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Chapter 1654 - It Spread Like a Virus pt 1
🕑 Added 2025-08-15 02:00:05 +0000 UTCGrey looked at the long line stretching out from the arena ahead of him, then craned his neck to look behind. If his judgement was accurate,
Grey looked at the long line stretching out from the arena ahead of him, then craned his neck to look behind. If his judgement was accurate, and as a Blademaster of the Folk, it was, he was very close to the midpoint.
“This is absurd,” he huffed. “Why are so many people eager to witness this… game,” he almost spat the last word, as if it left a foul taste in his mouth. “The arena is a sacred place, reserved for the art of–OOF!”
He grunted more in surprise than pain as White’s foot crashed down on top of his own. He looked at her, surprised, but she flicked her hair and turned away, ignoring his eyes. He looked down at the small flags she held tucked up her sleeves where she thought he wouldn’t see them.
She was surprisingly enthusiastic about this event. As were many of the Folk, to be fair, if the line was anything to go by.
Despite the jovial, almost festival-like atmosphere that suffused the crowd, with laughing children, boisterous men and cheerful women of the Folk all engaged in banter and fun, Grey’s mood continued to sour. Not even the pickled azure-sea-viper meat sold from a nearby stall brought a smile to his face, though he gnawed at it with vigour. The skewers were some of his favourite snacks, and immensely popular amongst the wolf-folk.
When they finally reached the front of the line, he was stunned to see they were asked to provide tickets. For a moment he panicked, only for White to produce two paper talismans from within her sleeve and hand them over.
Of course, his apprentice had invited him to this event, so it was reasonable for her to secure their entry, even though, as her master, it would normally be his responsibility.
He folded his hands into his sleeves and nodded to cover his momentary embarrassment, ignoring the slight shaking of White’s shoulders as she laughed at him. Scowling, Grey stalked into the arena, only to find his apprentice had seized his sleeve. He turned to find her pointing to her left.
He raised his brows and she wordlessly handed him the paper talismans, which he scanned instantly.
“We have allocated seating?” he growled. “Whoever heard of such a thing?! I’m a master at the arena! I go where I please!”
A foot flashed down towards his own, but this time he was ready with a smooth step to the side. He grinned wolfishly, only for the smile to fade when he saw White glaring at him.
“Fine,” he huffed, “lead the way.”
All smiles once more, White pulled him by the sleeve towards their designated seat. When he saw that someone had gone ahead and carved the seat numbers straight into the tiered stone, Grey nearly lost his temper again. This was the Fang Palace Arena! One of the largest and oldest in the entire city! Which fool had decided to hack into these sacred benches with a chisel? He would shave their fur and run them bare-skinned through the nearest market!
Except… White was glaring at him again, so he settled down, but he wasn’t happy about it.
At full capacity, well over twenty thousand of the Folk could cram into the Fang Palace, but that would usually only happen for high level duels between eighth and ninth swords. The only times he’d seen it completely full to bursting was for demonstration duels by blademasters. Yet, as he looked around, it seemed as if it was going to be completely packed for this event. Just what had been going on around Freehill?!
White seemed increasingly excited, bouncing in her seat as the arena continued to fill, while Grey took the time to examine the modifications that had been made to the field. It wasn’t unusual for the terrain in the centre of the arena to be modified for battles, so that didn’t offend him, but neither did he really understand the rectangular pit that had been sunken into the ground.
Just what on Pangera were they planning on doing? And why was it so popular?!
It took another twenty minutes for the arena to fill as Grey grew increasingly impatient and White increasingly excited.
Finally it seemed they were ready to begin when a sphere formed of some sort of magic appeared above the arena and a voice began to emerge from it.
“Uh… hello! My name is Peter Wittle.”
“And I am Commentant, broadcasting pheromone to audible sound waves through the miracle of magic, here to bring you this exciting event, the first of its type here in the wonderful city of Freehill.”
“Ladies, gentlemen and non-gender-specific types of Folk, I know there’s a strong contingent of Frog-Folk in the audience, are you ready for some TUNNEL BALL?!”
The crowd of Folk, normally reserved and dignified in public settings, roared with appreciation, even White clapping loudly as she stamped her feet and grinned, eyes alight with excitement.
“We have some wonderful teams here who’ve really been tearing it up in the cultural exchange matches with the Colony and in the newly formed Freehill Amateur League. In a Tunnel Ball tradition, please make our teams welcome to the field.”
“That’s right, Commentant, I’ve been so excited to see the Folk develop their own style and methods of play in the lead-up to this event, and these two teams have each proven they are the cream of the crop in the local scene right now. Our first team to enter, please show your appreciation for the SPIRIT BLOSSOMS!”
Confused at what was happening, Grey looked to his student for guidance. Even though some members of the crowd were cheering uproariously in an uncouth display, she was merely clapping politely and with quiet grace. Grey nodded in satisfaction. Yes, this was how a proper Folk comported themselves in public. For a moment, he’d thought everyone had gone completely mad.
A team of ten Folk wearing matching pink on white uniforms embroidered with blossoms along the sleeves entered the arena. In two rows of five, they conducted themselves as warriors should, with fierce light in their eyes, straight backs and square shoulders.
