third person point of view na dapat sa chapter 80 pero sleep-deprived si otor kaya nilipat niya na lang sa eytewan.

-chapter eighty-one-
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'there is still the problem of whether the slayer is a cheater.'

"GOOD EVENING, dear players and viewers! We are currently broadcasting live on Oh-tube, G-Twitch, Disbord and in the Arth official site. Today is the mark of the bloodiest event in Arth! The beginning of Blood Brawls! I am Gyno, your announcer. With me is my co-host, Palenne, a game theorist and blogger. Mr. Escov has also graced us with his presence since the vice chairman is not available. He handles and manages the game design for most of the products launched by Life Industries!"

"Good afternoon. It is my pleasure to be here with you all. I'm looking forward to the progress of the event."

"We look forward to any insights you have, Mr. Escov. Let's get to the event, people, shall we? Blood Brawls will be the first event and the opening for Arth Online: Grand Quest. It will be a showdown for the three classes that won the vote last poll. A showdown of fighters, rogues and rangers!"

"Tama, partner. People are really excited to witness some action. Kaya naman hindi na rin makapaghintay ang mga tao sa comment box to start the event! Huwag kayong mag-alala, we have a few minutes to give our players time to prepare."

"The first showdown will be among fighters, the bloodthirsty warriors and graceful dancers will wage war on the battlefield. Everyone, we welcome you to Combat Arena!"

The thousand of screens in the real world and ingame changed - from the three persons who are hosting the event to a huge stage in a platform. Ang mga players na nasa Southern Continent ay nakikita ito ng harapan.

The stage is not empty, instead two hundred players stood atop of it. Each of them are equipped with medium level armor and a regular knife. Each of them shows dominance and determination. Each of them are striving to win.

"I can see that a lot of you are now confused. Yes, yes. We know the rules, don't worry. The Combat Arena is a one-on-one showdown where they must show their strengths until the other dies. Kaya naman bakit ang 256 participants ay nasa iisang stage, Mr. Escov?"

"The main battle is yet to start, Gyno. The fighters are tested through their strength, defenses, patience and determination. These four are witnessed from their preliminary quest. Now, players have to add another element, which is survivability. On these round, the players are given a total of thirty minutes to eliminate each other. Elimination can mean death, surrender or being pushed out of the red line."

"Naku! So before the true showdown starts, we will have a bloody battle! Players, do you see the red line that sorrounds the stage?"

Napatingin ang lahat doon. Well, except sa mga nasa gitna dahil hindi talaga nila ito makikita. Kaya naman nagre-rely na lang sila sa kanilang imagination.

"Bakit ba ang many ng pakulo nitong mga host na 'to?" Minerva asked, annoyed. Maingay niyang pinapadyak ang paa. "Hindi ba pwedeng magsimula na lang sila sa killing na 'yan?"

"They're just reducing the possible players for the team and evening them out. Having two-hundred fifty-six players face each other will take a lot of time." paliwanag ni Hex.

Ngumuso si Minerva pero hindi na sumagot pa.

Voldmir, on the other hand, is surveying the whole scene. He's keeping an eye on Solace and her sorroundings. Kinakabahan siya dahil hanggang ngayon ay nagci-circulate pa ang accusation na cheater si Solace. For the past two days, people are often insulting her or demanding answers.

The first day was the worst. Noong dumating ang balita. The diner was reduced to chaos as people demanded to hand the slayer over to be judged. And the slayer's guild was too busy protecting her and letting her escape. Mas pumutok pa nang dumating si Rio na dala-dala si Nirvana. Not even wasting a minute, dumating din si Halcyon at Astro. Their appearance really didn't help and instead fueled the fire. Kaya naman hindi din nakasurvive ang diner.

Tanging debris na lang at mga bato ang nasa posisyon ng dating establishment.

The worst part was leaving because most players want to follow them. Rio had to use Nirvana in the most unconventional ways. Ang sunod na lang na nalaman nila ay ang message ni Apocalypse kay Feyre na nawala nila si Sol.

Let's just say it was a tiring day. Nabugbog sa hampas at batok ni Feyre ang kapatid at gabi nang nakita nila si Sol na natutulog sa gitna ng mga bulaklak. Seeing the peaceful face of the slayer made all their exhaustion go away.

And now, despite most of their protests, Solace went on the stage, determine to show everybody just how capable she is. But Voldmir can still see how other fighters whisper and look her way.

"I have a bad feeling about this." aniya.

