My Scumbag System Chapter 501: The Roar of the Number Ones

At the entrance tunnel leading to the Crucible Arena, my trusty bat slung over my shoulder, I absorbed the cacophony of twenty thousand spectators. The very volcanic rock beneath my boots vibrated with their roars.

"Feeling nervous?" Natalia’s voice cut through the din.

"Absolutely terrified."

"A likely story," she retorted.

I offered her a grin. "You got me."

Braxton emerged from the tunnel’s mouth, a synth-cigarette hanging unlit from his lips. "You’re up first. Don’t stumble out there. I’ve wagered a significant sum on you appearing competent."

"How significant?"

"Significant enough that if you humiliate me, I’m reassigning you to the Vipers."

"I love you too, Professor," I quipped.

He merely snorted before departing.

The PA system sputtered to life, unleashing a torrent of aggressively cheerful commentary, the likes of which I’d never encountered across two lifetimes.

"GOOOOOOD MORNING, NEW VEIN ACADEMY! ARE YOU PREPARED TO WITNESS HISTORY UNFOLD?!"

The crowd’s reply was a physical force.

A man stood center stage, his attire a garish combination of blinding yellow and green. I briefly contemplated asking Celeste to encase him in ice as a public service. His hair stood on end as if he’d recently experienced a severe electric shock, and his grin was wide enough to unhinge a jaw.

"I AM MAXIMUS HYPE, YOUR HOST FOR THIS GRAND INTER-GUILD TOURNAMENT! AND LET ME TELL YOU, WE HAVE AN ABSOLUTE SPECTACLE LINED UP FOR YOU TODAY! FIVE GUILDS! EIGHTEEN ELITE COMPETITORS! AND ENOUGH DRAMA TO MAKE THE VERY GODS ENVIOUS!"

Nel’s voice whispered directly into my mind.

"FIRST UP TO THE STAGE! THEY ERUPTED FROM OBSCURITY! THEY ASCENDED FROM THE DEPTHS! THEY POSSESS THE MOST RUDIMENTARY FACILITIES, THE MOST HUMBLE SPONSOR, AND YET—MIRACULOUSLY—THEY HOLD THE UNDISPUTED NUMBER ONE RANKING! LET’S HEAR IT FOR YOUR ONYX HOUNDS!"

The ensuing roar hammered at my ears.

"That’s our cue," Raphael announced, cracking his knuckles with a menacing flourish. "Let’s go show them what happens when trash decides to bite back."

We advanced into the arena as a cohesive unit.

The sunlight struck me first, a warm, blinding embrace after the tunnel’s gloom. Then the sound descended. A solid wall of noise so dense it felt tangible.

Every spectator was on their feet.

A substantial portion brandished signs emblazoned with my likeness. Some proclaimed "STRAY DOG NATION," while others bore messages I deliberately avoided reading, aware of Emi’s presence.

My thoughts raced.

Natalia flanked me to the right, her violet combat suit shimmering, her hair catching the sunlight like spun ice. To my left, Skylar ambled, hands tucked into her pockets, headphones resting around her neck. The rest of our contingent followed close behind.

Raphael, his expression set in its usual permanent scowl.

Hikari, practically vibrating with an excess of energy, as if she’d consumed a prodigious amount of sugar.

Isabelle, moving with the regal air of royalty condescending to mingle with commoners.

Marco, his arm draped casually over Malachi’s shoulders.

Jaime, shirtless and preening for the cameras.

Juan, looking as though he’d just risen from the grave.

Emi, enthusiastically waving at the crowd with both hands.

Cel, with Noah positioned protectively behind her, her expression an unreadable mask.

Akari, showering the cameras with flying kisses.

Soomin, clutching her treasured lucky seashell.

Jacob, appearing on the verge of losing his lunch.

Seventeen individuals clad in the stark colors of ash gray and black. Seventeen souls deemed insignificant by the world. Seventeen beings who had collectively decided the world’s opinion was utterly irrelevant.

We arrived at our designated staging area, a section of the arena floor marked conspicuously with the Onyx Hounds’ sigil.

The crowd’s clamor remained unrelenting.

My gaze caught a young woman in the front row holding a sign that declared, "NAKANO CAN BREED ME." Skylar noticed my attention and emitted a low snort.

"Your admirers are remarkably enthusiastic," she commented.

"Be quiet," I muttered.

