Chapter 92: The Host’s Hubris

This time, Rachel felt the chill bite into her marrow as its oversized jaws lifted into a haunting smirk, contorting at impossible angles. When Anthony performed his own quest, there must have been something like this creature, an Arbiter, standing in the background, observing and judging their actions.

Dionysus rolled his eyes at the creature’s warning.

"Yes, yes. You’ve told me. The Balance requires exactness; we all know about the Greater Seed’s Balance... You don’t shut up about it. And what could a...thing that even someone as weak as Eostre could combat possibly hope to accomplish against someone like me?"

"Such...hubris. I return to The Dream; I am free. Fufufu—"

The god held up two fingers and pressed them together. Ominously, a dark hole warped space, pulling the laughing abomination into the singularity, eradicating it. When Dionysus’ fingers separated, all traces of the entity were gone, and a new message popped up in front of Rachel.

[Legend Quest Arbiter Vanquished]

[New Arbiter Recognized]

[Legend Quest Authority Granted: Dionysus]

Rachel’s fingers pressed against the stone railing as she felt everything change. A swirl of misfortune cycled from that one action. A noose had tightened around the lesser god’s throat, and sooner or later, The System would exact its payment.

Dionysus clapped his hands, and the whole stadium and world shifted in an instant, becoming a luxurious amphitheater of wine, statues, and comfortable seating; the sandy floor became smooth gold, and cosmic forces spun across the heavens.

"Haha! This is the power of creation! How could someone so weak hope to control such potent energy?"

"It didn’t need to," Rachel grunted, drawing the power-thirsty lesser god’s eye.

"Perhaps you’re right," he whispered.

Grinning at the strength he could now channel through this world, the lesser god presented the rules, showing up as game text as he explained. "Welcome...to the Dionysus Games!

"Rule One: This crucible requires two contestants capable of performing a Legend Quest.

"Rule Two: There will be nine rounds. Four battles for each contestant, and a final showdown once proving themselves against all odds. The contestants roll a twenty-sided die to see who will be the lucky one to have the honor of the first round; the highest number wins. If one contestant dies during the course of the quest, both die."

A shiver ran down Rachel’s spine to her tail as she glared at Conner, waving at her from across the arena. She hadn’t expected to have to put her trust in her opponent to survive until the end, and the variables kept stacking up.

"Rule Three: If the challenge is not won, all worlds seeking the legend’s help will perish."

Anthony would definitely feel a certain way if he knew what it meant to fail a quest, and Dionysus was laying it all out to her; of course, he fully expected her to die here, as Relica did, but she was in the business of subverting others’ expectations of her limits.

"Rule Four: The crowd and an Arbiter-selected host will take part in the battle selection process; naturally, I choose myself," he continued, letting out an obnoxious laugh.

"Rule Five: At the beginning of every round, the host, competition, and the crowd roll a twenty-sided die to determine the selection roll order. A new member of the crowd will be chosen at random for each of the nine rounds. If any participant does not choose one of the four options within a timeframe set by the host, the System will choose at random.

"Rule Six: None of the four options, be it Item Selection/Upgrade, Location, Penalty/Downgrade, or Opponent, can be chosen twice in a round. Once an option is used, it is inaccessible until the next match."

"Rule Seven..." The lesser god’s smile widened. "All options are to be displayed to the entity in question when making their selection, and a search function will be provided. I set the time limit for choosing to one minute. And that is the game! If the legends cannot entertain the host or crowd, the world dies with them. Hahaha!"

He brandished his wine and drank a long swig. "Entertain me!"

Rachel forced a chuckle, running her fingers through her hair as Eostre rose to her feet to join her. The radiant woman fixed her wilted flowers and gown, regaining her composure, but Rachel could tell she was not happy with Cerridwen or her ’bold and badass’ hare charge putting her in such a threatening position.

Although if Rachel had backed down, there was a high possibility Dionysus might have killed her anyway to prove a point; he was insane. She had to make him lose favor with the crowd by performing such an action, and laughing it all off as a joke was a way for him to save face.

Her focus went to Nike and the other entities the mad god had trapped to use for his benefit. Karma’s a bitch. Can I get them free? Possibly...but it is going to cost me some leeway. Is a little bad luck in the competition worth punching him in the gut?

All she had to do was take one look at the smug face of the Greek god before making her decision. It’s totally worth it.

Eostre rubbed her neck and gave her a strained smile. "He’s giving himself plenty of time while limiting everyone else’s options since he knows them all already," she whispered. "I do appreciate your concern. You didn’t have to do that...despite how it was shown."

Rachel gave her a side-long look, pushing her lips to the side. "I don’t quite trust you yet; I can’t be sure that all of this isn’t just a trap, and you’re both playing me. Double agent, triple? I wouldn’t know since I’m not playing at this level...yet. Still, it does provide me insight. Wait..."

A dubious glare creased her nose as she stared at the innocent-looking tulpa. "Did you or Moongmor manipulate my Seed to give me that ridiculous [Less Is More] Feat about wearing less clothes?"

Eostre giggled softly while pointing down at the bouncing bunny in the stands. "Moongmor does have certain...fetishes, I suppose you could say. He’s harmless, but does enjoy certain tropes."