Leonardo shot up from his position. He hastily grabbed the brim of his hat and looked up.
The announcer's voice resonated throughout the entire sky and settled across the land. The voice was so loud that it drowned out the sound of waves, so there was no worry about not hearing it. Nevertheless, Leonardo held his breath and concentrated on the announcement.
Leonardo raised his eyebrows. Setting aside the fact that there were more people than expected, he was amazed that all 100 participants could maintain distances of 500m or more.
'A grid pattern would be most efficient for placement, so assuming humans are lined up at 500m intervals at the endpoints... 10 horizontally, 10 vertically, for a total of 100 people, each side would be 4.5km. The minimum area would be 20.25km².'
However, there was no one within the 500m radius currently visible to him, and the coastline wasn't a perfect square either. The actual area would be much larger than expected.
'Tower conquest?'
At specific locations on each island, these Great King Plarinerus are fixed in a bloomed state, with stamen towers existing at their centers. The match format is simple. All participants must head toward the stamen towers and return to the goal point in the main arena by passing through portals that only open at the top of the towers.>
'Simpler than I thought? But why can't I see it?'
Leonardo looked around. Such a large plant should have been immediately visible, but he couldn't even find anything similar in shape. However, since his current location was at the coastline and there was a high cliff right next to him, he hadn't been able to check what was above yet.
It seemed he'd have to climb the cliff first once the match started. If he could just confirm the tower's location, he could use teleport to reach the goal in 5 seconds.
Leonardo's confident expression crumpled.
The crystal colors vary by flower - there are three types in total: white, yellow, and red. After collecting these three types of crystals and heading to the Great King Plarinerus, inserting them into the pistil at the top of the stamen tower will open the portal for 30 seconds.
The portal immediately closes when a group in physical contact passes through, and the stamen tower generates smog, blocking vision in the surrounding area for a while. Afterward, the Great King Plarinerus goes through approximately a 45-minute rest period before opening the portal again. During this time, the portal will not open even if crystals are inserted into the pistil.>
"What a troublesome plant."
Leonardo grumbled sullenly while continuing to review the rules. So, he needed to find those small Plarinerus, collect the crystals, and get to the top of the Great King Plarinerus faster than anyone else.
'Nothing's ever made easy...'
In this match, to evaluate participants' basic physical fitness, situational judgment, and individual ability levels, the use of teleportation and projectile firearms is prohibited. However, if you possess a teleportation device as an assistance item, it can be used within limits of 100m movement distance per use with a 30-minute cooldown.
The total duration of this test is six hours, with a limit of 26 successful participants.>
When the number of successful participants was announced, there was a brief moment where the entire island seemed to stir. Only half of half of the total participants would pass. The criteria were tighter than expected. Everyone probably let out sighs around the same time.
But the number 26 seemed somehow ambiguous. Though he had questions, the announcer only repeated the previously mentioned content once more.
After hearing the cumbersome rules twice, he could memorize most of them. As Leonardo was organizing his thoughts by drawing diagrams in the sand with his finger, the announcer explained the match forfeit declaration method and safety zones before reading the final closing remarks.
If a small number of people collect multiples of 7 crystals to pass the test, and the number of crystals of a specific color remaining on the island becomes 0, all those who haven't passed yet will be eliminated. However, since this is a Part 1 match, you will be given opportunities for additional tests, so please don't give up until the end.
Now, we will begin the F Group Test Part 1 match. We wish all participants good fortune.
3, 2, 1.>
Bang—
As soon as the formal countdown ended, a thunderous gunshot crossed the sky. Simultaneously, a humid sea breeze blew in.
At that moment, movement through the underbrush was detected from atop the cliff. Leonardo stared up at that spot before loosening his arms and taking a deep breath.
"Right, when has the world ever been fair to me?"
A collar or whatever - he should be used to it by now. Let's think of it as a handicap for the strong, for the sake of others. Even fighting with restraints, he'd be the strongest among the 100 people here.
With that resolution, Leonardo firmly packed down the sand he was standing on.
'Can't use teleport? Then I'll just fly.'
Dry sand scent and heat shimmer rose from the ground he stepped on. The sea breeze met the hot wind to create even fiercer turbulence.
Leonardo pressed down his hat firmly with one hand. Sand scattered in all directions as the ground beneath his feet was deeply gouged. With his short jacket fluttering, he instantly leaped into the air.
* * *
In fact, the Great King Plarinerus was a plant even Leonardo was hearing about for the first time. He had seen super-sized plants occasionally before, so he had only roughly guessed the size would be similar. However, the Great King Plarinerus he actually saw was on a different dimension.
'That's supposed to be a flower?'
It would be more credible to call it a peak in the center of a volcanic island. The Plarinerus he witnessed with his own eyes as soon as he leaped above the cliff was located at the highest point of the island. Its drooping petals stretched across the jungle, supported by countless trees. Underneath was not just shaded but completely dark, as if no light penetrated at all.
At the center of the petals, a stamen tower stood firmly. The interior of the bud where the tower's base was embedded was filled with water like a lake. The tower itself wasn't that tall, but because of its high-altitude location, clouds formed by condensed water vapor hung over it, making it difficult to see clearly. However, the sparse hair and unidentifiable mucus on what was called the stamen were threatening. Around it, dark creatures that might be birds or monsters flew about in groups.
'I didn't see anywhere a portal might be. Is it because it hasn't opened yet?'
Leonardo rapidly flew between trees while recalling the appearance of the great flower he had just seen.
The tip of the stamen was blunt, and its color was pale yellow like the petals. Since he could fly, the high location didn't matter, but he was a bit worried there might be other devices.
