Chapter 23: Death rules

Now, I shall explain the functions and rules for using these tokens, for they will directly determine your survival or demise.

He picked up a token, presenting it to the assembled crowd.

The token was hexagonal, crafted from metal, and embedded with a small display screen.

The screen displayed the inscription [Human-12-30:00:00], and in the very next second, the time shifted to 29:59:59, marking the commencement of the countdown.

“Firstly, the countdown: Do you see the numbers displayed?

The initial number indicates the entrance your respective teams must use to enter the competition grounds, while the subsequent digits represent the countdown until the official start of the match.

You now have thirty minutes to locate your designated entrance according to the first number.

Once this half-hour elapses and the competition officially begins, any team that has failed to enter the arena through their correct entrance will be deemed eliminated.”

No sooner had this rule been announced than another wave of indignation swept through the audience, with shouts decrying the unfairness of the regulations.

Sefilia, however, clearly scoffed at their protests.

She cast a disdainful glance at the disgruntled participants.

“Hmph, some people fancy themselves clever strategists, but this rule neatly shatters their schemes.”

Melina inquired with curiosity.

“How so?”

Sefilia explained.

“It’s quite simple.

With this rule, any pre-competition alliances are effectively broken, unless they get incredibly lucky, no one can complain.”

Lien ignored the protests from below, continuing his explanation.

“Secondly, once the competition commences, your tokens will display a new countdown.

This timer indicates the interval before the ‘safe zone’ shrinks.

Each time the countdown concludes, the outer perimeter of the forest will be enveloped by a high-energy field.

Anyone caught within it will suffer continuous spiritual energy erosion damage, leading either to elimination or death.”

“What did you say?! Death? Are you joking?!”

Once again, murmurs of discontent rose from the crowd.

Perhaps due to the repeated interruptions, Lien’s expression finally turned cold.

Immediately, a surging wave of spiritual energy radiated outwards from his entire being, engulfing the surroundings.

In an instant, everyone present felt an overwhelming pressure.

This immense pressure was so profound that many found it difficult even to remain standing.

Numerous individuals collapsed to their knees under its weight.

Only a select few managed to stay on their feet.

Melo’s forehead was beaded with sweat as she endured the pain, using her spiritual energy to prevent her body from collapsing.

Compared to the others, her struggle was noticeably more arduous.

After a considerable pause, Lien finally ceased his display of overwhelming power, slowly stating.

“The thirty-minute countdown has already begun.

You may continue to squander your time; I have no qualms about eliminating every single one of you useless individuals.”

Lien’s voice was frigid and cruel.

Clearly, the patience of those below him had worn thin.

“Beyond the countdown, the token will project a map of the entire competition grounds, marking the current safe zone boundary and the time for the next contraction.

“Thirdly, the global scan.

“This will be your most crucial strategic tool.

Every ten minutes, the token can be actively used to activate a scanning function.

Once activated, for ten seconds, your map will display the real-time locations of all other tokens as glowing points!

Furthermore, these points will be color-coded to differentiate between [Human] tokens and [Spirit] tokens.”

A collective gasp rippled through the audience.

This “God’s-eye view” available every ten minutes would fundamentally alter the rhythm of jungle hunting, significantly increasing the difficulty of evasion and making it far more efficient for stronger teams to prey on weaker ones.

Melina’s heart tightened, realizing that this implied even assembling all the tokens could instantly make one a prime target.

“Finally…” Lien’s voice abruptly turned icy, a cruel excitement flickering across his face.

“I, Rozwal Lien, as the chief referee for this event, hereby declare: Fatalities will be permitted in this competition!

In battle, each participant is responsible for their own life and death!

The Alliance will not be held accountable for any injuries or casualties!”

This announcement completely ignited the crowd below.

The participants disregarded Lien’s earlier display of power and the ongoing countdown, erupting in loud protests.

“What?!”

“This is impossible!

How can a Knight’s Tournament allow for deaths?”

“Protest! This is murder!”

A commotion swept through the arena, the crowd’s anger boiling over.

Many even began to contemplate withdrawing.

“Silence!” A crisp, cold reprimand suddenly cut through the air, like a chilling gust of wind, causing everyone to shiver involuntarily.

The deep-blue-haired security officer, who had stood silently by, finally spoke.

“Referee Lien, the impromptu addition of a lethal rule severely violates the competition’s safety regulations.

I, Cathy Veil, the security officer for this arena, representing the Alliance’s Security Committee, formally object to this!

This rule is invalid!”

The air instantly solidified.

No one had anticipated such an unexpected turn of events before a preliminary selection match of the lowest tier.

Just as no one had expected the chief referee to unilaterally add so many extra rules.

After all, every participant present, including Sefilia and the others, had viewed this preliminary match as a mere formality, attaching little importance to it.

Facing Cathy Veil’s formidable aura, Lien’s elegant smile remained unchanged, though his eyes were as cold as frost.

“Officer Veil, please be mindful of your jurisdiction.

Your duty is to maintain order outside the arena, preventing large-scale disturbances and external interference.”

“In fact, your inaction when these individuals repeatedly interrupted me earlier already constitutes a dereliction of duty.”

“As for the right to interpret and formulate the competition rules… that belongs to the chief referee, which is me.”

He subtly lifted his chin, a hint of arrogance in his posture.

“The authority granted to me by the Alliance is sufficient to determine the rules at this moment.

I have noted your objection, but—it will not be adopted.”

As he spoke, a cruel, cold smile played upon his lips.

“Furthermore, have you forgotten the original purpose of holding the Knight’s Tournament?”

Without waiting for Cathy Veil’s reply, Lien continued, speaking to himself.

“The Knight’s Tournament is inherently a process of selection and cultivation, designed to identify and nurture powerful warriors for our Alliance, and indeed, for all of humanity.

Madam Cathy, do you not find it an immense waste to expend precious resources annually on a bunch of shirkers, cowards, and weaklings?

Look at those who were just clamoring; haven’t some already decided to withdraw?

What right do such individuals have to receive the Alliance’s resources?

It’s utterly laughable!”

Cathy Veil’s expression turned grim.

“Even so, that doesn’t give you the right to decide others’ lives and deaths.”

Lien did not respond directly, instead saying playfully.

“I wouldn’t mind continuing to discuss the philosophical subject of life and death with you, Madam Cathy, but are you certain you wish to continue wasting the time of these useless individuals?”

He glanced at the token in his hand.

“But there are only twenty minutes left, you know!”

The others immediately panicked.

Cathy Veil’s face hardened.

Sensing the gazes around her, she noticed a hint of displeasure in the eyes of many contestants directed at her.

She knew she was powerless to dissuade him now and could only retreat silently.

Seeing her concede, Lien let out a soft snort, then turned to the pale-faced contestants below.

“Such are the rules.

Now, in half an hour… oh no, in twenty minutes, this battle royale will officially commence!

I wish you all… glorious martial fortune, or perhaps, a fitting demise!”