Shovels In Spades

"So, how does this test work? The name's pretty self-explanatory, but if there are any catches, I'd appreciate knowing them, thanks," Daz said to the android that was floating in front of him.

He, Madison, and Rimmy were now in the Power-Stripped Survival Test's lobby. There were only a few hundred people in here, clearly, it wasn't the most popular of tests.

"Of course, Sir. This test is incredibly simple. All of your skills, stats, items, evolutions, everything that has been given to you or earnt from the system, shall all be temporarily stripped from you as you are faced with challenges. Like a lot of other tests in the amusement centre, it is an endless trial. You will be awarded with merit points based upon how many trials you complete and based upon which ones you complete," The robot explained.

Daz raised an eyebrow. "Which ones?"

"Indeed. The trials are randomised. You may get an unlucky draw and will be forced to fight an overpowering monster, or perhaps lady luck favours you and you'll be given twenty simple physical challenges in a row," the android said calmly.

"Huh. Sounds interesting. Maddy, wanna give it a try, or will you stay on the sidelines again? I have a feeling Rose suggested this room because of our esper powers. I think we'll keep them in there. Yours might be even more useful than mine in this kind of trial," Daz noted encouragingly.

Madison held her chin in her hand and tilted her head a little bit. "Give, up?"

The android looked a bit confused for a split-second before it interpreted what she meant. "Yes, Madam. It is entirely possible to surrender mid-way if you think a trial is beyond your capabilities."

"Okay. Do, it," Madison declared as her eyes sparkled. 'If I don't need to get hurt, then I wanna do the same thing as Daz!'

'Cute,' her boyfriend unconsciously thought. Daz peeled his eyes away from his adorable girlfriend and looked at the android once more. "Are there any other rewards, or is it pure merit points?"

"Yes, Sir. There is a very small chance that you may clear a 'golden trial'. These trials are impossible to distinguish from the normal ones, but successfully clearing one shall result in the host being rewarded with a lucky draw from a very special lottery. For reference, as of now, a total of four-thousand-five-hundred-and-sixty-seven hosts have cleared a little over twenty-thousand trials collectively but no one has cleared a golden trial as of yet," the robot explained happily.

"Huh. Sounds interesting. We'll both do it then, I suppose," Daz replied.

"Of course. There is a small fee of two-thousand merit points to participate," the android said as a prompt filled both Daz and Madison's vision asking them for the required money.

They both accepted, naturally.