Arganthes: The Capital of Dungeons 26 Chapter 16: The Tournament of Beginnings - Part III - Battle Royale

In the room, it became clear that only a thousand of the once three thousand remained. The announcer could now be heard crystal clear through the projection crystal in the middle of the table. A small version of him was even visible.

Fascinated by this Yami played with the image as it became all blurry and distorted. Geo laid back taking his sweet time, while we all focused on what was to come...

The announcer proudly grabbed his streaming crystal as he began talking.

"For all who made it through the first round, congratulations, but beware... more challenges are waiting ahead! As for the ones who lost... better luck next year!"

The announcer got interrupted by a colleague telling him about the infiltration that took place.

"It seems we have had some infiltrate this event, we won't let this stop us, but for the rest please continue with caution!"

*Ahem*

"Now as we have had our traditional cat and mouse game, I think now is the time for an all-out battle without objectives, none but one that is...

You see, we have around a thousand contestants, but before we can start the main event this number should be trimmed to 256. So... the only rule will be to not fall off the stage. Everything else will be permitted as long as it doesn't kill the contestants.

If you will all look to the screen, you will see they are constructing the stage as we speak. This will allow all of your contestants a short break before we continue.

The second round starts in three hours. Please make yourself at home during that time. You will be allowed to use the accommodations or even spar against one another in the open area in the middle of the building.

If you excuse me, I will take my leave now, as there are more contestants to take care of. I wish you good luck in the following rounds gentleman. Goodbye."

Geo and I looked at each other and instantly knew what we wanted to do, seeing our powers first hand in battle got us hyped up. Wanting to experience them for ourselves.

"Let's spar against each other Geo!!"

Geo looked like he was about to accept the challenge to spar but then pointed confused towards Yami.

"Who might that girl be? Do you know her, Michael?"

I clicked my tongue against the upper part of my jaw and started laughing.

"This is my trusted companion Yami, Yami, this is Geo, the one who helped me keep those hooded men at bay."

Geo got distracted by random thoughts as his belly began to rumble.

*Roar*

Nonchalantly Geo turned to the kitchen as he declined my challenge. Passionately stating the following;

"Do or do not! There is no try!! Or at least not on an empty stomach that is. Hmm... well... it's time to make some grub. Delicious!!"

Geo turned towards the kitchen again and began searching for edible stuff, eventually finding beans, onions, tomatoes, and rice.

As he put on the fire, the pans got heated up quickly while he prepared all the necessary ingredients.

My belly began to rumble as the aroma began filling the room. Disappointed we couldn't spar on an empty stomach I had to agree with Geo, that it's best to sit back, relax and enjoy some jows.

As Geo had prepared most ingredients by now it was time to make just the right broth. Hoarding the fridge Geo found an entire chicken, which he decided to make the broth out of. As the broth was being prepared Geo baked all the vegetables, giving off a sweet aroma.

After a while, the room was filled with a sweet and mouth-watering aroma. Walking into the room, Geo held three plates, one for Yami, one for me and one for himself.

Unable to resist I took the smallest of bites to sample the food. But... this... I had never tasted something like this before, it was DELICIOUS!!!

Completely replenished as we relished in the enjoyment of our meal. The counselor joined once again.

"Good day to you gentleman, madame. I would like for all of you to follow me, as of right now the three hours have expired. Well then, let us be on our way."

Once we arrived, we were unable to take in all the diversity and splendor of the contestants."

Multiple arenas were prepared as the announcer took the stage in the center,

"Ladies and Gentlemen, if you would be so kind.

Today of the 1000 contestants only 256 will remain standing for the third and final round tomorrow.

As they will finish the preparations of the fighting arenas I will explain the rules.

Each match will be fought in groups of four. Like our first round, everything will be permitted except for killing. Four contestants will be set off against each other in the period in one minute. There are several ways to secure victory. Either knock out your opponent, make them give up or make them fall off the stage. Either method is allowed.

Now... to decide who will fight in their represented groups, we will have all of you draw a lot, with a number on them. We will be having 250 group royals in total. Giving us a winner in each fight, making this the perfect method to create the starting roster.

Official workers of the announcer walked around distributing they lot system. I drew the number 8 meaning my match would be rather soon.

Geo appeared to have drawn #110 ad Yami drew #025.

"As all of you have drawn your lots I would like to call upon the stage group #01.

Three beastmen and dwarf walked upon stage eager to begin. As they all took a side of the stage, the dwarf stood in the middle of the stage without a care in the world, raring to go the gong finally signaled the beginning of the first match of this round.

The men all stormed towards the dwarf as it seemed he was drunk. But just before one of them could grab him with his claws the dwarf slipped through laying down on the ground. This caused the beastmen to crash into each other.

The dwarf quickly jumped up and gave each of them a quick chop in the neck as he continued to take a sip of his beer. Finishing his drink he took his sweet time to put the large mug down.

*Buuuurrp*

"It's time to finish this match, no?"

