Atst, it was time.


    It was time for the international tournament! The stakes were so high that many yers invested in the game world tuned in to see what continent would win the first international title.


    After all, the winners will be able to connect two continents for a month!


    The continents were locked, preventing yers from other parts of the world from meeting each other.


    Soon enough, this barrier would be gone for a month between two lucky continents!


    The International Tournament took ce in both the real and game worlds. Of course, in the real world, the crowd could see the faces of losers and winners live.


    Like in any other esports game, yers were filmed. The Game Masters also said that resurrection items would not be avable in the tournament, so everyone was obliged to log out and turn off their virtual reality helmets on the scene.


    It meant everyone could see genuine emotions on yers'' faces.


    Every yer would be put into a capsule that was said to befier than a bed. Its lid would cover the yers and ensure no one would see their faces until their loss or win.


    The scene was in Pnd''s biggest theater, with enough room for capsules and a crowd. Many people decided to see the event from the real world, spending a small fortune to be a part of the scene.


    The capsules were already ready to take in the participants.


    Holograms hanging above them also waited to show the crowd exciting battles.


    The scene was full of people whispering to each other.


    The lights turned off.


    Kamil Boski appeared on the scene. "It''s to my utmost delight that I can host this tournament in my home country''s capital, in its biggest theater! The First International Tournament was supposed to be a test run for the international between higher levels and top yers on each region''sdder.


    But I can say with the utmost confidence that The Seventh Divisions'' yers have exceeded everyone''s expectations! They put us on the edge in our seats, revealed the potential and how far the esports tournaments of The Legend Enigma Online can go, and turned us into their fans!"


    Various lights swept through the crowd.


    "I officially begin The First International Tournament! May we see battles that far surpass humanity''s imagination! Take over, Elise and Bobby!" Kamil shouted.


    He left the scene on a moonwalk ''cause why not? He looked pretty silly, though. Bemende told him off for that.


    "Ayoooooo!" Elise screamed. "Off we go to invite our participants to the scene! Let''s take a look at them in their everyday selves before they dive into the fantasy world and sheathe themselves in superpowers!"


    Bobby smiled. "Veni Vidi Vici is the first! Please, a round of apuse for our participantsing from South America!"


    A woman with a tanned carnation and ck hair led Veni Vidi Vici''s team onto the scene in a row. They faced the crowd and bowed and waved at them.


    Their clothes were modern versions of their traditional attire.


    Elise eximed, "The Witch, Jolie, even wears a pointy hat in real life! So adorable!"


    Bobby chuckled. "She''s the core and leader of her team! She must have taken her role to heart, which is formidable! Since we have invited South America, let''s get onto the stage their neighbors, Casual Clowns from North America!"


    From the other side, Casual Clowns walked onto the stage.


    Jake was at their helm, walking forward in a mask. It was a replication of his in-game mask, a present he''d received from Damien.


    He told him that he made a few calls and got it done before the tournament.


    Jake wore a white tuxedo to match his ck mask. His team didn''t cover their faces, but fortunately, they were also wearing white tuxedos.


    Seeing Sin and El Boss Queen in those clothes was quite a sight.


    "It''s Joker."


    "Joker… he''s still hiding his face. I hope he will reveal it if he loses."


    "It''s a must."


    Jake clenched his hands. ''The irregr… and Joker… how many nicknames will I get before those people start calling me Archer?!''


    He bowed and waved at the crowd while thinking about it.


    A particr face shed in his mind as he recalled her calling him by nickname.


    "Europe''s Blue Union!" Bobby screamed.


    Jake was so lost in thought that he didn''t hear Elise and Bobbymenting on his team. He looked to the side and stared at the woman ushering in her team. She wore a long blue dress, and her hair was so well done that thedies on the stage eximed in surprise, bursting into murmurs.


    ''Meredith… I will not let anyone defeat you,'' Jake thought as he gazed at her, bowing to the crowd.


    Meanwhile, Damien nudged the boys.


    They followed his line of sight and found Jake staring at Meredith.


    Damien smirked, and so did the boys.


    ''If we win, we go Europe?''


    ''Yep,''


    ''Ye,''


    ''Yes…''


    ''What if the girls disagree?''


    ''We are on the same page in this case, my dears,''


    ''Yep,''


    ''Yes!''


    ''Understood,''


    Elise screamed, "SO GORGEOUS AND BUSTY—"


    She received a p from Bobby.


    He screamed, "Let''s invite Asia''s Representatives—Eastern True Dragons!"


    A few Asian people stood up from their chairs. "They aren''t true dragons!"


    Coming from the same corridor as Casual Clowns, Eastern True Dragons'' strongest yers ran forward like a ninja! She wore a ck yukata with a cut on her thighs so that she could effortlessly run!


    She weaved around Jake before taking his front.


    She leaned forward and looked straight into his eyes.


    "OH MY! It looks like Shiro from Eastern True Dragons is interested in Joker!" Elise eximed.


    Shiro sneered. "I''ll cut that mask into two pieces and reveal your face! Archers are supposed to only shoot arrows, not y swordsmen with their little bows, either! You''re my target! Don''t die before I get to you!"


    The crowd cheered.


    Jake tilted his head and leaned down.


    He was a few centimeters away from Shiro''s face.


    His eyes widened to match her crazy look.


    And his smile broke into the Joker Smile that so often entered the heads of others.


    "Bring it on," he said.


    Goosebumps went through Shiro. She genuinely smiled.


    The rest of the teams flooded the scene.


    One by one, everyone entered the capsules and put on the virtual reality helmets.


    Jake dropped his mask onto his chest and put on the helmet.


    He calmed down.


    ''Believe in yourself,'' he whispered.


    The yers logged in.


    At the same time, the game''s name popped on the screen.


    [TOWERS OF GODS]


    A new game, new rules.