Chapter 773   Entrance of the Grotesque Galvinith


    After a few moments of silent calculation, the referee AI finally spoke. {The current situation is indeed unique. Given that you acquire ownership of everything belonging to the individuals you defeat, the mecha and its pilot are now legally considered your property. Thus, as long as they fit the weapon criteria, they should be eligible for participation. However, despite being your property, they are still classified as individual fighters, as they previously acted as one entity. Allowing them to fight alongside you would constitute an unfair two-versus-one scenario, which is against the rules, and therefore, cannot be permitted.}


    She continued, her tone as steady as ever, {It would have been possible for the mecha to fight on your behalf had it been registered as the Empire’s official contender. However, since the registration window closed before the matches began, updating the registration now is not an option.}


    With this detailed explanation, she clarified her reasoning and the factors that led her to reach this decision.


    Hearing her response, Aron looked like someone who had just been caught trying to exploit a loophole before he could fully benefit from it.


    Before he could say anything, she added, {While my decision is based on the current ground rules, it is not entirely conclusive, as it isn’t etched directly into the rules. You could call for a vote to set a precedent. However, I’m quite certain the opposing side won’t allow you a chance to gain the upper hand when you’re so close to achieving a majority. So, what will it be?}


    Aron smirked slightly at her suggestion and replied, “While it might be amusing to waste their time, I don’t have the patience for a pointless vote. Let’s stick with your decision as the rule.”


    A Galvinith arrived on the field, transported by their ship, while a container came in for Aron, carrying within it a fresh sword and a distinct-looking gun different from the ones he had destroyed in earlier bouts.


    The Galvinith were among the most challenging opponents due to a trait they shared with only a few of the top civilizations: diversity. Unlike other species, whose abilities could often be predicted, Galvinith symbiotically bonded with a vast range of organisms, making each fighter’s abilities highly unpredictable. For example, while a Shadari opponent specialized in space combat would undoubtedly use stealth, Galvinith powers remained uncertain until their specific symbiotic partner was known—a factor that added an extra layer of difficulty in preparation


    Aron’s opponent looked like nothing he’d faced before. Its form defied any assumption about gender or even humanoid structure. Though it had arms, they dragged along the ground as if they were limbs repurposed from legs, while its actual hind legs seemed too weak to support its weight. The creature’s body resembled a tortoise but with shell-like growths that covered it, attempting—and failing—to contain the rest of its mass. Flesh spilled grotesquely from the gaps, giving it the unsettling appearance of a botched experiment, as if it were the tragic product of a mad scientist’s attempt to create a chimera.


    The grotesque appearance was enough to turn some viewers’ stomachs, even prompting a few to close the stream entirely. Many wondered aloud why such a creature had even been chosen to compete, given that it appeared barely capable of standing, let alone fighting.


    Alongside the Galvinith contender arrived a massive, misshapen box that appeared barely capable of holding its contents. The container strained under the pressure of whatever lay within, revealing hints of what might be concealed inside. Unlike the transport ship that departed moments ago, the container stayed behind, signaling that either it—or whatever it held—was intended as the creature’s weapon.


    Aron observed his opponent, stationed a few kilometers away, with an impassive gaze. His focus wasn’t on the creature’s grotesque appearance but on what it might be capable of. Setting these thoughts aside, he began the critical task of imbuing mana into his newly acquired gun when the preparation period was announced.


    This weapon would, he hoped, allow him to end the fight quickly while leaving most of the Galvinith’s body intact for research into its unique power system. However, his plan depended on whether the weapon’s properties would harm the Galvinith fighter as intended. If not, the encounter might turn more complicated than he’d prefer.


    Time passed quickly, and soon the AI referee signaled the start of the fight with a clear announcement: {You may begin.}