The Ancients World

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~~~(POV: Marcus Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: The City Of Jaerey, The Kingdom Of Laasir, The Islands Of Haestar)~~~

~~~(Time: 9:32 AM)~~~

The tournament is starting in less than 30 minutes, and many Players are getting ready. Talking to each other, preparing their best gear. It's going to take a long time to get through millions of Players, but it won't be that long.

Hailey and Rianna are in another part of the Arena at the moment, and they're doing something to help increase Rianna's odds. I'm more worried about Hailey and me.

While I agree with her that it'll be hard for anyone to beat either of us in leveled-out combat or true power combat. That doesn't mean we can't lose. Plutonium is here, and we'll run into him in either the tournament or in the tryouts if we're really unlucky.

There is no guarantee that we won't be matched up against each other, either. If Hailey and I were to be put against one another, she said she'd want me to lose. But I never said that I'd make it easy.

My attention is on the Arena, and there are already some Players in there. Getting used to the place where they'll do battle. I don't notice anyone standing out. All the strong Players are hanging back, and the average Players are down there.

Perhaps playing up their own egos. I couldn't be sure. Many of the average Players are going to thrive since it's a tryout consisting of leveled-out combat. Their odds are just as good as anyone else's. And that's giving them extra motivation.

Half of the few million Players will not pass the tryouts. Lots of people will be leaving back to where they came from after coming this far. Sure, the teleportation gates are useful, but they're hella expensive. That tells me Players spent a lot of money getting here.

Especially the Big Guilds. I can't imagine how much gold they spend moving their strongest Players from wherever they were to here.

"Marcus Adamo?"

Suddenly, there is a voice from behind me. I'm sitting in a pretty inconspicuous area. I slowly turn and see a beautiful dark-haired woman wearing extravagant armor. Along with the emblem for Hollowed Willow Tree.

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Whoever this chick is, she's from one of the Big Guilds. Hailey said that Rianna sold our information to the Big Guilds. And by selling our information, I mean she told them we were here. I don't really care, in the end. I don't see how it'd make a difference.

But that's just me. Hailey and Cera know things about strategy that I don't know yet. It'll come with time, but for now, I've gotta deal with this.

"Who's asking?"

My response isn't hostile or belligerent. If anything, there is a sense of curiosity in my voice. I am wondering how she found me in this sea of Players.

She leaves her seat and takes the one next to me. Forcing the person that was sitting there to find somewhere else to sit. She's just a little taller than me while sitting down. Her arm finds its way behind my back and on my backrest.

"My name is Wilted Rose, and I'm the leader of Hollowed Willow Tree."

A leader to one of the top 3 Big Guilds. I'm impressed. You'd think they'd send someone that's better at recruiting, but they might think I find it insulting.

"I've been waiting a long time to meet and speak with you. You're quite a popular target amongst the Big Guilds, along with your sister."

Seems they know more than just our presence here. Nothing can be done about it now. It makes me wonder if they know anything about Cera. He's always been really good at keeping his identity hidden. He's got several aliases.

One thing I don't like is being referred to as a target. Whether it's meant to be good or bad, that doesn't sit well with me.

"Sadly, as you know, you can do anything about Worldwide Announcements. If it were up to my sister and me, we'd have never revealed such information. Now, why have you sought me out? Not just to try and recruit me, right?"

Powerful Players are rare, but powerful Solo Players are what some might call a treasure many never find. Hailey and I are that amazing treasure Big Guilds are always searching for.

Wilted Rose smiles and leans back in her seat. Looking out into the Arena to see Players just as I had. I don't like the silence, but I don't want to speak and give up any information or advantage I might have and not know.

I'm still a kid to many, and yes, I'm very intelligent. But experience and time usually trump talent and intelligence. For a time, at the very least.

"You're right about wanting to talk about more than just joining my guild. I've spoken with your sister before, and she said that while you guys won't stand in our way. You won't help us, either. I was wondering if there is anything that would change your mind, Marcus."

The ploy to divide my sister and me is obvious. Here I thought Wilted Rose was considered one of the better leaders of the Big Guilds. Someone who wouldn't result to such tactics. I'm in agreement with whatever my sister decides.

And that's because we discuss what we'll do before either of us does it. That way, people's schemes don't get in the way. People like Wilted Rose.

"If you truly knew anything about my sister and me, then you'd know such tactics won't work. There is such a thing as a line, and you don't seem to have any problems crossing it."

As my answer leaves my mouth, I see the confusion on her face. Like genuine confusion. I don't know if she's trying to fool me right now or what.

"I'm sorry, I think you're misunderstanding me, Marcus. I don't want to try to get in the way of you and your sister. I was hoping that you would actually target a specific Player if you happened to match up against them. I'm willing to way."

How is this any different from the conversation she had with Hailey a couple of days ago? Politics is so not worth the time to me. Maybe when I'm older I'll enjoy it, but getting dragged into it now. That's just bullshit.

Before I can respond, I feel an aura over my shoulder that I've only felt a couple of times in my life. I look, and I see Hailey standing there with Rianna. She's glaring at Wilted Rose and said woman sees this. Immediately standing, and taking a step forward with her hand extended.

My sister takes the hand and starts to crush it, and I see the wince on Wilted Rose's face. She's trying to stay strong.

"Don't ever approach my little brother. If you want to talk, you come to me. Leave him out of your guild politics."

Hailey shoves Wilted Rose away, and she makes a somewhat graceful exit. As graceful as one can get after such an incident.

She turns her attention to me and immediately sits down in the open seat. Looking at me with concern. But not the type I'd see from Mom or Dad, the type only Hailey can give.

"Did she try anything?"

Sometimes, Hailey is a good sister.

Sometimes.

"No, all she wanted was to talk about attacking a specific Player for her. Someone we might get matched against. I didn't get a chance to finish the conversion since you showed up. But I guess that's for the best. She was getting annoying."

She can't help but smile just a little at my reaction. There are only 10 minutes left before the tryouts officially start, and everyone is making final preparations.

Which doesn't make sense since most won't be fighting today anyway...

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A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.

[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.237][Tier-4]

[Exp: 72/100%]

[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]

[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]

[Mana aura control: 6/100%]

[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]

[Stat Points: 440] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Camping gear] [Fishing poles 2x] [Festival Garbs 2x] [4x EXP Boosts] [Princess Saliandra's Panties (Black Lace)] [Desert Warrior Nomad Set (Rare)]

[Passive Perks]

[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]

[Active Skills]

[Heaven's light Lvl.74 325/7400] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.74 225/7400] [Slash Lvl.92 4600/21000] [Parry Lvl.68 85/6800] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controlled Fun] [Aspect of Transportation (Legendary)]