NOVEL NEXT Chapter 163 - Noob Reapers
The vast, dimly lit expanse of the VIP casino floor hummed with the familiar, unsettling sounds of high-stakes games and the occasional cheers between users. And in the center of it all, the towering figure of the man who had just effortlessly restrained Katya stood, his wide, unsettling smile fixed upon them. His bare, muscled chest, marked with faint scars, stretched taut, and the dark bandana around his head framed his gap-toothed grin. His recent proposition, a casual invitation to a 'wager', had landed heavily on the group, not with clarity, but with profound confusion.
Katya, having finally regained her footing after being slammed onto the floor, rolled forward with haste, positioning herself between Kazue and the imposing stranger. Her furious eyes were locked onto the man, her body tense, every muscle coiled with a silent and ferocious promise to protect. She was a living shield, her gaze daring him to take another step, to even glance at Kazue.
After a short while, Meera was the first to break the stunned silence. Her voice, usually so boisterous, was now laced with a dangerous edge.
"Who do you think you are, to demand something like this?!"
She snarled, her amber eyes blazing with an untamed fury. She then took a challenging step forward, her body language radiating defiance.
"And in second place, there is absolutely no way we are accepting anything of the sort! We're leaving as soon as that elevator allows it!"
Her voice resonated with a powerful conviction, leaving no room for negotiation.
The man, undeterred by Meera's aggression, merely threw his head back and laughed. It was a deep, booming sound that echoed through the vast domed chamber, shaking the very air. He laughed with unbridled mirth, a genuine, hearty roar that seemed to vibrate through their bones, yet it carried an underlying current of something unsettling. He laughed for what felt like an eternity, his broad shoulders shaking ferociously. When he finally composed himself, his gap-toothed smile still wide, he pointed to himself with a flourish.
"My name is Magnus Thorne."
He boomed, his voice resonating with an almost theatrical pride. He paused for dramatic effect and then added.
"Leader of the 'Noob Reapers' team!"
As he spoke, a luminous, floating system screen materialized in the air directly in front of him, displaying his user profile for all to see.
[
Name
: Magnus Thorne]
[
Age
: 39]
[
Team
: 'Noob Reapers']
[
Potential
: A]
[
Additional
: Team Leader Representative]
The information, clear and concise, hung in the air. For Kazue, Katya, and Drake, the name 'Noob Reapers' meant little. They glanced at the screen, then at each other, their faces etched with confusion. Moyan, too, merely tilted his head, his charismatic smile unchanging, his gaze curious but uncomprehending. Falk, perched silently on Kazue's head, emitted a soft, analytical whir, processing the data, but without any discernible reaction.
Meera and Angela, however, reacted with stark, visceral shock. Their eyes widened, a flicker of profound alarm crossing their usually composed features. They knew that name… 'Noob Reapers' wasn't just a team name; it was the moniker of the team ranked tenth on the global system leaderboard, a position that was utterly absurd to the uninitiated.
For relative novices like 'No Name', the global ranking had seemed like a distant, irrelevant concept or a mere curiosity. But for experienced users like Meera and Angela, those who truly understood the system's power hierarchy, seeing a team from that list meant absolute and unmitigated danger. Teams in the global ranking operated on an entirely different level from normal teams. They were, in one way or another, terrifyingly powerful, their strength often beyond comprehension, and their methods ruthless.
The 'Noob Reapers' in particular were infamous for the chilling rumors that circulated around their members. It was said their name derived from their practice of specifically targeting and focusing on novice teams in collab scenarios, systematically exterminating them and stripping them of all their points, items, and any valuable resources they might have accumulated. They were predators, the embodiment of the system's brutal, unforgiving nature, and their appearance here, in the VIP section of a casino, was deeply unsettling.
With even more conviction than before, Meera stood her ground, with her voice firm and resolute.
"We have no intention whatsoever of participating in any kind of wager with you or your team, Magnus Thorne. Not now, not ever!"
Her words were a clear, unyielding rejection. Magnus merely laughed again, a deep, rolling sound that filled the opulent space.
"Oh, there's no need to be nervous, my dear."
He boomed, his wide smile never faltering, his tone an unsettling blend of amusement and a subtle, predatory undertone.
"I assure you, all I want is to make a perfectly legitimate wager with you. A friendly game, if you will."
His hand swept out, gesturing to the glittering games around them. Angela, with her composure now fully restored, intervened in a sharp tone, cutting through Magnus's jovial facade.
