Silence permeated the arena as the champions observed the closed entrance, its once-opened expanse now tightly sealed. Some eyes shifted towards the new participant, a fishman creature, though lacking the imposing aura of the asura, it commanded respect from all who beheld it.
An emerald glow enveloped the orbs the moment the door shut, and the announcer's voices reverberated through the arena. “Once more, I extend my gratitude for your patience. The ranking stage shall now begin.”
Stage selection! Option 1: A full-scale brawl among the champions, where ranks will be determined by the quality of opponents defeated. Option 2: In a handicapped battle, a few randomly selected champions will face the vast majority. A victory for the minority will substantially boost their ranks, while defeat will result in a decrease of only 2 ranks. Conversely, the majority's ranks will increase by only 1 upon victory, but plummet by 20 in case of defeat. Those with a deficit will be relegated to the first floor to compensate for their points deficiency. Option 3: A team battle will pit all champions in the arena against those from another ranking stage. Victory will result in a +5 increase in individual ranks, while defeat will incur a -15 decrease in ranks. Option 4: Through a vote, ten champions will be selected to engage in an all-out battle. Those not chosen will maintain their current ranks and proceed to the next ranking game. However, the selected champions will receive a minimum rank increase of +10, depending on their final standing.
Each champion scrutinized the list of options, their faces a canvas of varied expressions. Amidst the ensuing silence, the announcer's voice reverberated once more, “Please select the option you wish to partake in. The option with the most votes will be designated for the collective. You have one minute.”
Scott's gaze lingered on the hovering screen momentarily before lifting towards the asura who seemed indifferent to the notification. I don't even know if this guy or any of these freaks are stronger than me because Hastur's gaze isn't responding, Scott pondered.
While the two locked gazes, the other champions silently deliberated their choices. With barely thirty seconds remaining, several champions swiftly clicked on the option they deemed most favorable.
Meanwhile, Scott averted his gaze, returning it to the floating blue screen. I'm not sure if there's a penalty for failing to choose an option. It's best not to take any unnecessary risks, he thought.
Scott hesitated before finally moving toward an option, choosing at random. To him, it made no difference which option he picked; after all, the final decision would be influenced by the forty-nine other champions.
As Scott's darkened fingers descended towards the floating system panel, one of the asura's arms shot out, intercepting his hand, and forcefully pushing it away.
Scott's frown deepened as he shifted his attention to the malevolent creature. What the fuck is his problem? Is he trying to make me fail or something? Scott thought, but the asura showed no inclination to select an option either, which only compounded his confusion.
Scott furrowed his brows even further as he discreetly observed the other champions. Most of them appeared anxious, eagerly awaiting the outcome of the vote, while a select few lounged around nonchalantly, seemingly unconcerned with the impending decision.
His gaze shifted towards the fishman, who also lounged with arms crossed over his chest. Sensing Scott's scrutiny, the fishman turned to glance at the masked man. Their eyes met briefly, and the fishman nodded towards the eldritch knight. Though puzzled, Scott returned the nod, and both champions simultaneously broke eye contact.
Only ten seconds left. Am I making the right decision? Scott silently pondered. He shifted his attention back to the asura, his frown deepening. All three heads wore devilish smiles, and their breathing had quickened.
I don't know what's going on, but whatever… Scott took a deep breath, bracing himself for the vote's outcome.
Moments later, chimes reverberated from the emerald orbs, and the announcer's voice boomed, “Time's up! I'll now reveal the results of the vote!”
Stage Selection! Option 1 – 10 votes. Option 2 – 3 votes. Option 3 – 8 votes. Option 4 – 20 votes. Abstainers – 9.
“Huh? It’s possible not to vote?” a champion muttered; confusion evident as they glanced from side to side.
“What the hell is happening? Why didn't they vote?” Another champion complained, eyes fixed on the floating orbs.
“Yeah, we need answers. What's going to happen to those who didn't vote?” another champion inquired.
One by one, several champions voiced their frustration. The inability to identify the nine abstainers only fueled their discontent.
“Option 4 garnered the most votes; therefore, all voters will proceed to participate in the next round of voting,” the announcer declared.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
A flurry of complaints met the announcement. Amidst the barrage of questions, the orbs emitted pulsating hums, gradually increasing in intensity. At its peak, several crimson beams descended from the orbs, enveloping the unsuspecting champions. In an instant, forty-one of the fifty champions vanished, leaving Scott and the other abstainers alone in the arena.
Nex suddenly declared, “Abstaining from voting is tantamount to a tacit participation in the mandatory challenge.”
Scott's eyebrows shot up as he gazed at the floating orbs, which gradually coalesced into one massive sphere. Glancing at the asura out of the corner of his eye, he understood why the creature had smacked his arm away earlier.
“The opponent is being prepared. Utilize the remaining time to prepare yourselves,” the announcer declared, replacing the examiner.
Mandatory Challenge! Champions will receive substantial rank boosts proportional to their contributions during the challenge. Conversely, those who contribute minimally or not at all will face significant penalties once the challenge concludes.
Scott and the other champions gathered around the enormous orb, reading through the massive system message displayed beneath it. In a silent procession, they each assessed one another, maintaining a considerable distance.
