Chapter 125: The Crucible
Everyone sat quietly in the theater hall, waiting.
The Crucible was about to begin, and everyone was eager to see how it would unfold.
[Will_1631: Wondering who’s going to come out as winner this year]
[Don_Radjin: For real, last year was really intense. This year can only be better]
[Demiurge666: Is that even a debate? China is taking the win for the Crucible, I mean those guys are smartass]
The chat erupted into debate, everyone arguing over who would come out on top.
The answers remained uncertain, but they didn’t have to wait too long to find out.
The theater hall brightened up as the display screen lit up, Julie’s face staring right into the lens.
"Welcome back! My wonderful audience! Today, we’ll be watching our smartest minds crack a simulation puzzle. And I hope you’ll be thrilled to watch them too! Put on your investigation hat, and let’s try to catch the clues as well!"
The display split into five sections, each showing the three representatives from one country.
"Do you think we’ll win this one as well Miss Dana?" Light broke the silence as he stared at the screen from the chair.
"The crucible is usually the most uncertain of all the events. We can’t really tell who’ll win, as it’s of equal difficulty for everyone" Dana replied, her gaze sternly fixed on the screen.
"That’s right, but I’m certain Thinker, Oxord and Nile will do a great job" Selena said confidently, "I’ve worked with them before. With the three of them together clearing the Crucible should be a walk in the park"
"I think you’re forgetting Miss Selena, but clearing the Crucible isn’t the issue, it’s who clears it first and faster and also without affecting their teammates" Nectron chipped in.
"Let’s watch and see, I’m sure thinker won’t disappoint" Vixen said.
Nicholas said nothing. His gaze remained fixed on the screen.
This was his first time watching the tournament, so he couldn’t quite tell who’d win either, but whilst doing his research and from the explanation of the president he understood quite well the dynamics of the crucible and how it worked.
All three players were trapped in a highly advanced simulation.
To escape the simulation, three players are separated into three isolated, sensory-deprived rooms: the White Room, the Black Room, and the Void Room. They cannot see each other’s screens, but their digital chess terminals are quantum-linked.
A single mistake by one player will instantly alter the board state for the others, trapping them all in the simulation for a longer time.
To break free, they must simultaneously enter three distinct coordinates—Alpha, Beta, and Gamma—derived from their respective terminals.
’The game requires a high IQ and coordination. Even I’m not sure I would be able to do it’ Nicholas thought as his gaze was fixed on the screen.
"From America! We have our three masterminds leading us, Thinker, Nile and Oxord!"
[Heck! It’s really sir Oxord! He helped my city back then, with his analysis. I’m sure they’re winning]
"From China, we have our three human Calculators, Ni Cheng, Xi Lun and Bai Sun"
"From Brazil, we have Newton, Farad, and Planck"
She went on to introduce all the heroes from each of the countries showing them within the similation.
"Now for the players, listen carefully while I explain the roles so you know which role you take" Julie announced as the screen flashed back to the participants.
In the five sections, each three members are placed in their own rooms.
The White Room.
The first player faces an aggressive, offensive tactical puzzle. They are on the verge of victory, but they are presented with a choice of weapons. The specific piece they use to deliver the final blow dictates the "energy phase" of the puzzle. This decision sends a ripple effect through the network, directly forcing the second player’s hand.
The Black Room
The second player is trapped in a desperate defensive survival scenario, under immediate, crushing check. They have multiple avenues of escape, but only one is correct. Their safe path is entirely dependent on the "energy phase" chosen by the first player. They must choose the exact opposite polarity to survive—stepping into the shadows if their ally chose the light, or stepping into the light if their ally chose the dark.
The Void Room
The third player sits before a completely blank, glowing grid with no pieces. They do not play a game of chess; instead, they play a game of geometry and trust. They must act as the anchor, using the coordinates communicated by their teammates to calculate the exact geometric intersection—the physical and mathematical midpoint where their allies’ paths cross.
The puzzle demanded flawless communication and perfect timing. One mistake would trap all three players inside the simulation. Only by entering their final coordinates at the exact same microsecond could they shatter the illusion and wake up.
Thinker sat in the white room staring at the board before him and the shining chess pieces placed before him.
Nile had a stern look on his face as he stared at the board in front of him.
Nicholas swept his gaze across the theater.
Unlike during the race, there were no cheers or idle conversations.
Even Dana, who had spent most of the morning taunting the other delegations, sat quietly with her arms folded.
Brazil’s representatives leaned forward in their seats, eyes fixed on Newton’s display.
Germany’s heroes spoke in hushed voices, discussing possible opening patterns.
China remained the quietest.
Mercury calmly sipped from a cup of tea while Tianzun sat beside her with his eyes closed, as though the outcome had already been decided.
The silence itself was unsettling.
Unlike the combat event, where strength could overwhelm technique, or the race where one extraordinary ability could overturn the odds, the Crucible offered no shortcuts.
Intelligence alone wasn’t enough.
One mistake from a single teammate could doom all three.
And because of that...
Every nation feared it.
"And with that! Begin the crucible"