Missing arc; Chapter 10 - Novice

As the two figures turned the corner and disappeared from view, Xian finally exhaled, his shoulders relaxing. He took a moment to calm himself, placing a hand over his chest.

"I need to get used to this," he muttered, shaking his head.

After steadying himself, he continued walking down the corridor until he reached his assigned waiting room. Pushing the door open, he was greeted by a simple setup—chairs lining the walls, a small table in the corner, and a TV mounted on the opposite side of the room. He closed the door behind him, letting out a soft sigh before taking a seat.

With nothing else to do, Xian grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. A stream of random commercials played, but he barely noticed them. His thoughts wandered as he stared at the screen.

The absurdity of the situation weighed on him. This world... it wasn't just a simple replica of the game he used to play. There were elements—details—that felt different. Too different.

His train of thought was interrupted by the television screen changing. The broadcast flickered to life, and a lively voice boomed through the speakers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the inaugural Columbia Innovation and Arts Competition! I'm your host, Gerald Sparks!"

The camera zoomed in on the announcer, a sharply dressed man with slicked-back hair and an infectious smile. Behind him, the massive stage and cheering crowd filled the screen.

"Today, we're about to witness the brightest minds and most talented individuals compete for glory, fame, and fortune!" Gerald continued, his enthusiasm radiating through the screen. "Joining me are our esteemed panel of judges!"

The camera panned to a long table where three judges sat.

"First, we have Dr. Monica Graves, a leading scientist in the field of Originium engineering! Next, we have Mr. Harold Fields, a seasoned veteran and former chief of Columbia's security division! And last but not least, the renowned artist and innovator, Ms. Selena Vayne, who continues to redefine the relationship between art and technology!"

The audience erupted into cheers, and the broadcast cut to clips of viewers at home watching from their living rooms, eagerly discussing the event. Some people speculated about the competitors' abilities, while others shared excitement about the rewards. The camera returned to the live audience, showing clusters of spectators chatting and cheering.

"Now, I'm sure everyone's dying to know," Gerald continued, turning toward the judges, "what inspired us to create this competition in the first place?"

Dr. Monica was the first to speak, her voice calm and composed. "This event is about bridging the gap between science and art. The world is evolving, and we believe innovation comes from unexpected places. This competition isn't just about winning—it's about collaboration, creativity, and unlocking potential."

Harold Fields chimed in, his gruff voice adding weight to the conversation. "We're also looking for talent who can work with us. The winner won't just walk away with twenty three million LMD—they'll gain the opportunity to join our company."

The audience murmured in surprise, and Gerald leaned closer to the camera, grinning. "That's right, folks! The winner gets a chance to work with Helix Industries, one of Columbia's most influential organizations!"

The name struck a chord with Xian, pulling him out of his thoughts. Helix Industries? He vaguely remembered hearing about it—a powerhouse in Columbia's economy. The offer was tempting: money, connections, and benefits like no other. The announcer elaborated, listing potential roles for the winner—security, engineering, even research.

Xian leaned back in his seat, shaking his head. "Security guard, mechanic, scientist... What kind of job listing is that?" he muttered, the absurdity of the situation sinking in.

Still, something about the mention of arts and science struck him as odd. He frowned, trying to recall if this competition—or the company—was ever mentioned in the game. His memory came up blank. Was it something that appeared in a future update he never played? Or was it a detail unique to this version of Terra?

"...And now, let's go over the rules!" Gerald's voice snapped him out of his musings.

The screen displayed a detailed list as the announcer explained.

"With hundreds of participants, we've decided to divide the competition into two categories—team and solo challenges! Each participant can choose their preferred category, but be warned—only the best will advance to the final stage!"

Xian sighed, rubbing his temples. "Great. A free-for-all with a side of teamwork drama," he muttered, slouching further into his chair.

The announcer continued to explain the finer details, but Xian tuned it out, lost in thought once again. His gaze drifted to the screen, where the crowd's excitement was palpable. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

"This is going to be one long day," he murmured to himself, settling in for what was sure to be a whirlwind of chaos.

After the opening of the competition tournament, they had officially begun, and Xian found himself leaning forward in his chair, eyes fixed on the TV screen. The announcer's voice boomed as the first event was revealed:

"And now, the first challenge—a test of precision, focus, and skill! Welcome to the Shooting Competition! Contestants will use provided firearms to hit targets of varying difficulty. Let's see who can stand out!"

Xian sighed, resting his chin on his hand. "Shooting, huh?."

The camera panned to the range, where contestants were lining up. Each participant was given a set number of bullets and targets that increased in complexity.

As the first contestant stepped forward, Xian settled in, curious about how this world's people would perform.

The first contestant strutted to the range, twirling the gun like it was a toy. They fired rapidly without aiming, missing most of the targets.

Xian raised an eyebrow. "Wow. First up, and we already have someone who thinks they're in an action movie. Nice showmanship, zero accuracy."

The second contestant trembled as they held the gun, missing the first few shots before barely hitting the last target.

Xian winced. "Oof. At least they managed to hit something. Baby steps, I guess."

The third contestant calmly took aim, hitting every target dead center without hesitation.

Xian gave a low whistle. "Okay, now that's impressive. Not flashy, just pure skill. I'd hate to be on the wrong side of their aim."

