"Every thousand years, the soul of the Dragon Goddess will descend the heavens and touch a pregnant mother, blessing her unborn child with the powers of a Dragon. 

Those in the Nine Heavens who wish to become the Dragon Emperor, King of all Dragon Gods, must find the blessed human and..."

The lore was old, written in an ancient tongue that was long forgotten. The young girl scrambled to puzzle the last words together as confusion twisted her brows.

"...Marry her?"

The next day at school is exhausting. Crescent ends up sleeping at 12, and her parents yelled at her for staying up so late. She rushes through the halls in school, and she makes sure to stay weary of whoever was going to make her day any worse than before. She has visible eye-bags under her eyes, and she's tired.

"Did you fight Crécelle yesterday or something?" Mint murmurs, Crescent glances at him.

"No. Very very close though" Crescent mumbles, she steals a grape from Ice's lunch tray. He pushes the grapes to her. 

"Are you sure? It seems a little tiring for you" Estelle mumbles. "I can't have my only rival in parkour dropping dead on me in athletics"

"Just challenge Aaron. He's definitely a better person to parkour with" Crescent mumbles.

The table stares at her in silence, there was no way Crescent could ever understand how busy Aaron was. Being a champion meant helping the principal with whatever, and training until you had maxed out your skills. From rumors alone people assumed that Aaron was golden haired. He had eerie emerald eyes, and his brows were always furrowed. He almost resembled the eldest of his home.

"What does Aaron actually look like?" Crescent asks, she wants to know. She needs to know. She can't defeat him without stats.

"Eyes blue like the atlantic, and he's going down like the titanic" Estelle sings.

"hair amber, warm and dramatic, and he's going down like the titanic" Mint joins.

"Skin pale, bright as the sunlight, and he's rising up, out of a nightlight" Ice hums.

"That last one makes no sense"

"He's 190cm. He's a titan"

"But you guys are also?"

"We're close. Not there but close" Mint sighs. "Aaron's like the elder one of the household. Ice's family worships him"

"Tough life?"

"Very tough"

The lunch bell rings, and Crescent escapes school as soon a possible. She pays Ignes and Elios a quick visit, and drops off some food for them. She talks with them briefly, and then they fly off for the day. She makes her way to the tombs again, and she tries to airbend her way to Kenma. He notices off the bat, and he knocks Crescent off balance. She chokes on her spit thanks to him.

"You're too slow." Kenma shoots. "You need to go quicker and have more stealth"

"I hate you"

Kenma motions her to a puzzle, and Crescent gets to work. She finishes 4 rooms and gets tired on the fifth. 

"Want a snack?" Kenma asks, he tosses her an apple, and Crescent bites down. It's juicy, and she's pretty sure it's one of the offerings that the school places for the old champions. No wonder Kenma was already developing his muscles. He's muscular, and despite not being too tall, he was agile. There was a lot to learn from him even if he was an ex-champion. He was no older than his twenties, and he had won against Aaron before. 

"The competition is in 4 months. You'll have plenty of time to learn the bending styles. Help me get the golden cage first and then we can talk" Kenma states, he finishes another puzzle.

"What's even in the golden cage? A Dragon?"

"My animal guide. A dragon" Kenma smiles. His shirt hikes up his chest slightly and a dragon mark is spotted. There were rumors that he had the final black dragon as an animal guide. He had the personality, and compared to the current champion, he was far more ambitious than Aaron. 

"What's Aaron's animal guide?" Crescent asks. Her voice echoes down the hall.

"Bloodhound. They fit eachother perfectly" Kenma answers, his voice is stiff.

"Does that mean he's bloody, vicious, and harsh?" Crescent mumbles.

Kenma nods. He finishes his nth puzzle, and around a hundred lie ahead of him. He works on the next puzzle, and he's confused at the sight of a three by three cube. They didn't have this in the streets, and he tries to pick at it, but he ultimately fails. Crescent takes notice of it. 

"Wanna switch puzzles with me? That's a rubik's cube and I can solve it" Crescent points at the cube in his hands.

"Solve it. I could probably get it down in a handful of minutes but the quicker we go the better" He throws the cube at the girl, and she gets to work. She speeds through it, and when Kenma finishes her half finished puzzle, she's done. She places it in the lion's mouth, and the light above it glows a soft blue.

"Tell me about your time as the champion"

"The shells. They're still in power right?" Kenma mumbles and Crescent nods. "They were still in power then. They hate change and Crécelle was a new elite back then. She already had a clique, and Hatsuki was new as well. They clicked pretty quickly. I won champion fair and square. I didn't discover molecule bending back then, but oxygen bending was in my grasp. I reigned for 4 years before they kicked me out for treason. They shoved a poison down my throat. Do you know what it was?"

"Arsenic. It's a water type poison, so waterbending helps get it out of your system. It's a shame you can't bend it" Crescent mumbles, finishing the puzzle. "Your dragon mark. It can cancel out the Phoenix one right?"

"Yeah. I refuse to do any cancelling though. It means my bond with my animal would be broken" Kenma sneers.

"Ah. I finished the row" Crescent mumbles. She turns to see Kenma opening the door. The room is empty, and in the middle sits a golden cage. Kenma sends a gush of air to get rid of the traps, and he sprints to the center of the room. He grabs the cage, and he runs outside before they bury him alive. Crescent stares at the closed cage.

"How do we get him out?" Crescent mumbles.

"We don't have a key huh?" Kenma taps the cage. He grabs a fistful of dirt, and he earthbends one. He unlocks the cage with ease, and a 12 meter long dragon soars out. The dragon doesn't roar, he knows where he is, and he opts for wrapping himself around Kenma. Crescent stares in awe.

The dragon sends a breath of fire her way, and she doesn't flinch. He shrinks, and he sets himself atop her head. Kenma and his companion could be a potential solution to Crescent's phoenix mark issue. But she wouldn't know and they wouldn't realize it until it was nearly too late.

When Crescent finally gets admitted to The Academy of the Elites, she’s more than ready to take revenge on them for kicking her parents out. Her plan is simple, become champion, become principal, and start the reform. The school system was corrupt and there were so many things to change. What happens when her plan doesn’t work? Simple, you improvise.

-✿-

“Molecule bending, particle bending, gravity bending, and oxygen bending. Please teach me!” The girl bows.

He peers at her in curiosity. Those bending types were banned in the school. Why did she want to know?

“What’s the point of learning something you can’t use?”

“I want to defeat the champion”

-✿-

Update schedule: On pause

Southwest of this continent, going exactly west from Great Forest Sea, were two islands. One was vertically big and long while the other was ⅓ the size of the previous one, and both could be seen forming a line.

The larger island was called Igrand, and the smaller — Marlette. The two islands combined were called the Igrette Kingdom.

Map

The Igrette Kingdom didn't have any particular resource that was sticking out. It seemed to be a splendid country with a temperate climate and a beautiful unspoiled scenery due to it being surrounded by the sea.

This country appeared to be rural with a culture falling behind against the other countries, but even a country like this had something that couldn't be defeated by those other countries.

It is the existence the Sea Serpent, a sea dragon.

