On the upper floor of the Babel Tower.
Freyja was absent from the venue. Her Charm ability was simply too terrifying; even if she didn't actively use it, it could unintentionally affect people.
Therefore, it was a 'gentlemen's agreement' among the gods that she should not appear in public unless it was for a special occasion.
Freyja sat on a luxurious chair, watching the mortal world like a supreme queen of the divine realm. "Apollo, you've done nothing but cause trouble for me."
"Forget it. I'll let you off this once, considering you didn't lay a hand on her."
...
"Good morning, everyone! I am Ibri Achal, a member of the 'Ganesha Familia' responsible for broadcasting this War Game live! My alias is 'Fire Explosion Inferno,' and I appreciate your support!"
A brown-skinned young man wearing goggles appeared on the Divine Mirror, holding a magic stone microphone.
"Our commentator is none other than our Chief God—Ganesha-sama! Ganesha-sama, please give us a word!"
"—I AM GANESHA!!"
"Excellent! Thank you, Ganesha-sama—!"
The comical exchange between Ibri and his master, Ganesha, drew peals of laughter from the people of Orario.
"Everyone! The War Game between the Astraea Familia and the Apollo Familia is a Three-Round Tag Match! Both sides will field three adventurers, and the first to win two rounds is the victor!"
"Apollo-sama's condition for winning is to obtain the Astraea Familia's 'Bud of Justice'! If he loses, the terms of his punishment will be left entirely up to Astraea-sama!"
"Without further ado, let the games begin! Both sides, please send out your adventurer for the first round!" Ibri announced loudly.
"Oohhhhhh—"
Guided by Ibri, the atmosphere was electrifying, and thunderous cheers erupted across the arena.
However, as time passed, people found it strange that neither Familia had sent anyone out.
The atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
This was, of course, intentional. To play the 'Tian Ji's Horse Racing' strategy, one must wait for the opponent to move first, or risk having the strategy used against oneself.
Apollo looked anxious. Why hadn't Astraea's side sent anyone out yet? He didn't care if it was Gale, Roy, or even that nobody.
Watching Apollo grow increasingly impatient, Goddess Astraea remained unperturbed, maintaining her noble and elegant smile, which gave her a subtly cunning look.
It seemed the two sides were about to enter a stalemate.
At the crucial moment, it was Roy who spoke up, having no patience for stalling. "Ryuu-san, please go!"
Ryuu's sky-blue eyes glanced at Roy. Since returning to the Starry Garden yesterday, even though Roy hadn't said anything, she felt his mood wasn't very good.
"I understand."
Ryuu entered the dueling field carrying her wooden sword.
A wave of enthusiastic cheering swept through the arena. Being able to see "Gale" in the very first round made the trip worthwhile!
Ibri also shouted, "Apollo Familia, please send out your representative!"
Seeing Astraea's side field their upper-tier horse, Apollo sighed in relief. His gaze swept over his Familia members, finally settling on an Elven youth.
Following Apollo's eyes, the Familia members all looked at the blonde Elven youth.
The blonde Elven youth noticed the strange looks, glanced left and right, and wore a look of confusion. Why are they looking at me?
Am I the lower-tier horse?!
He was a Level 2, albeit a recently promoted one.
Hyakinthos said coldly, "Go on. Do not shame Apollo-sama!"
The blonde Elven youth looked utterly crestfallen. Does that mean I should lose, but lose spectacularly?
Everyone knew this match was a guaranteed loss. Pressured by their Chief God and Captain, the blonde Elven youth reluctantly stepped onto the dueling field.
Staring at Ryuu, who was also an Elf, the young man gritted his teeth. "Gale, I know you are a Level 4 adventurer, but it won't be easy to defeat me!"
Ryuu replied faintly, "Are you finished?"
"Not yet..."
Just as the blonde Elven youth was about to answer, his voice cut off. A golden phantom flashed before him.
"But I have finished listening!"
Ryuu instantly appeared in front of the blonde Elven youth. She showed no mercy despite him being a fellow Elf. Her wooden sword swung out, striking his side, and sending him flying instantly.
A dull thud accompanied the heavy impact.
Thud!
The young Elf flew for thirty to forty meters before hitting the ground, tumbling several times, and finally lying sprawled out on his back, utterly paralyzed.
"This... is a Level 4 adventurer!"
The young Elf's eyes were vacant. The difference was too vast; he was defeated in a single blow!
A loud cheer immediately rose from the arena.
Roy's chilling gaze fixed on Hyakinthos in the Apollo Familia's waiting area. "Get up here, Hyakinthos!"
Ibri shouted, "The Astraea Familia wins the first round of the War Game!"
"Oohhhhhh—"
The citizens who had been helped by the Astraea Familia cheered for the overwhelming strength displayed by Ryuu.
Meanwhile, the gods fell silent as a collective.
At this very moment, if they still didn't realize Apollo's plan, they might as well collectively bang their heads against a wall and commit suicide.
It was Tian Ji's Horse Racing!
The Astraea Familia seemed to have achieved a quick and decisive victory, but in doing so, they sacrificed their upper-tier horse, Gale. Their remaining middle-tier and lower-tier horses would now have to face the Apollo Familia's upper-tier and middle-tier horses!
"Nooooo!"
"Apollo, I'll draw a curse circle and hex you!"
The gods wailed in anguish. Since when did Apollo become so sharp? They both wanted their fellow god to suffer misfortune and yet didn't want him to succeed.
Seeing Roy fall into Apollo's hands would be even more unbearable than not getting Roy themselves!
Ibri announced, "The second round of the War Game begins now! Both sides, please send out your adventurers! Apollo Familia, be warned! A second defeat will mean losing the entire War Game! This is a major crisis!"
