Chapter 115: the award giving ceremony 2

After the Roman Empire team members took their award, the manager did not waste time unnecessarily; he directly called for the 2nd place team.

The Team Captain of the United States team led his teammates, as they walked forward to get their awards. The award for the 2nd place team was not different; it was the same equipment the 3rd place team received. But this time, they were privileged to take both weapon and armor.

The equipment for the 2nd place team was made according to the standards of countries, with super high-grade military strength. Like those used by the soldiers of the Roman and the Microsoft empire organization.

Shortly after the United States team took their award, the winners of the team tournament were finally called out to take their awards.

Led by their vice-captain, the Great defender, the gladiators of the Microsoft empire team advanced towards the podium. Seeing only 4 soldiers, going to take the award brought back memories to the spectators and the gladiators alike.

This further reinforced the notion, that the battles in the gladiator tournament were not beans. The brutality was real, as even someone as strong as the captain of the Roman Empire team, died in the individual tournament.

Despite the clear change in the atmosphere around the stadium, the 4 gladiators of the Microsoft empire team remained unfazed, as they calmly climbed the podium to meet the manager.

As the winners of the team tournament, the manager naturally took more time to congratulate them. The gladiators smiled modestly, as they nodded repeatedly at the praise being heaped on them.

After what seemed like an eternity, the projection of their award finally materialized beside them. The promised rewards for the first place team materialized, shortly after the projection was shown, directly stealing all radiance from the surrounding.

The weapons gleamed with a fearsome glow, as they were subjected to the light above the stadium. The sharp weapons there reflected a bright metallic sheen, making their sharp edges gleam ominously.

Despite still feeling down at the death of their team captain, the gladiators' eyes shone brightly, as they stared at their awards with desire planted all over their faces.

The Great defender walked closer first, as he was handed his award. This award already set him close to the peak of humanity, in terms of equipment. Getting anything that is produced according to the standards of the big 5, is a luxury to normal soldiers.

But this gladiator tournament already changed his fate. With the stealth armor, his life practically received a guarantee of safety. After thanking the manager, and keeping the armor, he finally took hold of his new exotic shield.

As soon as he connected to it through his implant, a blue light shone, as a square-shaped, sturdy-looking shield materialized on his hands. Feeling the boundless thickness on his hand, he smiled involuntarily, while admiring the faint blue energy lines surrounding its edges.

“With this shield, I’m officially a turtle shell soldier. No one can break my defense, my defense is now unbreakable”. As this thought flashed past his head, he finally recollected himself as he went down the podium.

His teammates went forward in quick succession, as they took hold of the reward of their hard works.

The other gladiators watching could only grind their teeth in envy. Getting hold of such equipment would directly propel them to greater heights, in the path of the soldier occupation.

…

Soft music played in the background as they took a short break, to get some refreshment. After performances by some artists as a form of entertainment, the ceremony finally phased to its last part.

As the stadium gradually calmed down, the manager took to the stadium again with a smile on his face.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he boomed. “We are officially at the last part of this price giving ceremony, the individual award”.

“Let’s make it wild, as we welcome the winner of the individual tournament, to the stage. Let’s welcome the Magician, the Stranded dragon, the one-hit killer, our champion…”

Boom!! Boom!! The manager was not allowed to finish his introduction, as enhanced fireworks were shot out by the spectators in rapid succession. Excitement filled the air, as Clark slowly stood up from his seat with a smile.

Magician!! Magician!! His famous nickname started being chanted again. The spectators chanted and yelled, as the stadium shook like something under the influence of a stampede, from a band of exobeast rhinos.

“I love you dragon. I want you to be my bed guard. You’re my hero”. Ridiculous chants like this, started joining the occasion, as the riled-up atmosphere made the spectators release all their impulses.

Clark kept his smile despite the noise reverberating around the stadium, as he raised his hands to wave at the spectators.

This gesture succeeded in taking the chants to the next level, as even more ridiculous chants were added to the occasion. After what seemed like forever, the noise finally died down, as the spectators grew tired from all their yelling.