This dragon lived near the shores of Igrette and was being respected by its citizens as a guardian deity. Approximately 100 years ago when the Sandora Kingdom invaded them, it was passed on in a legend that this dragon only sank the ships of Sandora.

There's another legend being handed down on that island. It said that the day when the sea dragon was seen, they would be able to get a large catch.

「So, do you know the one they call the Sea Serpent?」(Touya)

『Yes. It's one of my dependants. It's a type that, by nature, likes to associate with humans, so perhaps he liked the humans living on those islands』(Ruli)

Having heard that there's a dragon, I then went to that Igrette kingdom in a company of Ruli. I sit on Ruli's back who had turned into a huge dragon, and we were heading towards those islands. It was quite comfortable, but I still put up a shield since the wind was intense.

「Oh, I can see it」(Touya)

The isolated islands were seen at the end of the horizon. Is that the Igrette Kingdom?

『Lord. The sea dragon has come to greet you』(Ruli)

「Eh?」(Touya)

Looking below per Ruli's voice, I saw the face of a dragon peeping from the surface of the sea. It raised the sea up and down, wiggling its body like a snake. It was really huge. It's even bigger than Ruli. There was buoyancy in the sea, so there were no big burdens on the body of large creatures. This was probably the reason why it's easier for large creatures to be born at the sea.

『Long time no see, Sea Dragon』(Ruli)

『It's good to be in the presence of the gracious Blue Emperor-sama. Also, Mochizuki Touya-sama, the Lord of the Blue Emperor-sama, welcome to Igrette』(Sea Serpent)

「Huh? You know who I am?」(Touya)

『Yes. The incident on Drachen island has been transmitted amongst the dragons』(Sea Serpent)

Huhuh. Surprisingly, it has become something similar to a rumor. Oh well. We did kill more than half of the dragons in that island after all. The reason why they aren't holding a grudge is thanks to Ruli's influence.

Dragons basically didn't try to oppose humans. If humans had seriously tried to defeat dragons, they would know how difficult it would be. However, the reckless rampage of the young dragons who didn't know something like that due to their long years of living caused the incident that time. It could be said though that the reason was pretty much because they hadn't been educated.

「Even so, you knew well that we would be coming, didn't you?」(Touya)

『I've heard about it from a bird familiar. As such, the ruins that Touya-sama has been searching for turned up to be in the depths of the cave where I myself have been roosting』(Sea Serpent)

「Ah. So that's how it is. Then I guess I can ask you to guide us there」(Touya)

『With pleasure』(Sea Serpent)

We followed the sea dragon that began swimming, moving from side to side.

The sea dragon headed to the small island of the Igrette kingdom. It then entered a thin cave between the rocks after we'd approached the quay of Marlette. We'd also followed suit and entered the cave. We then came out into a space that's considerably large.

It's like a secret base here. I got off from Ruli's back onto a rock inside the cave.

『The ruins you're aiming for are in the end of a cave located deeper that way』(Sea Dragon)

I, having followed the eyes of the sea dragon, could see the cave which led to more depths. I see. Is it in the end of that cave?

It seemed they had a great deal to talk about as well, so I left Ruli with the sea dragon and advanced alone to the depths of the cave.

The rock surface was indiscriminately and smoothly wet. Is it because the surface becomes submerged in the sea when the tide comes in? I advanced through the cave that looked like a pathway for awhile, and I finally reached the object inside of it soon afterward.

The shape was a genuine sphere. I could only see a black globe five meters or more in diameter at first glance, but there were magic stones resembling a marble embedded on its sides with thin slit-like geometric patterns running through.

「Let's see what will happen when I pour magic power in them, for now」(Touya)

I poured fire attribute magic into the red magic stone. Then, the red light started shining from the magic stone towards the slit extending along on the surface of the globe.

The light, while occasionally breaking and bending on its path, encircled the sphere and returned back to the red magic stone.

The blue, green, brown, yellow, and purple stones released lines of light the same way. Finally, when the white light of the no attribute magic run through the globe, it cluttered like a puzzle and its surface slid one by one, opening a small entrance.

The entrance silently closed as I set foot inside, and I saw a magic formation drawn on the floor, scattered in pieces, in the middle of a faint light.

「Wait, wait a moment. Say, is this…?」(Touya)

The pattern was drawn on what appears to be square tiles. Each one was disconnected from the others, allowing them to be moved.

A slide puzzle. The one where the digits were supposed to be lined up in the right order.

［01］［02］［03］［04］

［05］［06］［07］［08］

［09］［10］［11］［12］

［13］［14］［15］［16］

It's a puzzle where the part for the number [16] had been omitted and where assembling it back to its original form required the scattered pieces to be slid one by one using the vacant space.

This one was made of the magic formation laid down on the floor. The magic formation for transfer will probably activate when I line up the puzzle correctly.

The problem was the number of the panels. I'd counted them, and they were in a 10 x 10 matrix, making it a hundred pieces in total. No. Accurately speaking, there were 99 pieces with one piece being left out to allow the other parts to move. Furthermore, it would've been better if those panels were numbers since the difficulty of the slide puzzle jumped up if a picture had to be assembled.

「What an absolutely troublesome puzzle…」(Touya)

I muttered so while sliding the panels on the floor.

That reminds me, grandpa has said a long time ago that there's a slight trick for slide puzzles.

［01］［02］［03］［04］

［05］［06］［07］［08］

［09］［10］［11］［12］

［13］［14］［15］

In case they have to be lined up like this, the ones the should be aligned first are…

 
［01］［02］［03］［04］

［05］

［09］

［13］

The ones outside should be done first followed by aligning the inner side adjacent to it.

［06］［07］［08］

［10］

［14］

Like that, and finally,

［11］［12］

［15］

The panels had to be put together. The puzzle would be completed with this method no matter how large the number of panels it had.

The problem was that this was a panel of a picture. I couldn't move them if I didn't understand which part of the whole a certain panel was.

It would be quite helpful if the original picture was present but….

I spent some time silently moving the puzzle. Assembling it took too much time, so I'd decided to tell Ruli to head back via telepathy.

99 pieces was nonetheless a huge number… In addition to that, the puzzle wasn't a picture but a pattern. As such, this was…. I had no way of knowing if a panel was the correct one until they were properly aligned next to each other.

Nevertheless, I continued to repeat this plain tiresome work. Then, light overflew from the transfer formation on the floor when I'd managed to somehow complete the puzzle, and I'd been instantly transferred.

****************************************************************************************

I'd been swallowed in the usual whirlpool of light, and the familiar scenery of Babylon spread in front of my sight after my dazzled eyes got used to the blinding light.

I could see a white building in between the trees shaking in the wind. Is that [Laboratory]?

Then, somebody came walking to this place as I stepped out of the transfer formation to walk towards the building. Is that the [Laboratory] manager? She had brown hair with three braids placed together, and she's coming towards here in a brisk manner. Based on her appearance, she should be one or two years younger than me.

「Welcome to [Laboratory]. I am this [Laboratory] terminal and manager. My name is Atlantica. Please call me Tica」(Tica)

I faltered a little while looking at the girl who bent her waist politely and greeted me. Her movements were similar to the secretary of the president from a certain company. She seemed to be a diligent and proper girl. Her way of speaking was fluent as well. I guess I can say that she's difficult to deal with for the rough Monica in a certain sense.

