The 45th Game has begun.

Those who survive The Games will be allowed to continue their fight in the Abyss.

Only there will you find the truth of this realm.

Those who finish The Game with the highest amount of points will be able to make a wish. The limits of your wish correlate with the total point value you have gained.

Until the Fifth Phase, each kingdom's territory will be locked from the rest of the world.

Nilbog went still, the fork carrying a crispy piece of duck just a few inches away from his salivating mouth. Semi-transparent black screens covered most of his vision.

With a groan he lowered his hands to the table, one holding a small steel knife, the other a fork. He closed his eyes, exhaling completely, inhaling deeply, and then cursed life with all his limited vocabulary.

A mix of confusion and fear was apparent on everyone’s face. Argento fell backward, spilling his noodles over himself.

The First Phase Begins!

Take up your spoons, take up your forks, for death is below you!

Tier Rank: F

Level Spread: 15-30

Anomalies detected: 3

First Attribute: You will receive contribution points for any damage or action that results in the destruction of monsters.

Second Attribute: You may not exit the vicinity until the Phase is complete.

Third Attribute: The faster the Phase is cleared, the higher the rewards upon completion.

Fourth Attribute: Experience gain is increased by 600%.

Nilbog looked around, making note of every expensive dish around him. He marked each one that he would get to after finishing the one in front of him. Chaos was about to descend but if there was one thing he had learned the past few months of his journey it was to never miss a chance for a free meal.

The duck's head sat in the middle of a mound of sparkling yellow rice, surrounded by pomegranate seeds the size of grapes. On the edges of the plate thinly cut radish circles were placed with perfect symmetry. Nilbog brought down his fork with deftness, chunking most of its cheek. A pocket of steam seeped out of the meat as he tossed it into his mouth. The meat was mellow below the crispy skin that trapped all the heat and flavor inside. The real surprise though were the bones—they were as soft as the meat itself. They melted on his tongue before his other hand could even reach for the radish, the cluster of foreign flavors sending the shivers down his spine, and for once, it was a pleasant type.

There was a crash off in the distance but Nilbog ignored it. He kept his head down on his meal, seeing nothing else. Maybe if he ignored it it would go away.

He began to tear apart the head, tossing in rice and bread whenever he found space in his mouth. Nilbog thought the surprises were done, but it was far from it. Below the duck’s skull was uncooked pomegranate seeds, raisins, black olives, raspberries, and cranberries for a sour explosion. It was the first time he’d ate meat and fruit at the same time, and strangely enough, it all somehow mixed together quite well.

And so, while impeding chaos threatened the Drail kingdom, Nilbog fed on an exquisite chunk of duck, a side dish of potato fingers and fried eggplant, lettuce and small, bite-size baked tomatoes. Inevitably, the apple tart on Argento’s side of the table would have followed soon after.

A banging resounded from under Nilbog's table. He pushed back his seat, his mouth nearly letting all the precious goodies slip out when he saw a rotting hand stuck out through the marble flooring He watched as the Ghoul attempted to pull itself out from the earth, low growls echoing its frustration as it pushed aside the heavy marble.

He stomped on the Ghoul's head, pushing it back into the ground. Please wait. Nilbog had to finish his meal.

After all, it might be his last.