Chapter 218: Tournament’s Upcoming

[Strength: 65]

[Health: 90]

[Speed: 48]

[Skill: 61]

[UP: 80]

[Exp: 43/100| Level 14]

Jin smirked. "Where do I even begin?" He scratched his head. "Never had this much points before. I guess that little visit to the base proved to be quite beneficial ..."

"How about twenty on speed, twenty on strength, twenty on Health and the final twenty on Skill?" He placed a hand upon his chin.

[Strength: 85]

[Health: 110]

[Speed: 68]

[Skill: 81]

[UP: 0]

[Exp: 43/100| Level 14]

[New Skill: Health Snatch] 

[Health Snatch (Active Skill): After defeating an opponent with sentience, you gain Health points] 

"That's a pretty great skill, not gonna lie," Jin said, "but I would really appreciate it if I could know exactly how much health points I gain for the elimination. Hmmm, I guess that's something I have to figure out on my own."

***

The Wizard hovered above the village, with his hands clasped behind his back, looking down at everything with a smile on his face. 

The Colony was surely busy. Many people were preparing for the Tournament. And today, the Wizard had started hiring people to fill in on certain fundamental roles needed for the Tournament's prosperity. Cooks were needed to feed the people being entertained, guards were needed to ensure everything was in the intended order, and healers were needed to heal up the tournament's candidates after their battles.

There was but a small number of Healers alone. This was a problem as Healers were of the most value in the Colony, especially in events where injuries were inevitable. 

One of the biggest healers of the village was none other than Kaylie herself who was recently revealed as a successor. The Wizard had mainly set up the tournament for the purpose of making sure Kaylie lived. And easiest way to do such was having her defeat Jin.

The Wizard didn't have many other big problems on his hands except for the fact that he didn't have much time again to live again. His time was running out. 

***

Ryan, Alexandro, and Lindane all sat down together at a table. Ryan sat opposite Lenard. 

Ryan looked over to Alexandro. "How is the condition of the base? Have you covered up the damage done?" 

"The damage is being repaired," Alexandro said, "and the our people's spillage of rumors are at minimal."

"Do you have word on the intrusion that happened earlier today, Lindane?" Ryan looked at Lindane. 

Lindane nodded at him. "Yes," she said, "using my prediction ability so relentlessly has led to some problems to my body, but it was all worth it because we now know exactly who this 'Jin' is and exactly where he came from."

"I know him," Alexandro said, "I've encountered him in the past when I was still a law enforcement officer."

Ryan glared at Alexandro. "Is he a companion of yours?"

"Silly of you to assume so," Alexandro said, "he's merely something of nemesis of mine. In fact, we've had a few battles before this one here at base. That Jin ..." Alexandro smirked, "isn't just some user of teleportation. He uses a skill set—he doesn't have just one ability. I didn't catch on in the past because I knew nothing about the Successors, and Jin has more skills than before, so this also acted a proof of his exceptionality. He's nothing like us mortals ..."

"What are you trying to say?" Ryan raised a brow.

"I'm trying to say that," Alexandro said, "Jin is a successor just like Nina, and there is no easy stopping to him. Right, Lindane?"

"Indeed," Lindane said, "he owns a system just like our Nina. Though, his level of competence isn't anywhere near hers ... yet. We'll have to put a stop to him."

Ryan looked around. "Did he come here for Nina?" 

"I suppose so," Alexandro said.

Lindane looked at Ryan. "He didn't come here for Nina, at least that's not what his initial objective was. He was only coming here to take Advantage of us so that he could level up like Nina does after defeating or killing."

"And what makes you so sure about that?" Ryan asked.

She kept her eyes glued to him. "The same thing that makes me so sure about Jin's exact location right now."

"Just how far did your precognition ability let you see into the past and future?"

"A lot," Lindane said.

"You fool," Ryan snapped, "you know there's a cost to pay when you do that. You shouldn't ever use your ability like that. You'll put all our lives in danger."

"I had no other choice."

