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Chapter 550 - Start of the 2nd Tournament
🕑 Added 2025-02-06 09:30:28 +0000 UTCPOV Kim Min-Jae
We've been told over and over that once a mimic gets inside you, there's no getting it out. Even Tess kept reminding us like we didn’t already know. I still remember those days when we were running from the 2nd Front. The cold biting at us, her eyes always watching, making sure none of us got infected. She never let her guard down—not even once. That’s what I thought.
Even back then, I noticed the toll it took on her.
I should have put it together. But I didn’t. Not because I couldn’t, but because it never even crossed my mind. Any of us could get infected, sure. But her? I thought she was too strong for that. Too smart. Too careful.
And now, I feel like I’m about to break. I don’t know if I should cry or just sit down and stop thinking. It feels like the air’s been sucked out of my lungs, and I can’t do anything about it. I can’t lose her. Not Tess. Not another friend.
I look at the others, but no one says anything. No one has to. It’s all over their faces. Fear, doubt, that awful sinking feeling that we might already be too late. No one wants to say it, but I know they’re thinking it. I’m thinking about it too.
I wonder if Tess knew. If, for even a second, she realized it before we did.
Then I hear Nathaniel talking to Lissandra, and she gives him an offer. She says she can save Tess, even if it means going against Mimic Absolute. She says it like it’s nothing like it’s already decided like she can bend the world to her will. Like she knows everything will go her way no matter what. And for a second, I believe her.
But there’s a catch. Nathaniel has to win the tournament.
To win all the events of the tournament, to obliterate every opponent in his way.
Against the winners of tournaments from the other rounds.
Against the Beyond attendees like him.
Against the future Champions and likely Earth’s Absolute.
Against the best out of Earth’s First Generation.
I try to picture it, him standing alone against all of them. The best fighters, the monsters in human form, the ones who also went through the same dangers we did. Even knowing how strong he is, it seems impossible to be sure he can do it. He’ll be up against people who’ve trained for this, people who’ve endured these two years to reach the top.
People who won’t hesitate, who won’t care that someone’s life is on the line. Because to them, this is just another fight.
I can’t even imagine what that pressure must feel like. Knowing someone’s life depends on you. It would bury me. It would tear me apart before I even stepped onto the battlefield.
And Nathaniel? He just answers without hesitation.
"Consider it done."
Same tone as always. Same calm expression. Like it’s just another task to check off a list.
Like he’s never even considered losing.
Congratulations, you have fulfilled the requirements to level up your subclass!
[Initiate of Envy] > [Adept of Envy]
He makes it look so easy. Like winning is just a matter of deciding to do it.
A shaky breath slips out, unnoticed until now. My fingers tremble, tightening into fists, but the shaking doesn’t stop.
What am I even doing here?
Nathaniel moves forward without hesitation, already planning his next step, while everything feels stuck in place. Watching him, it’s impossible to tell if it’s admiration or resentment building up. Maybe both.
I'm not even sure which one it is anymore.
***
POV Nathaniel
I turn away from Lissandra and toward group 4. Damn, these guys, they can be scary as fuck but what would they do without me? They were about to jump around like headless chickens and might even have tried to attack Lissandra.
I mean, I would love to see it, but this isn’t the time for that. Maybe later.
“Sophie and Maya, you are the replacements for Tess and will deal with the other groups and any annoying stuff.”
“I… Nat, Tess is...”
“Don’t worry about it, Maya. I will take care of it, and Lissandra will keep her word—of that much I’m sure.”
Sophie steps ahead. “You realize how crazy what she’s asking is, right? That’s totally unreasonable! She could have told us something! Or just helped!”
“That’s not how she works,” I wave it off. “But don’t worry. Once I get even close to her level, I’ll beat the shit out of her for everything. And extra.”
“You are free to try anytime, little pup,” Lissandra answers again with that air of absolute confidence, then taps Myrra on the shoulder.
After Myrra waves to us, they both leave, heading toward the top of the huge hill we are on. There are already a lot of presences in the area farther away from us. Similarly to the first tournament, they also climb toward the top of the hill.
Looking around, there is a nearly invisible barrier surrounding the entire hill we are on. It’s clearly the system’s work—I can tell right away—and it seems like it won’t let anything pass through.
