Chapter 916 (2/2)

In fact, Randidly felt downright smug with his superiority. He quickly pressed that feeling down. It was that sort of thought that would cause him to underestimate them. Because for all that these were the lowest of the Squads, they were still the worst of the best Earth currently had. They wouldn’t just roll over.

To face 20 Squads meant that Randidly and Helen would be fighting against two hundred and twenty trained Classers. Classers that had been on the frontlines of Donnyton’s efforts to keep the entire Earth safe. They were not inexperienced in battle. The last year of their lives had seen them rapidly working to improve their capabilities. To the point that they had earned the right to wear the insignia of a Squad of Donnyton.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, Randidly felt the squad memebrs gather, their bright eyes and excited faces more feed for his Crown. They congregated at one end of the arena, slowly stretching and warming up. Randidly’s Crown pulsed, sucking in their energy.

Truly, this Crown is only good for destroying things sometimes…

But that wasn’t such a bad thing. There were a lot of terrible organizations in this world that Earth would be better off without. The Skills to destroy might be a simple application, but it was enough also a necessary one for this life.

The crowd slowly made its way into the stands. More and more people arrived, cramming themselves into an extreme tight space. There were Classers with telekinetic Skills shouting offers for food and drink, and floating the concessions up toward the extremely tightly packed customers. There were cheers and flags…

There was so much pride in that noise. So much surety and optimism.

Eventually, Helen appeared, swearing and shoving her way through the crowd until she could walk out onto the arena proper. Seeing her there, Randidly was reminded of their fight in the under-25 Tournament. The venue this time was much smaller, but there was a completely different air of excitement hanging over it all.

Helen raised her head and closed her eyes, seemingly tasting the image of confidence that was hanging over the arena. Good. It seems she can sense the same thing that I can.

At exactly the opponent time, Donny appeared, strolling out onto the arena. Instantly, the crowd erupted into a sea of cheers.

Randidly closed his eyes. So much noise.

“Welcome, one and all, to the Hound’s Ladder! And the reason that this attempt is special is the man attempting it… Randidly Ghosthound himself!”

Following that pronouncement, the crowd started howling like beasts, raising their heads up to the sky and shrieking their enthusiasm. To them, Randidly was an idea. A celebrity. To see him in person, ready to struggle, was something of a cathartic experience for these people.

This is what they are here for, Randidly realized. They want to see me fail, and be reassured that I’m human. Everyone has their secret dreams, and inevitably you are less than you believe you could be. That deep frustration… they need a symbol to share that. They need a great hero to be sacrificed so they can accept their own insecurities.

The stadium rumbled with such noise that Randidly could feel the shaking in the stone of his hiding spot. But Randidly just grinned down at the shouting people.

I’m sorry, but I can’t give that to you. Normally it would be fine to just be yourself, but… Randidly’s emerald eyes narrowed. We can’t afford that. Not now. Not with the System breathing down our necks.

It’s time someone reminded you how dangerous this world truly is.

“Assembled here we have Donnyton Squads 100 through 81!” Donny continued when the noise died down enough for him to be heard. “And standing opposed to them…”

Donny turned and regarded Helen quizzically. She just snorted.

Randidly leapt, activating All is Ash as he did so. He streaked across the sky, fueling the Skill with a fist full of Mana until a cloud of ash the size of a pool gathered around him in an ominous swirl. Screened from their view, Randidly took his equipment out of his ring and slipped it on.

Acri and Sulfur.

Sun’s Teardrop Belt.

White-Steel Greaves.

Ancestral Circlet of the Broken Ridge.

Iradak’s Tinglesilk Gloves.

When Randidly hit the arena, he was surprised that the ground was well made enough to endure the concussive force. Only a few tiny cracks emerged from the collision. But that just made Randidly’s smile widened. I’ll get to you later.

The ash billowed outward, obscuring himself and Helen from being seen. They exchanged a look. From the anger and ambition in Helen’s eyes, it seemed she was prepared. Then Randidly looked away and waited, allowing the ash to slowly blow away in the wind.

When the crowd saw him, they fell silent. Which gave Randidly space to speak.

“Have someone on standby to help the wounded off the stage,” Randidly said bluntly. “And also someone to shield the crowd. This challenge… I won’t be pulling my punches.”