"So you're saying you can last twenty minutes at most against him?" Leo asked.
"Yeah," David replied.
Sai and Leo looked serious. Noy glanced at David and said,
"Dude, then we gotta finish off our opponents in fifteen minutes. And that's not all — there'll be low-rank demons too. Damn, I feel like crying already..."
"Yeah, that's gonna be a problem," Leo answered.
"Then we need to get some rest. Tomorrow, we move out."
Everyone turned to David, and he nodded.
Noy, staring at the hole in the wall, muttered,
"Guys, what about the hole? Just look at it... makes me wanna cry."
"I don't think it's an issue. Master Vincent will take care of it," Sai said with a faint smile.
After that, they went to their rooms to recover. The day quickly passed, and morning came. Everyone got up and went through their morning routines.
Soon, they all gathered in the corridor. Emma, looking at David, asked,
"What happened yesterday in the restaurant?"
"Some bastard barged in to ruin our dinner."
"I see," Emma replied.
"All right, guys, everyone knows who they're up against?"
"Yeah," they all answered.
"Then let's go," David said.
With that, they left. As they stepped out of the hotel, they saw Master Vincent waiting for them, leaning against a car.
Walking up to him, Leo said,
"Good morning, Master Vincent."
"Morning. Pray — and get in the car," Vincent replied.
They got inside, and the ride began. Emma once again didn't sit next to Sai, and he still couldn't understand why she was acting this way.
After leaving the academy, the drive took over twenty minutes. Along the way, they passed through Beijing's landmarks. Another ten minutes later, they arrived at the central forest of Labagou.
Ahead stood the headquarters of the Awakened — a massive structure, more than 500 meters in diameter.
Everyone stared in awe at the building. They drove inside, parked, and then continued on foot. At the doors, a man named Chhol greeted them.
"Follow me," he said, turning to lead the way.
They followed and soon reached the waiting plaza.
Chhol began speaking:
"Soon, the clan heads will arrive — the Asimatos, Ragnars, Sakuragawas, Yamigawas, as well as the Chinese clans: Shuro, Tao, Husho, and the Divine Spear clan."
At those words, Emma thought: The Divine Spear Clan... No way... It can't be... him...
Chhol continued,
"These clan leaders will be here shortly, so be ready."
"Yes," they all replied.
"You may go sit somewhere."
The group moved to good seats.
Sai leaned toward David and asked,
"Do you think the other participants are as strong as that Xing guy?"
"I don't know. But some of them already formed contracts with gods. So yeah, they're strong. Maybe not like Xing, but still." David's face was serious.
Leo, overhearing, cut in:
"At best, we'll make it through without injuries. But if we underestimate them, we'll lose. And probably end up with wounds."
"You're right," David admitted.
Noy, expressionless as ever, added,
"Damn, I feel like crying... When the hell are they gonna show up?"
Right then, the doors opened, and the Chinese Academy team walked in.
Zhi Lan looked at them with arrogance.
"So this is the so-called American team?"
Everyone stared at her like she was an idiot. She realized she'd put herself in a bad spot but kept her face composed.
Lao Wei sighed,
"Enough, Zhi Lan. You've just embarrassed not only yourself but our academy."
Leo glared at him seriously and asked,
"Where's that gorilla?"
"Lao Wei — a gorilla?" He suddenly realized who Leo was talking about.
Well, he really does look like a gorilla...
"He'll be here soon, so don't worry."
David lowered his gaze to the floor and thought: If he doesn't show up, that's perfect. But if he does... we're screwed.