SSS-Rank Awakening: My Talent Multiplies Everything novel Chapter 157

Chapter 157: The Tournament.

Kael’s pupils contracted slightly.

Although he didn’t fully understand the significance of what Jonas had just revealed, he could already tell this wasn’t something ordinary. Four surviving human Safe Zones, all connected by a single mysterious Rift... the implications were far greater than he had initially imagined.

Still, he remained silent.

He simply listened as Jonas continued.

"At first, everyone was shocked. Fortunately, no one acted rashly. After several rounds of discussion, the four Safe Zones reached a temporary agreement. We decided to form a joint exploration team made up of Hunters from each Safe Zone and send them into the Rift together."

A faint smile appeared on Jonas’ face, though it carried little joy.

"At the time, everyone thought it was the perfect solution."

His smile gradually disappeared.

"But it didn’t last."

Kael’s expression grew serious.

"The moment they entered the Rift, they discovered it wasn’t like any Rift humanity had ever seen before."

Jonas’ voice became noticeably heavier.

"It wasn’t filled with monsters."

"It wasn’t some strange world waiting to be explored."

"It was... a treasure vault."

Kael narrowed his eyes.

"Everywhere they looked, there were treasures," Jonas continued. "Ancient weapons, precious ores, rare herbs, mysterious artifacts, materials that had never been recorded before... it was as though someone had gathered countless priceless treasures into a single world."

He slowly shook his head.

"Human greed is a frightening thing."

"What began as a joint exploration quickly became a battlefield."

"No one trusted each other anymore."

"Arguments became confrontations."

"Confrontations became battles."

"And before long..."

"They were killing each other."

The office fell silent.

Even though Jonas spoke calmly, Kael could easily imagine the scene.

A place overflowing with treasures capable of changing a person’s fate.

Four different Safe Zones.

Four different interests.

Conflict had been inevitable.

"In the end," Jonas continued, "the surviving members had no choice but to abandon the expedition and retreat."

"But the disaster didn’t end there."

"When news of the treasures reached the four Safe Zones..."

"The war simply spread outside."

"When news of the Treasure Rift spread, the four Safe Zones immediately turned against one another. Everyone wanted exclusive ownership of it because no one was willing to share something that valuable."

He let out a quiet sigh before continuing.

"For months, battles broke out one after another. Many died. Each Safe Zone suffered heavy losses. Countless resources were exhausted, yet nothing was accomplished. No Safe Zone was strong enough to completely seize the Treasure Rift, and no one was willing to back down."

"Eventually, everyone realized the same thing. If the fighting continued, we’d only keep weakening ourselves while gaining nothing in return."

"So they stopped," Kael muttered.

Jonas nodded.

"They stopped."

"Since then, the Treasure Rift has been treated as neutral territory."

"The entrance is jointly guarded by representatives from all four Safe Zones. Every movement around it is monitored to ensure that no one secretly attempts to seize it."

Kael nodded slowly.

That made sense.

With all four sides watching each other, no one could act without immediately provoking another war.

Jonas leaned back slightly before continuing.

"However..."

"That changed a few months ago."

"The leaders of the four Safe Zones finally agreed that this deadlock couldn’t continue forever."

"So another meeting was held."

"This time..." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"They reached a conclusion."

Kael listened quietly.

"A tournament."

Jonas looked directly at him.

"Each Safe Zone will send its most talented young Hunters."

"The only requirement is that they must be under the age of twenty."

"The participants will compete against one another."

"When the tournament ends, the final rankings will determine how many entry slots each Safe Zone receives for the Treasure Rift."

"The better a Safe Zone performs..."

"The more people it will be allowed to send inside."

Kael lowered his head slightly as he fell into thought.

Compared to endless wars...

This solution was undoubtedly better.

Instead of sacrificing thousands of lives over ownership of the Rift, they would settle everything through a competition between the younger generation.

There would still be winners and losers.

But far fewer coffins.

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