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The match was supposed to begin at nine in the evening but started an hour later because it was preceded by a show: demonstrative matches, famous rock bands performing a few songs, and fireworks. The Arena's lodges were packed full. Peter watched everything from the stands, then Warped away when everybody was watching the sky, and reappeared in the fighting perimeter, instantly dressed in his armor.
Li was already there, disguised as Melinda's cousin. The Cultivator bowed. Peter bowed back.
"You didn't want to set terms by messages," Li said.
"It's better to speak face to face."
"How many rounds do you want?"
"Three's a lucky number," Peter shrugged. "Time limit?"
"None," Li smiled. "Until one yields or is incapacitated. Each of those wins a round. There are new… arbiters that will ensure recovery before the next round starts."
"Fine… how do we fight? Range, melee, magic, no magic?"
"Why don't we try a little of everything?" Li asked. “The first round should be only melee, no magic safe body enhancements, and no movement skills… I will refrain from riding the thunder, and you from Shadow Stepping.”
“OK,” Peter nodded.
“What do you propose for the second?"
"Everything goes," Peter said.
"And the third? Everything goes as well?" the Cultivator said.
"Yeah... about that... What if we try speaking?”
“Speaking?” Li frowned.
“Mind games… Taunts, jokes, anything. We try to get into the other's head… throw him out of balance… with taunts or secrets… The one who gets surprised loses."
"I like you!" Li roared, making a bolt of lightning jump up toward the sky. "Why don't we make a bet? If I win, you come to work for me."
"If you agree to do the same if I win," Peter said.
Another roar of laughter and a roll of thunder replied.
"So be it. Be aware that due to the previous... malfunction, there are no more wards around the arena, except a forcefield to protect the public. But I give you my word I'll refrain from any lethal attack."
"I can't guarantee the same," Peter said. "I'm new at this… and some of the stuff I use is… experimental."
"Don't worry," Li smirked. "Give it your best shot. If I die to a wild magic user, I'm not worthy to be a cultivator."
"As you wish," Peter said, flourishing his cleaver.
"In the Final of the Championship, Master Li Chu, eighth rank, will compete against Impulse the Bounty Hunter. Attention… Three… Two… One… Begin!" a qi-voice yelled. Peter could swear the speaker was Melinda.
Li was on him faster than a blink, unsheathing his sword on the way. Peter warped in place, not moving a muscle. The two collided, both being thrown back.
The Cultivator grinned. "Shadow Stepping in place… movement skill that doesn't move... it bends the rules, but I'll grant it… The thing you don't know is I'm immune to that kind of attack. As I am to the Fist of Death."
The Cultivator attacked again, and Peter Warped anew, this time keeping his arm and blade forward to enter Li's body. It didn't work. The collision happened again, but Li continued with a kick that sent Peter flying, ricocheting on the sand until it hit the arena's wall and sliding down from it like a fly on a windshield. Peter’s health was now at half, and only his True Aura saved him from more damage.
How the hell does he hit so much harder than I do? I’m capped in Strength after all.
Peter growled, running back, feeling his Health going up courtesy of Regina. Li met him at half the distance. The Cultivator was the superior fighter, which was to be expected. Only with Warping in place, there was no way Peter would win. The speed of the fight was tremendous, and Li was toying with Peter, delivering shallow cuts on his arms and legs.
To counter it, Peter summoned an armor of stone, an inch thick, making it from the dales below the sand in the Arena. Li didn't object. The new tactic worked better, and while Peter was slowed a bit, he headbutted the Cultivator a couple of times or poked him with spikes that emerged from the armor. There was no wound made, though. Instinctively, and forgetting logic, Peter also invoked a layer of electricity on his fists.
It was a mistake. Li thrust his open palm, hitting Peter in the chest, and the latter was again projected into the Arena's wall, like a smaller magnet repulsed by a bigger one.
"I yield!" Peter yelled, rising from the ground, in one piece but shaken. The attack had taken ninety percent of his health.
"The first round goes to Master Li Chu," the voice announced.
A Healer approached, ready to work their magic, but Peter rejected the offer and swallowed an HP pill. Somewhere in the stalls, Regina used another one on the doll. Peter went back to full health in under a minute.
