Gok sat in his dimly lit room, scrolling through the endless posts and discussions flooding the Rankers forums. After the shocking encounter with Rat and the cryptic note, he needed to distract himself—and the world—from the chaos that seemed to follow him.
The Infinite Blade rested quietly against the wall, as if waiting for its next moment of destruction. But Gok had other plans. If the game had billions of players, then he could harness that attention and channel it into something meaningful.
"Time to bring MAD to the forefront," he muttered, a grin spreading across his face.
---
The Announcement
Two days later, an official announcement shook the Rankers community to its core.
"MAD TOURNAMENT: Hosted by the Rank #1 Player, Gok Sun Ji!"
The post outlined the event:
A two-month-long competition open to all players.
The tournament would feature duels, group battles, and strategy-based challenges.
A massive in-game reward pool: rare items, unique weapons, and even the chance to join the MAD guild.
Players from every corner of the globe were ecstatic. The chance to compete in a tournament organized by the infamous Rank #1 player was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
---
The Setup
Gok poured all his energy into organizing the tournament. With the Infinite Blade, he could bend the game's mechanics to his will. Massive arenas appeared across the game world, each designed for a specific challenge—deserts for endurance battles, floating islands for aerial duels, labyrinths for stealth missions, and more.
He also recruited Ragnok, his strange first guild member and former boss-turned-human, to act as one of the tournament judges.
"This will be fun," Ragnok said with a toothy grin. "I'll make sure no one cheats… too much."
Gok raised an eyebrow. "Just keep it fair. This isn't about chaos—it's about finding the best of the best."
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The Tournament Begins
The tournament's opening ceremony was nothing short of spectacular. Millions of players gathered in the central arena, a colossal coliseum that seemed to stretch endlessly. Holographic banners floated in the air, bearing the logo of the MAD guild—a menacing sword surrounded by chaotic energy.
Gok stood at the center of the arena, his avatar clad in the finest armor, the Infinite Blade slung across his back.
"Welcome, Rankers! This is the MAD Tournament!" his voice boomed, amplified for all to hear.
The crowd erupted into cheers.
"Over the next two months, you will face challenges that test every aspect of your skills: combat, strategy, teamwork, and perseverance. The strongest, smartest, and most creative players will rise to the top. And remember…"
He unsheathed the Infinite Blade, its glow casting an eerie light across the arena.
"This is your chance to prove yourselves. Show me what you've got!"
---
The Battles
The tournament's early stages were a whirlwind of action. Players formed alliances, betrayed one another, and pushed their limits in ways they never imagined. Gok watched from the sidelines, occasionally stepping in to moderate or add unexpected twists to the challenges.
One notable match featured a rising star, a mysterious player named ShadowWeaver, who single-handedly defeated an entire guild in a labyrinth challenge.
Another highlight was the Dragon's Nest, a chaotic free-for-all where players had to steal eggs from a massive, fire-breathing dragon while avoiding each other's attacks.
Ragnok, meanwhile, enjoyed his role as a judge a little too much. "That guy tripped over his own sword," he cackled during one match. "Disqualified for lack of style!"
---
Unexpected Visitors
Halfway through the tournament, rumors began circulating among the players. Whispers of unusual figures watching from the shadows, their avatars unlike anything the game had ever seen.
Gok dismissed the rumors at first, but during a particularly intense duel, he spotted one of them—a hooded figure with glowing golden eyes seated among the virtual crowd.
"Rat…" Gok muttered under his breath.
The figure smirked and vanished before Gok could act.