「 Plug 」

[ Archimedes | Workshop Battle ]

The first day after Archimedes' departure, 249 Regulars who made it through to the next round of the Battle Workshop were given free time before the actual tournament began.

Archimedes is a floating ship that has top-notch and most up-to-date facilities, almost all of which are available there and can be used free of charge by regulars, except for the items.

Archimedes is generally divided into several floors, luxury rooms and restaurants are available on the 1st floor, the swimming pool and playroom are on the 2nd floor, and on the 3rd floor there are shops selling items that can be purchased by Regulars. The items came from each workshop on each floor.

In addition there is also the 4th floor, the floor where the main stadium is located.

"So you don't know anything about Emily at all? Looks like you really got dumped by the Workshop huh."

Kira currently seen sitting with Mai in one of the restaurants available on the 1st floor. They chatted while eating their breakfast.

Hearing Kira's words, Mai just nodded in resignation. She is currently seen using sunglasses and hoodies to hide her identity. Because there may be Archimedes officers who recognize her face, moreover she is the children of the founder of the Workshop itself.

"I understand what you want to say, Mr. Kira, but I doubt' the Teachers ' will let this kind of research continue, no ... from the start they will definitely not approve it."

"I know, it seems that this research was not supported by the Workshop officials, the funds used were not the operational funds of the Workshop, but funds from the support of someone named Madoraco ... that's what I heard," said Kira while sipping a cup of coffee. Hearing that name, Mai touched her chin.

"Madoraco huh ... he is quite a famous person, moreover he is like me, getting a High-Ranker position because of his influence on the tower, he is a very successful businessman, it is not surprising if he has that much money."

Kira nodded, he then said.

"But the problem is why he was suddenly interested in the Workshop ..." That was not a question, Kira just wanted to confirm something.

"I've heard a rumor about him."

"Rumors?" Kira raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah, rumors say that Madoraco has a close relationship with FUG officials. I don't know if it's true or not, but it makes sense if you think about it."

Mai's words confirmed Kira's conjecture, he then glanced at his coffee cup and thought.

'Hansung Yu already knows this, so he told La Nave to meet me and ask me to prevent FUG from getting Enryu's Thorn ... then, does Madoraco also want Enryu's Thorn? Or does he only support one party at FUG who wants it? '

Thinking that he sipped his coffee, he smiled at Mai and said.

"Since we finished breakfast, how about we go around Archimedes? Besides, the tournament will only start tomorrow, I have a lot of free time today."

Hearing that, Mai tilted her head with a stoic face.

"Eh? Don't you want to discuss about Po Bidau Gustang with me? Or have you found him?"

"Not yet, but I've already thought of a way, if I can attract his attention I might be able to meet him later, even though I'm not sure it will work."

Mai was silent and Kira stood up from his seat.

" Let's go. "

Mai nodded and followed Kira beside him, the two of them chatting and walking around Archimedes. While the trio idiots (Rea, Ran, and Franz) play around in the pool.

***

4th floor Archimedes, Grand Stadium.

{We're sorry for the wait Ladies and Gentlemen !! The Workshop Battle for E-Rank regular will begin shortly !!! }

{First, i am a coordinator of this Workshop Battle, Eo, and he is also a coordinator, Funk}

The Regular began to arrive and gather at the Grand stadium, the Grand stadium was generally in a circle like other stadiums in general.

But there is a special cylindrical arena in the middle of the stadium, the arena is white and made of special marble and surrounded by water.

Kira, Rea and Ran were seen sitting in one corner of the stadium and watching two people explaining the rules of the game. Franz was not seen with them.

Then, Eo began to explain the rules of the game to the Regular.

{In this stadium, there are not only Regulars who'll take the test, but also middle area residents, Regulars from other floors, and even a Rankers. Thousands of guests are here with us for The Workshop Battle !!! For the guests here who paid a huge amount of money, I give you my grattitude. }

{ This Workshop Battle is consisted of an individual battle and team battle, the Regulars who passed the individual battle get the chance to enter the tournament. And the winning team chosen by the team leaders Will advance to the final tournament which Will be the final winning team }

{ Now, i'll show you, the 10 Gamblers who Will be the team leaders at the team Tournament. This leaders are the highest scoring Regulars on the One Shot One Opportunity game, and Gamblers don't participate in the individual battle and will bet on the expected winner of the individual battle with the money given! }

Then, the faces of the 10 people who would become gamblers appeared, one of whom was Franz.

