Diablo was as energetic as ever. He wanted to start the fight to the death as soon as possible.
"First tell us why today isn’t our day off? All the guests are here so now can you share that?"
"Yes. Tell us."
"Do it."
All candidates asked the same question and Diablo opened his mouth.
"Let me tell them." Graham stopped Diablo and came forward.
"Everyone," He said. "First of all, there is no day off in the military. For people of your rank at least."
"Wha-"
"Don’t speak in between. I will kill you." Graham threatened the man and there was silence again.
"So as I was saying. There is no day off for you. Last night you got rest and today you all have to do just a simple procedure."
Graham looked at all the candidates.
"And that procedure is this fight to the death. You see, we can’t take all hundred of you to the assignment level. We don’t have that much time to access every one of you. So that’s why we came up with this idea. You all will fight one on one. It will be a knockout match. You will fight inside the circle placed on the ground.
The rules of the fight are simple. If you die, you lose. If you step your foot outside the circle, you lose and your opponent will get the right to kill you. You won’t be allowed to defend yourself.
And if you are wondering how the matchups will be decided then we have everything figured out.
The clothes you are wearing have a number written on the back. And it is the same number as the room you were in last night. So it will be very easy for you to know your number.
And now that you know your numbers, a lottery box will be placed here and one by one candidates will come and pick up the slip. The number written on the slip you have picked will be your opponent. Simple as that.
And I don’t think I need to tell you but only fifty of you will pass and move to the final phase of the selection which are practical assignments or missions. Call them whatever you want. So, is everything clear? And if not, then no need to ask questions. You will understand everything soon enough.
And don’t forget, three generals have come here so make sure you perform your absolute best. Who knows, you might get a fixed spot in the military today. So, with that said, Diablo will take the lead now."
Graham stepped back and Diablo came forward.
"Alright now. Graham, close the gate for us." He said.
Graham nodded and motioned his hands.
The metal gate moved and closed on its own.
Now all the hundred candidates were inside the garden and the guests were eager to see some action.
’I have to take the interest of those five people somehow. But for that, I have to perform exceptionally great. I have to annihilate my opponent.’ Pablo already started making plans.
"Do you have any Egoes with you?" Cupid asked.
’No. I have no Ego. I have to find some Egoes. Some strong Egoes. And fast. I can only copy two Egoes. I will fill both slots.’
"Well, do it before your turn comes."
’Yeah.’ Pablo went silent and roamed his eyes on all the candidates. He needed a strong Ego. His number was hundred and if his bad luck worked, then his number might come first. And he can’t fight without an Ego. Well, he could but he needed to overpower his opponent so that the five members took interest in him.
"Graham, can you also bring the box of slips on the stage as well."
"Sure." Graham motioned his hands again and a transparent box came floating on the stage.
Diablo took it and kept it on the floor of the stage.
Pablo’s eyes also fell on someone who might solve his problem.
’He will suffice for now.’
Pablo walked towards that person and stood behind him.
"Look here." He said.
"I don’t talk with someone who had killed their own mother." The other person said and Pablo only told one person about his mother recently.
"Adolf," Pablo spoke again. "I have something to give you."
"It’s no harm to talk for a second, Adolf." Someone sided with Pablo and this person was standing beside Hustler.
Pablo looked at that person and nodded.
’You are doing good, Draxus.’
That other person was Draxus and it seemed he had bonded with Hustler quite well.
"Fine. Make it quick." Hustler finally turned around and now he was face to face with Pablo.
Pablo’s right hand was inside his pants pocket and he took it out.
His fist was closed so Hustler couldn’t see what was inside.
Pablo held Hustler’s right hand and touched it.
He acted like he was giving something to Hustler directly on his palm but in reality, he just wanted to hold his hand.
’Do it, system. Use both.’
[ Ding! ]
[ Empathic Echo In Use! ]
Pablo felt a sour taste on his tongue, his eyes felt hot, and his body itched.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.
’This guy hates me, he is angry at me and he is in a hurry. I better leave his hand soon.’
Pablo figured out Hustler’s feelings towards him and then the next Ego came.
[ Mimesis Malefica In Use! ]
[ Hold the Target’s hand for ten seconds! ]
[ Copying the Ego! ]
[ It’s a low ranked Ego! ]
[ You can keep it with you for three days! ]
’What? Just how low it is-’
[ Showing you the Target’s memories! ]
’No thanks.’
Pablo let go of Hustler’s hands.
[ Copying Failed! ]
Hustler looked at his palm to see what Pablo gave him and when he saw, he frowned.
"What did you give me? I see nothing here."
’You also gave me nothing.’
"Oh. I just wanted to give you this." Pablo showed his closed fist to Hustler and he slowly opened it.
Hustler and Draxus both stared at it with curious eyes and Pablo, like the man he was, showed what he wanted to give Hustler.
A Middle Finger.
Hustler fumed in anger, Draxus held back his laugh and Pablo just said :
"You were a waste of time."