「Tica, is it? Nice to meet you. I am──」(Touya)

「Mochizuki Touya-sama, right. I've heard about you from the professor」(Tica)

「From the professor?」(Touya)

「Yes. [The Jewel of Future Vision] that the professor had constructed allowed her to know that Touya-sama would at least come to [Garden] and [Laboratory]」(Tica)

Come to think of it, an artifact like that exists in [Warehouse]. Though it didn't activate even if I tried using it. According to Palshie, the [Warehouse] manager, someone with the same biological wavelength is required for the power of the jewel to reach the future. In other words, I couldn't use it because there's no one that has all the magic attributes in the future.

It, therefore, meant that there wouldn't be anyone that was born having all of the attributes for another 5000 years from now on as the worst case scenario. Unless the flow of the history changed.

I'd tried letting Linzie use it to test the theory, and an old man whom we didn't know of was reflected. As such, I didn't think it's broken. I felt strange thinking that maybe this old man was currently living in this era as a kid.

「Then, how many [Babylon] parts has Touya-sama managed to gather so far?」(Tica)

「This is the last one. I've already found the others and they are all docked together」(Touya)

「I see. This is sufficient enough for someone who's confirmed person. I will then transfer [Laboratory] and me, Atlantica, under master's contract」(Tica)

Having said so, Tica took out a small stick containing an object that looked like a round cotton from her chest pocket and handed it over to me.

「Please put this in your mouth」(Tica)

I held the stick in my mouth as I'd been told, and I was then instructed to take it out after a few minutes.

Tica, having received the cotton swab that I'd taken out, held all of it in her mouth.

「Registration compete. Master's genes have been memorized. From now on, the ownership of [Laboratory], and myself, Babylon number 22, Atlantica are transferred to master」(Tica)

「H-huh?」(Touya)

「Is there anything wrong?」(Tica)

「No, nothing in particular…」(Touya)

It wasn't a kiss like before. No, it's not like I was looking forward to it, right!? Or perhaps I should say it was a bit of a letdown.

Perhaps this girl had drawn a line on an act like that because she looked diligent.

「Then please, this way. There is one more job I want master to do before I explain about [Laboratory]」(Tica)

「Job?」(Touya)

I entered one of the [Laboratory] buildings while being led by Tica.

[Laboratory] was divided into several buildings, and it appeared that each one had a different purpose.

The place we'd entered was called the First Lab. Apparently, Shesca and the rest of the Babylon numbers were born here.

A whole lot of huge objects that appeared to be sleeping capsules similar to the ones in [Alchemy Building] had been installed into the walls. Some sort of luminescent fluid that's quite unknown to me was floating inside the transparent tubes. There were also some raw materials soaked in what looked like formalin floating inside the tubes. This was exactly what could be called as a suspicious [Laboratory].

This was somehow similar to a human experimental facility (It may exactly be like that though), so I was slightly uncomfortable. It even looks like it can remodel a human… Haven't they already made several of those? Though they are closer to cyborgs than remodeled humans.

Tica took me to the front of a cylindrical machine installed in the innermost part of the room and pointed at the part of that machine that acted like a window of a coffin.

The face of a young girl floating in a solution and shining in a light green light could be seen through the glass. Her seemingly long platinum blonde hair could be seen, but I couldn't quite recognize her since I could only see through the window the part from the forehead till the chin. It's difficult to understand because her eyes were closed, but she vaguely resembled Tica in front of my eyes. No, she was similar to all Babylon numbers.

「Say, is this child…」(Touya)

「Babylon number 29. The last number. She's our youngest sister」(Tica)

Has there been 10 people all in all?..... Was she abandoned in the middle of development, or was there some reason not to wake her up?

I was thinking of those things when Tica suddenly threw an extra large bomb at me.

「And at the same time, she's our biological parent, Professor Regina Babylon. I want master to assist with waking her up」(Tica)

.........Eh?

Fifteen-year-old Touya Mochizuki is accidentally killed by God. As an apology, God allows him to be resurrected, but since he cannot send him back to his old world, he instead reincarnates him into a fantasy world along with a single special request.

(The episode opens with Kanisha tries to grab the puzzle, but she gets shocked and ended up on the ground)

The fortune teller: You may have wings, but those aren't useful to you.

Yugi: It's okay, Kanisha, I'll duel him

Kanisha: Are you sure, without your puzzle (whispers) you can't switch 

Yugi (whispers): I know, but I have no choice

Kanisha: Then remember I'll be here supporting

Yami Yugi: And me as well, I might not be able to switch with you, but our bond is still strong. Remember to believe in your deck.

Yugi: I will.

(The camera reveals the duel arena and the fortune teller)

(Yugi walks and gets on the duel arena)

The fortune teller: Let you know that duel will be risks and I predict things won't end good for you, since you will be chained and perish in a fire

Kanisha (confused): Perish in fire? (looks at a gas cannon)

Kamia: Something is wrong about that fortune teller, I sense strange energy from him

Kanisha: You mean he has something evil inside him

Kamia: More like controlling him

Kanisha: Controlling him (eyes widen) 

Kanisha (thought); Could it be a millennium item? The spirit of the puzzle did say there are more millennium items out there

Kamia (thought): She understands.

(The screen switches to Clara in the alley)

Bakura: Clara, is that you?

(Clara turns around to see Bakura)

Clara: Bakura, guessed you ran into Tea

Yami Clara: Wait, something is wrong

Clara (whispers): What do you mean?

(Clara's ring glows)

(Yami Clara is revealed)

Yami Clara: Show yourself, who are you really?

Bakura (smiles): Guess I've been found out

(Yami Bakura is revealed)

Yami Clara (eyes widen): The spirit of the millennium ring.

Yami Bakura: Indeed, Queen, you don't need to hide, your knowledge about your past

Yami Clara (confused): How did you know?

Yami Bakura (smiles): Because your husband wouldn't dare wipe his darling's memories, after all you wouldn't be much help if you are a puzzled mess

Yami Clara: Enough of the past, even though my memories are intact, you don't seem familiar; and I know I would remember somebody like you.

Yami Bakura: Maybe you don't have all the memories you need.

Yami Clara: It doesn't matter, after all if the memory is locked (look of determination) I will unlock it.

Yami Bakura: Until then you should get to your darling.

Yami Clara (thought): That nuisance along with Kanisha is watching him right now

(The screen shows Yugi summoning the Kelpetic guardian in attack mode)

(The fortune teller puts his monster on defense mode)

Yugi (confused): Putting a monster in defense mode

Kanisha: Yugi, think wisely about your decision, don't rush into it.

Yugi (thought); Right, he could be tempting me to attack (pulls a card from his deck)

Yugi: I put Curse of Dragon in defense mode and I put two cards face down.

The fortune teller (thought) (looking at Kanisha): He has an interesting friend

(The fortune teller puts his monster in the attack mode)

(The monster is revealed to the head of a lizard, snake body, and wings named Star Hybrid)

The fortune teller: Star Hybrid, triple star attack

(Star Hybrid makes three stars that attacks Yugi)

(A heart-shaped shield is on in front of Yugi)

The fortune teller: I should've known, I lay one card face down and I end my turn.

