73 - We Are the Champions

“It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten to do one of these new world introductions, but I have to say that you all made it very interesting this year,” says Sam. “Quite a few of you were very… industrious. Very creative. It was rather fun to watch.

“Now, technically, this awards ceremony could be held later, or could be completely omitted, but what’s life without a bit of public spectacle? Will this put a target on the backs of the winners? Perhaps. But that’s just something they’ll have to deal with. I’m sure you all are burning with curiosity anyways.

“The fifth place team used the interesting strategy of purchasing information on the other teams beforehand and targeting the most promising ones. Through a healthy dose of ambush and murder, they managed to accumulate a grand total of 35,956 points! That team is the ‘Good Guys’ team, and I invite them to join me in the center so I can make a little podium!”

A smaller stone circle floats up toward one of the larger ones on the opposite, and after a brief commotion that I can’t see because it’s above me, the circle descends with six people standing on it, not looking particularly pleased with their position.

I frown as they float down. I expected some of this murder to be happening, but if the fifth place team had over 35,000 points, that doesn’t bode well for us. I have no idea how much the others got, but I doubt that our normal gains are much higher than 20,000. It doesn’t help that I wasn’t able to collect many of the ant trophies as I killed them. If I could have collected them all, I don’t think it would have been close.

Also, does every team have a team name? Do we have a team name? If we do, why was I not told?

“The team in fourth place actually killed more people than the fifth place team, despite not having any targeted hits. Instead, they spent their time in the desert region. They claimed one of the larger oases, and demanded tribute from other teams to be able to stay there. Of course, if the other teams refused to pay tribute, they were attacked and killed. Quite an intelligent strategy, and it earned them a full 38,221 points! I now call team Landlords to the podium!”

Another small circle detaches from Sam’s platform and approaches one of the ones on the side. This time, it’s below ours so I can see what happens. Once the small circle reaches the larger one, two oum constructs appear wearing armor and holding swords. The silent threat is enough that despite their obvious reluctance, team Landlords steps onto the platform where they hovered slightly higher than team Good Guys.

It’s interesting that Sam has decided to expose these people to the public. I’m sure that both of these teams would rather their methods not be exposed like this. I’m sure that it’s all intentional, and designed to, as he said, put targets on the backs of the winners, but I’m not sure why. It also makes me wonder why the challenges in this Tower seem designed to kill anyone not strong or lucky enough to come out victorious. Why is Sam setting it up this way? I didn’t think about it when I was talking to him, but if he’s still as eager to answer when I go back to the Legacy, I’m going to have to ask him some very pointed questions.

“The third place team didn’t kill a single person. Not during the Starter Quest, at least. Rather, their strategy was to unite their entire Batch and pool their resources together. How they managed to convince every single, I’ll leave to your imagination, but it should be noted that their Batch has about twenty fewer people than it had when they entered the dorms. Congratulations to team Team 2 for reaching third place with 46,101 points! Yes, their team name is Team 2.”

This time, when the small platform arrives, the team in question refuses to embark. One of them starts shouting something at the constructs. A few seconds later, the team gets on the platform carrying their unconscious comrade. 

“Of course, none of these strategies were unique amongst the participants. There were others who tried targeting other groups or controlling an area or working with other teams to pool resources with varying degrees of success. The second place is yet another of these, and just like the fifth place team, team Good Guys, they did their research to find promising targets. However, rather than targeting talented groups, they looked for the groups that were targeting the promising groups. As it turns out, if you don’t pay your information brokers to hide your identity, it’s quite cheap for others to buy information on what you bought. This team managed to locate and kill not one, but two teams that would have taken 5th place if they had made it back to their platforms with their spoils. Great work, team Bob for achieving second place with 82,632 points!”

Wow, that’s a big point jump. That means that either the mushroom I brought back was worth 10,000 points or less, or it was worth more than 100,000 points, because if it was worth anything in between, I think we would have placed in the top 5. Fingers crossed that it’s the latter, but if it’s not, that would be unfortunately. Still, we at least placed very high, so we should get some good stuff. Probably. 

“Now, before I announce the first place team, I have a few honorable mentions to list. There’s no bonus reward beyond unasked for fame, but I thought it would be good to recognize these groups for their impressive accomplishments.

“First, the team that killed the most people. They placed in 21st overall with 22,498 points, and unlike the 2nd and 5th place teams, they did not do any research. They simply wantonly slaughtered their way through the Eastern jungle stealing whatever they could. With a total of 238 people killed, they beat the second place for most killed by over 100. Let’s give it up for team No Name!

