by Devin Hunter
Grey’s eyes went wide. “Oh, I didn’t realize you’d want us to land there.”
“It has the best loot,” Finn said. “And a lot of it. That’s why I keep telling you to go there. If you survive, you have all the best stuff to fight with.”
“Yeah, but it’s so unpredictable,” Grey insisted.
“It’s incredibly predictable if you know how other players will behave,” Tae Min replied. “Which is why I’m teaching you. Don’t worry, we won’t land there until I know you’re ready. And right now, you’re not.”
“Okay.” Though Grey was afraid of Tilted Towers, he did trust that Tae Min would teach them to play better. And if Tae Min thought they were ever ready to take on Tilted Towers, Grey would have to believe him.
CHAPTER 11
Grey and his friends practiced their hearts out under the guidance of Tae Min. It was a different style of teaching compared to Grey’s style—which was a lot of real-world simulation practice. Tae Min instead focused on step-by-step instruction and discussion. He was constantly asking them to think about what they would do and didn’t demand as much actual doing.
But Grey believed it would help them because he was already seeing the game differently. He was imagining how he would face various players and what he could do to push them into the plays he wanted them to make. He was concocting his own ways to counterattack after he’d gotten the enemy right where he wanted.
If they could execute this in battle, they would definitely win more.
He was glad Tae Min would be in their squad to advise them, because Grey already knew he wouldn’t be able to adapt these concepts overnight.
Five minutes until mandatory rest!
“All right, Grey, squad me,” Tae Min said. “We’ll pick up practice in between every battle tomorrow.”
“Sounds good,” Grey said as he extended the invitation. When Tae Min accepted it, Grey could hardly believe that the top player’s name was listed with the rest of his squad. He didn’t feel like he deserved it, but he wasn’t about to turn Tae Min away at this point. Not only was Tae Min brilliant, but Grey liked hanging out with him. Tae Min was much nicer than anyone would assume from his quiet and aloof appearance.
They headed back to the practice warehouse, and Grey grew more nervous as Tae Min stayed with them. People would definitely notice, since Tae Min never hung out with anyone.
“You’re nervous,” Tae Min said. “Do you want me to hide?”
“I wasn’t sure you’d want to be seen with us. Also, I wondered if the element of surprise might help us tomorrow,” Grey admitted.
“Besides, walking with us would definitely ruin your reputation,” Finn added.
Tae Min smirked. “I appreciate that you’re thinking strategy, but in this case I believe I’m better used as an intimidation factor and not a surprise. If you haven’t noticed, everyone is afraid of me.”
“True,” Kiri said. “When you were still playing at the top, even the thought that you might be around changed the way we played. It’s probably the same for everyone else.”
Tae Min nodded. “They will try to implement new strategies to counter me. Untested strategies also mean they won’t be playing comfortably. They will play worse.”
“I see,” Grey said. His squad was used to being underestimated, so he’d never thought of the power of letting players know Tae Min was with them. It was a completely different mindset, and Grey was glad Tae Min was familiar with it.
Grey spotted Zach and Hui Yin as they entered the practice warehouse from the north doors. They were discussing something near the weapon racks.
Sure enough, the moment Zach saw them, his eyes filled with terror. Hui Yin turned to see what had scared Zach so much, and soon she looked just as scared.
Tae Min just kept walking, so Grey’s squad did the same. Quiet settled over the open field in front of the warehouse as they made their way out there. Vlad and Yuri glared at them, while Lam’s group looked horrified. Grey tried not to look at Hazel, who would definitely be upset by Grey’s replacement squad member. None of them could have guessed that this would happen. Not even Grey had, though now that he thought about it, Tae Min had given him plenty of chances to ask for help.
The shocked stares didn’t stop in the practice area. Even those who’d given up for the season couldn’t help but watch Grey and his friends. But these people weren’t silent; they whispered among themselves about what it could mean. About whether or not Tae Min was finally going to leave the game. He’d never helped so many people at once.
