Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord

Atlas and Gacha Haven wouldn't run.

Well… not exactly.

Maybe they'd run around a bit first, just for a while, before engaging in the real battle.

And just as they were pretending to be busy mining, the enemy forces stormed into the cave chamber, ready to hunt them down. Like predators spotting their prey, the opposing troops spread out, their faces lighting up like they had just discovered hidden treasure.

"Look at that. Turns out the rats really were hiding in here." The one who seemed to be their leader smirked.

Then, after noticing Kurogasa, he let out a chuckle. "Oh wait, there really is a rat here. Well then… 'rat ninja and his friends.'"

Atlas, Edrik, Kurogasa, and the other troops instinctively stepped back, turning to face their enemies head-on.

Weapons were drawn.

Their battle stance was set.

The real fight was about to begin.

"Whoa, why so tense? Relax a little, will you?"

The man, clad in light armor and casually resting a spear on his shoulder spoke in an easygoing tone, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"We're just here for a friendly visit… well, to your little hideout, that is."

He glanced around, eyes landing on the ore they had been mining.

"Wait, you guys were mining here? What kind of ore is that?"

He raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Well, not that I'd know. This kind of thing isn't really my expertise."

As he spoke, the enemy troops slowly advanced into the cave chamber, weapons in hand. Their numbers were about the same as Atlas's forces. But numbers didn't matter. Their levels were leagues higher, and their combat potential far superior. Atlas's side was outmatched.

The spearman chuckled, shaking his head.

"But seriously, I gotta give you guys some credit. A mere Rank Seeker Lord daring to set foot on this island?" He sighed dramatically. "You do realize this is basically suicide, right?"

His gaze finally settled on Atlas, and he let out an exasperated click of his tongue.

Shaking his head again, he exhaled.

"Let's make this simple."

His casual tone turned sharp, his smirk fading slightly.

"Surrender, or die. It's that easy."

He rolled his shoulders, shifting his grip on the spear.

"Honestly, this is me being nice. Taking prisoners is a pain, especially when they're low-level like you lot… But I was ordered to keep the Lord alive."

"So hey, I'll be generous. I'll let the rest of you live too." He motioned with his spear. "Just toss your weapons and kneel. Make it quick. We're hungry, and we'd like to be on our way soon."

The tension on Atlas's side was unmistakable.

Their expressions were rigid, their bodies taut with anticipation.

Meanwhile, their enemies? Completely relaxed.

Some of them had even lowered their guard, standing in idle postures, as if this whole situation was nothing but a joke to them.

And why wouldn't they?

The level gap was overwhelming. The numbers were nearly even, but with the sheer difference in power, the enemy forces could wipe them out effortlessly if a fight broke out.

For Atlas and his troops, this was an unwinnable battle. No chance of victory. None at all.

Seeing Atlas remain silent, the spear-wielding man clicked his tongue in irritation.

"Was I not clear enough?"

This time, his voice was harsher, cutting through the air like a blade. The weight of his words carried a clear threat.

"Throw your weapons on the ground and kneel! Or I'll kill every single one of you. I'm not joking."

The warning lingered like a noose tightening around their necks. Then, at last, Atlas spoke.

"We've been here longer."

The enemy leader raised an eyebrow, his expression twisting into a mix of confusion and amusement.

"Huh? What's that supposed to mean? Is that a threat? Are you serious?"

Atlas's gaze didn't waver. His voice stayed steady, almost unnervingly calm.

"We've been here for a long time. We know how to escape. If you try to follow us, you'll only get lost. You'll never find us."

The nervous tension on Atlas's face was unmistakable. Like a man clinging desperately to whatever scraps of leverage he could muster.

And his enemies?

They laughed.

Hard.

One doubled over, wiping a tear from his eye. "Did you hear that? Hahaha! He thinks he can run from us inside a cave!"

Another leaned against the wall, barely able to stand as laughter shook through him. "Oh no, guys! He says we'll get lost! Hahaha! I'm trembling already!"

A soldier near the back snorted, shaking his head in disbelief. "What a joke. This guy actually thinks he has a choice."

The spear-wielding leader chuckled low, casually spinning his weapon between his fingers as he stepped forward.

"You're amusing, Lord of Gacha Haven. Real amusing. You honestly think running will save you?"

He stopped, his smirk fading into something darker.

"You don't get it, do you?"

His voice dropped, cold and final.

"You're already dead."

Suddenly, smoke began to rise from every direction.

Thick, roiling clouds of black mist burst into the cave chamber, swallowing the chamber whole in an instant.

"What the—?!"

The enemy soldiers staggered back, their mocking laughter cut short, replaced by shouts of confusion and alarm.

"Smoke?! Where did this come from?!"

"Damn it, I can't see a thing!"

"Is this a trick?!"

The spear-wielding leader spun in place, trying to keep control of the situation. "Stay together! Don't let them—"

Too late.

In the chaos, Atlas and his troops sprang into action, bolting into the veil of shadows. Their footsteps echoed against stone for only a moment before vanishing completely into the depths of the cave.

"Shit! They're running. AFTER THEM!"

Blinded by the choking smoke, the enemy coughed and stumbled, but their voices rang out with fury.

"Fan out! Don't let them get away!"

"Block every exit! They can't be far!"

The disarray was short-lived. Though Atlas's plan had worked in breaking their formation, the enemy quickly rallied, pressing forward through the smoke with blades drawn and eyes blazing.

They weren't going to let their prey slip away so easily.

The hunt had begun.