Round 3 Start

As Roland Opened his eyes he saw he was standing in a massive arena, filled with the remaining competitors.

The arena was a colossal structure, its walls towering high into the sky, casting long shadows over the battlefield.

The floor was an enormous chessboard, each square big enough to fit a small house.

Spectator stands surrounded the board, filled with holographic images of audiences cheering and jeering. Floating above the board were massive orbs that projected the game's progress to everyone in the stands.

As he looked up He saw huge familiar person with wings on his back wearing a tuxedo and a sun glass. It was the MC. He excitedly welcomed them as he starts to explain the third round.

"This round will be divided into four phases.

There are now one million participants left,

All of you will be splited into 1,000 groups.

Each group will consists of 50 teams, with 20 members per team assigned randomly.

He introduces the first game as magical version of chess.

Suddenly the arena came alive with activity as the stage of the tournament began to transform. As the enormous chessboard materialized before them, the scale of the task became clear. Each piece towered over six feet tall, crafted from a mix of shimmering metals and enchanted wood, giving them a fearsome presence.

Roland suddenly found himself together with 19 other fighters that were going to be his teammates.

they were given a brief period to organize themselves. The tension was palpable as they debated their roles, and the benching of the 4 fighters. knowing that failure to decide would mean disqualification and death.

"We need to decide now!" Marcus, the tall man with a stern expression, asserted. "I'll be the king. We need strong fighters as knights and rooks, and we need strategists for the bishops and queen."

"I'm not going to be a pawn!" a burly fighter protested, his face flushed with anger.

"We don't have time for this," Marcus snapped. "You," he pointed at Roland, "you seem capable. You'll be a bishop."

Roland nodded, not wanting to draw too much attention. As the arguments continued, Marcus's authoritative presence brought everyone in line just in time. With positions decided, they stepped onto the enchanted chessboard.

The atmosphere crackled with tension as the first move was made, setting the stage for an epic clash between the opposing sides. The pawns surged forward, their movements fluid and precise, each step echoing with the weight of impending battle. As they met in the center, the air thrummed with anticipation, and the enchanted board seemed to pulse with energy, amplifying the intensity of the unfolding conflict.

Roland's team stood firm, their resolve unwavering as they faced the relentless onslaught of their adversaries. With each capture, the battlefield erupted into a chaotic melee, the clash of weapons and the crackle of magic filling the air. Their opponents fought with ferocity, their determination matching that of Roland and his comrades.

Despite their best efforts, Roland watched in dismay as his teammates fell one by one, their valiant efforts ending in heart-wrenching defeat. Yet, their sacrifice only fueled the fire of determination within him, pushing him to fight harder, to push beyond his limits.

As he faced off against an enemy knight, Roland summoned all of his magical prowess, unleashing a torrent of flames with a resounding "Fire Blast!" The knight stumbled, momentarily thrown off balance, and Roland seized the opportunity, delivering a decisive blow with his staff.

But victory was still far from assured. With each passing moment, the tension mounted, the fate of the game hanging in the balance. Roland's team rallied, their movements synchronized as they worked together to corner the enemy king. With a final, coordinated effort, they delivered the checkmate, their triumphant roar echoing through the arena.

The crowd erupted into cheers as a blinding light enveloped the board, signaling the revival of their fallen teammates. Relieved yet pissed Roland cursed inwardly as he glanced towards the MC, frustration bubbling beneath his skin. Why hadn't she informed them of their fallen teammates' revival?

His grip tightened on his dagger, his jaw clenched in annoyance. But then he noticed something that made his blood boil even more—a smirk playing at MC's lips as she observed their victory. It was as if he took pleasure in their struggles, reveling in their hardships. The sight infuriated him, but he forced himself to push aside his anger, reminding himself of the bigger picture.

Despite the tumult of emotions swirling within him, Roland felt a sense of relief wash over him as he surveyed his team. No one had died in this match, and for that, he was grateful.

The memory of Eva's death still haunted him, a constant reminder of the stakes they faced in this deadly game. It was a pain he never wanted to experience again, a loss he couldn't bear to endure.

With a heavy sigh, Roland made a silent vow to himself—he wouldn't allow himself to grow too close to his teammates this time around. The pain of losing them was too great, the risk too high. He would fight alongside them, support them when needed, but he wouldn't let his guard down. In this ruthless game, trust was a luxury they couldn't afford.

Then MC's voice echoed "Congratulations on your victory. As a reward, your fallen teammates have been revived. Rest up for now as 2nd Phase will begin tomorrow"

With a flick of this hand he teleport Rolands team to a big room enough to accommodate 20 people. It contained foods, beds to recovery and a large screen for them to view the matches.

the strong man who led them as king walking towards Ronald and said, extending a hand. "Good job out there. We need to stick together if we're going to make it through the next rounds."

One by one, they introduced themselves, discussing their strengths and strategies for the next game. The tension from earlier eased, replaced by a sense of camaraderie.

Roland couldn't help but think of his friends and hoped they were safe.

Meanwhile, in another part of the arena, Roland's previous teammates were engaged in their own matches. Kai stood at the center of a chessboard, his presence commanding respect. His team moved with precision, following his strategic directions. Each clash was brutal, but they managed to outmaneuver their opponents, securing victory.

In another match, Lila deftly guided her team with a blend of agility and cunning. She moved like a shadow on the board, her strategies leading to swift and decisive victories. Her opponents struggled to keep up with her rapid movements and sharp tactics.

David, now a seasoned warrior, faced a particularly fierce team. Despite the intense battles, he led his team with unwavering determination. His tactical acumen and combat skills turned the tide in their favor, securing a hard-fought win.

Each of Roland's former teammates showed their growth and resilience, navigating the tournament's brutal challenges. As the matches progressed, they proved their worth, fighting not just for survival but for the hope of reuniting with their friends.

Back in his own group, Roland felt he will meet his friends soon. He was not alone in this struggle; his friends were out there, facing their own trials. The thought of seeing them again gave him strength. He was ready for whatever came next, knowing that he and his friends were forging their paths through the tournament, determined to emerge victorious.

The third round had only just begun, and the challenges ahead would be even more demanding. But with his new team and the hope of reuniting with his old friends, he felt more prepared than ever to face what lay ahead.