There are also several huge hills in the distance, each ending in a large flat area. Smaller hills sit atop that space, along with some forests and many houses. They look almost like perfect copies of the first tournament’s common area and our hill. It seems that each round of the tutorial has its own hill, enclosed by a barrier that prevents us from mixing with other rounds for now.
As I start walking toward the top of the hill, the others follow me.
The tournament is a competitive base, but also an opportunity to meet your fellow tutorial attendees of your planet.
In one day, the events will start; until then, please enter the common area.
There are no monsters or natives, allowing other tutorial attendees to greet each other and continue to build up relationships.
Death is currently impossible on the tournament floor.
Enjoy your second tournament!
Even this notification is nearly the same as before. The system is lazy as always. So, just like last time, I check the number of participants in this tournament.
Easy Difficulty - 13,961
Normal Difficulty - 7,021
Hard Difficulty - 2,100
Hell Difficulty - 269
Beyond - 74
That allows for a good comparison to the other rounds, as our 5th round´s stats look like this:
Easy Difficulty 1299/2000
Normal Difficulty 853/1000
Hard Difficulty 222/500
Hell Difficulty 36/250
Beyond 10/10
There are two numbers that interest me the most. One is the current overall number of people in Hell difficulty of Earth: 269, nice.
Each round started with 250 people in Hell difficulty, so overall Earth started with 2500. Out of that 2500, only 269 are alive. Close to 90% of people in Hell difficulty died. Probably closer to 80%, as I think some people might not have joined—just like our round is missing some people from Hell difficulty, that mysterious group or groups.
Our round, the 5th one, has an above-average number of Hell difficulty survivors. If we had to split it evenly, each round would have 27 people left, yet our round has 36.
There is also one more telling number: the amount of people in Beyond. I would have expected it to be around 85–90, as each round can have 10 only, but it’s lower at 74.
Myrra and Lissandra are likely counted in Beyond, even though they haven’t completed their trials yet. That could be throwing the numbers off. But still, the 5th round having more than expected is hard to ignore.
Oh, then there is also that guy who started in Beyond. The asshole who grabs so much interest from the Rulers. I wonder if he ended up in this tutorial if he even can, or if he’s stuck sitting on his ass in Beyond.
Well, none of it matters that much now.
Knowing I cannot die here, I start doing things with Mana Cycling I was mostly avoiding before, or did with Lily’s help, and then I begin loosening the 1st seal of the Champion’s heart to see the reaction and get used to the output.
It’s a strange feeling, knowing there’s a limit and intentionally pushing past it. The body screams in warning, but the mind is already set. The next step is clear.
I will remove at least one of the seals during this tournament.
Because of this, before we reach the common area, I die twice.
***
Some of the people at the top of the hill are familiar to me. I see some memorable ones from Hell difficulty. I even notice Tacita sneaking around nearby. One of the signatures might be Savant, and another one is Gareth with his group. Some guys from Easy Difficulty still have those camping cars with solar panels and there are already some tents set up and even grilling going on.
Indeed, an Easy difficulty experience.
I breathe in the fresh air and once again feel my heartbeat speed up. I feel the need to use [Focus] to bring my emotions under control. Like a worm eating at me, there is that feeling of self-doubt. It whispers that I might fail this time. That it can’t be that simple. That even during the 1st tournament, I lost some events. So how could I not lose now, against all of Earth’s best? It whispers that even if I succeed Tess might be dead in these two weeks we spend here.
I don’t let any of this show. Even with how inept I can be socially, I see the others are worried for Tess. So showing them my confident side should help them.
But I'm also getting looks with a hint of pity.
Do they pity the responsibility I carry now, I wonder?
Taking a few last steps, I meet Channeler. The man is as handsome as before—maybe even more so. He is wearing a clean, fitted, stylish outfit and is smiling widely as if in a toothpaste commercial. There’s nearly no wind, but his hair still seems to wave as if he’s in a shampoo ad.
“Noname!” he greets me with a smile and shakes my hand.
As if he suddenly remembers something, he immediately lowers his excited voice to a calmer pitch. He was always like a chameleon, that guy.
