"Even though we'll be separated at the start, it should be easy for me to find you if you make some noise. Just don't overdo taunting our enemies. Also, don't talk to strangers," Ezrah nagged.
"Okay, Dad. I'll even make sure to look both ways when crossing the street," Segato giggled.
"I figured you wouldn't take this seriously in any capacity. That's why I slipped a tracker into your meal last night," Ezrah mentioned while he shrugged. Segato briefly stopped his bravado and quickly spun to face Ezrah. Ezrah deliberately spun to face away from Segato at the same exact time.
"Wait, what--"
"We will now initiate the teleporter. May the Deities' blessings be with you!" Gigaroh yelled, and many people also followed suit by cheering. A familiar-looking hole opened underneath all contestants. Segato's expression morphed into annoyance.
"These Deities and their holes, I swear--" he fell down before anything else could be heard.
"How many time has he fallen through a hole or something similar for him to be saying that?" Jackie tilted her head as she asked Hooligan and Layla. Layla couldn't help but narrow her eyes at Hooligan, who mimicked the spin the Segato and Ezrah did moments earlier.
"It amazes me that he doesn't hate you yet," Layla admitted before she threw her hands up in disgust.
"I doubt that day will ever come, since he already promised victory," Hooligan warmly replied. Both Jackie and Layla glanced over at the foreign creature pretending to be their Deity. "Is it weird for me to actually feel concerned about their safety?" Hooligan pondered.
Yes, yes it is, Jackie and Layla thought at the same time.
I perfectly time my descent into a roll and comfortably readjust back to my feet in a matter of seconds. I really have been practicing being dropped out of the sky lately in the off chance this would happen. I wasn't really concerned about Ezrah, since he can fly--
Boom! Boom! Boom! Not too far away from my location, I heard multiple explosions. It's a little early for fighting, so I could only surmise that some unfortunate participants triggered some traps. It's better they do that than me. I debated on going for higher ground, but I would just be making myself a target.
"Hubris, did you already cheat-- I mean get a lay of the land and who all is in the map with me?" I thought aloud.
"More or less. Stay away from the center of this dimension, as well as the northern and eastern edges. To the north is a powerful criminal that is at least a mid-class Deity in strength. You'll need Ezrah or somebody of similar strength if you want certain victory. As for the reason to avoid the east... look up at the sky," Hubris warned me. I can see why he said not to go east. The entire area was covered in some dark purple haze. Was it poison or something?
"Layla and Hooligan both mentioned 'domains' during my training before the competition. That is most likely the domain of a participant," I spoke in a hushed voice. "When do the cameras become available and outside Deities can start indirectly interfering in the Potato Wars?" Hubris frowned before he responded by pointing towards the sky again, this time towards the center. There was a presumably once a 5-minute timer now at 3 and a half minutes.
"This dimension will shred its outer layers and connect to the other dimensions once that timer finishes counting down. After that, everyone will be visible to the outside. That means for 3 more minutes--"
"--nobody will be aware of anything that happens. I suppose it's time to get some free points, then," I grinned wickedly while I finished Hubris's sentence.
"It's a reckless plan, but I suppose I should say 'as expected of someone of your prowess' in times like these, no?" Hubris shrugged while he mirrored my grin on his own face. I recalled the feeling of power in the first bangle and swung the yellow energy blade that appeared in my hands.
"The first 5 minutes of anxiety have passed! Let's see how our contestants are faring!" Gigaroh cried out to gather everyone's attention. It didn't take long before many gasps and screams filled the viewing area. Hooligan and Lancaster both ate popcorn while looking at one of the dimensions viewing screens. The entire jungle landscape was cut in half, and was scorched as if hit by a lightning bolt. The first place for that area was Segato. The screen would only show placements and not points, but nobody was a fool. That cut clearly would have been done by first place.
"Our little brother doesn't know the definition of low profile, does he?" Jackie sang in her melodic voice while she moved her legs back and forth against the stand.
Layla was about to reply but a familiar Deity angrily roared, "What the hell?! That's definitely the Stormclad Slash!" Drayden Denn pointed at the screen while he stamped his steel-spiked boots against the ground, easily cracking it. Other Deities glanced over in his direction as he rushed over to Hooligan and grabbed him by the neck.
"No fighting amongst Deities in the viewing area, remember?" Hooligan smirked as Lancaster strongly gripped Drayden Denn's arm.
"I don't know how your follower learned that move, but he is definitely dying before the Potato Wars are over," Drayden Denn growled as he threw Hooligan back into his seat.
"Later, Dippity Doo! Make sure to wash all the salt out of your mouth after this!" Hooligan called out as Drayden Denn quickly stomped away from the area.
