Some time later.
At the center of the Seal Clash Battle venue.
"After a brief intermission, the Seal Clash Battle elimination rounds have officially begun! All contestants holding Silver Goblet Badges will determine the winners advancing to the championship round during this stage!"
Apophis looked at the contestants present and raised his voice. "Before introducing the contestants, we have an urgent piece of good news for all our audience members!"
"Sponsored by Lord Aglaya, the Golden Seal Cup personally crafted by Great Craftsman Hatonus has been given its very own exclusive display feed!"
A link immediately appeared on everyone's Message Stone Tablet.
With a single tap, they could jump to the Golden Seal Cup's live display.
"Look! Those marvelous golden spirals! They are enough to defeat all the luck in the world!"
[Wow! It really is pure gold!]
[It looks so heavy. Can a normal person even lift it?]
[Does that mean the prophetic dream was fake? The Golden Seal Cup is completely intact!]
[Not necessarily... maybe this is just a recording.]
"Ahem, everyone," Apophis said solemnly.
"Recently, many people have been spreading an unreliable prophecy—[The Golden Cup shall ultimately shatter, and none shall become champion.]"
"Please do not believe it. Our Golden Seal Cup is perfectly intact and will never break."
"Next, let us continue introducing the contestants holding Silver Goblet Badges..."
Apophis approached the advancing contestants and introduced them one by one. Yan Huan could not help glancing to the side, where a tall Mountain Folk stood.
Heavy armor covered his blue-black skin. He hunched over and scratched his head from time to time, looking none too bright.
Besides that, the contestants included a child, a strange wooden horse, a strange Zagres' Hand, and a strange Bathhouse Sprite.
"?"
"What the hell?"
Yan Huan narrowed his eyes and