Yugi (thought): Kanisha's advice helped me, but I must be able to handle this duel on my own as well

Kanisha (thought): Don't do anything reckless, Yugi, after all I know it isn't just the Pharaoh that has been fighting during your duels you know what to do too.

Yugi: I switch Curse of Dragon to attack mode, and give it the necklace of creativity.

(A glowing green necklace appears on the Curse of Dragon)

Yugi: Curse of Dragon attack Star Hybrid.

(Curse of Dragon breathes fire and blows Star Hybrid away)

Yugi: I end my turn.

The fortune teller (thought): He is lasting

Kanisha: Everything is going well

Kamia: It is.

(The screen switches to Yami Clara running and sees the warehouse and walks into it)
(Kanisha flies to Clara)

Yami Clara: What is going on?
Yugi: I have to win my millennium puzzle back by dueling without the spirit.

Yami Clara: Hmmm (looks over and sees the millennium puzzle) Do your best and don't you dare lose focus.

Yugi: I won't

Clara: I wonder how the pharaoh is.

Yami Clara (thought): He will be fine.

The fortune teller: I put Star Fox in attack mode, which summons another Star Fox

(The fortune teller summons a two foxes with a star cloak on)

The fortune: I put down three cards down, Star Fox attack

(Yugi takes the hit and lose his life points)

The fortune: And they can attack twice.

(Yugi loses more of life points)

The fortune teller (thought): He won't stand a chance.

Yugi: I'm almost about to lose, but I have to believe that I will make a comeback.

The fortune teller: What's the matter, can't manage without the spirit, maybe you should give up?
Yugi: Not a chance, me and the spirit have a bond, and the puzzle is the key, so I won't give it to you.

The fortune teller: It's your choice, I end my turn.

(Yugi looks at his cards, puts two cards face down)

Yugi: I put Rai the rainbow queen.

(A person who has long rainbow hair, white skin, wearing a fluffy red dress, and a crown)
Yugi: I add the rainbow wand to Rai the rainbow queen.

(A rainbow wand appears in Rai's hand)

Yugi: Rai, rainbow flash attack

(Rai the rainbow queen blasts The fortune teller, which nearly knocks off all his life points)

Kamia: Kanisha.

Kanisha (whispers): What's up?

Kamia: I sense the evil spirit is losing control of the fortune teller's mind.

Kanisha (whispers): You're right, I saw him twitch a little.

(The screen switches to Tea, Joey, and Triston looking around)

Joey: We have looked all over

Triston: It's almost hopeless

Tea: I can't find Kanisha or Clara either

Bakura; I thought I heard familiar faces.

(Tea, Triston, and Joey turns around and sees Bakura)

Tea: Bakura, did you happen to say Clara or Kanisha

Bakura: I haven't seen Kanisha, but I did see Clara

Tea: Could you tell us which way she went?

(Bakura leads them)

(The screen switches to The fortune teller summons a bird that has a sword on it, which is heading to Yugi)

Yugi: You unlocked my trap, Horse arrow.

(A horse riding on the arrow heads to the fortune teller)

(All the life points of the fortune teller are gone)
Kanisha: Wait...isn't

(Chains attached to the fortune teller's leg)

The fortune teller (sounding worried): Wait!

Kanisha: Clara grabs the millennium puzzle.

Clara: Got it.

(Smoke appears)

(Yugi sees fire surrounding the fortune teller)

(Kanisha spreads her wings, grabs Yugi and Clara gets the millennium puzzle)

Kanisha: Wait, we have to go back to the fortune teller.

(Kanisha flies back into the warehouse)

(Tea, Bakura, Joey, and Triston appear)

Tea: Where's Kanisha?

Clara: She is inside trying to save a life

(In the warehouse)

The fortune teller: I deserve punishment, I failed my mission.

Kanisha: That's too cruel

(Kanisha tries to take the fortune teller out, but the fire gets in the way)

(Kanisha gets out of the warehouse and nearly fall)

(episode ends)

Yugi, Clara, Kanisha, and Joey enter battle city and find a dangerous enemy with the supports of their friends

Xing wondered what Lord Ran was planning to do. He obviously wanted his family to conduct the ceremony as he had brought only his son with him. But why did he suddenly change his mind? And he just lost his daughter yesterday and was wearing plain clothes but Xing could not get any emotions from his face. Is that a side-effect of being in the politics?
Then it dawned on her that Lord Chu was talking to him and everyone in the Heavenly Flowers Palace knew that Lord Táng never does archery. Could that be the reason? By humiliating Lord Táng, the Huang family can be humiliated also and if she failed in successfully burning the evil dragon , they can blame the empire's doom was brought upon by the Huang family and all those nasty conclusions that they usually arrive at and ostracise the Huang family in the future! 
Geez! Way to put stress on me! 
Xing just rolled her eyes and walked to her father who was diplomatically arguing with Lord Ran. Lord Ran even mentioned that the as his family is grieving, it is inappropriate for his family to participate in this event but as the Huang family had already have a hired bodyguard with them, Lord Táng can do the ceremony this year on behalf of them. 
That had provoked AoTian but Rijun interfered, "Lord Táng is not hired but adopted by our family. He does not receive salary but allowance like me, evident from the family token we both have", he pointed at the Eagle Emblem both of them were hanging in their belts. He spoke in a tone as if the one who was listening is actually stupid and Lord Ran had nothing to retort. 
 "Father, it's fine", Xing whispered to her father and he accepted the offer. 
Xing never did archery publicly or in competing not because she didn't know archery but because Haru was a better archer than her. That doesn't mean she sucked, she was pretty decent. Also anyone can shoot a twenty foot tall dragon from a certain distance, right?
So the Emperor gave her the ceremonial arrow and he cannot hide the smirk on his face as if saying she won't be left alone and Xing had to restrain hard not to punch him in the face.
So Xing was brought to the side of the stage and everyone's eyes were on her.
"Brat, let's see if you could solve the puzzle", Lord Zhong patted her back and Xing looked at the setup in the distance.
Two big dragons were facing each other and there was a big golden pearl in between the dragons. Xing saw a lantern was being hoisted just above the ball and the lantern had the character 'Divine' written on it. Weird! 
"Oldman! Why don't you tell me what the puzzle is. Then I'll solve it", Xing grinned at the Oldman but he was too professional and turned his head. 
"Finding what the puzzle is part of the puzzle. How can I tell you?", he asked. 
"Grumpy Oldman! Why do you have to be such a stickler for rules?", Xing mumbled and Lady Zhong who was sitting with MingXue could not help but laugh. Xing could see MingXue rolling her eyes at her and she didn't care, as usual. 
"Get on with it! ", Lord Zhong pushed her forward and Xing saw Shengli standing in front of her under the stage. He smiled and nodded and Xing felt assured. He knew her arrival will cause some stir and as expected it happened. 
Let's see if she could solve the puzzle! If not I'll have to look for escape routes in case of this going bad! Also Shihong may come out! 
While Shengli's thoughts were like that, Xing's thoughts were simple, 
Even if she failed it won't matter! He is here! 

