Chapter 803: Garion Finally Finds a Worthy Rival

Following Nullion’s defeat, Garion stood alone in the enormous arena, surrounded by the shattered remains of his opponent.

He stretched his shoulders before glancing toward the endless darkness. “Hmm? Now what?”

Several moments passed, but nothing happened.

Garion scratched his head impatiently. “Oi, system! I’ve already beaten that bastard! Where’s my next trial?”

Suddenly…

DING!

A magnificent golden system panel materialized before him.

—

[Second Trial – Trial of Domination Completed!]

[Candidate Garion Has Successfully Passed the Trial.]

[Please Await Further Instructions.]

—

Garion raised an eyebrow. “Wait again? Damn! Why does everything involve waiting?”

However, before he could complain further, the entire arena suddenly trembled.

WOOOOOOOM!

Countless golden runes appeared in the darkness, accompanied by an overwhelming presence that seemed to envelop the entire dimension.

The system panel flickered before transforming into a radiant golden screen.

Garion immediately recognized the familiar sensation. “Hehehe! Looks like that woman is back!”

And sure enough, the Creator of All Systems had personally taken control of the announcement.

—

[Hello again, my adorable little candidates!]

[Hehehe! Congratulations to everyone who successfully completed the second trial!]

[I must say, watching you struggle against opponents specifically created to counter your abilities was quite entertaining!]

[Some of you performed wonderfully! Others… well, let’s just say your confidence wasn’t nearly as impressive as your actual strength!]

—

Across countless independent trial dimensions, the surviving candidates received the same announcement.

Some looked relieved, while others remained exhausted from their battles.

However, the Creator continued cheerfully.

—

[Now then! You’ve already completed two trials, so I suppose it’s time to explain what I’ve been evaluating!]

[The First Trial – Trial of the Teacher!]

[That trial examined how effectively you used your systems to develop your own forces, nurture talented followers, and establish powerful organizations or kingdoms!]

[After all, a system host who cannot properly utilize their system to develop their own foundation is hardly worthy for becoming my chosen one.]

[Of course, having an impressive kingdom doesn’t necessarily mean you’re impressive yourself.]

[Which brings us to the Second Trial – Trial of Domination.]

[This trial evaluated your personal strength, combat ability, mental fortitude, and determination!]

[But more importantly, it examined whether you could properly utilize everything your system had given you!]

[Your opponents were specifically created to counter your strongest abilities. Yet some of you still found ways to overcome those disadvantages!]

[Hehehe! That’s precisely what I wanted to see!]

—

Garion nodded thoughtfully while reading the announcement. “Hmm… So the first trial tested our disciples, and the second tested us?”

He grinned. “HAHAHA! Not bad! That’s actually pretty reasonable!”

However, the Creator’s next announcement immediately caught his attention.

—

[Now, here’s the interesting part!]

[Although many candidates have successfully passed the second trial, there are still far too many of you remaining!]

[And frankly, I don’t feel like watching hundreds of candidates participate in another lengthy competition!]

[Hehehe! So I’ve decided to make things a little more exciting!]

[Only the ten highest-ranked candidates will be allowed to proceed to the Third Trial!]

[Everyone else will be eliminated from the competition!]

—

The announcement immediately caused an uproar throughout the various trial dimensions.

Only ten candidates?!

Many had barely survived their counter opponents, and now they were being told that passing wasn’t necessarily enough!

Several candidates immediately demanded explanations.

However, the Creator simply continued.

—

[Oh? Worried about how the rankings are determined? Don’t be!]

[The First Trial was evaluated according to your followers’ performance, development, and overall effectiveness!]

[The Second Trial was evaluated according to your performance against your designated counter opponent!]

[For candidates who successfully achieved complete domination, the time required to defeat their opponent will be the primary ranking factor!]

[Naturally, the strength of your assigned opponent and the effectiveness of your domination have also been considered!]

[Everything has been calculated fairly, so don’t bother complaining!]

[Now then! Let’s reveal the final rankings!]

—

BOOOOOOM!

An enormous golden leaderboard appeared in the darkness.