Apollo was also very nervous, afraid to recklessly send out Hyakinthos. Sweat beaded on his palms.
The gods' eyes lit up. If Astraea used her lower-tier horse to take out Hyakinthos, the upper-tier horse, they would still have a chance to win in the final clash between the middle-tier horses!
Roy walked out from the Astraea Familia waiting area and entered the arena.
"Why?!"
The move instantly caused an uproar.
Everyone looked astonished. Not just the clever adventurers, but even the gods were dumbfounded. They couldn't believe Astraea hadn't seen this coming, yet she still allowed Apollo to keep the advantage of the second move.
At this point, Apollo couldn't hide his scheming any longer, and he burst into a triumphant, loud laugh. "Hahaha! Astraea, you fell for it!"
Looking at Apollo's smug, successfully-plotted expression, the gods ground their teeth. Is he actually going to succeed?!
In contrast, Goddess Astraea's expression remained serene. "I believe in the children of my Familia!"
Astraea's calm and composed demeanor made many feel inadequate; her pressure resistance was too strong.
Apollo's heart sank. Could it be that Roy is just their lower-tier horse, intended to swap with Hyakinthos, and the outsider Astraea brought in is actually their middle-tier horse?
Roy spoke, "Apollo-sama, we haven't brought in any outside help. Stop your worrying. This War Game will end in this round. Get up here, Hyakinthos!"
Everyone was dumbstruck. The Astraea Familia was too confident! Were they certain they would win both remaining rounds?
Apollo sensed that Roy's words were not a lie. He gritted his teeth. "Hyakinthos, go!"
"Apollo-sama, I promise to secure the honor of victory for you!" Hyakinthos's face lit up, and he took a large stride into the arena.
War Game Round Two: 'Bud of Justice' Roy VS 'Sun's Favor' Hyakinthos!
The gods were equally excited, wanting to watch the battle with a magnifying glass to perhaps uncover the secret behind Roy's astonishingly rapid growth.
Tens of thousands of people in the arena, and indeed all of Orario, held their breath, focusing on this battle.
Hyakinthos sneered, "It was you who took Daphne and Cassandra, wasn't it?"
Roy's eyes were icy. He didn't answer; he wouldn't give his opponent any ammunition to use against him.
Seeing the shadow of gloom on Roy's face, Hyakinthos understood everything and laughed maliciously. "What's wrong? Are you angry? Hahaha! That slut betrayed the Familia and misled Apollo-sama. She deserved to die."
"No use talking anymore. Let's fight!" Roy gave a cold smile. Daphne did indeed collude with an enemy Familia, but as for why she colluded, that's none of your business!
Clang!
Roy and Hyakinthos attacked simultaneously. Their figures flashed quickly, meeting in the center of the arena, their blades colliding and striking out brilliant sparks.
Both poured their entire strength into the blades.
Hyakinthos wore a triumphant smile, sure of victory. He was Level 3; there was no way he could lose to a Level 2!
Then, Hyakinthos's muscles tensed as he pressed down on Roy, but the smile on his face gradually vanished. The Roy before him felt like a massive mountain.
Even with all his might, he couldn't force his opponent to retreat.
Hyakinthos felt Roy's power and was astonished. "Impossible! Your Strength is Level 3?"
"???"
The arena, along with the citizens, adventurers, and gods across all of Orario, gasped in shock, watching Roy squarely hold his ground against Hyakinthos.
Ryuu's single-hit defeat of a Level 2 adventurer from the Apollo Familia was clear proof of how terrifying the level disparity was.
One level is an immense chasm!
Though the gap between Level 3 and Level 2 wasn't as exaggerated, it was certainly not small!
Even a newly promoted Level 3 adventurer could easily defeat a Level 2 adventurer within three to five moves, and could handle seven or eight Level 2 adventurers on their own!
For Roy to fight Hyakinthos head-on seemed utterly unbelievable to everyone.
Everyone intensely watched the fierce battle in the arena.
To challenge a Level 3 adventurer with Level 2 abilities and hold his own in a direct confrontation left even veteran adventurers stunned.
Hermes had quietly moved next to Astraea and asked in a low voice, "Astraea, what were Roy's stats when he leveled up from Level 1? I swear I won't tell anyone!"
Goddess Astraea wore a calm smile. "Without the child's permission, I will not reveal any of his information to others."
Hermes was rebuffed but wasn't annoyed. Instead, he asked another question, "Does Roy have the potential to become a Hero?"
Goddess Astraea did not evade the question this time, nodding gently, because anyone could see it.
Hermes broke into an excited smile. What a wonderful era, to have so many children with 'Hero potential' appear at the same time.
"Hmph!"
Roy took a deep breath, casting aside all distracting thoughts. Whether it was the sixty million Valis or the severely injured Daphne, all that remained in his heart was a strong, intense tremor.
"This is what adventure is all about!"
Upon solidifying this concept, a dramatic change occurred in Roy. High-level adventurers and the gods keenly sensed it, their minds shaking.
Name: Roy Level: 2 Strength: 267 → 1550 (SSS)Endurance: 238 → 928 (S)Dexterity: 398 → 921 (S)Agility: 460 → 999 (S)Magic: 290 → 812 (A)Development Ability: Adventure (I)
Influenced by the 'Adventure' Development Ability, Roy's status values increased wildly.
Before the match, he had already consumed the Strength Enhancement Potion obtained from the Parasitic Beasts dungeon, which increased his Strength attribute by 30%. With the effect lasting for ten minutes and combined with his Development Ability, his Strength soared to SSS-rank!
The gap between Level 2 and Level 3 was indeed significant.
However, Roy's all-SSS status values when he was Level 1, the activation of his 'Adventure' ability, and the boost from the Strength Enhancement Potion were enough to raise his numerical values to match Hyakinthos, a Level 3.