“There were many teams that didn’t kill anyone, but one stood out above the rest. This team managed to achieve 18th place with 23,134 points, and not only did they not kill anyone, they didn’t even take anything from other teams. Every single point is their own. Great work, team Black Ops!”

For the first time, there’s an actual round of applause from the spectators. The honorable mentions get their own little platforms too, and the group standing on this one looks quite proud of themselves. A few of them are even waving to the crowd. I suppose that after Sam exposed the methods of the other teams, being recognized for doing anything else was a good thing. Mostly. It also puts a target on their back, but the positive attention probably feels good.

“Our final honorable mention goes to a team that is no longer a team. This team started out with the full eight, but in an unfortunate encounter, all but one were killed. However, even without teammates, the lone member of this team managed to gather a total of 9,257 points on their own. If there were eight of him, that would be enough to put their team in third place! Let’s give a big round of applause to team Hunters!”

This team also earns a round of applause, though a much more subdued one, especially after seeing the remaining member. It’s a gaunt man with dark circles under his eyes and tattered, bloodstained clothes. He limps onto the platform, and while he holds his head high, I recognize the look in his eyes. He’s empty inside.

“Now, I know you’re all eager to know, so let’s not waste any more time and get straight to the first place team! This team did kill one other team, but it was arguably justified, and the points that they gained from doing so were negligible to their final total. This team is the one that you might be able to call the luckiest team in the competition. They managed to stumble onto the most valuable item on the entire Floor, and by merit of that alone, without any of their other items, they claimed victory.”

Ah, so it was 100,000. That’s good. 

“With 5,026,350 points, 5,000,000 of which came from that one item, they took 1st place by an insurmountable margin. Congratulations to The Phoenix and Her Chicks!”

I immediately turn to Kat, the only one who would have done this. As soon as I make eye contact with her, she bursts into laughter. The others on my team are looking at me with looks of mixed awe and confusion, while the rest of our Batch is looking at us with envy. As we float down toward the center with the other top placing groups, I can feel the envious gazes of basically every single person in the arena. 

“I see that many of you are unhappy about this, but in case you have not done the math, this team still obtained 26,350 points without that item. If we exclude items gained from killing the other group that they killed, they would still have 25,750 points, which puts them above any other group that didn’t kill, and would have earned them 15th place.”

Is Sam defending us?

“Alright, let’s give one final round of applause for the victors of this grand Starter Quest.”

The clapping is loud due to the sheer number of people in the arena, but it also feels subdued, given the nature of most of the people being congratulated. 

“All groups, you’ll be able to retrieve your trophies from this arena starting at sunrise tomorrow morning. Until then, go get some rest!”

Sam waves his hands, and with a surge of oum, our surroundings change once again, and we appear back in the same room that we departed from. Ganyu is waiting for us in an armchair by the front of the room, and doesn’t bother to stand when we arrive. He just looks up casually as we appear and speaks. 

“If you have any questions or concerns, I am available. Otherwise, you’re free. Do whatever you want.”

As if waiting for his words, the Batch immediately begins to split up and return to their rooms. I’m sure that, like me, they all want to get into their bathrooms to shower as soon as possible. I have a team giving me some questioning looks, but an explanation can wait. Actually, it’s not necessary at all. They don’t need to know about the Phoenix’s Legacy. I don’t want them there while I’m trying to concentrate. Maybe I’ll tell them after I’ve claimed it.

“I’m going to shower,” I say. “Good night.”

I turn to walk away, but someone grabs my sleeve.

“Wait,” says Vanessa. “Bella, can I talk to you?”

“I want to shower.”

“After?”

I don’t want to say yes, but from the look in her eyes, it’s something serious. I probably shouldn’t ignore it. But I also don’t want to ruin my shower.

“In the morning.”

She nods. “Okay.”

She lets go of my sleeve, leaving me free to go. Thankfully, no one else stops me, and as soon as I enter my room, I strip my clothes off and practically leap into the shower. I’ll need to tell Henry to disintegrate those clothes because their filthy and smell like ant, but that’ll have to wait. It’s hot spring waterfall time. 

Four hours later, I leave the bathroom feeling very clean and very refreshed. I ring the bell to summon Henry to clean up, then flop down into bed and immediately pass out. When I wake up, it’s well into the morning. I probably missed Ganyu’s Lesson. Does he even have a Lesson today? Well, it probably wasn’t important anyway.

I don’t get out of bed immediately. For a little while, I just lay there as Trinity snuggles up under my arm. I should get up and do something productive, but I also promised that conversation with Vanessa, and once I get up, I’ll have to do that.

…

Alright, I just need to get it over with. What am I even dreading? Time to stop wasting time. Let’s see what she wants.