Although there was still one day before the official start of the Obsidian Festival.
The entirety of Siesta was already brimming with a fiery atmosphere. The whole city at this moment was like a volcano, biding its time, waiting for the day of eruption tomorrow.
In the center of Siesta.
A series of huge venues had already been set up. Although there was no one on the main stages, and staff were still debugging equipment, the small side stages had already been hosting a rotating lineup of small-time musicians from all over the world for many days.
The effect of the small stages was significant.
In just a few days, many sufficiently talented but unknown independent musicians had already been scouted by talent agencies who were acting as audience members, digging for new talent. They were basically signed to contracts on the same day. Because of this, the Obsidian Music Festival had clearly become a large-scale concert plus job fair. After all, many of the big-name musicians in recent years had been discovered through the Obsidian Music Festival.
Besides this small stage, the sides of the wide streets were also filled with musicians performing on the street. Some were singing, some were playing instruments. It really felt like arriving in a city of music.
A large group of people walked out of the hotel, strolling down Siesta's prosperous streets. The streets were packed, a dense crowd of people, and every single person's face was overflowing with a smile, as if they had arrived in heaven on earth. Walking here, it felt as if your whole being was being healed.
Hm...
FrostNova was thoroughly enjoying this feeling.
The warm sunlight shone on her perennially cold skin. Although Lucas was helping her suppress her Oripathy, her skin temperature was still lower than a normal person's. This sunlight, which would be scorching for a normal person, was perfect for FrostNova.
So many people smiling.
So many people not having to worry about Oripathy, not having to worry about hunger, and not needing to worry about being hunted by Ursus Pickets. They could walk on the streets without fear, without worrying that someone would suddenly jump out to rob them. This is great... so relaxing...
"What are you thinking about, Big Sis FrostNova?"
Jessica came up from the front to FrostNova's side. Jessica was taking good care of this 'Big Sis FrostNova.'
FrostNova and Jessica basically represented the two extreme examples of the world of Terra.
One was born into the lowest class, her parents and family members passing away one by one, leaving FrostNova all alone. The other was born into one of the wealthiest families in the world, enjoying the sole doting love of her parents, living every day like a little princess, without a single worry.
Therefore, Jessica felt quite sorry for FrostNova.
"I was thinking, it's so peaceful here, so relaxing..."
FrostNova raised her head, looking at the clear blue sky above, a rare smile on her face. Alina, next to her, also smiled. She looked over at Lucas, who was chatting with Nian, Dusk, and the others.
"In the past, when I was little, my family was still around. Every time we went out, it was the most dangerous thing for us, because no one could guarantee we wouldn't run into the military police. If we did, we'd basically be captured and sent to the mines. But it's different here. There are no robberies, and no need to worry about being arrested."
Magallan came up behind FrostNova and said with a grin: "Of course. After all, everyone who comes to Siesta is rich. Plus, Siesta's public security is recognized as being excellent. You don't need to worry about robberies at all."
"Give me back my bag!!"
Suddenly, a woman's scream came from behind them.
FrostNova & Alina: "???"
Magallan covered her mouth.
Jessica, next to her, looked speechlessly at Magallan.
"Senior Magallan, next time... uh... maybe you should talk less."
At first.
When Lucas said Magallan was a jinx, Jessica didn't believe it. But... after experiencing more things together, Jessica gradually came to believe... this wasn't just some random fabrication, it was a fact. Even Miss Nine-Colored Deer had said it herself: Magallan was plagued by bad luck, but within that bad luck, there was a bright radiance, meaning Magallan's probability of encountering unlucky things was much higher than a normal person's, but she could always turn the misfortune around.
This was an official stamp of approval. Magallan had to accept it, even if she didn't want to.
Hearing "robbery."
Basically 90% of people's first reaction was to get out of the way. And this robber was running incredibly fast and even had a dagger in his hand. Many of the surrounding pedestrians quickly backed away, until only Lucas's group was left on the path. Nian turned her head in confusion, and the robber had already charged right up to her.
At this moment.
The robber was overjoyed.
A woman...
How could such a scrawny woman possibly block him? As he charged at Nian, the robber threw his powerful shoulder forward to push Nian.
However...
The push he had imagined didn't happen. On the contrary, before his hand even touched Nian, he had somehow already fallen flat on the ground, unable to move.
"What the fuck?"
Nian had been hanging out with Dusk these days and had also learned a lot of her internet slang.
Just then, the owner of the bag, who had been chasing him, finally caught up.
"Thank you, thank you!! Huh? Miss Nian, Mr. Reeve, Jessica-chan, and everyone..."
The person running over from a short distance away was an incredibly cute and energetic girl. Her golden hair was tied into simple twin-tails. She wore a white swimsuit top with a translucent cover-up, and a short skirt on the bottom. Her skin was fair, her stomach flat, and her chest was quite ample. She was utterly charming; just standing there made people feel cheerful.
"Hm?"
"Sora?!"
"Sora-chan~"
Lucas and Jessica suddenly cried out.
Jessica was surprised. She happily went up to Sora and gave her a hug. After all, they hadn't seen each other for several months since the last time. Although they occasionally chatted online, it was just online. How could it compare to the intimacy of meeting in person?
"Oh~ I remember now, Sora, you're a musician too... Were you invited to participate in this music festival?"
Jessica asked happily.
However, Sora shook her head.
"How could I be? I'm just a little-known idol. At most, I have a bit of fame in the Lungmen area. Outside of Lungmen, nobody knows me. The ones who get invited are basically international superstars. My manager had me come over, hoping to promote my new song during this event. But Boss got an invitation! After all, Boss's rap is pretty famous worldwide."
"Boss..."
Lucas thought of that penguin.
However, his fashion sense was indeed very 'rapper-like'.
But..
The image of a crowd listening to a penguin sing, dance, and rap on stage was just a bit too much.
Since the robber was subdued, Siesta's patrol team arrived almost immediately. After apologizing to Sora and thanking Lucas and the others, they quickly escorted the robber away. It was also at this moment that Exusiai, Texas, and the others arrived.
"Sora! Are you okay!"
Texas asked about Sora's condition the moment she arrived. However, after seeing Lucas and the others, she was first surprised, then relieved. Since Lucas and his group were here, there was basically no problem. If anything, they should be worried about the robber.
Texas was relatively more conservative, wearing a normal t-shirt and shorts. Her regular clothes had none of the proper seaside attire. Exusiai was similar to Sora, except her top was a half-bustier, and her bottom was a red skirt. Croissant was similar. They also hadn't expected to run into Jessica, Lucas, and the others here. They were a bit surprised. Their original plan had been to go meet up with Boss, but that plan was temporarily put on hold.
After the four from Penguin Logistics joined them, the group gradually grew larger.
Passing through the crowded commercial street, the group truly arrived at the soul of Siesta: the beach.
The golden sand and the azure water met, a near-perfect combination of colors. Under the direct sunlight, the sand glittered as if it were gold.
There were many people on the huge beach. There were all sorts of stalls at the edges, and... Amiya could even see Rhodes Island Operators competing on the beach.
For example... ACE, Scout, and the others were in the middle of a thrilling beach office chair race...
Even more people were playing beach volleyball and the game of 'blindfolded watermelon-splitting'.
Suddenly.
A smile crept onto Exusiai's face.
"How about we play beach volleyball?"
Laurentina's lips curved upwards.
"I think that's a good idea. But, for this kind of game, it only feels meaningful if there are some prizes. For example, a first-place prize of a one-day private date with Lord Lucas?"
When Laurentina finished speaking.
The crowd instantly fell silent.
And this silence was like the calm before a storm. Magallan cleverly pulled Angelina, Lisa, and the others aside to dodge. Because, with her years of sensing danger, she could easily feel that... a huge crisis was imminent. The weak and helpless among them should just obediently sit on the sidelines and watch.
"Hmph..."
A rare, disdainful smile appeared on Surtr's cold face. Her eyes flashed with a divine golden light, and she lifted her chin slightly to look at Laurentina.
"I agree."
With Surtr taking the lead.
Skadi stepped forward.
"I'll participate..."
Nian also stepped up: "I'm in for something this interesting."
Dusk nodded: "I'm not interested in the first prize, but... I have a reason I must participate."
FrostNova originally wasn't interested, but seeing so many people joining, she also stepped forward.
"I'll join too..."
Franka huffed twice and also signed up. Zumama did the same. After all, the first prize was too tempting.
Amiya wanted to join, however, the participants were just too brutal. She was stopped by Closure.
*Don't feed! Don't feed!*
And Lucas, the 'prize' himself, was extremely confused.
How did a random walk suddenly turn into a battle royale centered on him?
Originally, Lucas just thought they were joking, but he didn't expect them to actually organize it. Led by Exusiai, the group came to a spot a bit further from the main beach. This place was remote, with no shops, near the reefs at the foot of the nearby volcano. It was the perfect spot.
After all, with Nian and Dusk participating, if those two went all out, there would be no suspense as to who the champion was. So, there was another rule: gods were not allowed to use their powers, but humans could use Originium energy.
First round.
Without even thinking, it was the old rivals' showdown.
Laurentina versus Surtr.
The Penguin Logistics crew all knew Surtr, but they didn't know her true strength. Amiya, on the other hand, was completely clueless. She had no idea what she was about to see.
Amiya also didn't understand why Closure was stopping her.
Isn't it just beach volleyball?
They're acting as if beach volleyball could kill someone. It's such a soft ball, and her own strength wasn't weak. Even if a powerful Elite Operator threw it with all their might, she could probably receive it. She didn't understand why Closure wouldn't let her participate... Strange...
As Amiya was thinking this.
Surtr, who had won rock-paper-scissors, was serving.
She grabbed the volleyball with her right hand, her fingers digging powerfully into the ball, making it look like she was squeezing a balloon.
Since she had no professional volleyball training, Surtr didn't know how to serve a volleyball. She only knew that if it didn't go over the net, it was a service fault. But... what if it *did* go over the net?
Phew...
Surtr took a deep breath, the golden light in her eyes flashing. Lava-like veins began to glow beneath her skin, and visible steam rose from her body.
Amiya frowned slightly and grumbled: "Is this how you serve a volleyball? Shouldn't you toss it in the air and then hit it hard?"
Texas and the others also nodded.
"Hah!!"
With a sharp cry, Surtr ignited. Substantial flames erupted from her entire body, shooting into the sky. The faint silhouette of a giant fire person appeared behind her.
Amiya: "????"
FrostNova: "???"
The four from Penguin Logistics: "???"
The next second, Surtr violently stomped her raised left foot forward. With a *boom*, the sand in front of her instantly caved in. Her right hand, gripping the ball, whipped out like a long lash. The volleyball, now wreathed in flames, instantly transformed into a flaming meteor, tearing through the air. It easily burned straight through the volleyball net in the middle and shot toward Laurentina. If she dodged, Laurentina would definitely lose the point.
However.
How could Laurentina possibly dodge? She met the flaming, spinning volleyball head-on with her hands. Under the ball's powerful thrust, even the powerful Abyssal Hunter, Laurentina, couldn't help but be pushed back wildly. Her feet gouged a trench several meters long in the ground before she finally stopped.
*Tsss...*
The ball stopped spinning, completely charred black. The smell of burning wafted over.
"..."
Dead silence.
Amiya was silent.
The four from Penguin Logistics were silent.
FrostNova and Alina were also silent.
Many of those who had never seen Surtr at full power were silent.
This... This is called volleyball??
This is murder, isn't it!!
Amiya finally understood why Closure hadn't let her play. That serve just now... she would die, or she would need to undo multiple rings at once.
Wait?
Why does Jessica's Raythean Medica have someone this strong?
Even Rhodes Island's Elite Operators couldn't compare.