I watch as he greets the others, giving them compliments right away. He notices Min-Jae’s more muscular figure. He mentions how the twins have gotten taller, which visibly makes them happy. He praises Lily, calling her even more beautiful than before, and does the same with the others.
I’m curious to see if he might ask about Tess, but even though he must have noticed, he tactfully doesn’t bring her up. As expected of such a high-level extrovert.
When it’s all done, I gesture to the twins, and they add him to our Connection.
(Oh, that’s new! No one in Easy can do this!) Channeler immediately starts talking excitedly in our minds.
(No one will listen in on us like this,) I answer. (So, to start: Tess won’t be here this tournament. But don’t worry, she’s okay.)
(I… I’m glad to hear that, Noname. I won’t ask for more, but if you need something, I’m here.)
(Thank you. And yes, I will need some things from you. But first, did Easy difficulty start leaving the tutorial?)
He smiles and gestures for us to follow, and we head toward a few benches near a fountain and sit there. (Yes, a few months ago, we think. The people who wanted to return to their families made groups and went ahead. Some were even talking about looting Earth before the higher difficulties return.)
(That’s dumb.)
(There are a lot of not-so-smart people,) Channeler answers more diplomatically. (I’m on the 13th floor currently, and it was mentioned that it is the last floor. But I made my group wait so I could meet you during the tournament, Noname.)
For a while, I just look at him. This guy really knows how to handle things.
(It's good you did. But didn't you rush it too much? You could've spent more time in the tutorial, leveled up, and gotten stronger.)
(I did all that, but Easy difficulty doesn’t offer as many opportunities as higher ones might. And… with what we’ve learned here in the tutorial, Earth might go through some changes. I want to get back and make sure my family is safe.)
(Well, in the end, it's up to you. So to start, my name is Nathaniel, so you can call me that through this link only.)
(I will do so! Thanks for trusting me, Nathaniel! My name is Rafael Vaughn.)
(Thanks for telling me, too. So it’s simple: during this tournament, when it comes to dealing with people, you can talk to Sophie and Maya instead of Tess. We won’t do much else, as I truly do not care about these things. Our objective for this tournament is just one, and I don’t think anyone in group 4 will disagree.)
As I scan their faces, I catch the small details. The way they shift slightly, the way their eyes stay focused. A few take measured breaths, steadying themselves. There is no nervous energy, no lingering doubt. Just preparation.
I turn back to Channeler and continue, (Before the tournament ends, I will make you an Arcane item that will make you the strongest person on Earth before anyone from Normal difficulty returns. No, it is very possible you will stay the strongest even after that, and you might even be able to take on some from Hard difficulty.)
Rafael’s expression flickers, just for a second. Then he laughs, shaking his head. (You really don’t do things halfway, huh?)
(If it needs to be done, I’ll do it properly.)
I shift my stance, feeling my mana settle. The first event is in a day, but time already feels like it’s moving too fast and too slow at the same time. There’s too much to prepare, too much to account for.
But it doesn’t matter.
Because the only outcome I’ll accept is winning.
***
Comments
JJB4345_80_815
Thank you for the chappy! I read the previous chapter and thought: "Just 2 dollars to upgrade my membership so I don't have to wait 23-ish hours for the next chapter? Well spent for my mental health! AND I get 10 more chapters after that!" I'm glad that I didn't have to wait a week, or 3 months to find out what happened..
Memelord Steambath
Nothing else matters, he will win
Meowgrr
It does kind of make sense with her chameleon-like approach to relationships. Her character has been presented as a mimic in all but name throughout the series.
Sloth
The curse of Envy
WhiteLeeopard
I feel sad for Kim, I just binged all series, so remember well when he was doing great the first 3 floors, working hard and improving. I was hopeful the first tournament behaviour was just "growing up in such a ridiculous situation pains" and he would get out of his funk, but he seems to be getting even worse :(
Doip
For the extra time nat should just blast his focus with black mana because he can’t die it won’t be a problem
Ivan
My wallet is crying 😭
Val the mysterious Jedi
Imagine last week with the tess drop, I almost threw my phone across the room until mamma Gwen made me laugh
Borbino the great
She’s going to forfeit there’s nothing in her life as important as he is she doesn’t care about the tournament only her brother getting what he wants
Borbino the great
That would be amazing cause lissandra said “she” couldn’t give him a body she didn’t say soemthing else couldn’t I don’t think
Borbino the great
I think pride is absolutely busted I mean when you’re so prideful you feel like nothing can beat you won’t your subclass just make it so by forcing your pride upon the world? Just a guess though
Johnny
Obviously he has an affinity for it or he wouldn’t have been offered it. The question is why choose it over another option
RingoSeto
i think greed and gluttony are best powerupable wise... followed closely by wrath....
