Tan Xiao became the third person to take a seat in the Battle King’s position.

After that, Shen Mo and Leonid were practically unstoppable.

Though they did encounter a few strange props here and there, none of them had effects anywhere near as outrageous as the werewolf, the wooden statue, or the iron helmet.

And the remaining players, after several grueling rounds, had their stamina severely depleted and their combat ability greatly diminished — dealing with them was remarkably easy.

When all five Battle King seats were filled, the other players in the arena immediately disappeared. In the blink of an eye, only the five seated on high remained.

Lights blazed across the stage in brilliant, dazzling colors.

The clown inspector stood at the convergence of the lights and made a grand announcement: “This game’s victors number 5. Twenty-two players have been eliminated, and 3 have died.

Distributable puzzle pieces: 36.

Distributable props: 14 items.

Reward settlement will now begin —”

As the words ended, five softly glowing orbs of light appeared on the stage.

The orbs drifted to float before each person, puzzle pieces and props wrapped inside. One simply had to reach a hand into the orb to retrieve them with ease.

Inside Shen Mo’s orb were 9 puzzle pieces and 3 props.

This number was fewer than he had estimated — especially the props. The total number of props held by all 25 players had amounted to only 14 items.

But thinking about it more carefully, it made sense… After all, in the latter half of the game, everyone had gone all-out using their props, and nearly everything usable had been consumed!

Of the remaining 14 items, some were too limited in use to bother with, while the rest were offensive types.

The clown beamed at all of them. “Dear ladies and gentlemen, congratulations on successfully qualifying for the Labyrinth War!~ We hope that in the games ahead, you will become outstanding kings and subjects and claim the final victory.

The transport entrance in the rest hall will open shortly. Other inspectors will explain the detailed rules of the war to you there.

With that — good luck~”

The clown finished speaking, flashing a wide grin. Then all the lights on the stage went out.

Pitch darkness.

Only at the center of the stage did a square exit emanating white light appear.

The five people exchanged glances, hesitating as they looked at one another.

Su Man looked toward Shen Mo and Tan Xiao. “Should we… go?”

“If we’re not going, why stay?” Leonid rose abruptly, striding into the glowing white square. “Let’s get out of here and have some meat and drink!”

Shen Mo also stood and walked toward the glowing square. “Let’s go, everyone.”

Tan Xiao and Su Man followed close behind.

Lukas walked into the exit as well.

……

The clown, its task completed, strolled leisurely through pure white cubes.

The cubes stretched on in row after row, column after column, in every direction — above, below, extending without end, too many to count.

A sphere rolled out from one of the cubes. Seeing the clown, it called out cheerfully, “Your side finished too?”

“That’s right,” the clown said with a smile. “Seeing everyone throw themselves wholeheartedly into the game — it’s such a joyful thing.”

Then it gave a long sigh. “Though there are disappointing aspects too. The performance of certain players was really quite unsatisfactory.”

“Same on my end~” the sphere said. “That doctor the inspector was so optimistic about didn’t even make it through the qualifying rounds. Already become a subject~”

The clown seemed to have found a kindred spirit. “Same here~ That inspector’s favorite, the Iron Hook, Jefferson — he’s not even a subject. He’s already dead~”

“That inspector has such terrible judgment!” the sphere lamented. “I spent so much time paying attention to that doctor and missed the standout performances of the other players.”

“Indeed, terrible judgment,” the clown agreed with a nod. “The players it favored both lost in the qualifying rounds. Both of them.”

The two inspectors spoke in unison: “What truly terrible judgment!”

The comic-book man who had just emerged from one of the cubes: “……”

……

—