Everyone had started practicing for the city's water fight tournament at their homes. The buzz of excitement grew each day as the event drew closer. After two weeks, the day had finally arrived. The tournament ground was packed with energy, noise, and roughly fifty participants gathered, ready for battle.
"Greetings, everyone. As you all know, 49 people participated in the tournament. The first round will be a battle royale. Thirty will pass this round and move on to the second round," a male announcer's voice boomed from the loudspeakers, instantly catching everyone's attention.
"Hey, can we use the gadgets we had prepared for this tournament?" an 18-year-old boy called out from the crowd, raising his hand.
"Yes, unless they are not harmful," the announcer replied.
"No one told us about the gadgets," MyungJin muttered, leaning closer to Ren with a confused expression.
"We'll still win this," Ren replied with a confident smirk.
MyungJin scanned the crowd, eyes narrowed.
"Look, Haru and Jim are there," MyungJin said, pointing as they started walking toward them.
They reached Haru and Jim near the equipment booths.
"So, you also participated in the tournament," Haru said, glancing at Ren with a slight smirk.
"Where are others?" MyungJin asked, glancing around.
"We saw Zhi. We were going to him just before you arrived," Jim replied, adjusting his goggles.
"And what about Shin and Zhen?" Ren asked.
"We don't know about Shin, but Zhen is not participating," Jim said with a shrug.
"Shin has participated," Haru confirmed casually.
"How do you know?" Jim asked, surprised.
Ren looked at Haru and smiled knowingly.
"Alright, everyone, choose your drones and get ready," the announcer's voice echoed again.
"What are we supposed to do with drones?" Ren asked, staring at the hovering machines.
"We use them to fly at the beginning of the match and land where we want to," Jim answered while examining the digital map nearby.
"I will land here," Ren said, pointing at the far edge of the map.
"You can't tell others about your landing position. It's a battle royale. You're on your own," Jim reminded him sternly.
"So, I can't trust anyone?" Ren asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You can't trust even your brother, MyungJin," Haru said with a grin.
"I think we should go choose our drones now," MyungJin said, stepping ahead.
"I WILL LAND AT THE CENTER OF THE MAP!" Haru suddenly declared loudly, turning heads across the area.
"Is he a fool?" some participants whispered amongst themselves, laughing.
"Haru thinks he can dodge anyone with his superhuman reflexes," MyungJin muttered to Jim.
"Let's go, Haru," Jim said, patting his shoulder.
They walked to the drone station. A countdown started on a large monitor.
"Alright, show no mercy on each other," MyungJin said firmly to the others.
"Alright," they answered in unison.
The countdown hit zero. BEEP!
Everyone launched into the air with their drones, soaring above the battlefield.
WHOOSH!
Haru's drone zipped straight to the center of the map, as promised. Five other players landed there with him, forming a circle around Haru.
Haru cracked his knuckles and smiled.
SPLASH! SWISH! SPLAT!
Within seconds, he had soaked and outed all five players with swift dodges and pinpoint shots.
Meanwhile, at the far edge of the map, Ren dropped silently. He rolled into a bush and spotted two players heading his way.
SPLISH! SPLASH!
Ren soaked both from his hiding spot, never revealing his position. They didn't even see it coming.
He moved swiftly and silently, like a ghost in the wind, never once stepping into open sight.
On the opposite side, MyungJin landed near the edge.
"Thermal vision," he said softly. His eyes flickered slightly, scanning the area.
He spotted a warm figure behind a wall. Without hesitation:
SPLASH!
The opponent yelped and dropped, soaked.
Jim had landed near the center. From a rooftop, he saw Haru standing among five soaked bodies.
"Better keep my distance," Jim mumbled, then spotted a 19-year-old boy sneaking around.
"Scope mode, on," Jim whispered.
BEEP. A virtual plus-sign crosshair appeared in his vision like an FPS game HUD.
He took aim and fired.
SPLOOSH!
Direct hit. The boy was soaked and out.
Elsewhere, Zhi moved cautiously. No one was around his landing site. After walking a bit, he saw someone peeking around a tree.
SPLASH!
Zhi didn't even break stride.
Shin was already in action, taking on two opponents at once. One charged from the left, the other from the right.
Shin ducked the first shot, flipped sideways—
SWOOSH! SPLAT!
—and splashed both in a smooth arc like a martial artist wielding a blade.
Time ticked away. When the horn blew, only nineteen players remained active on the field.
From the audience, a man in a suit stood watching with sharp eyes.
"I guess I've found some new team members for our Agency," he said on the phone, turning away with a smirk.
The thirty players who qualified were quickly split into two teams. Fifteen per side. MyungJin, Ren, Jim, Haru, Zhi, and Shin ended up on the same team, alongside nine unfamiliar players.
"This is team deathmatch now. Even if you get soaked and out, you will come back and put on dry clothes," the announcer explained.
Everyone started getting into formation.
"We have to make a plan," Zhi said, stepping forward with calm authority.
"And why do you think you are the captain?" a 17-year-old boy challenged, folding his arms.
"I think I should be the captain. Because I'm the eldest here," a 19-year-old boy argued.
"I agree," the 17-year-old replied quickly.
"I'm on the boy's side," Shin said, stepping up beside Zhi.
"Whoever wants to be on his side can come here," Jim said, pointing at Zhi.
Only the six of them stood together. Then a 16-year-old boy quietly walked over to them.
"No one else is coming?" Haru asked, looking around.
"Whatever. Thank you for coming here," Zhi said, nodding to the boy.
"What's your name?" MyungJin asked him.
"My name is Yūto," the boy replied, determined.
"So what's the plan, Zhi?" Shin asked, stepping closer.
"I can make a plan, but what if the other group ruins it?" Zhi asked, thinking aloud.
"They're planning to attack from the front. All of them will stick together," Haru said confidently.
"How do you know about their plan?" Yūto asked, surprised.
"Okay, so Ren, you'll be hiding at the center of the map and snipe the other team. Shin and Yūto, you two attack from behind by going the left way. MyungJin and Haru, go from the right. I'll be with Jim, attacking from the left flank," Zhi explained calmly.
"Okay, got it," everyone nodded.
The countdown began once again.
10… 9… 8…
Goggles down. Water guns ready.
7… 6… 5…
They all stood still, heartbeats rising.
4… 3… 2… 1—
BEEEEEP!
The match had begun.