Chapter 110

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Merder Stadium, Atlanta - 7:55 AM

I turned around to see the administrator walking up the stairs towards us. Pulling Howard away from the railing, I maneuvered us to the wall and turned to face the staircase.

“Stand up straight, only speak when spoken to, do not stare at her,” I ordered quickly. “She’s Atlanta’s lead administrator, so best behavior.”

“I’ll, uh, I’ll try my best, man,” Howard said unconvincingly. I held back a sigh.

The clacking of heels got louder before I saw the administrator. Frastina’s long legs got her to our floor in no time, and she stopped at the top of the stairs. Her gaze panned from our door, to the crowd that was now solely focused on her, and finally landed on us.

Whatever humanoid Benedict Merder was playing as, Frastina was the same. She was a few inches taller than the tutorial administrator, somewhere in the vicinity of seven and a half feet, and slender. Her thick, snow white hair fell down to her knees and looked like curled clouds against her light blue skin. I avoided her piercing green eyes and forcibly made sure Howard did the same by clutching onto his hair and aiming his head downward. He hissed in pain, but didn’t fight me.

Frastina approached us and stood just a few feet away. She wore a black cocktail dress with a hip-high slit, and she stood in a way that purposefully showed off one of her smooth legs. I shifted Howard’s head away so that he wouldn’t stare at it, and waited to be addressed.

She was gorgeous, and yet all I was repulsed by her presence. I reeled that feeling in, however, as now was not the place.

“There’s not a lot of time, and I so want to make sure that my junior’s event goes as smoothly as he wishes,” Frastina stated. Her voice was husky, deep, and borderline seductive. “Why are you not in your suite?”

“These people are in the way, and I’d rather lose than actually kill any humans,” I replied, saying no more than I had to. I kept my head down, staring at her black heels.

Frastina hummed and reached down, cupping my chin to lift my face. Her vanilla perfume wafted into my nose. For a moment I thought she was going to take off my mask, but she did not, instead choosing to stare into my eyes. Now that she had made contact with me, I didn’t break my gaze.

“You are an interesting glitch, Player Warmonger. I will take care of these ones for you, but only once, and only for the sake of the Chaos Cup.”

“I ask that you’re lenient,” I said. Benedict Merder would kick them out of the safe zone, but they would be able to return immediately after to watch the games. I had no idea what Frastina would do to them.

“Against your enemies, to be lenient is to lose the chance for victory, but I will concede to you this favor,” she said.

“Wait just a moment,” the swordsman from before said, taking a step forward. “You can’t just-“

I watched Frastina’s expression for any change as she was spoken down to, but there was none. She kept her gaze on me as she raised her hand, and the crowd was gone just like that. My heart skipped a beat.

“Did… Are they…” Howard stumbled over his words, and I did my best to keep his head still.

“They have been banned from the safe zone for a week, Manager Howard Cooper,” she answered. “Not dead, but they will know not to interrupt my business ever again.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” I said, giving a slight bow. It was hard because she still had my chin in her hand, and I wanted nothing more than to slap it away.

“You’re welcome, little Warmonger,” she replied, smiling down at me. “And all it will cost you is one little favor in return.”

I felt stiff. This was too far off the rails now. I had expected Benedict Merder to show up and got Frastina, and now she was asking for favors? There was no way I could smooth out the edge in my voice. “I thought you said that you were here to make sure the Chao Cup ran smoothly?”

“Oh, I am, but I’ve seen you in action. Now that I’ve met you, I have ideas,” she purred. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise. “Now that I have done this for you, all I ask is that you and your manager have dinner with me after today’s second event.”

Dinner with an administrator wasn’t something I expected to hear, but I knew nothing good would come from it. Whatever she had planned, it was only going to be self-serving and likely very dangerous for Howard and I. As I was thinking up ways to decline the offer in a way that wouldn’t offend her, my idiot manager spoke.

“That sounds lovely!” he exclaimed. I tightened my grip on his hair, and he started trying to bat my arm away.

“I have part two of a certain event tonight, so we couldn’t possibly impose on you,” I said. “Plus, you’re likely terribly busy running Atlanta, so-”

“Nonsense, Player Warmonger, I insist,” she interrupted, waving a hand like it was said and done. “It will be a magical evening, and I promise you that this will be a night to remember. The finest wine, food, and company, and an offer that you would be a fool to refuse.”

