, but now an important aspect in reality.
In the meanwhile, Pamela and I took a detour from north-south to reach <Western Big Castle>.
The members of <Arc-Arcadia>, who hadn't wanted to get caught up in PvP, swiftly backed down towards the lower south, near their base.
We both pretend to chase after a bit. It was just a meaningless action if you need to ask so, a pretty trick to stop them from entering our squares range.
Our target was to put up a smock screen around to stop them from sniffing out our plan. We left our footprints here and there in the west while working on to create routes for our strategy nearby west, east, north and central region.
The layout was like a messy board of Othello—like haphazardly placed white and black pieces here and there, creating a disordered map. If they want to take down the squares, they would have to navigate through this maze-like map. It would be great if it did manage to befuddle afterwards, even if a bit.
Tap-tap-tap~
The time flowed without paying heed to anything while we paid our arrangement for the come back. And soon, we entered the late phase of the game with 10 minutes remaining.