Third Person POV

  The long-awaited day had arrived. The Alpha Territory Treasure Hunt Competition—a brutal contest where only the strongest of Alpha cns dared to compete—was about to begin.

  Fifteen powerful Alpha cns from different regions had gathered, each prepared to stake their eyes on uncimed nd that, according to legend, concealed an unimaginable treasure. A treasure so vast, so life-changing, that whoever cimed it would never have to toil again. It was said to be enough to elevate even the lowliest warrior into the ranks of kings.

  The prize? A sprawling ndmass equivalent to a hundred territories. The competition was not just a battle—it was a war where only one Alpha cn would emerge victorious.

  The massive field buzzed with tension. Cn members huddled together, finalizing strategies, whispering st-minute pns. Some inspected their weapons—bdes glinting under the sun, arrows sharpened to pierce flesh, and makeshift traps discreetly set to eliminate enemies before the battle even began.

  Among them, in a secluded corner, stood Champ and his cn—a mere group of six. While the others armed themselves with weapons, Champ's cn carried nothing but their fists and wit.

  "This isn't fair!" Jiggs muttered, eyes darting nervously at the surrounding cns, all heavily armed. Some wielded baseball bats, others had knives, bows, and even clubs reinforced with steel.

  Champ swallowed hard. His fists clenched at his sides as he scanned his unarmed team.

  "We'll rely on our fists, the tactics I've taught you... and—" he took a deep breath, his voice calm but firm, "—luck."

  The weight of his words settled over his team as they turned their gaze toward their opponents. Compared to the twenty-member cns surrounding them, they were but a handful.

  "Are we sure we can take them on?" Marsh asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

  "There's only six of us, Master Champ!" Gem added, worried.

  "And we have no weapons or traps!" Martin muttered.

  "It's just us against the odds." Daryl sighed.

  Then, something shifted in the air. A silent understanding passed between Champ and Jiggs as they locked eyes. Jiggs gave a single nod, reaching into his rge backpack—the only one among them carrying anything substantial.

  With a dramatic fir, Jiggs pulled out a ptop.

  "This..." he grinned, hugging it to his chest like a prized possession, "is our key to victory."

  Gem blinked. "Are you pnning to bash them with your ptop?"

  "If you do, I think the ptop will break before their bones do," Daryl quipped.

  Jiggs scoffed, "You fools! This isn't a weapon—it's our greatest advantage!" His voice dropped into a conspiratorial whisper. "Because within this machine... lies the map to our survival."

  The team leaned in as Jiggs opened the ptop, revealing detailed schematics.

  "I've obtained the yout of the battlefield—Veydith's territory. I've mapped out blind spots, resting zones, and strategic positions we can use. I even analyzed the topography—every hill, valley, and artificial structure. We'll know this nd better than anyone."

  The Beta males gawked at the revetion, their unease repced with awe.

  "That's not all," Jiggs continued smugly. "I've also created a counter to track enemy numbers. As the battle progresses, we'll know exactly how many opponents remain."

  "That's incredible!" Marsh gasped.

  "Unfortunately, I don't have a tracker to detect for nearby enemies..." Jiggs admitted, "but that's where Champ comes in. He can detect Alpha scents. We Betas don't have that advantage."

  Champ smirked. "Leave it to me. No enemy will sneak up on us."

  Jiggs patted his bag. "And, of course, I've brought food and water. Unlike the other cns, we won't be weakened by hunger or thirst. I'll be your support, Champ's our front-liner, the tanker, and the rest of you—our attackers. We are fully prepared!"

  Just as their confidence surged, slow, deliberate cpping echoed from behind them.

  A figure emerged from the shadows, his movements eerily smooth, his presence unsettling. His lips curled into a smirk that never quite reached his eyes—sharp, knowing, dangerous.

  "Impressive... truly impressive."

  The group froze.

  Champ turned, his entire body stiffening as his gaze locked onto the intruder.

  "Silver..." his voice came out low, controlled, but there was an edge of wariness in it.

  Silver's smile widened, but it was anything but friendly. He pced a hand on his chest dramatically. "Oh, how delightful! You know my name. I'm fttered!" He wrapped his arms around himself as if basking in their attention.

  But there was no amusement in Champ's expression. Only caution.

  Because Silver was not an opponent to be taken lightly.

  He was unpredictable. Cunning. Unstable. A creature of chaos with a mind that danced on the edge of madness.

  Champ's eyes flickered around the field.

  "Where's your cn?" he demanded.

  Silver's shoulders shook as a quiet chuckle escaped him. Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, he spread his arms wide.

  "Right here."

  The blood in Champ's veins ran cold.

  "You're alone?"

  Silver tilted his head, grinning—a predator who had just found his prey. "Why would I need anyone else? I can take you all down by myself..."

  His smile stretched wider, his eyes dark and unreadable.

  "And I will."

  A heavy silence settled over the group as Silver's menacing words hung in the air.

  Jiggs and the others standing beside Champ swallowed hard. They all knew what Silver was capable of.

  With a zy smirk, Silver rolled his shoulders and let out an exaggerated sigh. "You see, fighting with a team is far too restrictive. It's easier to hunt and kill when I move alone," he said, his piercing eyes locking onto Jiggs. "And, of course, if I have no teammates, that means all the food and water belongs to me. No need to share. Wouldn't you agree?"

  Jiggs stiffened, clutching his bag closer to his chest.

  "W-What are you trying to say?" he stammered.