"We won't fall for such a basic trick, Thorne. Your reputation precedes you. Your team's methods are well-known."
Her eyes narrowed, dissecting his words, searching for the hidden trap. Magnus chuckled, a low, rumbling sound.
"Ah, it seems my fame precedes me indeed, haha."
He boomed, a hint of genuine amusement in his voice.
"But you truly have nothing to worry about. After all, we are in the Nexus, not a scenario. You have no reason to fear any actual physical harm here. The rules of the Nexus protect you."
He spread his massive hands in a gesture of open innocence, his wide smile unchanging, yet his eyes held a glint of something far less benign. Drake, who had been listening intently with his gaze fixed on Magnus with a growing suspicion, finally intervened. His voice was calm and measured, but firm.
"That's not entirely true, is it?"
He said, his eyes scanning the horrifying games around them.
"Isn't the very purpose of this second level of the casino precisely that users can die here? That these 'games' are designed to be lethal?"
His question cut straight to the chilling reality they had witnessed upon their arrival. Magnus laughed again, a booming, unrestrained sound that acknowledged Drake's point.
"Ah, a sharp one, I see!"
He boomed, a flicker of genuine appreciation in his eyes.
"You have a point there, young man. Indeed, the stakes here are quite real for those who choose to play. However…"
He continued, his tone shifting, becoming more persuasive.
"If you prefer, we could simply make a normal wager in the Coliseum. There, we can ensure that no one suffers any permanent harm. All injuries are instantly healed by the system, as you well know. A fair fight with no lethal consequences."
He offered the alternative with a disarming smile, making it sound like a generous concession. Meera, however, refused to be swayed. She took another step forward, her voice rising to a furious shout that echoed in the domed space.
"There is no possible way you will convince us of anything like that! We already have what we came for! This entire detour to the second level was a mistake, and we will be leaving the moment that elevator deactivates its lock! We want nothing more to do with you or your games!"
Her fury was absolute, and her determination unyielding. However, the big man merely laughed again, a low, rumbling sound that was both playful and deeply menacing, and his smile, though wide, held a chilling edge.
"Oh, there's no need to rush."
He boomed, his voice maintaining that unsettling, jocular tone.
"After all, I'm quite certain I can offer you something you simply cannot refuse."
As he spoke, he reached into the air, and an incredibly ornate, strangely shaped lamp materialized in his massive hands. It was an antique piece, made of what looked like polished brass, with intricate carvings snaking across its surface, a single, curled spout extending from its side. He held it with an almost casual reverence. With a slow, deliberate motion that drew every eye, he ran his thumb across its surface, his wide smile becoming subtly more chilling, more predatory even.
"Now think…"
He rumbled, his voice dropping, taking on an almost hypnotic quality.
"What is it that you desire more than anything else in the world?"
With that, he rubbed the lamp. It began to tremble violently in his grip, vibrating with a strange, internal energy. A faint hum filled the air, growing in intensity. Then, with a soft pop, it disintegrated into a small cloud of shimmering, ethereal smoke that quickly dissipated. Magnus still smiled, his eyes fixed on the group, as a massive system window, translucent and glowing, materialized directly in front of them.
[
Oesed's Wish Lamp - Rank S
]
[A legendary, single-use artifact that allows the user to grant the system-related wish of all recognized enemies in their vicinity. These wishes will be stored in an inaccessible space until an agreement is reached between both parties. Only works if the system recognizes the targets as true enemies of the owner.]
[
Wish List
]
[
Kazue Rima
: L-rank Plot Device 'What you want vs What you need']
[
Drake Shaw
: L-rank Plot Device 'What you want vs What you need']
[
Katya Nakamura
: Skill 'The Red Thread of Fate Lv10']
[
Angela Rose
: L-rank Plot Device 'Where are you, my love?']
[
Isaac Volta (
Falk
)
: Treasure 'WarWorld's Instruction Manual' Rank-S]
[
Meera Kapoor
: L-rank Plot Device 'What you want vs What you need']
[
M■o■yan Varrick
: Treasure 'Key to the LionHeart's Royal Tombstone' Rank-S+]
Everyone stared at the luminous screen, their eyes wide, their minds reeling from the impossible content. Magnus threw his head back and laughed again, a booming, unrestrained sound that filled the silent space.
"Well now."
He boomed, his wide, gap-toothed smile stretching.
"I certainly didn't expect such a small group to be quite so… greedy! All items and skills of the highest caliber! This is truly delightful!"
His gaze swept over the stunned faces, relishing their shock. Meera, her voice a strained whisper, finally found her voice.
