Beast Evolution Forge - Chapter 127

Chapter 127: Dungeon Games 3
The dungeon games, an event held by the imperial city where many sections from the west participate to prove their worth, but the real worth lies in the rewards. Not only will the winner get 1 million credits but also a chance to enter the continent rankings. Currently the imperial city is ranked 30th and the only city from the west to make it that high.

The games were simple, there are 10 dungeons, all of them being rank 6. The participants wear special wristband that show their rank in the competition and their kill count, in addition with contribution in the dungeons. The top 20 would move on to the next challenge.

Dawn broke over The Broken Empire as the chosen team made their final preparations. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew and anticipation. Vell stood at his office window, watching his people move with purpose below.

“Take care of the place while I am gone.”

“Leave it to me sir, I will keep everything in order until your victorious return.” Chen answered with a sure tone.

“Heh, I like you a lot. Don’t worry, I will not disappoint your expectations.”

“I know that you won’t, sir.”

Alex was running one last training session, his movements fluid and unpredictable – nothing like his previous self. Sara worked alongside him, her strikes leaving trails of perfectly controlled corrupted mana in the air.

‘So much has changed, an unknown man showed up, won the competition, beat the guild masters, beat the guild leaders and took over the town. I expected things to go south for us but things have only been getting better. I made myself believe I was right about him being evil but now look at me, heading to the imperial city, the biggest and most profound city in the west, and leading us the very man I hated. Life is truly strange.’ She thought, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

“The preparations are complete,” Ada reported, appearing silently at his side. She’d learned to move almost as quietly as Mia these days. “Chen has the defense rotations set for while we’re gone.”

Vell nodded, his eyes still on the training ground. “And our other arrangements?”

“In place. If anyone tries anything while we’re away…” A small smile curved her lips. “They’ll regret it.”

A crash from below drew their attention. Lira burst from her lab, arms full of crystals and strange devices, her lab coat singed at the edges. “Just one more test!” she called out excitedly. “I’ve almost got it perfect!”

“No more tests,” Vell said firmly. “Pack what you have. We leave in an hour.”

“Alrighty.”

The journey to the Imperial City took three days through carefully controlled territories. Other teams traveled the same road, each bearing their section’s colors proudly. The Broken Empire team wore no uniforms, no matching colors – just practical gear suited to each person’s fighting style.

They drew stares wherever they went. Some curious, dismissive and some hostile. Vell could hear the whispers:

“Those are the ones who beat the Dragon Section…”

“Look how they move – no proper form at all…”

“Corrupted mana users. Disgusting.”

“No different from monsters.”

His people paid the whispers no mind. They’d heard far worse.

The Imperial City rose before them on the morning of the fourth day – a masterpiece of white stone and gleaming metal, every building placed with mathematical precision. The walls stretched high into the sky, pristine and perfect.

At the gates, white-uniformed guards moved to stop them, the lead guard’s hand raised imperiously. “Halt! State your—” He froze as his eyes met Vell’s, the words dying in his throat.

Vell didn’t speak, didn’t need to. He simply held out the golden invitation, his mana coiled lazy and dangerous around him. The guard’s hand shook slightly as he took it.

“The… The Broken Empire,” he stammered, then caught himself, trying to recover his authority. “You’ll need to—”

“We’ll need to what?” Vell’s voice was soft, almost gentle, but the guard took an involuntary step back. Behind Vell, his team watched with varying degrees of amusement. Sia had to stifle a giggle.

“I… that is…” The guard looked desperately at his companions, who suddenly seemed very interested in watching the clouds.

“The invitation is from Her Excellency Regina herself,” Vell continued in that same quiet voice. “Would you like to explain to her why you’re delaying her guests?”

The gates opened with impressive speed after that.

The streets were as perfect as its walls – wide, clean, and meticulously organized. Citizens in carefully coordinated outfits moved in orderly patterns. Everything had its place, its purpose, its proper form.

“It’s so… tidy,” Mia observed, her shadow-form rippling with distaste.

“Too tidy,” Sia agreed, deliberately bouncing off-rhythm just to watch nearby citizens twitch.

They made their way to the registration area, where teams from other sections were gathering. The contrast was stark – their practical, battle-worn gear against the pristine uniforms of the other competitors.

A group from another section – their uniforms marking them as the Crystal Valley team – watched them pass with poorly concealed sneers.

“Look what the Dragon Section couldn’t handle,” one of them muttered. “Pathetic.”

Vell stopped, turning to face them with a smile that made several of them step back. “Would you like a demonstration of what the Dragon Section couldn’t handle?”

“I… that is…” The speaker seemed to be having trouble finding words, much like the gate guard.

“No? Pity.” He turned away dismissively. “Save your energy for the dungeons. You’ll need it.”

High above in her tower, Regina watched their arrival through a crystal viewer, absently unwrapping another lollipop. Her eyes narrowed as she studied Vell’s movements, the way his team positioned themselves unconsciously around him, the careful control of power that radiated from him even at this distance.

“Interesting,” she murmured. “Very interesting indeed.”

“My lady,” Uda appeared at her side. “The other teams are all in position. Should we begin the briefing?”

“Not yet.” She watched as Vell’s team made their way to their assigned quarters. “Let them settle in first and think they know what to expect.” Her smile turned sharp. “The games don’t truly begin until tomorrow.”

Back with his team, Vell laid out their initial strategy. “First round is simple – prove we belong here. Top twenty move on. Questions?”

“Can I use my new stabilizer design?” Lira asked hopefully, already pulling out a crystal that pulsed with an ominous purple glow.

“Only if necessary,” he said firmly. “And Lira? Try not to bring down any buildings. We want to impress them, not give Regina an excuse.”

“You never let me have any fun,” she pouted, but her eyes sparkled with barely contained excitement.

As night fell over the Imperial City, other teams retired to rest before tomorrow’s challenges. But in the Broken Empire’s quarters, Vell stood at the window, watching the perfectly ordered streets below.

[They’re planning something.]

“Of course they are,” he replied softly. “That’s what makes it interesting.”

[You’re enjoying this.]

“Maybe a little.” His smile held an edge of anticipation. “After all, they invited us to their party. It would be rude not to give them a show they’ll never forget.”