The skepticism in the bulky man’s voice was clear as he pressed for clarity on Ty’s strategy. "And what do you plan to do with these stockpiled items? Once the fighting starts, how do we even know we will have time for whatever you’re planning?"
Ty, momentarily lost in thought, considered the gravity of the question. Drawing parallels from his experiences on Earth, a sudden realization dawned on him. "Entertainment!" he exclaimed, the answer crystallizing in his mind.
"That’s a great question," Ty began, capturing the attention of those around him with a confident snap of his fingers. "It’s very simple.
We are more than just people pitted against each other to fight to the death for the grand purpose of the great Titanis Goddess."
The man’s confusion deepened. "R-Really? Well, that’s news to me..."
Ty’s smirk widened as he leaned into the revelation. "While, yes, that is the ultimate purpose, and I’m still trying to figure out something that’s not adding up, this is much, much more about money.
We are professional athletes of this world whose only job is to fill the pockets."
"A what?" The man’s bewildered response underscored the novelty of Ty’s perspective.
Ty seized the moment to elaborate. "Think about it. Just like athletes who compete in stadiums, we’re here to draw crowds, to entertain. Those crowds bet on us, cheer for us, or watch us for the thrill of the fight. And behind all that? Money flows.
Our lives might be on the line, but to those watching, it’s all a game. If we can manipulate that aspect, use it to our advantage, we stand a better chance of not just surviving, but of turning the tables."
"Someone whose gifts are put on display for a high profit margin," Ty concluded, recognizing the bitter truth of their situation. "I’m not entirely sure how true all of this needs to be, but, in the meantime, we need to focus on what we can control.
That’s setting ourselves up to prepare for the betrayal of anyone with blue on our side. Rest up, and we’ll formulate a plan once the teams have been selected."
The man, scratching his head, seemed to weigh Ty’s words. "Heck, if it will help me survive this bothersome group stage, then I’ll take any help I can get from wherever I can. Thank you," he conceded, showing a flicker of hope in Ty’s unconventional strategy.
Ty nodded and returned to the corner he had first claimed. The responsibility pressed down as he leaned against the wall and checked his pocket for his companion.
"Hey fairy, you awake?" Ty inquired, hoping to engage her in his recent revelation.
"Hmpf, yeah, and what of it?" the fairy responded, her tone laced with annoyance.
"What is your problem?" Ty asked, taken aback by her attitude.
"What is my problem?!" she echoed, her frustration boiling over. "You make all these bonds and have all these cool names, and I’m just ’Fairy’ or ’Fairy Girl.’ Why don’t I have a name?!"
Ty realized then the oversight in their partnership. Amidst the chaos and the planning, he had neglected to give his constant, albeit tiny, ally a proper identity
Ty blinked at the unexpected complaint, then adjusted. "What do you mean, you’ve never mentioned having a name before? Aren’t you like an ancient fairy that went to sleep for a long time?"
"Yes, but back then I was just a fairy among other fairies, watching as the world turned and fires burned and all that stuff. I never knew having a name was so cool!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying a newfound excitement.
"Well, what do you want your name to be?" Ty inquired, genuinely curious about what name she might choose for herself.
"I, I don’t know yet. But I’m sure I can figure it out eventually if you give me some time," she said, thinking it over.
Ty pointed toward the far side of the room. "Good. We have work. Can you slip out quietly? I have a few jobs for you if you are ready, Recon Fairy."
The fairy perked up at the prospect of a mission. "I can sure try my best!" she exclaimed, ready for the challenge Ty was about to lay out for her.
"I have three tasks for you," Ty began, his voice low to ensure their conversation remained private. "First, I need you to find Lieutenant Daemon. Let him know he needs to figure out a way to get us one more sparring session.
I had an idea I wanted to test out."
The fairy nodded, filing away the first assignment. Ty continued with the next part of her mission.
"Second, I need you to find JJ and let her know about my current situation. See if she’s found out any information.
And--" Ty paused, ensuring he had the fairy’s full attention before revealing the next part, "--don’t tell this to anyone else, but I think the history of this world is a lie and these games are a lie as well."
The fairy puffed out her chest, trying to look as reliable as possible.
"Third, find the strongest person wearing blue," Ty said. "Tell him there is a traitor among him, and if things get ugly, he should trust the red-eyed Demon."
"That’s... a really strange message," the fairy said, but she nodded anyway.
"Strange might make him remember it," Ty replied.
"Fine! Recon Fairy accepts the mission," she declared, giving him a tiny salute before preparing to leave.
Ty caught her before she slipped away. "Repeat them back to me once. Daemon for sparring. JJ for the lie behind the arena. Strongest blue shirt for the traitor warning."
"Daemon, JJ, strongest blue shirt," she repeated, tapping one tiny finger for each name. "See? Recon Fairy is extremely organized."
"That is almost convincing," Ty said.
For once, he let the joke end there. The orange vests around him were shifting, muttering, and pretending they were not afraid. If the fairy failed, his plan might collapse before the first horn ever sounded.