"Impressive pill," Li said.
"You want a Mana one?" Peter offered. "You're a bit low."
"You noticed?" the Cultivator widened his eyes. After a small pause, he took the pill and ate it. It was a sign of respect, Peter realized, as Li's Mana was only fifteen percent lower than before the bout. "You're a master Alchemist too, Impulse?"
"I dabble in Alchemy, but got a friend's help with those."
"A valuable friend… maybe you'll introduce us… Should we go on? I promise that if I win, we will still go on to the third round… It will be fun."
"I need to use the toilets," Peter said. "Let's meet back in five."
"Cultivators have the benefit of greater body control," Li said. If it was sarcasm or not, Peter didn't know, as he rushed to the locker rooms. His doppelganger appeared from thin air a second later.
"I tried to cut the chain… didn't work," Peter Two said. "But he didn't notice either. Keep him talking."
"Yeah… Round three is our best chance. We stick with the plan."
They both nodded at each other and Peter returned to the arena. Li was in the farthest corner and the youngster mirrored the Cultivator position.
"Three… Two… One… Begin!"
Li rose, floating ten feet in the air, approaching the middle of the arena slowly. Then, he unleashed thunder after thunder, lightning after lightning, the light so bright it blinded the public, there were cries of protest. When the smoke and floating sand dissipated, Peter was nowhere. A second later, with just a woosh, a projectile connected with Li's chest. This time it was his turn to be thrown in the Arena's wall. Spikes of stone erupted from it, trying to impale the Cultivator.
However, Li didn't even blink, he continued to shoot his bolts around, randomly, then unleashed a torrent of electricity strands everywhere, yet missing Peter. A flurry of projectiles started to hit the Cultivator, high penetration alternating with silver bullets. Li remained unharmed.
“Come out, let’s fight like—”
An invisible Peter warped and grabbed the Cultivator, warping again to smash the older man against the Arena’s wall, then on the ground, trying to put Li in a chokehold. Li surrounded himself with a plasma field so intense that the heat covered half of the fighting space.
"I yield!" Peter shouted, getting visible again.
"The second round and the title of Champion goes to Master Li Chu," Melinda's voice stated.
The dragon's blood…
"Do you need a break before round three?" Li smiled. “You fought well.”
“Yet you are stronger,” Peter nodded.
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“I am. I also studied your fights and prepared counters.”
"Then all that remains is to see if your wits are as strong as your magic," Peter said.
Li gestured with his hand, making a table and two stools appear in between them. They took each a stool, and Melinda counted down: “Three... Two... One... Begin!”
"This round has only one ending. My victory," Li said. Peter shook his head. "Very well… Let's see what you say when you learn my true identity… For I am not Li Chi," Li paused, looking very happy with himself.
"Then… who are you?" Peter played the game.
"You didn't realize it yet? The human mind is so easily distracted… The truth is just in front of your eyes if only you want to see. Like for Zorro, Superman, Batman, or—"
"The Stig," Peter said, raising his visor.
"You're that kid!" Li gasped, widening his eyes. "Melinda's student!"
"No, he's not." As the words were spoken, a second Peter appeared behind the Cultivator, his arm in Li's chest, up to the elbow. Leaning toward Li's ear, he whispered: "Welcome to the System!"
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Li's core was in his hand. The trick had worked. Peter Two replaced him when the second round ended, distracting the Cultivator. The weak spot in the invulnerable skin was exactly where the legends said it would be… on the back, above the heart. It took a lot of attacks and feints to map it exactly.
The core was much smaller than Peter had expected, but also more powerful. Condensed. Nevertheless, in under two seconds, despite Li still convulsing, Regina's doll, sewn on the palm of Peter’s glove, took control. The ring at Li’s neck started to shine and float upward in the air. The next second, they were in a simple round room, with a console in the middle.
Pushing Li in front of him like a puppet, Peter willed the Cultivator to access the console and give him the controls. Li struggled, trying to fight back, but finally, he put both his hands on the desk. His resilience was amazing. A lung was all but destroyed, the heart compressed under Peter’s arm, the blood flow barely present, and yet, one couldn’t tell the Grandmaster was grievously wounded. The messages started to flow:
Control Granted.
