Making a Move

On the World Battlefield, inside a hidden cave that felt vaguely familiar.

Hercules, the American team captain, and Wizard watched the group's movements in a bronze mirror at their feet and began talking excitedly.

"See, Hercules? I was right. This new player from the Xia Kingdom is going after the Otherworld Players himself. And judging by their route, they aren't hunting a small squad—they're heading straight for the main force! This is the chance of a lifetime!"

Wizard, a white player with delicate features and a silver robe, spoke with a sharp gleam in his eyes.

His partner, Hercules, fell silent. Only after two full seconds did he answer.

"Wizard, do we really have to kill this Xia Kingdom player? The way his strength has grown is suspicious, but he's still one of us on Earthstar. If we kill him, no one might join the World Battle again. The disasters Earthstar faces will only get worse..."

The towering white man, built almost like a giant, had given more thought to Earthstar's future than Wizard, despite the latter being a magic-user.

Wizard dismissed the concern without a second thought.

"My good partner, you're worrying over nothing! We've fought in the World Battle several times. Don't you understand why the Supernatural Game holds these contests? It wants to destroy the worlds its players come from!

"Even if we win more World Battles, all we do is slow Earthstar's destruction. No one can win forever. Earthstar's destruction is inevitable, and moving to a new Homeland is our best option!

"That's why we need to eliminate this Xia Kingdom player—and his entire team. What they leave behind will make us stronger. Then our future, and the future of the entire United States, will be brighter. It's a necessary sacrifice..."

After listening to Wizard's long