bChapter /bb801 /b

    Zoey scoffed, “We all know how strong Sean is. There’s no way Aria could beat him.”

    Liz rolled her eyes. “That’s just how it is. Believe it or not.”

    Jason cut in, “Did a teame through here? Was it Brandon’s team?”

    “Yes,” Liz said casually. “Aria took them all out; didn’t leave a single one standing.”

    77%

    The atmosphere suddenly turned icy. Zoey couldn’t help bursting intoughter. “Seriously? Aria took down seven people all by herself? You’ve got to be kidding me.”

    She turned to Clifford. “Clifford, let’s make a move early; no need to wait and risk something going wrong.”

    Mike quickly interjected, “Can’t we just target another team instead?” He thought, ‘Going after Ms. Saxon’s supply station? That’s just crossing the line.‘

    “She’s not your teacher anymore; she’s the enemy,” Zoey warned. “Do you want to get eliminated?”

    +20

    Mike said, “I won’ty a finger on Ms. Saxon. You guys do whatever you like.” With that, he walked away into the distance, making his stance clear.

    Zoey shot Clifford a sharp look. “I told you the newbie wasn’t up to it, but you insisted on bringing him in.”

    Clifford shrugged. “Let me talk it over with Gerald.”

    “What’s there to discuss?” Zoey waved her hand impatiently. “I’ll just eliminate her myself.”

    Clifford’s face dropped. “Take a good look at those two. Do they seem like easy targets to you? Don’t underestimate them the way Brandon’s team did, or you’ll just end up shooting yourself in the foot.”

    The probability that Brandon’s team would be eliminated by Aria was quite high, and he would never take the risk.

    He stepped aside and took out hismunicator to call Gerald. “Gerald, we’ve run into people from Cathy’s team; just Aria and Liz. Liz said Aria defeated Sean, took over the supply station, and wiped out Brandon’s team,” Clifford said.

    Gerald paused for a moment before asking, “Which zone are you in?”

    “Zone D,” Clifford replied,

    “Zone D is likely Sean’s area,” Gerald said calmly. “Try to steer clear of Aria; she’s not easy to deal with.”

    Clifford nodded. “Got it.”

    After hanging up, Clifford turned to his teammates. “Gerald told us to move out.”

    Zoey frowned. “Why?”

    “I’m the captain,” Clifford said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “If you can’t follow orders, there’s no way we can keep working as a teamb./b”

    Even though Mike was new, he listened well and didn’t hold the team back. Zoey was the real rebel, always thinking she was right. Clifford thought, ‘If so, why not form her own team? Why join mine?‘

    13:04 Thu 14 Aug (

    i77/i%

    Seeing the displeasure on Clifford’s face, Zoey pressed her lips together and stayed quiet, though her expression showed her reluctance.

    As the five turned to leave, Mike gave Aria a wave. “Ms. Saxon, I’m heading out now.i” /i

    Aria said, “Bye.”

    Off the field, the crowd was buzzing with excitement. “Clifford chickened out?” someone eximed.

    “What do you know? That’s just being smart. He could tell Aria isn’t someone you want to mess with. If they fought, Aria would definitely win,” another person retorted.

    No matter how tough Aria is, she can’t take down so many people that quickly. Even if Clifford’s team takes the spot, let them have it for now They can reim it after resting,” someone else added.

    His friend teased, “Well, you’re so smart. Why didn’t you get first ce back then?”

    “if I’d teamed up with Aria, I’d be number one too,” he shot back.

    +20)

    The guy thought, ‘It’s a good thing we didn’t participate in thepetition. Otherwise, we would be the ones being humiliated. Watching all this from a bird’s–eye view is great.‘

    “Do you think Aria and her team will notice that Clifford’s group already has a supply station?” someone asked.

    “Hard to say,” another person replied. Everyone kept watching the monitors.

    Liz’s knees almost gave way when she was sure Clifford’s team had left. “Finally, they’re gone. We’d have been in big trouble if we fought,” she mumbled.

    Except maybe Mike, there was no way Liz could take on any of the others. “Still, Clifford’s team isn’t exactly weak. It’s weird they haven’t already taken a supply station,” Liz said.

    “Gerald’s not with them, and they’ve already got a supply station,” Aria replied.

    “What?” Liz’s eyes went wide. “Why are they trying to take ours?”

    “They’re probably joining forces with another group to grab an extra spot,” Aria said, casting a nce at themunicator in Liz’s hand. “You could do the same–give up one supply station and choose a team to coborate with.”