“Why is that?” Jack asked.
“Because he was close to Red Death from Death Associates. They were said to be fellow pupils of the same martial art teacher in real life. But unlike Red, he didn’t like getting tied down in a guild. Nevertheless, due to his relationship with Red, Death Associates often looked for him if they have matters they need help with which couldn’t involve their guild members. If your issue with Death Associates keeps on going, sooner or later you will have to deal with him as well.”
“I see,” Jack looked over to the said person. The Ranger coincidentally also looked at him. Realizing their eyes had met, Blackjack made a motion with his finger slicing his neck. Indicating that he would kill Jack if he got the chance. Jack guessed that he must have heard from Red Death about what had happened yesterday.
Well, one way or another, he couldn’t avoid trouble, Jack thought in his mind. He might be of few words, but he was not the type to just lower his head if someone tried to bully him or his friends. If they really wanted a fight, Jack wouldn’t mind giving them their own medicine.
Compared to previous days, this morning there were fewer people seen coming from afar. Most that were migrating due to the notification from the sky had made their way over, the remaining either couldn’t make it or had died during their journey.
Soon the sun reached its zenith, marking the arrival of noon. The light beam that was continuously pouring down from the sky intensified and thickened. The radiance spread over and caused the transparent light dome that covered the entire City Park to solidified into a thick light wall.
There were a few people seen outside the light dome still making their way in. When they reached the light dome which was previously completely traversable, they now instead met with a solid light wall that barred them from passing through.
They were banging from outside. They shouted to ask the people inside to let them in, but even their voices couldn’t get through the light wall. The folks inside looked at those trapped outside. Even if they wanted to help, they had no idea what to do. The light wall had most probably trapped them inside as well. A sound was heard from the sky the same way as it was five days ago.
“The time is up! Those that failed to arrive on time had failed the tutorial phase. Penalty will be applied.”
As soon as the notification ended, those people outside burst into particles of dust. Those that were watching were taken aback. Some even screamed from the spectacles.
“That was cruel,” Bowler commented from the side.
There was another booming voice from above, it was a different tone compared to the previous notification voice that sounded computerized. This time it sounded like it came from a real human’s vocal cords.
“Congratulations on all that had passed this tutorial phase!”
A smaller light beam penetrated down from the highest part of the light dome and landed near the abstract sculpture at the center of the park. The light coalesced into a human shape and revealed an old man with long white beard wearing a typical pointed magician head and white trimmed robe. He was holding a long golden cane with a bird-shaped head. His eyes were white without pupil, streams of light blue mist could be seen swirling from those eyes. His domineering aura completely captivated the crowd surrounding him, not a sound was heard from them.
When he spoke again, the voice was enhanced as if it was being spoken through a loudspeaker. Yet it was not too loud for those standing close to the old man, and it was the same clarity for those who stood the furthest.
“Those of you that stand here had proven yourself to be worthy adventurers, and thus you were granted with passage to the Main World.”
As he finished his sentence, a rumbling was heard accompanied by a small earthquake. The water at the pond parted and from inside arose a colossal black door. Its black frames were decorated with extensive carvings that showed depictions of humans, monsters, landscapes, and cities.
When Jack focused his attention on the carvings, it somehow appeared as if moving. It changed from one second to the next, as if an illusion that was constantly changing. Its double door leaves were closed and sometimes a crack of blue electricity could be seen coming through the gaps between the door leaves. It stood floating on the surface of the pond water with empty air holding it erect.
The old man continued his talk, “the passage will be opened and you will come onto a land governed by a kingdom called Themisphere. You will be placed onto its capital Thereath. You will learn the rules of the Kingdom and the Main World yourselves when you arrive there. As you have experienced in this tutorial period, there will be monsters roaming the wilderness. The only safe places are cities and towns governed by the kingdoms and countries of the Main World. But many opportunities can only be found in the wilderness. If you want to become stronger, then you will need to wander out into those wildernesses. Survive and receive all the glory. Stay cooped up in safe zones or perish and be a nobody. It’s your decision!”
He paused and looked around at the crowd, giving them a moment to digest the information before continuing, “but before you head onto the Main World, those with the highest achievement during this tutorial period will be granted rewards. One hundred adventurers with the highest level will be called out. They will be given a chance to choose from a pool of rewards. The first rank will have the first pick on the reward, second rank has the second pick, and so on.”
The crowd started murmuring at the sound of rewards. The silent field gradually increased in noise as everybody started discussing about the rewards and making conjectures regarding possible winners.
“I said it must be Warpath, he was the most well-known players out of those gathered here,” said one person.
“I agree,” said the others.
“Don’t underestimate guild’s powerhouses! They are usually the ones that gain level the fastest because of their guild’s support. I said Grimclaw will score the first place.”
“Don’t be absurd, Red Death is a better player.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“I said Blackjack has a real shot here.”
“I still say Warpath.”
“Selena from Wicked Witch is a hot contender.”
“Don’t forget Kill Order from Black Cloak.”
“Warpath is number one!”
The old man with the golden cane just stood there in silence, allowing the crowd to continue with their commotions.
“What do you think, brother Storm Wind?” Silverwing joined in the discussion.
Before Jack could reply, Bowler the loudmouth took the liberty to answer, “What is there to think? Of course my brother here will be the first rank!”
A burst of laughter could be heard from the side. Grimclaw was having a hysterical laugh. “Are you joking me there? That nobody? I doubt he would even get into the ranking at all!”
“Do you there to bet?” Bowler taunted.
Grimclaw was incensed. These country bumpkins really didn’t know how big the world was. Nevertheless, he didn’t let his rage got to him. Even though he didn’t think too much of those guys, there was no guarantee this Storm Wind wouldn’t get into among the hundred rankers. So he tweaked his condition, “why not? If he can get a higher rank than me. I’ll accept defeat!”
Bowler was aware that Grimclaw had changed his words, but he didn’t mind. “All right, if my Brother Storm Wind gets a higher rank than you, you will give him that rare sword of yours that you’re so proud of.”
Grimclaw seemed hesitant. This was a rare-grade weapon that he had found due to luck.
“Afraid now?” Bowler continued taunting, “you can just take back what you say if so, we don’t mind.”
Grimclaw felt his rage coming up again. He saw Bluedaze and Dashrunner shaking their heads to him. They must be trying to say not to antagonize their guests? This caused him to get angrier, why was everyone so nice to this group of nobodies?
“All right!” He cried. “But if he loses, I’ll need an item of equal value to my rare weapon. If you don’t have, then compensate me with three uncommon equipment or ten normal equipment with additional 3 silver coins!”
“Deal!” Bowler said without hesitation.
