Blood Online: Evolving Endlessly-Chapter 174: Crazy Participants

Akhil took a breath, organizing his thoughts. Around them, the arena buzzed with activity—fighters tending wounds, examining divine gifts, preparing mentally for what came next. But in their small circle, the focus was absolute.

"I suspect," Akhil said quietly, keeping his voice low enough that only Nyla and Nibo could hear, "that the being behind Jeren is the thing responsible for the data collection."

Nyla’s glowing blue eyes narrowed slightly. "Explain."

"It’s constantly watching everyone. Every fighter, every movement, every technique." Akhil’s gaze flickered briefly toward the many-eyed horror. "When we fight, it grows more eyes. Transforms to observe better. It’s not just watching—it’s analyzing, cataloging, measuring."

"So Jeren’s ’data gathering’ rounds," Nibo rumbled, understanding dawning, "aren’t him personally observing. He has that thing doing it for him."

"Exactly." Akhil nodded. "And I think there’s more. When Harry attacked Jeren—when he was killed instantly—I don’t think that was Jeren’s power."

"The creature protected him," Nyla concluded, her voice cold with certainty.

"That’s my suspicion. Whatever that thing is, it’s not just an observer. It’s a guardian. Maybe the reason Jeren seems so untouchable, so confident, is because he has something incredibly powerful watching his back."

The three of them stood in silence for a moment, processing the implications. If Akhil was right, then attacking Jeren directly wasn’t just foolish—it was potentially impossible. Not because Jeren himself was unbeatable, but because he had a supernatural bodyguard that could kill with a thought.

"We need to verify this," Nyla said finally.

Akhil looked at her sharply. "What? How are we supposed to—"

"We test it." Her voice carried that same cold certainty she’d shown when shattering her opponent. "Find out if your suspicions are correct. Understand what we’re actually dealing with."

"That sounds extremely dangerous," Nibo observed, though his tone suggested he wasn’t entirely opposed to the idea.

"Everything about this tournament is dangerous," Nyla countered. "Better to know what we’re facing than to die from ignorance later."

Akhil studied his sister’s face, seeing the determination there. The logical part of his mind screamed that this was reckless, that testing a theory about a many-eyed horror’s protective capabilities was suicidal.

But the part of him that had survived impossible odds, that had fought Titans and come out alive, recognized the truth in her words.

"How?" he asked simply.

Nyla leaned in closer, her voice dropping to barely above a whisper. Nibo moved in as well, the three of them creating a tight circle that blocked any potential observers from reading their lips or overhearing.

She spoke quickly, laying out her plan in hushed tones. As Akhil listened, his eyes widened slightly. It was risky. Incredibly risky. But if it worked...

"That could actually tell us what we need to know," he admitted when she’d finished.

"It will also potentially paint a target on our backs," Nibo added. "If that thing realizes we’re testing it, realizes you can see it..."

"Then we’ll deal with that when it happens," Nyla said flatly. "But we need to know. Need to understand the rules of this game before we can figure out how to win it."

Akhil looked between his sister and his friend, seeing the same determined resolve in both their faces. They’d come this far. Survived this much. And they were right—fighting blind against an enemy they didn’t understand was a death sentence.

"Alright," he agreed. "We do it. But we have to be precise. Timing is everything."

"Timing," Nyla agreed, "is everything."

They separated slightly, creating the appearance of casual conversation rather than conspiracy. But the understanding between them was absolute.

They had a plan. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

And they were about to test a theory that could either give them the information they desperately needed or get them killed in the process.

---

Jeren’s voice rang out across the arena, cutting through the murmur of conversation and the sounds of preparation:

"Time’s up, dear fighters! I hope you’ve all recovered sufficiently, because the second round is about to begin!"

His enthusiasm hadn’t dimmed despite—or perhaps because of—the spectacular displays from Nyla and Nibo. If anything, he seemed even more excited, his bright eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"You’ve shown us glimpses of your capabilities! Now let’s see how you handle opponents specifically designed to challenge those abilities!"

The platforms began to glow, barriers solidifying once more. Fighters who’d been resting or conversing quickly returned to their designated spaces, weapons ready, divine gifts prepared.

