Leveling Up by Executing Monsters

After leaving them with a threat, Lloyd said no more. He reached out and tapped his Square Ring a few times, activating [Scenes of Wisdom]. Then, he gripped a Crystal Ball in the cockpit as if it were the control stick of a giant robot.

As he activated the [Eye of Wisdom], the cars of the two shameless old players beside him appeared differently. A translucent, multicolored halo now circled each of their vehicles.

Clearly, these halos represented the vehicle’s strength and status, similar to a [Combat Power Bar]. Once the halo dissipated, the car would be immobilized.

According to the supplementary instructions from the preparation phase, Lloyd knew that the vehicles’ strength varied based on factors like a player’s [Attributes] and [Tier].

Roughly speaking, [Rationality] determined its thickness, which translated to [Durability] or [Blood Volume]. [Spiritual Power] determined its [Attack Power], [inspiration] its speed and [Flexibility], and [Cognition] its [Defense Power].

As for [Tier], it amplified these [Attributes] by a certain percentage. The higher the [Tier], the thicker and heavier the halo, representing a stronger [Combat Power Bar].

The halo around the old players’ vintage three-wheeler was an ominous dark green and deep purple. It didn’t look like any orthodox power, suggesting these two scoundrels were likely outlaws from the [Taboo System].

In contrast, the halos of the other three newcomers were as faint as fragile bubbles, looking like they would pop at the slightest touch. They didn’t have any special color, just a faint blue reminiscent of [Spiritual Power], all of which indicated they had only recently stepped into the world of the mystical and the [Extraordinary System].

’I wonder how they scraped together five points to play such a dangerous game on the second floor?’

But Lloyd still didn’t know what kind of halo his own car would have.

As all six players reached the starting line, a countdown appeared before them.

Seizing the last few moments, the two veterans exchanged glances, silently discussing their strategy:

"Don’t panic. The kid’s car just looks intimidating. Those two arms are just for show. A newbie like him won’t know any better."

"Right. Besides, you don’t have to beat everyone to win this game. We can just out-speed him. We just need to be the first to finish four laps. His car looks so cumbersome; it must be incredibly slow."

"I’ve heard people from the [Wisdom] system can see the strengths and weaknesses of vehicles more intuitively, even what power system they use. Too bad neither of us has an ability like that, or we’d be able to see what this kid is really made of."

"No problem. Worst case, we’ll test him at the start. See if his car is all bark and no bite. If things go south, we’ll just switch to competing on speed... I refuse to believe he can take us both out with a single probing attack."

As the two whispered to each other, the countdown ended. A gunshot rang out.

The race has begun!

The two veterans immediately spun their cars around to line up side-by-side. Then, putting all their power into it, they rammed into Lloyd’s side, one after the other.

DONG~ DONG~

With two dull thuds, Lloyd’s car didn’t so much as budge...

This left him a bit puzzled:

’Why don’t I feel like I’m losing health when you hit me?’

’Instead, the halo on their cars dimmed by several shades...’

The two veterans were just as confused. A full-power collision like that should have caused a significant impact and damage, even against a [Tier Four].

’But why didn’t he even wobble?’

’My own car hit him, but I was the one who took damage. It felt like a baby carriage crashing into a dump truck; even if the other guy was parked and motionless, I’d still be the one getting smashed to bits.’

Fortunately, the two veterans were highly experienced. The moment their attack failed, they immediately switched tactics.

"This is bad! We’ve hit a wall. This guy must be from the [Shelter] system, and he’s probably holding a powerful defensive [Holy Artifact]!"

"We’ll compete on speed!"

After a quick exchange, they immediately spun their cars around, slammed on the accelerator, and shot off.

Lloyd wasn’t in a hurry to chase, just couldn’t help but smile.

Meanwhile, on the adjacent track, two of the newbies who had been about to raise their hands and forfeit just stared at each other in confusion. One asked:

"Those two... why are they going the wrong way? Are they so scared they can’t tell which way is which?"

"No... why are those three fighting amongst themselves? Weren’t they on the same side?"

The two veterans sped far into the distance, putting some space between themselves and Lloyd. Suddenly, they felt a wave of disorientation and realized—they were going the wrong way.

"Wh-what’s happening? Can that kid interfere with our senses? Is he from the [Wisdom] system?"

"But didn’t you just say he was from the [Shelter] system?"

As they spoke, they suddenly realized they were in a rather dire situation...

’Going the wrong way, we’ll definitely lose the race.’

