Reincarnated in the game world ~ A gamer's beginning to [Dungeon job hunting recommendation]

Vol. 11 - Chapter 559 - An Unconventional Opening

—The buzzer resounded within the venue.

The previous stage at the centre of the arena was now replaced with a series of mountains all over the place, turning it into Mountain District. 

The audience appeared riding on the finale's fervour. It seemed there was no problem in capturing the live footage of the field. However they'd used special means apparently to achieve this. A lot of drone-like mechanical monsters were flying around, reflecting the events of the arena on the big four-sided screen, 16-sided screen, and stand monitors. 

All the screen and monitors were set at a high altitude that they were only watchable from the audience stand. Even if one of the contestants tried to view it from the top of the central mountain, they would appear no different from specks of dust.

Either way, the field was set, classes had long teleported to their respective base, and the countdown had ended, signalled by the buzzer.

—Henceforth, the finale of the Inter-Class battle had kicked off!

The audience, of course, was cheering, but the voices of commentator Cass and Stephen were just as at the top of their lungs today. 

"And here it began, the long-awaited finale has finally started!!"

"It would be an absolute suspense to whom the throne of No.1 belongs, so keep your eyes peeled back."

"But oh boy, personally, I couldn't catch a wink of sleep out of excitement! Who's going to win!? Nearly every class we see is the high-ranking one, each one fan favourites too. It's honestly the first such high-profile match for me!!"

"Though of course, we have seen even the best of class like Class-2 or Class-4 biting dust. Will the trend continue? Time will tell the answer to the question."

"Whoops, I will have you stop there, Stephen-kun. Is it me, or you are implying Class-1, undoubtedly the one with a high fan following, might lose here?"

"Hehe, well, dId I? But I mean it when I say only time will tell. Each of the gathered classes are no less than others, and have weathered the  challenges. Let's not forget we literally have Class-51, the dark-horse that shook the 19th block."

"You slippery boy! Anyway, which class do you believe will take the crown in your opinion, Stephen-kun? Who's your favourite?"

"Hmm, well, must I say, Class-1 is definitely the strongest here, and every member of them is strong individually. A group of powerful ability holders would surely have high synergy. The other classes would have to think twice before going against them."

"Tut-tut, quite the praise you're doing, eh? Then again, why do you believe Class-1 would lose if you believe in their strength?"

"Well, Class-1 was certainly the holder of overwhelming force, but the other classes have mighty warriors too. The problem is, can Class-1 maintain their sovereignty if other classes banded together?"

"Ah-hah, a legitimate concern. Your reasoning has quite the logic, Stephen-kun. Indeed, to raise a new king, others must first take down the current king."

"Pretty much. That said, if Class-1 ended up defeated, my next contender for champion would be Class-51."

"Woah, now that's a wild preference! I thought it would be Class-5 or something."

"Don't get me wrong, they're strong. They have both the brain and brawn in their class. Plus, the said leader is the trump card of you-know-what guild. But so is the special leader of Class-51, Ekatrina, is. I believe she possesses the intellect to give Class-1 a run for their money."

"Uh-oh, that's one explosive remark you have made!!"

"Let's not forget the importance of the field this time as well. A large unit would find it hard to operate within without splitting up. This was the field where wit can outsmart mere brute-force with methods like guerrilla warfare, ambush, traps etc. This is why Class-1 might not be smooth sailing at this stage."

"Hehe, so it is. Thank you for your opinion, Stephen-kun. Then again, I bet your true favourite must be Ekatrina-san rather than Class-51, huh?"

"You got me. There's no secret that Ekatrina underwent the 'Job Transfer' and acquired a high-ranking job «Master-Planner Princess» while coming from a mid-ranking job. At the same time, her entry to first-year's strongest guild «Eden» increased her achievement by many folds. That much was already enough, but the tactic she had played using that item was where she made a captive of me."

"Ohh~, that's some fanboy moment you got going, Stephen-kun. —But personally, I believe in Class-1's victory."

