CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR - BOUNTY
1230 Words
“Attention Risers! The rules of the tests are simple. The system has explained them all. While Hunters cannot attack other Hunters and the Hunted are prohibited from using attack skills, this rule doesn’t apply when dealing with the Phantom Riser. You may attack as you will. The one who takes him out levels up by an extra 20 levels. And more importantly, if he dies, he will not be respawned,” Azak announced from Noah’s control room.
“What!!!” Kiro’s team chorused. What kind of unfair sentiment was that? Was it supposed to be punishment for Kiro’s defiance? Even if, that was going way over the top. To their surprise, Kiro chuckled. What was so funny about his current situation? Oh, poor Olivia. She’s been dragged into an even bigger mess.
“And what is funny Kiro? If anything happens to Olivia?” Karenia threatened and Theodore backed her up. Not only was he standing up for his teammate, but he also had to back Karenia up. Not that his input did much anyway.
“What about me? Don’t you care about my safety as well?” Kiro teased. Their expressions were enough answers for him.
“You can turn to stone for all I care. You better take care of Olivia!” Karenia threatened once more with Theodore chanting ‘yeah’ behind her like a goon.
While Olivia was glad that they cared that much, it also reminded her of the fact that she needed protecting. She was not equipped to fight on her own. While she offered good support, she could not survive on her own. It was something that she couldn’t get out of her head, even when it was just three of them. Being paired up with Kiro was an even more painful reminder of her harsh reality; she was just an extra. “I can take care of myself just right. And even Kiro. So, don’t worry too much, Kiro’s safe with me,” Olivia said, trying to be as confident as she could. But even she had a hard time believing the words that came out of her mouth.
“Right,” Karenia said hesitantly. There was no way anyone would believe that Olivia could protect Kiro. Not even Olivia herself. It was obvious she was trying to boost her own morale. Putting her down by reminding her of the truth wasn’t going to be very helpful.
“Don’t worry about it. If people are coming after us, then there’s no reason to go after them in the first place. They’ve saved me the trouble. The more people there are, the more points we can stack up as I take them all down. This way, I can maintain my number one status,” Kiro said as he made another woeful attempt at an evil laugh. This time also, no one was impressed.
While he spoke the truth, Kiro also had two other reasons in mind to rejoice. It wasn’t one he could tell his friend because they certainly wouldn’t appreciate it. First, he had confirmed that Zonal heads had control over the system. If Azak could make such a selfish change at the last minute, he had a fair amount of control over the system, if not completely. He was sure of the number of control tests administrators had over tests. It definitely wasn’t enough for them to be able to change the details of the test. They could start, pause and end a test, but they had reservations. Doing such impulsively could result in heavy backlashes. He was sure that Azak wasn’t getting the same in this case. Either because he was above that or because they simply enjoyed watching him suffer. Or both. They did want him dead after all.
The second reason was that he needed to draw as much attention away from Victor as he could. Placing him with Lucas gave him an ability he could never make up for. The only reason why people were not so after Victor as they ought to, was because Kiro was hogging all the attention for himself. His little display in front of everyone was to attract attention. He never could have expected such an amazing result. This way, most people would be focused on him. currently, everyone thinks he is a defense specialist. They are also aware that Olivia cannot attack. Asides from his power fits that seem very random, it was enough motivation that Kiro was handicapped. To be able to take down such a powerful figure was an opportunity few could pass up. Because Kiro can’t defend, that makes him open to attacks. And since his attack stats were low, they had little to worry about him.
“So, are we helping you defend, or are we going our separate ways?” Victor asked. They were aware of Kiro’s predicament just as much as everyone else.
“Relax. I’ve got this. I can attack almost as good as you Victor. You’ll see,” Kiro assured. He was smiling more than often. “I want you four to start together. Then split up based on your discretion. You remember the plan, right,” Kiro asked. They had gone over the plan multiple times.
“Yeah, yeah,” Victor said.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!
***
System Update
Victor Vaneki
Rank: Riser
Level: 21
Ability: Elements
Originator: Blaze
Sponsor: None
Title: Ascient
Stats;
Strength: 210 Speed: 220
Stamina: 212 Intelligence: 214
***
System Update
Karenia Zari
Rank: Riser
Level: 18
Ability: Enhancer
Originator: Beast
Sponsor: None
Title: Prodigy
Stats;
Strength: 186 Speed: 192
Stamina: 182 Intelligence: 184
***
System Update
Kiro Ner
Rank: Riser
Level: 26
Ability: Force Field
Originator: Phantom
Sponsor: None
Title: XXX
Stats;
Strength: 268 Speed: 262
Stamina: 266 Intelligence: 268
***
System Update
Lucas Evans
Rank: Riser
Level: 17
Ability: Mind Control
Originator: Mentalist
Sponsor: XXX
Title: Prodigy
Stats;
Strength: 170 Speed: 172
Stamina: 180 Intelligence: 190
***
System Update
Theodore Grant
Rank: Riser
Level: 15
Ability: Teleportation
Originator: Plasma
Sponsor: XXX
Title: Warrior
Stats;
Strength: 154 Speed: 160
Stamina: 152 Intelligence: 154
***
System Update
Olivia Minerva
Rank: Riser
Level: 13
Ability: Nullify
Originator: XXX
Sponsor: XXX
Title: XXX
Stats;
Strength: 130 Speed: 130
Stamina: 130 Intelligence: 130
***
System Update
Jovak Leonard
Rank: Riser
Level: 33
Ability: Steal, Summon the Dead
Originator: Necromancer
Sponsor: Noah
Title: Prodigy
Stats;
Strength: 334 Speed: 336
Stamina: 332 Intelligence: 340
***
System Update
Isaac Wayne
Rank: Riser
Level: 22
Ability: Energy Manipulation
Originator: Plasma
Sponsor: XXX
Title: Genius
Stats;
Strength: 220 Speed: 230
Stamina: 222 Intelligence: 224
***
System Update
Nami Leno
Rank: Riser
Level: 15
Ability: Water Element
Originator: Blaze
Sponsor: XXX
Title: Warrior
Stats;
Strength: 150 Speed: 154
Stamina: 152 Intelligence: 154
***
System Update
Leroy Kane
Rank: Riser
Level: 19
Ability: Illusions
Originator: Mentalist
Sponsor: None
Title: Genius
Stats;
Strength: 190 Speed: 190
Stamina: 200 Intelligence: 220
***
System Update
Ashraf
Rank: Riser
Level: 23
Ability: XXX
Originator: XXX
Sponsor: XXX
Title: XXX
Stats;
Strength: 238 Speed: 238
Stamina: 238 Intelligence: 238
HIERARCHY OF TITLES
ASCIENT
PRODIGY
GENIUS
WARRIOR
TRAINEE
BANG AVERAGE
FAILURE
- Writer