So the rules were explained that she'll be given three arrows and with it she'll have to make the evil dragon reduced to ashes. Usually in the previous years the archer will light his arrow with fire and burn the dragon.
Seiren was in charge of the fire and he brought it to her to light the arrowhead. Xing literally jumped back, "Whoa! Get that thing away from me!", she shouted.
Everyone in the stage knew about her pyrophobia. She won't even get near a stove! They had almost forgotten about it in the commotion. But for those who didn't know her her actions seemed stupid and childish! Did they really give such an important job to a joker? 
But all Xing could think was the fire would be closer to her other hand when she draws the bow if it was lighted and she naturally refused her arrow to be lighted.
Seiren was baffled, "Well, how are you going to burn it without fire, Lord Táng?", he asked and tried to light the arrowhead but Xing pulled the arrow back, "Get that thing away!", she waved her hand, "I'll find a way" 
By now everyone had started muttering to themselves as the sky was turning bright and this should be completed before sunrise or else it is said bad luck will descend on the kingdom.
"Lord Táng, you must hurry", the Emperor prompted her. 
Xing took a deep breath and drew her arrow and even Rijun by her side was sure she was not pointing at the evil dragon but somewhere else. He felt nervous for his sister.

Stupid sister! At least point at the dragon. It is big enough and the arrow will hit it somewhere although I don't know how it is going to lit up without fire!
But Xing stood there unmoving in a perfect posture even though she was pointing in a slightly wrong angle, her expression was calm. Rijun had noticed this with her many times, the critical the situation is the calmer she will be. It was a good quality for a leader as if this was a war and even if the odds were not in their favour, just by looking at the calm and confident look of their leader the soldiers will gain mental strength. 
Seiren looked at his father who nodded with a Mystical smile as if she had already figured out the answer to the puzzle and stepped back and wondered how the ceremony will be done without fire.
Xing was entirely focused and she released the arrow while everyone was looking with bewilderment. Lord Chu sneered and everyone in the crowd laughed.
"What's with that? Is that a plain arrow?" 
"Even a child will know, to set fire you need fire"  
"We have heard a lot about this Lord Táng and how can he be this stupid?"
Xing let down her hand holding the bow and the arrow hit the target intended by her- the rope holding the 'Divine Lantern'
The rope got snapped by the arrow and the lantern descended towards the golden pearl in between the two dragons... And disappeared! 
What!
The whole crowd hissed and heckled at Xing.
Xing was perplexed by their reaction and she looked at her brother, "Mingxia! How could you touch the divine lantern! It is considered a bad omen!", he said pushing her behing him and Seiren stood before her and Shengli was running towards the stage but turned to speak to the guards to form a perimeter. Xing could actually see the people picking up stones to throw at her.
" Well! Didn't you find it odd that a lantern is hoisted at dawn for no reason? And you even call that setup a puzzle! I thought that was the key to solve the puzzle. Also lanterns have fire in them, so I thought I could use it", Xing murmured and Rijun mouthed her to shut up. Everyone in the stage was alert and Shengli arranged the guards to form a perimeter around the stage so that no one could enter. 
The chaos from the onlookers was intensified and a mob was about to form.
"How dare he touch the lantern" 
"He had angered the Gods" 
"Surely bad luck will descend on us.. " 
"Well have to kill him to appease the gods" 
Everyone was getting riled up. Xing looked at them, 'Most of you don't even believe in gods! Why do you have to appease them? They don't care about you or your little lantern!', she snickered in her mind. 
 Then, Lord Zhong's bell like voice echoed making everyone shrink, "Silence!", he commanded and the people became silent as if they were hypnotised. 
Lord Zhong wrapped his strong arms around Xing's shoulders and pulled her to the front edge of the stage, " The puzzle is solved", he said in a loud voice and everyone started mumbling again in confusion. Xing looked at the Oldman whose eyes were slightly clouded as if he was really happy and he pulled her close and hugged her, "Brat, you really did it! I knew it was you! " 
Bang!!!
A loud noise was heard and Xing pulled herself out from the bear grip of Lord Zhong and looked at the setup, the pearl had opened and a tiger had been revealed and soon the evil dragon caught fire by itself from the inside and it burned itself out within a minute.
Everyone was shocked to see that happening and soon their surprise turned into disbelief. Usually that dragon burns for at least an hour, right? So how come it burned out this quickly today?
"Everyone knows Lord Zhong likes Lord Táng. It's a setup!", someone screamed.
"Yes, it should be!", another agreed.
"Huangs and Zhongs collude to cheat us! They are traitors! Hang them!", someone used this situation to alleviate the hatred on both of the families. 
"You Majesty! Wisely decide!", some kneeled in front of the Emperor. 
The discussion went on and Xing was still stupefied by what was happening around her. People seem to accuse others rather easily! Xing searched for Shengli and he was standing right in front of her below the stage with a beautiful and proud smile. He had tried to figure out the puzzle and even he wasn't brazen enough to think that the Divine Lantern is the key. He wanted to stand next to her but not now. Shihong might be watching and he must refrain himself in showing his feelings towards her lest, Shihong might figure out their relationship. 
 If there is someone who could challenge the popular beliefs and stand against normal  customs, it should be her!
"I can swear on my trade and on my ancestors grave that this was the setup planned and given to mine and the Zhong family's ancestors by the Great Tianshi Emperor", the old voice of Lord Xuan, the renowned architect of their kingdom whose family had built this complicated setup spoke.
"We have the proof", Lord Zhong said and both of them pulled out an old paper and gave it to the Emperor. 
The Emperor called out Lord Ran and gave out the blueprint to Lord Ran and Lord Ran saw the complex mechanisms that get released once the lantern entered inside the pearl and that seemed to be the key in this puzzle. But how did someone like Lord Táng able to solve something, he was baffled.
Xing knew she was in a sticky position and she'll be asked for explanation on how she figured out the answer. She cannot say, 'I'm scared of fire, so I gave it a try with the lantern' , right? 
Why am I getting involved in every trouble there is? And what's with these people, they wanted someone to solve the puzzle and once it is solved, they are saying it is a setup. What will satisfy you? 
As expected everyone demanded explanations from her. Xing took a deep breath, had her usual enlightened smile on. Shengli looked at her to see if she was in discomfort, but she really looked calm and collected.
Xing decided that since these people loved  poetry, she'll give a poetic answer,
"Only when the divine grace descends upon us and on our land, we'll be able to find the courage within ourselves to oppose the great evil. That's what prompted me to make the Lantern symbolic to the divine grace to descend", Xing explained and she didn't even believe a single word of it even though it was her words.
Gods don't care about humans! This was her firm belief.
But everyone believed her and a loud clapping ensued and it only stopped when the Emperor raised his hands.
Xing saw him standing beside her opening a sealed letter, 'Was it the Imperial seal?'
He read the letter in his mind and looked at the gathering and a pindrop silence ensued.
" The divine favour will descend on the land making the golden Tiger to rise! Evil will cower in front of him and be destroyed by him and the land will be liberated", the Emperor folded the paper, 
" These are the words of the Tianshi Emperor that were sealed until now. So this proves Lord Táng indeed solved the puzzle himself! "
Everyone was shocked beyond belief about it all and many praised the heavens for no reason.
Xing was grinning as everyone who had been dissing her till now had started to praise her now.
What a hypocritic world! Xing thought. And that Scarlet Tiger is no good for me! Not only he was a stupid drunk but also that guy was so free he had to set up a trap for me to fall two centuries later! How did an Emperor had such free time? And why do I feel like I'm connected to that dead emperor ever since I entered the capital city?
The Emperor's thoughts were different. He only read the first part of the letter aloud and the second part, he decided to keep it in his heart. 
'The one who will find the clue of the lonely lantern at dawn would be the one to follow me and the one who must be protected for the survival of the kingdom!' 
Shengli was proud and he felt that a pair of eyes were watching over him and he felt creepy. But seeing his woman standing tall on the stage, he felt like he was the one exalted. 
As everyone were in their own thoughts another thing happened that blowed everyone's mind away!

