His World Cup journey ended here. He finished in seventh or eighth place.
He had failed to make the top three.
As a favorite to win who had stood out since the qualifiers, Mephis's mystery and power had drawn countless eyes, bringing greater unpredictability and discussion to this first World Cup.
His presence had undoubtedly benefited this World Cup greatly. He had contributed to the success of this inaugural tournament and deserved credit for it.
If he had not been the reincarnation of the Beast God, if he had not wanted to use another's shell to hatch his own egg and seize personal gain.
Principal Arte might even have been happy to see it happen and would not have objected to him ultimately winning the championship. But he had insisted on opposing the Magic Guidance Alliance and humanity. Then he could only be eliminated early.
At least, before the gods underwent a large-scale revival, humanity was not so weak that a reincarnated Beast God could casually swoop in and steal the prize.
Mephis's final elimination caused a huge uproar.
When Professor Harvey had sent him into the Losers Bracket, many had still believed he was the person most likely to fight his way back up from the Losers Bracket and ultimately claim the championship against all odds. Some of those especially fond of him had even, based on the holy legend of the Three as One, defined him as the "Hero" among the "Three." Yet he had still lost in the end—and his defeat had been so uneventful.
Only now did many viewers suddenly realize that they simply lacked the ability to understand the matches.
They could not comprehend it, and therefore could not judge it. They had no idea how this duel had developed into its current state.
All