RingoSeto
we are due another death...
ShrewdReader POV
45 Chapter lead for 10 dollars a month is just too good of a deal
Kevin
I literally bought the patreon subscription just 4 hours ago, and I am currently suffering with you brother
P K
I'm struggling between doing chapter per chapter, or waiting the full 3 months to read it in full, uhhhhhh the pain
Kevin
Woah! Isn't this quite the turn? Tess being at risk of becoming a mimic, Nathaniel fighting everyone from beyond that attends the event, and channeler returning to earth with an arcane item!
P K
He said the full book would be done in 3 months, idk if I could hold out that long
P K
I'm happy that he gets an item, I like him a lot, so I'm hoping with the training stone nat gave him + the item, they won't be able to mess with him
P K
I mean that lvl of foreshadowing betrayal its practically written, I just hope he's doing it to make us think he will, but ends up not
P K
I know... It's very obvious foreshadow, so obvious I hope he doesn't, but instead flips it and becomes more like "only I will fight him, he's mine to envy no one else", I'd hate to seem him turn traitor
P K
I'm assuming the mimic might be used to create a body for the guy in nats head, somehow? Also I'd assume that Tess Chasity could help her fight off the mimic
ShrewdReader POV
Omg I should have let some more chapter's stack; Now I have to wait for the next upload while wondering how big the gap has to be in order for Lis to count it as an overwhelming win. Moreover, I just can't see how Nat is going to handle Tacita. She is kind of a beast in one on ones. This heart is going to be one helluva an upgrade. Maybe the first beyonder will make an appearance. TFTC
blimko
Biscuit dumps all his points into mana if I remember correctly. Maybe nat is his bond? Lol
Iron
Haha, no leak just theories, but it seems likely from my pov, Kim has an inferiority complex and always compares himself with nat, this chapter offered us an insight into him and seeing that a situation that I sought had calmed down was in fact worse. It seems extremely likely that a floor / enemy / situation will take advantage of mental/emotional instability of participants. You could argue that 'it already happened' with mental mages on previous floors but it wasn't the whole challenge, I expect that Kim will get used and betray if he faces such type of challenge / floor.
Val the mysterious Jedi
I doubt it, mimics whole point is that they break down the host, also it doesn't make sense with tesses Chasity
Val the mysterious Jedi
You're acting like this is about optimal builds, it's about power and envy is a part of our boi kim, he chasing nat and envies his lack of resolve and he choose to embrace that
Johnny
Why would anyone choose Envy when leveling it up just forces u to feel more like u don’t measure up? What’s the payoff? Or have we just not gotten there yet…also are there drawbacks to the Blights? Like Purity vs. Envy for example seems an easy choice, I don’t remember if this was explained
Johnny
I swore I’d wait til next week so I wouldn’t immediately have to wait again. Ironic that I regret reading such a badass chapter…That Cockroachsandra condition to Nat…unbelievable. Haven’t been this stoked about a book in years.
Doip
For the first event I just wanna see nat speed blitz everyone from the beyond that are using a restriction
Ivan
😭😭😭😭
Ivan
Its friday today, I think there wont be a new chapter today! Cerim just teased us by giving one! 😭
im_among_you
U better not have beta and are leaking stuff
Tee
My theory about Tess: 1. She’s aware of the mimic. 2. The mimic aligns with her personality, so she’s trying to tame it. 3. All the top dogs have a bond, and she’s the only one left. Also, Biscuit is confirmed to be Nat’s bond, yet we haven’t seen them share abilities. Curious.”
Erebus
haha
Andrew Miller
I had paused my patreon but then saw "The 2nd tournament begins" and immediately reactivated
Greg Lambert
I'm excited about this arc, but during the last tournament, people couldn't die until the one event. I'm looking forward to seeing how it plays out when he is inevitably faced against his sister.