***Completed*** Táng JiaXing, a girl who had spent most of her life wildly in her village in a remote corner of the Wind Kingdom, suddenly had to leave to the Capital city and she gets involved in the power struggles of the Imperial Palace.

A local hero to the Prime Minister's daughter? 

Everything she did till now casually is connected to the Empire? 

Why? 

Turns out she was the 'Chosen One' by the Gods for some purpose even she was unaware of. 

And wait... the Demon Realm is interested in her too? 

What will happen to her love with the exiled Prince? He is not a Prince now but a big underworld businessman? 

How much does he know about her 'supposed' fate? 

Divine Ruler? Supporting the Emperor? Really don't care! 

All I want is to spend the rest of my life with my Prince....

But will she be allowed to choose her own fate?

Will Love conquer all?

Lu Chenglie, the genius Third Prince of the Kingdom... He was sent away from the place by the plots of the Empress...

When he was about to be engulfed in the darkness of his heart, he saw her... The Moon of his Life.... 

"Don't die", she shouted and he wanted life, a good long life with her... 

She loved him even though she knew of the darkness in him, something even he could not do...

When he learned tidbits about her 'fate' he decided to fight for her... Not opposing her fate but by aiding her to achieve her goals quickly so that he can get her for himself...

He made himself strong and wealthy so that he has the power to defend her if need arises...

But could he protect her from her fate...?



This story is about the love between two people who are not supposed to be together by fate and how they succeed with their love in the end.


Give a chance to this book if you like a supportive ML and an OP FL...

Once the complete puzzle of the big blue tongue toad entered his body, the system notified Cade that he got 35 stat points. 

Cade immediately opened his stats and he had free 35 stat points. Without any hesitation Cade used all of them on his luck. 

However, to his surprise, only 10 stat points were used. A notification from the system appeared. 

[Luck reach maximum.]

Cade took a look at his Luck stat and word 'max' appeared beside his luck stat points. Looking at his luck stat points, Cade felt a bit weird with the max limit of his luck. 

He thought that the maximum luck will be 100 stat points but apparently, the maximum luck was 101 stat points. His luck reached maximum at 101 stat points. 

Since he cannot compare it with anyone else, that meant it was indeed the maximum amount of luck that a human can have. 

"I did not know you had all the other puzzle pieces too," said Jonathan who was looking at Cade absorbing the complete puzzle earlier. 

"Well… Can you keep this a secret?" asked Cade. Looking at Jonathan that was loyal to his family, it was possible that he was loyal to his comrade too. Cade can trust him in keeping his secret. 

"About the puzzle pieces? You already absorbed it, what was it that I should keep a secret?" asked Jonathan. Even if people knew about Cade in possession of the complete puzzle, there was nothing they can do because Cade had already used the complete puzzle. 

"Don't you find it weird that I have all the puzzle pieces?" asked Cade. Cade did not want to say it, he hoped that Jonathan can catch what he was trying to say. 

Jonathan stared at Cade and thought about what Cade meant. Upon thinking properly, he finally understands everything. "Okay, don't worry about it," said Jonathan.

"Thank you, as thanks, do you want a few skill books?" asked Cade. Although he said it was as thanks, Cade actually wanted to bribe Jonathan. 

"Well, if you want to give me some, I will gladly accept it," said Jonathan while smiling and he knew why Cade wanted to give him some skill books. 

Without hesitation, Cade took out a few skill books from his storage and gave them to Jonathan. Jonathan was shocked to see that many skill books but he just took it without much question. 

They both smiled at each other. "I don't think it is our turns yet, so, let's killed a few more toads," asked Cade. Jonathan agreed and they went around looking for other toads. 

However, before they continued their hunting, Cade decided to put the leftover 25 stat points he got from the complete puzzle to his vitality increasing it from 20 to 45. With his luck at maximum, Cade can pour all his stat points to his other stats.

A few minutes of walking, they found a big blue tongue toad wondering by itself. Since there was only one toad, Cade and Jonathan decided to try fighting it together. 

Jonathan decided to take on the role of a tank and started luring the toad. Since he did not have a provoke related skills, he can only make some noise to attract the attention of the toad. 

He had low expectations but to his surprise, the toad took the bait. Cade told Jonathan earlier that the toad in the dungeon was aggressive. A simple noise like that can easily get their attention. 

Jonathan got the toad's attention and the toad started rushing towards him. He readied his shield to block the tongue attack of the toad. 

The toad launched his tongue and it hit the shield but Jonathan completely blocked the attack. Cade did not waste his chance and slashed the tongue. 

After that, he charged towards the toad and killed it like usual. It all went down perfectly but since there was only one opponent, it was too easy. 

"I guess if there is only one monster, there is no need for us to work together to defeat it," said Jonathan and he realized that Cade did not listening to him. He saw Cade was staring at something in the air. 

Cade was actually staring at his system because after he killed the toad, a notification appeared. Cade was really surprise with that notification because it asked Cade to choose his own drop. 

[Choose drop. 1. Materials. 2. Magic Crystals. 3. Equipment. 4. Skill Book. 5. Puzzle Piece] 

When Cade choose one of them, another notification appeared with the list of drops that he can choose. When Cade choose the material drop, the list of the big blue tongue toad's body parts appeared. 

Cade went back and choose magic crystals and a list of magic crystals appeared. There was only one magic crystal that Cade can recognize, the endurance crystal. 

However, there were a few other magic crystals on the list that Cade had never once heard before. They were the toad crystal and tongue crystal. Other than the two crystal, another one that Cade had heard was the ice crystal. 

However, the ice crystal was not something that can be gained from the big blue tongue toad. There were two of that unknown magic crystal too. 

Cade moved on to check on the equipment drop. Once he chose the equipment drop, he can choose between many different types of weapon like swords, bow, arrow and so on. 

However, when he chose one of them, he will get a random of what he chose. He did not want that and he went back and checked the skill book. 

Disappointingly, there was nothing new on the skill book that he can get. He can choose between three skill books that he had previously collected lots of them. The big tongue skill, toad skin skill and blue tongue skill. 

Cade then choose the puzzle piece. To his surprise, other than the toad figure puzzle, there were a few more he can get. Cade can recognize some of them but the others was completely new to him. 

The one that he can recognize was the puzzle for the bloodline skill – blue tongue of the big blue tongue toad. He needed 10 puzzle pieces to complete one of the skill books. 

