Monster Soul Online

Chapter 74: The Preliminary Battle

In the morning at the Colosseum, the number of players hanging around there was higher than usual. The commotion would be intense like this on the fifteenth of every month. The monthly battle tournament usually consisted of six to eight rounds. However, for this month, it seemed the number of rounds had been decreased to three or four. The detailed information would only be available before the tournament started.

Sila went into the Colosseum and informed the NPC of his arrival. Then, he went to the waiting room.

Upon entering the room, many eyes were staring at him. The atmosphere inside the room was intense and filled with the emittance of power. These powers were not used to oppress the opposing party but rather to gauge the ability of each individual.

Sila didnt want to waste his energy so he kept his qi within his body instead of releasing it. With Silas Qi Concealment, many players in the room looked at Sila with contempt.

Sila sat on the bench in the room. Only a handful of people were having a conversation. Many eyes fell onto Sila but Sila did his best to ignore.

Entering a battle tournament wasnt something unusual for Sila. Before Teacher Mora went missing, he always brought Sila to compete against other dojos on a monthly basis. Sila had once asked his teacher why he had to compete against other dojos, but his teacher didnt reply.

In those tournaments, Sila sometimes won and sometimes lost. He mostly lost though. One thing he had learnt from those tournaments was to not be intimidated before the fight.

The triangular jewel on Silas finger flashed without anyone noticing. In this tournament, Sila had brought Lookhin with him despite how the usual rules clearly stated that no pets were allowed. As for Bow, he no longer wanted to keep her in the ring after he had found out that she was a real girl. To prevent something bad from happening to her, Sila had left Bow in Sebastians care in the VIP room that Burapha had prepared. Well, it might be a needless worry since Poluk would also be there with her. Poluk said he wanted to witness Silas growth.

The door was opened again. This time, the player entering was a small young woman. Her face was delicate but her eyes were as fierce as a tigers. These eyes of hers stared at Sila before she approached him. This young woman was Ginny.

Hello, Miss Ginny. Sila was the first to greet her.

Um, you, I forgot to add you into my friends list yesterday.

I thought so. There are many things we need to talk about.

Afterward, the two added each other into their friends lists. Sila told Ginny about what Burapha had said to him, about him wanting to sell the sword and the flaw in their bet.

However, Ginny didnt seem to listen to what Sila was saying. She just stared at her system window.

Sila wondered if there was something wrong. Whats wrong?

Are you only at Knight Rank? Ginny asked with doubt.

Hm? How did you know?

B-grade system window, She curtly answered.

Does it allow you to look at the a friends rank? Wow, cool. Mine is only C-grade.

Ginny didnt continue to talk. She was greatly suspecting Silas ability. She planned to ask whether Sila had killed Dorolia alone but decided not to. The Dorolia Sword was all the proof she needed. It would drop only when a player manages to kill Dorolia in a one-on-one battle.

She just didnt understand how Sila could do it. Even she who was a Marquis Rank player couldnt do it yet. Dorolia was a calm and collected dragon. It was unlikely that Sila could manage to kill it even with a plan.

Actually, except for his own ability, the fact that Sila could kill the dragon was due to the help of slime skills. Slime skills are powerful and dangerous. They are also specifically designed to compete against dragons.

Little Girl, dont waste your time talking to that little newbie. Come and talk to me instead, One man teased Ginny, followed by a laughter from other players.

It was uncommon for a female player to participate in Colossias battle tournament. Female players tend to play as long-range attackers or supporters. Even the combat ones dont usually take part in the battle tournament. Thus, Ginny quickly became the center of attention.

Though, unlike Sila, she didnt hesitate to unleash her oppressive magic power. Silence fell. Many of male players shut their mouths and stopped making fun of her.

A system sound echoed across the Colosseum.

Dear all participants, due to the number of participants this month being higher than usual, the tournament host has decided that a preliminary battle is needed. We will soon randomly sort and teleport each participant to one of eight battle zones that are separated from each other.

Commotion followed the announcement. Colossias battle tournament had never had a preliminary battle before.

The system sound continued. Everyone had to quiet down to listen.

In the preliminary battle, all contestants have to fight against each other in a battle royale style. The last survivor of each battle zone will enter the quarterfinals. The rest of the rules are the same as before; no pets, potions, or supplements are allowed to be used.

