Chapter 76: Goddess Decree, The Playground (7)
Chapter 76: Goddess Decree, The Playground (7)
The seats of the huge colosseum were filled to the brim with the chaotic clamor of people talking making a loud constant noise.
Time passed fast and soon the clock hit 9:00 p.m. as a single huge hologram lit up above the arena, displaying Anchor Ben's face.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the wait is over!"
The crowd that turned silent briefly erupted in cheers.
"Hahaha, I love this fervor from you all, everyone!"
"Now without further ado, I shall introduce you to the star of today's night, who has
brightened everyone's life by saving the city from the terrifying demon and his scheme to sacrifice it!"
The holograms throughout the screens were lit up, some big, some small, but everywhere in the city, all the people were watching the Playground's broadcast.
And everyone finally saw the clear face behind the bearer of multiple names they gave.
Aleron smiled as he stood beside Ben on a small floating platform high in the center of the arena, his face visible to everyone.
"He is so young! I thought he would be much older."
"Maybe he just looks young."
"His hair is strange, eh? Some black hair strands in white."
Aleron waved his hand and began speaking with a grin, "Hello, everyone. The name's Aleron, Ale for short."
"Young master Ale, everyone is curious about your background. I wonder If you can allow yourself to shed some light on it," Ben cordially asked with curiosity.
"My background is nothing special, haha," Aleron said with a light laugh. "I was just one of many like you all, living my life and fighting the adversary it puts in my way."
"But I am not from this world, which you all might have guessed," Aleron smiled. "I arrived here by a twist of fate perhaps, and started living here."
"Unexpectedly, I gained some powers and friends, so my way of life also adjusted according to my situation."
"If not for that, I wouldn't have been able to detect the demon and save this city." Aleron shook his head and sighed, "But I am thankful that I am able to make a change."
"Now, now, I shall not bore everyone no longer," Aleron grinned and said, "The playground will start and at the end will be my solo journey in the new Dread-mode difficulty!"
The camerate zoomed out to show both Ben and Aleron afterward, as Ben said with a laugh, "Now that young master Ale has spoken and turned this time into an auspicious one, let us begin!"
Magical firecrackers shot into the sky along with loud music as the hologram's screen shifted to the ground, showing players entering one by one.
Aleron went back to the VIP room and joined the feast as everyone watched the show starting. "Let us everyone welcome today's players who will be fighting to get the trophy and reward!"
Ben's voice rang as the holograms showed players arriving at the center.
The audience cheered loudly.
"Black Tiger of East Tower! He will surely win."
"Green Arrow Tark! He is strongest among all Legendaries present! The trophy is his."
The players arrived at the arena's center and the cube emerged from the ground as it parted magically.
Big and comfortable sofa chairs appeared around the cube as Ben waved his hand and put them accordingly.
"Everyone, please take your seat. A few players are missing, including the Hero of Nexusia kingdom, but that can't be helped as it was written in their destiny."
"The playground will start from the Easy-mode series, with everyone getting eliminated as soon as their Hit-Shield drops to o!"
"Today's easy-mode series is Snow Storm's Descent! Everyone must survive in this land of blizzard for thirty minutes!"
"There will be treasure chests at various places to boost your combat prowess, so use your wits and abilities to maneuver in this land and survive!"
"Those whose Hit-shield remains at 1 or above will be moved to the normal-mode series!"
...
"This is fun. It's like one of those multiplayer battle royal games," Aleron said while watching everything in reality as if he were inside with the players.
Not just him, Yueha and others also had faint, slim crystal goggles covering their eyes like Aleron, allowing their vision to dive into the virtual reality just like the players.
This was exclusive to the VIP audience, and it was well worth it for those who sought entertainment and fun.
Grabbing the meat leg of a deer-like magic beast, Aleron started eating with gusto while watching.
The others were also eating and drinking, having fun as time passed by swiftly.
The players were performing fiercely, fighting monsters in the blizzards and using their everything to survive.
Unsurprisingly, none of the 47 players were eliminated in the Easy-mode series as everyone survived until the end.
"Now that the Easy-mode is over, the betting booths will open!"
"Bet on your horse! Let us see who performs best and who fails to survive the Normal-mode series: Sky-Crack Islands!"
...
Goddess Palace,
"This brat..." Elysia narrowed her eyes as she looked at Nailzim City's playground.
"This can't go on."
Elysia Gothwing sat with contemplative expression. 'Now that he is my competitor, I have all
the more reason to eliminate him and whatever he is planning.'
She waved her hand as a beautiful golden scepter appeared in her hand.
Turning to the girls in the hall, she said, "Send a decree of call to the Goddess Church headquarters."
...
Central Lightdusk Region, Goddess Church Headquarters,
The giant bell in the tallest tower of the huge church situated atop a giant mountain shone in
a golden hue and started ringing, tolling its divine sound as it spread far and wide.
The entire church sprung up in action at night as the ringing of this bell indicated an utmost
important matter.
"Goddess Decree!"
"Goddess wishes to speak to us?!"
"It's been a hundred years!"
"Truly joyous news! The demons are also encroaching, so she must have sensed our trouble!"
In the magnificent goddess hall of the church, the Holy Pop lay devotedly on his knees while facing the Goddess Statue.
Soon, a Holy Maiden, who looked in her thirties walked towards the statue and stood there facing it with her back and looked at the Pope.
"Goddess," she softly muttered with her hand in a praying gesture and closed her eyes.
The goddess statue released a golden light from her eyes that struck the holy maiden as her
eyes shone with golden lights.
"Rise," the holy maiden spoke as her demeanor changed, having welcomed the goddess' consciousness in her body.