Clark arrived at the podium for some time already, but he finally went closer to the manager after the noise died down. The manager also finally resumed his speech.

“As the winner of this decade’s gladiator tournament, you already left a mark here in the Seafarers alliance. Despite the fearsome opponent you had to go against, you still defied all odds by emerging as the winner of the battle”.

“I must say that I am awed by how talented you are. It is my honor to present the award reserved for the best gladiator to you. As already evidenced by the spectators here, your battles were extremely entertaining and satisfying to us”.

“After a lot of brainstorming, my team finally decided on the right reward that is fit for your exceptional performance. We decided to increase your options from 1 to 3. With this, you will be able to find what is better compatible to you”.

As soon as he finished speaking, a huge projection appeared beside him, covering half of the podium.

Clark calmed his rapidly beating heart, as he finally raised his shining eyes to look at his projected options. The first option quickly appeared before his sight, as he carefully went through the projected list.

The first option consisted of exotic stealth armor, and exotic spear, an exotic sword, and exotic throwing knives, all made according to the standards of the big 5.

The second option consisted of exotic stealth armor, and exotic spear, an exotic-made 2-form gun, and an exotic powered sniper rifle, all made according to the standards of the big 5.

Seeing the 2nd option, his heart was already decided. But he still decided to check out the third option. This was when he froze, with confusion written all over his face.

“An implant? What do I need an implant for? I already have one”. His face developed a slight frown, at the sight of such an unexpected award. And it was alone as an option by itself.

As he soliloquized on why such a thing would be placed there as a reward, his brain finally clicked in the correct direction. His eyes widened, as shock overtook his facial expression.

“An implant developed according to the standards of the big 5. Damn, when did my luck become so good?” His brain practically short-circuited, after he recognized the real value of this award.

Originally, an implant’s intended use was to help the user and to boost the user’s physical attributes. The first reason why the idea of implants was conceived was for them to act as companions to humans.

This was the reason, but countries with poor military power could not afford the development of such implants. Only the big 5 had the capability, to create and give such implants to all their soldiers.

The technological skill and resources alone that are required to create its A. I was beyond the reach of poorer countries and organizations. Such implants fulfilled the original reason, of looking for a companion for its users.

Paired with such an implant, a regular soldier can become 10 times more perceptive and effective in combat. Doctors can work countless times better and faster when paired with such an implant.

Though, the big 5 have the capabilities to produce such implants. Even then, their ordinary citizens could not still use implants of the grade Clark was being offered.

Its uses and importance were just too immense to be quantified. Though he had heard of it of how useful they were, it was just rumors and stuff of legends to him. Seeing the real thing practically left him breathless.

After going through the little knowledge he knew about such high-grade implants, he immediately made a decision.

“I choose the 3rd option,” he announced while turning to face the manager.

The manager smiled like he expected such a reply, before approving the decision immediately. He would have been shocked instead if Clark opted to choose any of the other options.

As soon as the decision was approved, it meant the prize-giving ceremony was over. The manager took a picture with him before he was finally allowed to go back, under the huge noise being made by the spectators.

Despite already expecting the reward for the individual tournament to be huge, all the other gladiators were still shocked. Clark’s teammates congratulated him; they felt genuinely happy for his success and fortune.

Arthur also came forward to congratulate him. Despite his headstrong behavior, he knew that his teammate deserved whatever he received. Clark was the most talented soldier that he had ever met, in this his short life of being a soldier.

…

After settling every urgent need and problem, Clark finally bid farewell to his teammates, as he drove his team car to the special implant hospital of the gladiator district.

His teammates waved, as he swiftly drove out of the compound, speeding across the street.

After he made his decision, the manager told him to come to the implanting hospital, when he was ready. He didn’t want to waste time. So, he decided to go, directly after the prize-giving ceremony ended.

He wanted to know what it felt like, to use an implant made according to the standards of the big 5.

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