Child of Destiny

……

*Ding*

Arthur and the others did not have to wait that long before the familiar ring sounded in their ears. They quickly turned to it and realized that their earlier suspicion was right.

The number of participants for this round was indeed three, just like what they were expecting.

With the notification from the system, Laurent could not help but turn to Riko, who was already somewhat exhausted.

She was definitely not in a good state to continue with the next round. After all, running for hours with such high intensity, as well as under great pressure, was still something that could greatly exhaust their minds despite how mentally tough they were.

Even Leonard was showing some signs of exhaustion.

Their original plan was to let Riko participate in all the remaining rounds due to the nature of her class. Unfortunately, her current situation did not allow her continue with their original plan.

Arthur was quite excited about the current situation because there was a chance for him to join in this round.

Unfortunately, Laurent was determined to save him as their final trump card for the last two trials.

Having this in mind, Laurent turned to Ryoto, which the latter immediately understood.

Since it had been a while since the first trial had ended, Ryoto had rested well enough to participate in the next round.

Understanding their action, Arthur could only click his tongue and pursed his mouth. He could not complain since he knew what Laurent was thinking.

If the opposing side were truly from the organizations that they thought they would be, then it was going to be quite tricky to deal with them.

As a long-time player, Arthur was very familiar with the experts of the top guilds and large organizations within the game. Aside from the hidden forces and new faces who sprouted out of nowhere, and those old people who were just joining the game due to the recent update, he was acquainted with almost everyone.

Even though he could not tell which expert those forces had sent to this place, and the rules of this dungeon prevented them from seeing each other’s appearance, he could at least recognize most of them based on their skills and abilities.

It was unfortunate that he could not witness those people in action during the previous trial, making it impossible for him to get to know them.

At the same time, since he was familiar with them, the other parties would most likely be able to recognize him as well, especially those rivals with whom he was constantly competing during his entire gaming career.

If those parties were indeed from the three forces that Laurent had said, the Hydra Guild, Dragon Pavilion, and Black Market, then they were truly familiar with him.

If he stepped into the field and revealed his unique skills and signature techniques, then there was a very high change that those guys would be able to recognize him in an instant.

What made him even more bitter was the fact that Laurent had chosen Leonard to join them despite the latter just exited from the earlier trial.

If Riko was exhausted, then how about Leonard, who was leading the entire sprint?

Naturally, this guy would be even more exhausted. After all, he had done almost everything and faced the flood of zombies heading his way.

Unfortunately for Arthur, Laurent reassured Leonard that he and Ryoto would handle the third round by themselves. So long as the rules of the third trial let them do as such, then Leonard was free to set aside and leave everything to them.

If they could not do anything about it, then it was better to give up on this round when needed. After all, they were already quite ahead of the other parties, aside from that mysterious individual.

Giving up this round would not hurt them that much in exchange for hiding their strength. It was a worthy investment in Laurent’s eyes.

They could also do the same instructions with Arthur. Unfortunately, he did not fully trust the latter due to his current state.

Arthur was quite eager to go into action at this very moment, so Laurent doubted if this guy would be able to stop himself.

It was better to be safe than let the other parties realize their true strength at the final stage of these trials.

…

With a sulking look on his face, he obediently sat down and watched Laurent, Ryoto, and Leonard enter the third round. He even specifically gave Leonard a resentful look, knowing that this guy would most likely make his move as well once the situation called for it.

He knew his brother extremely well, so he was sure that Leonard would surely do something like that.

Along with a helpless sigh, Arthur could only watch the next trial while suppressing his urge to fight.

…

In the meantime, Chaotic Luck was having a problem since he had gotten some special news from the system.

As a ’special’ existence for these trial grounds, Chaotic Luck seemed to be favored by the system itself.

At this moment, he had gotten the notification ahead of everyone else, knowing what kind of trial was waiting for everyone for this one.

With the mix of excitement and nervousness, Chaotic Luck stepped into the teleportation formation once again.

Swoosh!

…

Whoosh!

Not long after, he appeared on top of an extremely tall altar that looked like a little ziggurat.

At the bottom of each side of this altar stood the representatives of the other four parties, occupying a side each.

Their respective party could not help but raise their heads, looking at the top of the altar, where they found the mysterious individual standing there and looking at them with a ’haughty’ expression.

Before they could even understand what was going on, the system had already sent a notification to them, making them wear a solemn expression.

*Ding*

System: “The world is full of surprises and hidden danger. When the time comes that you need to set aside all your grievances and prejudices against one another, I wonder what choice you will make.”

“Will you remain indifferent and get swallowed by your greed? Or will you choose to unite and fight against it?” – Dark King Tang Hyeon.

*Ding*

System: The third trial is starting!

System: In this trial, the unity of your team and your willingness to cooperate against a common enemy.

System: The top of this altar represents power and authority! Whoever seizes it from the one sitting on the throne will become the next king!

System: Whoever stood on the top of the platform, occupying that seat by themselves, and defending the throne, will reactive a points depending on how long they have endured.

System: Once the throne is destroyed by any of the other parties, the role of the king will be passed down to the party that dealt the final strike.

System: At that point, the trial will reset back to the starting point with a new ’king’ defending their throne.

System: The person who was still defending the throne when the final tick of the clock has fallen will be the final winner and receive twice the amount that the highest scorer this round has earned.

*Ding*

System: “Let’s call this trail – The King’s Battle!” – Dark King Tang Hyeon.

…

When the system had signaled everyone to start the trail, no one immediately made their move.

Despite how alluring that so-called throne was, it was still a throne made of thorns.

Whoever occupies that spot will surely earn quite a lot of points. But in exchange, they would have to defend it against the four parties, who were powerful on their own right.

If they constantly hold that position and stubbornly held into it, then they would only exhaust themselves and lose in the long run.

Even if the first rule that the system had given them was quite alluring, it was nothing but the sweet tongue of the devil.

It might look quite good at first. But once they took the bait and got caught it in, then the consequences would only cause them more problems later.

It was nothing but a trap meant to mess with the so-called king.

After all, the final rule also said something about points. Moreover, it was more alluring than being the so-called throne.

Those who would be standing there last would not only win the trial but would also earn twice the points of the highest scorer for this round.

“What a perfect trial stage for us,” commented Laurent after skimming through the rules and realizing the hidden implications of them.

He then turned to Leonard and said. “It looks like were quite lucky this time.”

But quickly stiffened and shook his head. “Unfortunately, it will be even better if Riko is the one with us. If only I knew that this would happen, then I would be taking the more conservative choice.”

Ryoto nodded as he added. “It feels like the system is toying with us.”

Laurent nodded his head once again before turning back to Leonard. “It seems like you will have plenty of time to rest, junior.”

“Take your time and rest to your peak. This round will surely be a very bloody one,” he added before casting his gaze toward the top of the altar.

…