The Return Of The God Level Assassin

Chapter 1216: THE START OF THE FINALS

LUO YANʼs gaze shifted to the opposite side of the stage where team Celestials stood. He recognized their captain Michael, whose real name was Li Xu Min, and Jophiel, known in real life as Song Liuli. Given how famous both players had become, their personal information and backgrounds were practically public knowledge at this point, easily accessible with a quick search.

So seeing them in person wasnʼt particularly surprising. Even seeing the real person behind Uriel failed to shock him. Because that guyʼs irritating expression looked exactly the same in real life as it did in-game. From the silver-rimmed glasses to his posture to that permanently condescending stare, everything matched perfectly. The only genuine surprises came when Luo Yan finally saw Gabrielʼs and Azraelʼs players for the first time.

Gabrielʼs real-life appearance contrasted sharply with his in-game avatar. His buzz cut, sun-tanned skin, and heavily muscular build—clearly from rigorous training—were completely different from his avatarʼs blond-haired, clean-cut look with its more refined proportions.

Azraelʼs real-world look was just as surprising. His messy hair hanging over his eyes and thin frame didnʼt match his avatarʼs tidy, well-groomed appearance at all.

Lin Haoyu raised his hand, quieting the cheering crowd. ”Now that weʼve introduced both teams,” he announced, ”itʼs time for them to enter Arcadia—with a special twist!”

Jiang Xinyi picked up smoothly, her voice bright with excitement. ”For the first time ever, todayʼs match will use Moonlight Mediaʼs newly developed VR pods!” She gestured dramatically toward the pod stations. ”These cutting-edge systems deliver an experience far beyond standard VR helmets—more immersive, more realistic, every sensation heightened.”

Lin Haoyu added, ”And hereʼs exclusive news—these pods arenʼt available commercially yet.” He paused as the crowd murmured in anticipation. ”But after todayʼs finals, Moonlight Media will release one hundred limited units! Reservations open tonight on their official website—first come, first served.”

Jiang Xinyi clapped her hands together. ”Now, players—please enter your pods!”

As if on cue, the ten pods hissed open simultaneously. One by one, the players stepped forward—team Yunyue on the left, Celestials on the right—and climbed into their assigned pods. They lay back like astronauts settling into cryo-chambers, arms resting at their sides. The moment each player was positioned, the podʼs glass canopy slid shut with a soft click, sealing them inside.

Luo Yan had expected the pod to feel claustrophobic, but the moment he lay down, his vision suddenly expanded—the confined space vanishing as he was plunged into a vast sea of swirling data.

A screen then appeared in front of him.

[Please enter your username.]

Luo Yan typed ʼNoctisʼ, and instantly his surroundings shifted—he now stood on the stage at Lunaris Valeʼs central plaza. What surprised him was how seamless it felt. Unlike when using the VR helmet, there was no disorienting lurch or momentary dizziness—just pure, instantaneous transition.

”Wow. Thatʼs the smoothest teleport Iʼve ever felt,” Bai Ze muttered. ”Iʼm definitely reserving one of these pods.”

”Good luck with that,” Luo Jin said, fully aware how many people would be fighting to get one.

Luo Yan glanced across the stage at team Celestials, where Li Xu Min and Song Liuli were waving at the crowd with bright smiles—a move that sent the already frenzied audience into another wave of screams. He raised an eyebrow. Those two certainly knew how to play to the crowd.

”Welcome, our two final teams,” a voice boomed from overhead.

They looked up to see a tall man floating midair—his jet-black hair slicked back perfectly save for a few rebellious strands on his forehead. Dressed head-to-toe in black—tailcoat, tie, dress shirt, trousers, and polished shoes—he cut an imposing figure. A monocle covered one of his dark purple eyes, while a spade-shaped black earring swayed slightly from one earlobe as he hovered above them.

The Duke of Spades touched down soundlessly on the stage.

”For the final battle to crown this yearʼs Arcadia Cup champion, youʼll be deployed to opposite sides of Lunaris Vale. Each team will have one member secretly assigned as a target. Eliminate the enemy teamʼs target, and you claim immediate victory.”

He paused, letting the stakes sink in. ”But heed this—the target cannot reveal their role to their teammates. Any attempt to communicate this, whether through words, gestures, or any other means, will result in instant disqualification and the opposing team would automatically be declared the winner.”

With a flourish of his coat, he concluded: ”Of course, the traditional approach still stands. Wipe out the entire enemy team, and the victory is yours. This remains a Battle Royale, after all. The choice of strategy is yours to make.”

The Duke of Spades brought his gloved hands together in a single, sharp clap that echoed through the plaza. ”Let the final match begin!”

The moment the Duke finished speaking, twin bursts of light enveloped both teams—one carrying team Yunyue eastward, the other sweeping team Celestials west in a brilliant flash.

Luo Yan marveled once again at the complete lack of sensation during the teleportation—as if heʼd simply blinked and found himself in a new location. Speaking of new location, his eyes swept across the vast field of flowers now surrounding them.

Before he could speak to the others, a system notification suddenly appeared in front of them.

[The match will begin in 15 minutes. Please use this time to discuss your strategies. Additionally, summoning pets during this match is prohibited. We wish all participants the best of luck!]

”Okay, so no dragons or Eclipse,” Bai Ze said, referencing the pet restriction. ”Whatʼs the plan now?”

”What else, we can only fly on Shen Ji Yunʼs back,” Su Yuqi said, her tone matter-of-fact.

Bai Zeʼs eyes lit up at the suggestion. ”Right! Ji Yun can shift to his qilin form and carry us west.”

”Or we could stay here and set traps,” Luo Jin suggested.

”Staying here will only turn us into sitting ducks,” Shen Ji Yun said. ”Especially since we donʼt have much cover here,” he added, looking around the vast flower field.

As the others were discussing, Luo Yan couldnʼt take his eyes away from the notification floating in front of him.

[You are chosen as the target.]