As the group stage reached the four-hour mark, the total number of living players reached twelve, four for each of the three groups.
The overall leaderboard ranked the players by number of kills and assists, but none of the twelve living players had any assists, as none of them let another player escape their clutches.
Kaizen, on the other hand, did not get the coveted spot among the four players with the most saves, finishing ninth. His skills did not favor him, nor did the amount of time he went without killing a player. Also, Kaizen didn't have the special ability to get territorial information, player positions, and the like, like other players did. Nevertheless, Kaizen certainly broke his personal record by slaughtering thirty-seven players in a single day. This brought him up many levels, much higher than he had climbed on any other day. He was now at level 91, whereas he started the day at level 70.
As a large message congratulating him hung over his head, Kaizen checked how much his stats had increased in this white, abandoned, inhospitable environment. He seemed resigned to the position he was in, but also a little excited about what was to come, except that he barely knew the monsters he would have to face in the group stage to try to become champion.
At the top of the ladder were four formidable players, each with their own unique characteristics, who happened to be in the same group. The landscape of their group's region was desolate, with a barren desert stretching as far as the eye could see.
Xanthea, the Fire Queen, contradictorily exuded an aura of coolness and determination. Just a few minutes ago, her piercing gaze had scanned the battlefield, killing dozens of players without lifting a finger.
"There is no room for error here. Every kill counts." She repeated to herself in a calm but authoritative voice.
The sun was setting on the horizon, turning the sky golden and orange, not only in the desert, but also in the border region where the Valkyria Arena was located. The stands were packed with spectators eager to see the next day's spectacular battles, and many had their favorites, including two very famous players: Teshi, the Impetuous Champion, and Ryeis, the owner of the Crystal Blade.
Teshi was an imposing warrior, tall and athletic. He wore glittering armor of silver steel with gold detailing that shone in the light of the setting sun. His two-handed sword was as large as he was, with a sharp blade that seemed to cut through the air itself. His gaze was fierce and determined, exuding an aura of confidence and power, but also charisma and pride.
On the other hand, Ryeis was a mysterious and cold looking man. He wore a black armor that hugged his shapely body perfectly. His sword was the real highlight - a translucent blade of blue-green crystal that emitted an almost mesmerizing light. His eyes were sharp and penetrating, revealing a calculating and strategic mind.
While Teshi had an explosive energy, Ryeis had a quiet and deadly aura. Both were experienced and feared players, known for their skill in battle and their relentless pursuit of victory. They were the kind of players who inspired respect and admiration as well as fear in the hearts of their opponents, and they were each other's sworn rivals.
As they were teleported back to the Tournament Hall inside the Valkyria Arena, Teshi and Ryeis exchanged brief glances, measuring each other with respect and defiance. They knew they were about to face the best players in Midgard, but they were both focused on facing each other and determining once and for all who was truly the strongest. Their serious and focused expressions revealed the determination in their minds, but as they stared at each other, a masked player stood between them, not quite understanding what was going on.
What a strange bunch of guys... Kaizen thought, frowning at the two of them.
Kaizen yawned and rubbed his eyes, feeling a bit tired. The adrenaline from the fight was still pulsing through his body, but fatigue was starting to set in. He looked around the hall and saw only a few scattered players now, which was in stark contrast to the crowd of hundreds in this very spot a few hours ago.
"Did Evan manage to survive?" Kaizen wondered and began to look around for his former teammate, scanning the hall with his eyes.
It was then that his eyes fell on a female figure coming out of the room through the main door. Her hair was long and bright red, like a burning flame dancing in the wind. Kaizen was momentarily mesmerized by the sight as he recognized that hair.
Emma exuded an aura of mystery, her posture upright and confident as she moved with grace and fluidity. Her piercing gaze seemed more focused than any other time Kaizen had seen her. She wore elegant red armor that perfectly matched her red hair, and carried a sword decorated with rubies on her back.
As Emma walked out the front door, a few players obviously looked at her with curiosity and respect, but no one was bold enough to approach her. Kaizen noticed that she seemed to be avoiding contact with the other players, perhaps because she saw his nickname on the ladder.
| сom Kaizen felt a strange sense of nostalgia at the sight of Emma and unconsciously walked down the same path as her, with an overwhelming urge to call her over to talk and find out why she had hidden the fact that she had also received an invitation from NIST.
However, when the redhead walked away and disappeared down the main corridor, Kaizen clenched his fists, bowed his head, and stopped walking.
"It would be useless to ask her. It wouldn't change anything." Kaizen said, loud enough for only himself to hear.
...
Edited by: DrHitsuji
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