now—I'm just taking advantage of it. Trying to convince myself that this is for the best.

But I know that deep inside, I'm just being selfish.

☂☂☂

Walking around, I wandered off in this place. I'm still at the pool area. For some reason, when I took a glimpse of Shibisu, it looked like he noticed my presence along with Anaak. They were with this sketchy looking blondie girl. They looked like they wanted to confront me, or it's just Shibisu, but luckily they seemed to get the situation and decided to stay low and avoid me for the time being. I was glad for their consideration. Even though it's just my assumption.

However, after what I heard of what they did to Bam and the rumors. I'm being troubled. They tried to kill him. They really wanted to avenge me and Aguero.

I sat at a nearby bench, not too far away from the other Regulars but enough to be unnoticed. Bam allowed us to wander off for a bit which I'm happy coz I will be able to have some time alone.

"Why did you ignore me?" Zon suddenly came behind me. I looked at him with widened eyes and a bewildered expression while he had an expressionless one.

"Zon..." I mumbled lowly. 'Shit.'

My mouth opened as I was to tell the reason but he motioned for me to not continued with his hand. "It's fine Big Sis, I get it. Khun told me." He flashed a small smile at the end.

'If you knew then you shouldn't have asked....'
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'Wait....Khun?!'

Jolting up, I walked closer to Zon with a hopeful look. "'Khun'? Do you mean Aguero?!" I held his arms and looked at him expectantly.

Zon chuckled lowly. "You call him that? Well, he did said that his name is 'Khun Aguero Agnes' so I think that we're referring to the same person." His smile widened.

My face brightened up, I was utterly happy! Aguero's alright.

"But wait, how did you know that I know him? And how did you even met him?" A lot of questions popped up in my head.

"It's a long story," he shrugged his shoulders lazily. "But hey! I'm glad that I met him, because of him I was able to meet you!"

"Z-Zon...I—"

"I know, I know. You don't wanna talk about it yet. It's fine no biggie! I can wait! Just make sure to tell me once you're ready okay?" He winked at me playfully and showed a thumbs up.

I was surprised. I really didn't expected for him to be this understanding. Slowly, a soft smile made its way to my lips. "Mhm," I nodded. "Thank you, Zon."

"Hehe." He rubbed his nose with his finger cheekily and I just rolled my eyes playfully. Zon looked like he was proud of himself for some reason.

☂☂☂

The Next Day
Archimedes 4th Floor
Grand Stadium

☂☂☂

"Sorry to keep you waiting!!" The hosts began. "In just a moment...!!"

"The E-Rank Regular...Workshop Battle will soon begin!!"

'Well, here goes nothing....' The next day is the start of the Workshop Battle. Currently, we're here preparing as we made our way to our designated room. Naturally we caught everyone's attention for the fact that we are FUG and that we have Jue Viole Grace, the Slayer Nomine on our side.

"Look! It's Jue Viole Grace!!" one Regular began gossiping which was soon followed by others.

"I knew he'd join the battle!"

"There's more for us to see, yay!!"

People then began to judge Bam. "He's smaller than I thought he would be."

"Don't judge him by his looks. There's a rumor that he beat one of the top two E-Rank teams by himself."

"I also heard that he tied with a Ranker. He's amazing."

"HEY IS THAT THE CRYSTAL SHOOTER!?" Someone suddenly decided to talk about me. Oh shit.

The gossips and murmurs around us grew louder. "It is the Crystal Shooter! I thought she's dead?!"

"Idiot! She was announced 'missing' not 'dead'! You f*cking retard, how can anyone defeat the oh so glorious Zinlester Kang the Crystal Shooter?! She's too beautiful for anyone to lay their fingers on her-!!"

"Well it looks to me that she's been taken as hostage by FUG!"

"How dare they abduct our dear lady?! FUG is a demon!!"

'I can hear you...' Secretly, I glared at the Regulars that are now starting to talk shit about Bam. Although, it's not a lie that I'm technically FUG's hostage as of now.

Out of nowhere, an unknown man came running towards us. Or should I say towards Bam.

Rushing in with a bewildered expression, the man grabbed Bam's hands and held them tightly. "Mr. Jue Viole Grace!! I've really wanted to see you!!" he began which caught Bam off guard. "The Slayer Nominee, Jue Viole Grace!!"

"I'm the E-Rank Regular, Dede!!"

'In Filipino, this dude's name means 'boobs'.' With a blank face, I shoved my hands into my shorts' pockets. I wore a simple black off shoulder sweater and brown khaki shorts that reaches my thighs. I also wore black tights that reached above my knees, and my combat shoes. My hair tied up into a high ponytail unlike in the past on the 2nd Floor with my medallion clipped on behind.

'This is how you properly dress for a battle, Endorsi. Not freaking heels or bikinis.' Deadpanned in my head as I imagine Endorsi battling with a bikini. I saw her earlier and she's wearing a hecking bikini for God's sake. I also remembered in the past wherein she tripped because her heel broke. I low key want that to happen again so I can annoy her if we ever get reunited again.

The man kept on continuing about his story about what the Ten Great Families did to his family and his hate towards them. Soon, other Regulars also began to agree and encourage the Slayer Nominee in completely eliminating the current rulers of the Tower.

'A bunch of weaklings.'

I hope Bam doesn't get affected by this...

☂☂☂

The first Battle is now about to begin.

To cut it short, since the host pretty much did a twists and turns in the announcement, rules and instructions of the Tournament, it's individual. For the second round of the battle it will be a team battle. The Regulars who passed the individual battle will get a chance to enter the Team Tournament, and the Teams will be chosen by the Team Leaders. And obviously, after that, the Team that will win is the winner of the Workshop Battle. Pretty simple.

However, of course there will be a twist again.

