Chapter 571: Points for Each Level of Demons, The Grudge Between Shanks and Winter
"Very well. The audience's response is enthusiastic, so I won't need to elaborate much." Morgans said.
"Bee Lord Sakamori, one of the Twelve Holy Knights of the Kingdom of Miracles." he announced.
"I believe everyone understands his significance." he added.
"This second round, the points competition, will be judged by the Bee Master." he stated.
"Now, let me, Big News Morgans, explain the rules of the second stage!" he declared.
Seeing the crowd's fervor, Morgans got straight to the point.
"The second stage is a points-based competition system." he explained.
"The next competition venue for the guild players isn't here." he continued.
"But…" he paused for effect.
The live broadcast screen shifted from the central arena to a scene familiar to many.
Golden morning sunlight illuminated wind-swept dunes.
Scattered cacti dotted the landscape, and several massive slanted sand pits, enclosed by iron fences, stood out.
The audience recognized the scene and realized what it meant.
This was the magic mine near Sand City.
Magic mines were well-known to ordinary people.
Newspapers often portrayed them as symbols of wealth.
Discovering a magic mine, even without the strength to claim it, could make an ordinary person rich by reporting it to major forces.
Sand City was built around this very magic mine.
Those with some knowledge understood this.
However, why the competition was set at the magic mine puzzled most.
Only those familiar with magic mines, hearing Morgans mention the points system, began to form guesses.
"Yes, I believe many have figured it out." Morgans said, noting the audience's dawning realization.
"The second stage's competition venue is the magic mine outside Sand City." he confirmed.
He raised the corners of his mouth and began explaining for those still unclear.
"Typically, magic mines are teeming with monsters, beasts, and even demons." he said.
"The magic mine outside Sand City is a rare large-scale fear magic mine." he elaborated.
"Naturally, it's filled with numerous magical beasts." he added.
"So…" he paused, letting the information sink in.
"The mission for each guild is to hunt these monsters, and even…" he continued.
"The demons within." he revealed.
Hearing Morgans' words, many in the audience looked shocked.
Demon Hunting Ceremony, its name made sense now.
Hunting demons!
While other creatures were one thing, hunting demons raised concerns.
Would such a bold move provoke the fear demons of Demon God Island?
Would it anger the terrifying demon kings?
Would it draw the wrath of the seven apostles of world calamity?
Some pondered these questions deeply.
The fear of demons was ingrained, especially the seven apostles.
This ceremony made sensitive individuals uneasy.
Of course, others were thrilled or oblivious, eagerly awaiting Morgans' next words.
Morgans, amused by the crowd's silence, continued.
"The second stage is a points competition system." he explained.
"Points are based on demonic strength levels." he said.
"C-level demons earn 1 point, B-level demons 10 points, and A-level demons 100 points." he detailed.
"D-level demons, however, grant no points, so players should avoid wasting time on the weakest." he advised.
As Morgans outlined the points system, Shanks, seated in a corner of the stands, fell into deep thought upon hearing about demons.
He had heard the Magic Pattern Association had reclassified magic-using lifeforms.
He hadn't expected the implementation to be so swift.
The classification divided magic-using life into three types: monster species, demon species, and pure demon species.
Their relationship with magic power was progressive, growing closer with each tier.
All fell under one overarching category: class.
Shanks glanced at his arm, where faint black lines were visible.
'Time is running out,' he thought, sighing inwardly.
As one of the first to acquire magic power, achieving the equivalent of a high-level B-level magic pattern user almost instantly, Shanks was a pioneer.
However, there were no Holy Light Potions back then.
Gaining such power so quickly overwhelmed his body and mind, leaving no time to adapt.
Now, he was close to mutation.
The thought of mutation left Shanks disheartened.
He wasn't sure if he could handle it.
More importantly, it wasn't just about him but his crew as well.
Success or failure, they might end up as demon species.
Mutated magic pattern users became strange demons, classified as demon species.
This was a troubling prospect.
If possible, Shanks wanted to remain human.
His current predicament stemmed from that demon, Winter, one of the Nine Demon Kings.
Shanks suspected that he and his crew had been frozen in Winter's ice.
While adrift in a sea of magic mist, they absorbed fear magic.
It was fear magic specifically because Winter was born from it.
Only fear magic could penetrate the ice.
The fact that they all wielded fear magic was proof.
As the one indirectly or directly responsible, Shanks held no hatred for Winter.
When he set out to sea, he had accepted the risk of death.
Outmatched but spared, what was there to resent?
'Demon species!' he thought.
'I'll definitely confront that demon clan if I get the chance,' he vowed, a bitter amusement in his resolve.
He glanced at the faint black lines on his arm again.
While Shanks reflected, Morgans continued.
"Though S-level demons are rare in this large magic mine, just in case…" he said.
"S-level demons are included. Hunting one grants 1,000 points." he announced, smiling.
"By the way, the second stage is the final stage of the Demon Hunting Ceremony." he added.
"The team with the highest points takes first place." he concluded.
(End of this chapter)