(Heartfelt thanks to 'Silver Sparkle 7', 'Youyouzi's Lament', 'Wufeng Haotian', 'Dongfang Wansui', 'Zhen Yi', 'World's End Ballad', 'Fallen Wing Tears', 'I'm Only Seventeen', 'Mikuni SQ', and 'Long Lian Qingxue' for their donations!)
Just as Noah gazed thoughtfully in the direction of the Royal Palace, the explanation for the competition began.
"We have divided the hundred monsters into five ranks: S, A, B, C, and D. Depending on their rank, the monsters differ in both number and strength." Pumpkin raised one finger.
"Among them, there are fifty D-rank monsters, thirty C-rank monsters, fifteen B-rank monsters, four A-rank monsters, and only one highest-ranked S-rank monster."
"What the contestants need to do is draw lots. Then, according to the order drawn, each person will enter the Demon Subjugation Hall in turn." Pumpkin raised a second finger.
"However, before entering the Demon Subjugation Hall, contestants must first decide how many monsters they wish to challenge. Once that is confirmed, the same number of monsters will appear inside the hall, though their ranks will be random."
"After that, the contestants may enter the Demon Subjugation Hall and begin their challenge. Regardless of a monster's rank, defeating one earns one point. Only after defeating every monster they selected may they leave the Demon Subjugation Hall." As Pumpkin said this, he raised a third finger.
"There is one thing you must keep in mind. If a contestant is defeated during their challenge in the Demon Subjugation Hall, then no matter how many monsters they have defeated in that round, their score will be reset to zero. Unless they have already successfully earned points in a previous entry into the hall, they will be eliminated with zero points."
"Finally, we will determine the rankings based on everyone's scores." Pumpkin gave what seemed to be a kind-hearted reminder.
"By