I created the Bureau of Anomaly Control

As Tiger King had promised, she dispatched far more trusted subordinates than usual that very night, spreading news of the trial throughout the six floors. At the same time, regardless of what the other rulers thought, she forcefully set the date for the following day.

The next afternoon, Tiger King led over a dozen warriors along with Mann to their destination, winding through the third floor's corridors, stopping several times to confirm their direction.

"Some corridors look almost identical, so we've left special markings on them," Tiger King explained to Mann and Ning Changkong behind her, regarding the reason for her pauses. "Besides the rulers, only specialized messengers can recognize parts of the route. Even they must travel in groups of three when crossing floors."

However, Mann and Ning Changkong didn't see any of the markings she mentioned in the corridors. Clearly, these weren't things one could find with a casual glance.

"Will the other rulers arrive so quickly?" Ning Changkong asked curiously.

Tiger King said casually:

"Of course. Although doing so will cost reputation and might provoke dissatisfaction from the other floor rulers, since I firmly insisted, they will certainly arrive on time.

"If you want to leave here safely, naturally, the sooner the better.

"And since this is a deal, I must be responsible for the rewards I offer."

Rounding a corner, a "elevator door" about seven meters high appeared on the left side of the corridor.

"We're here," Tiger King said. "Let's go."

One of the accompanying warriors walked to the side of the elevator and pressed the only button on the wall.

The heavy metal door silently slid open to both sides.

The scene inside wasn't a cramped elevator car, but a spacious, giant square plaza. On each of the four walls were two "elevator doors" separated by a certain distance.

It seemed that all eight floors could lead to this plaza.

When they arrived, the other rulers and their retinues were already gathered in the very center, and a thin figure stood not far from the crowd.

After taking only a few steps, Mann felt the girl behind him quicken her pace slightly.

Ning Changkong walked to his side and whispered, with an unchanged expression:

"She's standing behind Fatty."

Mann looked at the rulers.

The fourth floor's ruler, General, was an imposing man with a body like steel, while the leader of the robed ascetics remained silent amongst his colleagues, and the leader of the wanderers had a physique as strong as a gorilla.

Last was the flesh-mountain-like Cannibal King. Behind him stood a young woman with an unfamiliar appearance to Mann. Her limbs seemed to be a combination of some strong beast and bird, possessing powerful muscles and raptor-like claws.

Li Fen also saw Mann.

What's going on? Could he be the guy who's going to be tested?

"He's the enemy I told you about," she whispered to her Cannibal King. "That young man following Tiger King, but why doesn't he show any signs of beastification?"

"What a small world," the Cannibal King smiled. "Look at him, maybe he's already won Tiger King's heart, but he probably doesn't realize how fickle this one is. As for his situation..."

He paused and continued:

"Maybe it's luck, and he's also clinging to the fantasy of leaving this place. Judging by how Tiger King treats her consorts, she probably wants him to give up.

"But that's fine, you can take his life in the duel.

"Remember the method I taught you."

Li Fen nodded heavily. Mann actually still wants to leave this place, it's simply wishful thinking, but this also gives her a chance for revenge...

If it weren't for him, she wouldn't have fallen to this.

General was the first to complain to Tiger King:

"You called us here, but you're the last to arrive?"

She yawned casually:

"I wanted to take a nap, and who told you to come so early?"

He snorted coldly:

"Who is the challenger?"

Mann took a step forward.

General sized him up and down, then said in an icy tone:

"Let's hope our wait is worth it."

At this moment, the thin figure who had been detached from the crowd also walked over.

This messenger from the second floor glanced at Mann, then revealed some doubt on his face:

"You want to leave this place?"

Mann asked curiously:

"Is that such a strange thought?"

He didn't expect Mann to question him back.

After the shock subsided, the messenger revealed a look of pity towards Mann:

"Of course. After I became a witness to the trials, several newcomers who thought they were strong felt they could leave this place, but they often lost that chance when they accepted the trial.

"And even if they were lucky enough to reach the second floor...

"Well, let's just say, five years ago, there was a fool who didn't heed our kind advice, and then he never had a chance to beg for mercy again."

"I hope you don't end up like him."

The messenger didn't bother to say more. This arrogant young man would definitely show signs of beastification in the upcoming battle, and at that time he would recognize the cruelty of reality.

Mann silently withdrew his gaze.

This messenger from the second floor didn't recognize him at all, which vaguely foreshadowed a possibility—that the residents of the second underground floor might not be able to recognize him either.

Perhaps he looked completely different when he went in compared to now, or maybe he didn't alarm any members here at all.

"If you don't have any other messy questions," Tiger King said impatiently to the other rulers, "can we start the trial?"

Silence.

General said:

"We originally wanted to give this challenger more time to prepare, but if you're in such a hurry, then let's start at any time. Is there any brave warrior who wants to duel him?"

Mann walked to the center.

And Li Fen also walked out from behind the Cannibal King, coming before him under the gaze of the entire audience. Everyone else retreated in all directions, leaving enough space for these two unfamiliar faces.

The King of Wanderers walked to the Cannibal King's side and asked:

"How did you recruit a new warrior again?"

The Cannibal King said:

"Are you suggesting I let my trusted subordinates take the risk?

"This might be a beautiful revenge, or it might be a miserable defeat for a weakling, but regardless of the outcome, you and I both know that the ending won't change in any way.

"Let's enjoy these guys who can't control their own fate slaughtering each other."

Li Fen, standing before Mann, twisted her neck, flexibly rotating her blue fingers connected to claws at the ends:

"Look at yourself, didn't you recently think you could escape the hospital alone? You personally strangled your chance to leave in the cradle. Look at my face..."

But before she could change her appearance, Mann spoke calmly:

"Li Fen, I've been looking for you. It seems...

"My luck is pretty good."