by R. H. Tang
The Boxer broke and ran, using the Reality Step to hide at the base of the map.
It didn't make a difference.
Julian added more and more parts to his machine, eventually growing so large he covered the entire map.
There was nowhere for Liefield to go.
He swung, laughing all the while. After an incredibly frustrating day, this was the perfect outlet for his anger.
VICTORY
Julian let out a sigh of relief.
His plan had been a good one.
He and Tigger had adequately disguised themselves with their full-movement suits.
There was nothing to worry about.
Epilogue
The next day, Julian woke up early. To his surprise, he'd slept well the night before despite his fears about the alliance. Funnily enough, smashing Liefield with a giant sword had wiped his anxiety clean.
The first text he saw from Emma made only boosted his good mood further.
"Hey! Sorry about last night. Really looking forward to hanging out tonight. I'll take you some place, awesome! I insist on paying!"
Julian licked his lips and fantasized about a delicious meal as he waited for Felix in the lobby.
As they drove to the arena, the two friends chatted about the alliance and what their plans were to deal with it. Unfortunately, there just wasn't much they could do. Julian hoped Felix's bonus for finishing in first could keep him safe. The two friends promised to help each other out, but there was no guarantee.
They didn't have a third of the Selection candidates at their disposal.
When they arrived inside the stadium dome, they found The Mechanical King standing behind the podium with a large projector on the screen. A mass of reporters stood at the base of the stage. Julian recognized plenty of financial newspapers like the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg News.
The Overdrive CEO smiled.
"As you know, this Selection has involved a big focus on marketable personalities. I want players who can bring the Overdrive Corporation to the next level. I need charisma! I need individual skills!"
He cleared his throat.
"Considering the sheer number of players we removed yesterday, I felt comfortable inviting two new players to the Selection. Both players will be given custom-made machines designed by myself—part of our new Reality Shaper series!"
Julian's eyes widened. Now he understood why he was able to see the Heaven's Boxer's statistics on a fresh account yesterday. The Overdrive Corporation was rolling out the Reality Shapers.
A murmur went through the crowd. Julian didn't think anyone else had encountered the Reality Shapers before, but they knew the machines by reputation.
The game-warping Mechs had supposedly been canceled. Now, The Mechanical King had brought them back and given them to two hand-picked Selection pilots. The new competitors would have an enormous advantage.
"The first is the most popular streamer on the North American server, a player whose charisma will certainly attract countless new players!"
The projector activated and played a series of highlights. A familiar bright pink machine soared through the skies, destroying opponent after opponent. DISTINCTIONMAN's risky style almost never worked against skilled foes, but when it did, it was truly a sight to behold. The famous streamer veered up and down, left and right, avoiding shot after shot after shot. He killed every opponent in a single strike, managing his four unique weapons with almost casual ease.
When the highlight reel finished playing, the muscular pink-haired pilot stepped onto the stage and eagerly shook The Mechanical King's hand.
"For DISTINCTIONMAN, I present the Deadeyes Nullifier."
The projector shifted.
PRESENTING: REALITY SHAPER—DEADEYES NULLIFIER
The Mech was built to vaguely resemble DISTINCTIONMAN's Hot Pink Hotness. The machine was bright pink and sparsely armored. It equipped the same four weapons—three swords of different types with a spear at the back. But the similarities ended there. Not even DISTINTIONMAN's bright colors could disguise the sinister nature of the Deadeyes Nullifier. Glowing red eyes peered from every gap and seam in the armor. The head was covered in a swarming mass of them.
Julian shivered.
"Our second player is a complete unknown, but someone who approaches the game with an incredible amount of creativity and brilliance."
The Mechanical King clapped his hands together with excitement.
"Crafting in the middle of a game! I've never heard of such a thing!"
The projector activated.
Julian gasped.
"No way."
Emma's SPG Caster hefted Felix behind it as it raised an enormous rifle towards the gigantic Zane's Guilt.
"She was hiding as a Guest Account! Would you believe it? A Crafter like that hiding as a guest account!"
"For Emma, this fresh talent, I present the Font of Life."
PRESENTING:
REALITY SHAPER—THE FONT OF LIFE
Emma's bright blue SPG Caster raised a banner high into the air. The flag bore the Overdrive Corporation logo. The head featured a dragon's skull, and the staff was made from its spine.
Lightning crackled along the sky.
A smirking woman with waist-length silver-dyed hair stepped onto the stage to shake The Mechanical King's hand. Julian stared at her. Eventually, she noticed, but the elegant woman only looked back blankly.
Beside him, Felix whispered in his ear.
"Wait. That's not Emma, right? I only met her once, but wasn't she taller?"
Felix scratched his head.
"Wasn't her hair shorter too? And I thought her face looked different?"
Julian couldn't tell whether to laugh or sigh. He had a pretty good idea of what had happened.
"Yeah, that's not Emma."
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Thank you for reading The Power of Nine, book two in Overdrive.
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ALSO IN SERIES
THE HEAVEN’S BOXER
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THE FONT OF LIFE
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