I’ll be the Red Ranger
Chapter 109 – Breaking the Leaderboard

- Oliver -

Even though the day had ended for Oliver, many other recruits were still lining up for their attempts. Because of this, he continued to watch the upcoming trials through the holographic interface on his gauntlet, all while his injured arm was submerged in a mini-vat for healing.

However, it wasn't what was happening on the field that was drawing attention, but rather what was happening off it.

Some other recruit had captured footage of Oliver exiting the arena, including his exchanges with the others—especially when he boldly declared he'd reach the first place the next day.

Within minutes, that short video clip had become a viral hit on the NET. Predictably, opinions were sharply divided. Some thought he was crazy for boasting after only just making it onto the leaderboard for the first time; others pitied him, believing he was deluded by fleeting glory. A select few, however, were intrigued, eager to see him challenge the status quo and confront the trial head-on. They began to support him, although they didn't expect him to show anything different from the rest.

Oliver didn't have profiles on any social networks—at least none created in the last hundred years—but he still enjoyed following and laughing at the reactions. He easily found the trending topics at the top of the timelines: #OliverCrazy, #IsOliverInsane, #F**kThemOliver.

Each tag was more interesting than the last. However, upon returning from the infirmary, Oliver already had his plan firmly set in his mind. He would need to wait until the next day to put it into action.

Since he'd caused quite a commotion earlier in the line, he preferred to return to the dormitory and follow Katherine and Isabela's attempts from there.

As soon as Oliver discovered one of the black robots' weak points, the other recruits began sharing the information. Quickly, even on the same day, the leaderboard was updated multiple times.

Katherine, who up until that moment hadn't managed to hit the leaderboard, finally achieved a time of 02:13. Not much different from Oliver's time, but the fact that she started the match already prepared to exploit the weak point and avoided wasting time desperately trying to think of a way out was enough to optimize her position.

| Leaderboard Update

| #92 — Katherine York

| Time: 02:15

However, Katherine's and Oliver's positions were gradually slipping down the leaderboard. With each new run, recruits exploited the robots' vulnerabilities in innovative ways. Fresh strategies circulated like wildfire, each one designed to outperform the last.

Oliver's initial rank of #103 had plummeted to #551 by the next few hours. Each new discovery chipped away at average completion time, and the competition intensified as seconds were shaved off with every attempt.

Amidst this frenzy, one person remained unaffected: Isabela. Fueled by Oliver's earlier revelation about the robots' weak point, she abandoned her place in line to re-equip and strategize. Moments later, she reappeared at the line with additional weapons and gear, entirely focused on bringing the legend of "MissileGirl" to life.

From his room, Oliver watched intently as Isabela prepared for her next run. The live feed streamed across his holo-screen, every detail rendered with crystal clarity. She stood at the arena's entrance, a figure of fierce resolve. Gone was any hesitation from her earlier attempts.

She launched herself into the arena from the second entrance, accelerating toward the target house with blinding speed. The impact was explosive—she crashed through the structure, obliterating nearly the entire front facade.

This time, though, she was ready. She had meticulously practiced locating the Orb, committing every detail to memory. As the black sentinel robots converged on her position, she didn't falter. Instead, she employed the tactic Oliver pioneered—firing at the ground to collapse the floor beneath the robots, sending them plummeting to the levels below.

The arena's timer halted as she arrived at the exit point, and the leaderboard updated once more.

| Leaderboard Update

| #11 — Isabela de Luca

| Time: 01:25

Oliver leaned back in his chair, a mixture of amazement and pride swelling within him. He had always known that Isabela's Boon—her unique ability to manipulate kinetic energy—was exceptionally suited for this kind of scenario. But witnessing her rapid ascent was something else entirely. She hadn't just improved; she had obliterated previous records, executing a near-perfect run.

Across the NET, reactions exploded in real-time. Commentators and spectators were caught off guard, their earlier ridicule silenced by her undeniable prowess. Those who had mocked her "MissileGirl" persona now found themselves eating their words, while others who simply sought entertainment reveled in the spectacle she provided.

In mere minutes, discussions that once centered on Oliver's bold claims and controversial tactics shifted focus. The trending topics that had debated his sanity—tags like #OliverCrazy and #IsOliverInsane—were overshadowed by a new phenomenon:

#MissileGirlIsOurQueen

The outpouring of support was overwhelming. Clips of Isabela's run spread like digital wildfire replayed and analyzed from every conceivable angle. Enthusiasts praised her audacity, skill, and determination. Memes and fan art appeared, depicting her as a soaring comet or a warrior queen leading the charge.

In the dormitory, Oliver couldn't help but smile as he scrolled through the latest memes circulating on the NET. ‘She's going to hate all of this,’ he thought, chuckling as he glanced at one meme.

Just then, the door slid open with a soft hiss, and Isabela and Katherine burst into the room, their faces alight with excitement.

"We did it!" Isabela exclaimed, her eyes shining as she tossed her gear onto her bed. "We finally secured our times on the leaderboard!"

"Now comes the hard part," Katherine added, though her smile remained unwavering. "Keeping ourselves among the top ranks. Feels like every time someone new runs, our positions shift."

She flopped onto her bed with a mix of exhilaration and exhaustion.

Isabela, however, seemed more relaxed. She stretched out, propping herself up on one elbow. "Unless someone discovers something groundbreaking, I think my time is safe," she said confidently. Then, casting a sidelong glance at Oliver, she added, "You're not planning on nullifying my score tomorrow, are you? If you are, maybe save it for the last day."