Ryan scoffed. "Pfft. When you die, don't come crying to me, you hear that? Pfft. Aren't you going to enlighten me on Jin's current location? What's happening there?"

"A tournament," Lindane said, "it kept replaying in Jin's head for whatever reason. It seems they're holding a Hunter's tournament."

Alexandro smirked. "Tickets for three?"

A child entered the dark room. A child who possessed white long hair that almost dragged upon the floor. She stopped dead in her tracks, peering at Alexandro. 

"Make that four," she said.

***

Jin sat down at a table downstairs. He watched Kaylie placed different treats upon this same table. He would have touched if he only forgot that she insisted that he avoided touching the food until she finished serving it. Resentment was in his heart for that slap he receiving on his hand.

She carried the final dish to the stable, placed her hands on her waists and smiled. 

"From the bottom of my heart," Kaylie said, "a huge meal for the guy that's huge on my mind. Of course I didn't mean that last part in a creepy way or anything, unless that's, like, okay with you—friends ... we're friends. Friends bake for each other. Except ... I'm the only one baking. Doesn't matter though since you're gonna kill your good old streak for me."

Jin simply gave her a long stoic look with a note of apathy. "When do I get to eat?"

"After I tell you that I've poured my heart and soul into the baking of these treats for you and you alone," she said, "and I really hope you enjoy. It's the least I can do for you."

Jin looked up at her again. "Is that all?"

"Yes," she said, "that is all. You may now dig in."

"Couldn't be more happy to," Jin said, already reaching for his knife and fork. 

Kaylie clasped her hands behind her back, and patiently watched as Jin took a first bite out of a chocolate cake she'd baked for him. Her lips parted as her anxiety raised.

Jin munched and chewed. Theatrically, he looked up at the ceiling in thought. Then, he scowled. 

"H-how is it?" Kaylie asked.

"It tastes like shit," Jin said, "shit that came right out of a chimpanzees arse. Warm and fresh."

"Wait what?" Kaylie's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"Nope," Jin said, "just fucking with ya. This thing is delicious! Never had cake this good. This has to be six times better than Doctor's Alan cake."

Kaylie raised a brow. "Doctor Alan?"

"He's definetly not someone from the base I've stolen cake from and killed," Jin said.

Kaylie raised her brows. "Right ...."

Jin continued eating. 

"Are you serious though? Is the cake really bad, or what? Are you just saying it's good to no hurt me?"

"Oh please," Jin said, "I would never for the life of me. If it tastes like shit, I'll tell you that it tastes like shit. I'm a liar through and through but I'll never lie for something so trivial," he smirked, "especially when the truth hurts ..."

"Wicked you," Kaylie gestured a hand.

Jin continued to stuff his mouth full. "This is good ... like really good. Best cake I've ever had."

[Consume sufficient sustenance]

[Reward: 3 Exp] 

The cake was moist, and soft and delicate. It wasn't too sweet at all. All in all, Kaylie knew what she was doing when she entered the kitchen with the objective of baking cake. 

There was a lot more food to eat as well. There was more chocolate cake, sponge cake, bread, cupcakes, brownies and even cookies. The table looked like Christmas to Jin. He started eating faster, then faster again. He barely even chewed the food. 

"Careful," said Kai approaching the table, "we don't want you choking to death now, champion."

"Champion?" Jin asked. "Alright, what do you want?"

"Err, nothing," Kai said, "but now that I think about it ... some of that sponge cake would do me good." 

"Sorry," Jin said, "but I'm not quite good at stealing. What you can do is steal it and ran far away. I'm sure I'd be too lazy to chase you since I don't want to leave this whole table of food behind for that look."

"I'm sure you'd catch me in a heartbreak," Kai said.

"Not if you use one of those red balls on me again," Jin said.

"That sounded a bit ..."

"I know ..."

[Task Completed!]

[+3 Exp] 

[Strength: 85]

[Health: 110]

[Speed: 68]

[Skill: 81]

[UP: 0]

[Exp: 46/100| Level 14]