Capítulo 16: The Contest Begins
The grand stadium in downtown New York buzzed with energy, a swirling mix of excitement and anticipation. Hunters from all corners of the city and beyond had gathered to witness the Obsidian Contest, an event that promised not just glory but also the rare chance to solidify alliances or crush rivals.
The stadium itself was a marvel, its structure laced with mana-infused architecture. Pillars of glowing crystal cast shimmering lights across the arena, and the air hummed faintly with enchantments that kept the massive crowd orderly and safe. Screens floated in midair, projecting close-ups of the participants and their quirks in action for those seated too far from the main field.
Felix stood among Ironstride's elite near the entryway to the arena. The black and silver guild banner billowed faintly in the morning breeze, and the tension among his teammates was palpable. They shifted nervously, their eyes darting to the rival guilds assembling across the field.
Felix, however, was calm. His crimson eyes scanned the crowd with practiced ease, noting the clusters of rival guilds and mentally cataloging their strongest members. His sharp features, framed by the faint glow of mana screens and the morning sun, drew more than a few curious glances.
Beside him, Victoria was a beacon of focus and ambition. Clad in her polished armor, her silver braid catching the light, she radiated determination. Felix followed her gaze to where Amelia Cross stood among the Obsidian Guard.
Amelia's presence was commanding, her dark hair tied back into a no-nonsense bun that matched her no-nonsense expression. Dressed in the deep gray and obsidian tones of her guild, she exuded quiet power. Felix could see the tension in Victoria's posture as their gazes locked across the arena.
"You're sure about the team placements?" Felix asked, his voice low enough that only Victoria could hear.
Her lips curved into a faint smirk. "Trust me. We're going to dominate this contest."
Felix didn't respond, but his mind was already working through contingencies. Confidence is a double-edged sword. Let's hope she doesn't cut herself on it.
+
The contest's opening ceremony was a spectacle of mana and theatrics. Fireworks of every elemental type exploded in the air, creating a dazzling array of colors. The announcer's voice boomed across the stadium, introducing each participating guild with exaggerated fanfare.
When Ironstride's name was called, the team stepped forward as the crowd erupted into cheers and scattered boos. Felix walked alongside Victoria, his expression carefully neutral but his mind keenly aware of the eyes on them.
The first challenge was a team-based event designed to test coordination and strategy. A section of the arena transformed, shifting into an elaborate maze filled with traps, illusions, and low-level monsters. The objective was simple: retrieve the glowing artifact hidden at the center of the maze and return it to the starting point.
Felix's system chimed softly as the details of the challenge materialized in his vision.
System Notification:
Quest Progress: "Master the Contest" - 25% complete
Skill Activated: Lucky Guidance (Cooldown: 24 hours)
The corners of Felix's lips twitched upward in a faint smile. He had read enough webtoons and stories to recognize the archetypes at play. Mazes weren't about brute strength—they were about reading patterns, predicting traps, and knowing when to let others fail so you could swoop in.
Ironstride entered the maze with confidence, Victoria leading the charge. Felix stayed toward the middle of the group, his demeanor quiet but observant.
"Watch the left," he said softly as they reached a fork in the path.
The team hesitated, unsure whether to heed his advice. Moments later, a low rumble echoed from the left path, followed by the sound of collapsing stone. Felix's crimson eyes gleamed faintly in the dim light of the maze.
"Guess I was right," he murmured.
Victoria glanced back at him, her expression unreadable but tinged with curiosity.
The team pressed forward, encountering traps disguised as safe passages and illusions meant to confuse their senses. Felix's input, though sparing, was uncannily accurate.
"Stop," he said sharply, holding up a hand as the group approached a seemingly empty corridor.
The hunter at the front hesitated, looking back at him with confusion. Felix stepped forward, picking up a loose stone and tossing it down the hallway. The moment the stone touched the ground, the air shimmered, and a series of mana-infused spikes shot upward, slicing through the air with deadly precision.
The team exchanged uneasy glances, their respect for Felix growing with each step they took under his guidance.
+
By the time they reached the artifact at the maze's center, Ironstride was ahead of several rival guilds. Felix hung back as the team claimed the glowing orb, watching as Victoria barked orders to secure their return route.
System Notification:
Reputation Points: +20 (Noticed by rival guilds)
Quest Progress: "Master the Contest" - 50% complete
As they exited the maze victorious, the crowd erupted into cheers. Felix allowed himself a moment to bask in the attention, though his expression remained carefully neutral.
Victoria turned to him as the team regrouped near the starting point. "You were invaluable in there," she said, her voice low but firm.
Felix shrugged lightly, his tone casual. "Just lucky, I guess."
Victoria's lips quirked into a small smile, though her gaze lingered on him in a way that made it clear she didn't believe him.
+
As Ironstride celebrated their win in the first round, Felix felt a prickle at the back of his neck—a familiar sensation that told him he was being watched. He turned his head slightly, his crimson eyes scanning the crowd until they locked onto Amelia Cross.
She stood among the Obsidian Guard, her arms crossed as she observed the arena. Her dark eyes met Felix's, and for a fleeting moment, he felt the weight of her scrutiny. It wasn't the usual admiration or curiosity he was used to—it was something colder, sharper.
Amelia's gaze was calculating, her expression unreadable. Felix inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment, his foxlike smile curving his lips. She didn't return the gesture, instead turning away to speak with another member of her guild.
System Notification:
Observation from Amelia Cross detected. Proceed with caution.
Felix's smile widened, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Interesting," he murmured under his breath.
The game had only just begun, and Felix knew one thing for certain—he had caught the attention of someone who played it just as well as he did.
Presentes
-- Presente
recebido Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder