[Max's POV]
I arrived at a boxing ring-type position; the only difference was that it was large. There were few minutes remaining in the completion of the 1st round, so I stood there waiting again. I asked the system, "System, would there be any break between phases or rounds? I have infinite mana and stamina, but the rest don't."
[That's exactly why you don't know. After every round and phase, the stamina and mana of players are refilled]
"Ohh..." I just smiled in response and went to the corner of the wooden boxing ring; the border of the ring was made of wood and vines, which gave a unique look. I asked again, "System, did this tree grow on its own, or was it planted by someone?"
[It was planted by the Creator to grow a tree that dwarfs even the World Tree; that's why it became a bio-realm]
I nodded in understanding and further asked, "Now that we are talking already, could you explain why this tournament in such a huge tower is done under such a long and multiple-round tournament? I am sure you could have done elimination-type matches or selected the ones who are performing better in a given time frame."
[Yes, that could happen, but as I have told you before, when the Creator made this Tower, his main idea behind it was to give a fair chance to everyone to change their life, fate, or whatever they desire.
On higher floors, there are events like you mentioned, but first participation of players in the event of the tower is essential, so that's the reason]
"Wow, your creator was really hell-bent on this 'giving a fair chance' to everyone, huh..." I commented and didn't ask anything further, but my curiosity only grew for this 'Creator.'
I was not at the level currently where I could actively inquire about this; the system may or may not reply to my questions, so why irritate my answering machine? I smiled slightly.
Time quickly passed, and players appeared around me. I stood ready for the system notification, and it came immediately as players gathered.
[Round 2 – Mini Duels]
[Each player will have to face 10 duels, 3 minutes each]
[Scoring Parameters – Win/Loss, Damage Output, Tactical Execution]
[If a player dies in Duel, he will be revived but at a loss of 10% scoring points per deaths]
[Players will be transported to Mini Arenas]
"Here we go again," I said as I felt the same displacement again.
The next moment, I was in a smaller version of the previous boxing ring. A new player appeared before me.
An age on his back, a huge build with a big, muscular body wearing heavy armor. He looked at me and snickered, "Such a twig as a first match-up, just surrender, punk. Try your luck in the next match."
"Annoying," I commented.
The next moment, multiple chains appeared around him and bound him in his place. He tried to move his body and reach for his axe on his back frantically; he didn't expect such a sudden attack.
He looked at me with red eyes and screamed, "Unbind me and fight like a man, you coward, free me...."
I didn't let his antics run any further; a pointed blade pressed on his neck, made from metal manipulation due to my skill, 'Mettalum Aegis.'
I spoke in a firm and threatening voice, "One chance, surrender or lose 10% points." And pressed the blade even further against his neck.
He was thinking, but I didn't want to waste any more time, so I pierced his neck slightly; he started bleeding.
"Okay...okay...I surrender," he spoke while gritting his teeth.
Just as he spoke, he vanished from his spot.
"I wasted almost a minute on this, too inefficient," I spoke as I made up my mind to finish the rest of the 9 fights as quickly as possible.
The next one came; I didn't do much, just the same binding by chains and metal blade at the throat.
The only change was I tried adding effects of other elements with metal, sometimes cold chains, sometimes hot, or sometimes rusty, and didn't let them speak.
The only time they spoke was to surrender; nobody wanted to willingly lose 10% of their scoring points, so they gave up easily.
The last opponent was most interesting to me, just as he appeared. I followed the usual procedure, metal chains with properties of sand mixed in, making chains rougher and more uneasy on skin.
He smiled and looked at me and spoke, "I don't need my body to attack." Then he went silent and closed his eyes.
Hearing his declaration, I didn't immediately put a blade on his neck and waited. After about 15 seconds passed, I asked, "So when are you attacking?"
He opened his eyes and looked at me and replied, but this time more rattled and less in control. "Wait for a moment; don't speak. Let me focus."
I just nodded and waited patiently; I wanted to know the reason behind his bold declaration.
After 20 more seconds passed, I spoke again: "If you are stalling for time instead of surrendering. I will just kill you right now."
He hurriedly opened his eyes and asked, "What are you? I have been trying my mental attack on you; instead, I feel like I am just facing an insurmountable wall. Do you have any artifact or something?"
"Ohh...mental attack, I get it. Well, bad for you, I am kind of immune to such attacks," I declared.
His eye widened, and I pressed my blade against his neck. I didn't even need to ask any questions; he said with a broken voice, "I surrender."
He vanished, and I also felt my displacement. The next moment I was in a large boxing ring again. The system prompt appeared before me.
[You have passed Round 2; Round 3 will begin shortly]
I waited silently this time, running calculations and effects of my little experiment with metal and other elements.
I shelved the idea of merging all elements but instead decided to add two or three elements for now to see the result. After the tournament, I will try and see if they remain stable or not.
After some time, Players appeared again. Some were happy, and some were seething with rage like they were about to burst, but the system didn't give them any chances.
[Round 3 – Suppression Wave Assault]
[Branch-wide monster waves with periodic elite and boss monster inclusions]
[Monster will be from Rank E+ to B]
[Scoring Parameters – Contribution, Survival, Combos, and Support]
[If death of a player occured; same rule as Round 2 will be applied]
[Assault will begin in 5 seconds]
I had to give the system respect for this round because just after a duel, the system is forcing them to fight together. I chuckled.
I chose a side immediately, and after 5 seconds, the thin wooden branches and vines vanished, and monsters rushed in from all sides.
They were all shadow monsters, based on the theme of this branch.
Just as the system mentioned, my OGS confirmed their power level. All shadowy figures hurried towards me and players around me.
Some were in knight shape carrying swords, some had tentacles, and some had a vanishing presence.
All types of monsters were in a bunch; I also noticed a few big, probably boss or elite monsters in the group.
I totally let loose: fire, water, ice, metal, and sand. Multiple orbs made of these elements floated beside me. I floated a little higher from the ground using my 'Eclipsion' skill.
I didn't give them any chances to reach us, and the massacre of Shadow monsters began.