Let The Games Begin
The flood of screens finally ended and Tom sat there digesting the information.
He was not brought back to life for any good deed he had done or because his life ended earlier then it was supposed to. He was simply plucked along with who knows how many others who died "recently", over 100,000 people die every day if even 1 out of a thousand were chosen to be participants depending on what "recent" means there were thousands of participants. But what is 1 out of every hundred was chosen and recently was months. Tom looked around in fear as he became paranoid.
He had no idea that the person he had just killed was from earth. Tom understood a few languages of this world since it was in his inherited knowledge but how did this other participant know the human language of this world.
Tom understood that it would not be easy to identify participants apart from everyone else. However more importantly then that he would have to make sure no one could identify him apart from everyone else.
He quickly summoned silver and looked at him. The wolf looked just like he did before Tom had killed him, there was no trace that he was using an ancient technique that he had received so he was happy that his system advantage wasn't extremely obvious to everyone else.
Tom now contemplated how he should approach things in this world. He knew that now even more than before he needed absolute strength. He as being hunted by potentially the most powerful people in this world, there was no time to slack off.
But if Tom was too obvious about his strength, then other participants may find him suspicious. More than anything this hunt was a test of intelligence it was a balancing act between growing your strength and hiding it.
The goal was to stay lowkey, that was Toms only goal, it was the only way he would survive. Toms' reincarnation advantage was one with good growth, as he killed more powerful beasts and was able to grow his soul strength to have more summons at one time, he would be able to become powerful, so the scariest part of the competition was in the beginning.
However, Tom started thinking about all the novels he had read and how OP some of the main characters powers were. What if a participant had a leveling system, then no matter how long he waited he wouldn't have any advantage.
Tom took multiple deep breaths realizing there was no right answer. He could only do his best and try to find other participants while staying hidden himself.
Tom now thought about the messages that had appeared after his fight as he thought about them a screen appeared.
'Yes'
'Yes'
Tom felt something like a string attached to his soul, it was just like his connection to silver and blob, however on the other end of the string he felt an unbelievably strong soul. There was no way Tom would have been able to control a soul like that without the help of the string. However with the string even this massive soul didn't impact his own at all, unlike Silver and blob who seemed to weigh his soul down and took up a certain amount of "space" this string didn't take up any.
Suddenly the space in front of Tom was ripped apart as a portal appeared then a figure covered in shadows appeared through the new portal. Tom felt like he was being examined by the shadow until the weird darkness started fading and all that was left was a tall old man with white hair stood in a butler's uniform.
"Wait I recognize you, you're Amon, right?"
Tom backed off in fear as he had seen Amon in some of Caxon's memories he was one of his most powerful and trusted agents and was incredibly powerful.
"I see that Lord Caxon was not wrong, you truly did bring us back how curious. Yes, my name is Amon I was Lord Caxon's personal assistant and I am honored to serve you as well"
The butler bowed low in front of Tom as he stood back up and seemed to be waiting for instruction.
"Why would you be honored to serve me"
"I became one of Caxon's contracts after he saved my soul from being extinguished, I served him up until the day he left this plane forever, which was when my soul was supposed to disappear however, he said that one day someone would bring me along with a few others back and his final wish was for us to serve that person. I see that he was telling the truth, and I plan on fulfilling my promise and serving you for as long as you will allow me. However, the contract between you and me is very different and I can feel it forcefully suppressing my power as I am only a rank 10 hollow core at the moment, so I will not be able to help you as much as I wish. However, I still have all my memories so it is only my lack of mana that will slow me down."
Tom had seen some of the things Amon could do in Caxon's memories so he was happy to have such a capable helper with him. Tom once again started worrying about his future, if by killing participants he could bring back Caxon's soul contacts who were wildly powerful mages, what could the other participants do with a participant's shard.
"Amon, I know you were able to enter Caxon's shadow so you never left his side would you be able to do that with me, would anyone be able to detect you?"
Amon did not answer and simply faded into the ground before his shadow merged with Tom's. Tom then heard his voice in his heard.
'My comprehension of the shadow element is unaffected by my strength so only those that have an incredible amount of mastery of shadow and are physically within your shadow would be able to notice me, and even then, they would have to be concentrating hard to find me.'
Tom thanked Amon without speaking as their soul bond allowed them to speak with their thoughts. He was happy to have a bodyguard stronger than himself as he took Lanis's backpack and continued down the road.