Ten brilliant names were engraved across its surface, accompanied by their respective completion times.

—

[Combined Trial Rankings – Top Ten Candidates!]

[Rank 1 — Candidate Asterion]

[System: Absolute Origin System]

[Second Trial Completion Time: 00:04:17]

[Rank 2 — Candidate Garion]

[System: God Gym System]

[Second Trial Completion Time: 00:06:43]

[Rank 3 — Candidate Seraphiel]

[System: Supreme Divine Authority System]

[Second Trial Completion Time: 00:08:26]

[Rank 4 — Candidate Veyron]

[System: Infinite Evolution System]

[Second Trial Completion Time: 00:09:51]

[Rank 5 — Candidate Azrakar]

[System: Primordial Demon System]

[Second Trial Completion Time: 00:11:08]

[Rank 6 — Candidate Elysara]

[System: Eternal Creation System]

[Second Trial Completion Time: 00:12:35]

[Rank 7 — Candidate Kaedros]

[System: Supreme Martial Ascension System]

[Second Trial Completion Time: 00:14:19]

[Rank 8 — Candidate Nyxara]

[System: Infinite Shadow System]

[Second Trial Completion Time: 00:15:42]

[Rank 9 — Candidate Tharion]

[System: Heavenly Conquest System]

[Second Trial Completion Time: 00:17:06]

[Rank 10 — Candidate Lumielle]

[System: Divine Miracle System]

[Second Trial Completion Time: 00:18:54]

—

Garion stared at the leaderboard before blinking several times. “Huh?”

He rubbed his eyes and examined the second entry again. “Second place?”

For a moment, he appeared genuinely surprised before laughing hard. “HAHAHAHA! SECOND PLACE?!”

Garion immediately burst into laughter. “NOT BAD! I EVEN MADE IT INTO THE TOP TWO!”

He crossed his arms proudly before looking toward the name above his own. “Asterion, huh?”

His grin widened. “Hehehe! Looks like there’s another interesting bastard out there!”

However, his expression soon became slightly curious. “Wait a minute… Four minutes?”

He glanced between the first and second completion times. “Damn! That guy finished more than two minutes faster than me!”

Garion scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Well, I did waste quite a bit of time letting that training dummy beat me up!”

He suddenly laughed again. “HAHAHA! Whatever! Second place is still pretty damn good!”

Meanwhile, across the other trial dimensions, the leaderboard caused entirely different reactions.

Some candidates stared at Asterion’s astonishing completion time in disbelief.

Others looked toward Garion’s name, wondering what kind of system could produce such an extraordinary result.

After all, defeating a specially designed counter opponent in less than seven minutes was already an incredible accomplishment!

Yet someone had done it in barely four.

The Creator’s cheerful announcement appeared once again.

—

[Hehehe! Congratulations to my ten wonderful finalists!]

[You have successfully demonstrated exceptional system development, personal combat ability, and mental fortitude!]

[As for everyone else, don’t be too disappointed!]

[You may have lost your chance to become my successor, but everything you’ve gained throughout your journey will remain yours!]

[Your systems will simply be reclaimed, and you’ll be returned to your respective worlds!]

[Now then, my lovely top ten!]

[Prepare yourselves!]

[The Third Trial will determine which of you truly deserves to stand above the others!]

[And I promise… this one will be much more interesting!]

[Hehehe! See you soon!]

—

[Creator’s Announcement Concluded.]

[Top Ten Candidates Confirmed.]

[Preparing Third Trial Transportation…]

—

The golden leaderboard gradually faded.

Garion slowly clenched his fists, his grin becoming increasingly excited. “Hehehe! So only ten of us are left?”

He looked toward the endless darkness. “HAHAHA! PERFECT!”

His muscles tightened as he cracked his knuckles. “Now that’s what I call a proper competition!”

WOOOOOOOM!

An enormous golden transportation formation appeared beneath his feet.

Garion glanced at it before laughing. “Alright, Asterion! You better not disappoint me!”

The golden light rapidly engulfed his body.

[Candidate Garion – Qualified for the Third Trial!]

[Transportation Initiated!]

And with that, Garion disappeared once again.