Unlike most of his counterparts, Scott and the asura stood close together. The imposing champion turned toward the masked knight, his voice resonating in Scott's mind. “Harbinger of Madness, will you fight with me?”
Scott frowned behind his mask, his thoughts racing. Does he know something about our opponent? he wondered, refusing to respond to the massive creature's query.
A sudden clap shattered the tense silence, drawing everyone's attention to a lanky figure in a full bodysuit, except for their fingers, holding a silver three-pronged trident.
“Greetings. I'm Sahure. Let's join forces to vanquish the enemy,” he declared, his speech choppy.
Most champions averted their gazes, offering no response, and Sahure didn't press further.
Meanwhile, Scott, still fixated on the asura, took a step closer to the hulking creature. “Why should I fight alongside you?” he whispered.
“Because I am strong,” the asura asserted through their mental connection.
“That's not reason enough for me,” Scott countered softly. “If you can provide insight into our potential opponent, then I'll consider it.”
The asura's three heads tilted in unison, contemplating the proposition. Moments later, they replied, “A titan.”
Scott's masked expression betrayed his surprise. Before he could delve further, a deafening explosion, reminiscent of shattering glass, reverberated through the area. All eyes turned to the massive orb, now under assault. Unlike before, a colossal, blackened fist punched through its sturdy exterior, causing it to tremble incessantly, as if on the brink of collapse.
“An opponent has been chosen! There's no set time for the challenge. Give it your all!” the announcer declared, breaking the tension with finality.
A piercing scream ripped through the air as the announcement rang out, and the orb disintegrated into a cascade of glass shards. Yet, amidst the chaos, the focus of most champions remained fixed on the towering, sinewy creature. Its massive, blackened arms extended from a snow-white torso, while a bony exterior adorned its head, neck, and spine with menacing spikes. With crimson eyes glowing with an otherworldly aura, and thick, blackened embers streaming from its nostrils, the creature took a deliberate step forward, causing fissures to form in the sandy arena.
One by one, champions summoned an arsenal of weapons from their inventories, while others underwent dramatic physical transformations, saturating the arena with a palpable sense of dread.
Scott locked eyes with the titan, his tendrils quivering with anticipation. The base of his war hammer extended from his mask, the yellow sigil pulsating within his gaze. Unbeknownst to the eldritch knight, a faint golden glow imbued a portion of his mask, and an animated orb danced within the swirling darkness. Subconsciously, Scott reached for his weapon, pulling the war hammer from the depths of the swirling shadows.
Simultaneously, blackened orbs materialized in each of the asura’s hands. With a tight grip, the malevolent creature shattered the orbs, unleashing six silkworms, each representing an elemental force. As each silkworm transformed into a halberd, the air crackled with the energy of the elements, each weapon pulsating with its own distinct hue.
“Harbinger of Madness, will you fight with me?” the leftmost head demanded, its voice raspy and intimidating as its twisted face.
Scott's gaze darted to the monstrous creature for a moment, the yellow sign flickering in his eyes. The asura leaped several meters away from the eldritch knight, chanting inaudible sutras. As the titan's shadow engulfed the champions, its soulless eyes scanned the group, lingering on no one in particular. With a swift motion, it tore off one of the numerous spikes coating its spine.
A thunderous roar echoed, and the titan unleashed a lightning-fast strike, wielding the broken spike as a club. In response, most of the champions scattered in different directions, while a few stood their ground. The titan's spike found its mark on those who hesitated. The fishman raised his head towards the incoming spike, loosening the latch around his bowl. In an instant, water propelled him several feet into the air, saturating the earth below. The loose soil greedily absorbed the cold water, but its infiltration rate couldn’t keep up with the deluge. In a flash, the sandy arena transformed into a muddy enclosure, yet the water showed no signs of abating.
The fishman removed the entire bowl, and a deafening explosion reverberated throughout the arena. In a spectacular display of transformation, the fishman morphed into a colossal octopus with armored tentacles, its eyes ablaze with fiery intensity. As the octopus crashed into the rising waters, it created a monumental splash that rippled in all directions. Simultaneously, a whirlpool materialized several meters away from the titan, and from its center emerged a massive trident.
Scott, intermittently flickering in and out of tangibility as he levitated through the void, fixed his gaze on Sahure, who stood at the heart of the swirling whirlpool. Despite the tumultuous waters, Sahure's body suit repelled the water effortlessly, while the trident unleashed constant, formidable shockwaves.
Turning his attention to the titan, Sahure manipulated the three-pronged trident with deft precision, sending shockwaves hurtling towards the colossal creature's sturdy torso. Despite the resounding clinks of impact, the titan remained unmoved, seemingly unimpressed by the assault. Nonchalantly, it reached for another spike, tearing it off without hesitation. With a forceful motion, it plunged the spike deep into the rising waters, unleashing massive shockwaves. The creature let out another deafening cry, its warlike roar echoing through the arena. In a sudden turn of events, numerous rifts materialized behind the titan, unleashing a horde of miniature creatures akin to the titan itself. Fixing its soulless gaze on its newfound adversaries, the titan raised its spike once more.
Scott nonchalantly slung the war hammer over his shoulder, his citrine eyes locked onto the titan, which stared back directly at him. “Bring it on, you ugly motherfucker,” he taunted with unyielding resolve.