Chapter 554: The Identification Game

"Now without further ado, let us check the results of the Crafting Battle!" Amber exclaimed as she called up the ranking screen. 

1st – Intellectual Monkey (Armonia): 0:12:34 taken. Legendary Technique Used. 3476 points. (Central Country) 

2nd – Happy Saint: 0:17:12 taken. Legendary Technique Used. 3434 points. (France) 

3rd – Warcraft Peon: 0:55:01 taken. Epic Technique Used. 2545 points. (England) 

4th – Hammer Bro: 0:59:40 taken. Epic Technique Used. 2502 points. (Russia) 

5th – Sexy Witch: 1:03:02 taken. Epic Technique Used. 2065 points. (Italy) 

6th – Miner 49er: 1:09:56 taken. Epic Technique Used. 2000 points. (Brazil) 

7th – Saber Lover: 1:15:38 taken. Epic Technique Used. 1942 points. (Japan) 

8th – Make Me: 1:21:14 taken. Epic Technique Used. 1884 points. (Mexico) 

9th – Tradeskill God: 1:27:58 taken. Epic Technique Used. 1820 points. (Canada) 

10th – Supreme Technician: 1:29:02 taken. Epic Technique Used. 1805 points. (Germany) 

"Oh, it seems like the battle was quite intense, especially for the first two! However, Intellectual Monkey of the Central Country takes the win over Happy Saint this time, how exciting!" Amber commentated. 

The crowd from the Central Country sheered for their champion, while the French also gave a resounding applause for Happy Saint. Even though they were slightly disappointed at having first taken away from them, they still knew that he had done his best. 

Warcraft Peon and co also received applause from their countries as they had made a great effort this time. England was more confident in their Combat team, not realizing that they had powerhouses in their Tradeskill teams. 

What was more important was that no one failed. Everyone basically got some points, even the last place who finished 30 minutes before the time came to an end go substantial points as he used a Rare Technique as well. 

One couldn't really nitpick, it was clear that since they were all from Umbras, they were the best of the 100 million players in the entirety of Boundless, so there would never be a case of someone failing horribly. 

This was what made the competition really neck and neck. Everyone was a pro. Some might not be popular and even nameless, but no one here was trash, not even close. 

After allowing the crowd to vent their passions for their champions, Amber continued. "Lets check the update score ranking for all the countries in the competition!" 

｢First Inter-Player International Competition 

Country Rankings Top 15 (Overall): 

1. Central Country - 12,094 points (+2) 

2. France - 11,946 points (+2) 

3. England - 11,753 points (-2) 

4. Canada - 10,603 points (-2) 

5. Japan - 10,293 points (-) 

6. Mexico - 10,166 points (-) 

7. India - 8,648 points (-) 

8. Brazil - 8,523 points (-) 

9. Italy - 8,404 points (-) 

10. Russia - 8,071 points (+3) 

11. China - 7,326 points (-1) 

12. Ghana - 7,295 points (-) 

13. Spain - 7,210 points (-2) 

14. Germany - 7,035 points (-) 

15. Scotland - 6,194 points (-)｣ 

Upon seeing the score, there were various reactions from the crowd. The English and the Canadians had awful expressions as they had been kicked down two places while the Citizens of the Central Country and the French were jubilating heavily. 

From 5th to 9th remained the same, so those countries only clapped perfunctorily with light smiles. Russia was roaring as they bought vodka and splashed it on each other, while the Chinese were glaring at their candidate with killing intent. 

For making their country lose face, he would certainly be punished by the authorities. The Africans were also happy for Ghana being able to maintain its place, while Spain rubbed their faces with dismay at falling down two places. 

The Germans and the Scots were still somewhat merry, taking everything in stride. 

Amber smiled with amusement at seeing the various reactions of the countries, knowing that the competition was still on its first day, so it was far too soon to be overly excited or sad. 

Things could suddenly shift at any time, so complacency right now would be the nail in the coffin. Just look at those betting companies. Even though things were not going as planned, they were as calm as stillwater. 

"Alright, for the last event of the day, we have the Identification Game! In this mode, candidates will have to use whatever tricks they have to identify some items and resources that are rare in the game. Will the candidates chosen for this game please materialize in the square?" Amber announced with a glance to the waiting area. 

Immediately, the AI manifested the various players chosen by each country to play this game. Just about 200 new contestants appeared on the field once more, arranged equidistantly from one another. 

Amber then lowered herself and clapped once more. The area that was like a lovely meadow shifted into a white room that had a pedestal in the middle. All the candidates had a seating area with comfortable chairs behind them and smaller columns placed before them with a screen hovering above them. 

"Will the candidates please take a seat and get ready for the commencement of the event?" Amber instructed calmly. 

Immediately, they all obeyed her instructions and sat down obediently. Amber then continued. "Please focus on your screens before you. On the main pedestal, a random item or resource will be displayed. It will then be copied to your personal screens where you can simulate its features with your mind." 