As the competition progressed, Xian's initial amusement gave way to genuine appreciation for some of the contestants' skills.

"That guy's aim is solid. Looks like he's had proper training."

"She's got good reflexes. Fast, too."

"Nice technique. They know how to stay calm under pressure."

"Now that's how you handle a gun—steady and controlled."

While Xian continued to watch, he couldn't help but compare the contestants' skills to his own. He leaned back, letting out a soft chuckle.

"Well, at least now I know what I'm up against," he muttered, folding his arms. "Guess I'll just have to make my turn... memorable."

The screen shifted to show the next group of participants lining up. Xian's name was called shortly after, and he stood up, stretching as he prepared to head out.

"Time to see if I've got what it takes," he said to himself, heading toward the competition stage.

Xian walked steadily towards the shooting arena, his movements calm and measured, as though unfazed by the chatter around him. The contestants he had analyzed earlier were lingering in his mind. Some had impressive skill, while others relied more on luck or brute force. He sighed quietly to himself, hands in his pockets, as the announcer called his name.

"Well, no point in overthinking it. Let's get this over with," he muttered.

As he approached the stage, murmurs rippled through the crowd. The audience had been relatively neutral so far, but Xian's presence sparked a mix of reactions.

"Look at that mask! Who does he think he is, some kind of vigilante?" one spectator whispered to their companion.

"Is he trying to be mysterious? Or is it just a fashion statement?" another questioned, their tone filled with curiosity.

"Pfft, he looks ridiculous. Probably just trying to stand out," a more mocking voice added.

Others, however, were more intrigued. "There's something about him. The way he walks... he's not nervous at all."

"Could he be a professional? That aura feels... different."

Meanwhile, in a private viewing room, Exusiai and Texas watched the live feed. Exusiai leaned closer to the screen, narrowing her eyes as Xian came into focus.

"Isn't he the one you stared before and all-black clothes, Someone's taking the edgy look to the next level," Exusiai joked, a playful grin spreading across her face.

Texas sat silently beside her, her gaze fixed on the screen. Unlike Exusiai, her thoughts lingered on the mask. It wasn't just a fashion statement to her—it hinted at something deeper.

Exusiai glanced at Texas and chuckled nervously. "Hey, it's just a joke! I wasn't trying to mock him or anything. You good?"

Still deep in thought, Texas didn't respond. Exusiai frowned slightly and tapped her on the shoulder. "Earth to Texas? You there?"

Snapping out of her reverie, Texas blinked and finally looked at Exusiai. "Yeah. I'm fine."

"Sure? You've been quiet," Exusiai asked, tilting her head.

"I'm fine," Texas repeated, her tone firmer this time.

Satisfied, Exusiai leaned back in her chair. "Alright, if you say so. But man, this guy better back up all that mysteriousness with some skill."

Before Texas could reply, a rapid series of gunshots rang out from the arena, cutting through the buzz of the crowd like a thunderclap.

All eyes snapped to the stage, where Xian stood with a calm, almost bored expression. His hands moved with startling speed and precision, the gun in his grip seeming like an extension of his arm. In just a few seconds, he had emptied the magazine, hitting every single target with pinpoint accuracy.

Exusiai's jaw dropped as she leaned forward in shock. "What the—did he just—?!"

Texas's eyes widened, her earlier thoughts forgotten as she focused intently on the screen.

The audience erupted into chaos.

"That speed and accuracy! Who is this guy?!"

"No way! He's not even a Sankta, and he's shooting like that?"

"Is he some kind of hidden expert? What's with that absurd skill?"

"He has to be cheating! There's no way a normal person can do that!"

The announcer, clearly taken aback, stammered as he attempted to narrate the moment. "A-absolutely incredible! Let's review that in slow motion—uh, for those of you who might've missed it!"

On the screen, the replay showed Xian's performance in breathtaking detail. Each shot landed perfectly, even on the smallest, most distant targets. His movements were fluid, efficient, and almost mechanical in their precision.

Xian, however, didn't seem fazed by the reactions. As he holstered the gun and began walking off the stage, he allowed himself a small smile.

"In the end, it's just a basic shooting performance. Nothing too crazy," he thought to himself. Still, he couldn't deny the sense of satisfaction bubbling within him. His skills had clearly improved, and for that, he was thankful.

"Good thing I didn't have to shoot while moving. That might've been a mess," he mused, chuckling quietly to himself as he exited the arena.

Back in the private room, Exusiai and Texas were still processing what they had just witnessed.

"That... that was insane," Exusiai finally said, her voice filled with disbelief. "Who is this guy? He's got skills, but he's not a Sankta. What's his deal?"

Texas didn't answer immediately. Her gaze lingered on the screen, where the replay continued to show Xian's performance from different angles. She thought back to the mask, the way he carried himself, and now, his undeniable talent.

"He's... interesting," Texas murmured, almost to herself.

Exusiai raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, she leaned back, letting out a low whistle. "Well, one thing's for sure—this competition just got a whole lot more entertaining."

As Xian made his way back to the waiting area, the murmurs and excitement behind him grew distant. He was lost in thought, a faint smile still on his face.

"Not bad," he thought. "Not bad at all."

The audience, however, remained captivated, replaying his performance over and over, as whispers and theories about the mysterious masked contestant continued to spread like wildfire.