Jax was stunned but not completely surprised.
On the holographic screen in front of him, the Arena system proudly displayed its first victim.
[First blood]
[Jessy Jones >>> Simon Wilks]
Jax sprinted forward, delving deeper underground.
For the first phase, the most important part was actually surviving the culling.
The survival scenario was just one of many ways the BRASS employed to make the broadcast more interesting for its bloodthirsty viewers.
After heading deeper underground, Jax stopped momentarily, listening intently to his surroundings.
Only silence greeted him.
He glanced around, taking the time to observe the long stretch of earth ahead of him.
A short distance away, the gentle tap of dripping water echoed loudly through the dark tunnel.
Small bulbs barely illuminated the narrow space, jagged walls closing him in on every side.
Jax stopped for a moment, studying the walls around him with curiosity.
From the look of things, this was probably an abandoned mine.
Crooked rail lines led deeper into the thick darkness.
[Kill streak activated: Jessy Jones.]
[Kill Count: ten]
The audience roared, the bloodlust palpable even through the digital broadcast.
A moment later, Nick Frost's voice rang out on the Broadcast.
[...so far, she's been unstoppable, coming out on top in every encounter with the other entries.]
Nick turned, flashing the camera one of his signature enigmatic smiles.
[What do you think, folks? Do you think Jessy Jones has what it takes to come out on top in this new batch?]
The audience roared frenziedly once more.
Jax stared at the system announcement with a frown. His breath caught in his throat.
"Jessy Jones? Again?"
He frowned, retreating deeper into the darkness.
"Why does that name sound so familiar?"
An entry with the ability to dispatch several other contestants within the start of the Broadcast was definitely not a foe to be lightly trifled with.
"Something doesn't add up."
Turning back to the Broadcast on the wristband, his eyes narrowed.
"A killer with the ability to kill ten other entries..."
Something didn't add up.
Such an entry should have been at least tier three at the very least, and yet...he was the only tier three entry.
Jax glared at the line of pristine white names that was swiftly turning crimson.
[And don't forget our dear entries citizens, the kill counts of each of the other entries are up for grabs. All you have to do...]
Nick leaned into the camera, staring right into the lens, then whispered.
[...is to take them for yourself.]
Jax expressionlessly watched the smug bastard, his fist clenching ever so slightly, then relaxed almost immediately.
They were always watching.
Observing.
Just like the entries, the BRASS were also playing the game, albeit in a different way.
The entries watched to survive.
The BRASS observed closely, always searching for new ways of raising the stakes.
An infinite game of cat and mouse
[ And now, let's turn our attention to the rest of the surviving entries.]
Nick grinned brightly.
[Speaking of which, folks, we have a special entry this year.]
[While it's not entirely unheard of, it is exceedingly rare; this entry was categorized tier three by the BRASS.]
Jax realized what was about to happen seconds before it did.
"Fools..."
A moment later, Jax's lifelike image was broadcast throughout the Dominion.
He expressionlessly stared at himself on the screen.
"I was right. They're watching."
He fought the urge to turn and check for signs of a recording device.
While he'd expected it, he didn't think that they'd move this fast.
The BRASS was probably behind it.
They wanted to see what he was capable of.
"If it's a show they want, then I'll give them one."
His location had been exposed.
That small, seemingly innocent peek at his location was a hint, meant for the other entries.
"And knowing those dastardly bastards, they'll probably take matters into their own hands. "
It was just the way the BRASS worked.
With a smirk, he turned and headed in another direction.
Jax slowly walked deeper into the tunnels.
In the meantime, he'd not encountered anyone in the darkness, but he was quite sure that he'd soon encounter the other entries.
After all, he couldn't possibly be the only one with the brilliant idea to delve deeper underground.
After a while, he came to a stop, listening...waiting.
Letting out a sigh, he continued forward.
A split second later, he ducked down, just narrowly avoiding the dagger that flew at him out of the shadows.
In one fluid motion, he spun around with practiced ease.
The assailant, a young man with dark curly hair and gleaming blue eyes, leapt out of the shadows with a frenzied yell.
"Fool..."
Jax silently observed him weaving this way then that, just narrowly avoiding the gleaming blade.
"Mid-twenties, probably a volunteer from this level of skill."
He casually leaned back, shoving the young man back with his palm.
The young man let out a pained yelp, staggering back.
"That confirms it. A runt with dreams of grandeur."
Jax cocked his head, staring at the young man expressionlessly.
"Pity I'm the one who has to end him."
Behind the young man, the shadows surged, and a larger one separated itself from them.
Jax quietly watched.
"Time to see how the audience reacts to this."
The young man didn't notice the figure until it was too late.
A massive meaty paw grabbed the young man, hoisting him into the air.
The young man's eyes widened in surprise.
"Wait! I..."
A sharp cracking sound echoed through the dark tunnel. The nameless young man fell to the ground, his head tilted at an awkward angle.
A giant of a man stepped into the tunnel, blocking off the path.
Squatting down, the man casually wiped his arm on the shirt of the lifeless youth.
"These young fools...so eager to die. And for what...
glory..." he spat.
The giant shook his head, continuing to mutter.
" What glory? There's no glory once you're dead. Once you're dead, that's it.
Jax stared at the giant curiously.
"Is he ignoring me?"
The giant rose to his feet, turning in the direction where Jax stood.
" Are you also eager to die?"
The giant turned slowly, walking towards.
Jax silently watched the giant's movements.
" He's definitely strong. "
The human neck was comprised of seven bones, and for a man to casually lift another and break his neck without a fuss was something truly...inhuman.
Jax took a step back.
A split second later, the giant burst forward, moving with uncanny speed.
Jax's eyes widened slightly.
" Not only incredibly, but fast as well."
The giant's hand whipped through the air in a grappling motion.
Jax raised an eyebrow, ducking below the outstretched hand and swiftly kicking off the ground behind the giant. He rolled away, swiftly rising to his feet.
The giant paused, then slowly turned.
" You're quite fast on your feet."
Jax's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"That's certainly interesting."
After a while, he spoke.
"And you're blind. You're using the sound of my voice and movements to track me. Truly impressive."
He suspected this for two particular reasons.
Despite coming face-to- face with him, the giant showed no sign of recognition.
Which was quite strange considering Jax's face had been splattered all over the broadcast.
At this point, he was literally moving with a target on his back.
And the second is the giant's movements.
He'd cock his head in a peculiar manner just before he moved.
From Jax's deduction, he was aligning his ears with the sound waves traveling through the giant tunnel.
The giant paused, then grinned.
"I guess it can't be helped. You're right. I'm blind. But far from helpless."
Shifting his body weight forward, the giant smiled, a slow, predatory grin that just barely reached his eyes.
"I'm going to have to kill you now."