"Where are you ranked?" The bartender, who possessed the keyword "decisive," tossed a bottle of rum to the gunner and asked.
"169," the gunner looked at his personal interface panel, looking somewhat dejected. "And you?"
"A little higher than you, 152," the bartender sighed. "This Paul guy has disrupted everyone's rhythm. I've never seen anything like it before. In less than a month, there were less than 200 examinees left in the examination field. He's simply a madman."
"I wonder what his keyword is?" The gunner asked lazily, lounging on the deck.
"Probably 'troublemaker'!" The bartender chuckled bitterly. "I can't imagine a more fitting keyword than that."
"If he's a troublemaker, then what are we?" The gunner rolled his eyes and sighed. "Actually, when I randomly got this keyword, I knew there was no hope for this simulation field. I just wanted to perform well and see if I could show the instructor my understanding of the keyword, and maybe get a chance to be a reserve soldier. Now, all the attention has been stolen by that guy."
"This was always a game of luck," the bartender shook his head. "I hope that damn bastard has the same luck on the alien star battlefield! But I just can't accept it. We should still have had more time to develop..."
"I can't accept it either," the gunner said. "I'd rather risk being eliminated myself than let this troublemaker stay. His behavior is disgusting. I never expected that Admiral Mikaro and Mahamadu were also examinees, and their luck in body possession is quite good. They started off higher than everyone else."
"At least they're not annoying," the bartender took a big gulp of the drink. "Before Paul showed up, they were following the rules of the game."
"It's unlikely," the bartender shook his head. "After all, with each additional examinee around them, the level of danger increases. If someone were to assassinate them and take their rankings, they would gain nothing. The top ten examinees wouldn't do something so foolish."
"Are you saying that their rankings might not have made it into the top ten?" the gunner asked.
"It's possible," the bartender said. "Smart examinees will suppress their rankings, keeping them between 10 and 30, ensuring their strength while hiding themselves. Then, near the end, they'll make a sudden move into the top ten, ultimately securing a good ranking."
"I can't imagine how a world-renowned figure would suppress their ranking. Every move they make affects the world's changes," the gunner said.
"Who cares? This is our only hope of winning," the bartender shook his head, tossing the empty bottle into the sea. "Maybe they just want to compete with Paul for the top spot in the simulation field. Anyway, with our low ranking, killing them won't increase our attributes by much. It's better to go and try our luck. I'd rather die at the hands of Mikaro than be quietly eliminated like this."
"You're right," the gunner stretched lazily. "With all the commotion Admiral Mikaro is causing, he's definitely going to make it into the top ten. It's a good opportunity to gain some merit. If he becomes a reserve soldier, maybe we'll have a chance to benefit from helping him. I'll let him have the top ten spot..."
...
The Watcher.
Admiral Mikaro stood on the deck, watching the busy navy personnel loading supplies onto the ship.
Vito stood by his side, looking tense.
Admiral Mikaro stood with his hands behind his back. "Antonio was sent by you to attack Mahamadu?"
"Yes," Vito said.
"Paul sent you to my side to disrupt my plans, didn't he?" Admiral Mikaro turned the gravity ring on his hand. "So, he knows your keyword and skills!"
"Yes," Vito nodded again.
"Why are you so foolish to listen to him? Staying by his side, you could have a greater impact. If you use your keyword well, you might even have a chance to assassinate him," Admiral Mikaro said.
"My keyword doesn't work on him," Vito said. "So, leaving him is the best choice."
"It doesn't work?" Admiral Mikaro frowned and suddenly asked, "You've been with him the longest. Can you tell what his keyword is? Is it 'chaos'?"
"Not really," Vito shook his head. "His behavior is very diverse and chaotic. For a while, I even thought he was just a lucky local, until I got information about his keyword from another examinee."
"What's your ranking?" Admiral Mikaro asked.
"After moving Antonio, my ranking is 33," Vito said with a lowered gaze. "General, I didn't expect you to be an examinee as well."
Admiral Mikaro glanced at him and said, "Vito, stay as my deputy. You can freely command the warships under my command, but I hope you can contribute when facing Paul."
"General, my advanced skills don't work on Paul," Vito said, stunned.
"It's not for Paul, it's for the person next to him, Janice. I need you to distract Janice from Paul. As long as Paul doesn't hand the trident to Janice, this simulation field won't end, and the remaining people will still have a chance to perform," Admiral Mikaro said lightly.
"A chance to perform?" Vito was stunned."Vito, I know your skills can influence my thoughts, even my decisions, but I still choose to keep you around and trust you. Do you know why?" Admiral Mikaro turned around and looked at Vito.
"Why?"
"Because my true identity is that of an instructor." Admiral Mikaro said, "Warriors descending from the Alien Star Battlefield enter the Simulation Field to increase the difficulty for you, to let you experience the cruelty of the Alien Star Battlefield. But now, Paul has disrupted this plan. Many candidates in the Simulation Field didn't even get the chance to perform, so I must eliminate this hidden danger and give everyone a fair chance to compete. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Instructor?" Vito's eyes widened.
"Yes. Every time we initiate the Simulation Field, we pay a huge price. Ending it prematurely is not in line with our expectations." Admiral Mikaro continued, "I can promise you, if you complete the task I've given you, even if you don't make it into the top ten, I will still offer you a chance to be a warrior reserve."
Gulp!
Vito swallowed nervously: "Really?"
"Of course, I have my privileges." Admiral Mikaro smiled, "Otherwise, why do you think I could perform Body Possession on Admiral Mikaro? Do you think it was a coincidence?"
"General Mikaro, your wisdom is unparalleled in this world..." Vito looked at Mikaro and started to flatter him skillfully, intending to probe for the truth, but he was only halfway through his sentence when a tremendous pressure suddenly weighed on his shoulders. He promptly shut his mouth and awkwardly looked at Mikaro.
"Vito, I allow you to bluff and bluster, but I do not wish to see you use flattery on me again." Admiral Mikaro looked at Vito and smiled, "Before I settle the score with Paul, I must keep a clear head."
"..." Vito gave a sheepish smile, "Alright then!"
"Go! Find those generals under my command, give them some tasks, and strive to improve your attributes. Remember, keep the secret, don't let more people know about my promise to you." Mikaro twirled the ring on his hand, releasing the pressure on Vito, waved his hand, and dismissed him.
Once Vito was out of his sensory range.
He commanded his adjutant to bring another candidate: "Jimmy, I remember, your Keyword is freedom, right?"
The candidate named Jimmy nodded, dispirited.
Admiral Mikaro looked at him and asked, "Do you know why I didn't kill you?"
"Although you didn't kill me, you've imprisoned me, and my attributes have been weakened to the lowest." Jimmy huffed impatiently, "Might as well have killed me!"
"Jimmy, you're aware of what's happening outside. Actually, my identity is that of an instructor, the kind that comes from the Alien Star Battlefield..." Mikaro looked at Jimmy with a calm expression and repeated what he had just said to Vito, "...I must restore normalcy to the Simulation Field and give all candidates a fair chance to compete. I promise you a position as a warrior reserve, are you willing to use your skills to help me?"