Xian stepped out of the main building as the sun began to set, his shoulders heavy with exhaustion. The day's work had been long and grueling, filled with repairs, inspections, and a few covert moments of investigation. The cool evening air greeted him, offering a small respite from the suffocating tension inside the building. But instead of heading home, Xian decided to take a detour, weaving through the bustling streets of the city center.
The main district was alive with activity. Neon lights illuminated the pathways, casting a kaleidoscope of colors over the throngs of people. Vendors lined the streets, shouting to attract customers to their stalls. The aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, tempting passersby to indulge. Xian navigated the crowd with ease, his eyes scanning the various shops and stalls.
He had a mission tonight—not one of espionage, but one of preparation. His mind buzzed with ideas for a device that could assist him in his investigations. Something compact, portable, and capable of bypassing security measures without leaving a trace.
As he moved from shop to shop, he mentally checked off the items he needed. Microprocessors, capacitors, conductive wiring... His list was long, and each shop seemed to have only a fraction of what he was looking for.
"Missing parts again," Xian muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair in frustration. The scarcity of components was a constant obstacle, but an even greater challenge loomed over him—money.
He remembered the last time he checked the balance in the bank account Ch'en had set up for him. It wasn't much, barely enough to cover his basic needs, let alone the parts he needed for his device. Even with the earnings he received from Ch'en, it was clear he'd need to find another source of income.
"This isn't gonna cut it," Xian sighed. "I'll need to pick up some part-time work again."
As he wandered further into the city, his gaze fell upon a large holographic billboard. Bright, bold letters danced across the screen, accompanied by flashing animations and upbeat music.
"GRAND PRIZE: 23 MILLION LMD!"
Xian froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. Twenty three million LMD? The number was so absurd that he had to blink a few times to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. His heart skipped a beat as he read the details of the advertisement.
The competition was divided into three categories: mechanical assembly, art painting, and shooting.
"What kind of ridiculous combination is this?" Xian muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. His gaze lingered on the competition details, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
A group of people gathered near the billboard, chatting excitedly about the event. A burly man with grease-stained overalls clapped his friend on the shoulder. "Twenty three million LMD, huh? I bet you could win the mechanical assembly round with your eyes closed!"
"Yeah, right," his friend replied, laughing. "You're the one who spends all day tinkering with engines. You should give it a shot!"
Further down the street, a young artist set up an easel, sketching a portrait of a passerby. "Think I've got a chance in the painting round?" she asked her companion, holding up her work.
"It's worth a try," he replied. "Even if you don't win, the exposure could be great for your career."
Xian listened to their conversations, his mind racing. Mechanical assembly, painting, shooting... It's not impossible.
He couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. The mechanical assembly round was right up his alley—his engineering background and technical expertise gave him a clear advantage. Painting? That was a long shot. His artistic skills were limited to doodling on scrap paper during boring meetings. And shooting? He'd never fired a gun in his life, but maybe his reflexes and adaptability could get him through. He jokingly said.
"Twenty three million LMD..." Xian whispered, the weight of the number sinking in. That kind of money could solve all his problems. He could buy the parts he needed, upgrade his tools, and even save for the future.
He stepped closer to the billboard, scanning the details for the competition's rules and registration process. The event was scheduled to take place in two weeks, giving participants just enough time to prepare.
"Two weeks," Xian repeated, a determined look crossing his face. "I can make this work."
As he walked away from the billboard, he began formulating a plan. He'd focus on the mechanical assembly round first, honing his skills and ensuring he was at the top of his game. For painting, he'd need to find a way to fake it—or at least create something abstract enough to pass as art. As for shooting, he'd have to learn from scratch, maybe by finding a range that offered beginner lessons.
"Guess I'll be busier than ever," Xian said with a grin, his steps quickening as he headed toward the nearest supply shop. The competition was ridiculous, but so was his situation. If this was his chance to turn things around, he wasn't going to let it slip through his fingers.
For the first time in weeks, Xian felt a spark of excitement. The path ahead was uncertain, but it was a challenge worth taking.
After days has passed xian finally staring at the place where the event is being held.
He look around and sees alot of people.
He thoughts about it and walk to the regestrar station. He sees a long line and sighs about it.