Grey could practically feel the fighting spirit rising off them like steam, and he felt his interest pique, almost despite himself. Was there going to be a fight?
Before that question could be answered, the voices rang out from the sphere once more.
“A very skillful and determined group, the Spirit Blossoms. Teamwork and coordination are the hallmark of their play, and when we get right down to it, that’s what Tunnel Ball is all about.”
“Many would agree with you, Peter, but others would say skill and power are the hallmarks of a great team, and our next group is certainly a perfect example of that! Please welcome to the Arena, our second team for the event, the FLOWING STONE!”
Grey raised his hands to once again clap politely, only to recoil in shock as White leaped to her feet, flags in either hand.
“COME ON, THE STONE! LETS GOOOOOOO!!!!” she roared in a guttural warcry.
“White?!” Grey gasped.
Comments
Brudog2
I let a hundred chapters build up only to end on a cliff hanger……..
Jon Wolfman
Dear rinoz I am emotional traumatized as well as excited to know there will be a pt4 but that it's not ready yet.
Rishain
i personally hate the placement of this mini arc for the story. feels more like a punishment for sticking it through a long arc
Alexandre Allemand
Jo the latest chapter is ahead of schedule we are at part 1 the next one is is part 4
Greyg
We get 2 or so bod a week as for chrysalis 3-4 i think is common a week not always consistent post times think he is Australian so posts come up at night for me not sure how consistent to his own schedule he is, but output is fine imo
mo akt
I want to ask the author what's the point of the chrysalis on the webnovels app like 114 first book a bit strange but alright then the second book starts at 1004 and patreon isn't for everybody why not just make it paid but in full on the site ?
mo akt
Guys any idea on what's the posting schedule?
Ashrothe
Hahah well done.
Victor Hertz
Flow like stone!! Hit like fire!!!
Roombot
A virus indeed 🤣
Guant
When I hear virus my mind immediately goes to the ants saying nards.
John Grizzly
Their own tunnel and balls training.
Mo Alawami
The only sport I'd actually watch (or read, or listen to). Let's GO TUNNEL BALL! Also "Commentant" is a hilarious name
eryos
I guess it's normal to grey being do surprised,she probably won't was so vocal even wen they have se- *cough* SUPER SECRET FOLK TRAINING, for the first time...
Aaron Schwartz
BEWARE! THE SOCCER HOOLIGANS COMETH!!
Sly Trickster
I think they’ll face the ants eventually, though Flowing stone sounds kind of like a Golgari team.
Cindermoth
What's the matter, Grey? Surprised she's louder for the game than for you? Kekeke
Andres
Ahhahaha
Jon Wolfman
Lol not that many plz
Jon Wolfman
Not just you I am sure but I am actually excited for some side stories. I think rinoz does them masterfully and makes his would feel more real. stack for a bit and come back if you need to, we understand if side arcs are not for everyone.
Collector of Stories
I always enjoy these evolution side POVs they introduce or expand the world building in unique ways. I’m super excited to see the next couple chapters of this mini tunnel ball arc! Will they face a Colony team or just fellow Folk? I’m also really looking forward to just how tunnel ball grows and expands. We got a little teaser in a past Tolly chapter but it will be nice to go more in depth!
Rishain
yeah i kinda hate when authors do this, i can understand the evolution taking so long because of the stuff that happened with it, but to change pov to keep the reader in suspense after it taking so long is kinda bs. instead of the desired suspense it just make me want to dope the story for few months and return when its back on track. but i guess that just me
Navarog
This is the first time for you to witness the evolution of Eldest ? Because it happens all the time and this is only start.
LUXRUS
There have been way too many povs recently… it really broke my excitement over the evolution
RinoZ
I will happily receive your thanks for stealing your idea. :D
Tosk
White shouting out a war cry for her team puts the dumbest grin across my face
alt31415
Theorazzn wishes he could make something so infectious.
David Eddy
I could read a little more about this particular day and how our soon to be die-hard Stone's fan/hater comes to love Tunnel Ball. Just a few hundred chapters should cover it :)
Pockman
I think she just broke a vow of silence or something… 0.0
ChillyPepper
TUN-NEL-BALL! TUN-NEL-BALL!
clovis
TUNNEL BALL!!! LFG!!!
shawn B
That was a nice surprise
shawn B
Yesssssssssssss tunnel ball MUST expand! Across the stratum’s!
jeffrey niski
I love tunnel ball
Alessandro Mattioli
Yes, you did it you actually did it. Thank you so much and I’m happy that I got to talk with you and ask for this at Litrpgcon. You even included White yelling with excitement, which made it absolutely hilarious. It’s just as I imagined.
Wensber
Thanks for the chapter!
giann flroesca
when i saw arena tickets and numbered seat I JUST KNEW IT.
Sapphire Rose
Training ground games o.o. I must know, was this planned or did I speak it into existence. If planned, Reno, you are a god. If suggesting it made it happen, I'm gonna go find a corner for embarrassment
Shaitan
Haha kuudere no more lol?
dothuman
This'll be interesting.
Tyler Poole
TUNNEL BALLL!!! I found this chapter unreasonably funny thx for sharing it.
HoverHacker
First! White speaks!
Hayden Leech
TUNNEL BALL RUUULEEEZZZZZ!!!!!
