Everything had been decided with Ren at the head…
"Team 15," Zhao repeated, stopping in front of them. His eyes rested on Ren for a moment, a flash of amusement crossing his face before returning to neutral. "Team status and declared objective."
Ren stepped forward, assuming the leader role by democracy.
"Professor Zhao. Team complete, equipped and ready. Our objective is the southern sector of the gold ring. Elemental Vine zone and Wolverine habitat."
There was silence.
Then murmurs among the other teams. Whispers spreading like wildfire through dry grass.
"Gold ring?" someone whispered, the words carrying shock and disbelief. "Immediately?"
"Shouldn't they start in silver and gradually work up?"
"Typical of a supposed 'genius'." The voice dripped with contempt, loud enough to be heard but quiet enough to have a feeling of deniability. "He's probably going to get his team killed trying to maintain his ridiculous fake story and false popularity."
