Capítulo 28: Accusations

Noa, So-Rin, and Eden stood on the podium, their faces beaming with joy and excitement as they proudly held their trophies high in the air. They had emerged as the champions of the prestigious intra-guild tournament held in the arena this month, and they couldn't possibly be happier.

The crowd below them erupted into a thunderous roar of cheers and applause, showering them with praise and adoration. Noa glanced down at the sea of faces, a swell of pride filling his heart.

So-Rin leaned in close, her voice brimming with excitement, as she whispered into Noa's ear. "Can you believe it, Noa? We actually did it! We won the tournament!"

Noa turned to her, his grin widening, a sense of camaraderie blossoming between them. "Yeah, we did it! And we owe a huge part of our success to you too, So-Rin. You're an incredible fighter."

So-Rin blushed, her smile radiating warmth, embracing the compliment.

Cloud, Noa's loyal AI companion, beeped and whirred joyfully, its sensors glowing with pride.

A notification sounded, and Noa promptly checked it, his curiosity piqued.

[Tournament Quest Completed!

Rewards:

• Level up! Basic (Green) → Intermediate (Yellow)

• 1 pack of Hyperprotein Powder

• Protective Jacket

• Mystery Weapon

• 5000 Nummus]

[Glossary

Hyperprotein powder: A potent and concentrated powder meticulously formulated to deliver a comprehensive array of essential amino acids crucial for promoting muscle growth and facilitating efficient repair. Empower your body with this premium blend for enhanced muscular development and rejuvenation.]

Noa let out a frustrated sigh and muttered to himself, "The battle is worth it."

It had been a hard-fought battle, and it was one that must be won. Noa felt a mix of physical and emotional satisfaction, knowing that he had played a significant role in securing the guild's win.

His attention shifted to So-Rin, who stood beside him, her spirit unyielding. Noa couldn't help but admire her unwavering determination and courage. She had been by his side from the beginning, supporting him throughout today's battle with determination and valor.

"Have you received the rewards from the tournament?" So-Rin asked, a wide smile brightening her face.

"Yes, I have," Noa replied, and Eden chimed in with a confirming nod, saying, "Me too."

In that moment, the three of them relished in the glory of their triumph, experiencing a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that only comes from achieving something great.

As the ceremony drew to a close and the crowd dispersed, Noa, So-Rin, and Eden exchanged high-fives and embraces, their faces still beaming with joy and excitement.

However, their celebration was abruptly interrupted by the appearance of a uniformed man. Noa recognized him as Korneli Bolkvad, a member of the city's security force, wearing body armor adorned with the emblem of authority.

"Wait a minute, how can this guy be declared the winner when he's been cheating?" the officer boomed, pointing an accusing finger directly at Noa from the podium.

"What the... Who's cheating?" Noa asked in obvious confusion. "I did nothing of the sort," he denied right away.

"You did, and in front of us," the officer insisted.

Noa was taken aback by the officer's accusation of cheating. He exchanged glances with his friends, their expressions mirroring his surprise and disbelief.

He had fought the battle with all his might, relying on his skills and strategies to emerge victorious. There was no way he had resorted to cheating.

"No, I didn't cheat," Noa said, his voice tinged with defensiveness. "I won the battle solely with my skills."

"You're right! We didn't cheat!" So-Rin interjected, her tone filled with frustration.

"Absolutely. We played by the rules and fought fair and square. Everyone here can attest to that," Eden added, staunchly defending his teammate.

The officer raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Is that so? Then how do you explain the attack from Noa's AI companion? The rules explicitly state that no weapons are allowed in one-on-one battles."

Noa felt his heart sink. He hadn't realized that Cloud's attack would be considered cheating. The battle he had fought so ardently to win, with honor and sacrifices made, now felt like it had been in vain.

"I never asked or instructed my AI companion to attack my opponent. It acts based on its own decision-making process. And what he had done doesn't count. The battle was already over when my AI companion made a move," Noa explained.

The officer regarded Noa with a hint of skepticism. "So you're claiming that your AI companion acted independently and attacked your opponent? That sounds like a convenient excuse, Noa."

"It's not an excuse, officer. It's the truth," Noa replied firmly, his voice unwavering. "Furthermore, the system has already declared the winners. The results have been announced."

The officer crossed his arms over his chest, maintaining a stern expression as he addressed Noa. "We will reexamine the system data to verify if you indeed broke the rules. If it is confirmed that the battle was unfair, consequences will follow."

Frustration welled up within Noa. He knew he was telling the truth, but without concrete evidence to support his claim, he felt helpless in proving his innocence regarding Cloud's actions.

"Fine, let's go through it again," Noa responded, accepting the challenge.

The officer scrutinized Noa's face for a prolonged moment before speaking again. "Very well, Noa. However, you must understand that cheating is a grave offense in this arena. If you are found guilty, you will be barred from participating in future battles."

Noa never imagined that bringing Cloud to the tournament would lead to such turmoil. However, he was thankful that his AI Companion saved his life.

He wondered who was behind these false accusations aimed at tarnishing his name. Maverock immediately came to mind. He must've reported Noa for using a weapon during their battle.

Speechless for a moment, Noa realized that his hard-earned progress and standing within the system were at stake due to this terrible misunderstanding.

Taking a deep breath, Noa tried to regain his composure. He knew he had to find a way to clear his name and salvage his reputation. However, at this point, all he could do was wait for the authorities to conduct their investigation and reassess the evidence from his last battle.

The investigation commenced, and the ones in charge meticulously gathered evidence and interviewed witnesses who had been present during the battle. The tournament footage, particularly the CCTV recordings capturing every movement in Neo Arcadia, would be crucial in shedding light on the truth.

comentário 0 comentário

Votar

ENVIAR PRESENTE

Load failed, please RETRY