Chapter 3: Crown Game + Harvesting Time
The Crown Game was introduced by the ever-charismatic Test Administrator, Lero Ro. His confident smile hinted at layers of complexity hidden within this deceptively simple challenge. The room was dimly lit, with the throne standing as its centerpiece, surrounded by twelve identical doors radiating an aura of mystery.
"This is the Crown Game," Lero Ro began, his voice carrying an air of authority that immediately silenced the gathered Regulars. His sharp gaze scanned the crowd, ensuring he had everyone's attention before continuing. "The objective is straightforward: secure the crown, place one of your team members on the throne, and defend it until the end of the game."
As Lero Ro explained, the rules unfolded like a carefully woven tapestry, each layer revealing a new strategic challenge. The throne, situated at the center of the arena, was illuminated under a spotlight, symbolizing the glory and peril awaiting those who dared to claim it.
"The game will proceed in five rounds," Lero Ro said, gesturing toward the large digital timer hovering above the arena. "At the beginning of each round, teams will have the option to participate by pressing their buzzers. But remember: only the first three teams to press their buzzers will be allowed to enter the arena."
A murmur swept through the crowd. Regulars exchanged glances, some excited, others calculating. The opportunity to compete would not come without risks, and timing would be everything.
"To win a round," Lero Ro continued, "a team must take the crown and place one member on the throne. The crowned member must remain seated on the throne, unable to move or defend themselves, until the round ends. It will be up to the rest of the team to protect the throne and their seated teammate."
He paused for emphasis, his tone growing more serious. "If the throne is overtaken or the crowned member is forced to leave their seat, that team is eliminated. The game ends after the fifth round. The team still seated on the throne, wearing the crown, will be declared the winner."
The Regulars stood in tense silence, absorbing the weight of the rules. The simplicity of the objective belied the strategic depth of the challenge. Should they rush into the early rounds, risking exposure and exhaustion, or hang back, biding their time for a decisive final push?
Lero Ro's gaze swept the crowd as he added, "One more thing: if you enter the arena and fail to claim the throne during the round, your team will no longer be allowed to participate in subsequent rounds. So think carefully before pressing that buzzer."
The pressure in the room thickened as the Regulars realized the stakes. The Crown Game was not merely about strength or cunning—it required teamwork, timing, and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing battlefield.
Lero Ro gave one final nod and stepped back, leaving the stage to the players. "Let the Crown Game begin," he declared, his voice echoing through the room.
As the first round's buzzer activated, teams braced themselves for the challenge ahead.
The first two teams to enter the Crown Game were Hatsu's team, consisting of Hatsu, Ship Leesoo, and Anak, and Shopin's team, consisting of Shopin, Kon, and Dédé Kancho.
As the Crown Game commenced, Kalon leaned back against the cool metallic walls of the observation room. His eyes remained fixed on the arena below, where chaos and ambition clashed in equal measure. Unlike the other Regulars, who clamored for a chance to enter the arena, Kalon sat in calm detachment, his mind focused on a task only he could comprehend: absorbing techniques into his Immortal System.
"Why aren't we joining?" Tryllo's voice held a tinge of frustration as he paced back and forth. His tail flicked impatiently, betraying his reptilian nature. "This is our chance to prove ourselves!"
"We'd be eaten alive out there!" Squidshark snapped, his fins twitching nervously. "Did you see that hulking guy in armor? I'm not going up against that."
"You see that green girl holding the weapon? She's the strongest," Kalon remarked casually, spreading awareness among his team. Still, Anak's team was going to lose by the second round, so she wasn't his concern.
Kalon smirked. "Let them fight. Let them reveal their hands while we learn their moves."
As the game unfolded, Kalon's system activated with precision. Each time a competitor unleashed a unique skill or strategy, a faint shimmer appeared in his peripheral vision, and the system chimed softly within his mind:
[Skill Detected: Triple Sword Formation – Stored in System Space.]
[Skill Detected: Combat (Beginner) – Stored in System Space.]
Kalon's lips curled into a faint smile as the techniques accumulated. Within the system space, he decided to store these moves and practice them later in solitude.
"Okay, it's decided—we'll participate in the third round," Kalon said, stretching his fingers.
"Why, all of a sudden?" Squidshark asked, diverting his attention from the ongoing fight.
"No reason. I just want to advance to the next floor quickly. I'll take a quick nap. I've been on the run since the first test." Kalon lied through his teeth; in truth, he wanted to use the time to learn the skills stored in his system space.
Without waiting for a reply, Kalon leaned back against the cold wall, closed his eyes, and allowed himself to drift into the system space.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a completely white void with no end in sight.
"How do I access the stored skills?" Kalon asked, his voice reverberating in the empty surroundings.
[To access the stored skills, the host must say, 'Skills.']
"Skills."
Instantly, a list of stored skills appeared before him:
[Triple Sword Formation]
[Combat (Beginner)]
Kalon chose Triple Sword Formation, and a sword materialized in his hand. Knowledge of the skill flowed into his mind, and a figure holding a sword appeared before him, demonstrating the moves.
Kalon mirrored the movements. At first, his form faltered, but as time passed, his confidence grew.
Decades seemed to pass in this isolated space, and Kalon's mastery of the sword became apparent. His hard work culminated in a notification:
[New Title Acquired: Sword Master.]
Kalon sighed, unsure of how many swings he had performed in this timeless void. The title Sword Master sounded pleasing, but he couldn't gauge the true extent of his strength.
"Is there a way to practice further?" he wondered aloud.
Information flowed into his mind, detailing how to alter the terrain within the system space. Imagining a forest filled with tall bamboo, Kalon watched as the white void shifted into a dense forest. He could feel the rough ground beneath him and the texture of the bamboo under his fingers.
He summoned a wooden sword, deciding to practice with the simplest weapon since he wouldn't have access to a real blade in the Crown Game.
Kalon swung the wooden sword, finding it far lighter than the blade he had used in training. He stepped back, adjusted his stance, and slashed forward.
Slice!
The force of his strike surprised even him, causing him to stumble slightly. Before him, hundreds of bamboo stalks lay sliced in half—a testament to the refinement of his skill.