Matthew Atkinson & Natalie Russell
Third Layer of the Supernatural Realm
Looking at the backs of Marcus Kelly and the others, everyone felt a little confused.
What was this guy's problem? Had he come here just to provoke and insult them?
"I know what his problem is."
Filip Walker seemed to have thought of something. He said, "At the beginning of last month, I heard that the University of Cambridge wanted to do a joint operation with the University of Oxford in the third layer of the Supernatural Realm."
"To put it simply, they wanted to send five people, and Oxford also would send five people to form the best team and strive to get an SSS-grade mission rating."
"They specifically requested that Natalie Russell participate in this operation, but our university refused their request."
Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly realized why Marcus Kelly had gone to such lengths to provoke them.
Even a blind man could see that the University of Cambridge's so-called joint operation was just a ploy to gain an advantage, with the hope that Natalie would carry their students to the championship.
Moreover, they wanted to take half of the spots right away.
That was the height of shamelessness.
Otherwise, the University of Oxford wouldn't have refused so decisively.
Matthew reckoned one of those five spots at the University of Cambridge would definitely go to Marcus Kelly.
This guy just came over to provoke them, probably because he was not happy with Oxford's decision.
The harsh words he uttered before leaving were enough to prove this point.
After figuring out Marcus's reason, everyone became speechless.
The university was the one that refused. What did that have to do with Natalie or them?
All Matthew could say was...
This Marcus guy was so petty.
...
-Wuuuuh—
Suddenly, a long whistle sounded.
A train slowly arrived at the platform.
Countless freshmen students were attracted.
When everyone saw the train, they were all a little surprised.
Because this was a behemoth of a train.
The front of the train was comparable to an airliner, and each section of the carriages behind it resembled a mansion.
In addition, the train was not only wide but also incredibly long, stretching as far as the eye could see.
Such a huge train was something that no one had ever seen before.
"Is this the train that will take us to the tournament arena?" Sam Harris couldn't help but exclaim, "It's huge."
The train quickly pulled up to the platform.
Then a loud broadcast sounded again.
"All contestants, please enter the carriages in turn. Each carriage can accommodate a maximum of ten people."
The broadcast ended.
The carriage door in front of everyone slowly opened.
Filip Walker and the others all turned their gazes toward Natalie, awaiting her instructions.
Natalie, however, turned her gaze to Matthew.
"Let's go, get in the carriage."
Matthew said casually and walked inside the train carriage first.
Natalie immediately followed him.
The others were slightly surprised seeing this.
They initially thought that Natalie would definitely take the lead.
Unexpectedly, Natalie's behavior just now clearly showed that she was more inclined to listen to Matthew's opinion.
This reminded them of a rumor.
It was said that Matthew possessed extraordinary wisdom and could foresee opportunities in the supernatural realm. And Natalie's ability to obtain an SSS-grade mission rating in the second layer of the supernatural realm was primarily due to Matthew's strategic planning.
Between the two, Natalie was the main force, while Matthew was the wise decision-maker.
This rumor originated from the university management.
Now it seemed that the rumors were very accurate.
Thinking of this, everyone looked at Matthew's back with a more solemn expression.
...
As soon as the last person in the team boarded the carriage, the carriage doors immediately closed.
Then a voice rang out.
"Welcome aboard the SCP Elimination Train. This carriage is number 96. Please remember your carriage number."
Everyone's eyes turned towards the direction of the sound.
The sound came from a computer on the wall of the corridor.
Then, some more text popped up on the computer screen.
[Please select one participant to be the team captain.]
[Note: Before the train arrives at its destination, the team leader must bear the burden of the safety of all team members. If the team leader is eliminated, the entire team will be disqualified from the competition.]
[Note: The team that performs best in this layer of the Supernatural Realm will receive an additional reward, which will go to the team captain.]
Upon seeing the text on the computer, everyone was stunned.
Filip Walker immediately spoke up. "The captain needs to bear the burden of the safety of the team members... burden? Why not just responsibility?"
Sam Harris asked, confused, "Is there a difference?"
"Of course, there is."
Filip Walker explained: "Responsibility means the obligations and duties that one person takes because of their position or status. When someone is chosen as team captain, they should automatically become responsible for the safety of the team members. But bearing the burden has a completely different meaning. It is generally used to describe someone taking on a responsibility that is not theirs."
Upon hearing this, Sam Harris still looked like he only vaguely understood.
This guy's brain was quite a match for the Rubber-Rubber Fruit's original user.
Denis Read said, "I think no one would object to Natalie taking the captain's position, right?"
Everyone shook their heads and looked at Natalie.
Before arriving at the Supernatural Realm, everyone had already reached a consensus that Natalie would definitely be the team captain.
Because the team captain would receive an extra reward.
They were not qualified to compete for that while on the same team with Natalie.
Now that such a rule has emerged, Natalie should be the team leader.
After all, on the surface, Natalie was the strongest among them. Giving her the captain position was definitely the safest option.
...
Natalie didn't care about the others' suggestions and looks.
She looked at Matthew and said, "The captain is responsible for the safety of the team members. If the captain is eliminated, the entire team loses its qualification to participate in the tournament. According to this requirement, the strongest person in the team is the most suitable to be the captain, so..."
Before the girl could finish speaking, Matthew interrupted her, saying, "The rule only states that the captain is responsible for the safety of the team members, but it doesn't say that the team members can't help the captain. With me here, you don't need to worry about anything else. Just focus on being a good captain."
"But the extra reward..."
"I don't care about that reward… Nat, you know my plans. It's not a good time to show off. If I were the captain, it would be hard to explain after we leave the Supernatural Realm. The captain's position can only be given to you."
"All right."
Natalie then agreed, walked towards the computer, and followed the prompts to register her fingerprint, accepting the position of team captain.
But the conversation between the two just now left Filip Walker and the others completely bewildered.
What was going on?
Judging from Natalie's words... Was Matthew stronger than her?
Everyone felt that they must have misunderstood.
This was impossible.
A few seconds after Natalie settled into the captain's seat, the train suddenly began moving and accelerating.
Then the broadcast started again.
"Greetings, fellow contestants. This SCP Elimination Train has just departed the station and will arrive at the Tree Race Arena in 30 minutes. We wish you all the best in passing the elimination test and a pleasant journey."
The cold, impersonal broadcast instantly drew everyone's attention.
"The Tree Race Arena? What does that mean? Is that where the tournament will be held? But why is it called that? Does that mean we're not competing with other freshmen?"
"It will take 30 minutes to arrive at the arena?"
"A test? What is it?"
The crowd began to discuss it.
Matthew and Natalie also frowned.
At this moment, with a "click" sound, the aisle wall in front of everyone suddenly split in the middle, and then quickly shrank to both sides like a sliding door, revealing the actual interior of the carriage.
The place suddenly felt much more spacious.
It resembled a vast hall.
In the very center, there were two rows of sofa seats, five in each row.
However, no one seemed inclined to go and sit down.
Because, next to the sofa, a figure was huddling in a corner, sitting on the floor.
And because the person's back was to everyone, no one could see their face.
However, judging from its ashen skin and exposed sharp nails, it was clear that this thing was not a normal human.
Not to mention, it kept making strange noises.
It seemed to be deep in thought.
Upon seeing it, Matthew immediately narrowed his eyes.
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.85: SCP-096
Ch.86: Perfect Punching Bag