They swallowed cold air at that moment!
Only 0.1 percent of them would be selected to fight out to produce the acting representative leader of their cluster!
This was going to be a tough run for the competitors!
How were they going to get to this ten? What sort of contest had the government prepared for them? How many days would they need to prepare for this contest? Many people asked one another as they listened to their representative leader's hologram speaking.
"Take note!" the AI called out, the people listened. "Only those citizens in the Advanced Rank of Primary 3 Evolution would be eligible to take part in this contest. The rest of the people will however, be required to witness the contest especially of the last ten as we get the representative leader. The details of the first contest would be send directly to all the qualified participants at such a time as this tomorrow. Meanwhile a system reset will take place to all of you who have gathered here so as to update your personal information. Good luck as you prepare!"
At that instant, all the wristbands that they all wore vibrated and went off. Instinctively, each one looked at his or her band in silence. Since the beginning of the new era, none of their wristbands had shut off. This was the first time and it had a unique sense to it. It was as if a part of their consciousness had suddenly darkened. Nobody could speak for a moment. There was an air of solemnness around. Everyone held their breath.
After two minutes, the bands buzzed on again, vibrating back to life and everyone got excited.
Frank looked at his band after the upgrade, he was clearly identified as a primary 3 evolver, advanced rank, but this was still primary evolution!
"I have to break through," he decided.
But his mind shifted back to the other advanced subjects whom he had noted earlier. Why were they so unfamiliar to him?
I guess it won't hurt to talk to them, I might even be able to make a few friends from them, Frank thought. He decided to go to the side of the compound he had seen most of them gathering.
Just as he was making his way towards a group he had spotted Linda came up to him.
"Excuse me Frank, do you have a minute we talk?" she asked.
"Aw, okay," he hesitated, his eyes still on the group a few meters ahead. Linda followed his gaze.
"Or do you have some errands?" she asked again.
"Oh no, it is nothing," he said. Claire walked over to them.
"Hey guys! There you are! I thought you have already left
"Well, ah,, it seems there's nothing much left here to do and I also think we should be heading back, home," Linda said. Frank looked at her puzzled.
These ladies have just been at my house, and here they are wanting to go back there! What are they planning? Frank thought within himself as he looked at the two ladies with him. Before he could open his mouth to answer, Joe, the other member of their AAA5 Team arrived.
"Hello guys! Nice to see you again!" he sounded jovial. The rest of the team happily greeted him back.
"Where have you been, we didn't see you here earlier," observed Claire.
"With all the cluster gathered here you cannot really see everyone. Any way how is the going Frank? You look sturdier than when we last met!" Joe remarked still in his cheerful tone.
"You don't look bad yourself!" Frank put in, quickly analyzing his stats, "I see you have made great improvement too!"
"Ahaa! You can tell! Yeah! I personally still can't believe that I entered intermediate rank!" Joe said.
"What!" Claire was baffled, "You are now an intermediate! You even surpassed me?"
"hehehe!" Joe laughed heartily, "Let aside me, have you heard about Muro? Guy that man is a beast, he soared through from a lower ordinary subject straight into advance, even skipping intermediate!"
"Muro! What!"
All the three were now taken aback, including Frank.
Muro has even surpassed Linda and is now at same level with Frank! How is it possible?
It was a profound realization to them all.
"Have you met him, have you seen him?" Linda asked bearing in mind the news they had concerning Muro.
"Not yet but I think he is somewhere in this crowd!"
"Wait, isn't he supposed to be held by the Dark Lord's agent?" Frank asked.
"We really can't tell if that whole story of his recapture was actually true. Some are spreading rumors that it was all a lie by the government to get people's attention!" Joe said.
"I can't buy that. Too much still lies uncovered. I think we should leave now," Frank suddenly had a change of tone. The others looked at him. "Let's go!" he said.
"Frank, we need to ask you a favor. Please help us tonight to improve our stats too, please!" Linda said hurriedly as he followed Frank who was already leaving. Claire and Joe followed briskly too.
"Yes, Frank, even if it takes the whole night, please!" Claire added her plea.
"You guys, you mean you are still stuck at the levels we were three days ago? Don't you know the secret?" Joe shouted as he ran after them.
They all stopped.
"The secret?" Linda and Claire asked almost at the same time. Frank also looked at Joe questioningly. He wondered what this was all about.