Zaim İpek
I wonder what sort of item he will make. I think something useful for both offense and defense is best. Having such an item will make him a target, so being a glass canon is a serious risk.
Anotherb Account
Joining the chapter by chapter reading grind after binging all your work this week! Loving the story and I’m not a huge fan of system stories, but your system is delightful. Huge fan. Hope you enjoyed your break, very excited for the family reunion coming up in the story!
Iron
Thank for the chapter, hope the break was EXTRA nice. I wonder when Kim is gonna betray the group/nat...
Dual.
tftc, well done with the chapter, the break has done you well cerim
Delenda23
Swoon! An amazing way to start the new book. Poor Min-Jae has long been a villain in the making. While Lissandra is probably the hidden hero. I bet Nathaniel being forced to go all out now will prove crucial to Group 4’s survival later on.
Borbino the great
I think she’d forfeit before they had to fight
Snuckytoes
“Accidentally”. Ha! This is Nat we’re talking about, he’s going to kill them on purpose.
Ralph
Awesome Min-Jae POV at the start! Nat dying 2 twice within 2 mins of being in the tournament safe zone is so in character. Also, for my peace of mind I'm betting Tess will be fine. A mixture of her Chastity subclass keeping the 'corruption' at bay and some Deus Ex Machina from Biscuit.
Youkai-sama
The Herald of the NoName.
RingoSeto
Ty cerim for the awesome chapter... we appreciate the pov and relish the coming chapters as if they were holy scriptures... we hope you are ready.... if you need more time... we can hold off
MO
I need the full tournament arc STAT. Is there a Patreon 2.0 by any chance?
blimko
Love seeing other members of group 4 get their upgrades! Also can't wait for more interactions next chapter
Forrest
Last tournament they could die in the 1v1 challenge
Oaktree
So king of the hill or maybe capture the flag for the first event of the tournament? Thanks for the chapter my withdrawals were reaching there limits
Mark Bullock
So true, we should start a group
Mark Bullock
Well said
Mark Bullock
I second this motion
Mark Bullock
Make group 4 compete to help take out competition
Mark Bullock
He has to fight her right? He said he would never do that
Scraser
I'm calling it now. Final confrontation will be freeing Lissandra successfully form the tutorial only for Nathaniel to kill her.
Mark Bullock
Same
Mark Bullock
Wow!
Colton Carey
Oooh that’s a cool idea
Colton Carey
Damn I had forgotten about that… depresso
Colton Carey
I can see this being a major tragedy considering how strong he’s becoming. I hope he gets to talk to someone about it before he goes all villain arch on us.
Colton Carey
What an absolute banger I’m so fucking hyped for this tournament!
Austin T Delpier
Man Raphael is about to be in charge for Nathaniel when he gets back to Earth.
MrFixit
I am not sure if he would tell them about Nat specifically though. He might worry that Nat could see that as selling him out or betrayal. I could see him building a network that could support people like Nat when they exit the tutorial. Making sure he is useful to the people with the real power when they exit the tutorial.
Andrew
Thank you!
CptJimmy42
Welcome back Cerim! I wasn't expecting anything till next week, so what a lovely surprise!
PendejoDeMexico
Especially since he’s not relying on his focus skill like he did last time
Kirin
Thank you for the chappie! Tournament time :3
TDMC
It’s interesting to consider min Jae’s future with envy as his subclass. Given his propensity for being a bully and what we’ve seen of the ruler of envy, him developing to overcome that envy would seemingly run counter to his personal power which could put him in a divisive spot among the group unless there’s a healthy balance somewhere on his way to becoming a master or maybe even ruler eventually
Forrest
I love the tournaments! TFTC!
Benji
Ooh, good chapter. Wonder what implications Min Jae's advancement will have? I feel like the smart thing to do would be to do any challenge without any lower floor restrictions. They may not have as many available as other Beyonders, and with that large a pool there's no guessing who might choose not to use them in each event. Thank you for the chapter!
Madje Tobi Marc'Avent Tchona
I’m worried about Kim Jae being influenced by Envy. Also all this dying and pushing himself beyond definitely has to be taking a toll on Nat.
