Chapter 418: 418: Flame Heart
As the trio stood amidst the volcanic landscape, Mal's sarcastic tone cut through the tension, his words dripping with sardonic humor.
"What's the plan, fearless leader?" Mal quipped, his smirk evident even in the dim light of the molten terrain. "Are we going to trap Adam's team and the rest of the stragglers, or are we diving headfirst into the fray like true heroes?"
Jun Ho's stoic expression remained unchanged as he considered Mal's question, his gaze fixed on the horizon with an intensity that bordered on obsession. "This is the final stage," he replied, his voice devoid of emotion. "Failing to plan is planning to fail. We must proceed with caution if we are to emerge victorious."
Saj's gaze flickered with a hint of amusement as he listened to Jun Ho's words, his sociopathic tendencies manifesting in a subtle smirk. "Careful is my middle name," he remarked casually, his eyes gleaming with a predatory gleam. "But we must also be wary of Adam's team. They're not to be underestimated."
Mal raised an eyebrow inquisitively, his sarcastic demeanor momentarily overshadowed by genuine curiosity. "And why is that?" he questioned, his tone tinged with skepticism.
Jun Ho's expression darkened slightly as he spoke, a flicker of unease passing through his stoic facade. "Adam's team may not be the most well-known, but they possess a formidable strength that cannot be ignored," he explained, his voice tinged with caution. "Their leader, Adam, is rumored to possess abilities that defy logic and reason. We must tread carefully if we are to emerge victorious in our final confrontation. His performance to the Beast tide and in this trial are note-worthy. It was that he possesses a unique rubber gum domain."
Saj's lips curled into a smirk as he listened to Jun Ho's assessment, a glint of excitement dancing in his eyes. "Sounds like my kind of challenge," he remarked, his voice tinged with anticipation. "Let's show them what we're made of."
...
Mal leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he outlined the intricacies of their plan to Jun Ho and Saj.
"Alright, here's the plan," Mal began, his voice low but filled with excitement. "First, we let the four remaining teams exhaust each other's vitality. It's the classic mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind."
Jun Ho nodded in understanding, his stoic expression betraying a hint of approval. "And once they're sufficiently weakened, we strike," he added, his voice cold and calculating. "But we must be patient. Timing is crucial."
Saj's lips curled into a predatory grin as he listened to Mal and Jun Ho's words, his eyes alight with anticipation. "And when the time is right, we swoop in and finish them off in one fell swoop," he concluded, his voice filled with anticipation.
Mal nodded in agreement, his mind already racing with the smallest details and nuances of their plan. "Exactly," he replied, his voice tinged with excitement. "But we must be meticulous in our execution. Every move, every decision must be calculated to ensure our success."
Jun Ho's gaze narrowed slightly as he considered Mal's words, his mind already analyzing every possible scenario and outcome. "Agreed," he replied, his voice firm and unwavering. "We cannot afford to leave anything to chance. This is our final test, and failure is not an option."
Saj's grin widened at the prospect of the challenge ahead, his sociopathic tendencies driving him to seek out the thrill of victory at any cost. "I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when they realize they've been outsmarted," he remarked, his voice tinged with excitement.
...
Caleb leaned in, his eyes serious as he addressed Ed and Mic.
"Yeah, I heard the same thing," he began, his voice low and contemplative. "Only five teams left, and the competition is getting fiercer by the minute."
Ed furrowed his brow in thought, considering Caleb's words carefully. "So, who do you think we should be wary of?" he asked, his tone tinged with concern.
Caleb paused, his gaze drifting off into the distance as he weighed his words. "Well, there's one team in particular that I've heard some unsettling rumors about," he replied slowly. "The team from No.2 high school. I heard they're a group of absolute madmen, willing to do whatever it takes to win."
Mic's eyes widened in alarm at Caleb's words, her mind racing with the possibilities. "Madmen? What do you mean?" she asked, her voice tinged with apprehension. Experience new tales on My Virtual Library Empire
Caleb shrugged, a sense of unease settling over him as he spoke. "I'm not exactly sure, but from what I've heard, they're not afraid to play dirty," he explained, his voice tight with concern. "We need to be extra cautious around them."
Ed nodded in agreement, his expression grim. "Agreed. We can't afford to let our guard down, especially not now," he replied.
Caleb leaned in closer to Ed and Mic, his expression serious as he spoke.
"You know, I've been hearing some rumors lately," he began, his voice low and cautious. "There's talk of an Extraordinary Beast that's been spotted on the island."
Ed's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his curiosity piqued. "An Extraordinary Beast? What kind?" he asked, his interest evident in his tone.
Caleb nodded, his gaze intent as he continued. "Well, rumor has it that this beast is said to possess something called the Flame Heart treasure," he explained, his words tinged with excitement.
"The Flame Heart treasure?" Mic echoed, her eyes widening with interest. "What exactly is that?"
Caleb leaned back, his mind drifting back to the stories he'd heard. "From what I've gathered, the Flame Heart treasure is a rare and powerful artifact," he began, his voice taking on a storyteller's cadence. "Legend has it that it was born from the heart of a volcano, infused with the essence of fire and molten rock."
As he spoke, Caleb painted a vivid picture of the treasure's origin, its birth shrouded in mystery and awe.
"It's said to hold immense power," he continued, his voice filled with reverence. "Some believe that it can grant its wielder control over the fire itself, while others say it has the ability to imbue objects with fiery energy."
Ed and Mic listened intently, captivated by Caleb's words as he delved deeper into the treasure's history and significance.
"And as for its value," Caleb added, a note of awe in his voice, "well, let's just say it's priceless. Countless adventurers and treasure hunters have sought after the Flame Heart treasure, but few have ever laid eyes on it, let alone possessed it."
Mic's eyes sparkled with excitement, her mind racing with the possibilities. "Imagine what we could do with such power," she mused, her voice filled with wonder.
But Caleb's expression grew serious once more, a hint of caution in his eyes. "As tempting as it may be, we need to be careful," he warned, his voice solemn. "The Flame Heart treasure is said to be guarded by the very beast that possesses it, and it won't be easy to obtain. Maybe other teams that survived were also eyeing it."