"For each item that appears, you have 3 minutes to feel it out in order to understand its characteristics, properties, name, and origin. After 3 minutes, report all your finds in your mind to your screen and your correctness will be scored by the system." 

"The entire game lasts 2 hours, in which 40 items will be displayed. The maximum score for each item is a hundred points, so try to score as much as you can~" Amber said with a teasing voice. 

The moment she revealed this, all the players of Umbra as well as those presidents, and members of the betting houses stood up. Their faces were filled with primal fury and shock, even as their hearts trembled. 

No, how could they do this, how could this blasted studio do this?! What kind of sadistic beasts were they?! Did they think that it was fun to play around with the feelings of the world and its people? 

Why were these fellows so incensed? Well, this thing Amber just stated had upturned the entire balance of the competition. To anyone, the most important section was the Combat, then the Tradeskill. 

As for the Technical section, it was just a bunch of mindless mini-games, as long as they got some fellows who were reasonably competent, it was fine. In fact, many powerhouses in various countries had lobbied for their kids to get this spot. 

It was extremely low pressure, low expectations, but if their country won, their kid's names would be part of the winning 15. It was benefits without much risk, so the competition to get into the Technical bits was even more intense than the Combat and Tradeskill, where the countries chose those who were the best from Umbra and were also citizens of their countries. 

However, this wicked woman and her evil studio had turned everything on is head. She had changed the Technical section from a boring interlude between the interesting games into a wildcard section where upsets could easily happen. 

In the Individual Battle Tower, the highest score had been 2502 points from Essence Stalker, and in the Crafting Battle, the highest score had been 3476 points from Intellectual Monkey. 

None of these fellows had scored 4000 points straight up, and their fields were more accessible and easy to understand for those who researched. It was possible to guesses how well they would do based off their performance in Boundless and their skills, but these games were things that didn't exist in Boundless. 

No one could tell how any of the candidates would do. There might be one among the fellows who had something like the Eyes of Caelo that could identify everything, thereby scoring all 4000 points by the end. 

There could also be a fellow who wasn't even really a serious player of the game and was here to fill in numbers who would score less than 100 points overall. 

No, that alone was not the problem. The problem was that the fellow with 4000 points could be from someone below the top 15 like Korea or Ecuador who would suddenly rise to the top 15 from obscurity while the fellow with 100 points could be from the top 5 like England or France, thereby dooming their teams to fall behind the others greatly. 

It was this randomness that made those fellows rise in anger, as things had become even more unpredictable. Really, anyone could not take the win, so the betting houses were feeling the strain the most. 

I-If the team that woman was one like China that had an odd of 1:5.6, they would have to pay out almost 6 times the original bet of a person who backed them. If such a person was brave and put in a few million, how were they supposed to live? 

Not to mention that hundreds of citizens and players worldwide had placed bets behind their countries. Mexico got the most because they were a stable bet and most put in high amounts in order to win something worthwhile, but the other countries also had a great many bets. 

This was who these houses planned to make money, but this scheme was thrown into chaos because of this woman. How could their eyes not go red and their hands not itch to grasp her scrawny throat and squeeze the life out of her? 

Amber ignored all the killing intent directed towards her and clapped her hands once more. "Without further ado, let the game, begin!" 

Before the contestants themselves could understand what kind of hell they had been wickedly thrown into, the first item appeared on the pedestal. It was a piece of glowing ore that radiated a whitish-red light. 

Seeing as it had already began, they could only knuckle down and try their best to pass this event. They could then launch a complaint or counterattack on this unruly studio afterward. 

The event was truly intense, as it was like watching a high-intensity exam with extremely high stakes. Whenever various candidates scored more points, the crowd would cheer, while those who failed would receive boos from their country's supporters. 

This put great pressure on the contestants, and the tension was high for the entire 2-hour duration. At the end of it all, the contestants were sweating profusely as they slumped into their chairs. 

They swore never to cut corners and underestimate this bloody game ever again. Too much had been riding on their observational and deduction skills, even more so their raw knowledge. 

As you could expect, there were obviously some countries that were smart enough to choose candidates who were knowledgeable about Boundless, the reviewers, and those who loved to explore. 

Someone like Tunder would have absolutely destroyed this segment, but there were also others who spent their time immersed in the world, not really finding fun in combat or Tradeskills, just exploration and discovery. 

This was reflected in the final score where the gap was truly horrifying in many ways. 

1st – Wild Wanderer: 40 questions answered, 25 perfect scores, 3555 points. (China) 

2nd – Adultish Gambino: 40 questions answered, 12 perfect scores, 2345 points. (Central Country) 

3rd – The Senate: 40 questions answered, 7 perfect scores, 1765 points. (England) 

4th – Promiscuous Incel: 40 questions answered, 2 perfect scores, 1255 points. (India) 

5th – Bike Cuck: 40 questions answered, 0 perfect scores, 987 points. (France) 

6th – Die Lorelei: 40 questions answered, 0 perfect scores, 786 points. (Germany) 

7th – Favela Queen: 40 questions answered, 0 perfect scores, 663 points. (Brazil) 

8th – Send Water: 40 questions answered, 0 perfect scores, 544 points. (Ghana) 

9th – Diablo's Uncle: 40 questions answered, 0 perfect scores, 498 points. (Mexico) 

10th – Ginger Ale: 40 questions answered, 0 perfect scores, 456 points. (Canada) 

China was extremely loud this time around as they had easily secured first. The gap between their contestant and the rest was the widest seen in the competition so far. After all, their country knew that they didn't have outstanding members in all fields, but China never did anything half-heartedly. 