Madje Tobi Marc'Avent Tchona
Hope you had a good break Cerim
TBONEMAN
It says they currently can't die in the common area so they might be able to die later
Gwalmeich
It does feel like that, doesn't it?
Jonathan Nading
I’d be shocked if we didn’t get any Biscuit/Tess world POV this whole book.
Val the mysterious Jedi
SMASHING RESUB BUTTON
zoarian
Damn, I was hoping the tutorial rounds would be able to intermingle. Maybe after the first event? Imagine if all the Beyonders made their own group in Beyond - holy shit that'd be powerful.
Max
Oh, then there is also that guy who started in Beyond. The asshole who grabs so much interest from the Rulers. I wonder if he ended up in this tutorial if he even can, or if he’s stuck sitting on his ass in Beyond. I think about it since that Guy was introduced.. tftc!!
Nisheeth Pandey
Ca’t wait for the panic on earth when they think a Easy difficulty guy can end up with such a power item. Even more so if they start asking about other difficulty people and he tells them about Nat
Blaxxun
I missed this :) Also can't wait to meet the sister
jj
Come on Nat, b*Tch-slap these contestants to the next floor!! Poison their food and jinx their water! Anything to save Tess!!
Joseph Serret
Oh my god im so hyped. Im drooling thinking about the flexing nate is about to do. WAIT NO THE FRIDAY SATURDAY CLIFF. NO. ANYTHING BUT THAT AFTER THIS CHAPTER.
Funny guy
Danks fur da chappie! The wait was torturous (ノ｀Д´)ノ彡┻━┻
mathulu
Ah so worth the wait. =) welcome back cerim.
Cazqa
Im rereading and hopefully ill have alot of chapters to read after rereading
Sailesh Kumar Kumar
TFTC
Evan Pettigrew
amazing. Now I sleep!
Nerø
FINALLYYY! I've been having withdrawal syndrome for 2 months now...
Kemshinmeru
This Chapter Alone let's me know this book is going to be amazing. Masterful Chapter. Thank you for the chapter.
Mars
Chappie tomorrow pretty please
Mars
I need more right now this ending does not satisfy this thirst for more
blaw
Will Channeler get a mech suit? Not much else will make him offensivly and defensvly strong. It would also fit the theme of the nasty kittens floor.
Michael McMahon
Thats the stuff. My thirst for more chapters is soothed once more. Welcome back!
AzorAhai
can I ask how many chapters this arc gonna take? cuz I plan to stockpile. Tftc
Ansordia
Biscuit is doing a very important part. Being a stress ball for Tess she is quite literally going insane... What I don't understand is how come Biscuit KNEW that he should stay wasn't it mentioned that even he can't "sense" infected people... or did he say that just so Tess doesn't get in trouble considering she was already infected when they asked him?
Dandaveeto
Ah finally it feels like there’s something on the line
Ivan
"I Obtained an Arcane Item" - Starring Channeler
Belmont Igneul
My brother in hell difficulty, he has a bomb in his chest
Ivan
Hell! Yeah!
Ansordia
Noooo.... What are you on about... He is totally going to make a safe work envouriment so people don't suffer.... Waaait we are talking about Nat... Ow god, lord have mercy on their souls...
Ansordia
Yes.. Quite likely YES. .
Catalina
Thanks for the chapter!
Zard
We're so back
Leyphelio
I'm gonna miss Bisquit this arc...
Mojr
WAAAAaa, now we have to wait 3 days again😭😭😭
3legia
Back with a bang! Can’t wait for sunday’s chapter
Daniel Playford
Thanks for the chapter. Hope you had a restful break. I hope you realize the joy and excitement me and other readers feel when we see a chapter pop up, and you bask in the well deserved glory for having caused it
Belmont Igneul
He’s going to accidentally kill so many people
Venno
So glad we’re back and ready to start smashing scrubs in this tournament
Moonfrost
...is this what it feels like to be an addict?
Ansordia
We are back weeee areee back!!! (hangover movje)
Colonel Doloryas
Ty for chapter
Claro reyes
Oh yeah! Here we goooooooooo. Tftc
BlackRazaras
Thanks for the chapter
