As they gathered back at the Roman Theater, they saw Callan and Pallas standing at the center of the arena accompanied by a young draconian in bright golden color full plate armor. At the front of his chest plate was an impressive lion-head carving. The demeanor of this draconian youth was not any less than Pallas who stood beside him.
After everyone had gathered and re-took their seats in the spectators’ seats, Callan called out the first place winners. Out of the ten champions, only seven people came out. Jack, Domon, Arthur, Giant Steve, Red Death, Yellow Death, and Princess Purple. The other three champions, Wong, Ronald, and Blackhole had left.
“Thank you, everyone, for joining us back here again,” Callan said. “The outworlder tournament has ended. You can leave now if that is what you wish and we thank you for your participation. There is, however, an extra event that we like to host. We would like to put to test the best outworlders have to offer against our own best rising generation.”
Everyone’s eyes landed on the young draconian in the golden plate armor. It was pretty obvious this person was the one Callan mentioned.
“This is Mihos, the best young warrior that we have nurtured,” Callan continued. “He is a level 49 champion and a talent that we rarely find even amongst the ones we trained here. It will be a great experience for him to put his skills to the test against current best outworlders.
“We extend this challenge to the champions of the tournaments. This is, of course, fully optional. You are free to accept or reject. Do know, however, that we are willing to provide you rewards equal to the tournament’s first prize if you can fulfill a certain condition in this bonus match.”
“What condition?” Giant Steve asked.
“Reduce Mihos’ life to at least half,” Callan answered.
“Half? You want us to reduce a level 49′ HP to half? That’s all?” Yellow Death asked. His tone carried contempt. “Great. Maybe I have the chance to claim the rightful prize someone has stolen from me.”
“Come on, dude. We have all lost to the orc team that time. It was Storm who won that team match. Are you going to continue to be bitter about it?” Giant Steve said.
“You bet your giant ass I am!” Yellow Death replied. “I will take this challenge first!” He said to Callan.
“I’m afraid you have misunderstood, all of you will be fighting together,” Callan said. “If the condition is fulfilled, all of you will receive the rewards. If failed, none of you will.”
“All of us just to bring down a level 49’s life to half? Is this a joke?” Yellow Death asked.
“Dude, have you used your Inspect?” Jack asked.
Yellow Death didn’t reply. He didn’t even want to look at Jack. He was indeed as Steve said, still bitter about Jack who have forfeited the tournament prize. But after Jack’s words, he used his Inspect. His Inspect skill was enough to scan someone who was three levels higher than him.
<br/>*
Mihos (Mythical draconian, champion), level 49
HP: 780,000
*
‘Mythical?’ Yellow Death thought. He had not met any native nor monster with this grade. The highest he had met was a rare elite, even that grade would require him to be with a squad to take down. Death Associates’ researchers in the library, however, had gathered information that mentioned the mythical grade was above the rare elite. Now he understood why Callan told them to fight together.
Jack and the others who could do mana sense, were warier. They could sense the suffocating aura from this young draconian that was not dimmed even when the youth was standing next to Callan and Pallas. Especially Jack, who sensed this Mihos’ aura was actually similar to the level 50 mythical blonde female knight in the ancient battleground. He had personally experienced how fearsome these mythical beings were. Even Mihos’ HP alone was almost as high as Gruff’s who was much higher in level.
“Don’t worry, none of you will die for real even if you died,” Callan said. “You will fight inside a constructed dimension. The time limit for this match is thirty minutes. You have to bring Mihos’ HP down to half within that time limit to be eligible for the rewards. Are you all interested in this bonus match?”
“I will fight,” Jack answered without hesitation. Although he was wary, this was a friendly fight. He could safely gauge his limit. The fight in the ancient battleground had been too messy for that.
“I’m in,” Red Death was not going to turn this challenge down if Jack was not.
“Let’s do it,” Domon replied.
“Interesting,” Arthur added.
The others also agreed.
Callan nodded, “Good.” He then turned to the audience. “We originally expected ten combatants for this bonus match. But since three of the tournament champions had left, we are three people short. We extend the invitation to the one who fought those missing champions in the final match. Leavemealone, David, and Selena. Are the three of you willing to join this bonus match?”
