Chapter 5 - Eager for Events
Takeo knew it wasn’t the time to wallow or dwell on Nav’s departure, yet it stung him more than he cared to admit. The thought of his closest companion venturing off on his own left a void.
Takeo took a deep breath, attempting to shove the feeling aside.
“Focus,” he muttered to himself. “Can’t fall behind at the start now.”
The village buzzed with activity as combatants scrambled to make sense of their next moves. Some were already packed and heading out, while others sat in stunned silence, struggling to grasp their new reality. Takeo scanned the mini-leaderboard interface on his bracelet, sifting through the list of nearby events. His curiosity was piqued by their cryptic nature—just names, no further elaborations or descriptions.
Each event, however, had clear stages outlined:
1. Preparation Stage: A no-fighting zone where participants could gather and prepare. Entering this zone automatically meant accepting all event risks and conditions.
2. Ongoing Stage: Events are currently in progress, closed to new participants. No outside interference is possible.
3. Conclusion Stage: Completed events with rewards distributed or forfeited.
The screen flickered with nearby options:
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[Labyrinth of Enclosure: Preparation Stage - 4 Hours 25 Minutes - 8KM]
Sounds a little tedious. Probably dangerous too.
[Arena of Virtue: Preparation Stage - 8 Hours 25 Minutes - 10KM]
Definitely some sort of fight. Definitely a hard pass for now.
[Seekers to Seek: Preparation Stage - 12 Hours 25 Minutes - 7KM]
Scavenging, maybe? Interesting... could be worth considering.
[Hunters to Hunt: Preparation Stage - 4 Hours 25 Minutes - 6KM]
Now this. This is more like it.
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Hunting was second nature to Takeo as it had been his livelihood throughout the years. Choosing Hunters to Hunt felt less like a gamble and more like an extension of his limited skill set. Decision made, he quickly packed his travel essentials into a weathered haversack. With one last glance around his modest home, he turned toward the village with a determined stride.
Before heading out, there was one stop he couldn’t skip.
“Hey, Gramps. I’m setting off on my journey,” Takeo announced, stepping into the chief’s hut with a dramatic air, done with dramatic flair.
An burst of air smacked him hard across the head.
WHAM!
“Who said you can come and go as you please? Did you think this village is your personal resort?” A calm yet commanding voice echoed from within.
Takeo rubbed his head, glaring toward the figure emerging from the shadows. The village chief, Kaoru, strolled forward, his silver robes catching the light. Despite his age, he moved with an intimidating grace that belied his years and had an impressive figure. Kaoru was much taller than Takeo and has his long silver hair tied in the form of a ponytail.
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“Was that necessary, old man?” Takeo grumbled.
“Bet it stung, didn’t it?” Kaoru replied with a smirk, hands clasped behind his back.
“You might be ancient, but you still hit hard.” Takeo muttered under his breath.
Kaoru chuckled, brushing off the remark. “I figured this day would come. The moment those bracelets showed up and this whole fighting thing appeared, it was only a matter of time. Go ahead, but don’t get yourself killed.”
“That’s it? No heartfelt goodbye? No pearls of wisdom for the road? Come on, Old Man.” Takeo exclaimed, half-joking but also half-expecting more.
Kaoru waved dismissively. “You’re grown. You’ll figure it out. Just remember to drop by once in a while.”
As Kaoru turned to leave, Takeo noticed the faint glint of a bracelet on the old man’s wrist.
“Wait... you’ve got one too? Doesn't that mean you're also a combatant” Takeo said, pointing.
Kaoru smirked knowingly. “Who do you think keeps this village safe, kid? The Council didn’t drop by just for tea — though I admit that I do make an excellent brew. I’m just doing what I’ve always done for the village, only this time, with a bit more… aggression.”
Takeo blinked, the memory of Domyric’s visit resurfacing. Of course — the Council must’ve sought Kaoru’s approval or involvement.
“Well,” Takeo said, adjusting his bag, “just make sure you don’t kick the bucket before I make it back, old man.”
Kaoru replied with a hint of a grin. “Speak for yourself, runt.”
With a wave, Takeo stepped out of the hut and from there on, into the unknown. His mind razor sharp and his heart set on the challenges ahead. Behind him, Kaoru disappeared into the shadows of the hut, muttering, “You’d had better come back stronger, ya little fool.”
It was time that Takeo ventured out of Aselite. The village gates loomed ahead, marking the a clear boundary between safety and uncertainty. However, Takeo had already steeled his resolve to grow and albeit there being a seed of doubt in himself - of his own abilities and talent, he finally set forth into the forest ahead of Aselite towards the Preparation Zone for the Event.
The air grew heavier as Takeo stepped into the forest beyond, his senses sharp and his heart steady. But the further he went, the quieter it became. The birdsong and chimes faded, replaced by an eerie stillness that prickled at his skin.
Something felt off.
Then, he saw it.
Bodies, strewn across the ground in a grotesque display. Blood pooled beneath them, soaking into the earth. Heads lay scattered like discarded toys, their expressions frozen in twisted serenity or wild excitement. Not one showed terror — except Takeo. His was the only living head in sight, and he planned to keep it that way.
Just moments after he ventured into the forest, Takeo realized that his resolve wasn't fully harderned and that his faith would waver. In the face of absolute decimation, even Takeo could quiver. For some reason, death and blood did not register in his mind when the tournament was announced.
He crouched low, his breathing shallow. “Twenty… no, at least thirty people were slain here,” he thought, his eyes scanning the scene. “Fresh. The corpses are way too fresh.”
Before his instincts even screamed at him to move, his heart had already done it faster. The assailant could still be nearby.
“The assassin didn’t just kill them — they decapitated them cleanly. The precision and skill is way too advanced. This is definitely a flight case for me.” Takeo noted before the fear slowly crept up unto him asking the only question that mattered. “Did they see me?”
He dropped into a prone position, his mind racing. “If I pretend to be a corpse, I might just barely avoid detection. But if they saw me already... I’d be an easy target.” He weighed his options, his heart hammering with intense ryhthm against his ribs. It appears that his heart desperately wanted out of this situation.
“Better to run” he decided, creeping along the bushes hastily with painstaking caution.
The sight of severed heads — some still wearing faint yet serene smiles wheraes others were of excitement — was burned into his memory. It was a sight that Takeo would not easily forget. His resolve wavered, but he pressed on, determined to stay alive. With the possibility of a looming threat that might ultimately prove to be non-existent. After what felt far too long, finally, the shimmering dome of the Preparation Zone came into view albeit still quite some distance away.
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[PREPARATION STAGE: HUNTERS TO HUNT]
[COUNTDOWN: 2 HOURS 20 MINUTES]
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The glowing letters hovered above the zone, their brilliance casting a faint light over the gathered combatants. Takeo slowed his pace, his guard still up but his relief palpable.
The crowd ahead was large, bustling with activity. For now, at least, the danger seemed to have passed. Takeo straightened, his eyes fixated on the shimmering dome ahead.