"I know. Alam kong may gagawin 'yang mga 'yan kay Sol."

Halos mapatalon ang apat sa boses ni Feyre sa likod nila. Bored itong nakatayo, ang mga braso ay nakacross sa likod ng ulo niya. Her cat-eyes narrowed as she looked at Solace's direction.

"Pusa, hindi ba dapat nandoon ka sa event location niyo?" tanong ni Hex.

Tumango si Feyre. "Oo. Pero mamaya pa naman 'yon. Manonood muna ako dito."

"But-"

"Pupunta ako do'n kapag 20 minutes na."

Hex wanted to argue further but decided against it when he saw the worry in the rogue's eye.

"So fighters, the rule in this round is simple. Fight with the knife, defend with your body and armor and never, ever step out of the red line unless you wish to be kicked out of this event."

"The round will start at exactly 9pm and stop at 9:30! The 30-second countdown will start now! Brace, players!"

There's the unmistakable tension in the air, looming with the silent chatters. Two female players whispered plans to each other. A plan for a certain white-haired elf to be eliminated from the game.

30... 28... 26...

Two buffed guys are also discussing not far from the blue-eyes slayer. After the countdown, they will focus on getting the slayer out, dahil sa isa itong cheater.

24... 22... 20...

The slayer's guild watched it all unfold on the sidelines. Witnessing how some fighter's faces changed and how their looks became predatory. Kung paano sila sumusulyap-sulyap kay Solace at nagbu-bulongan na para bang may masamang mga balak.

18... 16... 14...

Na para bang sila lang ang nakaka-alam.

12... 10... 9...

But the players inside the arena can see. The guild of the slayer. The guild of the famous legends, watching how the scene will unfold. Ready, in case of whatever happens.

8... 7...

And the players... inside the red circle, they can see everything. Astro who is guarding every action the two female fighters in front of him makes. Halcyon who looks so mad and is ready to bash the skulls of the two men in his left. Apocalypse and Art watching the slayer's front. Cord, situated at the left side of the stage, studying every player in his side. Aisling, on the right, staring straight at Solace.

6... 5...

And, lastly, Solace. The lone slayer with her white hair loose, her cerulean eyes piercing at the blank space in front of her, her grip on the knife tight, and her feet twitching into a more comfortable position. The slayer, who stands, high and proud, in the center of the arena.

4... 3...

Solace can study every face around her. Can pick up their intentions. Alam niya, sa simula pa lang, na siya ang isa sa magiging target dito. Well, the insulting gazes they gave to her was enough.

Truthfully, Solace would rather prefer they talk it out than stage whispers to her.

2... 1...

Everything happened in a blink.

Faster than a blink.

Everyone move through their own agenda. May mga players na focus lang sa kailangan nilang gawin and they fought every fighter in the stage regardless of their intention.

And there are the players that ran straight to the slayer, knife up and ready to stab. At may mga players din na mabilis pa sa alas-kuwatrong gumalaw para idepensa ang babae.

But what caught everyone's eye is the slayer who they branded as a cheating player.

Mabilis ang bawat galaw nito at para bang sumasayaw sa hangin ang bawat galaw. She fended off ever attacks without sweat. Itinaas niya ang kutsilyo at mabilis na umikot, slashing the nearby fighters. She threw a punch and kicked heads.

The center to where she stood was never to be touched.

Walang successful na nakalapit sa kaniya. Every attacks and slashes were met with her fist, leg or knife. Ang mga players na itinatapon ang sarili papunta sa gitna ay naihahagis pabalik sa isang sipa.

The slayer is dancing ballet at the center of the arena. Untouchable. With a medium-level armor and regular knife.

It's not a surprise that other fighters on stage stopped fighting to see the scene unfold. That they stopped attacking to see the slayer defend herself with all her might. Defend herself by her strength without help from others.

"Why did we even bother to worry." nakangiting komento ni Feyre.

Hex sighed. "The two of you are similar, after all. Kaya kayo naging malapit noon. You're both very indecisive and makes decisions at the spur of the moment."

Tumango-tango si Priamos. "Oo nga po. No one never knows what might happen."

On the other side of the arena, the anima stay perked up atop the head of his monster. Lumapit ang scout niya.

"Your sister's a fighter."

Sinamaan ni Rio ng tingin si Irusu. "If that's a pun, it's a bad one."

Irusu rolled his eyes. "Sabihin mo na lang kasi na sobrang worrywart mong kuya."

