第１１９０堀：一回戦決着 (Part1)
Chapter 1190: First Round Conclusion
First Round Conclusion
Side: Aslin
"Team 2 and Team 7 have been eliminated."
As the playable area shrinks, the reports of elimination keep pouring in. Before I know it, only a few remain.
"That leaves Team 1 (Seraria-san and the others), Team 8 (Deryu-san and the others), Team 10 (Steve-san and the others), Team 14 (Onii-sama and the others), Team 15 (Taizo-san and the others), and our own team. That makes six teams."
"That’s surprisingly many. I wonder where everyone is hiding?"
"Probably in those buildings over there, right?"
Indeed, there are only two buildings left within the current combat zone. Surely, several teams must be holed up in there. After all, having cover is a tactical advantage.
"Are we really okay just crawling around like this?"
"We have no other choice. The moment we stand up, we’ll be sniped. Fortunately, this depression in the ground keeps us hidden from view. It’s the perfect spot."
"Yeah. This is our own little hideout."
That’s right; we’re currently tucked away in a shallow dip in the earth. It’s the perfect place for our small frames to remain unseen. Staying still is the golden rule of a game like this.
"For now, can you hear anything?"
"Nothing so far."
"Everyone is staying very still, aren't they? I suppose if they move, it’ll be when the map shrinks again?"
"Yeah. I think so. Let’s hope we’re lucky."
"We can only 'wish' for that. If it doesn't work out, we’ll just have to use a smoke screen and hope for the best."
"That’s true. Oh, the map is about to shrink again."
Prompted by Vilia-chan, I check the map. In ten seconds, the combat zone will contract. I pray that it shifts to a location favorable to us. As I wish for it, the next zone is determined. The location is...
"We did it. Let’s stay right here."
"That’s for the best. We’re currently in the perfect spot."
"We’re so lucky. Where we’re lying prone is still within the zone."
We really are fortunate. The spot where we’re hiding happens to be included in the next zone, and it’s right on the very edge. Which means...
"Let’s keep an eye on our rear. There’s a high chance other teams will come this way."
"Given our position, I, Firia, will take the rear."
"I’ll watch the left and right."
With that, we each remain prone, scanning our surroundings.
"The real movement will happen when the zone shrinks again."
"True. The next zone won't have any buildings, just a few trees, so it’ll definitely turn into a shootout."
"Let’s aim for that. That’s how we’ll win."
Yeah. It seems we actually have a chance. Because our bodies are small, we’ve managed to stay hidden by pure coincidence. All we have to do now is wait for the other teams—including Onii-sama’s—to wipe each other out, then strike the final team just as Vilia-chan suggested.
"For now, we need to be careful of the rear, the direction of the houses, and the direction where those trees are standing."
"Right. Those are the only places left to hide. Oh, time’s almost up."
"Be careful. We move all at once."
We all keep our mouths shut, preparing to detect the moment another team moves. We’re ready to fire at the slightest sign of movement.
"..."
Come on, Onii-sama, what will you do? If you don't move now, you won't make it in time.
*BANG!!*
*RAT-TAT-TAT...!!*
*PAPAPA!!*
*THUD!*
Ah, they moved! The sound came from the direction of the houses. There’s a lot of gunfire. It seems multiple teams really were hiding in there.
"Team 8 and Team 10 have been eliminated."
Oh, Deryu-onee-sama and Steve-san’s teams are out. That leaves Seraria-onee-sama’s team, Onii-sama’s team, and Taizo-ojichan’s team. Those three teams must be somewhere in the zone...
While I’m thinking about that, the zone finally shrinks. Just then, I hear the sound of something falling from the house area, followed by...
*Pshhh, pshhh...*
"That sound... it’s a smoke screen."
"They’re trying to use the smoke to cover their advance into the zone."
As we whisper that to each other...
*PAPAP!*
*TATATAN!*
The sound of gunfire rings out, and then...
"Team 15 has been eliminated."
Oh, Taizo-ojichan’s team is out. Only two teams left. And I have a rough idea of where they are.
"You two. The enemies are in the direction of the trees and the direction of the smoke, right?"
"That’s right. To shoot them down accurately despite the smoke screen means they fired from a place where the smoke didn't obstruct their view. In other words..."
"There’s another team in the direction of the houses, and they sniped them from behind. As for the trees, it’s just a guess, but there’s nowhere else to hide. Let’s use everything we’ve got."
We say this and toss the two grenades we were lucky enough to find, throwing them toward the smoke screen and the trees respectively.
*BOOM! BOOM!!*
The grenades explode, and...
"Team 1 has been eliminated."
Yes! We took down Seraria-onee-sama’s team. Now, it’s just Onii-sama and his team. As expected, they are our greatest threat.
"Where do you think they are?"
"Hmm. The direction of the trees seems most likely."
"I agree. I’d like to think the house area is empty now. After all, that area is just the center where the smoke was deployed."
"But they might be right in the middle of it."
We talk for a bit, then fall silent, listening intently. But even in the silence, there’s no sign of movement. As expected of Onii-sama, he wouldn't do anything to give himself away. That being the case...
"...I have a proposal. If we keep this up, we’ll get nowhere. I feel it’s dangerous to give Onii-sama more time. So, we should be the ones to strike."
"That’s true, but how? Against Onii-sama, half-measures won't work..."
"It’ll be fine. First, Firia will step out. Right before that, Aslin and Vilia will use all our remaining thrown weapons. We’re out of grenades, but we have flashbangs and Molotovs."
"But if we throw them poorly, Onii-sama will spot us."
"That’s the goal. The moment the flashbangs go off, we stand up and search for them. Onii-sama will surely spot Firia and fire at her. But that will reveal their position. And if we’re lucky, we might even take out Onii-sama while he’s blinded."
I see. To take down Firia-chan, who has revealed herself, they would absolutely have to attack. That would reveal their location.
"Yeah. Firia-chan, can I ask this of you?"
"...So, there’s no way to do this without a sacrifice. Understood. Firia-chan, please."