Bermuda

The portal closes immediately after a single group in physical contact passes through and releases smog around the tower, blocking visibility for a time. Afterward, the Giant Plarinus undergoes a cooldown of approximately 45 minutes before reopening the portal. During this time, placing crystals in the ovary will not open it.>

“Annoying plant.”

Leonardo muttered bluntly while reviewing the rules. So first he had to find the small Plarinus, gather crystals, and reach the top of the Giant Plarinus faster than anyone else.

Nothing ever comes easy...

In this match, to evaluate participants’ basic physical ability, judgment, and individual stats, the use of teleportation and firearm-type weapons is prohibited. However, if a teleportation tool is carried as a support item, it may be used within the limits of 100 meters per use and a 30-minute cooldown.

The total time for this test is six hours, and the number of successful candidates is limited to 26.>

When the number of successful candidates was announced, it felt as though the entire island stirred for a moment. Only a quarter would pass. The standard was tighter than expected. Everyone must have sighed at the same time.

Yet the number 26 felt oddly ambiguous. He wondered about it, but the host simply repeated the explanation once more.

After hearing the cumbersome rules twice, most of it sank in. As Leonardo organized everything by drawing in the sand with his finger, the host explained how to forfeit and the safety zone, then delivered the final closing words.

If a small number of participants gathers multiples of seven crystals to pass and a specific color’s crystals on the island reach zero, all remaining participants who have not passed will be eliminated. However, this is Part One of the test, and you will have another chance in additional tests, so do not give up until the end.

Now, the Group F Test Part One will begin. I wish you all good luck.

3, 2, 1.>

Bang—

The moment the formal count ended, a thunderous gunshot split the sky. At the same time, a humid sea wind blew once.

At that instant, movement rustling through the brush was detected atop the cliff. Leonardo stared up there, loosened his arms, and took a deep breath.

“Yeah. When has the world ever been fair to me.”

A collar like this—he should be used to it by now. Just think of it as a handicap for the weaker ones. Even wearing restraints, he would still be the strongest among the hundred here.

With that resolve, Leonardo firmly packed the sand beneath his feet.

Can’t use teleport? Then I’ll just fly.

Dry sand scent and heat shimmer rose from the ground he stepped on. The sea wind met the heat and formed a fiercer gale.

Leonardo pressed down his hat with one hand. Sand scattered everywhere as the ground beneath his feet caved in. His short jacket fluttered as he leapt into the air in an instant.

***

In truth, even Leonardo had never heard of the Giant Plarinus before. He had seen gigantic plants occasionally and only guessed it would be similar in size. But the real Giant ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) Plarinus was on another level.

That’s a flower?

It would be more believable to call it the peak at the center of a volcanic island. The Plarinus he witnessed the moment he jumped above the cliff stood at the highest point of the island. Drooping petals rested across the jungle using countless trees as support. Beneath it was not merely shade but total darkness with no light at all.

At the center of the petals, the stamen tower rose firmly, and inside the bud where its base was embedded, water filled it like a lake. The tower itself was not very tall, but because it stood on high ground, clouds of condensed mist obscured it. The sparse hairs and unidentified mucus along the stamen looked threatening. Around it, dark shapes—birds or demonic beasts—flew in groups.

Don’t see a portal anywhere. Not open yet?

Leonardo flew quickly between the trees while recalling the giant flower’s shape.

The stamen tip was blunt and pale yellow like the petals. Height did not matter since he could fly, but he worried there might be another mechanism.

First focus on collecting crystals. Only 26 passers... worst case, only around 26 crystals exist. If I can’t get them I’ll take them later, but then I’d have to check each opponent’s color, and the biggest problem is...

Once opened, the portal had a 45-minute cooldown. Even if crystals were gathered within the first 20–30 minutes and people passed in sequence, within 360 minutes the portal could open only seven times.

If one per person allowed three people to pass seven times, 21 would succeed, leaving five spots with no time to open it again. For those five to collect same-color crystals, they would need 56 crystals total... would the island even have that many?

Leonardo shook his head. If crystals were that abundant, at least one small Plarinus per square kilometer should appear. Yet despite flying around, he had not seen anything resembling the giant flower. Instead, more people were simply running around aimlessly. He was no exception.

So rather than hoping for peaceful assumptions, a more realistic scenario was that three of the five would steal crystals from seven teams to eliminate 21 and pass alone.

One of those three could be him. But his goal was victory, not massacring civilians who just signed up for participation rewards. He was not a bad person, nor particularly fond of tormenting people.

While searching, he encountered someone else flying in the air like him. He considered passing by, then realized at least one temporary partner was needed to insert three crystals.

Better someone who can fly. Should I ask to team up?

The moment he hesitated, the other person slowly approached. He naturally extended a hand to propose cooperation—only for the opponent to raise a sledgehammer.

Clearly not friendly. Clicking his tongue, Leonardo slipped back into the jungle instead. It had not even been ten minutes; that person could not have crystals yet. No reason to waste time fighting.

“Aaagh!”

While moving away, screams and shouts from two men tangled behind him. He flinched but only glanced back briefly. The attacker seemed to be using the “other method” of obtaining crystals the host mentioned.

At the same time, a faint smell of blood drifted nearby. Trees cracked and fell.

The overview said combat between participants was allowed without separate restrictions, but it was surprising to see such a serious bloodbath already.

Is it normally like this?

As he looked around in confusion, a sweet scent finally brushed his nose for the first time.

Judging instinctively it was a Plarinus crystal, Leonardo stopped midair and slowly set foot on the ground. It looked uncool, but he raised his nose and chin, sniffing as he walked toward the stronger scent.

Feeling faint heat and presence, he hid behind a thick tree and held his breath. Peeking around, he saw a bizarre shape between dense trunks.

A purple flower larger than a person. Its bud gaped open, extending a bright yellow stamen like a lightning rod. The heat seemed to come from there.

How is that small?

Compared to the massive plant at the island’s center it was small, but objectively it was not small at all—at least two to three meters tall. Fine fuzz covered the petals like fur or leather. White dots marked the five petals, and the bud held plenty of water.

At a glance it resembled a drinking fountain shaped like a flower. Indeed, some creature—beast or demonic—was half-draped over the petal drinking. A young one perhaps, unaware of humans.

Something glittered at the stamen tip. Leonardo was certain it was a crystal. He cautiously stepped forward, worried the creature might eat it.

“That’s mine!”

Someone shouted behind him. The brush shook violently as an intruder ran toward them.

Mouthing a curse, Leonardo leapt toward the flower first. The startled beast lifted its head and turned.

It pushed off powerfully—but it happened in an instant.

Gurgle, slurp—

Leonardo froze. The other participant also stopped.

Crunch, rip—

The giant flower twisted and swallowed the beast whole. It closed its petals and forced the struggling limbs into the bud. A grotesque gulping sound echoed.

Fresh water spilled between the petals and splattered to the ground.

It resembled a greedy human drooling while devouring food.

The petals curled around the stamen like a tulip, fully closing. Soon the movement inside ceased.

The crystal at the tip vanished with it. Both Leonardo and the intruder stood there for a while.

The flower became still again, but the bulging lower petals revealed prey inside.

Suddenly Leonardo recalled the host’s words.

His golden eyes twisted fiercely.

Fuck... they didn’t say it eats things.