"What… what is this?"
She breathed, her eyes fixed on the system window, trying to comprehend the sheer impossibility of it. Magnus chuckled.
"That, little lady, is the fruit of the treasure I just used. It has generated the desires of all of you. Your deepest, most hidden system-related wishes, now laid bare! And if we come to an agreement, you could be free to claim them!"
His tone was one of immense satisfaction, of a predator who had just laid a perfect trap. Angela groaned, a low, frustrated sound, the realization of the trap dawning on her.
"The wager?"
She grumbled, her voice tight with suppressed anger.
"The wager!"
Magnus boomed, his smile growing wider, a malevolent gleam in his eyes. He touched the glowing system screen with his massive palm, and the text shimmered, updating instantly.
[User has accepted terms for wish release. The other party must accept.
Condition
: Winner of the wager takes all.]
The chilling terms of the contract were now explicit. Victory meant absolute acquisition; defeat meant utter loss.
A profound internal conflict raged within the group. Angela, in particular, seemed utterly transfixed by the system window. Her eyes, usually analytical and detached, were wide with a raw, almost desperate hunger as she stared at the "wish" it had created for her. The possibility of finally obtaining the Plot Device she had searched for through countless scenarios, the one that held the key to her deepest, most personal desire, was a powerful and almost paralyzing draw. This sudden revelation also laid bare a crucial truth to the others: the only ones who truly held Adam's Plot Device as their absolute, unwavering priority were Kazue, Drake, and Meera. Angela's wish was entirely personal, a stark contrast to their shared goal.
Kazue, seeing the raw temptation on Angela's face, felt a sudden surge of protectiveness, a desire to shield her friends from this insidious trap. She spoke, her voice clear and firm, despite the tremor in her hands.
"No! We don't need this!"
She declared, her gaze sweeping over her bewildered companions. She knew her earlier impulsiveness, rushing into the 'Labyrinth of Shifting Echoes', had been a foolish gamble.
"I know what I did before, rushing into that game, was stupid."
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She admitted, her voice honest.
"And while I don't regret it, it showed me that we shouldn't risk more than we already have. We have the points! We accumulated more than enough! We can simply buy the Plot Device for Adam with the points we already have! We don't need to make this insane wager!"
Her logic was sound, a desperate plea for reason in the face of overwhelming temptation. As she finished speaking, Meera's eyes, fixed on the 'What you want vs What you need' entry, widened in sudden horror; she was too dazed to realize in time.
"Kazue, no!"
She shrieked, her voice a raw cry of dismay, but it was too late. The information had been revealed. The vulnerability of their plan, the very existence of their current financial security, had been laid bare. Magnus's chilling smile widened even further, a cruel, triumphant gleam in his eyes. He had just gained a crucial piece of leverage, a powerful tool of manipulation. He had their desires, and now, he knew their alternative strategy.
The man threw his head back and laughed one more time. His wide, gap-toothed smile stretched, a cruel, triumphant expression.
"Well now, well now!"
He boomed, his voice dripping with mockery.
"The little hero has a conscience! How quaint! But you've already spilled the beans, haven't you? You have points, so you don't need what I can offer! Ah, but that changes nothing!"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over their frustrated faces, clearly enjoying their predicament.
"You only have to accept the contract and win the wager. It's a simple matter. After all, it will be utterly impossible for you to acquire what you truly seek without my assistance."
Drake, his gaze narrowed, already sensing the trap, demanded.
"Why? Why would it be impossible?"
Magnus chuckled, his eyes twinkling with malicious amusement.
"Because my team and I will ensure it. From this moment forward, my teammates will follow your little group every step of the way, even if you try to separate. And if, by some miracle, you manage to find someone in the Nexus willing to sell you your precious Plot Device, we will simply offer more. A few hundred thousand points? That's barely pocket change for us. We'll outbid you and ensure you leave this Nexus empty-handed."
He let his words hang in the air, a cold, inescapable promise. A wave of profound frustration and impotent rage washed over the entire group. Meera, her face contorted, her hands clenched into furious fists, took a step forward.
"If you do that, then I'll—"
She snarled, her voice trembling with suppressed fury, but she couldn't finish. Magnus merely laughed, a booming, challenging sound. He looked at her, his wide, unsettling smile unwavering.
"You what? You can't do anything without resorting to violence, can you? And if you do, you'll be instantly expelled from the Nexus! A waste of all your hard-earned points, wouldn't you agree?"