While in line xian sighs from the long turn and moments later some ruckus happened in the back, some fights happened and the guards mitigated the situation by dragging the people who causes them, hearing some shouts and complaints.
Xian commented that the heat from the sun gets them the better of them thinking of angers rising and some agrees with him.
They chatted while in line.
After a long awaited xian finally able to be registered but with some delays because he was wearing a mask. A mask that covers his face and it's designed is inspired from the anime tensura.
He wares the mask so that he could conceal himself and not to stand out in his original appearance so that no one could recognized him.
Days passed in a blur of preparation and anticipation. Xian stood at the entrance of the sprawling event venue, his gaze fixed on the massive banners flapping in the breeze. Brightly colored and adorned with holographic designs, the banners proudly displayed the competition's categories: Mechanical Assembly, Art Painting, and Shooting.
The area was packed with people. Contestants, spectators, and event staff bustled about, creating a lively and chaotic atmosphere. Xian let out a slow breath, steadying himself. This is it. No turning back now.
He adjusted the straps of his backpack and walked toward the registration station. A long line of participants snaked around the booth, each person waiting their turn to sign up. Xian sighed, already feeling the weight of the wait.
As he joined the line, he scanned the crowd. Contestants came in all shapes and sizes—mechanics with tool belts slung over their shoulders, artists carrying sketch pads and paintbrushes, and sharp-eyed individuals who looked like they had spent years at the firing range.
"Some serious competition," Xian muttered under his breath, though a flicker of determination lit his eyes.
The line moved slowly, the minutes stretching into what felt like hours. Sweat beaded on foreheads as the midday sun bore down on them. Some people grumbled, while others fanned themselves with whatever they had on hand.
A commotion broke out near the back of the line. Raised voices and shouts drew everyone's attention.
"Hey, watch where you're going!" someone yelled.
"What did you just say to me?!" another snapped back.
Xian craned his neck to see what was happening. A couple of contestants had started a fight, shoving each other as their tempers flared. The situation escalated quickly, with insults flying and others getting caught in the scuffle.
Before things could spiral further, a group of guards stepped in, their presence imposing. They swiftly separated the fighters, dragging them away despite their shouts and complaints.
"You'll regret this!" one of them yelled as he was hauled off.
The line began murmuring, the tension easing as the ruckus was dealt with. Xian chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Guess the heat got to them. Tempers flare easier when the sun's this relentless."
The person in front of him, a middle-aged man carrying a toolbox, turned and nodded in agreement. "No kidding. Feels like we're being roasted out here."
"Maybe the competition should've included a heat endurance round," Xian joked, drawing a laugh from the man and a few others nearby.
The small exchange sparked casual conversations among those waiting in line. Xian found himself chatting with a few contestants, sharing lighthearted remarks about the event and the challenges ahead.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, it was Xian's turn to register. He approached the booth, where a bored-looking attendant sat behind a desk, tapping away on a tablet.
"Name?" the attendant asked without looking up.
"Just put me down as 'Rimuru,'" Xian replied.
The attendant glanced up, their eyes immediately narrowing at the sight of Xian's face—or rather, the mask covering it. The mask was a sleek black design with intricate blue markings, clearly inspired by the anime Tensura.
"Uh... why the mask?" the attendant asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It's... personal," Xian said, keeping his voice even.
The attendant looked skeptical. "We don't usually allow face coverings unless there's a valid reason."
Xian leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial tone. "Let's just say I'd prefer not to attract attention. You know how it is—recognition can be a bit... distracting."
The attendant sighed, clearly unimpressed but unwilling to argue further. "Fine. But if security asks you to remove it, you'll have to comply."
"Understood," Xian replied, nodding.
The registration process took a bit longer than usual, with the attendant double-checking his details and verifying his participation in all three categories. Xian stood patiently, his hands resting on the counter as the attendant worked.
When everything was finally sorted, the attendant handed him a badge. "You're all set. Good luck."
"Thanks," Xian said, taking the badge and slipping it into his pocket.
As he stepped away from the booth, he adjusted his mask, ensuring it was secure. The mask wasn't just a fashion statement—it was a precaution. Concealing his identity was crucial. He didn't want anyone recognizing him or connecting him to his other activities.
