LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 391: Waning Hope
"A demon like me asking for salvation? Naw, I'm good after seeing how messed up this place is," he responded aloud to Kern, his tone laced with dry humor.
Kern let out a hearty chuckle, slapping Ty on the back. "It's not all that bad if you're strong, which you are, so why are you complaining?"
Ty tilted his head, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. "You are an idiot, aren't you?"
Before Kern could muster a comeback, Gisorn interjected sharply, "Let's get going, don't lose any brain cells over following his logic, demon."
Ty shrugged nonchalantly just as Rosana burst into the scene, her excitement palpable. Her face was dotted with red spots, and her fur bristled with energy. "You were right! Demon guy," she exclaimed breathlessly.
"Right about what?" Ty asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
Rosana approached Ty, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and relief. "You told me that I wasn't hated as much as I expected to be, and it was true! All of the interviews were complimenting my fur and even my fire. Though some questions were a bit odd, asking how sensitive my ears were... Father told me we were hated severely, so that was a little odd."
Ty nodded, understanding the complexities of her situation. "They see you as something rare and valuable. Don't take their kindness as friendship though," he cautioned, his voice steady, trying to prepare her for the harsh realities of their world where perceptions could be deceiving.
Rosana, her brow furrowed in confusion, nodded slowly. "Oh, I suppose. I don't get it, but you seem smart so sure," she replied, her trust in Ty's judgment clear despite her own uncertainties.
Just then, John rolled up in his usual unhurried manner, joining the group as Gisorn checked everyone's readiness. "Well, we're all here," Gisorn announced, his voice carrying a note of finality. "Let's go ahead and go through the capsule."
Ty, puzzled by the unfamiliar sight, chimed in as he gazed upward. "What exactly do you mean?" His eyes traced the massive staircase ahead of them, leading up to a striking architectural feature. At the top stood three imposing pillars—giant entry capsules, gleaming white and towering at twelve feet tall.
The sheer size made it difficult to discern their details from below, but their pristine color was unmistakable against the dimming sky.
"What are these capsules for anyways?" Ty asked, his curiosity piqued as he approached the base of the staircase.
He ascended the dark granite steps, each one broad and solid under his feet, radiating a subtle chill. Reaching the top, Ty stood before the large cylindrical capsules stationed on a raised platform. The sleek, reflective surfaces of the capsules caught the light from the arena, highlighting their smooth, white exteriors.
Each capsule was equipped with a clear glass door, framed by polished metal, offering a glimpse into the high-tech interior that awaited them.
The air around Ty vibrated with the mixed sounds of the crowd—cheers and jeers alike—creating a palpable atmosphere of anticipation. Overhead, camera drones buzzed like a swarm of high-tech insects, their lights flickering erratically as they darted about, capturing every moment of the spectacle below.
Amidst the noise, Gisorn's voice cut through with a tone of authority as he noticed the drones circling above. "These are to get us to the arena; it's the only way in. There's a massive barrier covering the entire arena to keep unauthorized people out and to prevent anyone from escaping. It's been a standard security measure ever since the last person managed to escape."
"Petter Ratler was his name, I believe—a very famous guy, actually." Gisorn added a bit of historical context before shifting back to the present. "But enough of that, let's get going."
The group ascended the dark granite stairs, their steps echoing slightly in the vast space. Other groups were also making their way up, converging towards the towering capsules. Upon reaching the top, Ty approached one of the glass structures and placed his hand against the cool, smooth surface. "So, how do we get in?" he inquired, peering through the glass with curiosity.
Gisorn looked up at the drones, then back at Ty. "Oh, we just wait for the drones to signal it's time," he explained, indicating that their entrance was orchestrated from afar, timed and controlled by the unseen operators of the drones.
Moments later, A loud screeching noise went off over head as a giant blimp came into View with a screen Ty hadn't seen since seeing sports games like a jumbo Tron.
It was the King as Ty noticed and he held a mic in his hand as he spoke dozens and dozens of small drones flew around the viewing area "Hello everyone watching from the entrance area, those watching in the control towers, and those watching around the world!
"It is my pleasure to bring you the 86th edition of the Arena of Life opening!" boomed a voice that echoed throughout the massive structure. "While we may not host the Arena every year for various reasons, the great Heian Kingdom stands strong and proud today as we welcome all participants and spectators!"
As the announcement reverberated through the air, Ty's attention was momentarily diverted by a drone that buzzed into his personal space. It hovered directly above him, its camera lens focusing intently on his face. A synthetic voice emitted from the device, crisp and clear: "Hello, I am your personal drone for the first arena and will be tracking all of your activity for viewership.
You are Camera 22 currently. We are going live in 10 minutes."
Ty tilted his head slightly, a flicker of recognition crossing his features as he processed the familiar timbre of the voice. "That voice sounds familiar. Are you Phillis?" he asked, curiosity piqued by the unexpected hint of familiarity in the mechanical greeting.
The voice from the drone paused briefly before responding, its tone artificially neutral. "I am a version of the Phillis AI, but if we have spoken before, I am not directly aware of it."
Ty put a finger under his chin, a puzzled expression crossing his face. "I was told you were used sparingly, but here you are, integrated into all of these drones?"