They wouldn’t get an answer. Grey hated people gossiping about him, but Tae Min ignored all of it and didn’t care.
Their group stopped in front of Grey’s cabin, and Tae Min said, “Meet up in the same place first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Sweet as, mates,” Kiri said and then headed for her cabin with a big smile on her face.
“I wish we could switch cabins,” Finn said as he took a few steps back. “I’m the odd one out now. My roomies are boring.”
“Sorry,” Grey said. “I wish we could switch, too.”
Finn waved as he left, and the rest of them went into their cabin. Lorenzo wasn’t there yet, but he would be soon. Grey wondered if it would be weird. He and Lorenzo had become friendly, but he wouldn’t say they were that close, either.
“I just have one question,” Tristan said as they all went to their beds. “If Tae Min is in Grey’s squad, then how will we get help? We won’t be able to hear his directions.”
“Don’t worry,” Tae Min said. “I will teach you how to get to the end. It’ll be boring, but it’ll work.”
Tristan did not seem comforted by this.
“Maybe once we get the hang of things, Tae Min can switch back and forth between our squads?” Grey suggested.
Tae Min raised an eyebrow. “You’re okay with that?”
Grey nodded. “We all need to get home. After a few days, I might be able to get a feel for what you’d do based on the battles we’ve already done. Then you could switch to Ben and Tristan’s until they get a good feel and switch back to us.”
“That might work. I should’ve expected this from you,” Tae Min said. “Still so generous even after everything.”
Grey wasn’t sure that was a compliment or not, but he decided to take it as one.
“Thanks, Grey,” Ben said. “You don’t have to offer that after everything we’ve done, but you are just that awesome.”
“Stop, guys.” Grey put his pillow over his head, feeling self-conscious over the praise. “Just do your best and don’t waste this chance.”
“We won’t,” Tristan said. “We’ve fought too long for this.”
Thirty seconds until mandatory rest!
Lorenzo burst into the room and dove for his bed. Before the last seconds ticked down, he said, “You guys all suck, by the way, leaving me out.”
Grey felt bad, but there was nothing to say before his vision went to black and he was forced to rest like everyone else. Tomorrow would be a new day, a day full of victories if all went well.
CHAPTER 12
Just before it was time for battles, Tae Min gathered Grey and his friends into a circle. “Good practice, everyone. Remember what I’ve taught you, because as you know I will get eliminated before the end of the game. You can still do it. Don’t be intimidated by anyone.”
“Easy for you to say,” Ben said. “What if I can’t even hide right? Me and Tristan can’t afford any losses under the top ten.”
“You’ll be fine,” Tae Min said. “Give yourself some credit, Ben. Your weakness isn’t skill—it’s self-doubt.”
Ben took a deep breath. “Okay. Thanks.”
“Grey’s squad will land at Retail Row,” Tae Min said. “Ben’s squad will land at Haunted Hills where there won’t be much action. Move for the circle and stay in safe positions.”
“Got it,” Grey said loudly. They had already worked out that people would be spying on them this morning, so
they were giving out fake landing places. Grey’s squad would really be landing at Salty Springs while Ben and Tristan were directed to land at Lonely Lodge.
Thirty seconds until battles begin!
Today it felt like forever waiting for the teleport to take them to the battle warehouse. Grey was eager to play, which he hadn’t felt in a long time. Not just because they had Tae Min, but because Grey wanted to try the things he’d learned. He hoped it would make a big difference.
Grey’s vision went black and he appeared in the battle warehouse. He looked at the rankings on the wall and told himself they would go up today. Because they would get five Victory Royales like Tae Min said they would. Grey had gotten three in one day before—surely a full sweep was possible now.
“Welcome to Day Fifty-Three of Battles!” the Admin said. “Just for your information, the developers have reviewed the impact of some recent alterations to various weapons. They are currently working on finding a happy medium to improve play. Please be patient as we determine what is best for you and for the game. Good luck in today’s battles!”