Oliver leaned back in his chair, an enigmatic smile on his lips. "No need to worry," he replied, his tone light. "What I'm planning is a one-time bullet. I doubt they'll even allow it again after I'm done."

Isabela’s curiosity was piqued as she sat up straighter. "Oh, really? Then spill it! What are you going to do?" she pressed, eyes gleaming with interest.

He shook his head slowly, the smile never leaving his face. "Sorry, it's a surprise."

Katherine laughed softly from her bunk, watching the exchange with amusement. "He's not going to crack, Isabela."

Isabela narrowed her eyes playfully at Oliver. "Come on, give me something! Are you at least going to use some new equipment?"

"Nope," Oliver replied, enjoying the game of cat and mouse.

She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, will you be using the same entrance as before?"

"Yes," he confirmed, his gaze steady.

She huffed in mock frustration. "You're impossible! How am I supposed to prepare if I don't know what you're up to?"

He chuckled. "Maybe you're not supposed to prepare."

"That's hardly fair," she retorted, though a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

Katherine swung her legs over the side of her bed, leaning forward. "You know he's enjoying this, right?"

"Absolutely," Oliver admitted, shrugging.

Isabela threw a pillow at him, which he deftly caught with one hand. "Fine," she said, a hint of a challenge in her voice. "Keep your secrets. But don't think I won't figure it out."

Oliver tossed the pillow back onto her bed. "By all means, try."

The three friends spent the rest of the evening in lighthearted banter, the atmosphere in the dormitory warm despite the underlying tension of the exams. Isabela continued to pepper Oliver with questions, each one skillfully deflected.

"Will you be focusing on speed or strategy?" she asked at one point.

"Both," he replied vaguely.

"Are you planning to exploit a weakness in the simulation?"

"Perhaps."

"Ugh!" She threw her hands up. "You're insufferable!"

Katherine laughed. "Give it up, Isabela. You'll find out soon enough."

As the night wore on, the conversation shifted to other topics. But every so often, Isabela would loop back, trying a different angle to extract information from Oliver.

"Do you think the instructors suspect what you're planning?" she ventured.

He smiled subtly. "It's possible. But even they might be surprised."

Eventually, fatigue began to settle in. Katherine yawned, stretching her arms over her head. "I think it's time we called it a night. Big day tomorrow."

Isabela nodded reluctantly. "Yeah, you're right." She pointed a finger at Oliver. "But this isn't over."

He raised his hands in surrender. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Exhausted from the day's trials, the three friends quickly fell asleep. Yet, despite the fatigue, adrenaline still coursed through Oliver's veins. Before the first light of dawn crept into the dormitory, he was already awake, his mind sharp and ready.

As morning broke, the trio convened for breakfast. The cafeteria buzzed with recruit chatter, but Oliver was quiet. His thoughts focused on the plan he was about to execute. Isabela and Katherine exchanged curious glances but respected his silence.

After their meal, Oliver headed straight for the arena. A line had already formed, eager faces waiting their turn, but today, the queue moved swiftly. Word had spread of Oliver's bold claim to seize the top spot, and anticipation hung heavy in the air.

When his turn arrived, he stepped forward with calm determination. He glanced back to see Isabela and Katherine watching, their expressions a mix of excitement and concern.

As was his custom, he selected the first entrance for the examination. The massive gate closed behind him with a resounding clang, sealing him within the prep chamber. Ahead, the gate to the arena began to open.

But instead of charging in, Oliver remained still.

He closed his eyes, drawing in a steady breath. The distant whir of robotic sentinels patrolling filled his ears.

Careful not to cross the threshold, he tilted his head upward to the arena's ceiling, where the timer display blinked.

| 00:00

A satisfied grin spread across his face. "I'm right," Oliver whispered to himself.

But rather than advancing, he did something entirely unexpected: he sat down on the cold metal floor just inside the gate and began to wait.

Minutes ticked by. Five minutes. Ten minutes. Oliver remained seated, eyes occasionally flicking to his gauntlet, monitoring the passage of time. The arena around him stayed active, but he showed no intention of moving.

At the twenty-minute mark, a soft chime sounded on his gauntlet. His eyes snapped open.

"It's time," he declared confidently.

[Prometheus]

Rising smoothly to his feet, Oliver summoned his Energy, channeling it directly into his legs. A warm surge coursed through his muscles as his Boon activated, filling him with enhanced strength and agility.

In one explosive movement, he leaped forward, crossing the arena's threshold and propelling himself high into the air. The force of his jump sent him soaring over the towering walls and fortifications.

Oliver landed with a solid thud, the impact sending a small cloud of dust billowing around him. Yet, the arena remained eerily silent. No alarms blared, no robotic sentinels converged on his position.

Without hesitating, Oliver sprinted toward the Grand House. The front doors stood ajar—a stark contrast to the usual locked and guarded state. Slipping inside, he navigated the hallways with practiced ease, heading straight for the chamber that housed the Orb.

The Orb hovered above its table. He quickly approached and grasped the objective.

Turning on his heel, Oliver retraced his steps, exiting the Grand House unimpeded. The grounds remained still, devoid of the usual patrols.

As he crossed the arena's exit, a new notification was sent.

| Leaderboard Update

| #1 — Oliver Nameless

| Time: 00:31

As soon as Oliver left, the soldiers finally entered the field to check the robots, which were completely out of battery.