Jack and the others looked back at the audience. Leavemealone, seeing the chance to fight together with Domon, immediately agreed, “I’ll fight!”
David and Selena also came down to the arena. Who was going to refuse a chance to get additional rewards?
After the ten outworlders gathered down at the arena, Callan nodded. “Unlike the tournament matches, this bonus match won’t be broadcasted to the world. Only the ones who stayed here have the privilege of that.”
Callan then gave the sign to Pallas, who opened a portal.
“This portal will bring you to the constructed dimension where the match will take place,” Pallas informed. “If you need to discuss your fight plan first, you can do so.”
“I will be waiting for you all inside,” Mihos said. He then walked towards the portal. But before he entered, he stopped and turned back. “You two!” He pointed at Jack and Leavemealone. “Don’t hesitate to use your divine skills,” he said and then entered the portal.
‘He knows?’ Jack thought in surprise.
Giant Steve turned to Jack, “So, what’s the strategy?”
Domon did the same, “Yeah, how should we do this?”
“Oh? You will listen to me?” Jack asked his grandfather.
“You are more familiar with this game world. Just let me know the arrangement,” Domon replied.
“If master Domon follows your words, I will do so as well,” Leavemealone said. Jack rolled his eyes at him.
“I’m also not experienced in a coordinated fight,” Arthur said. “I am more used to fighting against many enemies compared to ganging up against one, so I will follow your arrangement as well.”
David chimed in, “A squad with a bad leader is still better than one who had none. Awaiting your order, chief.”
‘What the f*ck do you mean by a bad leader?’ Jack cursed within.
He then turned to the remaining four who should be more troublesome.
“I don’t mind listening to you for this match,” Selena said.
“Fine,” Red Death uttered a simple one word.
Yellow Death and Princess Purple both turned away with a harrumph.
“Are you two going to be this difficult throughout the match?” Jack asked.
“Yes,” Yellow Death replied curtly.
“Don’t expect any of my heals on you,” Princess Purple said.
“Doesn’t matter. Just make sure you heal the others,” Jack said to Princess Purple. He had Peniel for healings anyway. To Yellow Death, Jack said, “And you! As long as you don’t try any accidental friendly fire, we will be fine.”
“I can’t promise that,” Yellow Death replied.
Jack gave him a sharp glare. He then said, “Before anything, let’s us form a party first.”
He created the party and invited everyone. Everyone accepted, including Yellow Death and Princess Purple. The latter two took a few seconds more than the others before they accept, though.
“All right. Our standard arrangement will have us four,” he pointed to himself, Giant Steve, Domon, and Arthur. “To clash directly with our opponent. Giant Steve will take the frontal clash. Arthur and Domon will take the sides, I will take the rear. Our objective is to limit his movements as much as possible.”
“Why do you take the rear? Are you trying to get the easy part?” Princess Purple asked with disdain.
“My damage is the highest, are you going to question every single command I give?” Jack answered and asked at the same time. “I should be given the most chance to hit the opponent among the front line. This match is not being determined by who caused the highest damage. You heard Callan already, if we achieve the objective, we all win the rewards. If we don’t, we all lose. It doesn’t matter who lands more damage in this match. There is no score. We all have the same aim.”
Princess Purple turned away and didn’t utter any more argument.
“Moving on, Red Death and Leavemealone should stay out of range,” Jack continued. “You two should attack only when you see an opportunity. Use hit and run tactic. Don’t linger around. If our opponent breaks through the four of us at the frontline, it is your job to disrupt him from getting to our range attackers. You two need to note one thing, don’t let your guard down just because you are attacking him from the blindside.”
“Why is that?” Red Death asked.
“If my hunch is right, he can sense mana as well,” Jack answered.
“Mana what?” Selena asked.
“He means that our opponent is aware of all that happens around him, even when he does not see it,” Red Death explained.
Selena had seen some contestants in this tournament exhibit such a trait, so she sort of understood what Red Death meant.
“Also, I think he can do mana manipulation as well,” Jack added. He had seen the mythical-grade knights in the ancient battleground use the technique. If this Mihos was the same as them, he most likely could as well.
“What the hell is that now?” Yellow Death uttered.
“It means if he uses this technique. Even his standard hit has the chance to one-shot you,” Jack replied.