His laughter boomed once more, mocking, utterly confident in their helplessness. He leaned forward, his voice dropping slightly, becoming a velvet invitation once more.
"So, I ask again. Accept the wager."
No one moved for a long moment, trapped by their frustration and impotence. The options were bleak: gamble for their deepest desires, or be relentlessly tormented, their mission sabotaged by a powerful, ruthless enemy. Angela finally broke the silence, cutting through the heavy air.
"What do you want if we lose?"
She asked, her gaze fixed on Magnus, searching for the true cost.
"If you're offering something so valuable, you must want something of equal worth. Is it our points?"
The man laughed again.
"Don't be foolish! As I said, a few hundred thousand points are nothing to me. What I truly desire is right here."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the group, then his massive hand shot out, pointing directly at Kazue.
A beat of stunned silence. Then, a cacophony of reactions. Drake's eyes narrowed, his body tensing, a low growl rumbling in his chest. Meera's eyes blazed with renewed fury, a fresh surge of protective rage. And Katya, her jealousy already at a boiling point, utterly snapped. With a primal snarl, she lunged, a blur of motion, launching herself at Magnus with clear, lethal intent and her hands clawing for his face.
However, before her furious hands could make contact, he moved with impossible speed. His colossal hand, seeming to materialize from the very air, clamped down. He effortlessly caught Katya mid-lunge just like the last time, and reduced her momentum to nothing, then, with a single, effortless motion, slammed her against the casino floor. The impact echoed with a dull thud, but he didn't release her, holding her pinned with one massive hand.
A tense silence descended once more, punctuated only by the distant sounds of the casino. Katya, bruised and furious, pushed herself up from the floor, glaring at Magnus, then at Kazue, a fresh wave of jealousy mixing with her rage. Meera and Angela exchanged weary glances.
After a moment, the man, seeing their continued confusion, waved a dismissive hand. He looked at Kazue, his wide, unsettling smile still fixed on her.
"Not you, little girl."
He said quickly, seeing their misunderstanding. He actually looked slightly flustered, a rare flicker of discomfort crossing his face as he realized they had misinterpreted his meaning.
"No, no. What I truly desire is that. The mechanical bird perched on your head."
Kazue blinked, her surprise growing.
"Falk? … Why?"
Her question was simple and direct, utterly devoid of the calculated greed Magnus was accustomed to.
This innocent query caused the colossal guy to pause. His eyes narrowed, a sudden spark of analytical thought in their depths as he began to piece things together. He looked at Falk, then back at Kazue, then at the rest of the group. Finally, a booming, unrestrained peal of laughter erupted from him, shaking the very foundations of the VIP floor. He laughed until tears streamed from his eyes, a wild, incredulous sound.
"Incredible!"
He exclaimed, wiping a tear from his eye.
"Truly incredible and utterly ridiculous! You don't even know what you have! It's a waste! A colossal waste, allowing something of such immense value to simply rot away with a group that doesn't even comprehend its true worth!"
Everyone stared, utterly bewildered. Even Falk emitted a soft, confused whirring sound. Magnus, regaining his composure, and with his smile now a triumphant, knowing grin, explained.
"That is all."
He declared, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument.
"If I win, I will only take the bird, but I will also keep the released wishes."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over their faces.
"After that, my team and I will leave you in peace. You can go and search for your Plot Device, and we will not bother you again. A simple, clean wager."
Silence descended once more for a minute or two. But this time, it was Angela the first to speak.
"We… we have to do it."
She murmured, her voice filled with a reluctant resignation. The potential gain, the absolute necessity of that Plot Device for Adam, and especially their wishes, was too great to ignore.
Meera, too, nodded, her initial fury replaced by a grim acceptance.
"If that's all we lose, then it's not a terrible deal, it could be worse..."
She admitted, her voice low. The loss of their… what was that supposed to be? Their pet? It would be significant, but compared to the constant sabotage, the impossibility of their mission without this wager, it seemed almost reasonable.
"What?!"
Kazue shrieked, utterly scandalized.
"Lose Falk?! No! We can't do that!"
She looked at Drake, her eyes wide with desperate pleading. The blond, too, exclaimed, his voice firm, shaking his head.
"No. We can't just gamble Falk away. He's part of the team!"
He turned to Meera.
"We don't have to do this. We can leave the Trade Nexus now, with the points we have, and come back another day. We still have time."
Magnus, his wide smile unchanging, nodded affirmatively.
