[ECHO]: {Name: "Zero #119", Species: Abyssal Paradox (Human), Energy: 1 GR, Strength: 11, Vitality: 21, Nanites: 3.09274e+13, Mana: 410. Spirit: 996, Soul: 96}
As my soul has gotten weaker and has my proficiency with magic has improved.
I am able to inscribe the runes quicker.
It only takes me 100 years for 60 runes.
Instead of 170+.
I keep my head down and take care of the plants for a long time.
I need 310 more runes.
That'll take me about 500 years
Let's get to it.
I make sure to collect my contribution points every year.
After 500 years I have 25k points.
I feel like I'm absolutely balling.
[ECHO]: {Name: "Zero #119", Species: Abyssal Paradox (Human), Energy: 1 GR, Strength: 11, Vitality: 21, Nanites: 3.27274e+13, Mana: 719. Spirit: 987, Soul: 80}
I just need one more rune.
I'm so close to inscribing it!
People have begun to become quite suspicious of me.
A rank 1 wizard generally has a lifespan of around 160 years.
Even a rank 2 only lives for about 320 years.
Yet... when people do a background check on me.
It shows that I entered the realm about 520 years ago!
People think that potentially the database was modified.
Or that I was using a fake identity.
But others confirmed that I was truly there for as long as they could remember.
"He's always been in the outer-sect. Even my father remembers him being there for as long as he can remember."
Some people even suspected that he was secretly a rank 3 guardian of the sect.
That was pretending to be a disciple in the outer sect as a cover.
Many rumors went around.
Gurner's grandson knocked on my door.
"What is it this time?"
I'm right on the cusp of rank 2.
I don't wish to be distracted!
"It's the tournament!"
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"Ok. What does that have to do with me?"
"Your fight is up next. The patriarch tasked me with alerting you!"
"I never said I would participate in a tournament though..."
"It is mandatory for you, he said."
I suppose he has looked into my background.
He wishes to see my fighting power?
Very well.
I'll show you just how weak I am!
In order to not have to climb the ranks of the tournament.
I plan on losing on purpose.
I follow Meep and am brought to an arena.
"Don't you need a weapon?"
"Nah... actually, sure!"
I grab a sword.
I have not trained in using a sword.
Since that is useless in the future.
"Toto Versus Zero. Fight!"
Toto lunges at me.
My perception of time slows down.
I use my nanites to tear my lungs.
This should make my loss even easier to spot!
My perception of time returns to normal.
The blade hits me.
Shit! I forgot to turn off the infinity around me.
There is a slight delay.
But I go flying back and land on the ground.
I do a flip and land on my feet.
"I can still fight!"
Nanites!
I start to cough up blood.
I rush towards the guy and swing my sword at him.
He knocks the sword out of my hand and slashes my chest.
I allow it to go through my nanite membrane and I get cut on the chest.
I command my nanites to not heal myself.
But my body reverts back in time for some reason.
The cut across my chest disappears.
Even my clothes heal.
"Shit."
I wasn't expecting that.
This must be what Gaia meant when he said I would slowly take on characteristics of the abyss.
People begin to cheer for me.
"HE'S IMMORTAL!"
"THE IMMORTAL ZERO!"
Shit.
I resume the infinity around me.
Nanites go!
I cough up more blood and collapse to the ground.
"I sur-"
"I forfeit!"
Right before I can surrender, Toto forfeits the match.
He bows to me and says:
"I never suspected to have run into someone with an immortal physique. It was truly an honor to battle with you. But we both know I'll never be able win, unless I perform a lethal blow. I'm looking forward to your matches in the future."
I planned on losing...
But somehow still won.
Is this my plot armor working against me?
How troublesome.
They have medics check me out, but find I am completely fine.
Well... this plan fell through.
The Patriarch himself congratulates me on awakening an immortal physique.
He tells me he expects me to win the tournament.
I plan to lose the next match.
But I ask out of curiosity what the winner of the tournament gets.
"1st place gets 50,000 contribution points and is able to pick up an artifact from our vault. "
"50,000 contribution points!?"
"I'm surprised you think that is a lot... you have 25k yourself. All from handling plants... mr. 500 years."
I cough.
"I suppose there's no hiding it. I do look forward to the free points and artifact."
"Oh? You're so sure you'll win. It looked like you were about to surrender there."
"That's because I haven't gotten serious yet. Trust me. I will win this tournament!"
"What a change in attitude..."
The way this tournament works...
You keep going until you lose or win the tournament.
Others have their own matches as well.
But once the people thin out.
You go against the true power houses.
"Grinder versus Zero. FIGHT!"
I rush towards Grinder with my sword. but he controls the metal on it and almost makes me fly off the stage.
I let go right before I get eliminated.
"A metal mage huh?"
Iron bars appear around me.
He holds out the palm in his hand.
I slow down my perception of time.
I quickly pull out my pocket watch and twist it three times.
I walk around the bars and move behind him.
I then twist again and time resumes.
The bars crush together into a ball.
I would have been trapped.
I hit him on the back of the neck.
But a metal membrane blocks my attack.
A sword appears out of nowhere from his hand and he slashes at me..
I don't dodge the attack.
I give him a friendly hug.
Spikes shoot out from his body but are unable to pierce me.
I slam him down on the ground and jump up.
But he isn't injured.
"How troublesome."
"You may be immortal. But my defense is too strong. The loss is yours Zero."
"I didn't want to do this. But those 50k points are mine!'
I point my finger at him.
"Memorize".
The intelligence in his eyes fade.
I then punch him in the chest and send him flying out of the arena.
Everyone goes quiet.
"He's a rank 2!"
"I was rooting for him as a fellow rank 1 fighting a rank 2. But it turned out he was rank 2 all along!"
"The winner is Zero!"
The intelligence returns to Grinders eyes.
"What an interesting spell... I accept my loss. Good fight."
"Thanks, good fight."