Kael glanced down at the dark metal band on his left wrist. It hummed, then numbers flickered to life.
800 pts.
Around him, similar numbers materialized. The participants who had fought through both Round 1 and Round 2, himself included, all sported eight hundred points. A baseline established by survival and demonstrated capability.
Karacus and several others who had only participated in one round found different numbers glowing on their wrists. Four hundred points.
Then there were the debutants. Rooley stared at his bracelet with weary resignation. One hundred points. A pittance compared to the rest. The message was clear. Those who had not yet proven themselves were valued accordingly.
"The point disparity is not an insult," the Commentator said. "It is a reflection of demonstrated capability. You can change your valuation quickly, if you're skilled enough. Or not at all, if you're dead."
He let that word hang.