"Why are you even here? Don't you have a fight to go through? Talunin mo nga 'yang rogue ni Ev. Naiinis na ako sa pangisi-ngisi niya."

"Well, if you would wish me good luck, I could. And I'm here to remind you that our fighter out there is not your sister. V is our warrior."

"Kaya niya sarili niya," Rio smiled at the warrior who looked bored. "Isa pa, minsan naiisip kong mas maganda siyang scout kaysa sa'yo dahil hindi siya palaging namamataan."

"It's because his name is just a letter." Irusu scowled. "Hindi din naman ako namamataan, ah. Except for Feyre and those thiefs."

"See. Up your game, Ru."

"Feyre's a menace, Ri."

Nagulat ang scout nang biglang may umakbay sa kaniya. "I'm glad you think so! Gustong-gusto ko talaga kapag nakikita ng mga co-rogues ko ang aking credentials! Mwahahahaha!"

Feyre even had the guts to wink at him. Sa likod niya ay ang mga guild member na mukhang ubos na ubos na.

"Credentials mong hindi makaabot ng fifty points." Voldmir teased. "Nalaman kong ang dami na namang nagreport na players sa'yo. Bakit ba ang tagal mong maban?"

"Duh. Dahil report lang sila ng report without any evidence. I work clean, people-!"

Isang dagundong sa arena ang nagpakuha ng atensiyon nila. Solace huffed, watching at the pile of bodies that are slowly disintegrating. Pinalis niya ang kamay sa labi para kunin ang dugo do'n. It's such a bad luck that most fighters who got in her way are brawlers who would rather punch than slash. Their brute force are amazing.

Napatingin si Solace sa lalaking naglalakad papunta sa harap niya. The guy is making such a show, making noises after noises with his fighting. Sinipa niya ang isang player at nahulog ito nang may malaking tunog.

He stopped, few feets away from her. Nakita ni Solace ang paggalaw ni Astro papunta sa direksiyon niya. She stared at the man's stare dead-on, and she can't help but wonder why he looks so familiar. Para bang nakita niya na ito noon, pero hindi niya talaga maalala kung saan.

Kaya naman, sa laking gulat ng lalaki at lahat nang nanonood, tinalikuran ni Solace ang lalaki at naglakad palayo.

Her reason: she doesn't know him and he's not really doing anything so maybe he experienced some sort of connection issue. Masama naman kung bigla na lang siyang aatake tapos hindi pala makakapagdepensa ang lalaki.

Everyone's reaction: WHO WOULD DARE IGNORE THE WARLORD?! THE HIGHEST RANKED PLAYER IN THE FIGHTER'S CATEGORY AND THE BRUTE STRENGTH OF WARBEASTS.

"Akala ko naman magkakaroon na tayo ng fight of the century, partner. The slayer and the warlord was about to make the event more exciting but she ignored him! Who the heck ignores him?"

"Well, partner, it looks like our slayer doesn't really care kung sino makakalaban niya. But, aside from this now tasty scoop, is the cheating accusation for the slayer erased? She certainly showed a fight."

"Malalaman lang natin 'yan sa end ng event, partner. That accusation is a big deal, lalo na't sa laki ng influence ng slayer ngayon sa larong ito. Ano po masasabi niyo sa issue na 'to, Mr. Escov?"

"Yes. The problem have been brought to our attention and we are currently looking into it. So far, there are no proofs of the player cheating. Her progress are similar to others, although she takes more of her time hunting and levelling. We should also take into consideration the weapons you are equipped with, they can grant you amazing skills and buffs. The slayer's victory in the preliminary quest is not common but possible, because she has the right attributes for it."

"Ayan. The officials are looking into it at pwedeng mangyari iyon. Not to mention that the player also experienced a side-effect of the convertion ability."

"And, our dear viewers, the videos of their battles will be uploaded on our official site and the official Oh-tube page! So, you can witness it for yourself!"

"And the thirty minutes are up!"

The screen focused at the arena where only a number of fighters stood. Lahat sila ay hinihingal at ang iba ay nakaupo na sa stage. The warlord stood still on the center, unmoving for a few minutes. The slayer is talking to a dancer in the sides.

"There are a total of 108 players who will advance to the next round. Fifty-four players at each team, and their color will be inboxed to them at the end of the round with their respective rewards. The showdown will happen tomorrow at 9pm PST. We'll see you there again!"

"Now, let's get ready for the rogue showdown, shall we? On the Basement, the bloody survival will take place! Who will survive and who will take the ranks on the leaderboard?! Stay tuned!"

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-chapter end-