NOVPUB
Chapter 333: 333
"Last but not the least, The planet replica is in constant motion, and the boundaries between zones shift unpredictably. A competitor might find themselves suddenly transitioning from the serene calm of the Water Zone to the fiery heat of the Fire Zone, or from the solid ground of the Earth Zone to the endless sky of the Wind Zone. This unpredictability keeps the competitors on edge, testing their adaptability and strategy"
A hologram of the event inside the replica appeared for everyone to see. Then, the announcer spoke again, "Look under your seats. You will all find a prop that will allow you to view the competitors of your choice."
"Let the game begin!" Fireworks shot up into the sky, followed by the sharp sound of a whistle.
Inside the game, as the announcement echoed, everyone was on high alert, expecting to be dropped into a dangerous zone. To their surprise, they found themselves in a favorable location—though they were not alone.
The mermen, upon seeing the ocean, wasted no time and immediately dove into the water. The Ripple Clan, aware that they could never outrun the mermen in the sea, quickly reacted. They used their mastery of the water element, which gave them an extra bounce to their steps, allowing them to run across the surface of the water toward an island where they spotted a large flag.
The third group, the werewolves, were also dropped into the ocean zone. Upon seeing the Ripple Clan in motion, the werewolves howled and dropped to all fours, leaping towards the sea. But as they landed, the water froze beneath them, giving them solid ice to run on.
Hearing the crackling of ice behind them, the Ripple Clan glanced back to see the sea freezing over, rapidly catching up to them. Without hesitation, every Ripple Clan member followed the mermen into the ocean.
From beneath the sea, the Ripple Clan watched the ice form above them, with the werewolves running across it. Once the werewolves passed, the Ripple Clan broke through the ice and climbed up.
A Ripple Clan member with a white fur raised her hand, and instantly, her fellow clan members received ice-skating shoes. They immediately began skating on the frozen surface left behind by the werewolves.
The announcer’s voice boomed through the arena once more, filling the air with excitement as the audience leaned forward in anticipation, eyes glued to the holograms showcasing the unfolding action. "And look at that! The competitors are already adapting in unexpected ways! The Werewolves’ freezing tactic has backfired—turning the ocean into an icy racetrack!"
The Ripple Clan, now skating with remarkable speed, expertly navigated the frozen expanse left behind by the werewolves. Each member maintained perfect synchronization, the ice skates their fellow clan member conjured enhancing their fluidity. They glided swiftly, eyes locked on the island ahead, where the first flag fluttered in the distance.
"Now that’s the ingenuity of the Ripple Clan, folks!" the announcer roared. "They’re using their water mastery to flow like the ocean itself, even on ice!"
Meanwhile, the mermen had already disappeared into the depths of the ocean, their sleek forms cutting through the water like blades. They had a significant advantage in this zone, and their swift movement through the underwater currents brought them closer to the flag. However, beneath the surface, dangers loomed. Giant, elemental sea creatures—serpents made of pure water—had begun to stir, drawn to the sudden flurry of movement.
"Watch out, mermen! The elemental beasts are waking up!" the announcer warned as the audience gasped, watching serpentine shadows dart beneath the waves. The creatures’ glowing blue eyes shone through the water, and the mermen’s momentum slowed as they prepared for combat.
Back on the ice, the werewolves were gaining ground rapidly. Their enhanced senses and raw strength made them fearsome competitors, and they closed the gap between themselves and the skating Ripple Clan. One werewolf, larger than the others and covered in silver-gray fur, let out a powerful howl. His pack responded in kind, leaping higher with each bound. The frozen surface cracked under their sheer power as they hurtled forward, aiming to take down the Ripple Clan.
But the Ripple Clan was ready. The lead skater—a young woman with streaks of frost woven into her hair—thrust her hand forward. Ice shards shot from her palm, creating obstacles that sprouted across the ice. The werewolves, though fast, were forced to dodge and weave, slowing their advance. 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝖕𝖚𝖇.𝖈𝔬𝔪
"And it’s a battle of wits versus strength now! The Ripple Clan is using their environment like true masters. But will it be enough to hold off those ferocious werewolves?" the announcer teased, the crowd roaring in response.
