I Awakened as an SSS-Rank System Maker!-Chapter 50 - Tournament Begins!

Chapter 50 - Tournament Begins!

The morning sun hung low in the sky, wrapped in a shroud of scattered gray clouds. There was no rain, but the air felt like it was hiding itself, as if the world were holding its breath.

Lucas stood tall in front of the palace, flanked by Andre and Darlene. Their black coats swayed in the wind, the fabric adorned with the silver emblem of Planet Tian. Opposite them stood Siman and his father, both dressed in deep black, as if the night itself had solidified into fabric. Siman was calm, but it was his father who truly drew attention.

Strands of his pitch-black hair draped over his shoulders, and though he spoke gently, his words fell heavy like metal crashing against stone.

"There are a few things that must be clarified," the man began. "First, only Lucas and Darlene will participate in the tournament."

Lucas’s brow twitched, but he remained silent. He knew this was coming.

"Lucas," the man continued, "you are Rank A. The weakest among us. But... your role isn’t brute strength. Your power lies in disruption. In strategy. You’ve done well to make it this far. Don’t die."

Lucas nodded once. "I won’t."

Then he turned to Darlene. "And you... you’re Rank S. A mobile core of mana with the blood of a sovereign beast. Your potential is unstable, but exceptional."

His gaze shifted to Andre. "You’re excluded."

Andre didn’t respond.

"Now that you’ve reached Rank SS, you’re beyond the threshold. The tournament is designed to assess rising powers from the lower ranks."

Then came the real warning.

"Lucas," Siman’s father said as he stepped forward, "you must understand... every planet cultivates a different kind of power. Some wield pure elements, others control spirits, or time, or beasts, or the mind, and more. What you know may not apply here. The rules change between worlds."

Lucas swallowed. "So... I’m walking into chaos?"

"Exactly." His gaze sharpened. "But we don’t need you to win. We need you to shake things up. To shift the tide. To get Planet Tian into the top three—or top four at worst. And for that... we’ll rely on more than strength."

He raised his hands.

Darkness curled around his fingers, then surged skyward like a fountain of night. Lightning cracked through the cloud

a sudden storm!

and a bolt struck the earth with a roar that made the ground tremble.

The earth split beneath their feet, revealing a gate of shadows and light.

Lucas blinked. "...Whoa."

"Let’s go," the man said simply.

And they stepped through the gate.

—Two hours later—

Lucas took a deep breath as they emerged.

They were standing on a stone platform suspended in the sky. Above them, the clouds parted to reveal a vast world of floating islands. Bridges of translucent energy stretched between them. Each island bore its own unique terrain volcanic peaks, serene forests, spiraling towers, and mirror-like lakes. It was as if they had stepped into a dream.

Even Andre looked slightly impressed.

Siman spoke. "Each planet is assigned one island. That one over there"—he pointed to a glowing green structure surrounded by white sakura trees—"is ours."

Lucas pointed, his eyes wide, toward the massive island at the center of the world. It glowed with golden light, and pillars of flame spiraled in its skies. "What about that one?"

"The main arena," Siman said. "That’s where the matches will take place. You’ll be summoned when it’s time. For now, rest. Prepare."

Lucas exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I won’t lie... I’m feeling it now. The pressure."

"You’re right to feel it," Siman replied. "But don’t let it root you. Channel it."

Before Lucas could respond, a shimmer passed through the air.

A man appeared

his figure draped in a pristine white cloak, his hair white as mist. His face was young. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

He bowed deeply. "Greetings, nobles of Planet Tian. The tournament will begin in five hours. Please follow me to your island."

Siman’s father gave a slight nod. "Lead on."

Planet Tian’s Island

The place was peaceful. Crystal rivers flowed through groves of sakura trees. Strange birds with glowing feathers soared overhead. Lucas and Darlene stood side by side near the balcony of the celestial temple, looking out toward the arena in the distance.

Behind them, Siman and Andre watched in silence.

Three hours later

Lucas sat alone in the preparation room. Silence hung heavy. A floating screen before him displayed the names of the participants fighters from thirteen different planets. Some names were highlighted in glowing crimson, marked as favorites. His name wasn’t one of them.

He didn’t care.

"System," he whispered. "Open skill panel."

[Host Status – Lucas Arthur]

Rank: A | Level: +87

Skills:

— System Architect (Rank SSS)

— Tyrant’s Dominion (Rank S)

— Hand Shifter (Rank A)

— Blood Addiction (Rank F)

— Black Panther Wings (Rank D)

— Learner (Rank A)

Lucas studied the screen. Then slowly smiled.

"They don’t know what’s coming."