At the end of the sentence, every contestant was randomly teleported away one by one. Sila was one of them.

***

In Colossias Colosseum.

All kinds of people were sitting and preparing to watch the tournament. There were ten VIP rooms available. One of them was booked by Silas acquaintances.

Lone Wolf and Ratri were also here. Both of them had happened to meet Varee a moment ago and Burapha had invited them into the room to observe the battle. Varee and Burapha werent close to Lone Wolf so no one had asked him yet about the reason for his arrival.

The sound telling them about the change of the rules ended, causing Lone Wolfs brows to furrow. The battle tournament of this month was very fishy. He had never heard about the preliminary battle before.

Lets hope that it wont become a problem, Lone Wolf said.

Whats the problem? Burapha asked. Although he had done his research about Colossias battle tournament, this was actually his first time being related to it.

Well, it might be my needless worrying. I just think that the battle is indeed as distrustful as I have suspected. As expected of Royal Armament guild, especially during this time when the war event is near, Lone Wolf said.

With this, can that guy Sila win? Ratri said. She was the only one in the room who had never met Sila.

Thats fine. I think Sila can manage it. Although Cross wants to cheat, he couldnt do it too obvious since there are many people here. He wouldnt risk damaging his guild reputation too much. In the end, the deciding factor is contestants ability.

Even if thats the case. How confident you are that Sila will win? Dont forget that this matter is related to our sect, Rati continued.

Varee and Burapha began to wonder. How did Silas victory or defeat relate to Victorious Wolves Sect? However, before Lone Wolf could answer, the door of the VIP room was opened.

Sebastian, Poluk, and Bow entered. Sila had already mentioned to Varee and Burapha that these three would join to observe the fight. Nevertheless, except for Burapha who had met Bow and Lone Wolf who had met Sebastian, no one had met these three before.

Sebastian? Lone Wolf exclaimed, How can you be here?

Hello again, Mister Lone Wolf. It seems we meet again, Sebastian greeted him.

In the mansion, Sebastian might be restricted by some kind of condition to not harm him and Sila. However, this place was another story. Lone Wolf didnt know whether Sebastian was friend or foe so he secretly circulated his qi. He couldnt imagine the danger of a Lord-Rank monster.

Welcome, Bow. I will introduce everyone to you, Burapha talked to Bow and started to introduced people to her, This is Big Sister Varee, Mister Lone Wolf, and Miss Ratri who is Mister Lone Wolfs friend.

Hello everyone, my name is Bow. The persons next to me are Sebby and Uncle Poluk. Bow lowered her head.

It can talk? Is this one the rumored pink slime? Ratri stared intently at Bow, What are you guys to Sila?

My status is a pet. Well, to be exact, Im Mister Silas butler. As for Bow, she is Mister Silas Little Sister.

Sebby is not a pet. Sebby is my Big Brother, Bow argued.

For the record, Sila didnt like the sound of a pet. Lookhin was one thing, but Bow was actual person while Sebastian was stronger than him. Thus, Sila regarded Bow as his Little Sister and regarded Sebastian as his butler.

A pet? You? Arent you a player? Ratri asked.

Im not human. Im a monster, replied Sebastian.

For the record, the AIs in this game were set to understand that Monster Soul wasnt the in-game world. Every time player mentions the word player, they would comprehend that word as human. Meanwhile, when the word real world or outside the game is mentioned, they would comprehend such place as the special dimension that only allows human to access.

A monster? But youre clearly a human. Oh? Are you a monster that has the appearance similar to human? Ratri continued asking.

Lone Wolf stopped the uncomprehending Ratri by stating the fact, Mister Sebastian is a Lord Rank monster.

Burapha and Ratri were agape. Even Varee who was giving her attention to Bow was startled. She knew the best that Sila had only been playing this game for two weeks in real time. How could he manage to keep a Lord Rank monster as his pet? This was very incomprehensible for her.

Lord Rank monster in a normal dimension? Thats crazy. This is big news, Ratri said while keeping her distance away from Sebastian. She started to concentrate her power to prepare for a fight that might occur.

Meanwhile, Lone Wolf had quit circulating his qi long ago. He could sense that Sebastian didnt possess any evil intentions. Now, what he was more interested in was the other man. This man should be a qi-type like him. Lone Wolf had tried to probe this mans ability for a while but it was useless. He couldnt measure the depth of this mans power. That would mean this mans ability was higher than him.

