"Y-You are…Emperor…You are someone who will become incredibly important in the future as well. Would you like to join my team? I promise you that I will help you clear all obstacles and…"
"No way. I am not going to trust a pansy like you. I can just smell the weakness on you. I know people like you well- you depend on others to clear the way for you while you hitch a comfortable ride. Sorry, but that's not my style."
Emperor quickly shut Thief down before he could even finish his sentence.
Queen, who could not take the disrespect anymore, decided to attack the Emperor, only to be flung away by him.
This had the potential to escalate and become something big, and everyone tensed up, waiting for something to happen next.
"Hmmm, everyone here is so lively. It seems like our top 3 already have a heated rivalry going on here. It is good to see."
The distorted voice slowly started to clear out until it settled into a familiar form. The half-dragon who was in charge of this round stood in the sky, looking down at the three teams who had finished first.
"Congratulations on finishing in top 3. Unfortunately, the group stage has no exclusive benefits for such a feat. But isn't it a good show of strength?"
The half-dragon sounded cheerful when she said this, but her words only served to anger the Queen and Emperor more.
"Tsk, come down here, you freak. That way, we can toast you and enjoy a happy victory."
Emperor looked angry, and unlike Andrew, he did not hide that he hated the half-dragon. But his reaction only made the half-dragon laugh.
"Hmm, how cute. A human like you thinks you can take me on? Just because a few of the overlookers died because of their stupidity does not mean I will do the same. Hmm, but it is getting a little boring, so why don't we play a game among ourselves?"
She told everyone, but she did not give them a chance to comply with her.
As soon as she clapped, the whole world around her changed into an unfamiliar forest, and a flag appeared in front of Andrew.
"This is supposed to be a later game, but having it 'for fun' right now won't be bad. The game even has a human name. It's called 'capture the flag'. For now, I have divided you all into two teams. All you need to do is capture the other team's flag. The game seems simple. Right?"
The half-dragon told us, and Andrew looked at the flag in his hand. The other flag was held by the Thief, and he looked beyond shocked.
Even the Emperor, who was a regressor, looked shocked and annoyed by this.
"Hey-! Can you really afford to create a game like this? Do you even have the authority to do so?"
Emperor asked, trying to egg the half-dragon. But she merely laughed at him.
"Of course I have the authority. I just started a game, right? But you don't have any authority to refuse me. If you don't play, then you won't be able to get out of here."
Her words caused the Emperor's expression to fall for a second before anger exploded all over his face.
"Andrew, what are we going to do now? Are we seriously going to play this game?"
Lilianna questioned in a tense voice. She did not want to participate in another game when the previous one had just ended.
Clara seemed to be of the same mindset, and even Andrew did not want to participate.
But since a game had started, it would not stop until it was cleared. Even the half-dragon did not have the authority to do that.
'Tsk, since I cannot get out of this anymore, should I use it to get more benefits?'
Andrew's blood boiled to take revenge against the system and its lackeys as well. But he was rational and knew that he was in no position to do so at the moment.
So he decided to use this opportunity to further his goals.
"Hey, since this is a game, does that mean it will have rewards as well? Since you suggested this game, I am sure the reward will be significant enough to make us all want to participate."
I asked, and the half-dragon panicked for a second. Her face did not show it, but her eyes did.
"Hmm, you are right. Since this is an extra game, the reward needs to match as well. Let's see….would this suffice?"
[System reward for the winning team- 100,000 system coins. It will be divided equally in the winning team.]
"I am a generous host, so I will offer you this much at least."
The half-dragon sounded full of herself, but this gift of hers was too good to pass up. Especially right now when Andrew and others were poor.
"Do you really think I will be bought with money…hey, why you-!"
Andrew quickly struck the Emperor in the back of his knees so that he would lose his words and not be able to speak anymore.
It took the Emperor by surprise, and he almost collapsed before he kept his balance.
Before he could say anything else, Andrew quickly confirmed with the half-dragon that they wanted to play.
"We should start the game now."
The half-dragon clapped before the forest started to move. When it stopped, Andrew, Clara, Lilianna and the Emperor were standing on one side while everyone else was on the other side.
"The rules are simple- you need to keep your main flag safe at all costs. The team that will steal the other team's flag first wins. The time limit is 5 days. If no one is able to take the flag at that time, then this will be considered a tie and both teams will lose."
It seemed like a simple game, but Andrew knew it was not going to be easy.
"Ah, before I forget, there is one last rule. Fortifying is not allowed. And death will not be permanent. So go and have fun…"
The half-dragon announced before her presence disappeared.
Andrew let out a sigh of relief seconds before he formed a shield to save himself from the incoming hit.
"You fucker…."