“Does that mean buffs to the ARs and shotguns?” Kiri asked as they all appeared in the Battle Bus.
“Probably,” Finn said. “Since they’ve both been nerfed way too much. It’s all SMG spam now, and that dang tommy gun …”
“It made being solo much more difficult,” Tae Min said. “A squad with SMGs is obscene.”
“What they should do is nerf explosives,” Kiri said.
“I agree,” Grey said. “Too much damage and too much max ammo.”
It was nice to talk like this because it took Grey’s mind off the serious task ahead of them. Since Tae Min was in charge this time, Grey didn’t know what to do with himself. He’d gotten so used to being the leader, he wondered if he’d forgotten how to follow. Finn and Hazel had made plenty of mistakes because they were used to doing their own thing instead of listening—Grey didn’t want to fall into that.
“Here we go,” Tae Min said as he jumped from the bus.
Grey scrambled to follow him, not realizing he’d just jumped without a countdown or anything. Kiri and Finn jumped after he did. There wasn’t too much of a gap between all of them, but Grey worried the delay could mean an enemy got a weapon before they did.
“You gotta count it off, man!” Finn said over the coms. “You’re not solo anymore!”
“It’s better to land scattered,” Tae Min said. “Then people can’t tell if you’re a squad or not.”
“Oh …” Grey had never thought of that, either. They had changed their avatar’s skins often to prevent being identified, but if they were grouped in the landing position, then people could tell they were together. Now, onlookers might not assume all four of them were grouped up. They could be duos or solos for all anyone knew. “Wish I’d figured that out sooner.”
“Spread out and loot. Call if you need help,” Tae Min said, and they dove for Salty Springs. “I’m taking the blue house.”
“I’ll grab brick,” Finn replied.
“Small house for me,” Kiri said.
“Then I’ll go for the broken house.” Grey aimed his glider for the house he’d picked. As he broke open the roof, he scanned the area for other players. There were at least four, but they were grouped in twos, so they were likely duos. They hadn’t landed in the same place as Grey, but his squad would have to take them down before leaving Salty Springs.
Grey opened the first chest he came across, only to find a disappointing basic pistol plus bandages and ammo. What he needed was a shield to increase his armor. There wasn’t much to be done with bandages unless he lost health.
He broke down furniture and the floor to get down from the attic into the second level of the house. Another chest sat on a desk in a room. Grey didn’t get much better stuff from that one—just a blue shotgun, ammo, and some hand grenades. If those enemies decided to push him, he might be in some trouble.
“A legendary scar, sweet!” Finn said. “Anyone need shields? I found a bunch in this house.”
“Full shield here,” Kiri reported.
“Me,” Grey said with relief. “Only bandages and sad weapons in my place.”
“That’s the way of the road, isn’t it?” Finn said. “Either lucky or not.”
“You can always make do,” Tae Min said. “I’m pushing the duo in my house. Kiri, back me up while Finn and Grey even out their loot.”
Grey finished up looting his house while Finn came to him. He was happy to at least get his hands on a green AR and an LMG out of the last chests. While Finn handed over the shields, the notifications read:
Tae Min knocked down Anya.
Kiri eliminated Veejay.
Tae Min eliminated Anya.
“Nice job,” Tae Min said. “Next pair.”
“Shouldn’t we wait for Grey and Finn?” Kiri asked.
“No, they need to farm materials while we do this so we don’t lose time,” Tae Min said.
Grey took that as a cue to start farming, and Finn joined in breaking down whatever they could inside their current house. Then they ran outside and farmed the trees, fences, and rocks for more building fodder.
Tae Min eliminated Petra.
Kiri eliminated Eric by head shot.
“Nice one, Kiri,” Tae Min said. “I need to get you home before you steal my title of best sniper.”
Kiri laughed. “Your true motivation surfaces.”
Grey hated breaking down the cars because they sounded loud alarms, but he wondered if Tae Min might want them to have metal. “The cars, too?”
