Chapter 96: Python
Carrying a megaphone and a binocular, Mr. Dwayne mounted the raised platform. From that angle, he will be able to see everything inside the maze.
"I greet you all, everyone. I am Dwayne and I will be your commentator for this game," he said through the megaphone making his voice be heard throughout the whole arena. And the people cheered. Cheering their favored participants to win. Many were cheering for the number thirteen. But I doubt I'm included with that cheer. I bet by thirteen, they only meant Alviar.
"Thirteeeeeeen! Go Alviar! Go Jack!" And then I heard it, it was Haru. Waving his flag and cheering for us. But then I can also hear some murmurings. Murmurings that I can hear from my position. Murmurings about me. Wondering who I am and why did I only join now. Some even brought up the superstition Bella told me earlier.
Alviar tapped my shoulder and he whispered to me, "Mr. Jack, like I told you yesterday and earlier, if you think the task is too dificult for you, don't force yourself. Skip it and find another one."
"I understand."
Mr. Dwayne seemed to have said something because the audience cheered even louder.
"Players, are you ready?"
"I bet you're dying to get into that maze now. Okay, go to your position. Remember, no pair should go in the same entrance."
There were four entrances. Giant red letters were mounted on top of every entrance namely A, B, C, and D.
"I'll go with C," Alviar told me before he proceeded to walk there.
Other participants chose their own entrance as well. I went to letter D.
"And in the count of three, all of you will enter. And remember, only the pair who got out together first will win. Good luck! And everyone, join me with the countdown."
"THREE!"
"TWO!"
"ONE!"
"And everyone's in! Number four A is on the lead — thirteen A is leading from entrance C! — And oh? My oh my! While everyone was already inside, trying to be the first to find the exit, thirteen B is still by the entrance D and yet to get inside. Could this be some sort of strategy? What do you think, everyone? Oh! He's already in!"
You might be wondering. But Thirteen A is Alviar and I am thirteen B. Juan is four A and you can probably guess who's four B. And yes, I was the last to enter.
I was greeted by the towering gray walls. They were made with thick plywoods. I decided to turn to right and I was immediately greeted by one of the organizers. She wore a body-hugging suit with snake patterns. By her shoulder is a yellow python, it's tongue flicking, gliding across her body, it's tail wrapped around her thigh. If only it wasn't a snake, she would've looked seductive. There was a large cage behind her.
"You can only pass through here if you've taken this snake off of me and successfully put it in the cage."
Oh! So this is one of the task.
"Sure!"
Reptiles have never been my favorite but I'm not afraid of snakes, especially pythons because I know they don't have venoms.
It hissed when I tried to pick its head but didn't bite me. And slowly, I removed it from her as gently as possible, careful not to hurt it.
"Whooooooooo! Go number fouuuuuuuur!"
"And there you have it, everyone! Number four A had already passed through three challenges. You think he's gonna win? Oh no! Thirteen A has also just finished his third task! Number seven B of the mohawk brothers is on his third challenge. Nine A is having trouble with the toads!"
As soon as I successfully removed the snake, I gently put it inside the cage which it willingly entered. That's not hard at all!
"Congratulations! You can pass."
I decided to take the left this time but was surprised to see no organizer was waiting. So I just went straight but soon regretted because it was dead end.
Tracing my way back, I met someone. Another player. Someone I didn't wanna meet. It was Bella. I tried to ignore her but she was tailing me.
"Stop following me, Bella." I told her.
"I'm not following you, this is also where I'm headed."
"Fine then. I'll take the other way." But she followed me.
"What now?"
She grinned and said, "I changed my mind."
With a sigh, trying to contain my irritation, I did my best to ignore her. And with my next turn, another task was waiting.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone