The Gods' Decree 217 Bunker

This truly was a grind amidst the countless battles, which meant only the strong remained. Here was where strategizing played a key roll in surviving, as the conning stood tall.

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Nearby at a grand river that supplied countless streams throughout the forest. The turbid waters, swollen by recent rains, crashed against the riverbanks. 

All the other sounds were lost in the noise from its splashing and crashing against the green, slimy piles of rocks.

One of these sounds was the panting of three who seemed distraught on its bankings. The culprits being three disciples at the ninth stage who looked battered and bruised. At the moment they rested against a rock in attempts to catch their breaths.

With this now being a survival of the strongest, they were unrelentingly pursued by a squad who hunted like a pack of wolves.

These hunters systematically ensured that all of the movements of their prey were done to precision. This was now the last line of defense.

"Here is the plan,"

The leader of the group hurriedly stated noting they were currently on borrowed time.

His subordinates evidently anxious flinched every time they heard a foreign sound. He then went in detail about his plans and how they would proceed,

"In my space pouch, there is a boat that was gifted to me by father.

We'll hop in this boat using the currents of the river to make our escape. This is a risk, but perhaps through this means, there is a chance to last an additional day."

Hearing his words the two subordinates became ecstatic. Though unintentional this might be simply genius.

Not only will they evade the pursuit of these hunters, but there might be prospected of prolonging their stay within this ghastly forest.

How many persons would think of the river as such an asset? 

With haste, they made their way towards the river. After which the boat was promptly summoned by the squad captain. It was small, wooden but seemed sturdy enough to hold the three within. 

All three in unison while in the rushing river pushed the boat out from its shallow waters. This was with the intention of then jumping inside before the waters became too deep and hard to maneuver.

"Ok.., get in quickly. The rest we'll plot while drifting along."

The captain ordered but soon found he heard no response from his men. His skin started to crawl knowing something was amiss. Thus he slowly turned his head and was horrified to be greeted by utter silence.

Where were his subordinates? From the river banking to his present location it only took a measly minute or two. What could possibly have caused this?

Previously there hadn't been anything that caused any concerns excepting a few thumps on the boat. In his mind, this was the doing of the river water clashing against its wooden exterior.

Terrified he sought to ignite his qi in hopes of not being taken by surprise like his subordinates.

AAAWW!

He suddenly screamed in fright as a large circular hook found its way around his waist. Though he tried to relieve himself of his predicament, the hook would not budge.

Defeated and dismayed he was then dragged beneath the rushing river...

Plop!

Shockingly within the murky waters, he saw a group of ladies smiling at him as they drifted with the tides.

Has he perhaps taken a wrong turn arriving in paradise? Or is this the last bit of pleasure this cold world would provide before his demise?

While in a fog induced state thinking he was certainly about to drown the squad captain saw his previously missing men. They were unconscious with oxygen-filled bubbles surrounding their heads. 

Seeing this he could only laugh. It seemed he truly saw himself as clever when choosing the river as their safe haven. Yet only to find he was but now a fish caught in a net.

Noting they hadn't placed an air bubble around his head as he drowned, it didn't take long deciphered their meaning.

Waive the right to his marker or become a victim of the river. Instantly he knew his time was up and now it was a game for the true players.

"I relinquish my marker."

He willed as his marker kindled before he was hit on the back of the head by one of his opponents. While losing consciousness fighting for oxygen a bubble was then placed over his head. 

Cough! cough! 

He threw up the water that had begun to fill his lungs before slowly drifting off. 

Above a group of five had finally made it to the roaring river. They scoured the whole area, even the river itself. Yet nothing was out of place.

"Fuck! All that time wasted and they got away. Let's continue the hunt before the hour mark approaches."

A man of short stature uttered in disgust before commanding his squad to move along.

Yet only a mere five minutes after a boat had once more made its way on the surface of the water. Within could be seen three unconscious males drifting on the tide.

There journey unknown but their fate already decided. Now they too joined the list of eliminated.

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Of the squads remaining the newly-formed Squad Malgrey too found it harder to cope. It was now eighteen hours on the first day.

Each hour had been grueling yet it did have its moments with their growth in markers.

Though they weren't able to tell their exact position within the rankings. It was assumed they were doing quite well all things considered.

It is presumed that in an attempt for the disciples to push themselves to their limits the sect was vague in handing out this information while in the forest.

This might as be one of the reasons disciples found it hard to communicate with the outside world. As transmissions were jammed prevented persons from being informed by their friend who exited.

Night had now arrived over the forest which arose paranoia among all squads remaining. This was the most dangerous period with visibility at its lowest.

It was the perfect time to attack from the shadows. So all tried to remain vigilant. Yet there were wary bodies that had battled countless times throughout the day.

Even though cultivator stamina might be far more than that of a mortal. They still needed the essentials. Which were food, rest, and sleep.

Yet was that possible in such conditions? Tonight would be the deciding factor of who had what it took to last another day.

Seeing the arrival of the night a tired Malnor looked at his fellow squad mates uttering,

"Perhaps surviving the night will be our biggest accomplishment yet."

Currently, they had made a few underground bunkers which they had hastily dug when the last bit of sunlight had exited.

These makeshift bunkers were dug with enough air to last them for at least six hours. This was their means of attempting to keep safe.

It can be said this was a huge gamble with elimination continuing throughout the night, without any grace period. Their hope lied in that other squads were on the same wave length also hiding during the night.

Unedited Version

To be continued...

Chapter end