I Can't Die Here!

[The remaining survivors have been successfully shared into five distinct groups]

[Total number present: 1000]

[Preparing test for number present]

[Due to the high number of survivors, a special test has been granted]

[A total of 500 survivors is needed for the next test...]

[Test: Only the strongest will ascend! Eliminate the target assigned to you to advance into the next round]

"Hey, what's this!" The room turned into a grave of silence as they heard the announcement. Several pings began to occur, and those who checked discovered the targets had been assigned.

[Bob's Target: Blake Allsworth]

"Hey, hey hey!" Bob's muttered with wide eyes. His head slowly turned, his gaze landing on Blake, who had an ashen expression on his face.

[Blake's Target: Bob Darfield]

[Failure for targets to eliminate each other would lead to their demise]

'This can't be happening,' he thought, his hands trembling badly. "W-we don't have to fight... right, W-we can just watch and see how things advance."

His heart sank further, seeing the look on Bob's face.

"Hey! What's going on with you two! We need to come up with a plan!" Kent said, staring at the duo.

"It's already been decided," Bob said in a quiet tone. "Blake... can you please die for me." Clenching his cladded fist, he dashed forward, pinning Blake to the ground.

"No! Hold on! Please! W-we can figure something out!"

"Hey! Get your hands off him," Kent charged forward, ramming into him. "What the hell has gotten into you!" He said, standing between both. His fists clenched tightly.

"I can't die here! I–I have a life waiting for me!" Bob said with a crazed expression. His once gentle aura had now turned into a wild one.

[Warning! Those unable to eliminate their targets will be wiped out by the tower]

[Time left: 6 hours]

The voice rang loudly it's words sinking into their heads. The once quiet room was broken by Bob's sudden movement, and the rest seeing this along with the second warning had finally decided to act.

A long tentacle wrapped around Kent and then pulled him towards a certain direction— the direction the tentacles had come from.

The silent room became chaotic within seconds as all scrambled towards their targets, leading to an all-out brawl.

With Kent out of the way, Blake was once again faced with Bob. "To think one could change so easily," Blake thought, clenching his fist.

Thinking about it, he realised they weren't that close. Just some random guy that was saved by him and now were forced to eliminate each other. The tower was really a cruel one.

Coming out from one tough test, another hellish one had been thrown their way.

'I...I can't do this. To take a life, to kill a human... I've never done it before.'Blake thought, holding his trembling hand with the other.

"We can figure something out, right?" His voice was weak and filled with doubt.

"There's nothing we can do! You heard the test... only the strongest ascend... and you're in my way!" Rising from the ground, he wiped his cheek and then crouching slightly dashed towards Blake.

Realising he won't be able to talk himself out of the situation, Blake readied himself. "Dammit! He's too fast," he thought as Bob rammed into him, grabbing his waist and slamming him to the ground.

His body was sore just from attack, causing him to black out for a split second. "What level is he to be able to cause this damage with just one attack? How did I end up in this place!" His thoughts were dishevelled as he rose from the ground.

"You have a life waiting for you out there... Same as I! I have a family waiting for me, hoping for me to come back! I can't disappoint... I can let them down!" Blake shouted, tears flooding his eyes. "I... I... I CAN'T DIE HERE!!"

Bob stopped in his tracks for a moment, seeing the intense emotions being displayed. Shaking his head from any lingering thoughts of hesitation, he charged forward once again, his clenched fist raised above his shoulder.

"The only thing I can do is give you a quick and painless death!" He exclaimed as he punched down.

CLANNG!

"You... you didn't hear me before... I can't die here," Blake muttered softly his daggers raised high, blocking the fist, which was heading towards his head. With the [Damage Empowerment] skill activated already, he felt his strength growing just from the previous damage.

Gritting his teeth, he parried the blow. Bob, seeing this, swung his legs, striking his stomach and sending him hurtling back. Jumping from his position, he landed before Blake. Punching down, he missed once again as Blake moved his head at the last second.

With both legs, he kicked upwards, sending Bob staggering backwards. Rising from the ground, he wiped the blood dripping towards his eyes from a cut on his head. "The world had always been unfair. Even now... in the tower..." he muttered, clenching his dagger tightly.

Charging forward, he evaded the fist heading towards him and then tried to touch him he felt his hand reaching out to the empty air. "What happened just now," he thought with a confused expression.

"Don't think I would allow you to touch me with that ability of yours!" Bob voice echoed behind him.

Swiftly turning back, he was a bit late. Holding onto the back of his head, Bob slammed Blake's face on his raised knee and then followed up with a right hook, which sent Blake stumbling backwards.

"I wanted to make this easy for you, but you leave me no choice!" He said, slowly walking towards the beat down Blake.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the fight had become chaotic. People were making use of their abilities, with a few even getting caught in the cross fire.

Kent, who was pulled by a tentacle, finally recovered, breaking through with pure strength at the last moment. With his large frame, he stared down at his opponent, a lean, pink haired lady with a spear held in her other hand.

Swinging her free hands out, the similar tentacle that had latched to his skin the first time, sprout forward once again.

"Arghhh! You're in the way!" He yelled, raising his fists high and slamming them to the ground. A light tremor occurred, startling the pink haired lady who had a look of horror.

[Bulldozer Ability activated]

[Rampage skill has been used]

Exploding forward, he easily evaded the tentacles closing the distance between both. Just as he swung his fist down, a large shield appeared before him.

BOOOM!

The clash had let to a rise of dust, which slowly cleared, revealing the aftermath of the clash. The shield stood tall before slowly retracting into the hands of a figure standing before the lady. "You know what we planned, helping you means getting to enjoy you when all this is over," the dark-haired guy that appeared before her said, licking his lips.

The pink haired lady clenching her fist slowly nodded her head in approval. "You'll get to have the best ride of your life! All you have to do is kill him!"

"This is a strong one," the dark-haired guy said with a chuckle. "I would need your help on this."

"Two against one, not really a fair fight, y'know," Kent muttered with a frown. "What are you waiting for? Let's get on with it." Slamming both fists together, he charged forward with a battle cry.