(AN : This chapter is susceptible to change.)

3 years ago . . .

“We need backup. Where’s the reinforcements?”

“They were ambushed. We are on our own.”

“Shit!”

In a devastated city that would better be described as a bunch of ruins, a team of players were having an encounter with another team. The difference between the two parties was their size, as the first team numbered 20 while the other was at least 70, more than triple of their opponents. Not only were they outnumbered, they were outclassed in weapons and equipment, barely hanging on to their lives.

Earlier on, the first team was actually made up of 50 players, however they suffered an ambush from their adversaries, leading to them being on the defensive side throughout the battle. In other to avoid more losses, they went into hiding within the ruins and employed a guerrilla tactic to use and eliminate their opponents but due to the great disparity between them, their original tactic failed and it became a game of hide-and-seek.

“Yato, get your head in the game. If we lose this battle, we might as well give up on conquest. A god-tier equipment like this can make us rise in ranks so keep a sharp mind ok? We aren’t dead yet, so we have to try.” Takehasi yelled at the brown haired guy beside him.

“There’s nothing we can do. I can’t believe Kara would betray us. I even helped that bastard level up. I can’t believe we trusted such a bastard.” Yato gritted his teeth in frustration.[1]

“Forget about Kara, for now we have to figure out how to escape. As long a we can get to the Capital, we would be safe.” Silver haired Natsuo commented.

“But they’ve got us surrounded.”

“Then we just have to pierce through their formation.” Natsuo smiled.

“If it was that easy, then we would have done that since. They are more stronger than us so even if we attack from a direction, the team thee will hold us back till their reinforcements show up. Didn’t we learn this from Tamaki’s squad already?” Yato frowned at Natsuo.

“Let him speak Yato. Natsuo might be playful at times but he often has a point.” Takehasi reprimanded him.

“Thank you, Takehasi. Now back to the main point. I’m not just talking about attacking from one direction but multiple. What is the advantage that the Hell-raiders have over us?” Natsuo asked them both.

The Hell-raiders were a large group of law-breaking players. They often plundered fellow players, and even guilds, and also killed them just for fun. Even so, they still lived on because their strength was worth it; being roughly on par with 2nd tier guilds.

“Numbers, strength, greater equipment, you name it.”

“True, but the most important is their coordination and that’s what we need to break. Communication is key in battle and because of that, the Hell-raiders have been able to track our every move.”

“Are you saying that there’s another spy apart from Kara?” Yato said with surprise. Even Takehasi frowned at the opinion.

“Probably. If what I’m saying is true, then there’s only a matter of time before we die. The Hell-raiders were able to know the location of our reinforcements, realise Tamaki’s plan and wipe his squad quickly, plus they were able to respond perfectly to all our counterattacks. Unless they have a really smart player or an all-seeing equipment, then there has to be a spy.”

“Shit!”

“So what do we do?” Takehasi knit his brows.

“A distraction. We order the remaining squads to attack from different points quite some distance from one another while we keep our own position a secret. That way even if Hell-raiders get any info from a spy, they wouldn’t know be able to stop us plus their forces will be spread out too thin from one another.”

“Impressive as always, Natsuo.”

“Hehe, scheming is my talent.”

. . . . .

“Let’s go.”

As the command was given, the various squads, totalling at least 20 players all rushed out from different points, with the idea of attacking the encirclement created by their enemies in order to escape.

Some distance away from the ruins stood a party of 4 players surrounding a single one who was seated cross-legged on the ground. The aura they all leaked out was varying in intensity, form and behaviour, even still, the combined result was an intimidating, formless pressure that easily broke the resolve to resist, from anyone who stared them in the eye. These were the true rulers and upper echelon of Hell-raiders. A word from them is enough to wipe out a 4th tier guild and if they all vote for it, even 3rd tier guilds won’t be safe.

“They plan on attacking from different points in order to break out eh? So if one squad succeeds, the real figure would escape from that point. An impressive idea, I must say so.” One of the players, who hung a long bow on his back, spoke out with one hand on his chin and the other supporting it. He had a somewhat long beard, reminiscent of that of ancient Chinese scholars before the Old era. He was light skinned and seemed somewhat fragile.

