Era of Players: Death God

At that very moment, Lilith received the points awarded by Gareth Emery. The ranking was swiftly updated, and Noah, upon checking his smart bracelet, was disheartened to see the current standings. welcome-to-NovelFire

"Damn it! She's already surpassed me," he exclaimed, not caring that Arthur was standing right beside him.

Arthur was taken aback to witness Noah's loss of the first-place position he had secured just an hour ago.

"She's a force to be reckoned with," Arthur muttered under his breath, prompting Noah to nod in agreement.

"Well, so am I. I'm going to take off now. See you later," Noah declared before vanishing into the depths of the forest, leaving Arthur behind. The latter let out a sigh.

"I suppose I should get to work as well. I need to increase my points and stay within the top 5. It would be a shame otherwise. Well, the more challenging it is, the more fun it becomes," Arthur said to himself as he disappeared in a different direction.

Unlike those with villainous roles, ordinary students like Arthur could earn points by slaying monsters. He just had to defeat more of them to reclaim his spot in the top five. It wasn't an unachievable quest. He aimed to surpass both Lilith and Noah, those two formidable opponents. Hopefully, his friend Noah would emerge as the ultimate victor, though it wouldn't be an easy feat.

•••

In the depths of the dense forest, Noah prowled stealthily, his eyes fixed on his unsuspecting prey. A group of five students was engaged in a battle against a pack of goblins. From their movements, it was evident that their skill levels were mediocre, likely ranging from 17 to 20. For Noah, this was child's play.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. This was the perfect opportunity to accumulate points and regain his lead. With a silent command, he sprang into action, materializing like a phantom in the midst of the oblivious group. His blades moved with lethal grace, a whirlwind of steel that left the five students stunned and defeated.

In a matter of minutes, it was all over. The goblins lay lifeless, the students vanquished, and Noah's point tally surged by a hundred, catapulting him back to the top of the leaderboard. There was no time for celebration. This was merely the beginning. He needed a substantial lead over Lilith this time, a buffer zone that couldn't be easily bridged.

Fuelled by an unwavering determination not to be surpassed by anyone, Noah vanished once more, blending into the depths of the forest. The hunt was on, and the stakes had never been higher. It was no longer just about winning the competition; it was about proving himself, not only to Lilith but to his own self. He was Noah, and he wouldn't be dethroned without a fierce struggle.

Noah's desire to reclaim the top spot was insatiable. Despite holding a comfortable 80-point lead over Lilith, an unsettling feeling crept into his gut. He knew she wouldn't back down easily. Driven by an unwavering determination, he pushed himself beyond his limits. The forest became his hunting ground, and unsuspecting students became his prey.

He engaged in battles with a fierce intensity, swiftly and mercilessly claiming victory.

As night fell, the once lively forest fell into an eerie silence. Noah stood amidst the aftermath, his point total reaching an astonishing 500. News of his relentless rampage spread like wildfire, earning him and Lilith a chilling new nickname - The Madmen.

Lilith, fueled by her own fire, was not far behind. She too left a trail of defeated students in her wake, accumulating a respectable 430 points. Their relentless pursuit forced most of the remaining participants into hiding, transforming the already fierce competition into a desperate struggle for survival, all because of their actions.

A few hours later.

Amidst the chaos and destruction he had caused, a glimmer of normality flickered within Noah. Night had descended, enveloping the forest in an inky darkness, broken only by the occasional glow of bioluminescent creatures. Though exhausted, Noah sought solace in a small clearing, distancing himself from the unsettling silence that weighed heavily in the air.

With practiced ease, he set up his tent, a sanctuary amidst the madness. A crackling fire breathed life into the surroundings, casting dancing shadows on the walls of his canvas shelter. Retrieving a plump rabbit from his survival pack, a trophy from his most recent encounter, Noah began to clean it with efficient precision. A strange sense of routine settled upon him, momentarily easing his mind.

As the fire crackled and hissed, Noah delved deeper into his pack, a triumphant smile forming on his face. Amongst the rations and emergency supplies lay two hidden treasures - a pouch of rice and a couple of chilled beer cans, acquired from an abandoned student's stash. It was a modest feast, but tonight it held a deeper significance.

It symbolized a stolen moment of normalcy, a celebration of his unwavering grasp on the top spot.

Skewering the rabbit over the fire, the aroma of cooking meat filled the air, providing a welcome contrast to the oppressive silence that had settled over the forest. As he cooked, his thoughts drifted back to the events of the day - the relentless pursuit, the fear-stricken faces of those he had defeated. A pang of unease settled in his stomach. This was not the competition he had signed up for.

The bond he had shared with Arthur by the waterfall now felt like a distant memory.

Cracking open a beer can, the hiss of escaping gas offered a momentary distraction. Taking a long sip, the cold liquid washed away some of the dirt and tension that clung to him.

Noah's body ached with exhaustion, a satisfying pain after a day of pushing himself to the brink. He immersed himself in the refreshing water of a nearby stream, a small indulgence amidst the intense competition. As the sun descended, casting long shadows across the forest floor, the scene transformed into a palette of orange and purple hues.

Emerging from the water, a sense of tranquility washed over Noah. The final showdown with Lilith awaited him tomorrow, determining the fate of the competition. Yet, amidst the chaos that had consumed the past few days, an unusual serenity settled within him.

Retreating to his tent, the familiar canvas walls provided solace from the prying eyes of the forest. Unfurling his sleeping bag, he gazed at the sliver of sky visible through the tent flap. A breathtaking tapestry of stars glittered above, resembling countless scattered diamonds against the dark expanse. It was a sight he often overlooked, a reminder of the world beyond this twisted game.

A solitary shooting star streaked across the night sky, leaving behind a fleeting trail of light. Noah closed his eyes, silently making a wish.

With a sigh, he rolled onto his side, lulled by the rhythmic chirping of crickets in the stillness of the night. Sleep, however, eluded him. Thoughts of Lilith relentlessly pursuing him plagued his mind, reminding him of how close he had come to defeat.

Noah shook his head.

Tonight, he would cherish the tranquility, the stars, and the fragile flicker of hope within him.

The next morning, the forest awoke to a sky ablaze with golden sunlight. It was the final day of the grueling survival test, and the tension crackled in the air like static electricity. Noah emerged from his tent, his muscles protesting slightly from the previous day's exertion. Yet, a resolute glint shone in his eyes.

He'd managed to hold onto his lead, with Lilith snapping at his heels – a mere 20 points separated them.

The silence was broken by a sudden shimmer in the air, followed by the materialized forms of the teachers. The Survival Test was over. With a wave of their hands, the students were teleported back to the familiar grounds of the academy, a collective gasp escaping their lips as they reappeared in the training grounds.

The once vibrant forest, now eerily silent, became a distant memory. The competition, a whirlwind of violence and desperation, was reduced to hushed whispers and nervous glances.

As the students regrouped, a holographic display materialized in front of them, showcasing the final rankings. Noah found his name etched at the very top. He stole a glance at Lilith, her expression unreadable as she stood a few paces away. She seemed to want to say something to her but before she could,

A booming voice filled the training grounds, the Headmaster addressing the students.

"Welcome back, students. You have all endured a challenging test, one that pushed you to your limits." His gaze swept across the crowd, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.

"There will be a time for debriefing and analysis later," he continued. "But for now, get some rest. You've all earned it."

With that, the teachers dispersed, leaving the students to grapple with the aftermath of the competition.

Lilith approached Noah, causing him to halt and turn towards her.

"What's up?" he inquired.

"Could you lend me a hand? I'll fill you in on the specifics later. Let's swap numbers," she suggested. Noah agreed, his curiosity piqued as to what she needed his assistance with.