The man who possessed higher qi than him, the Qi Emperor. Lone Wolf was dying to know this mans identity and the relationship between this man and Sila.

What about this Uncle? Are you also a pet? Ratri directly asked.

Ratri! Be quiet! This was a first time that Lone Wolf scolded Ratri. Not to mention her, even the rest of the players were panic that Lone Wolf seemed to be this anxious.

How could Lone Wolf not be anxious? At the very least, this mans ability should be above his. Ratri was always with him. At the Victorious Wolves Sect, she was free to act without thinking. This lead to her being unthoughtful with her words.

If this man was upset and wanted to kill Ratri, Lone Wolf wasnt certain that he could protect her.

Ratris eyes moistened, looking at her lover. Lone Wolf had never scolded her before.

Im sorry. She doesnt know what's what, Lone Wolf expressed his apology to Poluk.

Dont worry. I dont mind. By the way, Im not Silas pet. Im just his acquaintance, Poluk replied.

Poluks friendly tone lessened Lone Wolfs tension. He let out a big sigh and turned his head to comfort Ratri. However, she sulked.

Young Miss, dont be angry at this young man. He is just worried about you. He even circulated Sun God Qi just to protect you from me. His ability is not bad, Poluk said. In Monster Soul, there should only be a handful of people who could regard Lone Wolf as not bad. However, Lone Wolf didnt feel humiliated. Instead, he began to admire Poluk.

Uncle Poluk is very kind. He wouldnt be angry. However, if Big Sister did that to Master Viola I dont dare imagine the result. Anyway, Uncle Poluk is my uncle.

Bows uncle? Is that mean? Burapha was curious.

Correct. Im a slime, Poluk filled the sentence.

Everyone in the room was shocked. This meant Poluk must be a Lord-Rank monster too.

Two Lord Rank monsters in this room. Hermit wont believe me, Ratri muttered.

Better stop talking about us and pay attention to the tournament instead. The battle is about to start, Poluk said, causing everyone to shift their interest to the arenas within Colosseum. There were currently eight arenas in their sight.

Where is Big Brother Sila? Bow asked. After spending her time looking for a while, she could spot Sila in the fourth arena. Sila could easily be spotted as he was the only person wearing Beginner Clothes.

Why is Big Brother Sila still wearing Beginner Clothes? Burapha was curious. He had believed that Sila was wearing Beginner Clothes to increase the credibility of Bluebirds rumors. However, Sila should stop that already as the bet had been placed.

Big Brother Silas clothes were ragged after his fight against Snow Dragon Dorolia, thats why, Bow answered this question of Burapha. She was listening to this story from Poluk at last night.

Snow Dragon Dorolia? Unbelievable. How could a new player fight against a dragon? Ratri argued.

I didnt lie! Big Brother Sila really did fight against the Snow Dragon alone.

Ratri looked at Bows puffed cheek. She said, I didnt mean that youre lying. But, umm, maybe your Big Brother was able to hunt it with the help of his friends. There would be no sane person who fights solo against a dragon.

Poluk didnt say anything but let out a mysterious laugh, Fufu.

Then, Big Brother Sila is really not a sane person. I have the evidence that he solo-killed the dragon. Look at this, Burapha took out the Dorolia Sword that Sila entrusted him to take care of it.

Ratri looked at the sword with her widened eyes.

Guys, look at the arena. The number of people is strange, Varee, who was looking at Sila, spoke.

Then, everyone noticed. The number of contestants in the fourth arena was significantly higher than others. They were more than fifty contestants in the fourth arena while the rest only had around ten contestants each. Some arenas even had only three contestants.

Its Cross work, Lone Wolf said. He spotted that more than half of the contestants in the fourth arena belonged to the Royal Armament guild. It seemed the random sorting was not as random as it should be.

This seems fun. It reminds me of my old days, Poluk said.

Ratri looked at everyone in the room with a peculiar feeling. Although many of them said that they were worried about Sila, they showed no concern on their faces. Good grief, she looked at the Dorolia Sword and sighed. Her eyes were fixed on the only player who wore the Beginner Clothes.

What was special about this man? Why did everyone seem have faith in him?