Chapter 237 - Part 2: Ella Appears On 15th Floor

Gritting her teeth she takes out the life saving artifact from her storage ring. It's a one time attack artefact. This artifact stored her father's one time Peak Elite level attack. 

While ago she already understood the pattern of this challenge. She really wanted to use it on a higher floor but not now. But seeing the category of the monster and their numbers. She doesn't have any choice other than to use it. 

She shows the green color pendant artifact against those monsters from a distance. As the blood drops on it from her finger, the artefact activates in an instant. 

At this moment, an overbearing aura envelops the entire space of the 15th floor for a moment. Even before the actual attack falls on them. The five monsters dissipate into thin air due Peak Level Elite pressure.

And the next moment, 

"Boom"

A green light flashes from the green pendent and the attack strikes on the empty space.  For a second the floor begins to vibrate and recovers in the next instant. 

Seeing the result, Ella smiled wryly and placed the snake lookalike jade pendant back in her storage ring. A bright light falls over her due to clearance and she reaches the next floor.

When she cleared the corresponding changes also took place in the leaderboard rank. 

[Name, Place – Floor – Clearance Time – Rank]

[Ella Downs – 15th – 4 Min 20s – 3rd ]

…

Outside of the Star Tower, the huge change in the leaderboard ranking is also noticed by people. They immediately begin to discuss it. 

So far no one left from the first few batches, warriors from next branches begin to participate in the challenge. 

Darius was also surprised seeing the sudden changes. His predictions were slowly becoming true. He knew the difficulty of fighting against Five Monsters with the same power level. But seeing Ella's name on the board, he already understood in his heart, "It must be a trump card.  Other than that, there is no logical explanation for it"

His mood is dampened a little bit not only by his leaderboard ranking status. He also constantly receives notifications from his organization and his family. He put all those calls in silent mode. He's not in the mood to discuss it with anybody. 

But when it comes to organizations specifically. He doesn't want to confront his teachers and elders alone. Since they came as a team, it would be better if they face the consequences as a team. He let out a deep sigh in frustration. 

At first he is making plans to book an inn inside the city. The Officials from Star Tower already explained the current situation. Besides, he also learnt the latest news from sites. But right now, some of his friends may exit in the next half an hour. Then he can discuss with them about their next plan.

…

(From Mc Perspective)

Elder Thornton roams around the city. He also made few talks with lower level officials from the City Guard. While doing so, he completely restrained his Elite level aura in order to not expose himself completely. 

Some time later, He return back to Zack's room.

Upon seeing him, I curiously asked, "Elder, Do you find anything?" Only Elder can tell me what is happening in reality. Even the news sites from time to time reveal some bits of information about the situation. But he believes that there is a lot happening behind the scenes.

Elder Thornton sat in his chair and answered Zack's question, "The City is really under emergency law. I thought there would be some leniency, but no. The City Lord of this City is really cautious. He is actually doing his job seriously. I even had an imagination of sensing a few elite warriors aura around the city." 

Obviously it was people from Star Tower, but Elder Thornton mistook it as part of his imagination.

"This is also good, if they are really doing their duty in seriousness. It can prevent any malicious people from entering the city. " I spoke to Elder Thornton after hearing his words. 

Then I asked him, " Elder, Where are you going to stay?" If he stays here, it can easily be found out by others. I can't say for sure that there are no spies in the city.

Elder Thornton shook his head, " Nope I can't stay here. I already found a good inn. You can stay here to relax. I'll come here often to visit you." He said with a smile.

Then we talked about a few other things before Elder Thornton left. 

…

Ten days later, 

The batches participating in the Star Tower began to decrease gradually as the days progressed. 

None of the warriors from various organizations were able to shake the top two rankings. Surprisingly, Ella downs reaches the 17th floor but she fails to clear that floor. Which eventually lead to tie in number 2 rank in the leaderboard. 

Other than Zack's First Rank.  The Second rank is occupied by two people namely Martin Dyers and Ella Downs.

Rest of the Warriors from Crimson Hall successfully reached above 12 Floors. But after that they begin to exit one by one. Only Ella Downs remains in 2nd Rank. 

LEADERBOARD RANKING

[  Name, Place – Floor – Clearance Time – Rank ]

[ Zack Lockwood, Hansen –  18 - 1 Hour 10 Min – 1st ]

[ Martin Dyers, Wiscount – 16 – 2 Hour 2 Min– 2nd ]

[Ella Downs, Crimson – 16 – 1 Hour  48 Min – 2nd ]

[Robb Williamson – 15 – 2 Hour 46 Min – 3rd ]

[Bradley Reese, Crimson – 15 - 1 Hour 30 Min – 3rd]

[ Darius Case, Crimson – 14-  1 Hour 42 Min – 4th]

[ Austin Boyer, Crimson – 14 – 2 Hour 34 Min -4th]

[ Sallie Mills, Crimson- 14 – 1 Hour 15 Min – 4th ]

[  Maria Robert, Azure City – 13- 48 Min – 5th ]

When the warrior from Crimson Hall excited the Star Tower. There was obvious shock on their faces seeing their rankings. The worst one was they underestimated the strength of their own team members.

The underestimated person is none other than Ella Downs, Her team thought she was in bottom rank in strength compared to others. But the ranks in the leaderboard says otherwise. But others didn't dare to ask their own team mates how they did it. 

The only person not surprised was Ella Downs. She knew she used Elite Level artefact to reach the current standing in the leaderboard. So, none of them even talked deeply about it other than small chats. Even cheerful Sallie is a little down looking at her current performance. 

The team decided to have a small meeting among themselves when everyone exited from the Star Tower. These days, Darius and others who left after him booked a luxurious inn for their stay. All of them plan to see each other during the meeting. 

When everyone exited from the Star Tower, On one particular day the Crimson Hall Team gathered inside the common study hall of the luxurious inn.

Meeting Day,

At first, Darius came for a meeting. Followed by the rest of the members, lastly it was Robb Williamson. He had a gloomy expression on his face ever since he left the Star Tower.  Not only him, all of them had a bit of a sullen expression. Only the expression of Ella is a bit unchanged making it hard for others to predict her mood.

When all of them sat in round table to discuss. The atmosphere becomes drastically quiet for a moment. None of them seemed to open the topic for discussion. All of them wanted to return to their home and continue their training. But unfortunately, they can't do that. 

So many changes have taken place since the beginning of the competition. The sullen atmosphere is not only due to their own disappointing performance but largely due to their organization's demand. 

At this time, Darius opened his mouth to break the ice. His mood long since turned back to normal. "Okay, Guys. The Head Master asked us to cooperate with each other to collect intel about the participants and then provide back to them." After saying that he looks around carefully to see anyone snooping on them secretly. 

"Harumph" At this time Robb snorted back and created a barrier around them to avoid spying upon their discussion. 

Seeing the barrier being erected and enveloping everyone. Darius cursed at his carelessness and smiled embarrassingly. 

After the barrier was completed, Sallie commented, "Do any of us have any idea? Why is the Headmaster asking us to collect intel?" Actually she knew why, but she didn't want to believe it. She hopes her friends will prove her wrong. 

Hearing her words, Ella who is sitting beside her knitted her eyebrows. For a moment her expression turned a little bit sad then turned back to normal. Even Austin and Bradley looked at Sallie in surprise yet they didn't answer her.

At this time before Darius could say something Robb stopped him in and said, "Are you even serious Sallie? You expect us to believe your words." 

Sallie bit her lips hearing his harsh tone.. Even others feel Robb is still brooding over the fact that Ella's performance is better than him.