’But if we turn back, that weird newbie is just waiting for us at the starting line.’

’And he’s turning his car around, closing in on us.’

As Lloyd closed in, a strange thought surfaced in the minds of the two veterans:

"Dammit, how can you run away in a game? Let’s go back and fight him!"

"AWOOOO!!! CHARGE! CHARGE! CHARGE!!!"

With that, they too spun their cars around, floored it, and charged at Lloyd for a second time.

The distance between them closed in seconds, and they collided with a tremendous crash.

DONG~ DONG~

’With two dull thuds, the two veterans were shocked to find that the impact was incredibly effective this time?’

’That kid’s flashy car was smashed to pieces, and he was sent flying.’

’We won!’

A surge of joy filled their hearts.

’Heh, trying to act all mysterious, pretending to be an expert?’

’But... wait! Why am I in so much pain?’

As their vision blurred, a sharp, excruciating pain suddenly wracked their bodies, as if every bone had been shattered.

The car they thought they had just smashed, the one with the [Iron Man] in a wheelchair, was still sitting there, completely unscathed.

To the left and right of that car lay scattered parts that looked disturbingly familiar...

’Then what was it I sent flying before?’

Harboring this final question, the two veterans coughed up a spray of black blood and passed out on the spot. Their bodies then vanished from the track.

The two newcomers watching from the starting line were completely dumbfounded.

From their perspective, the two scammers had apparently lost their minds, flooring it and crashing head-on into their own companion...

The collision was so severe that both of their cars were on the verge of being totaled.

Yet they acted as if they’d won, remaining in their cars with the triumphant, excited smiles of victors.

Then, the car that looked like an [Iron Man] rowing a canoe slowly approached them. In one hand, it raised a spiral [Lance]; in the other, it brandished a giant chain mace.

The spiral [Lance] began to [Twist] and transform. Its tip split apart like the end of a frayed rope, forming countless fine points, instantly changing from a [Lance] into a menacing [Wolf Fang Club].

The chain mace underwent a similar transformation. Its deep, heavy black surface seemed to come alive, slowly twisting and changing until it looked more like a jet-black [Abyss] capable of swallowing everything.

Then, with somewhat slow and clumsy movements, the [Iron Man] swung its weapons to the left and right.

The next moment, the two despicable scammers were sent flying, slamming heavily onto the ground.

For newcomers who lacked strong [inspiration] and the [Eye of Wisdom], this was all they could see.

It was baffling and incomprehensible, but it delivered more than enough shock and awe...

So, when they saw the [Iron Man] in the canoe-car turn towards them, they unhesitatingly raised their hands in surrender and chose to forfeit.

’SOB, the second floor is too dangerous! I’m never coming back!’

"Huh... why’d they just leave? I wasn’t planning on bullying you. I had some questions for you..."

Lloyd didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Fortunately, not all the newcomers were such cowards.

The last remaining newcomer was pedaling his bicycle with all his might, taking the race seriously.

Although he was terrified, he didn’t give up. Instead, he took advantage of the entanglement between Lloyd and the other two to sprint ahead with all his might.

Seeing this, Lloyd nodded. He had no intention of bullying the man with violence. Instead, he turned around, preparing to have a proper race of speed.

His seemingly cumbersome car, filled with a post-modern artistic flair, let out a deep engine roar as its tires let out a high-pitched SQUEAL against the pavement.

The spoiler at the rear of the car extended out to the sides, and two devices resembling turbofan engines flipped out from underneath.

"Time to accelerate!"

He muttered, pushing the [Crystal Ball] control stick forward with a practiced motion.

The two turbofan engines immediately spewed out twin blue flames. The entire car shot forward like a rocket, kicking up a billowing cloud of dust in its wake.

The determined newcomer, thanks to his earlier sprint, was already about to complete his first lap.

But then he heard a powerful gust of wind rip past him, flipping his flimsy little bicycle to the ground.

A few seconds later, a massive RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE finally reached his ears, like the sound of thunder.

"COUGH COUGH COUGH... Isn’t this just bullying?"

The newcomer complained helplessly as he waved his hand to clear the dust.

Fortunately, he was fine.

He couldn’t be bothered to try anymore, so he simply stood in place. He watched the spectacle of [Flying Sand and Stones] rush past him a second time, the turbulent wind it kicked up stinging his cheeks.

But he didn’t raise his hands to surrender. Instead, he waved at Lloyd, looking like he wanted to talk.

So, on his third lap, Lloyd slowed down and came to a gentle stop beside the newcomer.