“Well, with all due respect, they do say that I’m a fool, ma’am,” I said cheekily.

“No, they don’t. Not anyone important, and certainly not anymore,” she retorted. “Which is why I know you’ll be there. You may be important to the Chaos Cup as its current points leader, but your manager is… replaceable. Will you accept my terms? Decide quickly, because my junior is beginning and you have a lot of bets to place, don’t you?”

The sound of Benedict Merder’s voice permeated the stadium. It had an unusually nervous quality to it, like he knew we weren’t in the manager’s suite yet and he was worried what Frastina might do.

“Come on, man,” Howard pleaded. “I’m not replaceable, I promise, don’t let her banish me from the safe zone for a week! I’d never survive out there and you know it!”

I bit the inside of my cheek and finally broke eye contact, looking back down at the floor. “We would love to join you for dinner, ma’am,” I said quietly, trying my best not to let the feelings of anger and helplessness boil into my voice. “Thank you for this wonderful offer, though I would like to be gone by seven. I have a long night ahead of me.”

“I knew you would see reason,” Frastina said, sounding pleased with herself. Her hand left my chin and she patted me on the head. “I look forward to tonight.”

And in an instant, she was gone. I breathed out a heavy breath, grabbed Howard by the arm, and started dragging him to the manager’s suite.

“Oh my god,” he said, breathing heavily. “She was ready to kill me, wasn’t she?”

“Not killed, they can’t do that, but there are other ways she could hurt you,” I answered as I threw open the door and shoved him inside. “Restrictions and bets, now. I’ll be in the first group of teams called so you don’t have a lot of time.”

“On it,” Howard said, throwing himself into one of the chairs and pulling up his screens. He hesitated for a moment. “That was kind of hot, though, right? Like, that wasn’t just me?”

"Dude, really?"

"What?" he asked. "I'm not ashamed to admit I wouldn't mind an eight foot tall dommy m-"

"Howard, do not finish that sentence," I ordered, putting my finger inches away from his face.

"Damn, Warmonger, I'm just saying, is all."

“For the love of all that is holy, if she doesn’t kill you, I will,” I snarled, walking towards the window to see the packed stadium that awaited us. “Get it done, Howard.”

“Okay, okay, I was just saying, sheesh.” He went silent, and I tuned out Benedict Merder’s voice as I thought it over.

Except for possibly talking about the tunnels and what I would be leading Manny to down there, I wasn’t sure what her game was. Neither of them cared if people knew about the monster they were cultivating so long as it wasn’t destroyed early. My plan wasn’t to take the man down there to kill it, but as a favor so I could try and get that axe away from him.

Was this new development because I had a Patron now? A glitch was one thing, but to be one and have a sponsor behind them was a completely different thing. I may have miscalculated how much attention they would heap upon me, but I didn’t feel like it was something insurmountable. Dinner was easy, and I could excuse myself early because I wouldn’t eat without taking my mask off.

“All done, Warmonger,” Howard announced.

“Good, because-“

-The Warmonger!!!

I found myself standing in the arena on the same silver disc I had been summoned to during the last event. This one wasn’t floating, but built into the ground.

Immediately throwing my arms into the air, I played to the crowd and received roars of approval from the vast majority of them. Even though I seemed to be giving the crowd my full attention, my eyes darted around the arena.

The solid black walls that partitioned the playing field looked like they belonged in a prison. They were meant to be imposing to keep people from jumping them. Very few would try after the warnings they received from their managers about instantly dying, but that didn’t stop some idiots from learning the hard way.

My gaze wandered to the baskets. The tallest three were in the center and surrounded by the next tallest, and those in turn were surrounded by the rest. There weren’t any ways to make them shorter nor were there any places to get up higher; that was up to the player’s ingenuity, abilities and skills, or whatever they had tucked away in their inventories.

I lowered my hands one at a time, the first pointing towards the disc holding BYOB. The team cringed, especially Dave the Handyman, who I knew would be able to build something tall incredibly easily. While bullying them like I planned wasn’t very sportsmanlike, the best way to win any competitive game was to make sure your opponents didn’t get to play at all.

My other hand lowered to point at the other team with ties to Branson, Best In Show. Olivia flicked me off, to which I responded with a thumbs up. Of them, Ava the Conjurer would be the one to go after. Like Dave and his abilities, the spells she got from her class would help immensely when it came to constructing ways to easily reach the baskets.