Akhil gripped the Blood Fang, feeling its comfortable weight. Beside him on adjacent platforms, Nyla’s twin blades began to accumulate frost despite her not actively channeling power. Nibo’s massive axe rested against his shoulder, the weapon looking almost casual in his enormous hands.

The shadows gathered at the edges of each platform, darker and denser than the first round. Whatever was emerging from them would be stronger, faster, more dangerous.

Calibrated to push them to their limits based on the data collected from their previous fights.

But Akhil’s attention wasn’t entirely on his own platform. Part of his awareness tracked Nyla and Nibo, watching for the signal, preparing for the moment when their plan would be executed.

The shadows coalesced. From Akhil’s platform emerged three new opponents—these ones larger than the first round, moving with a confidence that spoke of superior skill. Their weapons gleamed with enchantments, and the way they positioned themselves suggested advanced tactical training.

On Nyla’s platform, her opponents materialized wreathed in what looked like flames—fire users, specifically chosen to counter her ice abilities. A direct response to her spectacular first-round performance.

Nibo faced opponents that were his own size, massive warriors wielding weapons that could actually clash against his axe without shattering. Strength matched against strength.

The three of them shared a subtle glance. Just a flicker of eye contact, too brief for most observers to notice. But between them, it carried weight.

Understanding. Agreement. Commitment.

Then their gazes shifted, almost imperceptibly, toward Jeren’s elevated platform. Toward the many-eyed figure standing behind him, currently watching the arena with at least a dozen visible eyes, tracking different fighters and platforms.

Jeren raised his hand, his voice carrying theatrical excitement:

"Fighters ready! Opponents prepared! Let the entertainment continue!"

He paused for dramatic effect, his fan snapping open with a flourish.

"May the match BEGIN!"

The word had barely left his lips when everything happened at once.

In the divine realm, gods leaned forward with anticipation, eager to see how their new favorites would handle the increased difficulty. Comments began flooding their chat, wagers being placed, excitement building.

[God Poloneus: Let’s see if the ice queen can handle fire specialists!]

[Goddess Jayne: That orc better not disappoint after that opening display!]

[DaylithNight: Multiple fights at once—this is going to be spectacular!]

[Goddess Vaydrix: I want to see techniques. Real skill, not just raw power.]

[Unknown: Show me blood. Show me desperation. Show me what they’re really capable of.]

Their eyes were wide with anticipation, divine attention focused with laser precision on the platforms below.

On Akhil, who’d shown competence but not brilliance—they wanted to see if he’d been holding back.

On Nyla, whose ice had literally frozen opponents solid—they wanted to see how she’d handle direct counters.

On Nibo, whose strength had split stone—they wanted to see if brute force would be enough.

The three fighters stood ready, weapons gripped, opponents closing in.

And then, in perfect synchronization, as if they’d rehearsed it a thousand times—

They moved.

Not toward their opponents.

Not into defensive positions.

Not in any of the expected patterns that the data collection would have predicted.

They moved in a way that would test every theory Akhil had proposed. That would reveal truths the many-eyed horror might not want revealed. That would either confirm their suspicions or get them killed in the process.

The plan Nyla had whispered was in motion.

And the gods, watching with wide eyes and hungry anticipation, had no idea they were about to witness something far more significant than just another tournament match.

The real test was beginning.

And whatever happened in the next few seconds would determine far more than just who won a fight.

It would determine whether Akhil’s group had any chance of surviving what came next.

The arena held its breath.

And three fighters executed a gambit that would change everything.

Jeren’s attention had been divided between addressing the gods and monitoring the various platforms when something made him pause mid-sentence.

The figure behind him—his constant, invisible companion—shifted in a way it rarely did.

Jeren’s fan stopped mid-motion. His bright eyes widened behind the mask, genuine shock breaking through his carefully maintained theatrical composure as he saw Akhil, Nyla and Nibo doing the last thing he’d ever expect anyone to do.

For the first time since the tournament began, Jeren felt something cold settle in his stomach. Not fear exactly, but... uncertainty.

He’d orchestrated hundreds of tournaments. Controlled thousands of fighters. Nothing surprised him anymore.

Until now.

’These people are they crazy?!’ Jeren roared inwardly as he saw something unthinkable unfold before him, even after his warning.