"That's… the last of them. Most probably retreated to the Middle Crystal."
"They didn't get burned by the Administrators?"
"It's a valid retreat. But honestly, who knows what the Admins are thinking? They burn whoever, whenever, for whatever reason these days."
"Ssh! They might hear you!"
"Let them. My girl already left me. What's the point in living?"
The chaos had finally subsided. The Red Team's creeps could now catch their breath—some casually chatting over the corpses of both friend and foe, others weeping quietly, while a few sat frozen in place, shaking from what they had just done.
With Dr. Syrio still a long way from respawning, the Blue creeps had been left to fend for themselves. And with Bjorn and Paik carving through them like scythes through grain, there was only ever going to be one outcome—a massacre.
By the time the dust settled, they had pushed all the way to the enemy's West Outer Crystal.
Now, Bjorn and Paik stood before the massive, floating sapphire structure. Paik clasped his hands together, bowing slightly before turning to Bjorn.
"Since you cannot speak, my friend, I shall keep watch." He clapped a hand on Bjorn's back, his voice steady. "May your fist strike true. For I know it can."
Bjorn simply nodded. There was no time to waste—the enemy Heroes would return soon.
He shifted his stance, sliding his foot back as he lowered himself. His fists clenched, knuckles cracking under the pressure. He gritted his teeth, and his fists began to crackle and pop—and then he swung.
The impact rang through the air like a war drum. A shockwave rippled outward, making bones rattle and stomachs drop.
And then, above them, where the crystal's energy connected to the Dome's ceiling, the beam of light shuddered and flickered.
The enemy team had just been warned.
Bjorn struck again. This time, a crack formed in the oceanic blue surface.
Again.
Again.
Faster. Harder. His fists blurred with speed, the force of each blow shaking the ground. The watching creeps could barely track his movements—all they could feel were the shockwaves slamming into their chests, making their hearts pound.
A wall of dust swallowed them whole. Their hair was swept back by the sheer force of Bjorn's relentless assault.
The crystal, once flawless, began to fracture. Web-like cracks spread, marring its once-pristine glow.
And then—
Bjorn shifted. His stance changed, his body twisting like a coiled spring. He exhaled deeply—then swung his fist like an axe.
The sound wasn't as loud as expected.
Because his fist didn't just crack the crystal.
It went through it.
A blinding explosion of blue shards erupted outward. The fractured pieces scattered across the ground, skidding and sliding as creeps leaped back to avoid them.
For a moment, there was only silence.
The creeps looked down at the fallen crystal shards sliding at their feet, watching the light within them flicker… flicker… and die.
And then—
The newbies erupted into cheers.
They whooped, jumped, and threw their arms around each other in wild celebration.
The veterans, however…
They only wiped the blood from their faces. Some sighed in relief. Others bit their lips, frustration tightening their expressions. Because as they gazed at the towering pillars of light scattered across the Dome—
Their own Middle and East Outer Crystals were gone.
They had long since learned not to celebrate.
Because the Game was only going to get harder from here.
And the Administrators would make sure of it.
[Enemy Outer Crystal, destroyed! Deploying enemy Middle Crystal Troops in one minute! March!]
[Enemy Outer Crystal, destroyed! Deploying enemy Middle Crystal Troops in one minute! March!]
Now, they would have to march again, facing a fresher, rested army with their already dwindled numbers.
The Game is sadistic, slowly reducing humanity's numbers one by one. They could have ended everything with the hundreds of asteroids they hurled at Earth, yet they preferred this slow, grinding method.
And humanity could do nothing but swallow their fate.
The newbies' celebration was cut short by someone in what appeared to be an IBAA uniform—though the blood and tears made it difficult to tell for certain.
"Everyone! We have a chance to blitz the Middle Crystal!" The man's voice cracked with urgency. "Based on my calculations, it should still be thirty minutes before Dr. Syrio and Dexter respawn! If we rush now, we might catch them absent and our Heroes can overwhelm their defenses! So everyone, please... I know you're exhausted. But we need to move, now! Heroes, lead the way!"
No one challenged his words. Instead, they roared as one and surged toward the next pillar of light, not even waiting for Bjorn and Paik.
"Well then..." Paik stood behind Bjorn, resting a hand on his shoulder. "...Shall we go?"
Their group marched forward once more, their footfalls making the very ground tremble beneath them. Exhaustion hung on them like armor too heavy to bear.
But if there existed even the slightest chance they could destroy the Middle Crystal without facing another enemy Hero, they would seize that opportunity with both hands.
They pushed onward, ignoring their blurring vision and churning stomachs—forward was the only direction that mattered now.
And then, the Middle Crystal loomed before them.
They halted in unison, and when they registered the absence of Heroes and saw only the terror-stricken faces of enemy creeps, their confidence swelled.
The enemy creeps stared back, trembling visibly. The moment Bjorn and Paik advanced, most broke ranks and fled.
Unfortunately for them, retreat came too early... and everyone watched as they erupted into flames, burned to ash by the Administrators.
Their only remaining option was to fight, and so they did.
But it was no contest. Without Heroes to rally behind, the enemy fell quickly to Paik and Bjorn's onslaught. When the surviving creeps finally realized retreat was permitted, they abandoned the Middle Crystal entirely, fleeing straight to the Inner Crystal.
Well... except for Dexter the Chained Killer, who arrived at the last possible moment.
[Dexter, the Chained Killer.]
"Your blood will decorate my wall!"
But he merely sacrificed himself, charging alone against Paik and Bjorn's combined might.
It... might have been comical had he not managed to slaughter several creeps before falling once more.
Yet again, Bjorn found himself before a crystal, demolishing it with his fists without interruption.
[Enemy Middle Crystal, destroyed! Deploying enemy Inner Crystal troops in one minute! Wow, you're on a roll!]
This time, even the hardened veterans joined the celebration.
How could they not, when the Blue team hadn't managed to destroy even a single one of their Middle Crystals?