In the corner across from mine was Team Trouser Snake. Just like last time, Bill the Glass Cannon had brought his cannon with him. Naturally, it was pointed straight at me. I brought both of my hands together to point at them, but instead of making any threatening gestures, I gave them two thumbs up. Daniel, their Guiding Light, slowly returned the gesture, and I started making plans.

I pointed to myself, and then to BYOB. With my other hand, I pointed at Team Trouser Snake before drawing a line to Best In Show. I brought my hands together and gestured between myself and Daniel before shaking my head vigorously. Their team leader tilted his head before pulling his team in for a huddle. I was sure he understood, but this would end up being a team decision instead of just his.

While they were deliberating, I looked at both of the other teams to see that they were yelling at me. They were no doubt upset that they suddenly might have a 2 on 2 fight instead of a 2 on 1 on 1 like they originally planned. All of Branson’s teams were already set on helping each other, which would make my victory all the sweeter when I knocked two of them out in the first two rounds.

Daniel grabbed my attention by jumping and waving. Once I looked at him, he gave me a thumbs up and Bill started redirecting his cannon towards Best In Show. While I probably could have moved before he fired it, the fact that I could have been blown up in the first second of the match was something I was acutely aware of. My first death of two wouldn’t be immediate, at least.

Amusingly, this development left Best In Show completely freaking out. That alone was worth it.

Ladies and gentlemen of the Merder Stadium safe zone, the field of battle is set! We are now ready to spin the Wheels of Chaos!

“Embrace- Chaos! Embrace- Chaos!” I began chanting, turning to face the crowd closest to me as I pumped my fist in the air.

Last time, only a dozen or so people had joined me in the chanting. I saw now, with no small amount of satisfaction, that the stadium was full of people repeating my words. Grinning like the fool I claimed to be, I turned to watch the wheels spin.

Once again, I was the only team with a full set of three, though I saw that both BYOB and Best In Show had two. They had to have heard about the 25% boost to points Atlanta’s Worst Team received from having additional wheels.

I didn’t have much time to dwell on that, because the first wheel was coming to a stop.

[[Wheel of Chaos!]]

Alteration 1: For the duration of Big Time Hoops, the numbers comprising your stats will be scrambled. Removing or putting on gear will not add or subtract from these new numbers.

“Dang, that’s a big wrench,” I said, but found myself nodding.

This was a fun one that might require me to change up my plans. I could end up with very high stats, very low stats, or a mix. I wondered if they would stay as double digit numbers or if there was a possibility of single or triple digit stats. Showing off a triple digit Strength, Dexterity, or Willpower stat would have been awesome.

Despite my excitement, I waited before checking to see what had changed as the second wheel stopped. I could already feel myself becoming more tired from my sleepless night, which meant my Constitution dropped, but I still held off.

[[Wheel of Chaos!]]

Alteration 2: Your movement has been limited. Green squares are safe while black squares will cause your hit points to drop by 10% every time you step on one.

The grass in the arena shifted as I finished reading the latest notification. It took on a checkered pattern alternating between regular grass and black grass in what looked like five foot squares. No one else was staring at the ground, so I figured only I could see this event. The grass around my disc was still green, so I wouldn’t have to move immediately.

“If I can only move diagonally, I guess that makes me a bishop, doesn’t it?” I chuckled to myself. “Or a checker. Oh, maybe I can deck someone on the other side of the board and tell them to king me!”

[[Patron Message]]

I’m not sure if now’s the time for jokes, Ant, but if you want to become a bishop then that’s something we can facilitate later. Just wanted to mention it.

Looks like both BYOB and Best In Show are rightfully scared of you. They’re individually talking about how they were supposed to team up on you and get you out in the first round, but this development is going to make it hard on them to follow the plan when you're getting help from Team… I’m not calling them that. While you're getting help from TTS.

Good luck!

Sincerely,

Sara

“I’m already the biggest worshiper at the Church of My Girlfriend, I thought I was already higher than a bishop,” I said teasingly, waving the notification away. “Thanks for the heads up, by the way. They weren’t going to play fair no matter what, so I’m glad they’re at least self-aware enough to have second thoughts.”

The third wheel stopped spinning.

[[Wheel of Chaos!]]

Alteration 3: Passive Swap!

You and another player have been chosen to swap passives for the duration of Big Time Hoops! The player is Dunbar Runner’s [Roberto Marino]. Passives tied to equipment will not be regained or stripped from the other player if you take off the corresponding gear. Passives gained by quests are not included in this swap.

