Jin Seyoung stared at the massive leaderboard hovering above the fourth trial waiting area, his jaw tight. Where Eren's name had dominated with a 500-point lead, it had simply vanished. The rankings glowed mockingly:
[LEADERBOARD UPDATE - TUTORIAL TRIALS]
1. Kaid Blackthorne - 3,247 points
2. Jin Seyoung - 3,145 points
[NOTICE: Previous data corrupted. Last-minute scoring adjustments processed.]
[ERROR: Entry "Eren Valestrix" - 4,000 points - Data temporarily unavailable]
[System Message: Rankings adjusted accordingly]
"This is wrong," Aria said beside him, her Arcane Master staff humming with barely contained energy. "Eren had 4,000 points after the class selection trial. How does the highest scorer just disappear?"
Jin's fingers clenched as he watched Kaid holding court across the waiting area. Just yesterday, the man had approached him with that practiced smile, all courtesy and calculated charm. The Advanced Berserker class had changed him - his frame now rippled with barely contained power, raw strength evident in every movement.
"An alliance would benefit us both," Kaid had said, extending his hand. "Two top rankers, working together? We could dominate the castle siege trial."
Jin had accepted then, seeing no harm in cooperation. That was before he'd seen how Kaid treated his "allies" - the casual cruelty, the way he used people like disposable tools. And the way his eyes followed Aria during strategy meetings, like she was just another prize to be claimed...
Jin had ended the alliance that same evening, though the memory of Kaid's demonstration during training - three challengers thrown aside like ragdolls - made him careful about direct confrontation.
"Your loss," Kaid had sneered, mask finally slipping. "But then, you've always lacked ambition, haven't you? Content to follow in second place."
Now Kaid's voice carried across the waiting area: "My team will naturally take the lead in the fortress siege. With our... former highest ranker conveniently absent, victory is assured." His followers laughed on cue, while his gaze settled deliberately on Aria. "Though my offer still stands for any talented individuals who wish to join the winning side."
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Jin stepped forward, deliberately placing himself between Kaid's gaze and Aria. "Funny how you only became first place after the previous one vanished. Worried about facing him in a fair fight?"
The temperature in the waiting area seemed to drop.
"Careful, Seyoung," Kaid's smile turned sharp, a flicker of his Berserker's rage showing through. "You wouldn't want to lose that second place position too. The fourth trial can be... unpredictable."
[FOURTH TRIAL STATUS UPDATE]
Time Remaining: 4 hours, 48 minutes
Team Registration: Required (3-6 members per team)
Current Teams Registered: 47
Maximum Teams Allowed: 50
Special Trial Rules:
- Each team assigned one fortress
- Victory by fortress capture or team elimination
- Multiple teams may ally temporarily
- Final team standing claims victory
- Special tower privileges awarded to winners
"We need to decide," Aria said quietly, her hand brushing Jin's arm. "If Eren doesn't show up..."
"He'll show up," Jin said firmly, though his eyes remained fixed on the leaderboard. Something about this whole situation felt wrong. Eren's disappearance, the way his points had simply vanished...
A chime rang through the area as Kaid's team registered:
[TEAM REGISTRATION ALERT]
Team "Blackthorne's Vanguard" Registered
Leader: Kaid Blackthorne
Status: Full Team (6 Members)
Battle Rating: Exceptional
Teams Remaining: 2
"Time to choose," Aria said, her voice carrying a hint of concern. "Do we wait for Eren?"
Before Jin could answer, the leaderboard flickered, displaying a different set of numbers before snapping back:
[SYSTEM NOTICE: Late Entry Processing...]
[Data Corruption Resolved]
1. [EREN] - 4,000 points - Status: [ERROR-CLASS DATA REDACTED]
2. Kaid Blackthorne - 3,247 points
3. Jin Seyoung - 3,145 points
"Did you—" Aria started.
"Yeah," Jin smiled, finally understanding. "Let's register. Just the two of us."
"But the trial requires—"
"Trust me," Jin's smile widened as he watched another data glitch ripple across the board. "Something tells me our team will be complete when it needs to be."
[TEAM REGISTRATION ALERT]
Team "Twin Paths" Registered
Leader: Jin Seyoung
Status: Partial Team (2 Members)
Warning: Below Recommended Size
Teams Remaining: 1
Somewhere in the tower, Eren closed an ancient text, his unread advanced class notification still glowing on his status screen. His grin widened as finished reading it.
"To think I would get something like this."
[To Be Continued...]