In the global livestream of the Destiny Arena, everyone's eyes were fixed on the glowing white screen, waiting for the chosen one to appear.
"As usual, whenever a new battle begins, we'll first get a wide aerial view of the map," the host, Shawn, explained during the brief pause. "That way, everyone can get a sense of the environment. What remains uncertain is the rule for external assistance this time."
Every season of the Destiny Arena had different rules for outside support, and these rules often changed based on the type of battlefield selected.
For instance, during the first season, which was a Rule-Bending Horror scenario, the outside world was allowed one communication with the chosen player per day.
In the second season, which featured Wilderness Survival, the rule allowed supporters to send up to one cubic meter of supplies.
It was widely agreed that without outside assistance, a participant's chances of clearing the Destiny Arena would drop dramatically.
"This season is an unlimited survival mode, right? It would be great if external aid could directly provide resources."
"I'd prefer a map-reveal ability. Knowing where danger is hiding could save lives."
"Forget that. They should allow monster substitution. Swap those creatures into the real world and let modern weapons deal with them. No carbon-based lifeform can resist bullets."
"Can you guys stop spamming theories? Look! The screen's dimming!"
"Here it comes! The feed's live!"
"Please, let it be the Protein Queen."
As the comments scrolled wildly, the livestream finally showed its first image.
Just as Shawn predicted, the camera first gave a sweeping panorama, showing viewers the lay of the land. The aerial view revealed a vast, dense forest stretching endlessly, until the lens moved downward, focusing on a small clearing within the trees.
Then the zoom tightened, locking onto the figure of the chosen player.
For a moment, the livestream's chat froze in silence. Then chaos erupted.
"Huh?"
"Huh??"
"Huh???"
Lines of question marks and shocked reactions filled the screen, followed by heated discussion.
"Whoa… She's gorgeous!"
"Honestly? She's stunning."
"Not the Protein Queen I was hoping for, but…"
"Her outfit looks like cosplay."
"With those slender arms and legs, and that dense jungle terrain around her, she's in trouble."
"Don't be so quick to judge. Look at her she's calm. If it were me, I'd be panicking after being teleported here."
The girl in the camera looked young, maybe in her early twenties at most.
Her long black hair was gathered into a neat style, secured with two elegant golden hairpins. A few loose strands brushed against her cheeks, gently lifted by the wind, revealing the shimmer of delicate earrings at her earlobes.
She wore a modified cheongsam that was strikingly beautiful yet unorthodox. The ink-black silk hugged her figure, its waist section featuring a semi-sheer gauze panel that hinted at the curve of her slim waist and the soft dip of her navel beneath.
The dress had a high slit running from the hip downward, leaving her long legs almost entirely exposed. Her thighs were full yet perfectly proportioned, tapering into shapely, delicate calves. Not too plump, not too thin just right.
Those legs looked like they'd been sculpted from the finest white jade, flawless in both shape and sheen. One couldn't help but wonder if the word "perfection" truly existed in this world.
On her feet were satin high heels adorned with crystal blossoms. The heels carried tiny glass-carved plum flowers, while a single petal graced the front. The design was simple, yet radiated an understated elegance.
If this contest were about beauty alone, the viewers would already be popping champagne.
Meanwhile, inside the Destiny Arena Command Center.
"Match the facial data immediately. We need everything on her every detail!"
"Yes, sir!"
As the staff hurried out, the gray-haired man in a tailored suit sank back into his chair, sighing heavily.
The girl on the screen looked no older than his granddaughter. And dressed like this? It didn't inspire much confidence. Yet now, the nation's hopes rested on her shoulders. How could he not feel the weight of it all?
When did survival of millions come down to a child like this?
What frustrated him even more was that she hadn't contacted the officials before entering the Arena. She hadn't collected any supplies, and now she was inside without so much as a backpack. How was she supposed to survive?
The rest of the command center shared the same grim thoughts. No one spoke. Each person silently calculated every possible contingency. The room felt suffocatingly still.
"Glug glug cough! cough!"
A sudden noise broke the silence. Everyone turned toward its source.
An elderly man, bald and well into his sixties, was choking on water he had just gulped down. The nameplate in front of him displayed his identity: a renowned surgeon, highly respected in his field.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Just choked a bit." He waved dismissively, coughing lightly.
The others returned to their screens.
"Old Lin? What's with you?" The man beside him, a fellow expert, nudged him with an elbow.
"I'm just… happy," Lin replied, shaking his head.
"Happy? About what?" his friend asked, puzzled.
"This round of Destiny Arena… I'd say our chances are pretty much guaranteed." Lin's face broke into a sly grin. The heavy worry from before had vanished completely.
"Huh?" His friend stared in confusion before the realization hit him. "Wait. You… you know her?"
"Know her? Of course I do." Lin nodded emphatically.
"Then spill it. Who is she?"
"Sorry, can't say," Lin whispered, looking conflicted. "Not that I don't want to but it's confidential. Don't go spreading this around."
"The commander will find out soon anyway. Once it's cleared, you'll know too." Lin gestured toward the senior officer at the head of the table.
"You old fox. Always acting mysterious…"
When his friend stopped pressing, Lin lifted his gaze back to the screen. The sight of that girl stirred a vivid memory of the day they first met.
Unmatched. Unbelievable.
Lin tugged at his suit, which suddenly felt much more comfortable. His mind wandered to mundane things, like what he might have for dinner later.
Minutes ticked by.
The commander finally spoke, brows knitted. "Still nothing on her identity?"
"Not yet, sir."
"What's taking so long?" the deputy commander demanded.
This was the Destiny Arena Command Bureau. Their systems were top-tier. Matching a single face shouldn't take this long.