Chapter 7 – Dungeon Selection Interviews

Billions of eyes glued to their screens as the third round of the Dungeon Party Selection came to its conclusion. After the second round's reveal by Grand Councilman Ziphe, audiences were shocked yet relieved that nobody was actually hurt. Scenes of Omira and the other Shades plastered all over the media, and discussions about the Dungeon Shades were the talk of the world.

Typically, Shades are stigmatized as monsters and demons. Lavilin himself was nicknamed, The Demon, partly because of his identity as a Shade. Their bravery in the face of death during the first iteration was heralded as heroic. It didn't change public opinion on Shades, but rather, it changed the general perception of Hell. If three monsters from Hell despised it to this extent, Hell surely posed a greater threat than most people realized. Omira in particular gathered a following as scenes of her erratic behavior surfaced on the global stage.

"Miss Omira! Miss Omira, please tell the press what your motivations on joining the Selection are!" A reporter called out.

"Omira, what is life like as a Shade?" Another questioned.

"Shut up you annoying wolves!" Omira covered her ears as the press swarmed Clico and his party as they arrived in Pyrite's capital Iolite on the Radon Continent.

For the fourth and final event, all 256 remaining candidates for the Great Dungeon Party were invited to Pyrite to participate in the Dungeon Selection Tournament. Eight rounds of the tournament would narrow down the competitors one round at a time until the fourth round, where 32 participants would remain. Because 50 slots are available, 18 people in-between round three and four would be selected to join the final roster at the discretion of the High Mage Council and its sponsors. However, at large, most people would need to win three rounds to have one of the prestigious spots on the final Dungeon Party.

Some contestants were more open to the press than others…

***

"Adventurer Anaxmai, your skills as an adventurer are among the best of the best! You rarely work with others in a party. Why have you decided to enter the Dungeon Party Selection?" A reporter asked.

"My choices are none of your business. Yet, I feel the need to respond. I will hunt down Lavilin to the depths of Hell, and I will kill him for his crimes.

Now get out of my face."

***

Two elderly men entered a press room. Reporters raised their hands and called out in a frenzy.

"Yes, you," one of the two elderly men pointed to a reporter in the back. The room grew quiet.

The reporter started to ask his question: "Both of you are retired kings of two of the Four Powers, why have you decided to leave retirement for the Dungeon Selection?"

In possession of the five Destiny Seals were the Four Powers and the High Mage Council. The Four Powers are the four strongest countries of the world: Pyrite of Radon, Phanec of the Void Continent, Galeon of Orren, and Agate of Orren. Agate's retired King, Job, and Pyrite's retired King, Dregey, were extraordinarily powerful in aura but disappeared from the public eye decades ago. Now out of retirement, they were top contenders for winning the Selection Tournament.

Job responded, "Ryko is at a crossroads. Us older people of the past generation have given the baton to the next generation, but there are times when we must act.

It is my personal belief that if I do not enter this Selection, the outcome may be less than desirable. I trust the Council's judgement, but as a role model, I must stand for what is right and do my part to conquer Hell and arrest The Demon." Some of the press clapped at Job's response. Hands started to come up seconds later.

Dregey pointed to a female reporter.

"Ex-King Dregey, your brother Skele is stepping down as king and has been pre-selected to be in the Great Dungeon Party. How do you feel about the future of Pyrite? Don't you feel a responsibility to retake the throne instead of joining the Selection?" It was a leading question.

"How dare you ask such an insulting question! Pyrite's future is in the great hands of the younger generation. My decision to join the Selection is a display of confidence in the future of Pyrite. In fact, my decision to join the Selection is not righteous like my old friend Job; I'm joining the Selection for the adventure. When I win this tournament and prove myself to be the strongest, my brother Skele and I will go on to have the time of our lives exploring Hell!"

***

Meanwhile, the two male Shades were also being interviewed.

"Who are you two? What are your names?"

"I am Ahab, a Shade born on Floor 68."

"I am Samson, a Shade born on Floor 68."

Ahab spoke next: "We consider ourselves brothers. The Sector Administrator on Floor 69 sent us against our will to be enslaved under the Shade Lord to your world. We apologize for the destruction we caused during the Shade War, but please understand that it was against our will. Now that we have control over our own will," he stopped.

Samson then finished, "we will win this tournament to prove ourselves and get revenge on the Sector Administrator who enslaved us."

***

In the main branch of the Adventurer's Guild:

"Guildmaster Abel, why did you turn down the pre-selected position with the Great Dungeon Party?"

"Hahaha, unlike my friend Headmaster Githl, I want more of a challenge, an adventure if you will. Just like when I announced my registration for the Selection, I want to participate like everyone else. I will strive to win the Dungeon Selection Tournament with my companions of the Adventurer's Guild, and we will explore Hell to its fullest!"

***

A diverse group of humanoid beasts, the demi-humans, gathered for a press briefing.

"I am Orc Lord Rubeus, former King of the Beast Country Kunzite. Our Goblin and Orc populations were eradicated on the brink of extinction because of the Shade War. I vow on the name of my people; we will get revenge on Lavilin and the callous Administrators of Hell."

