MTLNOVEL Chapter 34: Famous
+50 meta essence
As Damien's lifeless body hit the ground, a sudden stillness settled over the battlefield.
The air, once filled with the sound of clashing steel and roaring abilities, was now eerily silent.
Then—
DING!
A system notification materialized in the air, glowing with an ethereal golden light.
[System Notification]
Main Trial Objective Completed.
The words were crisp and absolute, echoing in the minds of every participant.
Evaluating Trial Completion Rate…
The notification pulsed.
Everyone in Oliver's team stood motionless, watching the floating text as if waiting for a divine verdict.
The Trial Completion Rate is determined by the combined contribution of all team members. If the average falls below 50%, the consequences will be enacted.
A heavy pressure filled the air.
They all knew what that meant.
If the completion rate was too low—trial monsters would be unleashed into the Main World.
That would be a disaster.
But none of them flinched.
Each of them had fought with everything they had.
They knew they had done well.
And as if to prove their confidence—
Final Trial Completion Rate: 57%
A wave of relief washed over the team.
The tension in their shoulders eased.
They had passed.
The system message pulsed again.
Congratulations. You have successfully cleared the Trial.
Participants should check their status screens for individual performance evaluations and rewards.
Then—
The golden light faded.
The battlefield was now quiet.
Oliver frowned, staring at the floating system message.
57%?
That was way too low.
"What the hell were we supposed to do? Burn down the whole damn coliseum?" Oliver muttered, running a hand through his hair.
He let out a frustrated sigh.
A 57% completion rate wasn't exactly bad, but it made him wonder:
What does it even take to hit 100%?
For a brief moment, he entertained ridiculous thoughts.
Oliver shook his head. Forget it.
There was no use obsessing over it now.
Taking a deep breath, he decided to calm himself before opening his status screen.
—
[Personal Evaluation Complete.]
[Name: Oliver Lancaster]
[Class: Abyssal Warlord (SSS-Class)]
[Contribution Score: 66%]
[Ranking: #1]
[Overall Efficiency: Excellent]
[Reward: +400 Meta Essence]
[Special Note: The system acknowledges your ability to exceed expectations. Keep pushing forward.]
—
Oliver's eyes scanned the evaluation.
A small smirk tugged at his lips.
Rank #1.
That was expected.
66% contribution.
Also expected.
His personal effort had likely carried most of the trial.
400 Meta Essence.
That number made him pause.
It was slightly less than what he got from the Rank 1 Trial.
His fingers tapped against his arm.
Back in the first trial, he received 500 Meta Essence.
Was the system being stingy this time?
Then, realization struck.
The Rank 1 Trial and Hidden Trial's rewards must have stacked together.
That would explain why his previous reward seemed inflated.
Either way, he wasn't complaining.
Artifacts were useful, but at this stage, Meta Essence was more valuable.
Glancing around, Oliver noticed the satisfied expressions on his teammates' faces.
They were pleased with their rewards.
If they were happy, there was no need for him to complain further.
Just as he was about to close his status screen—
A deep, familiar voice cut through the silence.
"I really didn't expect you to reach this far, lad."
Oliver's entire body tensed.
He knew that voice.
Slowly, he turned.
And there he was.
The Tournament Manager.
The man who signed him up for this whole damn thing.
The old man raised an eyebrow.
"Why are you looking at me like that, lad?"
Oliver said nothing. He just stared.
A beat of silence passed before the manager exhaled, rubbing his temples.
"Haa…"
Then, his gaze met Oliver's again, this time with something resembling respect.
"I apologize for underestimating you," he admitted. "You're really strong for someone so young."
Oliver's lips twitched.
That was more like it.
"Thank you for the compliment," he replied smoothly.
The old man gave him a strange look.
Oliver, of course, acted as if he hadn't said anything at all.
The truth was, he liked being acknowledged for his strength.
But being underestimated?
That, he despised.
The manager studied him for a moment longer before shaking his head.
Then, he smirked.
"You guys are champions now. Why don't you wave to your fans?"
Fans?
It was only then that Oliver noticed the thunderous roar of the crowd.
"DIVINE VANGUARD! DIVINE VANGUARD!"
The entire coliseum was on fire with cheers.
Among the chants, Oliver and the others began to pick up… interesting comments.
—
"Oliver, I love you!"
"Oliver, I want to bear your children!"
"Thank the gods I bet on the Divine Vanguard this time! I don't need to sell my organs again!"
—
Oliver nearly choked.
What the hell was wrong with people in this world?
Gambling addictions were clearly out of control.
Dante clapped him on the shoulder, grinning. "Popular, aren't you?"
Oliver groaned. "I'd rather not be popular for that."
The manager let them have their moment before stepping forward again.
Reaching into his coat, he pulled out five medals.
Each one gleamed under the arena lights, etched with the emblem of the Crimson Crucible.
He handed one to Oliver, then to Dante, Tariq, Aiko, and Lina.
Then, clearing his throat, he spoke.
—
"Let it be known that from this day forward, your names shall be etched into the annals of the Crimson Crucible.
As champions, you have not only survived but triumphed. You have proven yourselves against the strongest, emerging victorious in battle."
—
With that, he smiled.
"Oh, and before I forget—The prize money for the tournament is a thousand gold coins."
Oliver blinked.
"...Wait. Prize money?"
His teammates looked just as confused.
The Crimson Crucible had never mentioned anything about gold rewards.
If there were actual prizes, way more people would be flocking to join.
The manager chuckled.
"It was a sponsor of the Crucible. He was so amazed by your performance that he decided to reward you."
Oliver nodded in understanding.
The Crucible wasn't cheap to run.
Sure, ticket sales could cover the costs…
But who in their right mind would say no to more money?
That was where sponsors came in.
They could donate rewards to contestants who impressed them.
Oliver took the pouch of gold and stored it in his inventory.
He wasn't about to complain about free money.
The manager smirked.
"Oh, and one more thing—"
He pulled out a sealed letter.
"The sponsor who donated the gold is hosting a dinner party tonight for his 98th birthday."
"He'd like it if the Divine Vanguard could make an appearance so he can brag to his friends."
Oliver exhaled.
"…Am I becoming a celebrity?"
Would he have to start signing autographs?
His handwriting was hideous.
His teammates snickered at his misery.
Oliver sighed, then turned to them.
"You guys okay with going?"
They all agreed.
The manager nodded in approval before handing Oliver the invitation.
Oliver glanced at the name of the sponsor.
—
Lord Umbren Vael.
—