After the all-nighter task, Alan wearily made his way to a sleeping bag in the corner of the farmhouse. The long hours of the previous night had taken their toll, and he knew that a brief respite was necessary. With great relief, he closed his eyes, hoping to catch up on some much-needed rest.
However, his rest was short-lived. Alan awoke to the sound of voices. Daniel, one of the rednecks, exuded confidence as he addressed Alan, "Mr. D, are we finally going to see some action today?"
Alan, still groggy from his nap awakened to see everyone was already waiting and his answer was "Not yet, today will be more training."
This response was met with a mixture of anticipation and frustration. One of the rednecks, Ruth the young female eager for a real fight, couldn't contain her impatience, shouting, "What? More training again!? Can't we just train with a real battle?!"
Alan calmly reassured them, "I promised you it would be more interesting today."
Today's training would be different. Alan had decided to shift the focus from theory to practicality. He proposed a mock battle between the two units, Merle's and Vicky's. This time, they would use real weapons and live ammunition. However, there was a crucial rule to follow: as soon as a participant reached a critical condition of their health points, they were to play dead.
The idea sparked excitement among the rednecks. With a veteran like Merle leading the unit, they saw it as a golden opportunity to show off their skills. On the other hand, Vicky's team, although lacking in confidence, recognized the value of this exercise in testing their determination and learning valuable tactics.
Alan emphasized the purpose of the mock battle, saying, "Remember, the point of this mock battle is to assess your understanding of all the skirmish training."
To structure the exercise, Alan chose one team to attack and the other to defend. One would enter the forest first while the next one would enter later to search. This arrangement allowed one group to learn the art of ambush, while the other focused on preventing it.
With an air of anticipation and a hint of nervousness, Alan set the stage for a day of intensive training and the acquisition of critical skills in small-scale warfare tactics.
"Alright, let's start,"
Vicky's team entered the forest, their steps filled with newfound confidence, while fifteen minutes later, Merle's team followed, their eyes keen and senses alert. It didn't take long for Merle, the veteran to pick up on a faint trace of the other team. He moved swiftly, expertly circling around, and launched an ambush on Vicky's team, catching them off guard.
The first round of this intense mock battle unfolded, and it lasted only half an hour before reaching its conclusion, with Merle's team emerging as the victors. They displayed their remarkable combat skills and strategic thinking, securing a win in this initial skirmish.
The training session pressed on, with both teams engaging in another round of combat. As time marched forward, three more rounds ensued, with each team getting two opportunities to attack and defend, bringing the total to four rounds in just three hours. The forest echoed with the sounds of gunfire, shouts, and tactics being put to the test as the teams battled it out to refine their skills and adapt to the ever-changing challenges of the mock battlefield.
Regrettably, for Vicky's team, the outcome was a resounding 4:0 in favor of Merle's unit. The veterans' experience and Merle's exceptional skills made it incredibly challenging for Vicky's team to mount an effective defense. Merle alone possessed the prowess to outmatch all 20 members of Vicky's unit.
Merle and his four rednecks also displayed remarkable teamwork. They functioned like a tight-knit family, splitting into five smaller units with three to four members each. This division allowed them to coordinate effectively and apply pressure strategically, which often overwhelmed Vicky's team.
During the mock battle, Alan played the role of a vigilant observer. He frequently switched between the two teams, closely monitoring their maneuvers and tactics. At times, he utilized his master-level sneak skill to covertly watch the battle unfold from a distance, gaining unique insights into their performance.
As the lunch break approached, Merle's victorious team celebrated their achievement with gusto, their spirits high. Meanwhile, Vicky's team wore expressions of disappointment and frustration, having been defeated in every round. The mood among the losing team was one of despair.
Vicky, clearly disheartened, approached Alan for guidance and shared her doubts: "I don't think it's possible. Can't you see? Even without Merle, that team was already superior to us."
She went on to highlight the challenges they faced during the training. Rose, despite her surprising skills, became Merle's primary target, rendering her ineffective in combat. Milo and Daniel contributed effectively, and Kenny's proactive approach proved valuable. However, Izzie, one of their team members, refused to participate in combat, citing her unwillingness to harm her friend.
Recognizing that Vicky needed a strategy to level the playing field, Alan decided to offer his guidance. However, the outcome remained uncertain, and the success of Vicky's team hinged on their ability to adapt and overcome the challenges they faced.
With newfound determination, Vicky decided to give the strategy a shot once more. Unfortunately, the fifth round yielded the same disappointing results, the sixth and seventh rounds followed suit. It seemed like an unending streak of defeat for Vicky's team, until finally, a glimmer of hope emerged in the last round.
In a moment of desperation, Vicky turned to Izzie, hoping for a breakthrough: "Let's not hurt our friend, but what about helping me just to hold them off, Izzie? Can you do that?"
Izzie, replied with an excited glee "Of course, friend. Which one?"
Vicky casually pointed toward the Crimson Gunner.
The objective for Vicky's team in the final round was defensive. They concealed themselves, waiting for the inevitable arrival of Merle's group. Merle, with his keen perception, quickly detected Vicky and her team, prompting them to make a strategic retreat.
"Retreat!!"
Vicky commanded as they dashed away from their hiding spot. The unexpected change in tactics took Merle's team by surprise. Their previous victories had made them overconfident and reckless, as they now raced to score more points. Even Merle himself ventured openly among the trees in pursuit of Rose.
It was precisely at this moment that Rose seized her opportunity. From a distance, her shots shattered the stems supporting Merle, causing him to plummet from the trees. As Merle fell, Izzie was already waiting below, wearing a confident smile as she greeted him,
"You will play with Izzie now."
As Merle groaned in pain from his fall and attempted to stand, a mysterious smoke-like figure materialized behind him. Swiftly and decisively, it grabbed Merle, pushing him forcefully against a tree, effectively restraining him. Merle was now incapacitated, and his team was left without their trusted leader.
Unbeknownst to Merle's team, Milo, Daniel, and Kenny had already been lying in wait. It was a brilliantly executed ambush that pitted long-range experts against adversaries skilled in close combat. The tables had turned in favor of Vicky's team, and this final showdown concluded with their victory.
This unexpected turn of events marked the first victory for Vicky's team, and it was a testament to their ability to adapt and seize opportunities, even against a formidable opponent like Merle and his skilled team.
"We won!! We won!!" The beautiful brunette, Vicky, couldn't contain her excitement. She leaped with joy and gave Alan an enthusiastic hug and a kiss. Blushing slightly, she apologized, "I am sorry, I am too excited," while wearing an infectious smile.
With the mock battle over, Alan took the opportunity to provide his teams with a more detailed understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. He aimed to ensure that they learned from their experiences and left less room for errors in future engagements.
"Alright, tomorrow we are having our first skirmishes, but for now, get dinner and rest," Alan announced, concluding the day's intense training.
Both groups had been highly active throughout the day, but as for Alan, his focus shifted to the loot he had acquired the day before. It was time to open these treasures and prepare himself for the upcoming crafting endeavors that lay ahead.
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