The Shards of War: Balancing Power

Chapter 12

The match intensified as both teams gave it their all, weaving through the battlefield with precision and strategy. However, the real challenge lay in the act they had to put on for the spectators. Calie, Marie, Matsu, and Blaze engaged in a scripted exchange of playful insults and banter, each comment carefully crafted to convince the audience that they were genuinely competing and not just putting on a show.

Calie, brandishing her sub auto rifle, taunted Matsu, "Is this all you've got, Matsu? I expected more from the so-called Tactical Takedown King. Maybe you should stick to running your company."

Matsu, dodging her shots with a smirk, retorted, "Oh, please. I'm just giving you a chance to shine, Lady Calie. Wouldn't want to outshine the future queens of the stage, now, would I?"

Marie, perched on a rooftop with her sniper rifle, chimed in, "And you, Blaze! I heard you were supposed to be tough. Looks like the rumors were greatly exaggerated. Maybe you should stick to sipping sodas in the office."

Blaze, skillfully evading Marie's shots, fired back, "Well, Marie, I don't see any impressive idol moves here. Stick to singing, darling, and leave the battlefield to the professionals."

The banter continued, each member of the two teams taking turns throwing playful jabs at one another. The audience, caught up in the drama, cheered and laughed, fully buying into the staged rivalry. Calie and Marie exchanged smirks, knowing that this performance was necessary to quell the rumors surrounding their relationship.

As the match progressed, the insults grew more exaggerated, but behind the scenes, the four friends couldn't help but share amused glances, knowing that this elaborate act was all in good fun and in service of maintaining their public image.

As the score stood at 2-10 in favor of Matsu and Blaze, the intensity of the match was palpable. Calie and Marie, while playing their part in the staged banter, couldn't help but feel the pressure of the seemingly one-sided competition. As the four of them found a brief moment of respite, Calie and Marie seized the opportunity to whisper to Matsu and Blaze.

Calie, adjusting her headset, asked in a hushed tone, "Why are you guys going so hard on us? It's supposed to be a friendly match."

Matsu, grinning, replied, "Well, it has to look convincing, right? We want the fans to believe it's a real competition."

Marie chimed in, "But it's starting to look like a total mismatch. Can't you at least make it seem like you're toying with us?"

Blaze, nodding, said, "Sure, we can dial it back a bit, make it seem like we're giving you a chance. But remember, we're still aiming for the win in the end."

As the match resumed, Matsu and Blaze skillfully adjusted their playstyle, making it appear as though they were intentionally taking it easy on Calie and Marie. The battlefield echoed with gunfire, explosions, and the orchestrated chaos of tactical combat. The staged banter continued, but now with a subtle shift in tone, giving the impression that Matsu and Blaze were playfully toying with their opponents.

The onlookers, caught up in the spectacle, cheered for both teams, now believing that Calie and Marie had a fighting chance. Little did they know, the entire performance was a well-coordinated effort between the four friends, all in the name of preserving the facade of a rivalry and shielding their personal lives from the prying eyes of the public in their world of simulated battles.

As the match continued, Calie and Marie, determined to make the staged competition more convincing, focused on targeting Matsu and Blaze. They strategically moved through the terrain, trying their hardest to outmaneuver the duo. However, Matsu and Blaze exhibited remarkable agility, skillfully dodging and weaving to evade the incoming shots.