Chapter 601: My Choice
Chapter 601: My Choice
I didn't say anything, did I?
After Abigail's swift exit, Lyon also subtly made his way over, and these two were probably driven away by my incessant chatter. I couldn't help but close my mouth in silence, directing my gaze towards the Pisces Director on the podium.
"I..."
"You're first, the examination is over."
After a quick glance at Lyon's slightly sullen face, the Pisces Director immediately announced the result without hesitation, then waved his hand to shatter the dream. Before Lyon could say another word, he was forcefully sent out.
This guy... he's got a bit of a psychological twist!
...
Those who have reached the level of First-Rank Cleaner in various divisions are unlikely to have weak minds. They wouldn't voluntarily withdraw just from being "excluded" or forced to "chat."
What truly made the "Cleansing Maiden" and the "Slaughterer" concede was not the unnourishing awkward conversation, but Lyon's own talent, which, despite being subjected to intense "oppression," still allowed him to maintain his bizarre composure.
With only three people left and the exam venue reduced to a single row, the concentration of the talents of the Cleansing Maiden and the Slaughterer had increased by more than a hundredfold, and their corrosiveness had escalated by more than one level.
However, Lyon, sitting between the two without any talent of his own for protection, still showed no signs of awareness. Neither the high-pitched sacred chants in the Immaculate Heavenly Kingdom nor the silent storms of annihilation in the Wasteland could elicit any reaction from him.
It should be known that the 'talents' that are manifested are completely integrated with the person. A clash of talents is equivalent to using one's entire being to empathize and engage in a grinding battle with another person's everything until one side is completely destroyed.
However, facing an attack where everything is at stake, Lyon, as the victim of this torment, not only showed no signs of distress but also approached with a body full of tears and burns, drenched in blood, and cheerfully started a conversation about the recent weather.
This extremely bizarre sense of imbalance not only brings a feeling of disappointment, like a powerful punch missing its target, but also signifies a direct rejection of everything that represents one's existence. This stark and absolute disregard is even more chilling than deep-seated hatred and hostility.
To be honest, even if I were to replace them, I wouldn't want to continue being around such a person.
The Pisces Director couldn't help but shake his head as he watched the two, who, even after leaving the exam venue, kept glancing at Lyon's position with faces filled with apprehension.
"The first stage of the examination is over. The second stage will now commence."
As the Pisces Director clapped his hands, the shattered dream instantly recombined, swallowing everyone once more. This time, instead of a desk and exam paper, a vast, open space appeared before the cleaners.
"The content of the second examination will be a comprehensive test of your individual combat abilities."
The Pisces Director waved his withered arm, imprinting a number on each cleaner's forehead.
"These numbers represent your rankings from the previous examination. There were 419 participants in the last exam, so defeating the first-ranked cleaner is worth 419 points, defeating the second-ranked is worth 418 points, and so on. Defeating the last-ranked cleaner will only earn you one point, and each cleaner can only be defeated once.
Next, you will take turns choosing your opponents and enter the arenas I've created for you to fight. The chooser can select their opponent, and the chosen one can then specify the arena, requesting modifications to its size and type to create an environment that showcases their abilities..."
The chooser selects the opponent, and the chosen one selects the environment?
After hearing the Pisces Director's explanation, the more flexible-minded among the four hundred and nineteen cleaners quickly understood the meaning of this examination.
In addition to the pure combat ability test, the second stage of the examination also includes assessments of combat wisdom, observation skills, and even some aspects of "intelligence gathering" and "situational analysis."
During the previous stage, all the cleaners were tested in the same venue, and everyone's talents and tendencies had already been displayed before the group.
If, in the last examination, one had not only manifested their talent to the fullest but also carefully observed the other cleaners, it wouldn't be difficult to deduce their ability types and strengths and make targeted arrangements accordingly.
For instance, if chosen by that "Angel," the venue could be designated as the Abyss, a place filled with chaos and evil energy, which would significantly impact her performance.
If the simulated venue created by the Pisces Director could approximate the genuine environment of the Abyss, the strength of the "Angel's" ability might even be halved!
After understanding how to utilize the rules, among the 419 cleaners, those ranked in the middle or even lower couldn't help but show eager expressions, ready to give it their all.
Before reaching the True God rank, which surpasses human capabilities, most anomalies' powers cannot be exempted, and a high Lyon value can only partially weaken their effects.
With a limited total number of participants, the total score is also limited. The cleaners who choose first are unlikely to select opponents with a significant gap in strength, and with sufficient intelligence gathered beforehand, along with a targeted venue choice, they have a real chance to win against stronger opponents, and perhaps even...
The top few ranks might not be out of reach!
...
Are they all treating me like a soft target?
Feeling the intense gazes directed at him from behind, Lyon couldn't help but turn around speechlessly.
As expected, due to not showcasing any talent in the previous examination and mainly relying on his endurance to last until the end, most of the cleaners had set their sights on him, already viewing him as an easy 419 points.
At the same time, the Pisces Director, noticing the cleaners' gazes, couldn't help but shake his head slightly.
The overall quality of this batch of cleaners is still not up to par. Their eyesight and brains are not on par... Well, it doesn't matter. The ability to choose opponents is part of the examination itself, and those with such poor eyesight wouldn't be able to score well anyway.
After deciding not to give any reminders, the Pisces Director continued, "The rules for the second stage of the examination are basically these. The order of choosing opponents follows the order from the previous examination... Number 1, who do you choose as your opponent?"
Am I first?
After hearing the Pisces Director's reminder, Lyon turned back and smiled at Amien, who was standing beside him, and then spoke, "Number 4."
Number 4... The cleaner from the Virgo Bureau?
After hearing Lyon's choice, seeing Amien's exhausted face, almost unable to stand steadily, most of the cleaners' faces revealed an understanding expression.
In the first stage of the examination, Number 4 had consecutively fought against over four hundred cleaners, resulting in an astonishingly high personal consumption. With a value of 416 points, she was practically ready to withdraw from the examination, and this guaranteed high score naturally had to be obtained first.
Although it's a bit embarrassing to target a cleaner from the same bureau, if he didn't take this score, the upcoming Numbers 2 and 3 would, so choosing Number 4 isn't unreasonable...
"Except for Number 4."
After giving Amien a reassuring glance, Lyon, amidst the bewildered gazes of the other cleaners, spoke shyly, "Then, let the remaining four hundred and seventeen come together!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
