Rhys stepped through the shimmering extraction portal, the heat and sulfurous stench of the volcanic archipelago instantly replaced by the cool, sterile air of the vast metallic recovery hall.

He allowed himself a small, weary sigh, letting the carefully constructed facade of exhaustion and minor injury settle back onto his face.

His shoulder throbbed with a phantom pain from the glancing blow he had allowed himself to take during the final chaotic moments of the Zone Conquest trial. Maintaining the illusion required constant vigilance.

He was immediately separated from the other nine survivors of his group. Nexus officials, efficient and impersonal, guided each of them through different corridors towards designated debriefing and recovery zones. There would be no camaraderie among the victors, only continued isolation and suspicion. The tournament was designed to foster ruthless individualism.

Rhys followed an official down a long, white corridor to a small, private recovery room. Inside was a simple couch, a nutrient dispenser, and a medical diagnostic unit.

"Rest here, Combatant 7,842,912," the official said, his voice flat. "Your score has been confirmed. You placed eighth in Group 147. You have advanced to Preliminary Round 3. Details for the next trial will be transmitted to your data chip within the hour. Medical attention is available if required." The official gave a curt nod and left, the door sliding shut behind him.

Rhys sat on the couch. He waved away the hovering medical drone that offered to scan his non-existent injury. He needed a moment alone, a moment to drop the mask and analyze.

The second trial had been more challenging than the first. The Zone Conquest format forced more direct confrontation, and the shrinking safe zone created intense pressure in the final hour. He had managed to secure his place in the top ten, but it had required careful planning, precise execution, and a significant amount of luck.

His encounter with Jaxon, however brief, was a complication. He was certain the Azure Sky Palace disciple hadn't recognized him – the 'Rhys' Jaxon met on the ship looked different and operated differently than the 'Rhys' competing now. But the theft of the beacon and the disabling of his followers would undoubtedly earn him Jaxon's ire. He had made a powerful enemy within the tournament, even if Jaxon didn't know his true identity.

Korvak, the Kr'yll berserker, was pure, unrestrained force. Rhys had been wise to avoid a direct fight. Lyra'th, the Mind-Weaver, had been dealt with efficiently, but the ease with which he dispatched her might have raised eyebrows if anyone had been watching closely. He needed to be more careful.

His modified skills, Radiant Pulse and Sunflash, had worked perfectly. They provided a believable offensive and defensive capability for his 'Light affinity' cover, powerful enough to secure eliminations but not so overwhelming as to suggest his true cultivation level. The key was control, making every move seem like a desperate, hard-won effort.

An hour passed. A soft chime indicated new data had been transmitted to his chip. He accessed it.

Combatant ID: 7,842,912 Name: Rhys Status: Advanced to Preliminary Round 3. Next Trial: Sector Epsilon Arenas. Group 52. Assembly Point: Gate 8. Time: 08:00 Nexus Standard Time, tomorrow.

The format for the third round was different again. This time, it wasn't a free-for-all or a zone conquest.

Trial Format: Team Objective. The remaining survivors (now roughly 100,000 across all groups) will be randomly assigned into teams of ten. Each team will be deployed into a unique simulated environment with a specific, complex objective (e.g., retrieving an artifact, defending a location, escorting a target). Teams will compete directly against multiple other teams within the same simulation. Elimination of opponents is permitted, but the primary score is based on objective completion. Only the top two teams from each simulation will advance.

Rhys frowned. Teamwork. This was unexpected, and potentially problematic. He worked best alone. Relying on nine unknown strangers, any one of whom might betray the team for personal gain, was a dangerous proposition. More importantly, working closely with others increased the risk of his disguise being exposed. Constant combat, shared pressure – it would be harder to hide his true strength and unique abilities.

He downloaded the details of the Sector Epsilon Arenas – a series of complex, urban environments simulating ruined cities, high-tech installations, and ancient temple complexes – and the roster for his assigned team, Group 52, Team 7. He scanned the names. None were immediately familiar, but he sent the data, along with the trial format, to Emma. Her analysis would be more crucial than ever.

