522 The Storm Is Brewing
With a loud depressurizing hiss and a soft thunk, Gabby and Melody exited their VR Capsules and stood in line with the rest of MyrkLys. Standing beside her capsule, Gabby confirmed her suspicions and saw the terrified expressions painted on Romeoville’s faces, causing a slight smile not too unlike Cynrik’s to creep onto her lips.
“COUGH, uh, Team Captains, to the center of the room.” The head referee cleared his throat loudly and ushered Cynrik and Derrek to the same position they had taken after every Event. Contrary to his previous actions, instead of rushing forward as he had the last two events, Derrek froze like a deer in headlights.
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Eventually, after a coaxing glare of impatience from the Referee, Derrek moved robotically and took his place on the opposite side of Cynrik to get his hand raised.
“The Accuracy Event Victory goes to Romeoville. With the additional 5 points from their win, the score is now 20-20. In accordance with the Rules Commission guidelines, a Tie-Breaker Event is established if both teams have equal points at the end of the Round.
In the case of the early rounds, the Tie-Breaker event will be a Team Battle.” The Referee released Derrek’s wrist, allowing the young man to drop his arm before delving into the end-of-round procedures.
“The Team Battle event is, as its name states, a Join Combative Battle between all team members. The win condition for this Event is simple, the last team standing wins and receives five additional points, earning themselves victory in the Round.”
“Since VSFA lost the third Round, they have the right to choose the map the Tie-Breaker event takes place in, Cynrik Jetlensr; which map do you wish to choose? If you need a moment to pick from the list, that is fine.”
Looking toward Cynrik for his answer, the Referee was surprised to find the young man chuckling softly.
“No need, sir; we will go with the same open field where the Swarm Event took place,” Cynrik stated in a clear and deep voice, causing Derrek to flinch again like a cat whose tail was stepped on.
“The Map has been decided; there will be a slight alteration to the venue, as the Egress Break will not be present. Be advised that Avatar Death is the only way to leave the Team Battle Event.”
“As always, the use of Recovery items is banned, and if you plan on using a Tamed Beast or Pet, you must have them in your capsule with you.” As he spoke, the second Ref went to each capsule and tapped his Watcet on it, ensuring they were all preloaded with the correct map, then took his position behind the head Referee.
“Upon entering your capsules, there will be a 10-minute break, where everyone will load into a temporary holding room to discuss their strategy for the Event. When the timer reaches zero, you will all be teleported to the Endless Prarie Map. Romeoville, VSFA, enter your capsules.” Stepping back and watching the two captains with narrowed eyes, the Referee gave his command, and what he worried would happen happened.
“Hehe, Derrek Boy, you shouldn’t have pissed me off; get ready; I hope you are prepared to get ripped limb from limb. I will soak the green fields in the blood of you and your little fuckbuddy teammates, so bring your “A” game, kiddo, because you pissed off the wrong fucking guy.” Tilting his head to the side and releasing another “Kuekue,” Cynrik spun on his heels and went to his capsule.
He didn’t even bother checking over his shoulder to see the effect he had on Derrek because just as he turned, the Captain of Romeoville nearly broke his teeth by gritting them so hard, and the thin thread of sanity in his mind snapped.
“FUCK YOU, CYNRIK; THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A FRIENDLY TOURNAMENT, NOT A PLACE FOR YOU TO TORTURE OTHER STUDENTS!” Summoning all his courage, Derrek stepped forward and flared out a combination of Killing Intent and Aura, attempting to suppress Cynrik.
And at first, he thought he had succeeded because when the pressure bore down on his opponent, Cynrik stopped in place for half a beat before spinning around, pulling down his hood, tilting his head to the side, and with a wild look in his eyes, replied using a twisted tone.
“Oh ho ho, look at that; what do we have here? What’s this? I see a stupid, miserable mongrel who thinks his weak excuse of 2g KIN and a little Aura is enough to stop me.” With a wave of his hand, the bright aura and KIN vanished into nothing, shocking the Referees and, most of all, Derrek.
Cynrik’s dismissing the suppression on his body created a sound similar to glass shattering, which entered the ears of everyone present, followed by a shudder of backlash washing over Derrek’s body.
However, he didn’t have time to think because when his KIN and Aura were shattered, Cynrik returned the attack with 4g of KIN. The force of which slammed Derrek to the ground on his belly.
“I…I…I am not afraid of you.” Struggling to speak, Derrek uttered, earning him another taunt.
“Tell that to the trail of piss leaking down your leg, anyway, save it for the battlefield, dipshit; now get your ass in the capsule so I can alter your annoying personality one slice at a time.” Cutting off his KIN, Cynrik walked forward and made eye contact with the stunned Referee.
“Don’t bother throwing the rule book at that moron; I want him in the next match. He isn’t physically injured; I didn’t use enough KIN to kill him, only flatten him to the ground.” Turning his head, Cynrik met the expectant gaze of his team, pulled up his hood, and smirked at them.
MyrkLys knew what he would say next, so they all took a step forward, away from their Capsules, and stood at attention. At the same time, Cynrik popped the hatch of his VR Capsule and addressed the Referees, Romeoville, and most importantly, the invisible Camera drones.
“I, alone, am enough to handle a group of third-string lackeys; the rest of my team will not be entering the Team battle; as the Captain of my team, our failure is my burden to bear alone. Thus, I will turn this into a spectacle for you watching at home, a 1v7 match, so get those betting pools started, ’cause I’m about to make some of you rich.” With that said, Cynrik ignored everyone, left Vii and Sie in his [Mark of the Tamer], and laid down in the VR Capsule.
—
In the Pinhurst Mansion, everyone sat with their mouths wide open, staring at the HoloTv screen with dumbfounded expressions.
“Pppffftt HAHAHA I’ll be damned, Cynrik’s really done it this time, HHAAHAHAhA! Rikard, do as your boy said; throw some money in that betting app.” Slaping the armrest of his recliner in excitement, Jessup howled.
“That knucklehead, what has he gotten himself into this time.” Rickard shook his head with a light smile; he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t excited to see how hotblooded his oldest son was acting. Then abiding by the older man’s words, Rikard opened several betting sites and emptied his bank account, putting his money on Cynrik.
“That brat is too cocky and overconfident.” Shaking her head and expecting the worst, Maeve rolled Aiden off her lap to the young boy’s glee and got up to use the bathroom, leaving a worried Cinyah quiet.
‘You rascal, would it kill you to shift the burden to your teammates for once? Why must you always play the big brother role for everyone.’ Cinyah thought. She had noticed it when the boys were younger, but Cynrik had at some point developed a habit of taking the blame for everything and carrying the burden alone.
What she saw was no different from if Brance broke something, but instead of letting his little brother get in trouble, Cynrik took the blame and got punished alone.