"That is certainly a possibility. However, my team and I would always be waiting. Always tracking you. So, good luck trying to slip past us every time you re-enter the Nexus."
His implied threat was clear: constant harassment and endless sabotage.
Drake's jaw tightened.
"It's still the better option than just conceding."
He insisted, though his voice lacked its usual conviction. Angela tried to rebuke him, offering logical arguments against it, but nothing she said felt truly convincing in the face of Magnus's chilling promise of relentless pursuit. Meera simply remained silent, her fists clenched, torn between the harsh reality and the loyalty to her friends.
Then, to everyone's utter astonishment, Falk spoke. His mechanical voice, usually so cheerful, was calm and resolute, cutting through the tense silence.
"You should accept the wager."
He chirped, his optical sensors steady. Everyone stared at him, bewildered.
"The disadvantages of not accepting are too great."
Falk continued.
"The constant harassment, the impossibility of acquiring the necessary Plot Device, and the prolonged exposure to risk. The potential loss, should the wager prove unfavorable, is not disproportionate to the gain."
Kazue felt a wave of profound shock.
"Falk! How can you say that about yourself?!"
She exclaimed, her voice thick with emotion. The mechanical bird's optical sensors seemed to soften.
"Please, Kazue, calm yourself. As I have explained when I met you all, this is my life. I have seen much of the system. I know this would not be the end."
His voice held a strange, ancient wisdom.
"The body I inhabit is borrowed. A precious opportunity to extend a cycle that had already concluded in my original world. There is no problem with wagering on it if there is a chance to help the team achieve a goal that benefits everyone. My existence is already a bonus, not a given."
Drake tried to protest again.
"Still, we can't just risk you! We don't know what they might do to you if they win!"
Magnus, his wide smile growing even more malicious, chuckled.
"Oh, don't worry yourselves. We have no intention of destroying him or anything so crude. We merely intend to use him to his maximum potential."
His words were chilling, hinting at a darker purpose.
"Even if he were lying."
Falk interrupted, his voice steady.
"I remind you that I have already experienced death once. This body is a vessel, a second chance. There is no problem in wagering it, if it advances the team's objective."
Kazue tried to question him further, but Falk ended the discussion with a calm, decisive statement.
"Besides, I trust you all. We have faced worse things together, have we not?"
His question, simple and direct, resonated deeply within them, touching upon the bonds forged in countless battles.
After a long, tense moment of internal conflict and silent communication, the team finally accepted. Their decision was made with heavy hearts, but firm resolve. One by one, they stepped forward, placing their hands on the glowing system screen, accepting the terms of the wager. Their faces were grim, their expressions resigned, but their commitment was unwavering.
Finally, only Moyan remained. Kazue looked at him with an aching heart.
"Moyan…"
She said softly, her voice filled with a desperate plea.
"You don't have to do this. This is our problem. I don't want to drag you into this."
The guy listened with a gentle gaze. He then met her eyes, a profound sincerity in his own, and without a moment's hesitation, he placed his own hand on the glowing screen, accepting the terms.
"Don't worry, Kazue."
He said, his voice solemn yet kind, a melodious tone that seemed to cut through the tension.
"I'm sure destiny brought me to this place for a reason."
He added, with a charming and warm smile.
"Besides, if we win, I'll gain something from all of this, too."
His voice dropped, becoming unexpectedly gentle.
"But above all, I felt I couldn't abandon you all here. It just wouldn't be right."
Kazue's cheeks flushed a deep red, a strange warmth spreading through her chest. Angela and Katya, however, made subtle, almost imperceptible grimaces, as if gagging at what they perceived as Moyan's overly saccharine display.
Satisfied with having achieved his objective, Magnus clapped his hands together, a booming sound that echoed through the VIP area and made the system screen disappear with a flick of his wrist.
"Excellent!"
He boomed, his wide smile fixed in place.
"The wager will be simple. A straightforward team confrontation in the Coliseum. A best-of-seven series, divided into 1v1 matches. Each user can only participate once, and there are no limits on the skills that can be used."
The group wasn't entirely convinced, but they had no other option. They had agreed.
"Perfect! We'll head to the Coliseum immediately!"
He turned, expecting them to follow, but no one moved. He looked back, his smile fading slightly with a hint of confusion in his eyes.
"Why aren't you moving?"
Kazue, somewhat sheepishly, replied.
"Because… It's still about an hour until the elevator will let us go back down to the main floor. The three-hour lock, remember?"
Magnus blinked, then slapped his forehead with a massive hand.
"Ah, right!"
