novelraw Chapter 127: Wave crash
Chapter 127: Wave crash
To me, the Title looks like a way for the Tower to give them ranking. Something like Ten Rising Star will probably be about the most powerful of the new set.
I looked at Thayer. "So you are going to claim a slot anyway."
Thayer didn’t deny it. "The perks is that they’re going to give us free zone to hunt from each floor to at least floor 80. The Original owners and Owners will give the Ten Rising Star this on each floor, but that wasn’t why I’m interested. Title like that will only boost my reputation and my Guild."
Temur narrowed his eyes. "That’s not impressive perksz, isn’t there something more...like a skill or unique power."
"Of course there is! But none of is part of the Ten Rising Star so we can’t actually know. Those are just what’s made public for now. They’ll make an official announcement tomorrow, but most people know about it anyway."
The three of us fell silent, slowly digesting the information. Then Litha asked, "But why do you want us to join?"
"Because it’s going to help you and push you to the front, also to be weary tomorrow because this Title will cause a lot of....competition. It’s going to help to have the Title because it’s be easier to find jobs on floors and then you can just focus on training instead of working tirelessly each floor."
I found that reasonable, but we all knew why Thayer wanted us to join—so he’d be able to use us later. He must already know that none of his Guild members except him might be able to claim a slot in the Title.
So, trying to become more familiar with those that might just claim it? But I also knew that the world is vast, and there’s a lot of frog eater in our set. It won’t be easy for ten of us to come above so easily.
"And you’ll be trying for the Title too," Litha said, stating it plainly.
Thayer spread his hand and stood. "Of course. I am quite confident in my power. I wouldn’t be a Guildmaster otherwise. Now then, if you’ll excuse me. I have to sleep early."
Nobody bothered to see him out, and since he wasn’t expecting it, he gave us a wink and strode away, whistling to himself all the while, closing the door gently behind him.
We didn’t say anything for a while, each of us consumed by our own thoughts. Finally, I broke the silence. "I think we should try for it. Even if only one of us gets it, then it will benefit everyone."
"On that note, then I don’t think this team will be able to work together in the upcoming test. Unless there’s a rule that can make us do so, because from my understanding with this Title stuff, it’s going to be individual strengths."
Temur nodded. "Then we go to the test with the chance of doing it individually, but if it’s possible, then we’ll have each other’s back. Also, don’t try too hard." He still remembered the trouble we’d gone through.
We talked some more about strategy, then wished each other the best of luck and retired to our rooms with heavy minds.
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"Today you will take the test of floor 101 just like the previous Climbers did, and I will judge you worthy or not."
The voice echoed through the arena, and even those at the back could see and hear the man—not human—as if he were standing right in front of them.
The Original owner wore a black robe and floated in midair. His eyes were dark yellow, his fur as black as darkness itself, with a human face. The fur on his body looked like part of the darkness itself, mixing with the black robe to create a blur.
"This Test will take as many hours. As many days as I deem fit."
Murmuring spread among the gathered Awakeners.
’So this will be the type of test where we won’t complete in the same day.’
’Maybe this is related to the rumor.’
’Oh shit, we are not returning today? This is bad, I forgot...’
Original owner 101 let them talk. He gave them that grace, letting them settle before turning back to him. "I’m sure you are all aware, but a Title was given by the Tower, and I’ve been chosen to oversee it."
He smiled. This was the first time he was in charge of something like this, and he was just as thrilled. He had to change the rules and theme of the test, but he didn’t mind.
"Ten of you. The most powerful ten of all the thousands here will get the title."
"The perks will be known to them as well."
His eyes glowed as he looked over us. I felt as if the Tower was up to something. Giving such a small number when there were so many powerful competitors?
But that just made it all the more fun.
He gestured, waiting until silence descended once more. "The Test is simple. It’ll be divided into two parts. The first fight is a one-on-one match where your size will be cut directly into two. The second part will come after the first."
Then he spread his hand. "I will not wish you good luck. Let your skills speak for itself!"
Mana rippled through the arena. A soft glow surrounded us, and we were lifted into the air, disappearing one after another.
The test would take place in a spatial dimension that only opened during tests. In that place, Original owner 101 could be called a god, because the Tower granted him absolute power inside.
But first, he appeared in the ’operating’ room, a space filled with thousands of screens showing the different locations of the test.
That wasn’t all.
He turned to the people sitting behind him.
Behind him are powerful people that made him trembled just thinking who they might be. They didn’t show their face because they wore robes. They have descended down to this floor to watch the battle for the Title.
Original owner 101 felt as if he was standing close to a sun with the amount of the power that cracked in the air. He even avoided looking at them directly even though their faces were blurred by great magic.
There are hundreds of them and who know things...and beings hidden among them? There’s a reason they are in the operating room though, the room provides a kind of power for everyone there, it let them watch the thousands of fighting at once and process it as normal.
That’s how he’s able to monitor the battle himself. He opened his mouth to say something a voice rang out and he snapped his mouth shut.
The voice mechanical, not the real voice of the person speaking. "Ah, seems the floor owner doesn’t set rules for this test? So what is the winning Criteria?"
He trembled a bit and even though he’s not more than a fly in their eyes he decided not to show weakness. "I...will make amends, Great one." Then he bowed.
Quickly he cast his mind out into the test dimension. "The rule for the one on one is when one surrender or can’t continue the fight again! Once you shout that you surrender then you’ll be naturally taken away!"
But one thing is clear. Those who have choosen Guilds or organizations in these new set Awakeners might just found out that they’ll be following a new master.
And then the Awakeners got into the dimension and the test began!
Everyone in the room was immediately keyed into the test to watch the thousands happening at once and process it without difficulty.
I landed on some kind of tall mountain, and when I saw that to get away from the mountain you’ll have to fall down into the dark unknown. Are they telling us we have to fight no matter what?
"Are you planning to surrender? You don’t look strong anyway can you spare me the trouble of using even a bit of my strength on you? It won’t be....."
I interrupted him. "Are you really the one I’m fighting?"
The boy, Tad twitched. He’s tall with his long brown air and eyes like ice. "Why are you interrupting me? I only want to teach you a lesson but now!"
He raised hia hand to cast whatever but I didn’t give him any chance because I flickered my finger and the boy was sent over the edge, his scream echoing down the darkness. I sighed. "Now it’s over...I should have just play with him a little. How are the others doing? I’m sure they had it even earlier than me."
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Temur was combined with a water mage who is also a warrior. Their blades clashed and the girl glared in frustration flowing gracefully like the water she represents. "I can see that you’re not even your real strength. So don’t blame me!"
On her right hand she was holding a sword made of water and when she raised her hand ten blades of water appeared above her and she sent them down at him. Then she quickly began to prepare another set of spell quickly.
The blades she sent to him have some kind of will of their own and attacked on their own, changing direction and striking out as if it was on someone’s hand.
Temur changed his weapon to a big hammer and smashed the blades in the air. The water mage twitched, how can this person be so fast with his bulk? But no matter! "I know that’s not going to stop you and that’s why this is ready! Wave crash!"