With the ball in his court, Zen decided to lay down some ground rules. The guild master and vice guild master would back his decisions as an advisor, giving him the confidence he needed to take the bull by its horns.

“Here are two ways to win the Egg Hunt event,” Zen announced in a clear voice. He straightened his back and looked everyone in the eye. There was no sign of hesitance, and even Liu Feng was pleasantly surprised by his new confidence.

“The details are not out, but I have reasons to believe that we’re dealing with a boss creature in the event. Our aim is to suffer zero casualties and collect information about Guild Carnage. Hence, Guild Survivors will adopt a “No Offense” strategy throughout the event.”

His declaration left the new members speechless, but his friends were already expecting such a solution. Zen was way too soft-hearted for a mafia. He was the only one who didn’t take a single life in the first battle royale round and made it into the top hundred. To some, Zen was merely lucky. To others, they believed that Zen had the ability to do more with a little help.

“No offense strategy?” the Controlled Berserker frowned. “How do we defend ourselves against those who wish to take us out?”

Zen knew that question would come up and held his hand up. “We will make an announcement. Oriole, I would like to borrow your voice projection ability to make an announcement tomorrow at lunch when the regulars have gathered in the kitchen. The announcement will let others know that Guild Survivors are waging war against Guild Carnage. Anyone fighting against us or helping Guild Carnage would be marked as enemies. We will not hesitate to kill those in our way.”

Amused, Liu Feng smirked. A no offense strategy with a high-level threat. This boy was like a baby tiger baring fangs to the world, borrowing the power of the dragon behind it. What a great strategy! As expected of a gamer.

Now that he had everyone’s interest, Zen explained what he had in mind. First, he had to split the power within the guild to minimise the threat they pose to the guild leader. Of the people interested in joining Guild Survivors, two individuals were double-edged swords. The first was Gambler. His loyalties were unknown. The second was Oriole. Her ability to hypnotise others was currently a secret to those who didn’t view her character profile card or watch her game highlight clip. The fact that she hid this ability from everyone here meant that she could possibly backstab them.

“Here are the teams for the event coming up. Please add each other to the party. Party leaders, please accept me as a friend on the VR system. I will be giving you special instructions for the plan and communicating closely with you and your team on the day of the event.”

Zen split the eight new members into two teams. The leaders were Killian and Gambler, much to some people’s surprise. Sasha didn’t understand why Zen would choose someone as suspicious as the Gambler to be a party leader. Yet, she held her tongue. Neither Liu Feng nor Akiko questioned Zen’s decision, so the sniper chose to believe that Zen had his reasons. Compared to the three terrors, she was considerably dumb. Zen might not be strong, but he was smart.

Killian and his new team consisted of the contortionist, the human shield and the girl with voice projection. They named the party Prayer because Faceless commented on how similar their party’s abilities resembled the church.

“We have the holy fire, the angel who wings, the shield of God and the one who is not named. Prayer works both ways. If we meet Carnage members, we can pray for a painless death.”

Only Killian enjoyed his morbid sense of humour. The human shield patted the only girl on their team and promised to protect her. Zen saw the faint blush on the petite girl’s cheeks. It was a good idea to put them together, after all. Similar to how Jessica could control her berserker lover, the chemistry between the shield and a hypnotist was good. Party Prayer was also well-balanced. Zen decided on Killian as the offence power, the human shield as the tank and defence. Oriole was the supporting party, and Faceless was their scout.

The team led by Gambler was also well thought out.

“Unlike your horrible naming sense, I think we did better. The party’s name is Freedom. We don’t want to play by any shitty rules. We just want to make it out of here alive.”

Indeed, Zen agreed with their choice of name. The Gambler might not have loyalty to anyone, but Zen believed in his selfish will to survive. Carnage wouldn’t offer this crafty teen the protection he needed. However, if Guild Survivors could lend him a hand and provide the resources he needed to live it out, he would lend them his strength in exchange.

Under Party Freedom, Zen placed the lovers under Gambler’s care. The Gambler was a man who didn’t want to take unnecessary risks because his ability was a double-edged sword. It could harm others, but he also paid the price. If the lovers can take care of the leg work and keep enemies away, the Gambler can develop a better strategy on the ground to ensure the best chances for survival. The Tracer was sent to Gambler’s team as a scout and secondary support to assist the Gambler on the battlefield.

“There are currently three parties within Guild Survivors,” Zen said. “According to sources, Guild Carnage only has two parties. They have fewer people than us even if they have people of the higher ranks.”

Surprised, Tracer asked how Zen knew all that. This was the moment that Zen had been waiting for. A good ruler had to rule by inspiring awe and fear in their people. As an advisor, he was carrying the name of the Lau Triad behind him. He couldn’t let Liu Feng’s reputation suffer because of him. At the same time, he couldn’t let Akiko’s faith in him be for nought.

“Guild Survivors is rich. As an advisor, I can get any information I need by spending a few credits.”

This was half a lie. Sasha knew that most of Zen’s information came from exchanging meal favours. Akiko’s eyes flashed with amusement. After drinking a hundred memory cocktails, Zen should have a better idea about everyone in this academy. She liked how he was protecting her secrets with this lie. On the other hand, Liu Feng was impressed by his sworn brother’s wits. In the face of danger, Zen doesn’t falter. This man might be weak, but he isn’t afraid of death.

Nobody questioned Zen’s authority from this moment on. He’d earned their respect. As their commander and strategist, Zen gave his first order.

“According to Class ranks, scout the areas provided and draw a comprehensive map of the school. I want no rooms and passages left undrawn. Unknown areas should be highlighted to the party leader and myself, marked out and shaded. You have until noon tomorrow to piece the detailed map of this school together.”

===

Class A - Suite Room, Library access

Class B - Studio Apartment, Private dojo, Shooting range

Class C - Deluxe Room, Advanced gym, Games room

Class D - Standard room, Laundromat, Pool

Class E - Basic room, Cafeteria, Garden, Basic gym

===

Everyone looked at the locations and compared rankings. It was a little unfair for those in the higher tiers.

===

Class A - Death Princess & Seer

Class B - Death Princess & Seer (Double up)

Class C - Match

Class D - Gambler, Controlled Berserker & Two Shots

Class E - Zen, Faceless, Oriole, Impenetrable Shield, Tracer & Scorpion

===

Liu Feng and Akiko had no complaints, but Killian wanted to cry.

“Am I the only one in Class C?” he asked and looked at Zen hopefully.

He was the only person who could go through all the deluxe rooms in the building to make them out level by level. Unlike Class A and B that only had ten rooms each, Class had about thirty rooms and three whole floors! Not to mention, the advanced gym and games room were places nobody usually used. Yet, it was huge enough to accommodate at least twenty people each.

Zen patted him on the shoulder and wished him luck. “I will prepare an extra lunch for you when you are done. Feel free to let me know your favourite dessert.”

With that, the meeting was adjourned. Akiko and Liu Feng excused themselves almost immediately, eager to start scouting the areas they were assigned. Zen checked the time and excused himself, running back to the kitchen. He had an hour before dinner started, and Zen couldn’t afford to keep Bolt or Yelena waiting for too long.

“Sorry, big sis Sasha! I won’t be accompanying anyone for dungeon runs tonight. I have a prior appointment! Help me apologise to Brother Wind as well!”

The Russian sniper couldn’t stop him and sighed in defeat. With nothing better to do before dinner, she decided to join the Gambler and Controlled Berserker. It was better to complete this and get a restful sleep than worry about it tomorrow.