"AND REPRESENTING THE ONYX HOUNDS AS THEIR ESTEEMED CAPTAIN! THE WARRIOR WHO REQUIRES NO INTRODUCTION, THOUGH I SHALL PROVIDE ONE NONETHELESS! THE STRAY DOG! THE ZERO ELEVATED TO HERO! THE BOY WHO VANQUISHED AN A-RANK MONSTER WITH MERELY A BASEBALL BAT! SATORI! NAKANO!"

The roar somehow intensified, reaching an even more deafening pitch.

I raised my bat in acknowledgement, a gesture that evidently resonated, as a significant portion of the stadium erupted in collective pandemonium.

Maximus wasn’t finished. "NEXT UP! THEY HAVE MAINTAINED THEIR SUPREMACY FOR SEVEN CONSECUTIVE YEARS! THEY ARE THE EPITOME OF PERFECTION! FLAWLESSLY POLISHED! AND ABSOLUTELY INCANDESCENT WITH RAGE AT OCCUPYING SECOND PLACE! PRESENTING THE ARGENT SENTINELS!"

The Sentinels strode onto the field with a precision that suggested rigorous choreography—which it undoubtedly was. Julian, their leader, with his impeccably coiffed golden hair and gleaming silver and blue armor, appeared as if he’d spent the morning buffing it to a mirror shine. Aaron followed in his wake, a veritable human tank. Behind them marched the remainder of their squad, each member exuding an aura that belonged on a recruitment poster.

They assumed their positions with disciplined military exactitude.

The crowd’s applause was measured, respectful, and notably subdued compared to the ovation the Hounds had received.

Julian’s gaze traversed the arena floor, eventually locking onto mine.

I offered a slight smile.

He offered nothing in return.

"THIRD TO COMPETE! THEY REVERE BLOODLINES! THEY WORSHIP RAW POWER! THEY BOAST THE SECOND-BEST MATCH RECORD AND ARE INTENT ON USURPING THAT CROWN! BEHOLD THE SCARLET PHANTOMS!"

Reyna’s entrance was one of absolute dominion, as if she owned the entire island.

Her fiery crimson hair blazed under the sun’s glare. Her form-fitting combat suit accentuated her dangerous curves. Her piercing emerald eyes scanned the arena once before settling on me, holding my gaze with unwavering intensity.

Diego, Leo, and Kira followed close behind, their faces a mask of impending violence.

The onlookers were clearly enamored with them.

Reyna halted at the designated spot, crossing her arms, her unyielding gaze fixed on me.

I offered a wink.

Her jaw clenched tighter.

Natalia's hand grasped my arm, her fingers chillingly cold even through my clothing. "Don't."

"Don't what?"

"Whatever you're planning."

"I'm not planning anything."

"Liar."

"FOURTH! THEY POSSESS SUPERIOR INTELLECT! THEY PLAN BETTER! THEIR STRATEGY IS TENFOLD GREATER THAN WHAT MOST GUILDS CAN MUSEL IN THEIR ENTIRE ROSTER! THE COBALT VIPERS!"

The Vipers materialized as if from thin air, each one a manifestation of shadow. Kenjiro took the lead, his demeanor one of utter boredom, hands tucked into his pockets. The remaining members of his team moved with a similar quiet assurance.

They assumed their positions without any ostentatious display.

The crowd's reaction was noticeably subdued.

"AND LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST! THEY ARE THE HEROES! TRUE TEAM PLAYERS! THOSE YOUR PARENTS WOULD HOLD UP AS EXAMPLES! THE VERDANT STRIKERS!"

The Strikers made their entrance, waving enthusiastically to the spectators as if this were a celebratory parade rather than a serious tournament. Their green and white attire projected an almost joyful aura, contrasting sharply with the grim color schemes of the other competitors.

They reached their designated area, their waving unabated.

The arena fell into a momentary hush as all five guilds occupied their respective positions.

Then, Maximus gestured towards the VIP box. "AND NOW! TO PRESIDE OVER THIS MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY! THE PROFESSOR WHO CAN REDUCE SEASONED HUNTERS TO SHAKING KNEES! THE LADY WHO COULD BRING US ALL TO OUR KNEES WITH A MERE SMILE! LET US GIVE A THUNDEROUS WELCOME TO YOUR HOST FOR TODAY'S EVENT! PROFESSOR! HANAE! MORI!"