Finally, the much-anticipated time had arrived. Liam and Serena sat next to each other as they entered Crunaboul.
Appearing in Dream Avenue's guild hall they were immediately welcomed by excited chatter. Gazing through the window one could see that the city's streets were crowded like never before.
The game's popularity had reached a new peak. Never had there been so many players logging in simultaneously. Yet, everything ran perfectly smoothly, amazing many tech-loving people.
However, this was only a side note as the vast majority of people were startled by the message C welcomed them with.
[Welcome, Player.]
[Today the tournament spanning the United Human Federation will begin and will last for nine days.]
[During this time, all players can communicate with me to watch the competition.]
[For nine days, profession and auxiliary skill EXP will be doubled.]
[It is time to prove your talents to the world.]
Everyone was discussing fervently, processing the information. Liam's friends gathered around him, especially confused by the third point.
"What secret is hidden in the doubled profession EXP?", asked Bloody Edge, hiding his confusion behind a mask.
"I guess it's to compensate the profession players who can't join the tournament.", suggested Silver Blade.
Her friends nodded, thinking that it made sense. But when Serena heard this, she looked worried, saying meekly:
"But I wanted to watch the tournament as well..."
"Don't worry. I'm sure you can watch anyways.", reassured Silent Acacia her.
But this didn't calm Serena. Liam smiled faintly as he said:
"I think Serena meant she doesn't want to feel forced to work on her profession and would rather watch the tournament. Right?"
"Yes..."
"No need to worry. Just do what makes you happy. No need to force yourselves. You don't need to improve your profession at all costs."
"Ok..."
Liam patted his sister's head. He could see that she was still conflicted. Although Liam told her to have fun, Serena also inspired to be an important member of the guild within her means.
Great, C. Look what you did. Can you change this condition?
[…]
As the AI didn't deign to answer Liam focused back on the conversation. But just then the friends noticed the guild members disappearing one by one.
Cyclone immediately appeared anxious:
"Quick, let's tell C that we want to join the tournament before it begins without us."
"Oh no, we might not find a seat if we are too slow! Let's go!"
"Right."
"Sure."
With flashes of light the friends also disappeared swiftly. Liam only had the thought of watching the tournament when he felt a force pull him away.
Liam's vision turned white for a moment before returning to normal. Instantly a chaotic sound brandished against his body. He found himself sitting in what appeared to be a gigantic arena, surrounded by a crowd of hundreds of thousands of players.
The arena consisted of one extremely large, oval central platform which was encircled by audience stands.
The stands were made up of strange, floating stones in a gorgeous green-turquoise colour. From up close it was difficult to recognize that these stones were actually impressive beast scales.
Since the scales were floating, arranged around the arena floor, and only loosely connected, C could constantly conjure new scales at the outskirts of the audience stands to accommodate more spectators.
Above the audience, in a height comfortable for viewing, floated a few thin films of water, which were capable of showing the arena floor, serving the purpose of screens.
The entire arena was standing stably in the air above a vast ocean. Some monsters could be seen playing in the water, performing a show for the players. And at the horizon one could make out a chain of islands with the distinct silhouettes of tall buildings.
Liam only needed to glance at the buildings to realize that the arena was above the Western Ocean.
Just as Liam tried to orient himself and look for his friends, a notification appeared before his eyes.
[Welcome, player Bleary Mirage.]
[You are currently in arena #39923]
[Registration detected. Your registration numbers are:]
[Solo contest: #152]
[Team contest: #272]
[Guild contest: #8132]
[The federation tournament will begin in 00:42:51]
[For any requests - like changing arenas – you can communicate with me.]
[Good luck!]
Finally, Liam comprehended the situation. He looked around, still not spotting anyone familiar as he swiped his eyes over the ranks brimming with people.
So many players... surely there are at least a million here, right? But compared to the entire federation this is still nothing. It's not surprising that there are more than 40.000 arenas.
Well, let's search for the others first.