“Possibly, or the true figure might be attacking one such position or even trying to escape from a weaker link.” The another player commented. He had a huge door-sized war axe beside him that complimented his gigantic physique and stature. Together with the fiery red armor he wore, he looked like the reincarnation of a war god. Despite looking brawny and muscular, he was actually one of the great strategists of Hell-raiders alongside the old man who spoke earlier.

The leader who sat cross-legged on the ground then uttered in an indifferent fashion akin to that of a god communicating with mortals “Let’s play along then. Get ready to move, they will show themselves soon enough. Have our spy prepare for a sneak attack too. As for you Kara, you did well.”

“Thank you, leader.” A man walked forward with a smile on his face as he sincerely bowed to the leader. Even though he looked like he was smiling, deep down, he was actually afraid of messing up in front of these bigwigs as any one of them could kill him more than a 100 times if they ever wished too, even if the reason is that they find him unpleasing to their eyes. The smile however, was still genuine as a good comment from the leader was enough to raise him up the ranks.

Standing up, the leader declared “Now, let us show the world while we are the Hell-raiders. Today we shall drink the blood of Blue Diamond and let the world fear us.”

Standing at attention the players all placed their right hands, that were already clenched to form a fist, on the left side of their chest as they shouted out;

“Hail Lord Krishva, the 10th Yama. Honour to Diyu.” (AN : Yama here is in reference to the 10 kings of hell. Finally used an Indian name. After Dr. Ranvir of course.)

Meanwhile Takehasi, Yato, Natsuo and 2 other players were bidding their time, waiting for an opening to form in the encircling formation of the Hell-raiders.

“There.” Pointing at the system map, Takehasi continued,” The link at that point is weaker than the rest.”

“No, we take this one. Just in case they already know our plans. With our strength, it shouldn’t be so hard to break through their barricade.”

“Alright.” Takehasi nodded. “Let’s move.”

It didn’t take long for the party to arrive at their destination however they were astounded to see someone waiting there, someone they didn’t expect to see.

“Kara.” Yato frowned while staring at the young man coated in leather dressing.

“Did you miss me, Yato?” Kara smiled.

“How did you find us?” Takehasi asked, knowing that it was quite impossible for Kara to be the only one there. There was also another reason he decided to converse with the traitor and that was to confirm the position of the hidden enemy and also to drop Kara’s guard and eliminate him quickly. That way even if there is a second enemy hidden in the dark, their team would be able to easily handle them.

“Hahaha. Did you think your movements and schemes could be hidden from the Great Sage of Hell? Don’t make me laugh.” Kara smirked. “You should give up any resistance and just hand over the Orb of Namek that way you would be able to go scot-free.”

The Orb of Namek was a god-tier equipment Blue Diamond had excavated from a ruin close-by. It was this very equipment that cause the battle between them and Hell-raiders.

“Do you really take me for a fool? I’m pretty sure once I do that they will still kill us all. I’d rather die a warrior than surrender to you bastards!” Takehasi yelled. Truth be told, Takehasi didn’t want to fight with the Hell-raiders. However knowing that they wouldn’t let them go scot-free, he refused to give it up as such an equipment could be able to change the fate of Blue Diamond in Conquest.

“Fine. Lord Biyo, they have refused my offer.” Kara said while bowing his head low.

“Foolish.”

“Ahhh”

A voice sounded out followed by a scream of Takehasi. What made things strange was that the voice had sounded from Takehasi’s group.

“Katsumi, why?!” Takehasi yelled at the guy who just left a dagger in his chest.

“Apologies but my name isn’t Katsumi. It’s Biyo.” The young man smirked and quickly retreated towards Kara’s side. “Biyo of Hell.”

“I actually suspected Natsuo of being the spy but Katsumi…”

“You actually suspected me?!”

Katsumi was actually one of Takehasi’s confidants. They both knew each other in reality and he was one of the experts Takehasi recruited to join them. Katsumi had performed quite well and had attracted the trust of everyone in Blue Diamond so it was quite shocking to find out that he was a spy.

“Rather than saying I am a spy it’s more like I actually joined Blue Diamond to have a little fun. Who would have known that you guys would discover a god-tier weapon and I would have to betray you.. Life is such a bitch.”