The chaotic night was finally over.

But for the official PR team, the work was just beginning. Photos and news reports from the banquet were uploaded to the StarNet at top speed.

The most popular photo was one of Zoe Pierce, standing in the center under the night sky as four men ascended the steps with her.

Even the deep darkness of the night couldn’t conceal that gleam of silver-white.

The moment it was released, it ignited the enthusiasm of the entire Federation.

There was no complex reason for it—just pure, visceral beauty.

The soft beauty of the Omega and the rugged handsomeness of the Alphas behind her were fully amplified in that single image.

Each of their faces looked as if they had been divinely blessed, making it impossible to look away.

Following that was a short video, less than five seconds long. It captured the exact moment they looked up under the night sky—their cool gazes, their sharp jawlines, creating the illusion that they were all looking at the Omega before them.

"SOB, this is too intense! I can’t take it! How can they be so beautiful? I’m dying."

"Zoe deserves this! SOB. With everyone escorting her at the front—she’s a queen."

"Oh my god, why are they so ridiculously handsome? SOB, no one looks like that in real life."

"So gorgeous. Every single one of them has god-tier looks~~~"

"Queen, slay me~ You’re too beautiful."

As if that wasn’t enough excitement, the official account soon posted several more photos and videos.

One showed Zoe Pierce raising a champagne glass with a dazzling smile—a stark contrast to her previous cool demeanor, instantly revealing a coquettish charm.

A long-shot video showed her raising her glass to the Prince of The Empire, her chin tilted slightly upward, fully revealing her beautiful, swan-like neck. She looked poised and elegant.

"AHHH~ Why is the enemy Prince so handsome too? This has to be a beauty pageant, not a real competition."

"Baby Zoe, please dress like this forever. It’s such a feast for the eyes."

"So beautiful. In holographic mode, it’s like Zoe is smiling right at me. There’s no difference. She’s definitely smiling at me."

"..."

Of course, there was other information on the event’s official website, but anyone paying close attention would notice something.

The content featuring Zoe Pierce was by far the most extensive.

Samuel King understood the netizen mentality perfectly. He didn’t release all the photos and videos at once. Instead, he released a few carefully selected pieces each day, keeping everyone’s attention firmly in his grasp.

「The day of the Friendship Games.」

The rules had been announced long ago: obtaining the Token was worth 300 points, points could be stolen from other teams, and killing Xenobeasts awarded 10 to 20 points, depending on their A- to S-level classification.

The Token was placed deep within the Glacier Zone, and each team’s Intelligent Brain could track its location.

The location would remain visible in real time, even after one team acquired it.

Furthermore, a specific rule stipulated that Mechas could only be used inside the Glacier Region.

If they could be used from the start, the entertainment value of the match would be greatly diminished.

Zoe Pierce and her teammates, including Miles Sherman, rode an airship to the designated starting zone.

The seconds ticked by. When the clock struck twelve, the airship’s main doors opened.

A vast grassland unfolded before them.

The Intelligent Brain promptly issued a notification: Map sent... Token location marked... Teammate positions marked...

It had been a long time since she’d been in an atmosphere like this, and Zoe Pierce found herself unexpectedly enjoying it. She closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of the wind on her cheeks.

Nathan Lockwood opened the map and glanced at it, unhurried. "We’re 1,850 kilometers from the Token’s location, and 1,000 kilometers from the border where we can use the Mechas. That’s an estimated 850-kilometer walk, which should take ten to twelve days."

Miles Sherman zoomed in on the map. "Once we cross this mountain, we’ll enter the frigid zone."

Entering the frigid zone meant a drastic change in climate. They would need to add more layers of clothing, and the journey would likely take even longer than estimated.

Chase Shaw glanced up, his brow furrowing slightly as he looked at the surrounding cameras, which weren’t even trying to be discreet.

Erin Xavier, however, wasn’t bothered by them. As far as he was concerned, besides the location, this was no different from any other mission.

His attention was fixed on Zoe Pierce. He watched as she listened intently to Nathan Lockwood and Miles Sherman, looking adorably well-behaved.

He felt an itch in his heart.

It was a side effect of their previous closeness—he always wanted to be near her.

After Miles and the others finished relaying the basic information, the group set off.

Erin Xavier strolled beside Zoe Pierce. "Zoe Pierce, what are you looking at?" he asked.

He’d noticed her gaze resting on the Alphas for a moment.

In public, Erin Xavier kept a perfectly appropriate distance.

"I was just thinking," Zoe Pierce said as she walked, "it’s rare for all of us to be together right from the start."

"During the joint entrance exam, it was just me and Nathan Lockwood at first."

"Then we met Chase Shaw, and finally Miles Sherman and Erin Xavier, and our team was formed."

"Then there was an accident, and Nathan Lockwood and Miles Sherman were separated from the rest of us, turning us into a three-person squad again."

"Even at the end of the final league, we were split. It was me and Miles Sherman on one side, and the other three on the other. We only came back together at the very end."

"It was the same on Siren Star, and during the group training."

"We’ve almost never started out all together."

The others hadn’t really thought about it until she brought it up.

But looking back, it was true.

It seemed they were always being forced apart for one reason or another. It was a rare change of pace for the five of them to be starting out together.

But after walking for an entire day, aside from the temperature dropping as they neared the mountains, Zoe Pierce was surprised to find that they hadn’t encountered a single Xenobeast.

Even with Nathan Lockwood scouting ahead, he hadn’t come across even a low-level one, which was beyond Zoe Pierce’s expectations.

The first day of their journey consisted of nothing but relentless travel.

The event was being live-streamed across the galaxy, connecting viewers from both The Federation and The Empire.

Vast numbers of people in both The Federation and The Empire were closely watching the opposing team’s progress.

On the first day, viewers from both sides were first shocked by the stamina of their respective team’s Omega.

Both Anna and Zoe Pierce kept up with their teams perfectly, never once complaining of being tired.

When they looked at the other team, they saw their Omega wasn’t falling behind either.

"I knew it! What Zoe Pierce said was right. If you’re on a team, the Omega has to be able to keep up. The Omega on the other team must have had special training too."

"It’s only the first day. Isn’t it a bit too early for all this praise?" a pessimist commented.

"Am I the only one who thinks the Alphas in her squad are such gentlemen? They’re intentionally keeping Zoe protected in the middle."

"Is it just my imagination? Why do I get the feeling they all like Zoe? They keep sneaking little glances her way."

"@ the user above, SOB, you’re not alone! I feel it too!"

"You two above, don’t exaggerate. They’re teammates. Shipping every interaction is just going to hurt you in the end. Think how awkward it will make things for Zoe and the others."

"Exactly. And even if they all like Zoe, it’s perfectly normal, right? She’s beautiful, capable, and doesn’t cause trouble. She’s the ideal Omega, okay?"

"@ the user above, your priorities are messed up. Just focus on the Friendship Games, will you? Stop spouting nonsense."

"Focus on Zoe, and stop spreading rumors."

"SOB... I’m rooting for Nathan Lockwood! I have a thing for fair-skinned sapiosexuals! Zoe, quick, look at him!"

"@ THE USER ABOVE!!! You and I are now mortal enemies! It’s obviously Chase Shaw!! He’s so tall, and the height difference between them is just perfect! AHHHH!"

"Hah, what are you guys even shipping? Haven’t you noticed Erin Xavier has been right by Zoe’s side the whole time, like a little bee? The younger guy is always the best, okay?"

"No way! A mature, steady man like Miles Sherman is the best!! Zoe, hurry up and look at your captain! A partner like him is the optimal choice."