บท 33: Ranking Bout
Crack! An enormous door engraved with skulls of different sizes and shapes slowly cracked open as a three-meter-tall humanoid being walked in. It had an arrowhead-like tail and a large wing on its back that looked like that of a wyvern. A scar on its back indicated it once had two wings. It had four grim-looking eyes at each side of its face, but its mouth was nowhere to be seen. Everything about it screamed Calamity Being.
As it walked in, two calamity beings barred its way with staff to prevent him from moving further. Both calamity beings were similar to the crystal-looking calamity being that had assaulted Akrakus, except they had horns on their heads. "Red, you shall not disturb the rest of the Champion. We will alert you when he is awake", one of the calamity beings announced. Red raised its head towards a door at the end of the brightly lit corridor. He raised his hand towards the guards as a mouth appeared in his hand and spoke to them, "I must meet the Champion as it is a matter of great importance. Would you let me pass, or would you answer to his fury when he finds out you stopped me from coming to see him?" he said threateningly.
Both guards were unmoved by his threats and remained in position. That was not the first time Red had said those words to them. Previously they had budged, fearing the wrath of the Champion, but after receiving explicit orders from the Champion not to allow anyone in this time around, they were not going to allow Red to push them around.
"You might be a messenger of the champion, but you cannot come here and go as you please", one said.
"Certainly, I can", Red insisted, preparing to push his way through if they did not allow him to pass. "Red, we are warning you. The Champion is asleep; go and come back later. If you keep insisting, we will have no choice but to throw you out".
Red burst into wild laughter as he sneered at them, "You… throw me out? You guys are getting cockier by the day. Maybe I should straighten that crooked attitude of yours for you." Red sneered and raised his hand, ready to attack.
"Red, do you want to force your way into my chambers?" a voice called from beyond a red door. As the voice resounded, a shiver went down Red's spine as cold sweat formed on his forehead. The two guards and Red dropped to their knees and capped their fists. "I dare not, sire", Red said, his voice shaky.
"Gin, Seema, let him pass", the voice called again. The two guards bowed, "Yes, Sire". They stood and went back to their posts.
Red walked along the corridor towards the five meters tall red door covered in engravings of various beasts, calamity beings and what looked like territories. As he approached, a voice filled the corridor, "What is it Red?".
Red dropped to his knees once more and capped his fist "Sire, a new entrance to the Terasphere has been found, but it is unstable. According to our investigations, it can at most accommodate only two high-ranking Quints before it collapses". The voice went quiet for some time before it ordered, "Send the strongest and most talented high-ranking Quints to find and kill their chosen. Even if they have to join the forthcoming ranking competition to do that."
"I shall carry out your order, sire" Red bowed and was about to leave when the voice sounded again, but this time, only he could hear it, "Red, let this be the last time you try forcing your way in here. I don't think I need to remind you of the fact that you have only one wing left".
"Certainly not, sire", Red bowed and retreated but not before sending a murderous gaze the way of the guards.
Somewhere in a territory in Terasphere, a blue-haired man wearing a dark blue turtleneck with black trousers and shoes stood over the corpse of an enormous beast. He had a pitch-black face mask and held a bloodied, long scythe. His clothes were torn and bloodied. He was gravely wounded. As he wiped the sweat from his brow, the space distorted around him, and a small orb with tiny wings appeared before him. He grabbed it, and a message appeared in front of him.
<Message>
<Hello citizen, it is that time of the year when rankers are eager to test their strength. It is time for the ranking bout. We invite you to join this year's bout to test the limits of your capabilities while earning fame and rewards in the process. Do you accept the invitation to join this bout?>
<Yes> <No>
He tapped yes, and a blue light shot from the orb into the air.
<Congratulations on joining the bout. Please be informed the prelims to the bout will begin in two months, after which the bout will follow. Please register a name to continue>
A keyboard appeared, and he typed a name into it.
<Welcome to the Ranking Bout; 'Shadow Knight'>
"Ouch!" he felt a sting as the orb pierced his hands and flew away. He looked at the back of his hands and realised it had a small grey dot which disappeared after a few seconds. "This must be the locator used to locate people so they are easily transferred to battlegrounds", he murmured. "Lin, I can't wait to see you again", he said and walked off.
Across the various territories, many had such experiences. Some accepted some declined, and some had yet to decide. Above the palaces of every territory, a giant screen displayed the names of all who registered for the ranking bout. At the top of the list in the territory of Gamel was a name popular amongst the residents of Gamel. When the name Frost Monarch is mentioned, only one person comes to mind. The princess of the Azeria family Euphrasia Lorlei Azeria.
The princess sat in the palace deep in thought, anticipating the upcoming ranking bout. "He did not show up after the recruitment notice. Surely, he won't miss this, right?"
Meanwhile, the same could not be said, about those in the Aquasphere. From all indications, no ranking bout will happen over there anytime soon. Lin was locked up in a room by himself where he took time to gather his thoughts when space warped, and an orb with little wings appeared before him. Without even touching it, it opened and displayed a message for him.
<Message>
<Hello citizen, it is that time of the year when rankers are eager to test their strength. It is time for the ranking bout. We invite you to join this year's bout to test the limits of your capabilities while earning fame and rewards in the process. Do you accept the invitation to join this bout?>
<Yes> <No>
Lin's eyes opened wide in shock. He had not expected an invitation to the ranking bout as he was not in Terasphere. "How'd the invitation find me anyway?" he wondered. He shrugged and pressed yes. A blue light shot out of the orb and disappeared without a trace.
<Congratulations on joining the bout. Please be informed the prelims to the bout will begin in two months, after which the bout will follow. Please register a name to continue>
A keyboard appeared in front of him. "Name? What name do I use?" he said as he thought briefly. He laughed after a while, seemingly, having recalled a memory, and quickly typed his name in.
<Welcome to the Ranking Bout, 'Lightning Inferno Sovereign'>
Just like all others, he was pierced by the orb before it disappeared. Looking at the back of his hand, he saw a unique red dot at the back of his hand which faded after a few seconds. "What the hell was that?" he hissed. He sighed and looked towards the door. "Now that I have a plan to leave this place, all I need is someone to get me out of this room.
As if obeying his wish, the door to his room suddenly cracked open as two men walked in with Captain Xu behind them. Seeing how they entered, Lin knew they were not there to talk. "What is this?" he demanded as he stared at the two men approaching him. Captain Xu shook his head in a bid for him not to resist. Though Lin did not trust them, he knew there was no way to escape if he acted rashly. He remained quiet as the two men grabbed him and dragged him out of the room.
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