Initiating System installement. Please wait…
System initialization succeeded. Dead code cleansed from the Tower's Mana.
Implementing preset sequence of commands.
Floors nine, eight, and seven's contents are scheduled for ejection. Momentarily quarantined. Restraining Cultivator powers field in place. The designated individuals (see list) are to surrender themselves to the Tower authorities or be subjects of Bounties.
Floor six (Commerce, Administration, and Finance) is retained as compensation. Restraining Cultivator powers field in place. Citizens have the right to choose to join floors 7-9 or to stay. Powers will be eventually restored (pending evaluation). The designated individuals (see list) are to surrender themselves to the Tower authorities or be subjects of Bounties.
Floor five has been evacuated. Dungeon Mana is re-initialized and relocated to Floor Five. Dungeon Mana rejuvenation is in progress. Time of completion: 2 hours.
Floor four: Referendum. 320 of 350 able-minded sentients vote to remain within the Tower and receive the System. Cultivators evacuated. The planet will be subject to a restoration program, pending.
Floor Three: Referendum. System: rejected. Tower: accepted. 60.472 individuals applied to become Bounty hunters. 56.591 applications accepted. Bounties were posted on billboards, and portals opened to floors 6-9.
Floor Two: Referendum. Tower: accepted. System: accepted. Conditions imposed by the System: deconstruction of the current Sixth Reich, tribunals for crimes against humanity, change of the political system, referendums for independence in specific areas. Momentarily quarantined. The designated individuals (see list) are to surrender themselves to the Tower authorities or be subjects of Bounties. Bounties were placed on billboards on floors Three, Two, and One. Portals to Floor Two have been opened. Nuclear weapons have been disabled. Current biological weapons are deemed ineffective if applied in a Mana environment.
Floor One: Referendum. System: accepted. Tower: undecided, vote under the 60% majority needed. Second Referendum, an option offered: open floor, the same location as the one previous to the Awakening, but the floor can be closed for emergencies, providing protection against threats. Accepted. The designated individuals (see list) are to surrender themselves to the Tower authorities or be subjects of Bounties. Bounties were placed on billboards on floors Three, Two, and One. Portals to Floor One have been opened. Nuclear weapons have been disabled. Current biological weapons are deemed ineffective if applied in a Mana environment.
Opening FTL quantum communication with Main System… Pending… Communication established. Evaluation of Earth Seed System in progress… Evaluation is positive, score 90/100. Holding truths and manipulation within acceptable limits (80%). Taking control of sentients against their will: 1 hostile sentient of a total population of 20.596.346.620 sentients: accepted.
The continued existence of the Earth Seed System was granted. Status: Investment Franchise. Earth’s System has been granted the right to use the appellation Earth’s The System. 10/11 decisions endorsed. Earth Seed System request for Tower Control rejected. A Tower Control Board made from the heroes who saved billions of lives from tyranny was chosen instead. Additional members were added to keep a balance and prevent the heroes from becoming tyrants themselves. Members: Earth’s The System, Peter Hillden, Peter Hillden Two, Jack Browser, Jack Browser Two, Marius Gallant, Regina Gallant, Ariana Petri, Naomi Lewis, Melinda Li, Tsk, Redroar Bladesong, cubs 1-5, Kostel Dragu—
"Nooooo," Peter wailed.
Objection rejected. Ileana Dragu, Dragu kids 1-3, Shredder. The threshold for a decisive vote: is two-thirds of the members. Everyone in the Council has an equal vote.
Woof? Peter thought.
Members of the Control Board have been granted packages with:
Class selection. Class evolutions, Species evolution, Rezz Beads, Cosmetics.
Emergency help packages were sent to the recovered Tower (to be named by the Control Board). Teleportation to Main System Worlds will be available on the Tower as soon as the packages arrive.
Residents of the Tower have been granted access to: opening accounts in the Main System banks, access to the Main System Store, FAQ, and Help.
Peter Hillden, you have been granted an XP boost to level 100. Choose a Species or Class evolution to have access to higher levels.
