Sines.
The Capital City of the main island of Andora.
With an estimated population of 48 million people, the city was the largest known city in the entire world. With multi-layer infrastructure and transit systems that ran both above and below the skyline, Sines functioned like a living machine suspended in the sky.
Elevated maglev lines stitched together distant districts, while subterranean grids handled utilities, cargo, and Gate monitoring without disrupting the surface flow of daily life.
It was truly a city from the future.
"Everyone, please carefully board the bus. We’ll be departing shortly for the central urban megabelt."
Yawning, I looked at Section Chief White. The mere sight of him made me want to turn back and not participate in the event, but I knew that I couldn’t do it, and so, I could only pretend like he didn’t exist and board the bus.
There were already quite a lot of people sitting inside. I even spotted Kyle, Zoey, Clara, and the rest.
I thought about greeting them, but stopped when I noticed just how tense their expressions were.
Most importantly, feeling a certain gaze, I decided to take a seat.
’...How can two sisters be so different?’
I rubbed my cheeks. Even now, it almost felt as though her glare could sting.
’I wonder how long it’ll take to reach the urban district.’
Sines was divided into five districts, each vast enough to function like a city of its own.
The Apex District stood at its center, all glass towers and government spires. Beyond it stretched the Guild District, carved into a quadrant claimed by the Five, with the other Guilds located within each quadrant.
We were also there.
The Urban Megabelt spread outward, where most of the population lived. Past that lay the Industrial and Infrastructure Ring, and beyond even that, the Peripheral Satellite Cities.
Low urban cities with cheap housing.
’Given how the Urban Megabelt has the largest population, it’s only normal that they host the event there. But as far as I’m aware, there’s another reason for hosting it there. I’m not quite sure, though.’
"It looks like everyone is here."
Getting on the bus, Section Chief White held onto a notepad. Adjusting his gold rims, he began to speak.
"The journey won’t be long, about half an hour to an hour, depending on traffic. We’ll be entering the Sylian Arena, where the other Guilds are gathered. Since the events change every year, I can’t say for certain what will happen or what you’ll be required to do, but it will by no means be easy. The main objective is to accumulate as many points as possible without getting eliminated. None of you must be eliminated."
He paused. Yes, paused, and looked straight at me.
Not everyone else, but me.
I frowned, but that was also the moment he looked away.
"Getting eliminated will deduct points from us, which would make it harder for our Guild to have a good placing. Naturally, the team with the most points acquired within our Guild will be rewarded. I hope that all of you can strive to achieve such honors."
The Section Chief put the notepad away and swept his gaze over everyone.
"Be ready."
He muttered, his voice carrying a certain tension.
"...From this moment forward, the Congress will begin."
The bus began to move right after that.
*
Sylian Arena was beyond my wildest expectations.
The moment the bus neared the arena, an enormous structure, far beyond anything I had ever seen, came into view. Its massive oval frame, coated in a gleaming metal surface that reflected the sun’s glare, almost resembled a bird’s nest.
If I hadn’t felt it before, the fervor for the upcoming World Congress was now unmistakable. It was evident in the countless cars lining the elevated roads that arched through the air, as well as in the planes and helicopters overhead, each bearing different banners.
’Thank god for the fact that we have our own designated road. Otherwise...’
I watched as the bus passed the other cars. As it did, loud beeping followed.
Beeep! Beeeep! Beeeeeep—!
Each came from the cars around, the people inside waving in our direction as some opened their windows to take pictures of the bus.
I quietly pursed my lips before looking away, closing my eyes, and adjusting my mind.
The scale of this event had far exceeded my wildest expectations, and as I leaned back against my chair, I unconsciously brought my hand to my chest.
That was also the moment I felt it.
Ba... Thump! Ba... Thump!
This...
I immediately took notice of the situation and opened my eyes.
’Am I... excited?’
I...
"Everyone, get up! We’re here!"
Before I knew it, the bus had come to a stop. Looking around and seeing everyone stand up, I followed along with them and got out of the bus. The tension that lingered across the surroundings was even more pronounced than at the start, and as I got out of the bus, I also noticed several other buses stopping, other individuals stepping out at the same time as us.
The moment they took notice of us, they froze, their expression turning hostile.
I took note of their expressions and adjusted my backpack as I followed the Section Chief, who led us toward a tunnel where a group of men dressed in black stood waiting to greet us.
They took a quick look at our IDs and did a similarly quick scan of us before giving each one of us a pass.
[Participating Member: Seth Thorne]
[Severed Stars]
I placed the pass around my neck and followed the Section Chief through the tunnel.
Nobody spoke.
Nobody could speak.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
A loud thumping sound echoed across the tunnel.
It was extremely loud. So loud that everyone could feel it. With each thump, it almost felt like a small earthquake was taking place.
"What is happening?"
"...What’s going on?"
There was inevitable confusion, but it didn’t last for long as we reached the end of the tunnel.
THUMP! THUMP!
The thumping grew louder, and goosebumps rose along my skin.
THUMP! THUMP! THUMP—!
My heartbeat quickened, and my steps slowed as light began to spill from the end of the tunnel.
After which, I heard a loud voice.
— Next up, let’s welcome the members of the Severed Stars Guild!
BOOOM!
It was as if the entire world exploded. My vision widened as we stepped out of the tunnel, a sea of people greeting me, thousands shouting at the top of their lungs.
The hair at the back of my hand rose even further as I took in the sight before me.
But above all, I heard it.
"Boooo!"
"Get the hell out of here!"
"Frauds! Boooo—!"
The jeers coming from the crowd were slowly overtaking the cheers. A lot of them were most likely from the supporters of other Guilds, or even individuals. But above all, I could feel that a lot was directed at me.
"You’re a fraud! All of you are frauds!"
"Give back your ranking! Fraud!"
For some reason, I found myself covering my mouth the moment I heard the jeers.
"You’re a scammer!"
"A lucky bastard...! Fraud!"
Hearing the jeers, I massaged my face. Everyone else looked at me. Some were worried, others were smiling.
Taking it all in, I put more force in my hand.
’Ah, shit. This isn’t the place. This really isn’t the place...’
I shouldn’t be doing this.
But why?
Why can’t I stop smiling?