Ascension of Chaos

Ashley The moment I find myself appearing within the lobby of the Class D Official System Event, I realize there was something Chaos didn't mention to me that's different about them from Class E events. Specifically the fact that the lobby is within the spectating arena instead of in a different dimension like it was before. So the moment I appear, I hear the loud roaring of the millions upon millions of people in the audience. Meanwhile beneath me and the other competitors I can see numerous floating islands all surrounding one massive floating island. I don't see any monsters on them right now though, which most likely means the monsters won't be appearing until after the event starts. "Oh, right," Chaos comments in my head amidst the roaring crowd, "I forgot to mention that the lobby is moved into the spectating arena so the competitors can interact with their fans. And the No Interviews feature no longer blocks you from hearing them. It just blocks the MC from speaking directly to you." Little late now. "Another lovely day and another loooooovely Class D evennntt!!!" a voice shouts from above us, making the crowd go even wilder. "Welcome one and all, to Hunt of the Festival's Eve!!! I'm your MC for the day, Crystal Fallian, and today we've got a rather surprising lineup of competitors! So make sure you're seated, because this is going to be a wild one folks!!!" I raise my head to find what looks like some sort of fairy flying around all over the place above us. The MC. She seems to be rather energetic, and the crowd seems like they like her. The fairy – and she does identify as a fairy when I try – has pink and golden wings and is wearing a business suit which looks almost comical on her tiny, one and a half foot tall form. Meanwhile she has glowing pink eyes and is holding a microphone that I'm sure is just decorative. "To start off with the absolute biggest surprise of the evening, we havvvvvve…" the fairy says, clearly trying to build up excitement as she focuses on me with a grin, "…the Queen of Destruction herself! Crimson Phantom, Successor and Princess to Chaos, Ashleeeeeeeey Siiiinclaaair Chaooooooooosssss!!!!" The crowd immediately goes wild at that. Even more so than they already were. All the way to the point that I begin to get a headache. Although said headache vanishes the moment it appears. Almost like the System was taking it away or something. "That's because it is," Chaos explains. "The System automatically restores any damage done by the players to the audience and done by the audience to the players." That's good. I glance over at the other players with me to find just about what I expected. ♢ Ragnir Coldbeard – Level 211 Dwarf – 481 Potential Skills – X ♢ ♢ Lyr Velarule – Level 201 High Elf – 872 Potential Skills – X ♢ ♢ Nadina – Level 172 Siren – 349 Potential Skills – X ♢ ♢ Rolando Elrevar – Level 225 High Human – 367 Potential Skills – X ♢ ♢ Ich'tac Tch'rel – Level 210 Antol – 500 Potential Skills – X ♢ If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. ♢ Nidvar Delran – Level 236 Demon – 900 Potential Skills – O ♢ One of the reasons I chose this Official System Event was because the players were higher level here. Making most of them between level 150 all the way to level 240 or so. Which gives me a rather large window for leveling up in this, on top of those monsters of course. And with them being higher level I won't just be cruising through this on easy mode. Not to mention that I should get more higher level skills when I take their Skill Trees. Although… my eyes turn towards the demon who also happens to be a Successor according to their identify. At the same time, the MC turns to look at them as well as she says, "And she's not our only Successor here today, for we have the great! The ruthless! And the forever late-" laughs break out amongst the audience "Nidvaaaar Delraaaan!!! Successor to the Primordial of Siiiin and the Molten Slaaaayyyeeerrrr!!!!" I blink at that before the corners of my lips tilt downwards in the start of a frown. Meanwhile the Successor of Sin raises one fist into the air while staring directly at me. Completely ignoring the fact that glowing crimson cracks are appearing and then vanishing on his body from my gaze. And the audience absolutely eats it up as they start roaring their approval. The demon in question has pitch black orbs for eyes, albeit with an occasionally revolving symbol of Sin in the center of their eyes acting kind of like a pupil that tells me where he's looking. He has pale red skin with two bat-like wings and is wearing a set of pitch black armor that definitely looks rather demon-like in appearance. It doesn't take long for the MC to move on to the next person she introduces though as she says, "And on top of those two Successors, we also have the lovely Successor of Magic, the beautiful and elegant, Princess Elana Wysteria of the Kingdom of Wysteria!!!! Also known as the Princess of the Arcane!" I glance at the MC before looking where she is looking to find a woman with a lot of the same features that Blake has as a Successor of Magic, except with a different species overall. ♢ Elana Wysteria – Level 215 Winter Fae – 1000 Potential Skills – O ♢ Another one to look out for. Although she seems to be looking at me more out of curiosity than any sort of antagonistic attitude. "That's because we're allies with Etheria," Chaos states, surprising me for a brief second before I realize it makes sense. They're a former couple after all. "That's the logic behind it? Not that your twin is also a Successor of Magic, but that me and Etheria were a thing in the past?" Chaos dryly asks, sounding both amused and befuddled. Yep. After the princess, the MC goes on to introduce a few other people who are apparently relatively popular with the audience. Then she looks down at me and begins to head my way, only to no doubt see the big 'No Interviews' notice above my head and turn to head towards the demon instead. When she reaches him, she quickly asks, "Say, Molten Slayer, how do you feel about the other competitors in this event? Are you confident about taking them on?" The demon doesn't take his eyes off of me even as glowing crimson cracks appear on said eyes from my returning his gaze as he answers, "Yes. All who stand in my way will be scorched till they're naught but ash, I promise you that." Everyone in the crowd reacts strongly to his statement, with a large number of them seemingly rather upset with him but another portion acting excited instead. Probably the difference of whose fans they are. Also, the fact that he's been given the title of 'Molten Slayer' and is talking about scorching people to ash probably means he uses some sort of magma or fire magic. "Oooo, someone's confident, aren't we?" the MC says with a grin. The Successor of Sin finally takes his eyes off of me to look at the MC with two purple lion-head symbols of pride glowing in his eyes as he answers the question in a blunt manner, "Yes." "Oh hooo! Very confident!" Crystal exclaims, her grin widening before she flies off to go interview the winter fae Successor of Magic. Who actually looks a little bored right about now. "And what about you, Princess? How do you feel about being pitted in the middle of this little strife between Chaos and Erebos?" She moves the mic to the woman who just answers rather simply, "The Successor of Sin can go suck on rocks. I'm just here to get combat experience and fill my quota." Crystal moves the mic away as if she was expecting that before flying upwards and saying, "Well, what did we expect from the Princess of the Arcane? There's a reason people call her the Ice Princess, and it's not just because she's a Winter Fae Princess!" Laughter echoes out from everyone at that. I can't help but raise a brow at the princess's answer, only to shrug it off a second later. Mostly because I don't really care. Doesn't hurt that she didn't say anything bad about me. Just about the demon guy. The fairy MC goes around and interviews a few more of the players in this event before moving on to answer a few questions about the event itself. Then she eventually flies up into the air and spreads her arms to the side as she exclaims, "And now let us finally get this Class D Official System Event underway! Keep your wits about you folks because it's going to be a doozy!" And with that, I find myself being teleported into the arena. Officially marking the start of the event.