"I am Werewolf King Haman, former King of the Beast Country Spinel. Our demi-human populations were decimated because of the Shade War. I vow on the name of the former country Spinel; I will enter the tournament and stop Lavilin from hurting anyone else."

"I am Lizard King Herod, former King of the Beast Country Tanzanite. Our marshes were ravaged by the Shades, and Radon's diverse humanoid, beast, and demi-human populations were slaughtered by the Shades. Together, the leaders of the former Beast Countries have united and will enter the tournament together with the goal of giving hope to our peoples and taking revenge on Lavilin and Administrators responsible.

***

Lesser-known competitors of the 256 were also interviewed.

"Wandering Wizards and Sages from the Wizard's Association have weathered the brutal third round of the Dungeon Party Selection, and we are out interviewing some of them today.

Wandering Sage Mite, your prophetic skills have warranted the attention of global powers in the past, why are you entering the Selection Tournament?"

"Ah, you may find my religiosity strange, but I believe I am destined to join the Great Dungeon Party. My party and I have been preparing for the Dungeon Party Selection before it was even announced."

"As expected of a prophet! We look forward to you and your party's performance in the upcoming Selection Tournament!"

***

Over six dozen institutional wizards and sages from the country of Pyrite gathered to be interviewed. In terms of sheer numbers, they were the largest faction represented in the Selection Tournament.

"I am Pyrite Sage Aaron, guildmaster of the Pyrite Wizard Association's branch. In the name of avenging the soldiers lost in the Shade War, our entire branch entered the Dungeon Selection. We endured Murdoc's onslaught, and our branch will overcome the tournament!"

The Pyrite Wizard Association branch inspired a movement of righteousness. Little children watched with wide eyes. One day maybe they too could become a wizard. The brigade of mages marched patriotically in the name of their country.

Other institutional branches in the Four Powers wanted to show their dominance as well, but the passion of the Pyrite Mages was far and above Phanec and Agate. Galeon was the only country that could compare because of the assassination of their King, Tourmaline the Wise. Lavilin's assassination was a defining event in history, and Galeon mages and adventurers rushed to enter the Dungeon Selection.

Although all Four Powers were powerful, in comparison, the other Three Powers apart from Pyrite only had around fifteen advancing institutional mages each. Altogether, nearly 100 of the 256 were composed of the Four Powers' mages.

***

Grand Councilman Ziphe was also interviewed.

"What was the inspiration behind the second and third rounds of the Dungeon Party Selection?"

"The Voidlands are otherworldly to most people. Being emersed in another world and facing a futile situation against the 'god' Murdoc will be similar to facing Hell itself:

A band of strangers facing an overwhelming threat is what we will face against the hordes of Hell."

"Wow, the symbology of the underdog. I'm sure we can't even begin to imagine the monsters of Hell, but everybody has been wondering… What was the inspiration behind the Voidland God Murdoc? Is he actually an accurate depiction of a dungeon 'Administrator'?"

Across the world, Murdoc had become the Selection mascot. People carried around cutouts and face masks with the villainous Murdoc depicted on them. Others went around quoting the stereotypical monologue that was repeated dozens of times on air.

"Actually, Murdoc was actually a real monster," responded Ziphe. "About twenty-one years ago, the Shade Murdoc and his army of voidlings plotted to take over Phanec, but the Wizard's Association defeated him discreetly. Wizard King Xie himself went to confront Murdoc and swiftly defeated his army without drawing any international attention."

"Incredible. To think Wizard King Xie is stronger than a D Rank God! Are you stronger than Murdoc as well? Will Wizard King Xie be joining the Great Dungeon Party? Is there any proof the Wizard King fought Murdoc?"

"I can't give a way too many of my secrets, but yes, as Grand Councilman, I am required to be at the Deity Realm. But also no, Wizard King Xie will remain behind. We can't have every expert join the Great Dungeon Party. What if another Murdoc appears? We need someone to keep watch over Ryko in our absence."

"I guess you're right Grand Councilman. Could you tell us how many Gods and Goddesses are indeed participating in the Great Dungeon Party? There are only around a dozen in our current era."

"I won't disclose the exact number for contractual reasons, but I will say the number is around half." Ziphe smiled at the reporter. "Also, to answer your previous question, we can release the official documents and top-secret information regarding the real Murdoc incident to prove my truthfulness."

"That would be greatly appreciated Grand Councilman. And wow, with a team of the most elite Gods, Kings, Sages, and Mortals Ryko has to offer, I'm excited to witness the historical outcome of the Dungeon Party Selection!"

Meanwhile, seven shadowy figures gathered around a table. Their numbered masks looked at the central figure at the head of the table.

In a metallic voice, the leader opened up a hardcover book and addressed the seven,

"Soon, the Great Dungeon Party will enter Hell. Complete your mission. Our Authority and His partner will take over the party from within. Enter the tournament and drop out during when you have secured your spot in the top 32. Keep your identities hidden until the preordained time. You are dismissed." With that, the mysterious man closed the book and the seven silhouettes disappeared. Secretly, the Authorities were plotting.