"Rimuru, huh?" Xian muttered to himself as he walked toward the waiting area. "Let's see how far I can take this."
The venue buzzed with excitement as contestants prepared for the competition. Xian found a quiet corner to sit and gather his thoughts. His gaze drifted to the crowd, noting the mix of confidence and nerves on the faces of those around him.
....
As Xian walked down the corridor leading to the contestants' waiting room, the faint echoes of energetic chatter filled the air. Among the sea of unfamiliar voices, one stood out—lively, energetic, and oddly familiar.
Curiosity prickled at the back of his mind. He froze mid-step and turned toward the source of the sound. His eyes widened slightly behind the mask as he spotted two figures he never expected to see this early in his new life.
A girl with fiery red hair, dressed in a jacket and shorts, was chatting animatedly, her tone brimming with excitement. Beside her, a taller girl with long black hair and wolf-like ears walked calmly, her movements measured and unhurried. She was munching on a chocolate-covered stick, nodding occasionally at her companion's rapid-fire speech.
Exusiai and Texas.
The very characters he'd only dreamed of encountering in the distant future were right here, in front of him.
Exusiai was practically bouncing as she spoke, waving her hands for emphasis. "I'm telling you, Texas! If I win this competition, the prize money will cover all the bullets I'll ever need! Imagine it—23 million LMD! I could make a custom order for every caliber!"
Texas, chewing on her snack, gave a casual nod. "You still owe the boss for the last 'incident,'" she reminded her, her tone flat but slightly teasing.
"Come on, don't remind me!" Exusiai groaned, placing both hands on her head dramatically. "That's why I have to win this! If I don't, I'll never hear the end of it."
Texas raised an eyebrow. "The damage to the room? The car? And let's not forget the—"
"Alright, alright! I know!" Exusiai interrupted, waving her hand as though trying to shoo away the memories. "No need to rub it in, Tex! I'm already under enough pressure as it is."
Their banter continued as they walked down the corridor, seemingly oblivious to the attention they were drawing. Xian, however, couldn't tear his gaze away. For a moment, he felt like he was back in front of his gaming screen, watching these characters interact with each other. The surrealness of seeing them in real life sent a shiver down his spine.
Suddenly, Texas stopped mid-stride. Her wolf-like ears twitched slightly as she scanned the hallway. Her piercing blue eyes locked onto Xian, who stood frozen, staring at them from a distance. There was a flicker of wariness in her gaze, her hand instinctively hovering near the hilt of her sword.
Exusiai noticed her friend's reaction and followed her line of sight, her orange eyes landing on Xian. "Hey, Tex, what's up?" she asked before noticing the masked figure. Her expression shifted from curiosity to a wide grin. "Whoa, check it out! Is that some kind of cosplay? That mask is kinda cool, but also super creepy!"
Texas didn't respond immediately. Instead, her gaze remained fixed on Xian, her expression unreadable. Xian shifted uncomfortably under their scrutiny, silently cursing himself for not being more inconspicuous.
"I don't like it," Texas finally muttered, her tone low but firm. "Something about it feels...off."
Exusiai tilted her head, her grin faltering slightly. "Really? Looks like someone trying to keep a low profile to me." She raised a hand and waved cheerfully. "Hey, masked dude! You here for the competition too?"
Xian stiffened, unsure of how to respond. His mind raced for an excuse, but before he could say anything, Texas cut in.
"Let's go, Exusiai," she said, her voice curt. She tugged her friend's sleeve, urging her to move along.
"Aw, come on! Don't be like that!" Exusiai protested, but she let herself be dragged away. She glanced back over her shoulder, giving Xian a curious look. "Good luck, creepy mask guy! See you in the finals if you make it!"
Xian exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding as the two disappeared into the waiting room. His heart was pounding in his chest. It wasn't fear or nervousness—it was the realization that the world he had been thrown into was far more real than he had ever imagined.
"Texas and Exusiai," he muttered under his breath. "Of all the people to run into, why them?"
He adjusted his mask, mentally preparing himself. If this was just the beginning, he could only imagine what other surprises awaited him in this competition.