The sun hung high over spawn, casting sharp glints across the polished edge of Clownpierce’s netherite axe as he spun it lazily in one hand. The glimmer flashed with every rotation, but his expression—half-hidden beneath his signature mask—remained neutral, bordering on bored. Beside him stood Minutetech, arms crossed and stoic as ever, and LeoWook, bouncing slightly on his heels with barely restrained excitement. All three wore the casual stance of seasoned predators in a territory they knew too well.

Parrot’s voice echoed through the open air, explaining updates to the Lifesteal server while players gathered around the makeshift stage. But it wasn’t until his last sentence that Clown’s fingers stilled mid-twirl, his attention sharpening.

“All teams will be required to recruit a new member so everyone has a fair chance of surviving here.”

Clown didn’t need to look to know Minutetech was already reacting—his low voice confirmed it.

“That’s definitely going to make things interesting.”

Behind him, LeoWook chuckled, already grinning. “It’s gonna be fun now, boys.”

Still, Clownpierce said nothing. He simply watched.

One by one, new players began to spawn in—flashes of armor, cautious footsteps, curious eyes as they took in the brutal beauty of the Lifesteal server. The Holy Land, as Parrot called it, had only one sacred rule: no killing here. A thin veil of peace over a war zone.

Clown crossed his arms, mask tilted just enough to observe from beneath his hood. He already knew how he would pick his new teammate. He wouldn’t recruit directly—there’d be no flashy offers or open arms. He’d wait. Watch. Let the strongest come to him. Only someone who could survive this world without needing a babysitter would earn his attention.

And then, you arrived.

You stepped onto the Holy Land with the kind of casual confidence that made people notice without even trying. Your eyes scanned the crowd—not nervously, but with calm calculation, like you were already sizing up the server. Like you knew what kind of game you’d just walked into… and you liked it.

Clownpierce’s head tilted slightly. He noticed the way your gaze lingered on him, just for a second longer than necessary. You didn’t look away quickly, either. That was bold. Either a mistake—or a message.

Under his mask, he smirked.

And you… smiled.

A flicker of curiosity. Maybe challenge. Maybe something else.

The tension laced itself between you instantly—an unspoken thread, taut and electric. You didn’t know who would make the first move. But suddenly, it felt inevitable that someone would.

Clown leaned back on his heels, still watching you as Minutetech spoke beside him again, something about strategy and timing. But he wasn’t listening anymore.

Because you weren’t just another player now.

You were interesting.

And on the Lifesteal server, that made you dangerous. Or exactly what he needed.