Bloodline skills was one of the most sought-after skill books. When one of them appeared in the market, it will be for an astronomically high price. 

The was a reason for that. Since it was the bloodline skill, the children of the possessors of the skill can inherit part of the bloodline skill and it will go on to their grandchildren, great grandchildren and so on. 

Not only that, with the bloodline skill, their descendants will have 90% increased chance of awakening and when they awakened, they will have 95% chance of getting a bloodline skill. 

The bloodline skill was also the based foundation of most of the powerful and prestigious family that can be found all throughout the universe. 

For example, the blue phoenix family where Cade was part of, the golden dragon family where Cynthia came from and the armored bear family where Jonathan came from. 

The name of the family was all took from the bloodline of the skill their founder had. The Blue Phoenix family's founder had the full bloodline skill of the blue phoenix monster. 

The same went to the founder of the Golden Dragon family. The founder of the family also possessed the full bloodline skill of the golden dragon monster. 

The Armored Bear family unfortunately only in possession of two armored bear bloodline skill. One of them was the skill Jonathan used earlier, the armored bear soul. 

Cade felt bitter when Jonathan used the skill because he was part of the blue phoenix family but he did not inherit any blue phoenix skill when he awakened.

Other than the blue tongue bloodline skill, there were also the toad skin and big tongue skill and they were all bloodline skill. All of them needed 10 puzzle pieces to complete the skill book. 

The puzzle pieces of the skill comprised of the cover page for the front and back for one puzzle piece and the other nine were the content pages of the bloodline skill. 

Unfortunately, there were no full bloodline skill puzzle piece that Cade can get from the list of the puzzle piece. 

Cade did not know why there was no full bloodline skill he can get from the big blue tongue toad but he thought that maybe the one he killed were too weak.

Jonathan was looking at Cade who were staring at something. Looking at him concentrate on that, he assumed that he was looking at his system and something must have happened. 

There was a reason he can think of that because the corpses of the big blue tongue toad that they killed were still there. It did not evaporate. It must be related to Cade looking at his system. 

Jonathan decided to not disturb Cade but he kept his eyes around to make sure that no one saw what happened to Cade and the corpse of the big blue tongue toad.

In an age of magic, space travel and explorations, humans had far surpassed what they were capable of in the past. 

In a small planet located in a small star sector, a young man name Cade was living his life peacefully. 

One day, Cade was playing around with cardboard and he suddenly awakened his system. However, an accident happened and the cardboard he played with became part of his power. 

Followed Cade's journey in making his name as an explorer in the universe.

Thousands of ancient rivers and mountains, countless romantic. The wind and the rain hit, Nine Provinces picturesque.
The Stellar Province of one of the Nine Provinces, the vast expanse of the sky, the sky is wide. The island is like a bead, dotted with it. The prosperous humanity, let the floods surging, the ages of the cross, but also the inexhaustible heroes.
Among the heroes, there are vicissitudes of Sea Dragon King Jiang Bo, who dominate the sea and rulers the world. Before he died, he felt that there was no one to inherit.So he set up the secret Stellar Sea Dragon Palace, leaving it to the edge, and inheriting he's own mantle.
The news came out, causing an uproar. Countless people, going forward and working hard, are trying to find the Stellar Sea Dragon Palace and become the next generation of Sea Dragon King.
Chu Yun is one of them.
"The heaven and earth mysterious seabed, Chen Xing extradition countless light. Sea Dragon King Jiang Bo only left this clue, countless people break their heads for this, even ruin their homes for the treasure hunt until the family broke. But for more than 130 years, Stellar Sea Dragon Palace is still ethereal. But today! It was finally found by me Chu Yun!!"
The blue water is surging around him. Light waves flow, like a dream. In the clear sight, the coral trees form a forest, filled with snow and white sand, as if it were a piece of golden fire.
Chu Yun stood in front of the Dragon Palace and his heart stirred.
He looked around and already knew that these coral trees were laid into a huge puzzle by Sea Dragon King Jiang Bo. If you want to pass through here, you must use the starlight to project light on the surface of the sea in the cold and starless night.
This huge puzzle, designed to be extremely skillful, full of rhythm, there is no trace of artificial, perfectly integrated with nature.
The coral forest here is beautiful and gorgeous, covering a vast area.Known by the world as one of the eight wonders of the Stellar Province. Every year, there are a large number of tourists who come here to enjoy the great scenery.
"Who can think of it, the legendary Stellar Sea Dragon Palace is actually under the eyes of people? The more people focus on the beauty of these coral forests, the more they are fascinated by the big array. Only by giving up  the scenery and walking through the shuttle without relying on the spotlight projected by the starlight on the sea above the head, you can get through the puzzle and reach the heart.If only I discovered this secret more than ten years ago, how good it is!"
Chu Yun couldn't help but sigh. He was only thirty-six years old at this time, but he was pale and white, describing his dryness, missing his left foot and replacing it with a prosthetic limb. Unlike the thirty-six-robust man, it is like the six or seventy old man.
His body is also scarred and has a lot of internal injuries. These are all traces of his long-term search for secrets, in various ruins, graves, dangerous places, shipwrecks, etc., when exploring treasures, encountering large groups of bandit and strong enemies.
Chu Yun loves adventure,freedom, and not willing to be mediocre. The character in the bones makes him a recognized weak in the Stellar Province, and his reputation is not big.
But Chu Yun knows that his life's achievements and not Satisfied with it.
He knows very well about his physical condition.His vitality is almost emptied, and it can be lived long,he only depends completely based on his spirit.
On land, he can't walk for half an hour, so he has to sit down and rest. In the chilly weather, the joints of the whole body are cold and sore. Sometimes he wish that all this is a dream,a Stupid dream.
Seeing people of the same age, walking in front of themselves, Chu Yun is also envious, but does not regret it.
For him, whose words are weak, and must be strong but as for those who are strong,there are huge forces behind them to support the cultivation. He only has the tactics, continually explores and seeks the benefits with great risks.only In this way,to support his cultivation.
However, the results were not satisfactory. To the point where he is now, he definitely not Satisfies.
The Stellar Sea Dragon Palace is just one of his many goals. With many years of experience, he collected all the stories of Jiang Bo, from his various performances in his later years,with bold assumptions, and careful verification.
It took only three years to find it.
Stellar Sea Dragon Palace, the heritage of the previous Sea Dragon King!
After a long time, Chu Yun finally entered the Dragon Palace with difficulty.
The Dragon Palace architecture is magnificent.The flowers, birds and small bridges are in full bloom and lively.
In the past, Sea Dragon King lived here before he died. This is the generation of the king, the last generation king live. .
Chu Yun secretly surprised – the expected assessment did not appear.

In this magical world, people bear the fairy sac, raise the monsters, control the demon soldiers, cultivate the demon planting, and take pride in climbing the realm of the demon sorcerer. Looking for secluded secrets, unwilling to be reconciled. Then open his eyes, Chu Yun returned to twenty years ago. Everything starts again, he is determined to make up for all regrets, chase dreams, and embark on a different path of the strong. Cute fox demon loli, sly snake demon crush, pure lotus demon fairy, natural rabbit demon sister, sexy slut demon sister… one by one, slowly cultivate. The Xinghai Dragon Palace, the Abyss of the Sea Eye, the Tomb of the King of Pluto… The secret of the Immortal House is in the mind, waiting to be excavated. The world is in great shape, the situation is changing, the talents are beautiful… He will witness one by one and surpass it!

