As Theo said earlier, the two groups quickly headed in the same direction, heading straight to the flag side by side.
Hengki looked at the Australia Team with a smile, thinking, 'If that team tries to keep up, they will be between us, making them a perfect target. During that time, we can eliminate the team together and fight against each other for the flag later.'
However, seeing Theo and his group didn't come out immediately made him know that Theo wasn't as foolish as they thought. 'The only way to solve this kind of setting is following us from behind. It seems he's going to wait for a while before chasing us. But… By that time, we would have fought for the flag. I wonder how he will react in the midst of chaos. Also…'
Hengki looked forward and commanded. "Keep an eye on the Australia Team and our backs. Nicko, I know that you're tired, but you're the fastest among us. I need you to get the flag as soon as possible."
Nicko was still panting, but he still nodded his head, knowing the importance of the flag. "I understand. I will be going ahead."
With those words, Nicko stepped on the ground with a bit more power and activated the muscle on his thigh and leg, giving a powerful thrust on this one jump.
Fwoosh.
That one leap created a small shock wave as Nicko became further and further away.
Seeing Indonesia Team has made their move, the long-haired guy from Australia Team called a name too. "Molly."
"Understood, Captain." A girl nodded her head as she released a bit more Magic Power on her feet and began to run three times her original speed, catching up with Nicko.
…
Although the two teams had started their own competition, Theo was still lazing around as if he didn't care about the result.
"We what—?" Alea was taken aback by Theo's actions and words.
Theo only smiled at her without bothering to stop her.
"Thirty seconds…" Theo had been counting the time this whole time and since it was done, the other two teams should have gained enough advantage.
Ellen shook her head helplessly and turned around, walking to the door in the opposite direction. "Let's go, Team."
"Ellen, what are you doing?" Alea widened her eyes, confused by those two actions.
"I will explain later, but we need to get out of this place first." Theo rose from the floor and headed to the door.
The rest were as confused as Alea, but they still followed Theo and left the facility.
Theo quickly summoned his Clone and handed him a spear before the latter entered the woods.
"Alright. Let's go, shall we?" Theo then ran forward, heading in the opposite direction as the other two teams.
While running, Alea asked, "Theo, what is your plan? Why are we going this way?"
"Alea… Do you remember the question Theo kept asking you earlier?" Ellen was the one who answered with another question.
"Hmm?" Alea tilted her head in confusion and recalled the question. "He wants me to see their facial expressions to know whether they know the answer or not."
"Exactly. Nothing will escape from your eyes, especially for people who don't know your uniqueness. And your answer…"
"They don't know the answer."
Ellen smiled and nodded. "Using that information, Theo created multiple layers of deception. First, with me figuring out the answer and walking to the correct door, our opponents certainly have their own suspicion.
"He then took advantage of that suspicion and my action by whispering the answer to him to look at the wrong door, making them believe that he just messed up. The opponents will think it's the right one."
"Ah." Alea blinked a few times with a dumbfounded expression. She was speechless.
"Ellen. You're missing one thing." Phyrill shook his head in defeat. "Theo created another layer when he said something about them working together to pincer us from two sides. It makes them believe that they will be coming a bit later than them to avoid confrontation and turn the competition into a battle royale.
"However, the real truth is… He simply wants to push the opponents far away by forcing them to run in the opposite directions, giving us a huge time to work with. Five minutes… We may be able to do it."
When the truth was revealed, she realized that Theo had been fighting against the opponents without them knowing.
"Hahaha. Then, I should start doing my job right now." Phyrill smiled as wolf ears and a tail emerged from his body. "Werewolf Transformation."
"I am going then." Phyrill waved his hand and prepared to go ahead.
"Wait, Phyrill." Theo stopped him with a serious expression.
"Do you need something from me, Theo?"
"Lend me your ear. I need you to do something for me."
…
While Theo whispered his plan, Hengki had just gotten a weird feeling, messing up his heart. He didn't know why but running this way made him uneasy.
'What is this? Does Australia Team have a trump card?' Hengki narrowed his eyes.
"Captain, what happened?" Yuda asked with a worried expression.
Meanwhile, Dewi, one of the two tired people in the team, told him her condition. "Captain, I'm sorry, but I will slow down my pace a bit. I think I will buy time for the team by stopping Thersland Team."
"Thersland…" Hengki widened his eyes as he finally saw through Theo's deceptions. He stopped in an instant, forcing the entire team to follow it, including Australia Team, who had locked on them. Everyone was confused.
"We've been had!" Hengki gritted his teeth and crossed his lower arms before a pair of brown wings emerged from his back. "Garuda Transformation."
"Captain?"
"That guy just tricked us into thinking this is the correct way while the girl was the one who gave us the real answer." Hengki looked at his teammates. "Dewi. Help Nicko, who has gone ahead, and take your time to catch up with us. The rest of you are going to follow me in the opposite direction."
Without wasting any more time, Hengki soared to the sky, flying in the air to stop Theo's team. The same applied to Australia Team who seemed to have realized after seeing Hengki's action.