Gambling. Just that one word explains it all. The highest scoring Regulars of the 'One Shot One Opportunity Game' are the leaders of the teams that will have in the Team Tournament. These Regulars won't be able to participate in the individual battle, instead they will bet with the money given to them on who they'll think that will win in each round of the Individual Tournament.

Six people that remained that has the most money will be the official Leaders for the Team Tournament. With the money they've earned from betting, they can buy teammates and items to use to win the Tournament.

Isn't that still pretty hecking long? Well, yeah.

For the Individual Tournament, all we got to do is plug a stick that is called......a plug in the sockets to win. There will be eight Regulars in each stage and the first three that will be able to plug in their....plugs—will win!

Honestly, I couldn't care less about the gambling. I only care about my stuff as an individual battler. But, a certain Regular caught my attention.

Mr. Mask.

He was flashed in the screen as one of the gamblers. I don't know if it's just me, but his eyes looks exactly like Aguero's. I don't want to expect, but I think it's really him. He has that douche look.

Aguero's eyes have that annoying yet soothing feeling in them. The look of khunningness is in his eyes.

Whenever you lock your eyes into those cobalt orbs, you couldn't help but feel at ease and relief. Like you're safe and protected despite being in the most crucial situation. I don't know why but that is how I feel when I look into Aguero's eyes.

Maybe it's because he is reliable? He is extremely smart and a fast thinker. But to me, he's more than that.

He is someone I care and trust the most, although I don't want to admit it out loud. Heck I'd be willing to bet my life on him. That's how much I have faith in him.

'Aguero is precious.'

Sighing, I just decided to push away the though. If he really is Aguero then so what? It's not like I can go and talk to him, if he is him then I'm glad that he's alright. And I hope, that he has a plan or something about our situation.

Right. He has to have a solution to this.

'You're so useless, Zin. You promised that you won't let Aguero take all the burden, and here you are completely counting on him.' Lowering my head down, a wave of guiltiness washed over me.

If only I could have been more useful, maybe......none of this would've happened.

Bam getting used by FUG.

Zon coming here to follow me.

Lying to Isu and the others.

Avoiding Endorsi.

Leaving Aguero behind.

'If only I could tell them about the prophecy...' I shut my eyes close in frustration. Damn it. Why am I so—

"Ms. Zin," A muffled voice called me. I instantly shot my eyes open. Shifting my head behind me, there I saw Yuto, a Scout of Team FUG. Basically my teammate cuz I'm part of Team FUG too no matter how I hate it.

Yuto is a girl. A mysterious girl if I may add. She wears a deep hood and a red mask which covers her features and appearance. I don't know why but I don't really care.

Raising a brow, I looked at the woman before me questioningly. "Yes? Is there something you need?"

"I'd like to talk to you," she replied. Wondering on why she needed to talk to me, I furrowed my brows as I narrowed my eyes at her. This girl is a Scout, and ever since I met Von and my brother Zon, I've always been wary of Scouts since they can read me like a freaking book.

Reluctantly, I nodded my head in approval and she nodded back. She then turned back her heels and walked away to a place where there aren't much people. I turned to look at what was currently happening in the battle, and it seemed like there's this little girl who was able to send two Regulars flying. Low key impressed.

'Must be puberty...'

Then I turned to my right to face Bam, Ran and Novick who seemed to quickly notice my gaze as they also turned to me. "I'll just go somewhere shortly." I informed and the three of them only nodded and thus I began to walk away. I could feel their eyes still glued onto me as I kept walking away.

☂☂☂

"Um...Yuto, right?" I confirmed hesitantly at the woman in front of me.

The place we're in is pretty small, a small waiting room. I kind of feel anxious because why would this girl talk to me in the first place? Especially in such a closed area. It's as if she's about to share a very important information. Not to mention, we're not even close.

Slowly the girl faced me and I could only raise a brow at her expectantly--

O__O <------- Zin

Shocking me, Yuto unexpectedly took off her mask.

But what shocked me more was the person hiding behind that mask.

"Y-You're--!" I couldn't believe what I'm seeing.

It was the red haired girl back at the 2nd Floor. My eyes went wide.

'What the hell is she doing here?! Didn't she failed??!' I was utterly shocked. I'm not good with names so I don't clearly remember hers despite being in the same Wave Controller class back then. However, I completely remember her face for I assumed that she's somewhat connected to Red due to their suspicious conversation. Plus, her crimson red hair truly stands out.

The red head flashed an innocent smile. "Long time no see..."

"Zinlester Klavis."

O__O <------- Zin

'What.....!?'

~END OF CHAPTER 11~

Finally best girl is here!!! HWARYUN IS BEST GIRL FIGHT ME!

Honestly, Hwaryun is best girl for me, next is Endorsi and then Yuri lol. I love Hwaryun very much and I'm gay for her UwU

Hwaryun can step on me :D

Also, I'm sorry for not updating for a very long time. It's been really stressful this 2nd term of school and I think I'm gonna fail it :'D

Welp I guess Imma just try on the last term.

I also have a warning. I will barely update. Currently, I'm working on the BamXOC cause someone requested it LAST YEAR and I'm feeling ashamed because it's been a long time. Soooooo.....I better do it hehe.

It's also very hard because I'm so addicted playing Genshin Impact (currently saving up and grinding for Xiao aaaahhhhhh) lmao.

And I just realized that this book reached 1K! AAAAAHHHH!!

My other book then reached 3K qmkrkwjawjkw-

I totally forgot about "Crystal Heart" lol.

THANKS PEEPS FOR READING!!!! I'M GLAD A LOT LIKED THIS FANFIC!!! UwU

I might do a 1K special (key word: might) but since my sched is really full, it's hard to say for sure.

Well, yeah that's it lmao. Imma go and sleep now.

Keep safe everyone!! ^^