Chapter 475:Gareth.

Chapter 475: 475:Gareth.

The moment the underground network became compromised, their strategy changed.

Instead of continuing to defend every checkpoint, they abandoned one of the outer positions and concentrated their remaining forces around the central command structure.

The move surprised Helena and also impressed Silver.

"They’re giving up territory," Mina said.

He nodded.

"To protect something more valuable."

Helena looked toward the map.

"The central checkpoint."

He studied the scoring information. The central checkpoint provided more points per minute than the outer positions but that alone didn’t explain the sudden withdrawal.

Then he noticed something.

A small section of the map had changed. An additional marker appeared beneath the central command structure.

[HIDDEN OBJECTIVE DISCOVERED.]

[CENTRAL COMMAND TERMINAL.]

[BONUS SCORE AVAILABLE UPON SUCCESSFUL CAPTURE.]

Silver eyes narrowed.

"Of course."

Helena’s voice came through.

"What?"

He smiled grimly.

"They found the hidden objective before we did."

There was a pause, then she cursed quietly.

He laughed.

"That’s new," he said.

"Focus, Silver."

"Yes, Commander."

The central command terminal was worth enough points to potentially decide the entire match, and Class Six was already defending it.

Silver checked the timer.

One hour and twenty-seven minutes remaining. They had time but not much.

The next phase of the competition became considerably more violent.

Class Four pushed toward the central district while Class Six established layered defensive positions across the surrounding streets.

Gareth Holler finally appeared.

He stood near the entrance to the central command structure, wearing reinforced training armor and carrying a heavy two-handed weapon. His broad shoulders and powerful build made him difficult to miss, especially when his Impact Reinforcement ability activated and faint energy spread across his arms.

Caleb spotted him first.

"Oh, great."

Silver looked toward the distant figure.

"Gareth."

Ravenna smiled.

"He’s big," she said.

Silver nodded.

"Very."

Gareth noticed them, raised his weapon, then grinned.

"Ruddington!" He shouted.

Silver smiled and waved.

"Holler."

Gareth laughed and waved back.

"I was wondering when you’d show up."

"Been busy," he said.

"I noticed. You’ve been causing problems."

He shrugged.

"Occupational hazard."

Gareth looked toward Ravenna.

"And Arkland."

She smiled.

"Hello."

He nodded, then pointed his weapon towards them.

"Nothing personal," he said.

Ravenna’s sword ignited.

"Of course."

Gareth charged, the ground cracking beneath his feet.

Caleb immediately stepped forward, stone Skin spreading across his body. Their weapons collided, the impact shaking the street.

Caleb gritted his teeth.

"Okay!"

Gareth grinned.

"Not bad!"

Then he pushed back at him. Caleb slid backward from the sheer force of him

Silver raised his handgun.

[Phantom Draw activated Lv4 Activated.]

Three shots struck Gareth’s protective barrier but the large student barely reacted.

Silver frowned.

"That’s annoying."

Gareth laughed.

"Try harder!"

Ravenna moved.

Fire Step.

Her sword flashed toward Gareth’s exposed side. He immediately twisted his weapon and their attacks collided. The impact forced Ravenna backward several steps.

She landed smoothly, then smiled.

"He’s strong."

Silver nodded.

"Very."

Gareth looked between them, then laughed.

"Come on!"

Silver exhaled and activated Primal Strength.

[Primal Strength Lv3 Activated.]

[Iron Bones Lv3 Activated.]

His muscles tightened as he stepped forward.

Gareth swung.

Silver caught the weapon’s shaft with his left hand, the impact travelling through his arm. His boots scraped across the pavement but he held.

Gareth’s eyes widened.

Silver smiled.

"Hello."

Then he twisted sideways. The enormous weapon shifted with him.

Gareth stumbled from the sheer force of it.

Ravenna immediately attacked the opening. Her sword struck his protective barrier and yellow light flashed.

Gareth roared.

Impact Reinforcement surged. He forced Silver backward, then slammed his weapon into the ground. A shockwave spread across the street.

Silver activated Spatial Distortion.

[Spatial Distortion Lv2 Activated.]

A curved barrier appeared.

The shockwave struck and its force shifted upward.

Dust exploded into the air.

Silver gritted his teeth.

The energy consumption was considerable since Gareth’s attacks were no joke.

Ravenna moved around the barrier, her sword igniting.

Flame Edge

She struck but Gareth blocked. Caleb followed, his hammer slamming into Gareth’s shoulder.

The large student staggered, then laughed.

"Now that’s more like it!"

Silver smiled but he wasn’t smiling for long. A warning appeared on his communicator.

[WESTERN CHECKPOINT UNDER ATTACK.]

Another followed.

[SUPPLY STATION CONTESTED.]

Then...

[COMMUNICATION TOWER UNDER ATTACK.]

Silver stared at the communicator, speechless. Three emergencies at once again.

He looked toward Gareth, then toward the map. His instincts screamed at him to move.

He could reach the communication tower.

He could reinforce the supply station.

He could help defend the western checkpoint.

He could...

"Silver!"

Ravenna’s voice cut through his thoughts. He looked toward her to see she was still fighting Gareth.

"Focus!"

Silver exhaled.

Right, he couldn’t do everything. He activated his communicator.

"Helena, western checkpoint is under attack. Assign Elias and Mina to support the defenders. Rowan should remain near the supply station. Don’t abandon the communication tower unless it’s absolutely necessary."

Helena responded immediately.

"Already moving. Stay with Ravenna."

He smiled.

"Understood."

He looked toward Gareth.

The large student was still fighting. Ravenna’s flames spread across the pavement. Caleb’s hammer struck again.

Silver raised his handgun, then paused.

Gareth was very strong but defeating him wasn’t the objective. He looked toward the central command structure, then toward the narrow passage behind it.

His eyes sharpened.

"Ravenna."

She glanced toward him.

"What?"

"Keep him busy."

She smiled.

"Gladly."

Silver turned, activated Short-Step and disappeared.

The central command structure was defended by six students. Two occupied the lower entrance, another two guarded the stairs and the final pair remained near the terminal room.

He detected them immediately.

[Spatial Sense Lv3 Activated.]

He approached from the rear, then activated Space Slash.

[Space Slash Lv3 Activated.]

A thin spatial blade cut through the reinforced lock on a maintenance door.

The door opened and he slipped inside.

He moved quickly.

The first guard appeared around a corner.

He raised his handgun.

[Phantom Draw Lv4 Activated. ]

One shot.

[Participant Eliminated.]

The second reacted.

Silver activated Short-Step, reappeared behind him and struck his protective barrier with the butt of his handgun.

[Participant Eliminated.]

He continued upstairs, then stopped when a strange sensation spread through the corridor.

His Spatial Sense distorted.

For a brief moment, the positions of the remaining students became unclear.

He frowned.

An interference ability again. At that moment, a voice echoed from above.

"Ruddington."

He looked up.