'Let's focus on collecting crystals first. Since there are 26 successful participants, in the worst case, there might only be around 26 crystals. If I can't get them, I'll steal them later, but then I'd have to check what crystals each opponent has, and most importantly, the biggest problem is...'
Once a portal opens, there's a 45-minute rest period afterward. Even if all crystals are collected in the first 20-30 minutes and people pass through sequentially, the portal can only open 7 times total within 360 minutes.
If 1 person each collects and a maximum of 3 people pass through 7 times, that's 21 successful participants, leaving 5 spots, but they wouldn't have time to open the portal. For the remaining 5 people to each collect crystals of the same color and pass, they'd need 21 plus 35 crystals, totaling 46... Are there really that many crystals on this island?
Leonardo shook his head. If crystals existed that abundantly, small Plarinerus should be visible at least one per km². However, from flying around and observing the surroundings so far, the island's area was more than twice as large as his calculated estimate, but he hadn't seen a trace of flowers resembling that great flower. Rather, there were more people running around aimlessly. Of course, he was no exception.
So rather than hoping the earlier peaceful assumption would prove correct, a scenario where 3 of the 5 people needing to collect 7 crystals steal crystals from the 7 teams that could pass, eliminating 21 people and passing only themselves, seemed more plausible.
He might be one of those 3 people. But his goal was victory, not massacring ordinary citizens who had registered just to see participation prizes. If they weren't bad people, he didn't particularly have a hobby of tormenting others.
While organizing his thoughts and searching for flowers, Leonardo encountered another person also searching for targets in the air like himself. He was about to just pass by when he suddenly remembered that he'd need at least one temporary collaborator to put three crystals in the pistil.
'Still, someone who can fly would be convenient. Should I ask if they want to go together?'
No sooner had he pondered alone than the other party stealthily approached him. He was about to naturally extend his hand and suggest cooperation, but wasn't the opponent raising the sledgehammer in their hand?
It was clearly not a friendly approach, so after clicking his tongue, he hid back into the jungle. It hadn't even been 10 minutes since the start, so that guy couldn't possibly have crystals. He didn't want to waste time on pointless conflicts.
"Aaaah—!"
While avoiding the spot, screams and shouts from two men came tangled from behind. Though he was startled, looking back was brief. The guy who had charged at him seemed to be implementing the 'other methods to obtain crystals besides directly harvesting from Plarinerus' mentioned by the announcer.
Around the same time, a faint smell of blood wafted from not far away. Trees cracked and fell sideways.
While the outline stated that combat between participants was allowed during matches unless specifically restricted, he was honestly flustered that quite serious bloodshed was occurring from the test matches.
'Is this how it's normally done?'
While puzzled and looking around, a sweet scent finally reached his nose for the first time.
Intuitively judging this to be the Plarinerus crystal that allegedly attracted monsters and beasts, Leonardo immediately stopped mid-air and slowly set foot on the ground. Though it looked somewhat pathetic, he raised his nose and chin, sniffing and walking in the direction where the sweet scent grew stronger.
Then, sensing faint heat and presence, he concealed his footsteps and hid behind a thick tree. Holding his breath and stealthily looking around back, he saw a strange form between the densely rising tree trunks.
A purple flower that seemed to easily surpass human height. The bud had its mouth wide open, extending bright yellow stamens like lightning rods. The source of the heat seemed to be right there.
'Why is it so big?'
They called it a small Plarinerus, and compared to the enormously sized plant situated in the center of that island, it was indeed small, but objectively it wasn't a small size. It looked to be easily 2-3m tall. The petals had fine down that gave them a feeling like carpet or animal hide. The five petals had white spots embedded in them, and the bud was filled with quite a lot of water.
At a glance, it looked like a water fountain mimicking a flower's form. That made sense, because some creature, whether monster or beast, was half-draped over the drooping petals, drinking water. Perhaps because it was a small young individual, its danger detection abilities hadn't developed yet and it didn't seem to notice the human presence.
Though hard to see from a distance, something glittered at the tip of the stamen. Leonardo was certain that was a crystal. He then carefully took a step while concealing his presence. Since it was said to emit a sweet scent, he was worried the beast might devour the crystal if he was careless.
"That's mine!"
At that moment, someone's shout came from behind. Simultaneously, the underbrush shook wildly as an intruder rushed this way.
Leonardo, muttering 'damn it' with his mouth, leaped toward the flower first. The startled beast lifted its head that had been buried in the bud and hastily turned direction.
It planted its front legs on the ground and powerfully kicked off, but what happened occurred in an instant.
Gurrgle, slurp—
Leonardo had no choice but to stop right there. The other participant who had tried to beat him and claim the crystal was the same.
Creak, rip—
The giant flower twisted its neck and swallowed the beast that had been drinking water just moments before in one gulp. It instantly closed the petals that had been wide open and pushed the struggling beast's limbs into the bud. Along with this, bizarre sounds of desperately sucking something echoed.
Fresh water that had been contained inside flowed out between the petals and dripped to the ground.
It reminded him exactly of a greedy human gorging on food while drooling saliva.
The petals contracted like a tulip around the stamen and entered a completely closed state. The movement of the prey struggling inside also stopped before long.
The crystal hanging at the tip of the stamen also disappeared inside with it. Both the charging intruder and Leonardo just stood there for a while.
The flower became quiet as if nothing had happened. Though there was no movement, the bulging lower part of the petals suggested there was prey inside.
Leonardo suddenly recalled one line from the announcer explaining the rules.
His golden eyes contorted greatly.
'Fuck... They didn't mention they eat things.'