The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 393: Opening and tasks

Chapter 393: Opening and tasks

Finally!

The competition would start. Hex stood at the roof of the Inn and watched people flock toward the Challenger’s Hall.

Thousands of people moved like ants behind each other. Some had even arrived before dawn.

Unlike the participants, the spectators didn’t care about the loss of time or having to listen to lengthy speeches. For them, this chance to leave their house and enjoy life with their dear family was worth more than anything else.

Hex and others who were participating in the competition didn’t need to gather early in the morning. They were required to be present with their teams once the opening rituals were completed. It came as a big surprise to learn that the participants absent during this part would be barred from the competition.

"You guys should consider it from the perspective of the organizers," Sterling had admonished the ones protesting this rule. "They have invested a lot of coins into this event. They are perhaps the only ones who don’t care about anyone’s background. Their people will hype each and every one of you as if nothing greater than you exists. Titles of geniuses, dark horses, mysterious ones, jade beauties, and what not will be bestowed, whether someone deserves it or not. They need hype. Because that will earn them their coin back. No one cares if you beat one guy or a hundred guys. They care about the coin. Only about the coin. You, me, we all, are irrelevant."

After the ego-shattering speech, people had quietened down considerably. Hex was looking forward to the matches. Unbeknownst to the others, he had gone out to buy loads of clothes and gears. Nothing special. They just needed to fit the different personas he was about to impersonate during the competition. Everything was ready.

...

"And to give the first speech, please welcome, his Eminence, the High Elder Moles Tectonic."

Hex sat listlessly in the crowd, watching and listening to everyone on the stage. He had been looking forward to the competition for such a long time. Somehow, the organizers had taken all the fun out of it.

’Just look at all these people. That group there were raging and shouting, claiming they would win and show everyone what they were made of. She was walking with a cold gaze as if no one was worth her time. Now, everyone is just sitting here, stifling their yawns, inspecting the threads in their clothes, and readjusting themselves over and over, trying not to fall asleep.’

Hex was faring better than most. However, for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out why they made this thing so boring. Where was the hype Sterling claimed everyone was creating?

The speeches were boring. Yes. But at least one could learn a few things if they paid attention. Hex learned plenty, even listening half heartedly to the High Elder. Apparently, the roots of Wrixia were so deep they couldn’t be uprooted, not even by Sages. The only thing that could even inflict damage on them was the Earth itself. He called the shift in Earth Slabs. It was difficult to follow. But the gist was that Wrixia would remain rooted and protect those who sought its protection.

A fine speech. Certainly better than what followed next. Sponsors. Tons of sponsors who promoted their stuff. Hex truly lost all interest when someone climbed on the stage and advertised their Goo-makers that turned Earth elements into fertilizers for small plants.

The only person interested in it was Sage Tectonic. What a surprise!

...

"I got it."

Hex watched Sterling run toward their table with excitement etched all over his face. In his hand he held a scroll. The scroll was rolled up and tight in the middle with a ribbon. Hex had to do a double take to make sure he wasn’t seeing it wrong. It was a pink ribbon.

"The colors were at random." Sterling had noticed the strange gazes around him and explained with a shrug.

"Anyway...how does the first round look for us? Come up. Open it up." Dollaire urged Sterling to hurry up and disclose the content.

During the opening they had learned the format of this competition. Each group would receive a scroll with tasks. Each task would gather them points, which would decide their ranking. The tasks were divided across every mode of the competition.

When the crowd had reacted confused, the representative of the organizers had taken the stage.

"Please, don’t forget the origin and the true goal of this competition. It is to determine the next heir of the merchants. The group leaders have to demonstrate their ability to gather and use resources. So what if you don’t have a warrior. Or a potion master. Show us how you deal with all these challenges. Show us how much you can earn for your team and for yourself. Show us if you are worthy to lead a group known as the most cunning and resourceful in the world."

The representative’s speech had ignited a fire in those merchants. Sterling and Quid were among those who had cheered standing up for that man.

"Okay. Listen up," Sterling started. He had spread the scroll across the table. From today onward they were the sole patrons of the Inn they were staying in. Hex didn’t have the exact numbers but this strategy of Sterling to avoid spies should have put a huge strain on his limited pockets.

"The first round has a few tasks we need to complete and has a maximum duration of seven days. Once the time is up, all the points will be tallied, irrespective of the number of tasks completed. The task per mode are as follows:

For the warriors: Defeat ten other participants, earning three points with each win, one point for each draw and zero for each loss. Bonus points are allotted to those with a ten-win streak.

For Dryads: Diagnose and heal as many people from the spectators stand. Each good diagnosis earns one point. Each successful treatment of ailments will earn three points. Zero points if the diagnosis is wrong. Minus three points if the treatment puts the person at risk.

Note: The person should be willing to be diagnosed. A cap of ten per person is applicable.

Warning: Those winging it just to try their luck will be disqualified from all the modes.

For Druids: Take care of the beasts around the city. Points are rewarded based on feedback from the farmers.

.

.

.

The list of tasks went on and on. Hex, like the others, listened with a deepening frown. What kind of competition did they sign up for?

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