One of the beastmen tried to stand up, the dwarf then proceeded to grab one of the beastmen by its tail turning circles to create momentum, finally releasing its tail, making it fly out of the ring. As the other two were still not moving the dwarf was announced the winner, quickly moving on to the next match.

This time a tall dark-skinned woman wearing revealing white clothes stepped on stage, her hair was short and wavy, making me think of chocolate. Her eyes were dark blue kind of like the night sky. A smirk formed as she saw who stepped onto the stage with her. A tall slender man with long black hair, a long slender face and a desire for blood. Together with a young man who looked eager for combat and a small mouse-like creature who looked scared of the entire situation.

The announcer ringed the gong to signal the start of the match.

The mouse curled up in a ball, too afraid to battle. The enthusiastic man walked towards the little fellow as the woman and slender man clashed legs against each other. Jumping back, they immediately retaliated striking towards their faces. Barely dodging their fists slid past their necks, neither of them got hit, yet tried to create the opportunity for the first to strike.

The enthusiastic man on the other hand gently lowered himself towards the mouse.

"Are you okay little one? Wouldn't it be better to get off the stage if you're like this?"

The man asked calmly and kindly.

The mouse looked up with tears in its eyes...

"Yes... I-it is so scary!!"

The mouse said, with a grin on his face as he swiped towards the enthusiastic man. Blocking the mouse's attack the gentle face turned into a disappointed frown. Releasing his killing intend the man dominated the little mouse.

"So... that's how you react towards people who care for you? Shouldn't you leave the stage?"

Now, overcome and frozen by a primal fear the mouse didn't know what to do anymore.

"Come... let me help you..."

The man said as he gently grabbed the mouse and threw him off stage in full force against the gong.

The announcer shocked as he was, announced his defeat. "Contestant #0006 out of bounds, KO please tend to him at once."

The tall woman and slender man exchanged blows almost identical to each other. As the enthusiastic man had finished off the mouse he tried to come in between the two trying to act all chivalrous.

"This isn't the time to fight you two... please... stop and listen."

The two didn't have a care in the world for him as a cross-counter created a pincer attack went straight towards him.

Surprised it seemed he blocked both their attacks.

When suddenly he began laughing.

"Like I said... let me speak for a little... wouldn't it be better if we got all of the fightings out of the way with just one big match?"

The two calmed down thinking about the question.

Wanting to answer they lowered their guard.

But when they answered Helena halted the match.

Pointing towards the enthusiastic man she began speaking.

"Who are you to want to alter the traditional ways of the events?"

The man smirked as he continued his misleading chivalrous ways.

"Mademoiselle Helena, if I may... why not just hold one huge battle resulting in a fourth of the contestants to advance to the next round.

Giving you the goddess more than you could wish for and clearing it at the same time. Let's say, four hours?"

"Hmm... bolt and daring I must say... I do wish to see how skilled everyone is in an all-out battle..."

Helena began thinking about the proposal.

Not wanting to waste to much time she concluded.

"Let's put it to a vote for all the contestants, what do you say? Want to keep battling in this format? Or rather have one huge all-out battle to finish the final rosters?"

Confused all contestants began looking st each other, wondering about the possibilities.

"All in favor of the all-out battle raise your hands."

Thinking it would be more challenging I raised my hand, to find that at least half of the contestants thought the same way.

"Good, good... please raise your hand if you like the format we have right now."

Thinking the original format was good in its way I looked around, only to find that not nearly as many people raised their hands.

Pleased the young man smiled as Helena continued her verdict.

"Putting it to a vote concluded you all prefer an all-out battle like last round. Then, the least we can do is give the ones who had lost another change as we modify the stages into one big arena.

Earth magic users gathered around the center of the room, guiding the stages toward the center as eventually, they all crumbled into each other creating a huge stage to fight on.

"As everyone is still eagerly waiting for their match to start, let me your loyal announcer explain the newly founded rules.

As young man Reginald had suggested we will be conducting a huge all-out battle on this battlefield here... I call it a "Battle Royale". Just like with the groups of four whenever someone gets knocked out, falls off stage or forfeits they automatically lose the match. This time instead of one minute we will be using the remaining four hours to instantly form the final roster for the 3rd round.

Everything is permitted during these matches except for the use of weapons, magic is allowed if it enhances one's body only. Attacking from a distance will not be allowed. When time is up the ones remaining on stage are allowed to advance to the next round.

I hope everything is clear. If you all would step outside, please. This would allow us to get ready for the event."

Walking outside the building began crumbling down, but instead of leaving rubble, the walls moved outward creating a larger area for the contestants to battle in.

Pillars arose from the ground, one by one the entirety of the arena was nearly finished. After a while, the construction of the arena was nearing completion.

At least five times larger than the biggest arena we had so far, everyone got eager to begin. Excited we got guided towards our starting place, waiting for the gong to signal the beginning of the match which would later go down as the Royale Degree.

Chapter end