"Oh? And what's your reason, the strength?"

"Yes, they're strong, and I mean obscenely so. Each of their members has a top-tier job, plus they've shown their exceptional coordination so far, they're not just strong, but strong as a whole too. And of course, the bigger fist talks in this world. Class-1 stood up to all those criteria, so I believe in their victory!"

On their seats, Cass and Stephen gave each other a side-eye, grinning to each other.

"So I guess your favourite—I mean, your bet is on Class-1 then, huh."

"Yep! Class-1 is definitely going to win! By the way, my favourite is Zephyr-kun."

"Of course, it's Brave. So this is a battle between fellow guild members."

"Indeed, but Class-1 a majority of Eden's members too. Wouldn't you say there's no chance Class-1 would stumble?"

"Haha, well the stage and actors are all set. And they're led by the leader of the strongest guild of their grade. Speaking of Eden, there's also Class-8 with their members, no? Now that I see it, it's like no classes with Eden members in them have eaten up any losses."

"This is why they're sensationl~. Now it's to see who would be the dinner; Class-1, Class-51, or Class-8 that will——"

"—Oh wait, look at us. We'd been so engrossed in guessing we didn't notice changes in the arena."

"Aaah! You're right, Class-1 has made their leap, and it seems a substantial move too!"

"Sure enough, Class-1 are bold in their actions. It reflects their confidence."

"Hoho, decided to switch your side yet, Mr. Stephen?"

"Haha, I will refrain. It wouldn't be fun otherwise, right? —Aha, Class-1 sprang up with another of their moves. This is—no, what're they?"

"Huh?! What in the world! Unbelievable, Class-1 has split their attack squad! Now there are 4, no, five squads!!? Are they splitting to cover more space or what?! Can you see their intention, Stephen-kun?!"

"The lack of wide, level ground much means splitting is inevitable. But, this also give opponent a chance to crush them too. Typically, since relay of information also becomes complicated, the stick to follow is a well-rounded squad. Then why would they split themse—no, wait. Ah, I see now!!"

"Hey, hey, don't put up with suspense, Stephen-kun?!"

"This field has poor visibility, and it's easier to hide a huge force under the nose of  opponents. But, there will be a time when that force will move, you know where I am going?"

"Ohh, I see! Information relay!"

"Indeed, or it could be a task force too. In short, it's the scouts. Class-1 probably is placing their elite members, and planning to take down scouts as soon as they encounter them. And scouts  are basically the lifeline in this field. It would be tough luck navigating should any class lose their scouts."

"In short?"

"Class-1 is targeting other classes’s battleforce and scouts."

"Wow, that's one bold move then! A fumble could easily give their enemy a chance to turn the table on them instead!"

"So it is, but it's undeniably a clever trick. It truly makes it. Losing scouts would be like reading a map without the compass. It would be a major loss to the said class, and that may also de-stabilize their standing in alliance."

Stephen guessed the situation, but even he found himself swallowing his saliva. His eyes were deadlocked on Class-1, making sure he didn't lose any of their moves.

In the meanwhile, Cass was checking out on other places and suddenly raised her voice,

"—Maybe, just maybe the plan can go off-rail too it seems, Stephen-kun."

"Hmm, what do you mean by that, Cass-san?"

"Other classes are also focusing on dispatching their elite students! Look at this place, they're so close to class against Class-1! Is it the prelude to a fierce clash I wonder?"

T/N - I forgot to put this in last chapter but little bit of status of Ongoing Challenge (Rating on Novelupdate)Current Rating - 175Milestone - 200ETA - 30TH DEC.Also, here's the poll link /poll5367700xcdd540D0-161 for side stories selection. From earlier comment upvote, Smol Hannah taking the big lead huh. You can choose any four side stories, except when choosing Hannah's. In case her story tops, the four side story will be from her story. Or maybe I will split them if there is around equal upvote for another story. Also, site was kinda broken—having adjusting lots of parts manually—so maps might have disappeared, I will update them tomorrow or today (or whenever its sunday for you).