Surrounded by Five Beast Lords novel Chapter 67

Chapter 67 Valeria’s Plea

Chapter 67 Valeria’s Plea

Dera studied the opposing team’s roster, her mind working at full speed

A direct confrontation was certainly possible, but with the championship as today’s ultimate goal, she needed to manage both their energy and strategy wisely.

“For the first match, let’s shake up our lineup and rethink our approach, Dora said without hesitation. “Clive, you’re taking the lead. You’ll have Milo and Rock with you.”

The three whose names had just been called immediately snapped to attention.

Dora continued outlining her plan. “Clive, your lightning ability hits hard and covers a wide area, plus it gives you an edge against ice-types.

“I want you leading the frontal attack. Keep Valeria’s Moderate Level-5 beast mate busy and break their formation apart “Milo, use your panther’s speed to roam and harass.

“Focus on their Level-4 cheetah, the one matching your rank. Play support, throw off their tempo, and create gaps for us. “Rock, you’re on defense with your earth ability this round. Absorb what you can, and whenever you see an opening, lock down their movement with earth control.

“We’re not going for a quick knockout here. The priority is figuring out how they fight and draining their key players. “That said, we still need to show our strength and go for the win.

“But most importantly, everyone walks away from this match intact. We’ve got more games ahead.”

+

The three nodded in understanding. A fierce anticipation kindled in Clive’s eyes. Milo’s lips curled into a sharp grin, and Rock gave a confident thump to his chest.

“Elmer, Jaxsen, Lioren, the three of you are sitting out this round,” Dora said, turning to the remaining trio. “Watch them closely. You’ll be up in the second match.”

Elmer and Jaxsen acknowledged her with a nod. Lioren simply flicked his tail, his amber eyes locked on the large screen that displayed Valeria Team’s profile, already deep in analysis.

When the draw results for Cassian’s team were announced, more than a few opposing squads found themselves quietly grimacing at their misfortune.

Cassian, however, was overjoyed, taking it as further proof that his mother’s careful maneuvering behind the scenes had done its job.

In the opening round, his team had drawn Gale Squad, a group that had limped into twenty-fifth place the previous day. The luck was almost too absurd to believe.

“We’ve finally got some luck on our side,” one of Cassian’s teammates muttered under his breath, unable to hide his surprise.

A smug smile tugged at the corner of Cassian’s mouth. Letting his gaze drift toward Dora’s team, who were huddled nearby in an intense tactical discussion, he allowed himself a quiet sneer.

He thought, ‘Dora, Elmer, you drew Valeria? Good luck getting out of that one alive. By the time we cruise through this match, we’ll be resting up while you two tear each other apart.’

He was practically radiating arrogance, convinced that even the heavens were clearing a path for him.

In his mind’s eye, he could already see it all playing out-the effortless victory, the well-rested advance through subsequent rounds, and finally, the championship trophy held high above his head.

“You see?” Cassian said, turning to rally his teammates. “Luck’s part of the game.

“Today, we’ll lock down our ranking and make every bit of effort from yesterday count.

“Let’s crush them in the first match and show everyone why we’re sitting at number one!”

His teammates, invigorated by such a favorable matchup, felt their morale soar.

Inside the designated arena for the face-off match, the atmosphere was noticeably more forbidding than it had been in the hunting zone.

Massive energy barriers cordoned off each indivi members awaiting their turns, tournament offic

‘e the stands were packed with sidelined teamm Successfully unlocked! nvited guests and journalists.

As captain, Dora led Clive, Milo, and Rock into the preparation zone, where Valeria’s team was approaching from the opposite side.

ی

M

Chapter 67 Valeria’s lea

Valeria was a young woman with a cool, detached elegance about her and a hint of quiet tenacity etched between her brews.

Behind her walked her three beast mates, exactly as the scouting report had described them.

They were a stocky, grayish-brown rhino with a formidable build, a lean, sinewy cheetah whose gaze was sharp and alert, and a bear whose expression suggested he had never found anything worth shiling about.

But upon closer inspection, Dorá could detect a subtle, almost imperceptible fatigue lurking beneath all of their features Following pre-match protocol, the two captains stepped forward to shake hands.

Dora approached and clasped Valeria’s hand.

In the instant their eyes met, Valeria leaned in slightly and spoke in a voice so low that only Dora could catch the words, the sentences tumbling out in a quick, hushed stream.

“Ms. Southwell, I’m glad to meet you. I… have a favor to ask, though I know it’s a lot.

“One of my beast mates…” Valeria’s eyes darted briefly toward a male teammate whose complexion looked unusually pale and whose breathing seemed slightly labored.

“He got hurt pretty badly internally yesterday, saving me. He shouldn’t even be here today, but he insisted.

“The other two are still carrying injuries from before as well.

“So here’s what I’m proposing: when the match starts, we’ll go through the motions, trade a few normal hits, and make it look real.

“Then I’ll have him… accidentally leave an opening, and I’ll call the forfeit right there.

“All I’m asking is that your beast mates… pull their punches. Don’t put any of mine out for real. Do you think that could work?” There was a faint, almost fragile thread of exhaustion and anxiety running through her voice, and her eyes held an unmistakable plea.

This was not the scenario Dora had anticipated.

She had braced herself for a grueling showdown, given the sheer strength Valeria’s team was supposed to possess.

If Valeria was being honest and had no intention of pulling any tricks once the fight began, then she saw no reason not to accommodate the request.

Raising her eyes to meet Valeria’s, which were clear yet edged with anxiety, Dora held her gaze for a few seconds before giving a slight, almost invisible nod.

Her reply came back just as quietly, pitched so low that only Valeria could hear. “All right. As long as your people don’t try to hurt mine, we’ll hold back.”

A flash of gratitude and visible relief swept across Valeria’s expression. She gave Dora’s hand a brief, firm squeeze and then let go.

The two captains stepped back toward their own teams, and to any outside observer, nothing about the exchange would have seemed out of the ordinary.

Once Dora had rejoined her squad, she quickly and quietly briefed Clive, Milo, and Rock on what had just transpired. “Change of plans. Their main fighters are carrying injuries. They want to save face and save themselves, so we’re going to play along.

“Fight normally for the first few minutes so we can get a read on them, then wait for them to give us an opening. We end it fast when that happens, but watch your strength. No unnecessary damage.”

Clive’s eyebrow arched slightly. Milo’s eyes narrowed with a glint of shrewd understanding, and Rock simply gave a slow earnest nod

“Begin!” the referee commanded, and in that same moment, the energy inside the combat platform erupted into chaotic life Valeria’s team did exactly as she had promised, settling into a tight defensive formation where each of her three beast mates played their part with clean, practiced coordination.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify