"Congratulations Hotpot on becoming the newest champions of Crunaboul!"
As Maycos let out a loud shout, the light figures standing in front turned around, either nodding or saluting, as if they truly accepted Hotpot as one of their own. Heroic music accompanied the scene. The audience cheered in awe. At this moment Liam and his friends indeed felt like great champions.
Suddenly Maycos held out her hand. Skillbooks appeared above them one after another. Curiously using inspect everyone's breath suddenly quickened. Every skillbook contained spells specifically tailored towards them with their main focus being on PvP. Unfortunately, the skills were sealed for three days so as to not affect the tournament.
After giving out the rewards Maycos gradually wrapped things up. Soon the team contest finale was officially over. Like most others Liam and his friends didn't stay in the game.
As soon as Liam opened his eyes in the real world, he was jumped at by his sister.
"You won! You won! Haha!"
Seeing Serena like this Liam couldn't help but smile.
"Yes, we won indeed."
Liam played with Serena for a bit. When Merida was done with her work she had already hear about Liam's achievement, congratulating him as well. She offered to prepare a celebratory meal, but Liam rejected it.
Merida wasn't surprised as Liam explained that he would meet with his friends.
A while later he left the house together with Serena. They arrived at One Thousand Tastes and were allowed to enter through a door at the back, heading straight for a private room.
This was unfortunately necessary since 'journalists' had started to tail Hotpot's more public members like Silver Blade and Fortune. Although Liam didn't care that much about his identity being revealed, now was not the right time.
If people found out where he lived right now, they might besiege him day and night. It was smarter to lay low for now until they moved into the gaming house.
The situation was somewhat uncomfortable but as the friends arrived one by one, they didn't think more about it and joyfully celebrated together.
Afterwards Cyclone again tried to invite her friends over but unfortunately no one indulged her this time.
Everyone returned to their own homes, took a long sleep, and entered the game the next day. Immediately the conversations of Dream Avenue's members reached their ears.
"Damn, our leaders are so fierce!"
"Yeah, Hotpot is awesome!"
"So many people are coming to join us. It's great that we have advanced to rank 2."
"It's nice and all but don't you feel pressured?"
"I know what you mean. We as Dream Avenue have to perform brilliantly now!"
"So many eyes are directed at us..."
Cyclone and Balm looked at each other, realizing that the atmosphere was off. The two guild leaders quickly decided to do something about it. They walked up to the nervous players, reassuring them as best as they could.
"Guys, don't think too much about it. Just follow us and all will be well!"
"Yeah. If we all work together, we can do this!"
Encouraged by their guild leaders the Dream Avenue members also tried to be more positive. For a while the guild kept conversing until it was time for the tournament to start and everyone entered the arena.
It was once again Maycos who welcomed billions of players. There was not much difference from yesterday in her speech. As soon as the rules were explained, the contest between the guilds already started.
A few minutes later Dream Avenue was facing their first opponent. Qual had surprised everyone by rising from a tier 2 guild all the way to the finals, replicating Dream Avenue's feat.
Now that the two guilds faced off against each other they had to prove that their entry was not only reliant on luck but also skill.
Luckily it was Dream Avenue who could prove themselves. Achieving their first win they received a big confidence boost for the tournament. Riding the momentum, they progressed swiftly, eliminating one opponent after the other.
However, after five matches Dream Avenue suddenly received terrible news. Their next opponent was drawn, and it was Human Faith, one of the Big Five, an incredibly strong opponent.
Cyclone took a deep breath, looking at the faces of her guild members, noticing the anxiousness in their eyes.
"Ok guys, no need to be nervous now! If we want to be the best, we have to face off against the Big Five anyways."
"Yes!", shouted Balm in agreement. "Only a single guild can claim the championship! It doesn't matter if we eliminate Human Faith now or later!"
"The guild leaders are right, guys. We have nothing to fear!"
"Put away your frowns, everyone!"
"Dream Avenue will overcome all obstacles!"
"Dream Avenue!"
"Dream Avenue!"
The guild members encouraged each other, chanting loudly. However, only they themselves knew their real feelings. Not everyone was confident facing against Human Faith.
But now there was no escaping it. The hundred players chosen by Cyclone and Balm didn't change much over the course of the tournament and were now sent into the arena.
Immediately a freezing cold crept into their bones. Looking ahead they saw that their opponent was already prepared.
Human Faith fielded one hundred stern-faced, silent players. All of them were of the human race, standing in clean rows, their presence resembling an army about to go to war.
This was not surprising as Human Faith was founded by retired soldiers and mostly recruited other veterans and even actively serving soldiers.
The guild was known for their strict discipline and hierarchical structure. None of their players were outstanding compared to other top guilds, but every single player had skills honed by years of harsh training.
Glancing at all the quiet, straight-faced players, Dream Avenue felt a silent pressure and they slowly stopped talking as well. They felt like a bunch of school kids in front of a strict teacher.
Just then someone in the first row of Human Faith moved forward. Each of his steps was like measured with a ruler. His lean body was covered by a flaming red armor made from leather and metal, hiding the man's explosive power.
The man's posture was straight as his piercing eyes focused on Cyclone and Balm. The man's hand snapped towards his bald head, giving a salute. A sonorous voice rang through the arena:
"General Protnor! In the name of Human Faith, I wish for a fair match. May the better guild win!"
Suddenly all of Human Faith stomped with one foot, mirroring their guild leader's salute. The crisp sound echoed through the arena, causing Cyclone and Balm to flinch before stammering an answer:
"Eh, yeah. Good luck... sir."
"May the better guild win..."
Up in the air a caster was already commenting on how the momentum was snatched by Human Faith with their intimidating presence.
Right then the battlefield transformed, becoming an underground cave. Its sturdy walls left only limited room to move.
Liam frowned as soon as he saw this, knowing that this battlefield would favour Human Faith. His confidence waned for a moment before he told himself to give it his all, striving to create opportunities for the guild.
Shortly after, the match officially began. Human Faith immediately advanced in closed ranks. Their synchronized footsteps hung eerily in the dim cave.
[Bleary Mirage: Rush forward! Don't let them corner us!]
On Liam's order Dream Avenue didn't hesitate, rushing towards the enemy. Some let out loud shouts to bolster their courage, perhaps unable to endure the tomb-like atmosphere in the otherwise silent cave.
Dream Avenue and Human Faith crashed into each other, each with their close-combat fighters forming a solid frontline. Instantly a shift went through Human Faith's lines.
Showing off their discipline they adjusted their formation, having each member of Hotpot threatened by at least two people.
Liam frowned, glancing at the three towering tanks blocking his way, knowing that there was no way to leave momentarily.
However, the focus on Hotpot's members presented a chance for Dream Avenue's thieves. They made use of the ensuing weak points in Human Faiths frontline, attempting to break through.
Yet Human Faith was prepared. Their second and third rows adjusted, closing the weak spots, fishing out as many thieves as possible.
The same occurred on Dream Avenue's side. However, since Human Faith didn't field many thieves, focusing more on warriors, they were less of a threat.
On both sides only a handful of thieves managed to reach the backlines, but it was difficult for them to find an opportunity to strike since warriors chased after them.
Bloody Edge stuck close to a wall, gritting his teeth. He inwardly cursed the choice of battlefield. This tight cave could be blocked off by a line of fifteen people. For the thieves this was a nightmare as they couldn't sneak left and right past their enemies and attack from their backs.
Thieves could only try to sneak right through enemy lines, making their lives miserable. And on top of that the layout even left some warriors idle so they could easily fall back to protect the ranged combatants.