“Yeah,” Tae Min said. “Maybe the sound will lure players here. Then we can take their loot.”
Grey did as he was told, though he never thought it was a good idea to lure players to him. He was usually trying to avoid enemies. Grey supposed Tae Min enjoyed fighting, especially when he usually always won and didn’t mind facing a lot of players in quick succession.
Sure enough, a few people showed up from the direction of the Fatal Fields after all the racket Grey’s squad made. The enemies were quickly eliminated, providing a lot of items to choose from.
“Who needs to loot when others can do it for you?” Finn said with a laugh.
“Exactly,” Tae Min said.
The early game went too smoothly, and Grey knew it was because of Tae Min. It was strange to follow him around and witness the way he moved through the fights. Every encounter felt like second nature to Tae Min. He would guide them through it easily, and sometimes he could even tell who they were fighting just based on how the enemy players moved.
Before Grey knew it, they had cycled through Retail Row and Tomato Town, eliminating people left and right.
But Grey knew this wouldn’t last forever. The number of people in the battle dwindled, and that meant it would soon be time for Tae Min to eliminate himself. He would still be giving them directions from spectator mode, but suddenly Grey worried it might not be enough.
“All right, top fifteen now,” Tae Min. “You ready for end game, Grey?”
“Honestly? No,” Grey said. “I can’t do what you just did. That was flawless.”
“You can do it,” Tae Min said. “You have done it many times already. I’ll get you through the sticky parts.”
“We got this, Grey,” Finn said.
“We have plenty of gear,” Kiri said. “Ben and Tristan are still out there, too. Everything is going well. Have some confidence.”
“Okay, okay,” Grey said as he tried to muster all the confidence he could. “I’m ready when you are, Tae Min.”
“Wait here,” Tae Min said. He began to build a ramp up into the sky, and then he jumped off the top.
Tae Min had a great fall.
“Grab the loot,” Grey said as they gathered around Tae Min’s items. With the extra materials, Grey was maxed out in wood, brick, and metal now.
“The circle will eventually close over Dusty Divot,” Tae Min said. “Head there now.”
&n
bsp; “Got it.” Grey was determined to win the Victory Royale they desperately needed.
CHAPTER 13
Before Grey’s remaining squad members even got close to Dusty Divot, Grey could see the tower jutting out of the crater. He stopped running and took cover in a small shed. “You saw that, right, Tae Min?”
“Yeah,” he replied. “Looks like Lam beat us there.”
“She always beats us there if she makes it to late game,” Kiri said.
“She’ll see us coming from a mile away,” Finn grumbled.
Grey tried to think positively, but they’d faced this situation before at Dusty Divot, and Lam had always gotten the best of them. He didn’t know what play would work. “What should we do, Tae Min?”
“Lam likes to build towers and look down on people,” Tae Min said. “She might not be looking up.”
Grey immediately caught on. “Are you saying we should sky base this?”
“You have launch pads,” Tae Min replied. “Come at them from above and they won’t see it, especially if people are approaching from below.”
There were still twelve left in the game, so there was a chance that others would be headed for Dusty Divot from a different direction. They could be a distraction. But it was still risky, since building that high meant one rogue rocket could take down their whole structure.
“Let’s do it,” Finn said. “We have plenty of materials. We don’t have to build too close to Lam’s tower—we just need to get up high enough to be able to glide down on them.”
“Okay,” Grey said as he peeked out the shed’s window. He took in their surroundings, trying to decide the best place for this sky base. His eyes settled on the perfect spot—a big mountain north of Tomato Town. It would be in the storm soon, which would mean less chance of someone breaking the base.
“That’s the place,” Tae Min said. “Better get running.”
“Where?” Kiri asked.
“Follow me,” Grey said. Tae Min was obviously spectating from Grey’s point of view right now, since he could see the mountain Grey settled on. They left the shed and ran. Since they had eliminated so many players in that area already, Grey wasn’t too worried about someone sniping them.
