Two weeks later.

Hiju- Hq of Infringe Inc.

Manager Bobby Chen is having a conference with the seven entrants of Survivance #9

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"You cannot afford to lose the momentum at any cost. It will be just a matter of second for the other party to take advantage of your confusion," Bobby Chen addressed the Entrants.

"Heard that the game types have been changed too much." Ok Danh put forth his concern.

"There is no need to worry about what outsiders say. Yes, it is true that the old Game-master has retried. But the setup cannot be turned on its head. If there would be any changes it would be the standards being raised higher-- which is again, true for all the previous versions. The game standards have become harder and harder over the years. It is no excuse to lower your performance."

"The survivance rate, Mr Chen. Isn't it still a mystery as how they calculate it?" Andre Jun, the best player among the seven of them enquired.

Kris on the other hand was all muddled up. The others seemed to be thorough with the game patterns, needless to say they had their memory in place unlike him.

"That is true. We have enquired about it in at the centre (Hiju Gaming Council). It seems none of the other guilds have much knowledge about it either. Rest be assured it is fool proof or the international gaming association wouldn't have approved such a system."

"As much as we have tried to assess it, it only increases at random intervals and can decrease if you even lean towards giving up," said Andre.

Bang Cha, the second best with burly phisique and sulking face spoke. "That man Michael Chaisai. He is really something ."

"Shrewd... Hella shrewd," said Bobby Chen.

"Have you met him, Manager Chen?" Manila queried. Curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

"Mhm, not very approachable man I'd say."

"The guy's been on headlines ever since he has taken up the Game-master's post... Chaisai that... Chaisai this. I am curious to see what he has in store for us," Danh Ok added.

Andre scoffed. "With that kind of impression on the media and people--it can only go two ways. He could be truly incredibly good or absolutely bog-standard."

"I'd like you to prepare for the first kind. The International board wouldn't have hired him if he were inefficient," said Bobby.

Kris shifted in his chair. In the zero level, the respective guilds assessed their trainees individually and chose the best ones to be Entrants to the first level. The ideal cut-off for Entrant level was EP: 40; CP:5 and SR: 2%.

And he had to be the one on the lowest end. Perfect.

There couldn't be another person more hapless than him.

The first level of the game was conducted between the guilds existing within a nation. The second and third level was played between the players from the Seven republics across the continent of Eashin.

For Kris, his memory was his greatest disability. More so than his injured leg.

Manager Chen turned to Kris. "Anything you'd like to ask?"

"Yes, yes... um, I'd like to hear another briefing about the game format... you know, my mind is all over the place right now," Kris spoke up nervously.

"That's okay," said the Manger. "So the first level will be an Island survival. Seven entrants from each certified guilds within Republic of Tairan will participate in this game. Many of you are on the i1 ranking, Bang Cha and Andre are on i2. The ones in the i1 need to put extra effort to move your level up to i3. Only then will you be able to rise your title to a scout." He pointed at the display with diffrent charts describing the game-levels before continuing. "Now for the events. It has a common pattern as the previous games. As soon as you enter the arena. You will have to compete in subevents that will lead up to a main event at certain point in the game. Make full use of the subevents as they will ensure to reward you with skills that will be helpful to complete the main event. This is the extent of initial information we were given by the council. You'll get to know more when you enter the arena. As you all know, every event or subevent will be a qualifier event for the next one. And each one will be a level higher than the previous one."

After the conference, Kris was the last one to leave, staggering on his cane. When he walked into the hallway he sensed the curious looks from other entrants. As this was the first time they were meeting each other, it was clear on their faces--how could this guy even manage to get to i1? With many deep scars etched on his face and arms, a long surgical suture stitch running on one right side of his close cropped head, and a broken ankle--he sure looked fitting for hospital than a gaming arena.

To be honest, Kris had asked that question to himself countless times for the past two weeks.

The commencement of first level of the games was in less than three days and he was not expecting a miracle to happen and heal him back to normal.

It was a hard call, but he had to do it. He had to endure and survive. He had to use his energy on forming tactics to pull through rather than dwelling in despair over something that he couldn't change.

Buckle up--he told himself.

Give it your best.

All of a sudden, a heavy hand fell on his weak shoulder, making him lurch forward. Bang Cha smirked at him.

"Hey stroller guy... how is it going for ya?" The burly guy scorned. "I don't see why Mr Chen is so kind when it comes to you. I heard your EP was only 30. You were given 20 more because of that accident," he chuckled.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You sure like acting all weak and deprived. Guess what, it won't work once you are inside the arena."

Kris tried to squirm out of his hold, making Bang Cha tighten his grip around his neck.

"Look at you poor thing, I assume you understand it when I say stay close... I might be the only one to save you after all."

"Bite me."

Bang Cha laughed at that nad his hold loosened around Kris's neck. Then all of a sudden, Bang Cha kicked the walking cane with his foot. Loosing his balance caused Kris to reel sideways before falling flat on his face.

A sharp pang of pain shot at his ankle and he groaned, making vain attempts to pull himself up.

He sure was unfortunate for suffering this.

As if he had no less hardships already.

Life was unfair.

"Hey, knock it off!" he heard a girl's voice then. It was Manila Reyes, petite and bubbly. She wore a rather unkempt pixie cut, and had heart shaped face. She looked very inquisitive and too young to be a part of such a dangerous game. Not more than sixteen.

"Hey, Mister," she prodded his shoulder with the cane. "How long are you going to stay on the floor, huh?"

"Ah, yeah... thanks." Kris struggled to get up and succeeded only after a lot of effort and help from the tiny girl.

"Don't mind him." Manila told him.

"I am not."

"You are not that good at lying, you know." She replied. "Anyways, I am in a rush. So, meet you on the game day. See ya."

"Bye, thanks again."

**********

Exiting the Headquarters of the guild, Kris took a long and tiring walk to the metro-station of Hiju (the nerve centre of gaming associations in Tairan Republic). There were so many guilds located around this town and other gaming industries. The train-journey was really short eventhough his apartment was located in the outskirts of the huge town.

Kris took a painfully slow stroll to his apartment. The streets were turning colder as the sun travelled westward. It wasn't as busy place here as it was downtown, but populated as much. Lately, he had read some articles about the town itself. How everything had started here. Among many other gaming forms, the survival gaming event had first come to being in Hiju, decades ago. 

With the advent of technology the game had just gotten bigger and more prominent among the folk. He could see the digital billboards screaming about the upcoming season of game all day long.

His apartment, was also financed by the guild. And he was expected to remunerate every single penny's worth with his performance in the games. He couldn't wait for it to be over.

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EP: ENDURANCE POINT

CP: CONGIZANCE POINT

PL: POWER LEVEL

SR: SURVIVANCE RATE