Garden of Doom (Part 2)

[Inside the room]

Right after they read the mechanics of the game, everyone ponders as they are all thinking about what to do. With the ignorance of Zenon about something, without hesitation, he ask:

"What is a [Golden Bat]?" He asked as he look at the eyes of Ross.

Hearing that Zenon do not know about such a thing, Ross insisted to explain.

"The [Golden Bat]. It is a magical beast that only exist once every 5 years. To tell it to you directly, it can't fight because it wasn't born for it but it's extremely fast and has a random and erratic movements so people can't easily catch it." Ross said

It seems like speed will be my greatest asset in this game. If it has unpredictable movements maybe it is moving in an open space. So I'm thinking about limiting it's movements somehow... maybe with that strategy I can manage to win.

While Zenon is in deep thoughts thinking about what he should do, a warning came to Bryle where he noticed that Zenon is wandering.

"—I know you're thinking about your strategy but... you must be cautious. The [Golden Bat] may not have a battle type beast but it has a powerful single guard protecting it."

"Guard? What kind?" Zenon asked.

"They call it [Darkrow]. It's a very powerful magical beast that is equipped in combat with it's hard skin and a tail filled with spikes. It's speed and power is so great that even a group of [Grade A Adventurer Class] are having a hard time fighting it so I'm telling you it's a very risky job. Furthermore, the [Darkrow] isn't your only enemy... the other hunters too."

With that kind of warning Zenon's mind instantly pinned it to his memory. And just like that, the night have passed as Zenon is about to leave now. While at the door of the room, he looks back at his teammates standing near Adam who is still unconscious, he looks back again to his teammates eyes and their eyes are telling him to do his best.

"Don't worry... I'll definitely come back." Zenon said with confidence as he leaves them off a smile and immediately shut the door.

Inside the room, May and Bryle couldn't hide their uneasy feeling about Zenon joining the match.

"Why do I keep feeling this? I feel like something is going to happen." May said in which Ross also agreed to her too but Bryle is different, he didn't even think for another thought about Zenon loosing the game.

"Don't worry guy! He already told us, he won't lose. Just trust him." Bryle said with confidence as he walks towards the window where he can see Zenon walking towards the main street.

[1 Hour Later • Deep Forest]

There are numerous people at the venue standing at the plain grassland hundreds of meters away from the [Deep Forest]. They are all talking for seeing or being friends for a long time.

Take note that one participant of every party is only allowed to go to the [Deep Forest] as they are all being supervised by panelists of the game.

They are all wearing their fancy armors and holding their [Armas]: there are different image of their [Armas] like a Morning Star, Spear, a Bow or even a Shield.

On the other side, a group of guys in their 20s are talking about what is going to happens inside the forest.

"Argh... just by thinking about facing a [Darkrow] is terrifying and fighting one is much more deadly than the other monster." The tall guy said who has a wand [Armas].

"Yeah... up until now I still have a [Grade B] rank. So i think I'm going to definitely die in this match but who knows what will happen in the game, maybe luck be with me. The prize really hooked me to join here anyways." The guy said who is bald and having a bow [Armas].

"True... we don't know what will happen inside the fo...rest—" Unable to finish his sentence, he instantly grabbed his friend and told them to look at the west direction where they can see a young man wearing a waving cloth who has a white hair as his [Armas] is hanging behind him like a one stranded bag.

They immediately recognizes the young man and all of them stood up in a presence of a single individual that ultimately make everyone speechless.

"I-is that... the [Monarch Candidate]?!"

"Yes... he's the [Monarch Candidate]! This is a good news. I never thought that a [Monarch Candidate] will join this game, interesting." A man named Toop said who is like a huge man having a bulky muscle as a black beard stood up.

Zenon is walking inside the group of participants at the plain grassland, his gaze are showing no interest towards them. So he's just continuously walking until Toop stood up right infront of him in which he give a look.

"KWAKWAKWA... Interesting! I thought that I would win this game easily because of these bugs but I never thought that the famous [Monarch Candidate] will be showing up here. Pleasure to meet you." Toop said while releasing and enormous amount of aura just like smoke coming out from his body. He offered his arm to Zenon to give him a shake hand but—

Who is this guy? I really hate meeting people because of my title... but why is he releasing that aura? To frighten me? It's strong... we'll I'll just have to ignore him and think of something to think of a strategy to win this.