Suddenly, a deep rumble echoed across the zone. The ground shook, and from beneath the frozen sea, the mermen burst upwards, riding massive waves they had summoned from the depths. Water crashed onto the ice, sending chunks of it flying into the air, and momentarily throwing off both the Ripple Clan and the werewolves.
The Ripple Clan, caught off guard, struggled to regain balance, while the werewolves growled in frustration, scrambling for footholds. But the mermen, having successfully diverted the sea creatures’ attention elsewhere, now rode atop powerful jets of water. With momentum on their side, they surged toward the flag.
"Unbelievable!" The announcer’s voice cracked with excitement. "The mermen are pulling off an incredible comeback, using the ocean itself to propel them toward victory! But look at the Ripple Clan—they’re not done yet!"
In a desperate move, the ice-clad leader of the Ripple Clan raised both hands, and the frozen ocean below cracked, forming massive glaciers. These jagged icebergs shot up from beneath the waves, blocking the mermen’s path as the Ripple Clan surged forward once more, using their skates to zip between the towering structures.
But before they could celebrate their clever maneuver, the ground shifted again. Without warning, the boundaries between the zones fluctuated, and a wave of heat hit the arena. The sea began to boil, and a thick cloud of steam rose, obscuring the view.
"The zones are shifting!" cried the announcer, his voice rising over the noise. "Water gives way to fire—who will survive the transition?"
Everyone in the water zone sensed the shift. The appearance of flames in the distance sent a ripple of tension through the competitors. As beings with water attributes, they knew that fire would pose a serious problem. No one spoke, but a collective understanding passed through them.
The Ripple Clan huddled together, their faces tight with focus. Slowly, the seawater around them began to swirl and rise, gathering into a massive sphere that encased the entire clan. Suspended within, they floated higher and higher, their water orb lifting them into the air.
The mermen acted in unison as well. The gentle waves they had been gliding on started to ripple and change when the mermaid on their team began to sing. Her voice was haunting and powerful, weaving through the air, and the water responded. It surged upward and solidified, morphing into a colossal water elemental octopus. The giant creature’s tentacles stretched beneath the mermen, lifting them as it ascended into the sky, cradling the group as they prepared for whatever came next.
On the other hand, the werewolves were visibly uncomfortable. The rising heat from the fire zone was starting to affect them, their thick fur and heavy armor causing sweat to glisten on their brows. Unlike the others who worked as teams, the werewolves chose to act individually. As the temperature rose, frost began to form around their bodies, encasing them in armor made of ice. Each werewolf stomped on the solid ice beneath their feet and leapt into the air, propelled high above, waiting for the moment the zone would change.
The air grew tense as the entire water zone began flickering, fire creeping into view. Every competitor held their breath, hoping to land safely when the transition occurred. All were airborne now, and the moment the zone flickered again, the fire was gone—replaced by thick, rolling white clouds.
Panic surged through them. Their meticulous preparations, tailored for the fire zone, were now useless. None of them could fly, and they were now free-falling from the sky.
Meanwhile, in another section of the arena, the Earth Zone was alive with activity. The Terra Clan, Harpies, Zephyr Clan, and Apeling students found themselves in a rocky, mountainous region interspersed with thick forests.
Without hesitation, the Harpies launched into the air, their feathered wings slicing through the sky with a single goal in sight: the highest mountain, which stood proudly with a flag at its peak. Their eyes locked onto the prize, and they beat their wings harder, pushing toward the summit.
The Terra Clan, in stark contrast, moved without sound. Though their heavy steps usually shook the ground, this time, they sank into the earth with ease, their bodies melding with the rock and soil. Like fish through water, they swam underground, racing upward toward the same mountain at speeds that rivaled the harpies.