He boomed, a hearty laugh escaping him. He rubbed the back of his neck.
"My apologies! A minor oversight. Very well, we shall wait an hour then!"
The hour passed in an awkward, palpable silence. Everyone sat down, spread out in the plush VIP area. The sounds of the deadly games continued around them, a constant reminder of their precarious situation.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the hour elapsed, and the group, with Magnus leading the way, silently made their way back to the opulent VIP elevator. The polished chrome doors slid open with a whisper, and they stepped inside, a sense of grim determination settling over them. The descent was long, the luxurious silence of the VIP lift contrasting sharply with the internal turmoil of the group.
When the elevator doors finally opened again, they found themselves back on the main casino floor, the vibrant, overwhelming cacophony of lights, sounds, and crowds immediately washing over them. They exited the place, stepping out onto the grand, bustling streets of the Trade Nexus once again. Magnus strode ahead, his massive form cutting a path through the diverse throng of users, his presence drawing curious glances.
The man led them through winding thoroughfares and bustling marketplaces, past towering structures that defied gravity and logic, until finally, they reached it. The Coliseum… It stood before them, a colossal building, far grander and more imposing than any earthly stadium. Its outer walls, made of dark, polished stone and shimmering, reinforced energy fields, soared into the sky, a monumental testament to power and spectacle. Countless users flowed in and out of its immense arches, their forms dwarfed by its sheer scale.
As they entered the Coliseum, the air inside immediately shifted, becoming cooler, charged with a palpable sense of anticipation. Magnus guided them through a series of opulent corridors, past countless private viewing boxes and training rooms, until they reached a spacious room. It was clearly a private lounge, reserved for high-tier participants, complete with comfortable sofas and large holographic screens displaying various arena views. The pre-booked nature of the room made it clear: everything was proceeding exactly as Magnus desired.
Seated on a plush, curving sofa within the lounge were five men and one woman. They were a diverse group, all visibly human, though of distinct ages and builds. Their faces were relaxed, almost bored, their expressions shifting to one of mild interest as Magnus entered with the group. The woman, with a casual wave, greeted her leader.
"Hey boss, are these our new targets?"
She drawled, her voice smooth and confident, and Magnus chuckled, a low, rumbling sound.
"Targets? No, no, my dear. These are merely my esteemed companions for a friendly wager, remember?"
The rest of the 'Noob Reapers' team let out a collective snicker, their amusement evident, their eyes sweeping over Kazue's group with an air of amused superiority.
Magnus strode to a large, interactive screen on one wall and began to input the rules for their small tournament. Meera quickly stepped forward, supervising his input, making sure he didn't sneak in any unfavorable clauses. However, she had to admit, she wasn't as well-versed in the intricate specifications of the Coliseum's betting system as Solène, who was typically the one who loved such combat scenarios.
Once all the parameters were set and Meera had given a grudging nod of approval, Magnus pressed a button. A massive holographic screen materialized above them, its surface a dynamic carousel of images, rapidly shuffling through the faces of all the participants. The images spun, then slowly began to narrow, the carousel slowing until it finally halted on two specific profiles, announcing the first combatants.
[
First Combat
]
['
Noob Reapers
' - Tobias Radu /V.S/ '
Dragon Utopia
' - Meera Kapoor]
In that instant, one of the men who had been sitting on the sofa behind Magnus, a stern-faced individual with a lean build, disappeared in a flash of light. At the exact same moment, Meera's form shimmered, and she too vanished from the lounge. Kazue gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
"What just happened?!"
She exclaimed, her voice filled with alarm. The remaining members of the opposing team, the 'Noob Reapers', merely chuckled in an amused, almost condescending sound. Magnus smiled, his wide, unsettling grin firmly in place.
"They've been transported to the arena."
He simply explained. Angela stepped closer to Kazue, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"It will be alright."
She said, her voice quiet but firm.
"Everything will be fine. We can go to the adjacent stands to watch the entire combat."
Kazue felt a knot tighten in her stomach, a cold dread coiling within her. The reality of the situation, the sudden, forced combat, weighed heavily on her. But she looked at Drake, then at Katya, and finally at Moyan. A surge of renewed strength, a quiet resolve, flowed through her. She nodded and followed Angela.
The group made their way to a nearby set of doors that opened into a private skybox. It was a plush, comfortable tribune, with soft seating and a massive, transparent energy barrier offering a direct, unobstructed view of the colossal arena below, as if it were a private box at a sporting event. And there they were, both Meera and his opponent, waiting to start.