As the game continued, participants employed various strategies to overcome the challenge. Some relied on brute strength, while others utilized their magical abilities or unique talents. Amidst the numerous contestants, three individuals managed to make significant progress, scaling through the first line, with varying degrees of success.
Octavius's attention was drawn to Marilyn, who was about to attempt the challenge. As he watched, he noticed a familiar flash of ginger hair from the Healer faction. His heart skipped a beat as he realized Amy was participating in this round.
Octavius silently cheered for both Amy and Marilyn, hoping they would at least surpass the first line. As their round drew to a close, Amy had successfully placed both feet on the line, expertly harnessing her regenerative powers to prevent her body from weakening and her hands from bruising.
In contrast, Marilyn struggled to make any progress. Despite her repeated pulls, she didn't budge an inch, her efforts yielding no tangible results.
Octavius kept watching and his mind raced with strategies of how he could improve his own chances of success in the challenge ahead.
Three representatives from each faction remained, awaiting their turn. In the Architect faction, Nadia, Octavius, and Erick stood ready. Octavius waited, expecting Nadia to make her move, but when she hesitated, he decided to step forward.
Just as he did, he noticed a familiar face from the Healer faction stepping up to participate in this round - one of the individuals who had been involved in the ambush against him. As their eyes met, the man sneered, his gaze lingering with malice.
Octavius felt a shiver run down his spine, as the memory from that fateful evening replayed in his mind.
The man, however, took umbrage with Octavius's steady gaze. "Stop looking at me, you dimwit," he snarled with hostility.
Octavius swiftly averted his gaze, relieved that his ambusher didn't seem to recognize him. He couldn't help but anticipate the moment when he would finally confront them, eager to witness their reactions.
Would they beg for mercy? Would they cry? Octvaius couldn't help but wonder.
As he noticed the guard poised to blow the whistle, Octavius took a deep breath, calming his mind and focusing on his steady inhales and exhales. He centered himself, preparing for the challenge ahead.
Void stood beside him. After observing Octavius for a while, he asked him. "What's your plan?" he raised a question. "Do you know how to maneuver your way through this?"
"Yes," Octavius replied confidently. "Notice how the ropes are slightly vibrating? That suggests there's a creature inside, grasping the ropes. I have a plan to guarantee my victory. I can cast you inside the creature, and you can... persuade it to cooperate, allowing me to reach the end of the lines."
[I smell a 'but' coming.]
Octavius nodded. "Indeed. Executing that plan would raise suspicions, particularly because I'm someone from the Architect faction. So, I'll employ a more subtle approach. I'll stand still, pull steadily, and wait for the rope's vibrations to intensify – indicating the creature's growing exhaustion. Then, we'll pull hard in unison, aiming to get at least one of my feet close to the second line."
Void looked impressed with Octavius' plan, but he didn't voice it out.
[I'll help steady your stance when you grip the rope, ] Void offered, but Octavius shook his head.
"No, thank you for offering, though," Octavius replied. "It would mean a lot to me to achieve this on my own. Besides, you've already done so much to help me get this far."
Just as Octavius finished speaking, the whistle pierced the air, and he swiftly grasped the rope, his grip firm but unyielding. He waited, poised and patient, until the rope began to vibrate, just as he had anticipated.
Seizing the moment, Octavius pulled the rope swiftly, surging past the first line with ease. He was mere inches away from reaching the second line when the rope suddenly jerked, pulling him forward. But Octavius stood his ground, digging his heels into the earth, and held the rope taut without pulling, refusing to yield.
Void's voice cut through Octavius's focus. [You know, I just realized a third option that might guarantee you go even past the third line.]
Octavius's grip on the rope tightened as he managed to ask, "What?" A bead of sweat dripped down from his forehead, his eyes fixed intently on the rope.
Void's suggestion was accompanied by a sly smirk. [You could cut the rope.]
Octavius bit back the urge to curse at Void, instead refocusing on maintaining his momentum. He waited for the rope to start vibrating again, and when it did, he pulled with renewed determination, managing to get his feets past the second line.
[The game isn't about brute strength, as they made it seem. It's a test of strategy. I see the impress look in their faces watching you, ]
"What look?" Octvaius managed to ask.
['Finally someone with strategy']
Just then the whistle blew indicating the end of the round, and also indicating Octvaius with the highest score so far.