  Silver chuckled darkly. "I mean, you'd better find a pce to hide, little Beta, because you'll be the first one I will hunt down. You... and that bag of yours."

  The color drained from Jiggs's face, his fingers tightening around the straps of his backpack as if his life depended on it.

  Champ stepped forward, his stance firm. "If you think we'll let you get away with this, Silver, you're mistaken."

  Silver's smirk never wavered. His confidence, his sheer arrogance, was maddening. He tilted his head, voice as calm as ever.

  "You don't have to let me win." He shrugged. "Because I already know I will."

  A sharp, expectant silence filled the air as everyone awaited his next words. Then, his smile stretched wider, his gaze locking onto Champ with a dark, insatiable hunger.

  "And the best part? I won't just be taking the nd and the treasure..." Silver's eyes glinted with wicked amusement. He raised his hand and pointed directly at Champ.

  "I'll be taking you as well."

  Then, in a slow, deliberate motion, he dragged his tongue across his lips, his expression twisted with something almost primal.

  As if he's hungry for Champ's body.

  Champ tensed, his breath hitching. He couldn't tell if it was anger or something else entirely, but he couldn't speak.

  Silver let out a pleased hum, his grin widening. "See you in the competition, Champ. Don't worry—we'll meet at the end. And I'll make sure to cim all my prizes at once."

  Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, his ughter lingering in the air like a ghostly whisper.

  Jiggs, still pale as a sheet, grabbed Champ's sleeve in a panic. "Champ! Please! I'm begging you—don't let that maniac get me!"

  Champ pced a firm hand on Jiggs's shoulder. "I won't. We have a pn, and we'll stick to it. We're going to win this."

  Not far from the confrontation, Deux stood hidden, his sharp eyes fixed on Silver and Champ. He had witnessed every word, every action.

  His fists clenched. Anger boiled inside him, threatening to spill over, but he forced himself to remain still. He couldn't afford to let his emotions take over—not now.

  Not where Champ can see him.

  Then, Silver approached him, stopping just beside Deux's shoulder. He didn't look at him, just stood there, his presence a quiet storm.

  "You'll never get what you want," Deux whispered. His voice was steady, but the weight behind it was unshakable. "I will stop you, Silver."

  Silver let out a quiet chuckle. "Oh, Deux... I'm terrified." His tone was mocking, taunting. And then, just as quickly as he had appeared, he was gone.

  Deux took a deep breath, his gaze drifting back to where Champ stood.

  "Champ... please... don't let them take you down," he muttered under his breath. His fingers twitched as though he wanted to move toward him, but he knew better. Champ would only push him away.

  He could only watch.

  The Competition Begins...

  A Beta male staff member stepped forward, calling for all Alpha cns to gather.

  "To all participating cns, please assemble! The competition will begin shortly!"

  The crowd shifted, forming a rge circle around the field. As the cns took their positions, the Beta staff continued.

  "Welcome to the nd of Veydith. This territory has remained untouched, uncimed by any Alpha cn. But today, that changes. This competition will determine who among you is worthy to own it."

  Tension thickened the air as Alpha leaders exchanged gnces, their hunger for victory evident in their gazes. No one intended to lose.

  From across the gathering, Deux met Champ's eyes. But the moment their gazes locked, Champ quickly turned away.

  Deux let out a quiet sigh, shaking his head. Even now, Champ refused to acknowledge him.

  The Beta staff raised a hand. "You will have fifteen minutes after this announcement to find a base or a safe zone before the battle begins. Once the signal is given, the fight will not stop until only one Alpha cn remains. Even if all cn members fall, as long as an Alpha leader is still standing, their cn is still in the running. However, if the Alpha leader is defeated first, their entire cn is automatically eliminated."

  The silence that followed was thick with anticipation.

  "There are no rules in this battle. Use whatever you wish to gain the upper hand."

  A ripple of movement spread as Alpha cns braced themselves, ready to sprint.

  Behind the scenes, Deux stood with his Beta subordinates, eyes fixed on Champ's team.

  "Master Deux, what is your pn?" one of them asked.

  Deux's eyes remained locked on Champ.

  "Watch over Champ's cn. If they're in danger, you will step in and assist them."

  The Beta nodded. "Understood. We'll remain hidden until they need us."

  Another Beta stepped forward hesitantly. "And you, Master Deux? Where will you go?"

  Deux's expression darkened.

  "I'll be watching someone who will py dirty. Silver. He's mine. I cannot be with you or else Champ will sense me."

  The others followed his gaze.

  Silver stood alone, looking down at his fingernails as if the upcoming bloodbath meant nothing to him. But Deux knew better. He might have appeared indifferent, but Silver was a monster in waiting—a one-man army.

  "Master Deux, he is your cousin, isn't he?" one of the Betas murmured.

  "Yes," Deux admitted. "But make no mistake—he will kill anyone in his way, regardless of blood ties. If you cross paths with him, do not engage. Hide. I will handle him myself."

  Then, the Beta staff's voice boomed across the battlefield.

  "Prepare yourselves! The fifteen-minute countdown begins NOW!"

  The ground erupted with motion as Alpha cns scattered, searching for strategic locations. The game had begun.

  "Let the competition begin!"

  The Beta staff raised his arm high and decred, "May the strongest Alpha cn prevail!"

  The nd of Veydith was no longer a peaceful pce. It had become a battlefield.

  And by the end of it, only one Alpha would remain standing.

  Who would it be?

  End of Chapter 17