”Do you find anything about him, Rene?” Elonia asked the manager. She and Rene stayed after Tang Shaoyang left the room.

“Nothing. I can’t find anything about him. He does not have a friend from the participants, he does not have a party or even try to form a party, and no one knows his faction.”

“He does not have a participant friend? Does that mean….”

“I am not sure either, but he was quite close to Ira. Not just Ira, but also the owner of Scorching Tavern. The tavern was the place he visited often in the last two days, and he often talked with the owner. And I think he was telling the truth when he said it was Manoe who told him about the map. There are only five places he visited, his lodging, our store, Duvrag Smithy, Scorching Bar, and Manoe’s Exotic as well as many alchemist shops.”

Elonia raised her eyebrow, “Alchemist Shops? Is he also an alchemy?”

“I am not sure, but from what I know. He is looking for alchemy recipes, and he has purchased advanced recipes for common potions.”

Elonia nodded her head, rubbing her chin. The advanced recipe for the common potion. She started to get the big picture and knew a little bit about Tang Shaoyang’s background, “I see. He is close with Ira and purchased the common potion recipes. It feels like he is from a lower world. What’s the list of items he put for the reserve order?”

Rene gave the paper to Elonia, “May I ask you something, Lady Elonia?” The latter nodded her head.

“Why are you interested in him? I don’t think he is that special. His name does not show on the top 100 list as well. His bloodline might be rare, but that’s it. I can’t see what is so special about him for you to pay special attention to. In my opinion, it’s not necessary to make a connection with someone like him. Let’s say he was strong compared to his peers, but he is nothing in the God Realm. I can’t see the connection with the Dragon Realm too, and his faction is unknown.”

Elonia smiled as she slowly turned toward Rene, “There’s more than just a connection Rene.”

“You miss something about him. If Ira is close to him, there’s a chance that he entered this trial by completing a special condition. He might be an Administrator Candidate. Being one of the top or maybe finishing the trial might be one of his missions. Or maybe he managed to gather one hundred God Shards with his three lives. I heard it is more dangerous just to participate in this trial. Even if he is not from a big faction, we can recruit him. He could be a good hunting dog for us. We nurture him with our resources and knowledge. With his bloodline, he could become powerful with the right guidance. And we can’t cross out yet that he might have a connection to the Dragon Realm. Anything related to the Dragon Realm is worth a try.”

“Just keep a watch on him for now. Also, this is the first trial. Why are you surprised his name is not on the list? With how cautious he was around us, what do you think when he faces the unknown calamity? Again, even if I am wrong, we have nothing to lose. But I have a feeling that he will enter the top 100.”

Elonia stood up and waved her hand at Rene, “That’s enough for today. I am going to sleep. Good night, Rene.”

*** ***

Tang Shaoyang stood in front of the giant screen at the square, right behind the north gate. Three days had passed since he got the map from The Cladeos Emporium. In those three days, he had gotten his reserve order from the emporium as well. He managed to buy six items in the last three days, and his name is still nowhere to be seen in the top 100 participants. Saʀch* Th ovlꜰir.nt website on Ggl to access chapters of nvels early and in the highest quality.

Top 100 Trial of God – 1st stage

1. Ian Carmen Lorentia – 20042

2. Alderoi Alder Acevedo – 8717

3. Uruwakan – 8717

4. Adriano Dee Lorenzo – 8717

5. Niere Pallares – 6984

6. Tiyana Viveiros – 6984

7. Novoa Valentine – 6538

8. Clement Salle – 6080

9. Negasu – 6080

10. Jules Asanda – 6080

11. Zeyn Moorlehem – 6080

12. Gerda Eva Lorenzen – 5783

13. Matteo Lambert – 5280

14. Sandra Holm – 5280

15. Marten Vermote – 5280

16. Agnes Neteri Iosava – 5120

17. Castor Bach Justesen – 5120

18. Eson Artus Figueroa – 5120

19. Julian Heymans – 5120

20. Timo Alain Woodgate – 5120

…

On the fourth day, the list was stabilized with the familiar names catching up with each other. People with the same points meant they were at the same party, and two solo participants appeared on the list aside from the crazy Ian Carmen, Gerda Eva, and Novoa Valentine.

From the gap, it would be hard for the participants below Ian to catch up. Not only the gap was not closing, but it got further on the fourth day. As he looked at the list, Ian Carmen’s score went up by 250 points. He was hunting Rank 5 Calamity now, alone.

‘Isn’t it the time for you to be serious instead of expanding your map and hunting Rank 1 Calamity Tortoine? If you spent your time hunting in the last four days, your name will be in the top 100 list already.’ Afi commented.

‘I don’t know you have such a competitive spirit.’

‘I am a warrior, and I can’t accept losing without doing anything!’

‘We still have forty-one days. There’s a lot of time, though, I doubt we can catch up to Ian Carmen. This is the fourth day, and he already hunted the Rank 5 Calamity,’ He remembered Ira’s warning not to fight the Rank 7 Calamity. That meant most participants would hunt Rank 6 Calamity at the most.’

Tang Shaoyang went to the Market district to meet his personal calamity butcher, Madaki. The burly man was waiting outside his store with his hand crossed on his chest. His expression brightened at the sight of Tang Shaoyang, waving his hand excitedly, “What takes you so long? I have been waiting for you for ten minutes already.”

Tang Shaoyang shook his head, following Madaki to the workshop. He dumped his Tortoine harvest for today. There were five seventy-meter Tortoines. A lot of fifty-meters and sixty-meters Tortoine and his harvest was tripled compared to the last two days.

“This will be my last day hunting Tortoine, Madaki. You will dismantle different things started tomorrow.”

Madaki continued counting the harvest, then he turned toward Tang Shaoyang, “It’s time to be serious, hah?” He smiled as he approached Tang Shaoyang, ” Since you have treated this rare meat, I will give you a tip so you can catch up quicker.”

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