-*-

-*-

-*-

Four hours had passed since they arrived on the island, and Lucas could feel the tension in the airthick, as if the atmosphere itself understood the gravity of the moment. Now, as the arena stretched out before them, the pressure intensified. It was a massive colosseum carved into the side of a mountain. Thousands of spectators filled the colossal stands surrounding the arena, their faces brimming with excitement and anticipation. Different planets, diverse cultures, varied creatures all gathered for the same reason: to prove they were the strongest.

Lucas’s heart pounded as he made his way toward the participants’ seats, Darlene at his side. The ground beneath them pulsed with energy, as if the arena itself could feel the battles to come. The roar of cheers was deafening, and yet, everything felt distant to Lucas, as though he were drifting through another world.

He glanced at Darlene. She seemed unaffected by the chaos around them, her face calm and steady as always. But even she couldn’t fully hide the flicker of excitement in her body.

"This is the moment," Lucas whispered quietly.

He smirked darkly.

"The moment I step into that arena, I won’t be Lucas Arthur anymore. I’ll be a symbol of Planet Tian. I’ll be a weapon not a person."

A strong gust swept through the arena, and a figure descended from the sky, golden wings blazing behind him like fire. He wore gleaming armor, and the air around him rang with celestial energy. His gaze was sharp, his presence commanding.

He landed gently at the center of the arena, and with a single motion, raised his arms, casting a deep silence across the space.

"Welcome to the 134th Tournament of Sub-SS Ranks!" His voice boomed through the air, ringing with an authority that couldn’t be ignored.

The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices shaking the ground beneath them.

"Thirteen planets will compete to determine who is the strongest," the man continued. "But before we begin the draw, let me explain the rules."

The golden-winged man pointed to a massive hologram screen above him. The rules were clear, but Lucas still felt a knot twist in his stomach. The man’s words echoed through the arena:

"One planet will be chosen at random to skip the first round." He paused for effect. "The rest will fight one-on-one. Each planet may send up to three fighters. Solo or in teams. And for those eager to see blood... all tactics are allowed. Even killing."

The crowd roared louder at the mention of bloodshed. Lucas didn’t flinch. He had already accepted the brutal nature of the tournament.

"Now, let’s begin the draw," the golden-winged man announced, his voice cutting through the chaos.

A massive container appeared beside him, filled with thirteen cubes, each representing a different planet. With a swift motion, he stirred the container, and everyone held their breath.

He drew one cube and lifted it high.

"Congratulations..." he paused for dramatic effect. "Planet of Beasts, who ranked ninth in the last tournament, will advance directly to the second round!"

The crowd exploded with cheers, and Lucas saw the smug expressions of the Planet of Beasts’ representatives in the stands. Though they’d received an automatic advancement, Lucas could already feel the tension crackling in the air.

Siman, seated beside his father in the upper stands, muttered, "Tch, lucky bastards..."

His father, ever calm, responded gently, "It doesn’t matter. Those who can’t win the first round don’t deserve the second."

Siman’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. "I don’t like how this is unfolding."

Meanwhile, Lucas sat in the participants’ section, nerves gnawing at him. He looked to Darlene, who remained composed.

(Planet of Beasts... That’s where I went when I died... Hmm... Let’s see who I’ll face.)

"Now, let the matchups begin!"

A massive screen lit up in the sky, and the names of the planets shuffled rapidly. The crowd fell into silence, everyone watching intently. After a long moment, the names stopped scrolling.

Match One: Planet Tian (Rank 4) vs Planet Zorad (Rank 5)

The arena exploded with deafening cheers. Lucas’s heart skipped a beat.

(Just one rank difference... This will be a tough battle.)

Siman’s voice was barely audible as he whispered, "Damn, we’re facing a strong opponent right out of the gate."

Lucas felt his palms sweat. Zorad wasn’t easy. Their fighters were known for their brutal combat style, relying on raw power and their mastery of racial warfare. This wouldn’t be an easy match.

But Siman’s father, seated calmly in the upper stands, spoke quietly, his eyes scanning the arena.

"I just hope Lucas and his follower don’t disappoint us."

The golden-winged man stepped forward, his presence instantly commanding silence.

"Planet Tian, prepare your fighters for the first round," he called out in a booming voice.

Lucas stood, his legs steady as he made his way toward the arena. His heart thundered in his chest, his mind swirling with thoughts of the coming battle.

He could already feel the eyes of the galaxy upon him.

This wasn’t just a tournament.

It was a declaration.

And he would not lose.

As Lucas and Darlene approached the entrance of the arena, a chill ran down his spine. The hum of the energy field surrounding the arena buzzed against his skin. There was something in the airsomething heavy. An undeniable pressure.