Read ahead on my P@treon...
p@treon.com/MayaMatengele01
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After about a day of rest, the game between the three races; Sirens, Werebeasts, and Immanity began as scheduled.
Haruya took a moment to recall the rules and additional conditions of the game:
1. The game is a virtual version of [Divine Beast Chess].
2. The chess pieces are replaced by divine beasts.
3. The physical stats of all participants will be equalized.
4. Cooperation is prohibited, and players must follow the rule of [No Targeting a Single Opponent].
5. Cheating is strictly forbidden.
6. As per the Covenant; the Sirens, Werebeasts, and Immanity will wager their race pieces.
Lastly, at the start of the game, players will not know who their opponents are. The colors Red, Yellow, and Blue will be randomly assigned to the players' pieces.
Additionally, direct attacks between players are prohibited.
Thinking about this, Haruya realized that cooperation in the game would be extremely difficult and akin to gambling.
After all, no one would know what the others were thinking or what strategies they might employ to win.
Even if the siblings, Sora and Shiro, could predict the future through 'calculations', they couldn't perfectly predict people's thoughts.
Thoughts are unrelated to rules or logic; they are entirely based on individual thinking, making anything possible.
In fact, the only being capable of fully understanding another's thoughts would be something like Laplace's Demon.
"There are surprisingly many spectators today."
"Of course, it's a game involving three races. And it's not just members of those races, there are probably others mixed in as well."
"Due to the Covenants, all spectators are bound by the Game Rules, so gathering information won't be easy."
Haruya and Plum stood in the backstage corridor, watching as the embassy's first-floor hall filled with people.
On the left was the Siren section, crowded with Mermaids all gathered in the pool, drawing many gazes.
In the center were the Immanity, the largest group, some curious, some nervous, and others ready for action.
On the right were the Werebeasts' cheer squad, as their representative was also participating in the game.
At the front of the Siren cheer squad on the left were Haruya's wife and daughter, which gave him a somewhat complicated feeling...
Laila and Mihama held small flags with Haruya's name, waiting for the game to begin.
"Why isn't there a flag for me?" Plum lamented.
"Isn't it because Dhampir don't like the spotlight?"
"Is that a pun, Haru-kun...?"
"Yes, it is..."
As they waited for Ino, the host, to take the stage, Haruya finished the drink he was carrying, "Plum, let's do our best."
"That goes without saying, Haru-kun... Mhm, I'm feeling a bit thirsty, can I have your bottle?"
"It's empty."
"Give it to me!"
Plum took the empty bottle from Haruya and opened his mouth to suck on the bottle's opening, "I really admire your race Haru-kun. Immanity's soul essence is quite delicious. Say, do you have more?"
"...."
Ignoring Plum, who was asking for more empty bottles, Haruya watched as Hatsuse Ino took the stage amidst cheers.
~Today will undoubtedly be a significant day. Let us welcome the representatives and co-players of the three races to the stage...~
With that, the Immanity team consisting of Sora, Shiro, Steph, and Jibril... the Werebeast team, Izuna and the Priestess... and the Siren team; Haruya and Plum, all entered the stage.
Much like in the previous game, they all took their seats and waited for the game to begin.
Before starting, Ino read out the game's rules and the Covenants, ensuring everyone understood the nature of the game.
A game between three races, where the winner would gain access to Océando's underwater resources, Elkia's vast lands, and the Eastern Federation's technology...
Such immense rewards were undeniably attractive to anyone.
~Before the game begins, we will swear an oath to the Covenants, affirming that all participants will abide by the rules and accept the outcome, no matter what...~
Ino paused and looked at the participants behind him.
~Does anyone have any questions? You may ask now...~
The seated participants glanced at each other, but no one raised any questions.
"I... think I have one..." Plum raised his hand, and Ino signaled for him to speak.
"Can that fluorescent light over there be turned off?"
~I believe that can be arranged...~
At that moment, Plum felt Haruya's disapproving gaze.
"That light is a bit uncomfortable for me, Haru-kun..." Plum said.
"Shut up, you perverted Dhampir."
After confirming there were no further questions, Ino instructed everyone to begin the oath.
""Aschente!!!""
And so, the game began.
Lying back in their chairs, their consciousness faded gently before gradually becoming clear again.
Upon entering the game world, a brief introduction appeared before everything began.
< Long, long ago...>
'A cliché opening...'
<...an unnamed god, bored and seeking entertainment, made a pact with the divine beasts. The beasts, now chess pieces, would obey the players' commands. In return, the god granted them eternal life, allowing the game to live on... And so, let us begin!>
'That was quick!'
The text disappeared, and the surroundings underwent a dramatic change.
"Haru-kun, this... isn't a chessboard." Plum said.
Haruya nodded, and looked around, "A forest... and a river?"
Although it was called chess, there was no chessboard in sight.
The area was an endless forest, a sea of green blocking their vision.
The ground beneath their feet was muddy, with a stone path leading to a riverbank in the distance.
~Do not worry. You can see the terrain map in front of you, which displays your pieces' markers and movement range. In principle, it's the same as chess...~
Ino's voice echoed before fading...
Standing before Haruya and Plum was a divine beast marked with the symbol of the King.
It stood ten meters tall, with massive tusks and sharp claws.
Its black-and-gold skin shimmered, and every breath it took altered the wind's direction.
Then, the giant divine beast raised its head...
*ROOOOOOAAAAAAAAARRRRRR*
... and roared.
The game had begun!