Chapter 129 (1/2)

Randidly arrived back at Devvit’s boat, now satisfied with the amount of potion materials that he had managed to obtain from the strange merchant.

He honestly had no idea what the currency was worth, and asked increasingly direct questions of the merchant called Claptrap, but the merchant seemed too proud to answer, but felt sorry for Randidly anyway, and would offer him more, as if as a substitute.

Honestly, it would have been more useful to just know how much they were worth, but Randidly supposed he could be satisfied with just having more money…

Shal was sitting on the boat waiting for him, and as Randidly arrived, his eyes slid open. “Ah good, you have handled your affairs in case your idiocy kills you; perhaps I was mistaken about your ability to think. Are you prepared? The melee begins shortly.”

Randidly hesitated. He would have preferred an opportunity to brew some potions out of the ingredients he had, but… He supposed he already had enough for a single day. Besides, he hoped he wouldn’t be forced to go all out, and could instead rely on his own passive regeneration skills, which he suspected were rather rare. This would put the skills under increased pressure, and expedite growth.

Based on Devvit’s explanation, Randidly did have some confidence about being able to manage through this round, so he simply nodded, and followed Shal as they began the long winding walk back towards the strange colosseum area.

“If you survive,” Shal said, striding forward, ignoring the stares as he walked, carrying Randidly’s tassle, “We shall have the opportunity to train again for a short time. I must say, your continued Vitality impresses me. I had assumed you would have died without my guidance; but fear not, I shall… rid you of all the bad habits you have developed. No matter the cost.”

Then Shal laughed, and Randidly had a sinking feeling in his stomach. More than the melee he was about to be a part of…

...the prospect of the fanatical training of Shal was much more intimidating…

****

All of the contestants, and there were truly hundreds of them, Randidly realized, packed into the small area, stood still, eyes darting back and forth, struggling to act casual as everyone came to terms with the fact that they would soon be competing against one another with their lives on the line.

For his part, Randidly was slightly bemused. Being here, in Qtal, there was clearly a familiarity with death that wasn’t a part of his old world. But it was also a world that had been part of the system for at least several generations. As such, monsters and dungeons had been pushed back, far away from the places were civilization reigned supreme.

Seeing the nervous glint in most of the eyes of those around him, they had fought, but they had never fought while stricken with the fear that they would die. They had never lost all conscious thought other than the stubborn refusal to die.

He had come a long way, but Randidly still vividly remembered stumbling back into that safe room, covered in acid, knowing nothing but fear and the burning pain in his body. It was still a chilling memory, and a reminder of how unexpectedly your demise could arrive.

As the time they waited continued to stretch onward, Randidly considered whether to make a statement early. But ultimately, he didn’t want to deal with the hassle of the attention that would come with it. Sure, using Agony would probably debilitate most of the opponents around him, but it would paint a large target on his back.

Although Devvit seemed to think most of the opponents would only be so-so, that didn’t mean they all would be. There was no need to seek those individuals out right now. He would find them soon enough, in the actual tournament, where Randidly would have the benefit of at least another month of training with Shal.

Shivering instinctively, Randidly turned his focus elsewhere. Just in time to see the large brass doors of their waiting room rumble slowly open. Immediately, everyone was on their feet, spears drawn, looking around warily.

An attendant had explained the rules again earlier. 10 Stages, only 3 could pass per stage, by standing on it at the end of 2 hours. After 2 hours, if there were more than 3 people on the stage, there would be a 60 second overtime. If there were not 3 people there at the end of 60 seconds, all of those people would fail.

And as soon as they passed through the door into the main arena area, they would be considered participating, and could be attacked at any point by their fellow spear users.

Randidly was towards the middle of the group, so he didn’t immediately move after the door opened. But soon the people in front of him broke into a trot, running out in the air, and Randidly cautiously followed. Very quickly he began to move, running just a bit faster than those around him, dodging and weaving, and within a few seconds, he had burst out through the door, arriving at the huge arena.

The ground was dirt and the walls rose around him, covered in strange viewing cells. But he kept his eyes on the ground. He had no need to pay attention to the cells currently; he simply needed to stay down here, among the stages.

Dozens of people were jogging around Randidly, exchanging glances, and it was actually one of the men near Randidly that made the first move, stabbing towards Randidly’s back with his spear. Almost as if this was a spark on oil, several other small battles erupted around them, as people attempted to sneak attack other competitors, and were then sneak attacked themselves.