"This is our unit, now numbering 23,193,000,000. That makes us the 12th wealthiest Master. Of course, this hasn't brought much benefit. You can see that from the fact that I've been attacked twice as often as when I was ranked 25th."
"What ranking do you want to achieve?" I asked.
"Ranking 4 would be nice," he said.
"Wouldn't that position be more dangerous?" I asked.
"Of course, but being in that position means our unit is strong enough in both offense and defense. We can attack lower-ranked units more easily and systematically," he explained.
"And what if higher-ranked units attack you?" I pressed.
"That's why you're here," he replied.
"You will assist me in both strategic and combat matters to fight them. I will teach you everything I know, and in the end, you will feel worthy of standing by my side."
"I already feel worthy," I said.
"Not to them," the man replied, glancing at the separated Currency group.
"Are they also Currency?" I asked.
"Yes, the strong ones," he said.
"The strong ones? Is your Currency divided into factions?"
"Naturally, the strong form groups together, and so do the weak," the man said.
"If there are the strong and the weak, then there must also be the clever and the foolish. May i ask why don't you just elevate the cleverest among you to be your strategist and the strongest to be your combat expert?" I asked.
"You are indeed Currency, but you belong to a special category—one of the five agreements approved by the High Holders. Those who are strong, clever, weak, or foolish are merely ordinary Currency. Ordinary Currency occupies the lowest caste among all Currency castes. It would be difficult for me to elevate their caste, wasting units, time, and energy."
"You're different, and I'm the only one who can see it. That's why you must help me remain Master, at least until you succeed in becoming 'human.' After that, you'll be free to do whatever you want in this world," the man said.
"Alright, I'll do my best. But wait, what are the Five Covenants, and am I one of them?"
"The answer to your question is will be your reward after you prove yourself by helping me in our upcoming war," the man said.
"As you wish then," I replied.
"So, what will my role be in your war game?" I asked.
"Strategist," he answered.
"Have you ever led a group of people to their deaths?" the man asked.
"Yeah, but only do it in video games," I replied.
"In this war, I estimate the death toll will reach 31,000,000 units—a number that will desensitize you to seeing Currency die. Once you're accustomed to it, you'll become more flexible in strategizing. I intend to use this war as a way to acclimate you to this unfortunate world you've just been born into."
"... Very well," I said, my voice tinged with worry.
"What about the strategy?"
"I leave that to you. I want to see how you command the battlefield," the man replied.
"I'll send you the data I've gathered from the Spy Unit. You should blend in with your units now. They'll undoubtedly want to see the face of the man who will lead them to their deaths," he said as he walked away.