owlsbooks Chapter 134: Forced Guilt (Part 2)
Chapter 134: Forced Guilt (Part 2)
Chapter 134: Forced Guilt (Part 2) As Nicholas saw Amelia and Alan--and her specially cute NPC--go, he snickered. "Not what I expected, but at least she looks happy," he said to himself and made his way back among the participants.
The stadium's lights turned off shortly after, and the spotlight focused on the group. Clara's energetic voice was then heard through every speaker. [ Sorry for keeping you waiting, folks! Tell me, are you guys reaaady? ]
Nicholas turned his attention to the audience. Was Marissa sitting among them, wishing him luck? I would already know it if that was the case.
He exhaled, eyes closed. Why am I even doing this?
[ Clara: The rules are simple, so listen up! Our irreplaceable Guild Master, alongside two other members of Phantom Seekers, are lost in this swamp. So go and rescue them! By the way, one of the lost guilders knows the exact location of our leader, and the other doesn't. So good luck finding the correct one! ]
[ Nebuline: During the competition, the system will prevent you from accessing your inventory and regular equipment, but at the beginning, you'll be able to choose a single item from a curated list. Make your choice count. Lastly, it goes without saying that if you get eliminated by an enemy, you'll be disqualified. There won't be second chances. ]
[ Clara: We don't need a healer that can't take care of themselves, do we? ]
[ Nebuline: You will be evaluated according to your actions during the match, and additional points can be awarded by a panel of judges. That includes us, and two other special guests. Isn't that right, Alan? ]
[ Alan: Hi, everyone. Thanks for coming, Nebuline. I'll be joining you as one of the judges. Good luck to y'all. ]
[ Nebuline: And last but not least, Phantom Seeker's most powerful and experienced member, Amelia Laflamme. ]
The participants focused on the stadium's giant virtual screen. Although Amelia had only been featured on a few occasions, she was quite popular among the Phantom Seeker's audience. The stream chat was immediately flooded with passionate comments and heart emoticons.
"What a beauty," someone said behind Nicholas.
"Hottie," said another, beside him.
Nicholas watched his niece too, before narrowing his eyes. What is she doing?
A long silence had dominated the stream since the attention had fallen on her. Everyone in the stadium, and through the Navinet stream, watched as Amelia seemed to freeze in front of the camera. There she was, watching the void, lips sealed.
[ Clara: Um... Cue to Amelia? We're live. ]
[ Amelia: ...Yes. ]
"Is she nervous?"
"A head-turner like her? No way."
Nicholas chuckled, amused. You're still struggling with stage fright, huh?
[ Clara: A-Anyway! Miss Nebuline, would you do the honors, please? ]
[ Nebuline: On it. But before we begin, let me remind everyone that besides this being a competition, it's also entertainment. So give us a good show, okay? Now, without further ado... Let this healing competition... Begin! ]
The field in front of them transformed. Rocks emerged from the barren ground, entire trees sprouted from beneath their feet, and the air became thicker by the second. A swamp... huh, Nicholas thought as the terrain under his feet finally materialized.
His boots quickly found moist mud beneath them, and when he gazed back, the whole stadium and its noise had disappeared, as if a giant bubble had isolated them from the rest of the Novus.
"What's that smell?"
"So what now? Do we start
The pair of previously detected frogs charged at the group, and their first move was to throw their 20-foot-long tongues and eat two new victims. But the Users at the front were already waiting for that.
"Nature's Defense System!" a man invoked while placing his hands on the ground. Roots as strong as steel then grew and sprouted from beneath, binding the two frogs at the same time and preventing their tongues from reaching their maximum length.
With the enemies restrained, another healer took the opportunity to channel mana and recite, "Water Crafting - X - Lesser Familiars Calling..." As he concentrated, the muddy water from the vicinity was magically pulled and formed a floating liquid sphere that quickly shaped into a translucent buzzing insect the size of their master's head. "Hydrolon Wasp!"
The elemental creature came to life and shot multiple stingers made of water at the frogs' heads with a force akin to bullets, leaving them disfigured. And with that, the danger had been neutralized.
A Druid and a Shaman... Now I see that this competition managed to bring all kinds of wackos! Including me, ha!
[ Clara: Well done, everyone! Only 30 contestants remain. We will grant 20 points to the Users that helped take down the monsters. ]
"Did you hear that? They're already rewarding points!"
"Imagine if we survive all the way to the end but manage to get 0 points. And worst of all, this is being broadcast! No one would want to hire us again."
That would be a real shame, isn't it?
"Let's get going! Before we get surrounded again," the Druid said, taking the lead.
As the group resumed their quest, something pulled Nicholas by the ankle. Looking back, he saw a pinkish tongue, as one of the monstrous frogs was holding onto the last portion of its HP.
This thing has 'Iron Will' as a passive, huh?
Nicholas crouched, as if to obscure what he was about to do from the others. He grabbed the tongue tightly and began absorbing the frog's life. The monster did not let out a final agonizing cry and fell silent instead, as if that little moment had ever happened.
Nicholas glanced back at the group, making sure no one had seen him. If his method of healing was going to be revealed during the test, so be it, but it was not the time just yet.
I'm sorry, Amelia, but if a monk is what your guild needs, I have terrible news for you...