Chapter 256: Different Plans

On these islands there were no Kings or Great beings, or even a high population density... it was just the monsters and us, so there was nothing holding me back from releasing my sense again to the furthest limits... like those days on Earth.

I felt every monster within a range of two kilometers, and it was the same for the other teams we left behind us.

Kyle, Ellen and Leona had already left the range of my sense, which means they reached the other side of the island and maybe started crossing the hanging bridges, and so did Elliot and Izel... and of course everyone else with them.

I stared ahead toward the edge of the island where it overlooked the ocean below and some islands from the first level.

Darkness had already fallen so I couldn’t see far down, let alone catch details of the other Empires.

Unfortunately, in my team specifically there was no scout or anyone with an ability to look far, the rest were taken to the other teams, because I have my sense which kind of makes up for that.

"It looks sturdy, but are you guys sure it won’t snap on us halfway?" Ivan spoke doubtfully as he looked at the vines that stretch across the ground from inside the forest and gather at the edge before merging together, forming a bridge across the sky that connects us to the small island a few hundred meters away.

Its size was barely like a small house, and from it the vines stretched again to another one much further, forming what looks like small stations before reaching the big island on the high horizon.

"Tsk... coward." Valia clicked her tongue as she turned her head away from him quickly which made her short black hair sway.

I was the first to step onto the green vines, the thickness of this bridge was about five whole meters!... so yeah, maybe Ivan was a coward like Valia said... or he simply has a fear of heights and we don’t know.

It didn’t shake or sway at all, like I’m just walking on slanted ground.

Emeris followed me beside me soon enough, then the rest behind us one after another until Ivan was left, and he had to jump and follow us.

This was how we were making our way toward the higher islands... specifically the fifth level of them.

...

While the Solaria group split up following the plan Caius suggested, the other groups were taking their own paths too.

And as expected both Erebus and Auerlion noticed how they flew straight to the next island, and even though it was a good chance to attack, the massive distance made it impossible to do anything in that short time.

Plus, all the groups knew there’s no benefit in clashing on the first day... so they didn’t.

And since Auerlion were the closest to the island the group had been on, they didn’t hesitate to send someone there to swap the markers and take over the empty island.

And at the same time their companion went to get some easy points, the dark-skinned desert people gathered in front of the plant bridge leading up, led by Demir.

Under the night sky standing in front of his group at the edge of the island, the muscles of his arm stood out from under his leather armor, and his body stood at a height of nearly two meters, dwarfing even his dark-skinned companions.

And unlike everyone his weapon was strapped to his back, a long silver spear with a heavy head sticking up... this was one of the customs of the west, those who grew up in the harsh wilderness outside Auerlion’s safe borders.

"Demir, are you sure ignoring their movements is the right choice?" A girl’s soft voice echoed from beside him.

He turned his head and his eyes met a pair of sandy yellow eyes, and strands of long dark hair falling down the back of the beautiful girl... in front of him the dark-skinned girl looked like a short dwarf, but her calm face kept waiting for the answer.

"What do you want to do, Dana, run after them?" Demir’s voice came out calm but deep like an extension of his physical strength.

The girl shook her head. "Regardless of what I want, letting them go up before us will be a threat in the near future."

Demir sighed heavily as he glanced at the dozens of people behind him. "Everyone takes their own way, and our way has already been decided, plus we’re not the only ones who saw that."

Dana couldn’t help but look toward the huge vines that connect the islands together, realizing what Demir meant.

They only had to keep going with their simple plan, which is climbing and purging every island on their side and claiming them, while keeping a distance from the two groups that landed on the other side of them.

As for the Solaria group, they weren’t a threat right now, they’d disappeared high in the sky far from them, and whatever they were planning strength always solves problems.

With a last look over his shoulder, Demir stepped toward the hanging vine bridge, his voice breaking the quiet of the night. "Let’s go."

...

And toward the west, the Erebus group was in a different situation from the rest.

From what they saw there are only two bridges leading up, one Auerlion is taking now, and the other on the island next to them in the far west... which by coincidence was the place the Luminar group landed on and that means one thing... that they’re trapped with no way to climb.

After all none of the groups had someone like Elliot, who could carry them up somehow.

So, after a lot of planning and thinking they made the decision.

To do nothing.

Or specifically, Theo Arlin made the final decision for them.

So now while the others run and fight in the darkness of the night, the Erebus group was relaxing.

They set up a camp in the middle of the island that had been purged, and lit fires to cook dinner, while the breeze soaked with the smell of the ocean hit the place, driving away all the smells of blood from the past hours of killing.

"Come on Rita, how much is left until it’s ready!" Theo spoke, his tone lacking patience, staring at the fire lit beside his fancy foldable tent.

In front of the fire his short, multi-talented assistant was grilling the meat for dinner, she gave him a look over her shoulder, like someone who wants to pick up the hot skewer and stick it in someone’s eye.

She sighed as she answered in a flat tone. "A few minutes."

Theo rolled his blue eyes and complained for the millionth time today. "Even my phone isn’t here."

The rest of the group had set up many camps in the space clear of trees, gathering in separate teams around the campfires.

Even here in the middle of the exam the sounds of laughter rose around the fires, like it was a normal camping party.

It’s true the Erebus group wasn’t the best at cooperation... they were the worst... but in situations like these they agreed on relaxing, especially since it’s part of the plan.

Their plan of stealing other people’s hard work.