Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 490 Competition

"Are you going to keep her here?" Eleanor inquired.

"Yes, I will keep her here for at least half an hour. She's becoming a bit too much these days," he responded with a wry smile.

Eleanor merely shook her head.

Isaac uttered no further words. His true body emerged from the Mirror World alongside Eleanor. They proceeded down the corridor.

As they walked, Isaac discerned faint sounds originating from outside.

They emerged from the building, stepping into an entirely different atmosphere.

The vicinity near the Great Dungeon's entrance had been cordoned off. Barricades were erected, and guards stood vigilant at every possible point of ingress. Beyond these barriers, a substantial crowd had assembled. While the public was barred from entry, this did not deter their presence.

Individuals stood packed tightly, stretching their necks, murmuring, and pointing. Some had even ascended to the rooftops of adjacent apartments to gain a superior vantage point. The air thrummed with anticipation.

Adjacent to the dungeon entrance stood the administration building. Atop it, an immense screen had been erected, boasting a size sufficient for even those at the rear of the crowd to perceive with clarity.

This screen would broadcast the competition live.

The identical feed would be disseminated throughout the city, reaching homes, halls, and estates. The entire spectacle was being televised.

Such an elaborate broadcast was made feasible by Awakeners possessing specialized Talents, such as Streaming, visual projection, and enhanced perception.

Isaac's gaze brushed across the screen momentarily before averting.

His focus was more captivated by the assembled people.

The Lords and their respective teams had already convened near the entrance. Introductions were rendered unnecessary at this juncture; everyone present was acquainted with the others.

Isaac's eyes scanned them deliberately, not in a hasty glance but with meticulous attention.

Powerful.

That was the sole descriptor that surfaced in his mind, and even that felt insufficient.

Every subordinate present was an Overlord.

Each team boasted two or three Apex rank Overlords positioned at the forefront. Their formidable presence exuded an aura of immense power.

Trailing behind them were the High rank Overlords.

Under normal circumstances, such a disparity in rank would carry greater significance. However, not in this arena.

These High rank Overlords were exceptionally outfitted, armed with armor, weaponry, and artifacts of considerable might. Their Classes and Talents were equally complex. These individuals had undergone dedicated cultivation, rigorous training, and deliberate strengthening.

They possessed the capability to contend with an average Apex rank Overlord without succumbing immediately. This fact alone spoke volumes.

And the Apex rank Overlords leading them… were far from average.

Isaac exhaled softly, shifting his attention toward his own contingent.

The distinction was glaringly apparent.

Apart from Avery and Sera, not a single Overlord was present within his ranks. On paper, the comparison was nonexistent.

Yet, Isaac betrayed no sign of concern.

Every member of his team possessed a Talent of at least SSS+ rank. This was a qualitative attribute not easily quantified by mere rank. Furthermore, their very species… each one occupied the pinnacle among Apex rank species.

The Lords approached him shortly thereafter.

Their expressions indicated politeness and warmth. A few exchanged pleasantries with Eleanor as well, although their gazes continually returned to Isaac.

Their subordinates, however, exhibited far less restraint.

Isaac perceived their scrutiny. Some gazes were sharp, others dismissive. A select few made no effort to conceal their overt disapproval.

This was understandable.

From their viewpoint, Isaac had inadvertently weakened his own team by incorporating an unfamiliar entity like Sera. Moreover, he had done so brazenly, as if the decision held no consequence.

To his rivals, this appeared as a direct insult. They harbored resentment.

To them, it manifested as either profound arrogance or sheer foolishness.

Nevertheless, their perception rendered him a more accessible target for defeat.

The Lords themselves seemed largely unperturbed by the animosity.

Isaac's decision had effectively eliminated one competitor. That was the sole concern for them at present.

As for any perceived damage to their standing resulting from Isaac's invitation to Sera, they appeared unconcerned. Such matters could be rectified later. When Isaac inevitably faltered here, any embarrassment they currently felt would be amply repaid.

Every team was making ready to enter the dungeon when Lord Hass advanced.

"I trust everyone here recalls that this is merely a competition. There is no necessity to engage one another with your lives on the line, nor to resort to sabotage that inflicts severe or life-threatening harm," Hass declared.

"Indeed, Lord Hass speaks the truth," Fafnir concurred with a nod.

All individuals present were cognizant of the inherent dangers. The Great Dungeon was not a managed environment. Even for Apex rank Overlords, events could rapidly devolve if reckless actions were undertaken.

Isaac moved forward slightly.

"Then, let us commence the competition," he proclaimed.

The response was instantaneous.

A thunderous roar of cheers swept through the air, its intensity palpable even from the designated safe zone. Each team had already solidified their formations within the System, creating Parties. Failure to do so would result in chaotic dispersal throughout the initial dungeon area, a fate none of the participants desired.

With practiced synchronicity, the teams began their descent. The six distinguished Lords' teams initiated the advance, followed closely by the cohort led by the Third Priest. Then, it was finally Isaac's moment to enter.

"May fortune favor you," Isaac offered sincerely.

A gentle smile graced Emily's lips, while Alice gave a single, decisive nod. Averon's demeanor was a mix of anticipation and nervous energy. Sera maintained an aura of profound calmness. Avery, however, scanned her companions, a hint of concern clouding her expression regarding her ability to ensure their safety. Eleanor's gaze was resolute.

"We shall return before long," Emily responded, her voice steady, before she stepped forward into the dungeon. The others followed suit, disappearing one by one.

…

Shortly thereafter, the assembled Lords converged within the administration building. A specially designated viewing chamber awaited them. The main assembly hall had been meticulously cleared, its expansive central screen now broadcasting a live feed of the dungeon's treacherous interior. Specialized monitors, facilitated by those Awakeners possessing the coveted Livestream Talent, displayed the progress of various teams, their movements fluidly tracked and presented across different segments of the screen.

Isaac found a seat amongst the dignitaries.

His outward appearance was one of serene composure.

However, beneath the surface, a significant anxiety gnawed at him.

The current competition represented a gamble of considerable magnitude, a risk he had consciously chosen to undertake.

Objectively, his team was outmatched in terms of raw strength; this was a fact he could not dispute.

Yet, he knew with certainty that any alternative course of action would have led to a far more unfavorable outcome.