After a while, Felix nudged Stell awake. The referee made them fight with Team Purple.
Again, the fight was really anti-climactic. The pigeon literally demolished the enemy team.
After that, Team Red versus Team Black happened.
Team Red's mouse was already injured, and Team Black's spider had half of its legs broken, resulting in a 1v1 battle between a ghost summon and a smaller, half-meter pigeon.
Although the pigeon was smaller, it wasn't to be underestimated. Quickly flying through the sky, it attacked the ghost with a precise and deadly claw.
Contrary to expectations, the ghost didn't move, allowing the pigeon's claws to pass through it before it turned and grabbed it by its claws, smashing it into the ground.
Eventually, the pigeon lost consciousness.
Stell got nervous. That 'phasing out' ability was truly OP. Even though his pigeon was stronger and smarter than the one that had just been defeated, Stell felt that it wouldn't matter if it couldn't land a hit.
Felix looked at the scene with a smile, enjoying the scenery.
Noticing his calm expression, Stell also began to feel more at ease. He had a protagonist with him! Although the opposing party was also a suspected protagonist, Stell felt like they might have an advantage.
It was two versus one, after all. Team Red's mouse was completely defeated.
'Actually, Felix's egg is no better...' Stell bitterly chuckled in himself.
"Didn't you say that your egg is a Phoenix or something? Why was it useless this whole time?" Stell complained.
"I don't know. I didn't even want to tame it. I just got a system notification. Too bad the game doesn't allow more than one summon." Felix shrugged, disinterested in continuing the topic.
Stell could only sigh. They spent two High-Tier Common-Rank achievements for a right to participate in the games.
"Now that I think about it, I think that I know why the government made us sign those contracts." Stell commented on the side, looking at the miserable unconscious pigeon.
"Why?" Felix's curiosity was piqued. Well, it wasn't a hard thing to do.
"I only have two High-Tier achievements but a lot of Mid-Tier. I guess that most people are in a similar situation. If we don't win the first few games and spend all our High-Tier achievements, wouldn't we be in debt to the government? Eventually, if we don't handle it well, it might even become a generational debt."
Stell's logical conclusion made Felix nod in understanding. "You are probably right. I guess that the Achievement Exchange shop is governed by the government. It's easy for them to farm Peak-Tier or even Rare Rank achievements that way."
"And if they don't pay up, they will be in debt with accumulating interest." Stell finished Felix's sentence.
Felix only nodded. "It's a win-win for them. We also can't really complain since we were given fair conditions. Save a life for playing a few competitive games."
Stell shook his head, disappointed in the world but also slightly happy that he had solved one of the mysteries bugging him.
After a slight pause, the finals commenced.
Team Red vs Team Blue.
The black-haired person on the opposing team recognized Felix and Stell. With a sneer, his summon appeared.
"I guess this is fate." He derisively said.
"I guess it is." Felix smiled.
Noticing the tension, Stell started sweating.
'NO! I don't want to antagonize a potential protagonist! I gotta do something.' The gears in his brain worked like never before. Although he didn't realize it, Stell started having fun for the first time in his life.
'I know!' Stell looked at the black-haired person with a smirk.
"I am Stell, and this is Felix." He said as he pointed at Felix.
The black-haired person felt insulted by Stell's smirk. With a snort, he introduced himself. "I am Aaron."
He didn't bother introducing the person next to him. Surprisingly, the person also didn't introduce himself, remaining just a spectator.
"I see that you caught a strong poke- I mean, summon." Stell quickly corrected himself.
Not understanding what he meant, Aaron just stood there waiting for Stell to continue.
In the meantime, the referee started the match, but no summons moved, waiting for orders from their masters.
"How about we make a bet? If we lose, I will give you a Peak-Tier achievement. If I win, you will owe me a favor." Stell said derisively, as if he didn't even regard Aaron.
That irked Aaron.
"Rare Rank." Aaron casually replied. As he was sure that he would win, he might as well get the most out of it. Even if he missed out on a Peak-Tier achievement, Aaron didn't feel like it was a waste.
Stell's smile froze. As the gears in his head spun, he quickly replied, fearing that a lack of response might shatter his facade.
"Sure." He casually replied as if Rare Rank was a common commodity.
While he was casual on the outside, his heart bled. 'That's a bloody Rare Rank I am gambling with! Piggy, if you disappoint me, I am going to skin you alive.' He glared at his previous enemy but a current comrade.
Not bothering with Stell anymore, Aaron sent his ghost after the pigeon. The pigeon immediately flew into the sky, not forgetting to pick up the egg and carry it in its mouth.
Felix looked at Stell, astonished. With a low voice, he asked him. "Hey, since when are you so arrogant? Also, why did you provoke him?"
"I am pretty sure that he was already provoked by you." Stell smiled wryly.
As the ghost waited on the ground for the pigeon to come close, the pigeon circled around, waiting for an opportunity.
"Running away?" Aaron mocked.
Stell ignored Aaron as he looked at the battle.
Seeing that the ghost didn't turn in time, the pigeon immediately descended and swiped with its claw, but it phased through.
Quickly flying away, it barely escaped the ghost. Seeing Aaron's derisive smirk, the pigeon's blood boiled. Immediately, it descended once again, allowing the ghost to grab it.
As it got grabbed, it attacked the hand that grabbed it with its other claw, injuring the ghost's arm. The ghost let go of the pigeon as it grabbed its arm, almost screaming in silent pain.
"Tsk." Aaron didn't believe that he would lose, but the exchange left him dissatisfied.
Noticing that its attack worked, the pigeon arrogantly attacked again. As if it was awaiting the pigeon's attack, the ghost grabbed its claw. Then, it grabbed the other claw with its second hand, making the pigeon panic.
"Are you stupid?!" Stell immediately became angry. "Do you REALLY think that the SAME trick will work twice?!"
The pigeon then dropped the egg in its beak onto the ghost. As the egg descended, it started shining brighter.
After touching the ghost, it burned him, making him let go of the pigeon once again. The pigeon seized that opportunity and swiped one of its claws at the ghost, ripping its arm off.
Aaron furrowed his brows at the sight.
"Hey! Your egg is finally useful! It can stop the ghost's power!" Stell almost hugged Felix because of his happiness. Felix only grinned in response.
Finally, the pigeon dealt the finishing blow to the vulnerable ghost.
Aaron could only look blankly, not comprehending the situation.
As the referee announced Team Red's win, Stell regained his composure. With a derisive look, he addressed Aaron.
"Well, well, well. What do we do about the favor." His mocking grin made even Felix feel like it was too much.