NOTE: There will be heavy usage of images and Gifs in this volume. On Patre0n, the images and gifs are embedded between texts, giving a better experience. On Webnovel, there's no such option. So, if any of you would ever think of supporting the work and becoming a Patron, you can go through those chapters once more.Half of the volume is already published on Patre0n.
*****************
Chapter Begins:
Time flew by, flapping its wings in the foggy winter.
Once again, after many months, Kai found himself sitting in the white hall on a chair, facing a giant white screen.
However, unlike the last time, he was the sole Candidate here, surrounded by the plain whiteness and silence.
Kai put his hands on the arms of the chair and leaned back, waiting for the Systems to brief him about the upcoming 2nd Stage and the personalized world. A bubble of anticipation glistened in his heart, sensing the arrival of the Bleach World where he should've been sent for his Initiation Mission, to begin with.
The voices originated from Kai's surroundings, and the same words appeared on the giant screen as well.
…
[[Suppressing all memories related to the Demon Slayer Random World]]
…
Kai had just processed the sentence when a drilling pain made him fall to his knees.
The headache from the maturation of Golduck's mind jewel had been already making his life miserable.
This sudden pain shook his body to its core.
Now, Kai could bear the pain, if he truly wanted to. Over two years of slaughter and walking on the demonic path had taught him that, at the least.
But this pain that he was feeling right now wasn't truly physical. Not to mention, there was no defense against it.
Its origin lay in Kai's spirituality, in his soul. Yet, knowing this didn't ease his pain.
The only one who had been making this pain bearable was Selene, using Soul Chill.
Crack!
Something shattered within him, and it was over.
When Kai regained access to his faculties, he had already forgotten the reason for his fall and the excruciating pain in his head.
Fuck! Kai cursed, massaging his temples and returning to the chair. The Systems are up to something. I remember this pain. Did they again erase…
Kai's eyes widened.
After returning from the 1st Stage, and through talking with Meg and Spawn, Kai had learned that the Systems had erased his memories regarding the Aliens and Predators Random World.
Now, with the uncountable Random Worlds in the Multiverse, Kai didn't claim he knew all by heart. However, he did know the basics of many, especially when one considered Meg's rich experience.
Which Random World's memories did the Systems erase this time? Kai wondered. Never mind. I have a plan for that. Haha!
Suddenly, the bubble of anticipation within him, which had been trembling in excitement till now, burst with a furious pop.
Kai shot to his feet, veins popping on his head.
The cause of his wrath was one word. One memory, to be specific.
Despite knowing that he had lost the memory related to a Random World, he… still remembered the existence of Bleach Random World.
And that meant…
… Kai gritted his teeth.
The voices returned uncaring of Kai's rage, and the screen reflected the words as they echoed around him.
…
[[
The Systems welcome Candidate Red to the 2nd Stage of ?#?!?###? Tournament of Worth.
The 2nd Stage, as communicated before, is personalized to match each Candidate's capabilities based upon their stats, experiences, and projected-growth.
As the location of this stage is a particular timeline of an entire Random World, the Candidate will be given a Main Mission with a Time Limit.
To clear the 2nd Stage, the Candidate must survive the Random World for the said Time Limit in addition to completing the Mission Objective.
For all sense and purposes, the Candidate can observe this 2nd Stage as another Random World teleportation with a Main Mission.
Adhering to the last instructions, a visual feed of the Candidate's actions will be available to all Contestants who will pay to access it. The facial features of the Candidate will be blurred in the same sense.
The Main Mission is as follows:
…
Survival Mission: What is Demon?
Survival World: Demon Slayer
Survival Mission Summary: You have obtained the Package. Both Demon and Demon Slayer factions desire the same Package and will come after the Candidate to obtain it. As a Candidate, you must ensure the safety of the Package for the entire Time Limit, keeping it close to yourself.
The Package must not leave a radius of 100 meters from the Candidate for over 30 minutes. An HP bar will be assigned to the Package as well. The Candidate must ensure that the Package's HP will not drop over 90% of its value.
Survival Mission Objective: Find the answer
Survival Mission Time Limit: 1 month
Survival Mission Grade: D+
Note:
1. Inventory will be inaccessible to the Candidate once teleported
2. Basic info on the personalized Random World is now available for the Candidate
]]
…
Following the notification, a table sprang up with a Tablet placed neatly over it.
Yet, Kai didn't move. His face was hideously contorted, with displeasure trickling off his bloodshot eyes. Dissatisfaction and betrayal were the words that could barely hope to describe the state of his feelings.
Where was Bleach? He wanted to see it. He wanted to experience it. Live it!
Then there was the matter of Mission Grade.
D+ was the grade assigned to his current Main Mission.
That was only because he had compressed three floors' worth of missions into one. Otherwise, if he had gone with it all as an ordinary Contestant, then he wouldn't have to face a D+ grade mission before reaching the 6th floor.
There was no mystery about it, Kai observed.
The fucking Systems had given him a mission that was normal for a 6th-floor Contestant, not a 4th-floor one. If he wasn't wrong, then Kai strongly believed it was a direct outcome of him having a Glitch.
Kai took a deep breath and stood up. He went to the table, snatched the tablet off it, and returned to the chair.
As he pressed his thumb to its back, the screen came alive with basic info on the Random World.
It briefly introduced him to the Demons, the Demon Slayers, and the unforgivable rivalry between the two factions.
Suddenly, contrary to Kai's expectations, he found some things that brightened up his mood.
So, this world does have swords and sword-related Abilities, Kai thought, smiling.
One more thought flashed through his mind like a bolt of lightning. Hmm, he wondered, pressing his eyebrows, would I be able to devour these Demons?
Once he was done with it, Kai put the Tablet back on the table, which disappeared inside the floor.
All things that needed to be told, had been told to him. But Kai knew it wasn't the time to leave yet, for the time that he had been looking forward to the most had finally arrived.
And sure enough, the voices returned, along with the words on the screen.
…
[[
Candidate Red, based on your 1st Stage's performance, many Contestants have contacted Chaos to become your sponsor.
Do you want to avail such a privilege?
]]
…
The entire Tournament of Worth was about showcasing one's abilities and getting Sponsors.
Meg had warned Kai about it already before his reincarnation.
She had been a 13th-floor Contestant and naturally knew all about Tournament of Worth and how the Sponsor system worked.
Though, as she hadn't participated in the Tournament during her 2nd Set, she didn't know the exact details. If she had, then Meg wouldn't have been allowed to participate in the Tournament this time.
Irrespective of fallen status, all Contestants could only be Candidates once in their lifetimes.
Kai recalled what Meg had told him about the Sponsor system.
And a sly grin surfaced on his face naturally now.
***************
AN: Now you can access 15 Chapters of Chaos and Order ahead of Webnovel on Patre0n (including up to 60 montly chapters). If you would like to access the exclusive content, while simultaneously supporting the fanfic, then do consider becoming a Patron
Bonus Chapter Deal - 70 Power Stones per day: +1 Bonus Chapter