Chapter 370 (2/2)

But for now...

After cracking his neck, Randidly left his cabin, and was surprised to find that it was the early morning. Although he hesitated for several seconds, he knew in his heart that he couldn't stand anymore Aether discussion for the day. His time in Shal's world had given him the ability to endure almost will crushing levels of adversity, but that had been in terms of physical threats. To these influences, which were enough to give him several levels in Mental Strength over the past several days, Randidly found himself completely exhausted. The mental strain added up, and weighed him down in a way that the physical strain never had.

And since he was looking for a distraction, on just such a day... perhaps he should go see how the Assessment was playing out. It would only be the first day, but it still might be interesting to use his newfound knowledge of Classes to examine all the participants...

Slightly bemused, Randidly put on a cloak, pulled the hood up, and walked out towards Donnyton proper.

*****

Donny didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Today had been a day of almost embarrassing truths. From his prominent seat above the combat assessment, he had witnessed it all, and had to keep his face very controlled in order for his feelings to remain hidden.

First, there was a cloaked individual with bare feet wandering through the combat assessment, which was the assessment that occured the first morning. In order, they would go Combat, System Theory, then the next day Production, and then Tactics. These two days would be busy as hell for Donnyton’s administration, but hopefully they would have a better idea of their Village’s strengths at the end of it.

But there were several problems. A huge problem was that, immediately upon arriving this morning, the cloaked individual captured the attention of everyone. He earned himself a berth of 1 meter almost immediately; as to why, his feet were bare, and there was only one person who had bare feet in Donnyton.

Even more than that, he exuded this absolutely impenetrable vibe, that made him seem mysterious and distant, giving weight to the whispered rumors about him. And yet Randidly, for his part, seemed completely oblivious to the fact that everyone knew who he was and let him pass through. Donny supposed he just assumed that anyone would walk up to the front of the arena stands and get a better view.

There had been one point that the Ghosthound was walking forward, and a particularly rowdy group was in front of him. It almost made Donny smile, and he leaned forward, interested to see how it would be resolved. But a woman from Paolo's bruiser Squad was there, and saw the issue coming, and single handedly moved 6 men a few meters to either side clearing a path.

It was disappointing, but also illuminating, because it let Donny expand his focus a bit, looking around the grounds. When he did, it became clear that there were several dozen individuals moving in the crowd, maintaining a constant distance from the Ghosthound. They were an amalgamation of people from the first 3 Squads, Paolo, Kayle, and Alana's, and when the action was at its height, their gaze was always reverently pointed towards the Ghosthound.

Even if he wasn't actually hidden, it was obvious that when people learned that was him, walking among them, something changed. He wasn't just some mysterious benefactor. He was a man slowly changing into a god. He was also the person who pushed for this, this Assessment, which was met with some reluctance by some parties, but it was not because they didn't relish the opportunity to compete, but because they didn't know what it meant.

Donny knew that deep down, a lot of people felt dissatisfied by the fact that the only way to prestige in Donnyton was through participation in a Squad. But the Ghosthound came and changed that. He sought out everyone who had the ability to kill, and to suppress an opponent. And the enthusiasm for battle could be seen in the fact that the final count of the number of participants was just over 400. Without Daniel and Mrs. Hamilton's personal helpers who made paperwork evaporate, even holding the tournament in the morning would have been impossible.

It would be an interesting day, Donny mused, somewhat bitter. But it at least was a day without paperwork.