C, can you bring me to my sister?
[Please specify, player.]
Teleport me to Mirage Fan #1, please.
[Mirage Fan #1: 92 entries found. Please specify.]
What?? So many?! Chose Mirage Fan #1, Falva Star Server.
[Player found. Request granted.]
In another arena three young women coincidentally arrived together. They looked around like dear caught in a headlight, marvelling at the enormous crowd.
Suddenly the audience stands next to them, made of strange white bones, moved away. A light flashed and a new segment appeared, carrying a few benches in a devilish, black, style, all of them empty.
Another light flashed and people appeared on the empty stand.
Before Liam even opened his eyes he was assaulted by an uncomfortable heat and a bleak atmosphere. His face fell as soon as he surveyed his surroundings, realizing that he quite literally landed in hell.
[You are currently in arena #25532]
[The federation tournament will begin in 00:41:23]
[For any requests - like changing arenas – you can communicate with me.]
He found Cyclone, Balm, and Serna on a floating audience stand made from bone to his left. Simultaneously a few lights flashed around him and many guild members appeared, obviously having decided to gather around their guild leaders.
"Serena?"
"Ah!"
Hearing her brother's voice, Serena was startled. Overwhelmed by the environment she didn't even realize that Liam had arrived.
"Did you teleport to Cyclone and Balm instead of me?", asked Liam, jokingly pretending to be hurt.
"Oh, no no. We coincidentally arrived here together."
Radiant Shield's voice came from next to Liam. He fanned himself with his hand as he looked towards Cyclone:
"My friends, did you draw C's displeasure? Why would you be sent to hell?"
"I don't know. Maybe C decided that we need a handicap or Dream Avenue would roll over the competition!"
"Haha, that's our guild leader!"
"That must be it!"
The surrounding guild members began to laugh and cheer. It was obvious how hyped they were for the tournament.
The friends and the rest of the guild members bantered for a few seconds until Balm mentioned something with a frown:
"Where are Silver Blade and Final Fend?"
"Right."
"Could they be in trouble?"
"No, I saw them enter the game."
"If they don't come to us, we will come to them."
"Let's go."
Before Liam and his friends could say more the guild members already began to disappear one by one.
"Everyone is quite active today...", murmured Cyclone.
"It feels a bit like they are trying to cover up their nervousness.", said Balm.
"I hope this won't affect their performance later. Whatever, let's go to Silver Blade now."
Everyone agreed and with a thought they changed arenas again.
[You are currently in arena #1029]
[The federation tournament will begin in 00:36:01]
[For any requests - like changing arenas – you can communicate with me.]
After dismissing C's notification, Liam took a look around. With one breath he felt an extremely comfortable sensation filling his body.
He had arrived in a new arena, suspended above a vast forest brimming with magic, located within elven territory. All kinds of seemingly harmless monsters frolicked within and above the trees.
The audience stands were made up of giant leaves giving the entire arena a vibrant feel.
"Anyways, congratulations cousin."
A deep, male voice reached Liam's ears. He turned towards it and looked at a tall man boasting a perfectly V-shaped figure. He had a manly face and short, brown hair parted in the middle.
Liam was surprised that he recognized the man. He had learned about him yesterday together with Serena. His name was Conter and Red Branch had ranked him as tenth place.
Next to Conter stood Silver Blade and Final Fend, seemingly in a conversation with the man.
But the three people were suddenly startled when Dream Avenue arrived in large numbers.
"Cyclone? What are you doing?", asked Silver Blade as her best friend appeared next to her.
"We were wondering where you are, of course."
"So you sent everyone over?"
"They came by themselves."
Silver Blade was somewhat sceptic but decided not to harp on the topic. Realizing that her friends were gathering around her she pointed at the man she had been talking with.
"Guys, this is Conter. He is a distant cousin of mine, living in the central star system. Conter, these are my friends. C..."
"Haha, no need to introduce them one by one. Even I have heard of the famous Hotpot. Nice to meet you."