"Later."
He Warped his hand off Li's body, leaving the core in place. The Cultivator collapsed, resting his back on the console, and taking his head into his hands, sobbing.
"Hey! Look at me," Peter said, squatting to look the man in the eyes. "The match is still on… Do you yield the third round?"
"Kill me," Li snapped. "I won't yield… You cheated."
"I did not. You accepted two cursed gifts willingly. A unbound ring of power, and a blood bath surrounded by falling maple leaves. One stuck to your back... That’s how legend works... There’s no ‘Money for nothing and chicks for free’ A heel, a spot on the back, the price for greed is always flawed. Enough... Look at this," Peter grabbed Li by the hair, forcing him to look at his phone's screen. "These were people murdered by your bloodhound, the one I killed. Are children dangerous resistance to you?"
"I… didn't know…" Li muttered.
"You should have… Let's end the game… I'll tell you why your ascension bid was rejected."
"You know?" Li widened his eyes.
"I have a good guess… Because you are an idiot. A higher plane to which murderers ascend by violence makes no sense. I bet if you tried it now, you wouldn't be rejected, you'd be killed outright. Hey! Don't cry on me!" Peter slapped the man. "Do you yield? Did I break your spirit enough?"
The Cultivator didn't answer. Raising up, Peter took out his gun, resting the barrel on Li's forehead. "Can you take his powers?"
“It’s not good enough... I want his Cultivator powers erased definitively? Is it pos—”
"Hey, listen to me,” Peter knocked the barrel of the gun on Li’s forehead. “Choice. Live, but you lose your powers and accept the System. Die," Peter said, touching the trigger with his index.
Li sighed and raised his gaze. "…I'd like to see Melinda grow… and her kids…"
"Then select yes when you see the notification."
"You tell anyone who you really are, but for Melinda, and I…" Peter knocked his gun on Li's head a couple of times. "Beam him up.>
As soon as the command was given, Li dissolved into specks of light.
Peter sighed, slowly nodding.
"Just an impulse… As for the rest... I won't cry over some Gestapo, or Cultivator murderers," Peter shrugged.
Peter grimaced. "It will have to wait. What if Regina doesn't like pointy ears?" "Later… Where is everybody?" "You bet." "Yeah… I'd like it too…> "I'll keep it in mind." In a blink, Peter found himself in the living room of Regina's apartment. It was packed beyond belief. Regina had opened both doors to the bedrooms, and some had taken refuge or seats there, but it was still overcrowded. Redroar’s cubs were riding Shredder or jumping on the beds, talking about writing a law to make catnip legal at ten. There were many other conversations around, the relief of victory drunkening everyone’s minds. To escape the chaos, Peter took Regina by the hand and they exited the dorm. It was nice outside, and the stars shone brighter than usual, no longer an illusion. There weren't words that they hadn't yet said to each other, so they just kissed. "What do you think?" a voice asked. In front of them was a blond and bronzed man, built like an antique athlete's statue, hand in hand with a shapely elven woman, with hair jumping in all directions, very disco eighties, and long and pointy ears. Despite the changes, the facial features of the couple were still there: Kostel and his better half. "Err… neat… very neat, guys…" Peter stuttered. "Please, let’s speak together before taking any evolution," Regina whispered. "I absolutely agree," Peter nodded frantically. "Hey guys," the two Jacks yelled. They were carrying a twenty-four-slot beer crate. The Jack Two must've chosen a species or class evolution because he was almost as tall as his double. "Young Master Jack," Kostel gloated, a police baton sparkling with electricity appearing in his hands out of nowhere. "Are you aware the drinking age is twenty-one again?" "Err… C'mon, man! Cut us some slack, for ol’ good times..." "I'm from a different planet," Jack Two said. "No exceptions!" "Hey, man, is that your kid, smoking behind the dorm?" Peter said. "Stay where you are," Kostel blurted and ran away, followed by his wife. The two Jacks ran too, in the opposite direction, the beer crate dangling between them. Peter and Regina smiled at each other, kissed, then grabbed their hands again, getting back in the house to be with their friends.