Chapter 781

Aria smiled and said, “He’s not nearly that capable. Besides, with you keeping an eye on him, I don’t have anything to worry

about.”

Owen grinned and said, “Leave it to me.”

At 5 a.m. the next day, all thirteen teams were already assembled on the training field. Everyone was dressed in matching camo uniforms, each team sporting a different color of glowing armband.

Cathy’s team had bright orange-red armbands. Across from them, Fabian’s team wore dark blue armbands.

Weyne whistled, lounging around with a lazy air. Noticing Bruce staring at Aria, he teased, “What, you interested in her or something?”

Bruce shook his head and said, “She’s in the fighter’s spot. I’m just wondering how good she really is.”

Weyne said, “Relax. Other than Cathy, the rest of their team isn’t even worth worrying about. We could wipe them all out, no problem.”

Bruce said, “You’re way too cocky. In our business, overconfidence gets you killed.”

Weyne let out a light laugh and said, “I’ve got the skills to back it up. If you don’t buy it, just watch-I’ll make sure Aria’s the first to go.”

“Forget it. Grabbing resources comes first,” Bruce said flatly.

Weyne shot Aria a look and thought, ‘Just wait. I’ll make sure she’s out of here in two days, tops.’

Clifford’s team of six wore orange armbands.

Mike, stationed at the intel post, kept sneaking glances over at Aria. He couldn’t see Aria clearly because of the thick fog. He just felt like she looked familiar.

Zoey spoke up, “Stop staring. Owen’s not here. That’s his girlfriend.”

Mike blinked in surprise. He asked, “You’re saying Owen’s girlfriend is here at the State Security Bureau?”

Zoey nodded and said, “Yep. Looks like your mentor might be getting cheated on.”

Mike’s eyes went wide.

Gerald, overhearing, smirked and said, “Is it possible they’re the same person?”

Zoey said, “Come on, Gerald, that’s way too much of a coincidence. Even if Mike’s mentor is on the younger side, she’s still at least forty-five.” She trailed off, catching herself mid-sentence.

She thought, ‘Owen’s only in his twenties. There’s no way he’d be with a forty-five-year-old woman.’

Mike said, “My mentor’s name is Aria.”

Zoey froze.

Realization dawned on Mike, and he said, “Ms. Saxon never even mentioned she was part of the State Security Bureau.”

1/3

Clifford, who had been listening in, leaned over and asked, “Is Aria your mentor?”

Mike nodded and said, “Yes.”

Clifford exclaimed, “I didn’t know you guys had that kind of background. Come on, let’s go over and say hello. Our teams could work together in the early rounds.”

Zoey frowned and said, “Their team is the weakest. There’s no point in teaming up with them.”

Just then, Tessa’s voice came over the loudspeaker.

She said, “Let me repeat the rules: No live rounds allowed, and no intentionally crippling your opponents. If your life monitor goes off, you stop immediately.

“Your safety comes first-if you can’t win, surrender and hand over your elimination necklace. Now, all teams, board in order.”

The elimination necklaces were protected by a cover, so one wouldn’t accidentally trigger them. The whole event was under surveillance, so one could never think about breaking the rules.

Mike wanted to catch Aria and say hi, but her team boarded the plane first, so he missed his chance.

One by one, the helicopters lifted off, deploying the teams around the edge of the restricted zone. All thirteen teams set foo in the no-man’s land.

Cathy had been through the competition before, so she was more experienced than the rest. She said, “The first 24 hours are the most critical-the next day will be a fight for survival.”

After all, there were only eight supply points, and five teams had to be eliminated. Everyone assumed Cathy’s team was the weakest, so if anyone wanted to grab a supply point, they would be targeted first.

Cathy planned to take over a supply point that was easy to defend and set up an ambush. Otherwise, if it came down to a head-on fight, the other teams could just wear them down with wave after wave of attacks:

She said, “Emily, stay alert and scout the way-keep an eye out for any resource drops along the route.”

Emily replied, “Got it.”

Emily and Cathy led the way, scanning their surroundings carefully. Because of the traps, their team couldn’t move very fast Before long, they stumbled upon a resource drop.

Cathy picked up a stick and hurled it at the drop. The ground around it instantly collapsed.

Seeing this, she grinned and said, “Classic move. You’d think they’d come up with something new by now. Caroline, come with me-let’s go grab the loot.”

The two of them moved in toward the edge of the trap.

Suddenly, arrows came flying out from the shadows.