The Return of the God Level Assassin Chapter 1216: THE START OF THE FINALS

LUO YAN's gaze shifted to the opposite side of the stage where team Celestials stood. He recognized their captain Michael, whose real na was Li Xu Min, and Jophiel, known in real life as Song Liuli. Given how famous both players had beco, their personal information and backgrounds were practically public knowledge at this point, easily accessible with a quick search.

So seeing them in person wasn't particularly surprising. Even seeing the real person behind Uriel failed to shock him. Because that guy's irritating expression looked exactly the sa in real life as it did in-ga. From the silver-rimd glasses to his posture to that permanently condescending stare, everything matched perfectly. The only genuine surprises ca when Luo Yan finally saw Gabriel's and Azrael's players for the first ti.

Gabriel's real-life appearance contrasted sharply with his in-ga avatar. His buzz cut, sun-tanned skin, and heavily muscular build—clearly from rigorous training—were completely different from his avatar's blond-haired, clean-cut look with its more refined proportions.

Azrael's real-world look was just as surprising. His ssy hair hanging over his eyes and thin fra didn't match his avatar's tidy, well-grood appearance at all.

Lin Haoyu raised his hand, quieting the cheering crowd. "Now that we've introduced both teams," he announced, "it's ti for them to enter Arcadia—with a special twist!"

Jiang Xinyi picked up smoothly, her voice bright with excitent. "For the first ti ever, today's match will use Moonlight dia's newly developed VR pods!" She gestured dramatically toward the pod stations. "These cutting-edge systems deliver an experience far beyond standard VR helts—more imrsive, more realistic, every sensation heightened."

Lin Haoyu added, "And here's exclusive news—these pods aren't available comrcially yet." He paused as the crowd murmured in anticipation. "But after today's finals, Moonlight dia will release one hundred limited units! Reservations open tonight on their official website—first co, first served."

Jiang Xinyi clapped her hands together. "Now, players—please enter your pods!"

As if on cue, the ten pods hissed open simultaneously. One by one, the players stepped forward—team Yunyue on the left, Celestials on the right—and climbed into their assigned pods. They lay back like astronauts settling into cryo-chambers, arms resting at their sides. The mont each player was positioned, the pod's glass canopy slid shut with a soft click, sealing them inside.

Luo Yan had expected the pod to feel claustrophobic, but the mont he lay down, his vision suddenly expanded—the confined space vanishing as he was plunged into a vast sea of swirling data.

A screen then appeared in front of him.

[Please enter your userna.]

Luo Yan typed 'Noctis', and instantly his surroundings shifted—he now stood on the stage at Lunaris Vale's central plaza. What surprised him was how seamless it felt. Unlike when using the VR helt, there was no disorienting lurch or montary dizziness—just pure, instantaneous transition.

"Wow. That's the smoothest teleport I've ever felt," Bai Ze muttered. "I'm definitely reserving one of these pods."

"Good luck with that," Luo Jin said, fully aware how many people would be fighting to get one.

Luo Yan glanced across the stage at team Celestials, where Li Xu Min and Song Liuli were waving at the crowd with bright smiles—a move that sent the already frenzied audience into another wave of screams. He raised an eyebrow. Those two certainly knew how to play to the crowd.

"Welco, our two final teams," a voice bood from overhead.

They looked up to see a tall man floating midair—his jet-black hair slicked back perfectly save for a few rebellious strands on his forehead. Dressed head-to-toe in black—tailcoat, tie, dress shirt, trousers, and polished shoes—he cut an imposing figure. A monocle covered one of his dark purple eyes, while a spade-shaped black earring swayed slightly from one earlobe as he hovered above them.

The Duke of Spades touched down soundlessly on the stage.

"For the final battle to crown this year's Arcadia Cup champion, you'll be deployed to opposite sides of Lunaris Vale. Each team will have one mber secretly assigned as a target. Eliminate the enemy team's target, and you claim imdiate victory."

He paused, letting the stakes sink in. "But heed this—the target cannot reveal their role to their teammates. Any attempt to communicate this, whether through words, gestures, or any other ans, will result in instant disqualification and the opposing team would automatically be declared the winner."

With a flourish of his coat, he concluded: "Of course, the traditional approach still stands. Wipe out the entire enemy team, and the victory is yours. This remains a Battle Royale, after all. The choice of strategy is yours to make."

The Duke of Spades brought his gloved hands together in a single, sharp clap that echoed through the plaza. "Let the final match begin!"

The mont the Duke finished speaking, twin bursts of light enveloped both teams—one carrying team Yunyue eastward, the other sweeping team Celestials west in a brilliant flash.

Luo Yan marveled once again at the complete lack of sensation during the teleportation—as if he'd simply blinked and found himself in a new location. Speaking of new location, his eyes swept across the vast field of flowers now surrounding them.

Before he could speak to the others, a system notification suddenly appeared in front of them.

[The match will begin in 15 minutes. Please use this ti to discuss your strategies. Additionally, summoning pets during this match is prohibited. We wish all participants the best of luck!]

"Okay, so no dragons or Eclipse," Bai Ze said, referencing the pet restriction. "What's the plan now?"

"What else, we can only fly on Shen Ji Yun's back," Su Yuqi said, her tone matter-of-fact.

Bai Ze's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Right! Ji Yun can shift to his qilin form and carry us west."

"Or we could stay here and set traps," Luo Jin suggested.

"Staying here will only turn us into sitting ducks," Shen Ji Yun said. "Especially since we don't have much cover here," he added, looking around the vast flower field.

As the others were discussing, Luo Yan couldn't take his eyes away from the notification floating in front of him.

[You are chosen as the target.]