Spirit Game

"Are you suggesting we retreat before we even fight?" snarled General Thorgar, his massive fists clenched in anger. "We are Orcs! We do not run from battle!"

Warchief Kargoth met Thorgar\'s glare with a steely gaze. "I am not suggesting we retreat. I am suggesting we fight smart. The Hobgoblins are many, but they are not invincible. We will draw them out onto the plains, away from our homes. There, we can use our knowledge of the terrain to our advantage."

Another general, Grommash, pounded his fist on the table. "And if we lose? What then? Our people will be slaughtered."

"We will not lose," Kargoth growled. "We will fight with every ounce of strength, every drop of blood. We will make them pay for every step they take on our land."

The room fell silent, the weight of Kargoth\'s words sinking in. The Warchief stood tall, his presence commanding and resolute. "We fight not just for ourselves, but for our future. For our children and their children. We fight so that the Orcs will endure."

One by one, the generals nodded, their initial reluctance giving way to determination. They knew the odds were against them, but they also knew that their only chance of survival lay in fighting together, with all the ferocity and cunning they possessed.

"Prepare the troops," Kargoth ordered. "We march at dawn. Let the Hobgoblins come. They will find that the Orcs are not so easily conquered."

With renewed resolve, the Orc leaders dispersed to ready their warriors. The battle ahead would be brutal, but the Orcs would face it head-on, united and unyielding.

The Hobgoblins might have numbers on their side, but the Orcs had something far more powerful: the unbreakable spirit of a proud and indomitable race.

=======

"Hoi, Rain, Nathan. Why do you two look so sleepy lately?"

Rain woke up with a start, noticing his friends laughing at him for some reason. Beside him, Nathan stirred and rubbed his eyes.

"Are you two okay? You look haggard and tired," one of their friends asked.

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Rain yawned and stretched his hands. "Yeah, I\'m fine. Just pulled an all-nighter."

"Playing games again?"

Rain rubbed his cheek and looked to the side. "Augh . . . well, studying for entrance exams and such."

His friends exchanged confused looks before bursting into laughter.

"Studying? My ass."

"When did you start studying?"

"College exams are still more than six months away."

"Hoi, Nathan. Don\'t tell us you\'re also pulling all-nighters studying for exams too?"

Nathan forced a laugh. "Ah . . . well . .

. the truth is . . ." He hesitated before sighing. "Yeah, I\'ve been studying too."

Everyone\'s eyes widened, even Rain was surprised. Was it because he had told Nathan he was studying? Had he influenced him to become a better student unintentionally?

"Nathan . . ." Rain couldn\'t believe his ears. Because of him, his friend turned into a good student! Even though all of it was a lie.

The bell rang and Rain and Nathan got to their feet at almost the same time. They looked at each other, surprised.

"Studying?" they asked simultaneously.

Rain and Nathan both nodded before bolting out of the room, almost racing each other as they went.

Their friends could only look on in disbelief, while others murmured.

"Maybe we should also start taking this college entrance exam seriously?"

On the way to the bus stop, Rain received a message from Alice that made him stop in his tracks.

[Alice: Meet me at Dream Star Mall]

Huh? Rain tilted his head. What does Alice want now? He had no time to waste in the real world; he needed to get back to the Spirit Realm because there was still a war to be won.

[Rain: Can\'t go. Busy.]

Meanwhile, Alice couldn\'t believe that Rain\'s only reply was three words. Reject her? HER?!

Alice furiously typed back a message. If Cedrick hadn\'t specifically assigned her this task to get close to Rain, she would never have contacted that idiot. But she had a mission, and she had never failed one before. She had to keep Cedrick happy to live freely and carefree in the Spirit Realm.

She couldn\'t give Cedrick a reason to doubt her abilities now, or he would cast her aside like the rest.

[Alice: It\'s urgent. You need to come.]

Rain scratched his head and thought about the urgent thing Alice wanted to tell him.

[Rain: Can you just message it?]

[Alice: Just come here right now!]

Rain could almost hear Alice\'s angry voice inside his head.

Rain could do nothing but sigh. Instead of taking the bus, he hailed a cab to the mall. He wanted to get this done and over with so he could get back home pronto.

When he arrived, he saw Alice standing by the entrance, looking beautiful as always. Her presence was a showstopper, and everyone took second glances at her as they passed by. Maybe it was because she was a player that her charisma was so strong.

Why was it that he didn\'t have that kind of charisma? Rain lamented.

Rain almost forgot just how captivating Alice was with her short black hair, small face, big eyes, and pouty pink lips. Every time he saw her, he couldn\'t help but be drawn to her again, though right now, he was pressed for time.

"Alice!" Rain called. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Alice looked up from under her long eyelashes. "You sure did."

"Uh . . . so what\'s this important thing you wanted to tell me?"

Instead of answering, Alice stepped forward, showing her back to Rain. "I\'m hungry. Let\'s eat first."

Rain was confused but still followed Alice into the mall.

Rain\'s mind was still reeling from the sudden change in plans. Instead of addressing the urgent matter that had supposedly required his presence, Alice seemed intent on dragging him through a whirlwind tour of the mall.