Passives lost: [Thick Skull], [Heat Resistance], [Smasher], [Deep Sea Swimmer], [Heavy Strike], [Unfettered], [Slow Fall], [ Parkour Expert], [Anchored], and [Robust Constitution].

Passives gained: [Goblin Vision], [Deep Pool], [Pathfinder], [Hard Body], and [Magical Potency].

“Oh, spicy,” I said as I snapped open my menu. I noticed that I was moving slower than normal, and took that as a sign that my Dexterity had also been lowered.

Roberto Marino was Tito, and I expected him to have a few passives to help with his spellcasting class, the Crowd Stopper. The Goblin one made sense given the first scenario they took part in, and I knew Deep Pool and Magical Potency helped his resources and spells respectively. Hard Body was another good one, though I was surprised to see Pathfinder. Perhaps he had an item that imbued him with that one. Not very worthwhile here, but I’d enjoy the rest.

[[Passive]]

Goblin Vision

Your eyes see the world more sharply than ever, making it easier to spot things you wouldn’t normally. You can see farther, color seems more vivid, and darkness is only a small hindrance to your sight.

As promised, my eyesight improved and I looked upon the world with a crisp new filter. I received part of this passive with Dungeon Sight, but any extra boosts to my perceptive abilities was always a good thing.

[[Passive]]

Deep Pool

Increase your Mental Points by 25%.

Short, simple, and to the point. An increase to my Mental Points might be sorely needed depending on how the first alteration laid me out.

[[Passive]]

Pathfinder

You always know which way is true north and which way is to the closest safe zone.

Nice, but not all that handy in my current situation.

[[Passive]]

Hard Body

Your skin and muscles are tougher than the average Human’s. Physical attacks deal 5% less damage to you.

Now this was a good passive. 5% didn’t seem like a lot until you realized that it didn’t discriminate. If it caused physical damage, then it got reduced. Handy, especially if my Constitution had dropped like I expected.

[[Passive]]

Magical Potency

Spells that you cast cost 33% less Mental Points and deal 20% more damage.

“That’s a synthesized passive, for sure,” I said, whistling in appreciation. I only had one spell, but this event was as good a time to use it as any. Especially if it was both more potent and less expensive.

Snapping away the passives screen, I navigated to my status screen to check the damages.

[[Status]]

Avatar Anthony Franklin

Class: Warmind

Race: Half-Angel (Dormant)

Patron: (Hidden)

Points: 0

Stats:

Hit Points: 495/495

Mental Points: 250/250 (100/100)

Strength: 64; Dexterity: 14; Constitution: 42; Wisdom: 64; Willpower: 15

“Oh boy,” I said to myself, scratching my head through my hood.

Strength and Wisdom becoming my biggest stats sure was an interesting choice that the system made, but having Dexterity and Willpower in the teens was a bummer.

My Mental Points truly appalled me. The last time they were this low was all the way back at the beginning, and that’s only because I hadn’t taken the Wondrous Willpower Stat Potion yet.

My hit points being lower didn’t hurt me as much with my Wisdom as high as it was now. Shield and Force Field would be great assets that could block a lot more than they could previously. Not only that, but as my defensive mental stat was now a huge 64, I would be able to handle pretty much everything Olivia could throw at me as an Illusionist.

Honestly, it was a mixed bag of good and bad, and I was here for it. This was exactly the kind of thrill I wanted to get in the Chaos Cup. Aside from all the points it could get me, this was what I was here for.

[[Mandatory Quest: Big Time Hoops!]]

The hoops are calling, and it’s up to you to fill them! Sixteen teams enter, but only one gets crowned the Master Baller! Each round consists of four minute periods, and if you’re part of the team that has the least amount of points at the end of each round, then you’re out! You don’t have to beat the winner, you just have to be good enough not to be the worst.

Objective: Score the most points.

Time limit: Seven 4-minute increments.

Reward: Determined by results.

On my signal, Big Time Hoops shall begin! Take your mark! Get set! And goooooo!

The familiar gunshot that signaled the start of the match went off, followed by a huge boom of a cannon and the screams of Best In Show.

Calmly, I pulled out a lawn chair from my inventory and sat down, waiting for the time until I could start scoring points. “Two minutes to go,” I said to myself. “They best hope they get a solid head start.”