"Hooligan, shouldn't we be concerned that Segato just revealed his trump card and put a target on his back?" Layla questioned. The one who responded back was instead Lancaster.
"I can definitely assure you that by the time the Potato Wars are over, Segato will have reached the strength of a high-class Deity. If anything, we need to make preparations," he grimly replied.
"He's right. We might have to fight our way out of here after the Potato Wars are over," Hooligan acknowledged, which made Jackie and Layla both shiver. "Looks like Segato is running for his life across one of the bridges."
"I am starting to feel like even you are realizing you didn't think this through," Hubris calmly noted. He's not entirely wrong, though. While I had gained a massive advantage in points, I had also revealed my location and made a declaration of war against the Slash family. The other participants didn't slouch in response, either. I had quickly dodged as if anticipating an attack I can't sense, and sure enough, I narrowly avoided an explosive round from my blindside. "It is impressive that you are dodging all of these attacks, though," Hubris continued to speak as I swung on a tree branch to dodge some arrows and a laser.
I understand Origin's training now. He would dodge attacks even if he couldn't perceive them just by believing he'd be attacked. It's a ridiculous mentality, but it works great against enemies you can't detect, I admitted.
"Well, you both share that trait of angering enemies beyond reconciliation and constantly having their attention," Hubris commented. I didn't need to look at him to tell he is enjoying this.
"Based on what was discussed earlier, the safest bridge is the southern one since we are the furthest from it," I thought to myself.
"Seems you actually did think some of this through," Hubris said with a small smile. I was still in the midst of avoiding attacks, and had quickly backstepped to avoid some acid. It melted the bark of the tree in front of me, and that gave me an idea.
"A really novel idea since it's a slope, after all," I thought aloud as I chuckled.
"I take it back. You didn't think this through and you are definitely insane," Hubris grumbled while he deadpanned. I ripped off part of the fallen tree and tossed it forward on the acid before I belly-flopped unto it. Sure enough, the bark slid forward at great speed, allowing me to narrowly avoid the various projectiles coming my way. After I got a feel for it, I stood up and continued to paddle forward as if treating the bark like a skateboard. Thankfully (although I wasn't sure why) Origin had memories of dodging and fighting enemies on such transportation.
By the time Segato had made it to the bridge on the screen, everyone was flabbergasted at his performance. It was as if a professional skateboarder had possessed what previously looked like an incompetent whelp to them. Layla and Jackie finally felt comfortable enough to join Lancaster and Hooligan in eating the popcorn.
"What an amazing performance done by Segato just now! It is like he has eyes in the back of his head! Just look, he can also style on his enemies with those skateboarding skills during the entire process! One can only wonder how he can safely cross this bridge, though!" Gigaroh proudly announced.
Drayden Denn turned to a nearby Deity and whispered in their ear, "Do it now, and I will greatly reward you, regardless of the outcome."
"Segato, we might have a huge problem!" Hubris shouted. Just how huge could he be talking to shout--
"Okay, that is definitely huge. What the hell?" I internally cursed. A giant ethereal fist came and punched the bridge in front of me, smashing it with ease. How did that come out of nowhere?
"Somebody must've paid for that fist to break the bridge," Hubris groaned. I honestly forgot Deities not participating in the Potato Wars could do that until this very moment. The newly widened gap is definitely too large for me to hop over.
"I don't have time to hesitate, though. Then how about we do this?" I asked Hubris.
"That'll work, but the strain on your body will be very immense. If there is any strong enemy on the other side, you'll be royally fucked," Hubris concluded. I pulled out the yellow energy blade and deliberately swung it downward on the bridge. Since the lightning bolt couldn't dance straight through the bridge, it collided with it to create an explosion. Boom!
"If that mongrel continues to live any longer, my Slash family that I have cultivated over the years will have a tainted reputation!" Drayden Denn wailed while he stomped the ground like a child.
"It looks like Segato got creative and launched himself to the other side using the impact of his own attack! Drayden Denn can only hope that there is a powerful enemy on the other side!" Gigaroh sneered, which further incited Drayden Denn's anger.
I could see her as I was falling. A beautiful caramel-skinned girl with long white hair and red eyes like rubies was waiting right at the other side of the bridge. I gave her a wink while I was flying over the gap, but she shook her head and readied her blade-- Oh crap. She's with the Slash family. My expression slowly changed into that of a deer in headlights. Her expression also changed to that of a predator ready to pounce on her prey. The slash was so quick and graceful that I readily accepted the pain that came with open arms. A large gash went down my chest as I begun to plummet to my death.