One shot!
Two shots!
Three shots!
…
After the sixth shot was fired from Shen Zeyan's M4, Viss of TSM, who was sitting in the backseat, abruptly fell from the buggy head-first to the ground.
"F*ck! He, he actually knocked one out!"
"Iron sight at this distance… there's no escape from Master Ze's tap-firing skills!"
"It doesn't feel like he's using an automatic rifle at all… it's more like a marksman rifle."
"Hahaha, Master Ze is showing that any gun can be a sniper."
Aimpr, TSM's sole survivor, hesitated no more than a second before speeding away on his buggy, never looking back.
He had no other choice.
He did not have the advantage of numbers. On top of that, he did not even have a single smoke grenade on him.
If he had dismounted from the buggy to revive his teammate, they would undoubtedly die together.
Even though his prospects for the rest of the match already seemed grim…
For the sake of preserving his team's placement points, he resolved to survive, carrying on the will of his teammates.
Shen Zeyan saw the buggy disappearing into the distance, leaving behind only a trail of dust. He made no attempt to fire at it.
The distance between them had stretched too far, and he never liked trying to do the impossible.
Even so, the three kills obtained by IG in the opening stages of the match gave them a big boost in confidence!
On the Hua Xia commentary platform.
"Well… I can only say that TSM made one wrong move after another. Although they still have one survivor, there's almost no chance for them to pull off a miraculous comeback this match."
"Yup, but maybe they can at least score some placement points. Let's take a look at the battlefield. The first circle is already displayed on the map. That's a pretty good circle."
On the tournament's big screen, the first play area of the match was one centered at the School.
"Hmm, that's a friendly circle for most of the teams. I'm a little worried about IG though; from their current position they'll need to move west." 
"Indeed. On their westward journey, they'll have to pass through the nursing home, Shelter, and the horseshoe mountain. All these locations, including the woodcutter camp and Mylta to the south, were places where other players have jumped. They will need to be cautious as they move toward the play area."
"Yup. It's a friendly enough circle, but once teams start setting up camp within it, the eastern half of the play area will become a chaotic battlefield. To preserve their full force, IG will have to avoid all these teams if possible."
"Let's look at another one of our Hua Xia teams, Se7en. Even though they are the only team at the Military Base, I don't think things are looking good for them. Let's check out the northern end of the east bridge."
On the southern part of the mainland, Liquid, the "Black Whirlwind", was cruising along the coastline, looting the fishing villages along the way, and had now arrived at the gas station near the east bridge.
They had clearly noticed another team entering the military base by vehicle, and decided to try their luck by intercepting them on the east bridge.
If Se7en coincidentally picked the east bridge as their exit route, then they may very well be leaving behind a couple of unlucky ghosts there.
The caster's camera did not linger on the east bridge for too long.
On the big screen, the camera panned north and stopped at the School.
In the match, two players of 4AM were looting in the School, while another two were at the puzzle buildings.
Despite their speed, they still had several rooms to clear before their task was complete.
The camera did not stay long on Liu Zilang and his teammates who were looting, but instead shifted toward the Russian team Navi, who was sneaking toward the School from the dragon inn!
There was a resource point in the rural area next to the dragon inn. If Navi had split up and looted for better resources around the area, their progress would not have been any faster than Liu Zilang and GodV's at the puzzle buildings.
The reason Navi had chosen to jump at the dragon inn was not that they wanted to avoid other teams and develop their resources early on.
They were predators.
Finding resources was not their priority.
They were out to gank.
After a swift round of looting at the dragon inn, they equipped some rudimentary gear and immediately headed out to launch a sneak attack.
They might be slightly ill-equipped, but team Navi's tactics had always been about blitzing the opponent before they were ready for it.
They did not know that it was 4AM who jumped at the School.
They were betting on their targeted team splitting up to loot between the School and the puzzle buildings, and that they would be done looting sooner than the players at the puzzle building.
If they were faster by even one step, it could have spelled doom for their opponents.
On the Hua Xia commentary platform.
"One gun in their hands, and a full inventory of guts! That's the warring clan Navi for you!"
"That's right. They're closing in from the wall surrounding the swimming pool. GodV is currently looting there. Do you think he can hear them?"
"Bad news! Navi seems to be very experienced at launching sneak attacks at the School. They did not stick close to the wall, but are instead walking silently at a distance. GodV won't be able to hear them."
"Oh my god! They didn't even stakeout at the entrance. They're just rushing in!"
The commentators were shocked.
Under the caster's camera, three players of Navi found an opening at the wall. They stopped sneaking, and simply rushed toward both entrances of the swimming pool complex.
Some might think that Navi was acting too recklessly.
That was not necessarily true.
Navi acted this way because they had already made a verdict in their minds.
They were very sure that only one team jumped at the School and puzzle buildings.
If the entire team was at the School, then the swimming pool must have been looted clean and abandoned.
Since they heard footsteps coming from the swimming pool, there could only be one possibility.
The team at the School was split up!
Navi would never pass up an opportunity to gank.
From this, even though team Navi hailed from a warring clan, it was clear they were not recklessly brave, but were cautious and bold at the same time!
…
Teng teng teng~!
Without warning… a cacophony of fast and messy footsteps was heard from outside the building.
GodV, who was on the third floor of the swimming pool complex, was stunned. The hairs on his skin were raised on end!
"F*ck! There's someone downstairs!" GodV immediately yelled.
In the school compound, Liu Zilang was looting at the basketball court. He was slightly taken aback but regained his composure quickly.
At the opening of the match, he noticed a team of four players jumping at the dragon inn. They looked like they were in a hurry to loot, and he noted that they may be a potential problem.
He did offer the team a word of warning, but since he was not sure if the other team would split up after landing, he could not determine their tactics.
After hearing GodV's words, Liu Zilang was certain that this team was the one that jumped at the dragon inn.
Time not on his side, he did not rush to provide support from the first floor, but instead swiftly took the stairs to the rooftop!
…


Liu Zilang had a well-kept secret — he was a prodigy in competitive FPS eSports. His specialty? CSGO. He even entered the finals in the prestigious world tournament.

Alas, his team fell short due to Liu Zilang's inexperience. Shattered by the fact, Liu Zilang vanished from the eSports scene. That was until his friends got him to play a new game known as PUBG.

Liu Zilang's life turned around and he began to make his comeback. Follow Liu Zilang as he encounters difficult situations, all while learning to open up as a person, but more importantly as a brother.

Ragnar was a farmer who dreamed of being a hero-warrior, of winning honour and glory in battle before joining his father in Sovngarde. Instead, he travels to Skyrim and finds himself embroiled in situations out of his control, towards a destiny he could never have comprehended in his wildest dreams. Action / adventure to start though there will be an element of romance eventually.

This was one of the very first fan fiction stories I wrote and was uploaded to another site. But I thought I would share it here. Hasn't been edited since that time so my writing was still a little rough around the edges.

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