For some reason, who is considered the leader during the One Shoot One Opportunity game is not Rea, but Franz. And when he rescued Mai, apparently Franz and Mai beat up many other Regular, and used the Light Bullets as a test, whether Mai could rise to Archimedes to use that right.

While Rea looks grumpy with an ugly face, she looks upset because she is not considered the leader of her team.

"Still, this pisses me off ..."

"Who told you to go after Jue Viole Grace by yourself and not get the slightest points," Ran said coldly.

"Geh ..." Rea gasped as if she was struck by lightning, this time she could not deny Ran's words.

Eo resumed his speech.

{ The six people who earns the most money gets to be the team leader for the team Tournament, they can buy their teammates with this money and win the tournament. And the Gamblers can't leave the waiting room until the end of the Individual Battle. }

"You could say this first game is a place to invest capital for the next game." Kira looks to take Eo's explanation seriously and try not to miss anything.

{ So now~ we'll start the battle right away, the game ia called Plug, the stick that I m holding ia called the plug, among the 8 Regulars, the first 3 Regulars who put ini the plug in this socket becomes the winner }

{ You can try every means possible! However, if you drop your plug or fall outside the stadium, you fail. Even if there are less than 3 Regulars on stage, the game Will be over only when the plug is plugged in }

{ Then now, we'll show the first group of the regular list. The battle of the first group will begin in a minute. Gamblers, please choose the Regulars that you expect to win. }

Then a screen that brings up a list of eight Regulars that will take part in the first round appears.

Seeing her name on the list, Rea immediately stood up from her chair.

"I'll advance first ... then I'll go to the waiting room."

"Yeah." Kira answered curtly.

After that, Rea went to the waiting room to get ready to enter the arena and do battle. Ran who previously sat also finally stood beside Kira to see the battle more clearly.

He looked at the regular list on the first team and murmured.

"It looks like the results of this match are clear, huh."

Kira was silent for a moment before he nodded, Ran's words were not without reason, it was because there was not a single Regular in the first squad that was included in the Top 10 E-class Regular.

"Yes, if I was Franz, I wouldn't hesitate doing all in for Rea's victory, I'm sure the other gamblers also think that way."

{ The initial money given to you is 500.000 points per Leader!!! If your Chosen regular wina the game, you can earn the money According to the divided rate. }

{ The more you bet, the more of an advantage you will get at the team Tournament, so be wise and be careful! Be careful but decisive! Be greedy but realistic! }

Franz who was currently in the waiting room with the other gamblers, without hesitation chose Rea.

After deciding the bet, Franz then looked around and as he expected, the other gamblers had also made their choice quickly.

'Well, it's only natural, the results of this first match can be seen clearly, someone from 10 great families and one of the 5 strongest E Class Regular, this is like a bonus round. ' Franz thought, looking at the tablet in his hand.

Suddenly a voice came from beside him.

"You look cuter when putting on that serious expression ~, so how about that? Do you want to 'play' with me tonight?"

It was a white snake-bodied woman who seemed to be from the Naga race. A woman named Miya. Hearing that, Franz just laughed bitterly.

{The Betting is over !! Then now, let's start the game !! Door Opens !! }

Then eight doors appeared around the arena and the regulars in the first group appear from each door.

One of them was Rea who came out with a proud smile on her face, in her hand was a white plug that seemed to be colored by red blood soon.

"Its time to shine!"

As expected, all the regular's attention was focused on her. None of them does not know one of the fastest E rank regulars, and is a member of the Arie family, Arie Rea.

Even hearing her name can cause their bodies to shudder. Seeing the Regular who looked at her with a look of fear and Rea made a satisfied face.

'Look, they are all scared like a little cat when they see me ... Take it easy Franz, I will get rid of all these people and get as many points as possible, after all I am Arie Rea hihihi'

Rea giggled in her mind. Ran who saw an arrogant smile on Rea's face said with a sour face.

