The grand plaza buzzed with excitement. Dozens of parties stood on raised platforms, banners fluttering, emblems shining. A massive display crystal hovered in the sky, tracking names, team ranks, and upcoming matchups.
Announcer's voice echoed through the arena:
"Welcome to the First Round of the Silvergate Tournament! Each party will select a dungeon rank. The more kills, the higher the points — and monster ranks increase the score!"
Cheers erupted from the audience.
The rules were simple:
D-rank monster: 10 points
C-rank monster: 100 points
B-rank monster: 1,000 points
A-rank monster: 10,000 points
Each party got one dungeon run, 3 hours max. Highest score wins.
Party after party stepped forward to declare their chosen dungeon.
One noble team chose a C-rank dungeon.
A beastman squad chose B-rank, earning cheers.
Another confident human team hesitated, then also went for B-rank.
Then came Zairon's team.
He strutted forward, cloak billowing, expression smug, followed by Selene, Aria, and Nyla — each stunning, calm, and collected. Whispers rippled through the crowd.
"Isn't that the group with the crazy guy?"
"They're just a four-man team? And all women with him?"
"Wait, isn't that… that's Zairon."
The officiator stepped up.
"Team Zairon. Please state your dungeon choice."
Zairon tilted his head.
"Hmm. So many brave people here. I'm impressed." He scanned the list of selected dungeons, then looked to the announcer with a half-grin.
"What's the highest available?"
"A-rank… but no team has selected it yet."
The crowd murmured again — A-rank was suicide to most.
Zairon laughed. "Then let's go with that. I was considering B-rank, but it feels too... casual."
Gasps.
Selene glanced at him. "You're serious?"
"Of course. I'm not here to play fair, I'm here to dominate." Zairon turned toward the crowd, raising his arm.
"Let the record show — we're going A-rank. And we're not just going to win — we'll set a record so high, the next generation will tremble in our shadow."
BOOM. The crowd exploded into a mix of cheers, laughter, and disbelief.
Announcer: "Team Zairon has selected an A-rank dungeon — the Abyss of Blackwood Howl. Difficulty: Lethal. Time limit: Three hours. Teleportation begins in sixty seconds!"
Zairon cracked his neck. "Alright girls, time to show them what a real slaughter looks like."