—Zenon just give him an uninterested look and instantly walk passed by him making the others see it as a sign of ignorance and arrogance towards Zenon.

"Whoa... he just ignored Toop? Toop is strong but why did the [Monarch Candidate] ignore him?"

"Maybe the [Monarch Candidate] is thinking that Toop isn't on his level so he just ignored him."

Numerous gossips around the small circle of participants are bombarding on the ear of Toop as his anger is rising up where his arrogant pride was just crushed by a single entity who ignored him.

He clenches his fist to the point that his veins are growing bigger that it is as if it's about to explode.

H-How dare he...! How dare he ignore me? I am one of the most influential person in this City and how dare a mere young boy who just happens to have a [Monarch Candidate Title] ignore me?! I won't let this slide!

Zenon is just walking away from everyone and looking for a spot to sit on but before he can even go there Toop, with his large hands, grabbed the left shoulder of Zenon and twisted him to face him.

*Twist. Whoosh*

Huh...?

"YOU!!! HOW DARE YOU IGNORE ME?! SUCH ARROGA—" But right before he can finish his sentence, a sudden feeling pierces his instinct.

Toop's eyes widens as his eyes are seeing that is the product of his mind. It's like a gigantic wild beast that is growling and grinding its mountainous fangs infront of him, looking at him with a single yet huge red eyes with pointed black iris.

What is this? This enormous magical energy? How can a mere 18 year old boy have this much power? This pressure that is squeezing my heart!!! Is this... FEAR?! It is this the feeling of DEATH?! Me? getting scared?!....

Countless questions are running on Toop's mind while holding Zenon's should while felling such great power like a rising tsunami infront of him.

But already make a decision... he's going to show everyone that Toop is the strongest right at the place.

Toop slightly step back and clenches his fist with his full force fueled by his anger to land a punch on Zenon's face.

I'll show it to you right now... the price for being arrogant infront of me!

*Whoooooosh*

He rush his fist towards Zenon who is just looking at him with look that really infuriates him, an impassive gaze. But—

"That's enough!"

A loud voice is heard by the participants.

With that loud voice, the fist of Toop is just few centimeters away from Zeno's face but the gaze of Zenon remain unchanged but right after when he hear the loud voice he shifted his look towards the sky along with the others.

There, they all saw a person, maybe the facilitator of the Game, who is standing in a floating circular platform that as a small and glowing [Anti-Gravity Stone].

A long white cape is dancing aling with the warm breeze of the nature as he looks down at the people below them.

"I see that there's a little commotion here but kindly reserved that for now and just continue it on the game. So without any further adieu I'll start explaining that game.

But first, let me introduce myself; I am Teacher Terry and I will be the facilitator of this [Hunting Game]. I know that you all read the few numbers of mechanics on your phone and that's everything you needed in this game.

The reason why we said their that 'Once you register there's no turning back' is because you can die inside the forest while playing. In short, you can kill everyone inside the Game. Simple right? So I guess we should start now." Terry said as he snapped hsi finger and numerous floating platform are flying towards each player.

[Terry • Grade A Adventurer Class]

"Just step on the floating platform and it will transport you a random location inside the [Deep Forest]. Once you hear a loud horn sound that's the signal that the game starts and the hologram clock you see up there will show the current time.

According to the list, there are 100 participants but one of you is missing... well who cares maybe he run away. So let's start the Game." Terry said as he points out to the large sky in which a sudden clock that is currently showing the time appears.

When they all heard that, they instantly stepped on the platform completely knowing what will happen inside the game.

Zenon is already stepped inside the platform wonder about suddenly knowing the reason behind the third mechanics about dying.

I can die inside the game? I missed that one. I thought that I can only join but I never thought that I can die here... i need to be careful.

"Well then participants... best of luck." Terry said as the bottom of the platform glows that teleported the people standing on it including Zenon.

It only takes a second for them to reach the random location. Zenon finally opens his eyes as saw that he's sitting above a huge trunk of the tree overlooking at the whole forest.

What a view...

*BOOOOOM*

Right before he can even move, a huge fireworks blasted through the sky that lights up the entire forest.

"That's the signal. It's starting."