Grey leaned back and sighed as the Great Udon appeared high in the skies. The roof that had been above the vessel they flew in became worthless. It seemed that no matter where they were, or what they were doing, so long as you were a Genesis Candidate, you would be able to see the recap episode, and thus the skies clearly.
The feeling of being trapped without being able to move anything but your eyes was just as uncomfortable as Grey remembered. He didn’t like the feeling of not being able to control his body, but right about now, he could barely survive against the small-time Producers, let alone the Genesis System as a whole.
Still, that didn’t stop Grey from grinning on the inside. Whatever happened here, he was sure that the Great Udon would have no choice but to show him.
Not only had he killed three alien races, but he had also humiliated the man. Even if The Great Udon edited the last part so that it didn’t make the War Heads look as bad, Grey was sure that he would emphasize the first portions. Only that way could Grey be guaranteed to be hunted down.
But Grey didn’t care about being hunted down.
He cared about his gramps knowing that he was alive and kicking ass.
It didn’t matter how many times these things killed him. So long as he could be revived, it would be fine. His gramps would be able to come here week after week to see him doing just fine.
And if Grey’s cache grew great enough, then his old man wouldn’t even have to wait a week. He’d be able to see him in the daily episodes.
Grey clenched his fists, or rather he sent the signals to do so. However, his body didn’t actually move.
Grey’s gaze shifted down toward his hand. "... Weird... this feels..."
BOOM.
The Great Udon appeared in the skies in a torrent of whirling winds and pulses of lightning. He looked far more majestic than ever before, a strong, oppressive might descending.
"WELCOME!"
His voice boomed, a wide grin spreading across his face. Today, he was more than just a floating hollow mask in the skies. There was a helm placed atop his head, one that looked formed entirely from swirling silver patterns. It was more of a face mask for his face mask rather than a helm, really, and almost felt more like the tattoos of the War Head Race rather than anything else.
"It has been a long while since I have addressed you all, and as you can see, my blood is boiling, my spirit is high, the war drums beat in my head and roar against my steady heart. I have not felt this way in a very long time, everyone, and I can say with great certainty that in all my years, this is undoubtedly the most exciting First Arc I have ever led.
"In honor of this, today’s recap episode will have a special theme. We will be highlighting the underdogs, the forgotten, the forsaken. I have selected five valiant heroes, four who just might show the world that a Cracked World is more than just a little corner meant to entertain the dogs.
"ARE. YOU. READY!?"
The raucous cheers from the Great Udon’s rowdy crowd were filtered in. Screens popped up all around his floating figure high in the skies, and the scenes of the crowd losing their minds were filtering in through them.
"I CAN’T HEAR YOU!"
The crowd roared so loud the screens lost their connection for a moment. Grey wished he could have covered his ears, but the bastards didn’t let him do that.
"IN THAT CASE WE WILL BEGIN. THE FIRST!"
An image of a pretty young woman appeared. She had beautiful tanned skin and Asian features. Her figure was petite and it was hard to decide whether she was 18 or 19 years old, or if she was almost 30.
Based on her appearance, she was almost certainly the former. But based on the sharpness in her eyes, the almost elegant sort of grace she moved about with, Grey would have bet money she was a lot closer to 30 than it seemed.
’She’s hot.’ Grey immediately thought. That was apparently all he cared about, but it wasn’t his fault. She wasn’t even dressed for battle.
She was wearing what looked like traditional Vietnamese garb, a double layered dress with flowers embroidered on the more prominent layer. It was a fierce red with a white under-lay. And for whatever reason, she wasn’t wearing any shoes at all, exposing pretty little feet that were not only somehow perfectly pedicured, but also had flower patterns painted onto each toe.
Grey swore he wasn’t a foot guy. He was an ass guy. And a boob guy if they were big enough. And most definitely a face guy. Okay, maybe he was a guy who liked pretty things on pretty women, sue him.
But regardless of his feelings, he had no idea how this woman was surviving. She didn’t look like she had fought a single battle at all.
Soon enough, he found out.
What must have been a Region Boss appeared in front of her. It wasn’t a cabin like what Grey had to face, but it was a tree that was probably just as large. Its branches whipped out, roots rising out of the ground and lashing out at her from all sides.
If it was anywhere near as strong as the Wicked Forest Witch, then it was easily one of the strongest existences in the Proving Class, and more than strong enough to kill a majority of Established Class individuals.
And yet, when the roots and branches came close to her, the Asian young woman didn’t move at all. And as though in respect of that, the branches stopped as well.
The world around them turned grey, except for beautiful pink and red lotuses that began to bloom as the woman walked forward.
The tree still didn’t move... until she reached forward and touched its trunk.
Chi.
It was torn to shreds.
Grey’s pupils constricted. ’... What the fuck?’
"INTRODUCING Nguyen Thi Lan of Zone 1278."
Grey’s surprise instantly became rage.