CHAPTER 329: A DOMINEERING GIRL

Matthew held the staff Silvanus had given him—though Silvanus had graciously called it a "sceptre."

He lowered his gaze to the worm squirming on the ground.

It was enormous—about a third of his own size—and was pinned to the ground by Silvanus’s arrow of light. No matter how it struggled, it couldn’t break free.

In Matthew’s eyes, its body writhed continuously, each fold of flesh twisting and trembling in despair.

Matthew tightened his grip on the staff, panting heavily. His legs trembled, sweat slicking his palms until it felt like the staff might slip right out of his grasp. Yet his eyes remained wide open, reflecting the ugly, writhing silhouette of the creature before him.

"What’s wrong with you?" Silvanus’s voice suddenly rang out from behind. Matthew shook his head hard, then abruptly lunged forward. His eyes widened as he raised the staff and repeatedly struck the shadow creature.

The shadow creature was smashed to pieces, black fluid splattering everywhere.

Silvanus instinctively stepped back, raising a hand. Matthew’s body was yanked backwards by an invisible force, yet he still raised his arm as though ready to keep hitting.

Silvanus couldn’t help but say, "It’s dead. You only needed to hit it once."

Matthew was covered in the creature’s dark ooze by now, and the stench was nearly unbearable.

Silvanus wrinkled his nose. "If a beast chases us later, I’m not carrying you while we run."

Matthew pressed his lips together and murmured, "Sorry."

Silvanus: "..."

Silvanus waved his hand dismissively. "Come on. Let’s rack up some more points."

Silvanus explained how Lumi worked as they walked: "Just keep an eye on the ground. If you see a plant that looks right, dig it up—you’ll earn points for that too."

They continued forward, with Matthew constantly digging at the earth, while Silvanus occasionally tossed a half-dead shadow creature his way for him to finish off.

"This feels a bit unfair, doesn’t it?"

Outside, people had started talking about Silvanus and Matthew’s "performance."

"What’s unfair about it? They’re friends after all. And honestly, most people don’t know much—only those who’ve studied would even understand what’s going on."

"I kinda get how Thora’s group must feel now. After all, there’s no way they’re getting into Lumina—but that kid will, thanks to his friends’ help."

"Come on, you’re just jealous. None of you had anyone backing you up like that during your matches."

"Fine, I admit it—I am jealous!"

The competition was set to last two days. The first day passed uneventfully—aside from the fact that no one had eaten a thing.

Someone couldn’t help but sigh, "In the past tournaments, most contestants focused on finding a safe place to hide. Surviving until the end of the match alone was enough to get into the top 2000. But these kids this year are insanely overpowered!"

"Still curious who’ll take first place."

Earlier, most people had bet on Silvanus. But now that Silvanus dragged Matthew along, anyone could see his ranking slipping.

The next morning, Matthew came down with a fever.

Silvanus looked at the dark stains still clinging to Matthew’s clothes, his expression thoughtful.

Matthew struggled to his feet. "Silvanus, I... I can still keep going."

Silvanus shook his head and said bluntly, "Stay here. I’ll set up a barrier to protect you. If you run into danger, crush your Lumin."

At those words, Matthew’s eyes widened in disbelief. He didn’t want to accept it.

"Silvanus, no! I want to go with you."

"I want to get into Lumina, too, Silvanus. I want to go with you!"

Silvanus frowned at Matthew’s reaction. "But you can’t, Matthew. If the points you earned yesterday are enough to get you into the top 2000, great. If not, then you’ll have to face reality. Staying alive is what matters most."

"No—being with you matters more!" Matthew roared, his voice hoarse from illness. "Without you, I’ll die. Silvanus, without you, I’ll die."

It was the truth Matthew had always known, especially since their orphanage was dissolved.

Matthew had always admired Silvanus. Sometimes, he even hated him for it. But he couldn’t do anything except cling to Silvanus’s side.

Silvanus would never understand—he would never even notice. His kindness was vast to the point of absurdity.

So, Silvanus... stay that kind. Please.

Matthew looked at Silvanus with wide, pleading eyes.

Silvanus clicked his tongue. "Live or die, suit yourself!"

With that, he turned and walked away. Matthew immediately brightened, hobbling after him with visible delight.

Silvanus truly couldn’t understand Matthew—but whatever. When real danger came, Matthew would learn soon enough what truly mattered.

Just then, loud shouts erupted ahead of them.

Silvanus slowed his steps, cautiously peering forward.

There, a group of people was holding a massive net—yes, a net—woven from strands of radiant light. The net had ensnared a gigantic serpent-shaped shadow creature, no smaller than the beast Silvanus had fought the day before.

"Put some muscle into it! Haven’t you people eaten?!"

A commanding female voice rang out. The speaker was a girl with long brown hair tied into a high ponytail, clad in a fitted suit of armour that protected all vital areas.

The group holding the net seemed to be her subordinates, scrambling to obey her orders.

At that moment, the girl’s amber eyes gleamed faintly. Her sharp gaze locked directly onto Silvanus’s position. Her voice turned cold. "Come out!"

Silvanus had no intention of hiding—he stepped out into the open.

Nana’s brows lifted slightly when she saw him. Then her expression curved into one of interest, almost amused, as if she’d just spotted something entertaining.

She approached slowly. "You’re that monster with the terrifying Light talent from yesterday, right?"

Silvanus hadn’t expected to be that famous.

But before he could reply, a mid-sized magic circle—about a meter in diameter—suddenly appeared in the air. The inner ring flared to life, shooting light arrows straight toward him!

Silvanus’s eyes widened. He swiftly dodged aside while throwing up a barrier around Matthew.

By now, Silvanus had leapt onto a tree branch, grinning at the girl. "Sorry, but I haven’t done anything to provoke you, have I? I was passing by."

"Oh no, no, no."

Nana smiled, her tone slow and deliberate. "Your blinding presence yesterday already provoked me."

She continued coolly, "I’m going to take first place—and anyone capable of competing with me should get the hell out of this match."

"How domineering," Silvanus remarked, before suddenly diving toward the ground at an unbelievable speed. A fierce wind roared around him, sharp as countless blades, enclosing the entire space around them.

Nana quickly retreated. A magic circle materialized before her, blocking Silvanus’s assault.

Silvanus landed on the glowing circle, eyes flickering with curiosity. This was the first time he’d seen a magic user manifest a circle like this.

But he didn’t have long to ponder. The runes along the circle began to move—like the turning of gears.

And then, the light arrows fired again!

"What the hell is this thing?!"