261 Chapter 261 - Splitting Up (1/2)

Just like in reality, the weather in Parallel World would change from time to time, and the map for this PvP tournament was no different. At the highest point of the map, Gu Fei, who was in a good mood, suddenly felt a gust of wind blow past him. Beside a land depression by the foot of the mountain, Young Master Han was also feeling good enough to tease Gu Fei, ”You look really silly standing up there in this breeze we're having.”

In contrast, the members of The Black Hand mercenary group were feeling rather frustrated, and no amount of wind could blow their exasperation away.

Black Index Finger would really be a lost cause if he still did not realize at this stage of the match that he had been had by Young Master's Elite. It was fine that he had fallen for their trick, but Black Index Finger still had a hard time swallowing this outcome, as he had been very confident just moments ago. Even Black Index Finger's comrades felt embarrassed for him and were unsure of what to say to comfort him.

Thankfully, the camaraderie between the members of The Black Hand was high; although they mocked their leader inside, they knew very well who had really caused their embarrassment. Each of them showed strong desire to tear Young Master's Elite to pieces, causing the entire The Black Hand to experience a surge in morale.

”Boss Black, tell us what we should do now!”

There were more 'bosses' in Parallel World than there were top-grade equipment. If anyone shouted ”Boss!” on the street, seven or eight players would turn in response. Some of the more muddle-headed 'bosses' would even mistakenly treat the player who had yelled as a sort of underling. Thus, to avoid such mistakes, many would give their boss a different nickname. Not only would it sound more personal, it would also be easier to distinguish their boss from others.

Black Index Finger directed his gaze on the distant mountain peak and said, ”This mercenary group sure isn't run-of-the-mill. It's really no coincidence for them to kill their way through finals.” Black Index Finger of course did not give this praise for no reason. Since he suffered a substantial loss by falling for the enemies' ruse, he knew that commending his opponents would make him seem open-minded while offering an excuse for his folly. The opponent was strong, so it was normal to suffer a loss! As a boss, it was necessary for him to look at the bigger picture.

”Now that the six enemies have gotten ahead of us terms of kill points, they would probably begin employing the Grand Kiting strategy!” someone said fretfully. The fear for this strategy had already been widespread among them.

”It's actually advantageous for us if they do resort to using the Grand Kiting strategy; that way, our pursuit and interception lessons won't go to waste,” Black Index Finger said, adding, ”What we should be more afraid of is if they choose to hide. This d*mnable map may look simple, but it's actually full of hiding spots that we're still not aware of. To think we have only noticed this fact now.”

Black Index Finger's words unintentionally touched on the fact that Young Master Han's strategies were born off detailed information and the latter having spent significant time and effort to gain a good understanding of every map's peculiarities ever since the start of the entire mercenary PvP tournament.

Including his time participating in the guild versus guild tournament, Young Master Han had practically perused over a dozen maps to date. Since Black Index Finger only noticed these things now, researching about the map himself would only breed greater anxiety. This essentially meant that thinking about this any further was useless.

Hence, Black Index Finger did not bother deploying his men all over the map to research its terrain. Instead, he continued to gaze on the faraway mountain peak as he analyzed the situation from where he stood, ”We have six opponents, only six! There's no way they could fight us head on; that must be why they're fighting us in such a roundabout way! Based on our intel, the three members of Young Master's Elite—a Warrior, a Knight, and a Priest—should have slow movement speed.”

”Just like moments ago, the Thief and Archer lured us into this small forest, while the Mage killed our lookout team on the mountain peak. As for the three others, where were they during all that?”

Everyone gawked as their boss lost himself in his thoughts. They had already agreed three days ago that the key to clinching victory in this match was to locate their enemies, so what was the point of him repeating it right now?

”The other three men also hiked that mountain. Since they were able to descend from it without trouble despite their slow movement speed, they should not be far from the mountain. We have always had people up the mountain since then, yet we never saw one of them. But somehow… The Thief and Archer were able to make it into the forest…” Black Index Finger was mumbling this to himself when he had an epiphany. Calling the attention of everyone around him, he said, ”Search the forest for anything that could provide cover! Why are we afraid to split into smaller teams? That's entirely due to that Insta-kill Mage's ranged capabilities and our cluelessness on their fighting prowess as a team. Now that they have split up like this, what's there for us to be afraid of? Let's form ten-man teams now,” Black Index Finger ordered. He sounded as if he had uncovered something huge.

”Boss Black!” Monologue under the Moon interjected, ”That Mage doesn't simply just cast spells. With his prowess, I doubt a ten-man team is enough to subdue him!”

”Alright!” Black Index Finger felt he should consider Monologue under the Moon's suggest as the latter had personally exchanged blows with Gu Fei before, ”Let's make a 20-man team just for him. There shouldn't be any more issues going up against him, yeah?”

”That… It should be fine!” Monologue under the Moon did not dare to affirm this so easily. He had gathered the same amount of players that day to intercept Gu Fei, yet he had still been unsuccessful in the end.

”Take the lead for these twenty men, and try to take care of him up on that mountain,” Black Index Finger said.

”Got it!” Monologue under the Moon would really lose face if he still showed fear at the prospect of facing a lone enemy together with these twenty men. Gu Fei was currently occupying the mountain's vantage point, and the team coming for him did not know of any route to take him by surprise. It was highly like for their target to flee at the sight of twenty men charging up the mountain. This task of taking the enemy down was not easy, after all.

”You three!” Monologue under the Moon selected three men from his team, ”Circle to the back of the mountain and draw his attention. We'll aid you as soon as we can.” This was the only plan he could come up with.