Zed, Lina, and Katy roamed around with Zed taking them to Super-grade monsters.
He was also inadvertently training their instincts and enriching the knowledge they got when he bent reality.
Three hours have passed since Round 2 began. Without suspense, the top 3 spots were taken by Zed, Lina, and Katy.
They also became top 3 in the overall leaderboard.
People outside also saw the spotlights of Lina and Katy and were impressed and amazed.
"Those two girls are quite strong."
"They can move like an experienced fighter. Must have trained hard."
"The top 3 spots in the leaderboard are taken by those three, and the gap is quite large between them and the rest. It's strange."
"What's strange is that their proficiency in spirit and ki is increasing in front of our own eyes."
"And that guy…he is using simple moves, but they are like a master's."
"What kind of monstrous talents those three have?"
In the group of Lord-rank players, the family heads looked at Headmaster Joro with stinking eyes.
"Old fox, how did you find those two girls?"
Joro caressed his ear, his eyes confused. "Well, those two girls have been in the academy for less than a month. They were talented, but their growth is surprising."
'How did they get so strong? It's like they are different person.'
Headmaster Joro was truly confused. 'Did that kid train those two girls?'
'But how can he make them strong like that? Even their control of Ki and Spirit is far higher than their peers.'
"It looks like we'll have to recruit them. Headmaster Joro, you don't mind, right?"
Headmaster Joro frowned and snorted. "If you want to recruit them, do it in my presence. Whether they are willing or not is entirely up to them."
"Then, old friend, please set up a meeting after they come out."
Inside the Playground, Zed, Lina, and Katy were passing through a lush valley. They spotted a pond.
And right in front of them sat a golden-haired girl with blue eyes, eating fish while sitting at a campfire.
Risa blinked twice to confirm. "You…"
"Told you, we'd meet again." Zed smiled.
The trio walked around and arrived at the other side of Risa's campfire.
"May we sit?" Katy asked with a smile.
"Sure."
As they sat down, Lina spoke first. "Hi, I am Lina. Zed's step-sister."
"He said we were going to meet a friend, so here we are," Katy smiled. "I am Katy. Nice to meet you."
"You too." Risa smiled. "I am Risa Raven."
Turning to Zed, she added. "By the way, how did you disappear right in front of me?"
"Told you." Zed laughed. "It's a secret. Only people close to me know about it."
Risa turned to the girls. "Do you know?"
Lisa and Katy looked at each other before looking at Zed, who winked.
"Well…we know," Lina said with a wry smile.
"But can't tell ya. It's up to Zed." Katy chuckle.
"Fine, fine. So, you three are hoarding the top three spots. Are you going to make me 4th one?" Risa teasingly asked.
"Yep. Thought I would share the spot with you."
"Why?" Risa licked her lips, smiling seductively.
Lina started rubbing her fingers.
Katy's thoughts raced.
"Why? Haha," Zed grinned. "What is better than having two beauties by my side?"
"Having three beauties!" Zed laughed.
Risa, Lina, and Katy looked at each other and burst into laughter.
"Anyway, we also want to eat, so I'll get some fish."
Zed went over to the pond and created a net of spirit energy before catching tons of fish.
"Ladies, you want to see magic?" Zed arrived with two rows of fish, a total of twenty, as they floated before him.
"What are you going to do?" Katy asked, curious.
"Close your eyes for three seconds. Now."
The girls quickly closed their eyes.
"Now count to three and then open your eyes."
They began counting.
'Turn this into a fine and luxurious seafood cuisine.'
[ 2 U.R points consumed. ]
The girls finished counting to three and opened their eyes.
"What?!" Risa exclaimed out loud.
"H-How in the heavens?" Katy was dumbfounded.
Lina's expression turned blank, unable to wrap her head around this reality.
"Ta-da." Zed chuckled. "Now, let's eat. No questions."
The stomach growled just by smelling the delicious aroma of fried curry fish, barbecue, sushi, and a lot of other dishes.
After eating, the group went on to hunt monsters.
As time passed and minutes turned into hours, their scores steadily rose.
Risa arrived in the 4th spot, cementing her place as her scores began to widen from the 5th place.
"What the hell is going on?"
The players were confused.
"Why are they so ahead?"
"It's so hard to find Super-grade monsters."
"Fuck, looks like I can't get first rank. Who the hell are those three?"
And just like that, round 2 was over.
All players returned to their individual rooms.
[ Round 2 has been completed. General rewards and ranking rewards have been distributed. ]
[ Round 2 ranking ]
Zed Vaylith. Points: 18,430
Lina Vaylith. Points: 16,400
Katy Sarach. Points: 16,360
Risa Raven. Points: 13,370
Aaryn Ruthor. Points: 7,640
Nelis Falcon. Points: 7,430
Armin Kross. Points: 6,640
Iriel Sunfall. Points: 6,510
Morav Kolf. Points: 5,930
Denji Kroma. Points: 5,890
[ Only the top 10 will proceed to the next round. The rest will be forcefully exited.
And just like that, the rest of the players were kicked out, after getting 30% Novice-rank EXP and 2 mystery boxes.
Those who entered first time acquired 50% EXP total, so they were halfway to Elite-rank. They only need 50% more in their next Playground run to meet the requirement for the breakthrough.
All seven heirs of the player families got into the top 10, but the top three spots were taken by strangers, by names or surnames they had never heard of.
[ Round 3 will begin in 10 minutes. Read the rules and prepare. ]
[ Round 3 - Final Round. ]
Rules:
—> All ten players will enter a constantly shifting arcade battlefield.
—> There will be common, rare, and super grade orbs spawning randomly at random locations, which can give players a random one-time use skill that costs no Spirit or Ki.
—> Kill each other to gain points. 100 points per kill. Points will only go to the player who deals fatal damage and kills the other player.
—> Unlimited Revival. 1 minute cooldown.
—> The round will last for 1 hour.
Reward:
—> 50% Novice-rank Player EXP.
—> 3 x Mystery Box.
—> 1 x Skill Box.
Ranking Reward:
— ??
"Now this is fantastic."