The Glorious Evolution

Levi’s expression turned serious after he read the game’s rules twice... he already expected the game to have a gambling theme since it was connected to Gamemaster Gamble and the Wheel.

Still, finishing the rules left him quite conflicted.

’At its heart, the game is a mere race to reach the throne... but everything is going to affect the outcome, from the Tiles and tools to punishments, curses, buffs, and different battlefields.’ Levi frowned, his reaction shared by most Rifters. ’It’s heavily reliant on luck and, at the same time, not so much since we are given a currency to alter each outcome.’

Levi understood that Fortune Points were one of the main keys to smoothing his road to the throne since they could be used on every Tile to either increase one’s luck or lessen the misfortune.

However, having only twenty points wasn’t enough to last for many rounds unless a budget was in place... unfortunately, the game made it hard for anyone to risk saving their points.

After all, a better tool could help them survive or reach the throne faster... while mitigating a harsh punishment could keep it from ruining their chances of winning.

’Everyone is going to aim for the kill to farm more points or at least, obtain tools capable of stealing each other’s fortune points...’

This led Levi to assume that battles might not be entirely random, as some Rifters might use whatever means possible to engineer landing on their target’s tile to initiate a mandatory duel.

’The biggest variable is the two dice...’

Levi held his chin thoughtfully as he read the rules concerning the Dice Round... having a Fortune Die and a Calamity Die, with their numbers deciding the Rifter’s fate, was a diabolical touch... he expected nothing less from Gamemaster Gamble.

Unfortunately, they weren’t given too much time to prepare, and Gamemaster Gamble hadn’t finished his explanations.

”Ah, right. There are two more rules I almost forgot.”

Everyone turned toward him... they could already tell it wouldn’t be anything good.

”Resignation Tokens are allowed.”

A few expressions relaxed a little, thinking that they might have been a little too harsh... alas, Gamemaster Gamble continued.

”However...” Gamble’s grin widened. ”Anyone who uses one will have their title and access to the Wheel permanently stripped.”

Everyone’s expressions turned ugly at once... if it weren’t for their understanding that raising their voices at a Gamemaster wouldn’t end pleasantly, they would have already protested.

Even Levi frowned as he knew that was no small punishment.

Everyone standing here had earned their title through a serious achievement in a game, which they might never repeat... some of them only had that title in their pockets.

By imposing such a condition, he forced everyone’s hand, pushing them to put everything on the table and stay in the game until their last breath.

Yet, Gamemaster Gamble wasn’t done.

”Now... let’s give you some motivation to take this game as seriously as a seasonal game.” Gamemaster Gamble announced, ”The one to sit on the throne shall be awarded everyone’s remaining Wheel of Fortune and Madness coins... in addition, an extra five Unique Coins from the system that guarantee landing on a reward on the wheel!”

”Huh!”

”Seriously?!”

”Now... I am wide awake.”

The brooding Rifters’ energy shifted instantly; not a single one of them appeared to oppose participating in the game anymore.

Even Levi was left stunned.

’Everyone’s remaining coins and five guaranteed safe wheels?’

The first reward might either bring him dozens of coins or, most likely, barely anything... after all, who would keep too many coins around for long when they could cheat their way to better odds?

However, the second reward was the real deal... five guaranteed safe wheels implied five rewards without any stress or struggle.

Though the wheel’s rewards would depend on luck, still... Levi could guarantee all the rewards in his current Wheel of Fortune and Madness with four coins!

This pushed the game’s final reward from nothing to a chance to earn the biggest payday of his life so far!

’A Great Fortune mixed with calamity...’

Levi murmured inwardly, the Dealer’s face resurfacing again... but this time, his shameless smile appeared slightly cuter.

Seeing everyone’s spiritual aura shift into beast mode, Gamemaster Gamble smirked.

”Now then... you have fifteen minutes to prepare.”

The timer began counting down.

[14:59]

[14:58]

”Use them however you want... I don’t care.”

Gamble turned away from them and faced the countless spectators flooding the skies above the board.

”Just make sure to give me your best performance...”

’My promotion is resting on your shoulders.’

He kept the last sentence to himself as his gaze briefly passed over Levi, whose disguise was as aloof and otherworldly as always.

’Especially you... Celestial.’

Levi was too focused on studying his opponents in the small window they were given to pick up on Gamble’s glance... he thought that he had been punished through sheer bad luck, but in reality, the truth was much more sinister than this.

After Gamemaster Gamble left the hall, silence took over... the situation was brand new to all of them, as no one had joined a game without knowing the rules or their enemies beforehand.

Fifteen minutes wasn’t nearly enough to study nine dangerous opponents and understand an unfamiliar Death Game... so dimensional windows began opening everywhere as the Rifters searched through public records, previous games, rankings, abilities, and whatever information they could find on each other.

Levi did the same and found six standout names.

Akira Sol.

The Borrower.

Burden Collector.

Mournful Spirit.

Bad Penny.

The Taxman.

One name after another entered his searches as he rapidly built a basic understanding of everyone around him... At the same time, they were doing the same to him, even though many already knew his identity.

The Three-Body Problem... the rising Abomination with mixed Radian/Oblivar bloodlines, contracted to a Nightcrawler with the ability to shapeshift his weapon at will.

A successful experiment of a mad Evolutionist/Alchemist... the network’s current most popular theory to explain his unfathomable existence.

With so much interest focused on Levi across the dimensional network, including from the Celestial Stargazers Society, it didn’t take long for someone to find something interesting.

It was a post uploaded to the forums by an account with no history... and yet, it had already climbed to the top of the site.

There was only one blurry image, but what it showed was clear enough to the Rifters... The outer part of the image was consumed by a gigantic burning golden tree, its branches stretching toward the sky, covering nearly half the battlefield.

Below the burning tree stood a lonesome figure... a mere silhouette without any visible features... Yet, every Rifter recognized the location and the man.

Akira Sol was among the first to turn in the direction of Levi, who stood at the far corner of the hall... his entire form cloaked in darkness, leaving only the three Celestial Stars lit under the soft, dim lights.

’A Dominion under the Sun Laws...’

She stared at the image and zoomed in on the burning tree, her expression quite cold... she was the first to confirm the Dominion’s legitimacy, as she could recognize any Aspect under the Sun Laws with her eyes closed.

Why?

”Celestial... you have my congratulations on your evolution. Cherish it, for it shall be your last.”

Half of Akira’s body transformed into rugged black flesh, burning golden veins coursing through it like molten rivers, while the other half remained fair and untouched... Then, she raised a blazing fist toward him and announced, her voice as regal and proud as a Queen passing judgment from her throne.

”As one who bears the noble blood of the Radians, I cannot permit such filth to tarnish our sacred purity. By my blood and birthright, I shall see you vanquished!”

As the last statement echoed three times inside the silent hall, the rest of the Rifters showed mixed reactions... some were intrigued, some unbothered, and most quite delighted to have the two most feared opponents at odds with each other from the start.