They had diligently researched the competition and understood each game before choosing a candidate that was most qualified, instead of looking to appease some powerful families by inserting their wards. 

The Central Country only managed to clinch second because they were a land where all talents could be found at all times. Even if they didn't try hard, they would still find exceptional candidates in most fields. 

Except for football, of course. 

England was damn lucky that they had Sublime Notion as team leader, who insisted on selecting that fellow for this competition, as he was one of the more capable serf players of Umbra. 

India was also lucky that the fellow they choose was a lecherous fellow who loved traveling with Boundless world to seduce NPC beauties of different races. As such, he had to learn many things about the game in order to swindle- *cough* spit his lyrics to the ladies. 

As the crowd reacted differently to the score, they all heard the dreaded message from Amber that many did not even want to consider. 

"Now that the results are in for the Identification Game, let's see how it affects the overall score for the top countries!" 

｢First Inter-Player International Competition 

Country Rankings Top 15 (Overall): 

1. Central Country - 14,439 points (-) 

2. England - 13,518 points (+1) 

3. France - 12,993 points (-1) 

4. Canada - 11,059 points (-) 

5. China - 10,881 points (+6) 

6. Mexico - 10,664 points (-) 

7. Japan - 10,510 points (-2) 

8.  India - 9,903 points (-1) 

9. Brazil - 9,186 points (-1) 

10. Italy - 8,567 points (-1) 

11. Russia - 8,345 points (-1) 

12. Ghana - 7,839 points (-) 

13. Germany - 7,821 points (+1) 

14. Spain - 7,556 points (-1) 

15. Scotland - 6,369 points (-)｣ 

The fans of China were exuberant. From the top 15 to the top 5 was a huge leap, while those of England were also joyful at reclaiming a rank. France was red-eyed as they had dropped one spot while Canada was ambivalent since they stayed the same. 

The Japanese were ready to unsheathe katanas and go to war for dropping two places, while India to Russia were all furious at dropping down one Rank each. The Germans were happy at climbing one spot while Spain was filled with despair, wondering if they would be kicked out of the top 15 at this rate. 

Amber interrupted the anger of the crowd by speaking nonchalantly, like she hadn't just caused a great upset that many still wanted her beaten up for. 

"Well, that concludes the first day of the competition! The Group Battle Tower event will begin at 7 am tomorrow, so please make sure to tune in then! In the meantime, you can rest within the game as this should only take 3 real-time hours." Amber announced as she disappeared like a popped bubble, leaving everyone angry with no place to vent it. 

As such, they could only curse and vent their anger under their breaths as they filed out of the stadium and into the rest areas. They noticed that the stadium was present in a sealed world that had modern features like cars, roads, hotels, and various enjoyments. 

Everything was free and the service was premium. It didn't matter whether you were a tycoon or a broke college student, here you got to experience the treatment of the wealthiest young master in the world. 

Living this kind of life, how could many not become hooked. This feeling was so real, and it was no different from reality. If they could live so well outside of the tiring and dreary reality, why hadn't they joined earlier? 

Just like that, new victims for Update 5 had been gathered. It was late joiners like this who formed 99% of the victims that would suffer in that terrible period of time, but this time they were joining much earlier. 

Not to mention the changes Draco and Eva had made, many things might not end up like how they had back then. Well, that was yet to be seen. Changing the major events of a timeline was never simply because they involved many spatial and temporal laws that were fixed, but anything was possible. 

Even though it was just a few hours in the real world, it was around 12 hours in-game time. As such, it was more than enough for the hundreds of thousands of viewers to enjoy their time while they waited for the next event. 

At the same time, the various teams met in their waiting rooms, solemn expressions on their faces as they understood that their preconceived notions about how this tournament would go down were twice shattered. 

As such, they would have to draw up a new game plan around these changes and hope that Amber, that demonic woman, would not cause any more trouble for everyone. Even Sublime Notion who was a dignified troublemaker was grinding her teeth in anger at being the victim this time. 

It never felt good when one's medicine was fed right back to them. 

The teams realized that the combat section might also create some upsets, as the group battles were far different from the individual ones. As the pressure shifted from one person to an entire group, it was important to have members fill up a role in each group. 

The chemistry and synergy between each group would decide how well they would do in the battle tower as well as how far they would reach. Many teams like Mexico realized that if they wanted to win, they had to really go above and beyond during these group battles to establish themselves.