"She has a big head now ..."

Eo who was seen floating in the air using a kind of floating board said with enthusiasm.

{This is truly amazing, the opening match and we will see the action of one of the top level regulars in E rank, Arie Rea}

When another regular hesitated to face Rea, suddenly one of the women moved forward and shouted at Rea.

"So you, Arie Rea ... seems like the rumor is over the top, your body is very small and looks weak, I don't understand why these losers are so afraid of you."

" Hah? "

Hearing the woman's words, the other Regulars made stunned faces and there was only one thing on their minds.

'A fool has appeared! '

"What if we ignore these losers and fight one on one, or are you afraid of me, little girl?"

Hearing the last sentence from the woman, Rea tightened her grip on the plug in her hand and in an instant had disappeared from her place and appeared right in front of the woman.

Before the woman could react, her face was hit very hard using a plug by Rea, and immediately knocked her to the floor very hard.

* bump * * crack *

The other regulars in group 1 who see Rea's speed can only be stunned, they do not doubt that Rea is fast, but they did not expect it to be this fast. Moreover, it was not the full speed of Rea.

Rea then cruelly pressed the face of the woman who fell on the ground using the plug in her hand, and said with an annoyed face.

"You have said forbidden words in front of me, bitch, no one other than Kira-bro can call me like that, remember that."

The woman then lost consciousness with a terrible facial condition, Rea then chuckled with an annoyed face.

"Tsk, I'm pissed, I'll end this soon"

Rea stared intently at the regulars, and the regulars realized that the game was over for them.

Then Rea began to beat up the remaining regulars and the sound of their screams could be heard echoing in the satdium.

" ARGGH!! "

[Group 1, Round 1 Over | Winner, Arie Rea]

*

{The Group 1's game is over now, i think you all got the rules clearly through this test, so from the next round, to be quick, 5 groups will start the game at once. }

{Then, the Regular list for the next 5 groups, will be announced! }

* phit *

Then, 5 hologram screens appeared in the middle of the stadium and displayed a list of regulars who took part in the second round.

Seeing the name that appeared on the screen, the crowd became noisy. That's because the name that everyone has anticipated has appeared.

"That name ..."

" Its him. "

Shibisu, who is also one of the gamblers, looked at the regular list in group 6.

"Finally that person appeared, Yama's Mad Dog ... Baragarv. It seems like the winner of group 6 has been decided huh. Then what about the other groups..."

Shibisu then immediately placed his bet on Mad Dog. The other gamblers also did the same thing. But it is different from Franz and Aguero.

'I want to place a high bet on Baragarv, that is the most sensible thing, but somehow I have a bad feeling about this ... Regular named Light, I have never heard of him. '

Meanwhile, Franz who was sitting in the corner just grinned in silence.

*

"So you really hid your identity in the game this time?" Ran asked Kira who was seen holding an gas mask in his hand.

"Yeah, as you know, I used Light as my pseudonym." Kira then wore a mask on his hand and glanced back at the screen.

"But I didn't know I'd be in the same group with this Baragarv, it looks like Franz's plan will go more smoothly than I thought."

"Plans?"

"Yes, by hiding my identity, I can deceive the other gamblers to not to vote for me, so Franz will have an absolute victory at stake," said Kira.

Hearing that, Ran looked at Kira with flat expression.

"So you plan to defeat this Mad Dog? You will make a fuss later."

"That's why I disguised my identity."

Kira then say a word.

" Fatamorgana. "

And in an instant Kira's appearance changed, his black hair turned golden and his brown skin turned white. Using the mask on his face, Kira's appearance changed completely. He was truly in a perfect disguise.

After that Kira went straight to the waiting room and left Ran alone there.

After a few minutes passed, and all gamblers have finished placing their bets. Eo said.

{Betting is over, the game will begin now, Doors open !!! }

And with that, the second round of the Individual tournament begins.

[Plug | Group 2 - 6 | Round 2 Start! ]

_____________________________

In Japanese, Kira can also be interpreted as Light and Killer.