Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord-Chapter 52 - Attack, Defend, or Die Trying

The training was finally complete. Atlas had not only leveled up several of his skills, but pushed his limits in every way possible. Now, with less than two days before the first wave of battles, the focus had shifted, away from combat drills and into recovery and strategic planning.

At last, the moment had come.

Atlas and his elite subordinates gathered in the central hall of the fortress.

Edrik stood at the head of the room, leading the discussion. It wasn’t because he was the most experienced tactician, but because he had a sharp ability to break down strategy into terms even the most battle-worn soldier could grasp. And more importantly, his methodical clarity helped Atlas weigh the choices ahead with confidence.

"There are three core strategies we can employ," Edrik began. "Attack, Defensive Hold, or All-Out Confrontation. Each has its own risks... and its own potential."

The room quieted, all eyes locked on him.

"An Attack strategy means pressing forward aggressively. High risk, high reward. Ideal if we want to pressure the enemy early."

"A Defensive Hold keeps our forces strong and protects our territory, safer, but slower in terms of advancement."

"And then there’s the All-Out Confrontation, a gamble where everything is on the line. If we win, we win big. But if we fail... it could be devastating."

Atlas nodded slowly, absorbing the weight of each path.

Edrik continued, "The goal of each battle is to earn Rank Points. The more points we gain, the higher we climb. Each Lord begins in Division 1 of their current rank. To advance to the next, we need to move from Division 1 to Division 5. And then, if successful, we ascend to the next rank."

He turned toward Atlas.

"You’re currently Rank 1: Seeker. Your objective is to rise through the divisions and reach Rank 2: Scout."

Atlas leaned back slightly, folding his arms as he summarized aloud, "So, Attack, Defense, or All-Out Confrontation." free𝑤ebnovel.com

Then he narrowed his gaze and asked, "How far can these attacks go? I mean, is it a fight until everything’s wiped out, or does each Lord get a second chance?"

Edrik gave a quick nod. "In both Attack and Defense scenarios, the attacker and defender can choose to retreat or surrender before things reach total devastation."

He added. "But the earlier they choose to pull out, the harsher the penalty. Think of it like this. If they retreat after taking only 40% damage, they’ll be penalized more than if they held on until they were down to just 10% remaining health or structure integrity."

He paused, letting the weight of that reality settle over them.

"After retreating or surrendering, they will enter a one-month cooldown. That time can be used to rebuild, reinforce, and prepare for the next battle."

Atlas nodded slowly, taking in the implications. "So even if you lose or pull back, you still get to fight another day. But you’ll pay for it. Rank points, resources... maybe even lives."

Then he added, more to himself than anyone else, "But it’s still a chance. A chance to reset, adjust strategy, and come back stronger."

"What about an All-Out Confrontation, Edrik?" Atlas asked.

Edrik gave a brief nod and explained. "The third strategy: All-Out Confrontation. This is the highest-risk, highest-reward option. Both Lords meet on neutral ground, engaging in an all-out, unrestricted battle. No room for retreat. No fallback plans. Victory or ruin."

He continued. "Because of how dangerous it is, very few Lords willingly choose this path. It requires mutual consent, both sides must agree to face off in this way. When a Lord launches an attack, the defending side has two choices: they can respond with a defensive hold or accept the invitation to an All-Out Confrontation."

Atlas nodded slowly. "So, by issuing an attack, a Lord is also risking an escalation into something far more dangerous?"

"Exactly," Edrik said firmly. "The moment you choose to go on the offensive, you’re also opening the door to a full-scale, no-holds-barred clash. And if the other Lord accepts, there’s no turning back. You fight until one side is utterly defeated."

It was a gamble, Atlas realized. One that could catapult a Lord up the ranks, or erase them entirely.

Atlas processed everything carefully. Attack, Defense, or All-Out Confrontation.

He knew the temptation of high rewards might drive some Lords to opt for the riskiest route, that brutal, all-out battle. But that path demanded perfection. One misstep, and you risked not just defeat... but annihilation or complete subjugation under the enemy’s control.

He remembered what Lyrassa had shared with him once. Over the span of centuries, she had only chosen the defensive route. Her island had grown steadily, patiently, with every move calculated for long-term survival.

Karian, in contrast, was the opposite, favoring swift attacks and decisive action.

Edrik had explained that he adjusted his approach depending on his opponent. Sometimes attacking, sometimes defending.

Milo? He admitted he preferred to start in defense, often wearing down the enemy before turning the tide with a counterattack once they overcommitted.

And Morganna? She hadn’t commented at all.

"Now tell me, Edrik. What’s the best strategy for our island?"

Edrik gave a slight bow. "I can provide a logical assessment. But the final decision is yours, My Lord."

He took a breath, then continued.

"We have several powerful individuals under your command. An attack strategy is feasible. And with our current strength, I believe we can execute it effectively. The only risk is how our opponents might respond. If they underestimate us, there’s a chance they’ll accept the attack as a full All-Out Confrontation. Especially since they won’t likely anticipate Milo as a true threat."

He paused, letting the implications settle.

"As for defense, yes, we have the Flame Beacons, which will support us well. But even with them, a defensive stance at this early stage will result in some damage to our island. Repairs would take time, and that would slow down our progress."

Edrik’s voice sharpened slightly. "I’d say we have a stronger edge in attacking rather than defending. Not because our defenses are weak, but because the long-term costs of absorbing enemy blows might hinder our momentum."

Atlas was silent, weighing every angle.

Edrik continued. "Still, we can’t ignore the risk. Attacking head-on also means we’re stepping into the unknown. We haven’t scouted every detail about our potential opponents, and we don’t know what tricks they might be hiding."

Atlas gave a slow nod. "What’s the current status of our troop preparations?"

Edrik allowed himself a small smile. "Not to boast, but our troops are in excellent form. Their weapons and armor have seen steady upgrades during the week of training and hunting at Flare Peak. Not all of it is fully reinforced yet, but we’ve made real progress."

He added, "Among the Elite Subordinates, only Lyrassa and Milo are still waiting on their Signature Weapons. That said, Lyrassa continues to excel in her support role. And Milo, well, Raze, is a walking weapon all on his own."

"Right... understood," Atlas murmured. "Thanks, Edrik. That helps."

He rose to his feet, eyes sweeping across the room to the gathered Elite Subordinates.

"We’ll conduct a full review of our defensive layout over the next day. I want every team briefed. Everyone must know their role in the battle strategy."

"We’ll initiate at least one confrontation, then reevaluate. If we gain momentum, we keep going. If not, we shift into fallback."

He paused for a beat.

"If necessary, we’ll activate the Reinforcement Phase, pulling back behind the defensive barrier. That’ll buy us time to regroup, rebuild, and strike again."

With less than 48 hours before the first battle wave, every second counted!

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