Depraved Hero's Path

[As a King, any damage you try to inflict will be nullified.]

As the words appeared in front of the two Kings,

"What the fuck?"

"Seriously?"

"We're supposed to fight like this?"

"Calm down." Gin said, thinking with a hand to his chin.

[Eleven Participants have been added to your Army.]

[The Stats of your Army's Members have been equalized.]

[Every Stat of every Member of your Army is now at 5 Stat Points.]

"Five Stat Points… What are we supposed to do with that?"

"I knew this was-"

"Shut up." Petra interrupted. "Gin, what do you think?"

"Their Stats have also been lowered to 5. The Game isn't treating us differently despite the difference in numbers. That's what it feels like." Gin explained. "In any case, I need to make the Army now."

"Make the Army?" Another Participant asked.

Just as the question left the Participant's mouth, Gin clicked.

The next second, a translucent crown appeared, floated in the air for a moment, before resting on Petra's head.

[You have been Assigned the Role of "Queen".]

[All of your Stats have increased to 45 Stat Points.]

"So that's how this works." Petra grinned.

"Depending on the Role assigned, Stats change. But that's not all there is to it. I need to arm the Army as well, which means…"

Petra understood right away, and tried calling up her Inventory.

[Your Inventory has been Locked.]

"Tsk."

"We can't use it at all?"

"How are we supposed to fight then?"

"I'll have to provide everyone with weapons." Gin muttered. "Can the same Item be provided to multiple people? Copies maybe? I don't have enough for twelve people. In fact, I don't think anyone would have enough to arm a whole Party right now."

"Is that so?" One Participant said sarcastically, turning towards the opposing side. "Those guys don't seem to have a problem."

"Still, there are only five of them. Items can only do so much."

"Right." Gin muttered. Standing up from his throne, he walked for a bit as he thought. "Our Stats are equalized. Only our Skills remain. Classes are, during this Game, just a matter of Skills. But stronger Skills can only be used with high enough Stats."

"Why are you walking around?"

"You're stressing me the fuck out!"

"Do you think we're going to lose or something?"

"No, that's the problem." Gin whispered, staring in the distance. "I think there's no way for us to lose."

[You have been Assigned the Role of "Rook".]

[All of your Stats have increased to 25 Stat Points.]

[You have been Assigned the Role of "Rook".]

[All of your Stats have increased to 25 Stat Points.]

[You have been Assigned the Role of "Knight".]

[All of your Stats have increased to 15 Stat Points.]

[You have been Assigned the Role of "Knight".]

[All of your Stats have increased to 15 Stat Points.]

[You have been Assigned the Role of "Bishop".]

[All of your Stats have increased to 15 Stat Points.]

[You have been Assigned the Role of "Bishop".]

[All of your Stats have increased to 15 Stat Points.]

[You have been Assigned the Role of "Pawn".]

[Each of your Stats remains at 5 Stat Points.]

[You have been Assigned the Role of "Pawn".]

[Each of your Stats remains at 5 Stat Points.]

[You have been Assigned the Role of "Pawn".]

[Each of your Stats remains at 5 Stat Points.]

[You have been Assigned the Role of "Pawn".]

[Each of your Stats remains at 5 Stat Points.]

"Since there are twelve of us, we get to fill every Role that increases Stats. Meanwhile, they will be limited to four Roles. The Queen, the two Rooks, and one Bishop or Knight. That's all they can do." Gin explained.

"Chess, huh?"

"You know anything about chess?"

"You really think a lowlife gangster would know anything about that shit?"

"Yeah, you right-"

Petra slapped their heads, and it stung.

"Let's not get careless now." She coughed. "The Weapons and Items will come from you. It's a good thing you're the one who holds everything we looted."

"Right." Gin nodded as he called out his Inventory. "Since all Stats are equal, it doesn't really matter what role you play, does it?"

"Huh?" Perta rose an eyebrow. "The central role, obviously."

"I meant since Endurance, Strength, and Agility are all equal…"

"Oh, in that sense… Yeah, I guess it doesn't matter."

Meanwhile, on the opposing side.

"You don't mind, do you?" Elijah asked with a grin.

"Like I have a choice." Marianne sighed.

[The Participant is both part of your Army and a Slave that you own.]

[As such, you have access to your Slave's Inventory.]

"I'll get you your Daggers, alright?"

"Fine. Take the Amulet while you're at it."

"The Trickster's?"

"Yeah."

"What's the grand occasion?"

"I'm paying you back for saving my life."

"I see." Elijah answered after a moment, and the Trickster's Amulet appeared in his hand. 'Paying me back, huh? Not giving me a gift for having saved your life. Paying me back, as in buying out. But I can't do that…' He thought, staring at the Trickster's Amulet. 'It's too small an offering for me to accept letting go of you.'

Marianne frowned as she raised her arm to grab the Trickster's Amulet.

"Use it for now."

"Fine, but it is yours. Take it back whenever."

"What about me?" Léa asked, pressing her lips together.

"You weren't Rewarded with an Item, were you?"

"No, I got a Skill."

A minute later, the Army had been set up and armed.

Katherine was holding the Black Magician's Staff in her hands, while her Fire Mage's Cloak rested on her shoulders. Around her finger was the Basic Magic Ring.

[You have been Assigned the Role of "Queen".]

[All of your Stats have increased to 45 Stat Points.]

Marianne stood with her Twin Daggers of Fire & Ice in her hands and Elijah's Elite Assassin's Cloak over her shoulders.

[You have been Assigned the Role of "Rook".]

[All of your Stats have increased to 25 Stat Points.]

Around Zarath's waist hung Elijah's Black Knight's Sword, resting inside the Knight's Scabbard.

[You have been Assigned the Role of "Rook".]

[All of your Stats have increased to 25 Stat Points.]

And then, there was Léa.

'...'

[You have been Assigned the Role of "Pawn".]

Gulp-

[Each of your Stats remains at 5 Stat Points.]