With the information secured, he left the recovery room. The halls were less crowded now, most participants having already departed. He made his way back through the Nexus transport network to their residential spire, his mind already working through the challenges of the next round. How could he contribute to a team's success without revealing too much? How could he handle potential betrayals?

He arrived at the apartment. Emma met him at the door, her relief evident even through her veil. Sera immediately latched onto his leg again, demanding stories of the "fire islands." Yuki gave him a lazy wave from the couch.

"Team objective," Emma said immediately, gesturing towards the holographic display, which already showed the profiles of his nine new teammates. "This complicates things significantly."

Rhys nodded. "Tell me about them."

Emma spent the next hour briefing him. Team 7 was a random mix, just as the rules stated. There was a hulking, four-armed warrior from a species known for their brute strength but limited intelligence. There was a small, agile scout from a race renowned for stealth and perception. There was a calm, robed figure who seemed to specialize in defensive energy shields. There was a pair of identical twins from a technologically advanced world, their bodies augmented with visible cybernetics. The rest were a mix of standard energy manipulators and weapon specialists.

On paper, it was a relatively balanced team. But there were no standout powerhouses. No one obviously equivalent to a Jaxon or a Korvak. That could be good or bad. Good, because there was no clear leader to challenge Rhys's subtle influence. Bad, because they might lack the overwhelming force needed to compete against teams with such powerhouses.

"The biggest unknown is loyalty," Emma stated, highlighting a key concern. "In a trial like this, betrayal is common. Teams often fracture. Individuals might try to sabotage the objective to eliminate rivals or secure a higher personal score if they think the team is failing."

"So, I need to identify the potential weak links early," Rhys mused. "And ensure the team stays focused on the objective."

"My advice?" Yuki chimed in, stretching elaborately. "Assert dominance immediately. Pick the biggest one," she nodded towards the profile of the four-armed warrior, "and break him. Make an example. Fear is a much better motivator than loyalty among strangers."

"No," Rhys countered firmly. "Drawing that kind of attention is exactly what I need to avoid. I need to be a valuable contributor, not a target. I'll focus on support, coordination, and identifying opportunities. Let someone else play the hero."

"Boring," Yuki sighed, but didn't argue further.

Rhys spent the rest of the day and night in deep meditation. He didn't focus on creating new skills this time. Instead, he focused on refining his control over the abilities he planned to use. He practiced weaving subtle illusions with his disguised Light energy – small flashes to distract opponents, minor distortions to conceal movements. He worked on modulating the force of his Radiant Pulse, making it capable of non-lethal takedowns as well as destructive blasts. He needed versatility within his limited, public arsenal.

He also spent time considering his teammates. How could he leverage their strengths? How could he mitigate their weaknesses? He started formulating basic tactical approaches for different potential objectives – defense, retrieval, escort. He was preparing not just to fight, but to lead, subtly, from the shadows.

He reviewed Emma's analysis of the potential urban arena environments. Ruined cities offered cover and ambush opportunities. High-tech installations might have environmental controls or security systems that could be exploited. Ancient temples could contain traps or require specific knowledge to navigate. Each environment demanded a different approach.

As dawn approached, Rhys felt ready. He was still concealing the vast majority of his power, but he felt confident in his ability to navigate the complexities of the team trial. His greatest weapon was not his strength, but his mind – his ability to analyze, adapt, and control the situation.

He stood at the door, dressed once more in his simple traveler's clothes. Sera gave him a small, carved wooden bird she had made. "For good luck, Papa." He tucked it carefully into his pouch. Emma gave him a final, quick briefing on potential rival teams in their simulation block. Yuki offered a single piece of advice: "Don't trust the quiet ones."

He nodded to them, then turned and left. He headed towards Gate 8 and the Sector Epsilon Arenas. He was Combatant 7,842,912, now also a member of Team 7. He walked into the waiting hall, scanning the diverse crowd for the nine strangers who would be his allies, and potentially his betrayers, for the next twelve hours. The third trial was about to begin.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.