God's Avatar

New Appearance

“What the heck is happening?”

Among a number of words that can be said, that was the only words that can summarize this whole ordeal. Ethan finds that he is wearing his avatar’s gloves and the people around him look like the avatar of his team member. This phenomenon is indescribable from a realistic point of view. No, it was not even considered theoretical.

Besides him was a man clad in black armor, an appearance that will make one person kneel at his presence. He holds a dark-crimson battle axe in his right arm. Like him, he is also confused about what was happening. A scenario that can’t be put in words.

The man donned in full-plate black armor met his gaze. They looked at each other in seconds, their eyes wandered around and in front of it as if they were analyzing something. Seconds later, they realized that they’d known each other for years. The man before him is one of the members of the Surrender@20 team: Manuel Fernandez.

“What is happening?” Manuel asked.

Wait, there is something odd in his voice.

The voice that he was familiar with was not heard. It was completely another person’s voice.

He was expecting a youthful voice but it turns out that it was a deep voice that seems to belong to the grown-up.

“....Eh? Why’s my voice sound like this?”

Even he was dumbfounded at his voice. In the game, Legends of AEON supported speech and it was extremely lifelike, but they can’t alter the voice so what was causing it? Another feature of the supported speech is that it has a system that has a sound spreading algorithm, the distance directly influenced how loud or quiet the sound was. The game didn’t have any background noise...or should I reality. Only the wind blowing across the grass and other sound effects can be heard to make them immersed in the forest environment.

Ethan looked around and noticed that the sound system is working perfectly fine, he can see his members who are also dumbfounded and puzzled by the circumstances. All of them sat on the ground, hugging their knees in confusion.

“Manuel, do you recognize me?” As expected, his voice is altered. His original voice is non-existent and was replaced by something dignified akin to his appearance.

Manuel then eyed his appearance and it appears that the avatar in front of him was Ethan’s avatar. As a Gladiator, similar to him. He wears a full-plate silver armor from head to toe, his face masked by the dignified silver helmet that shines in brilliance reflected by the sun. Compared to him, he holds a silver greatsword that glows in brilliance. And to make his avatar look dignified and majestic, it was adorned with a blue cape.

Ethan stood up and approached Manuel, as for the others, Manuel is the only one who is nearer than everyone else. They both realized what was going on.

“So you’re Ethan and I’m Manuel.” He said firmly, “I think I know where this is going.”

“I know right.” He curled his lips, “We’ve become our own avatar.”

“It looks surprising but I think this is a logical explanation to what was happening…” He turned his head and saw their other teammates sulking in their depression and confusion. Manuel frowned and was quite alarmed.

“Let’s go and gather everyone,” Ethan suggested.

Without turning his head toward Ethan, he promptly accepted the suggestion and headed towards where they were cramped.

Manuel and Ethan checked everyone and even performed a headcount.

“Nine...ten...eleven...twelve”

There were twelve of them in the forest.

“Hey what is happening?”

“Is this some sort of corporate prank? If it is then I’m not playing it!”

“What is this? Why are we in the middle of the forest?”

“I can’t stand it anymore!”

“I want to go home.”

Their yells sounded like the shrieks of dying animals. The sheer wretchedness of it all helped Manuel and Ethan hang on to the ghost of their presence of mind. They don’t want to start screaming like that! Their professionalism of how to handle things, the pressure was all gone in an instant. The reason being is that there is no logical explanation for what was happening.

*Whoosh

The wind that rushed past Ethan’s cheek was cold and damp and brisk as if they were in the deep forest. It was nothing like the dry, astringent air of China, where they were staying recently. The green scent on the wind told him that, wherever he was, it wasn’t the world he knew.

Ethan tried to act like a captain, he gave his head a shake, thinking back. They’d been playing Legends of AEON. He remembered that he and his fellow teammates were to conduct a raid but were curious about a peculiar dungeon that appeared. They entered it and then they are here, donning their avatar.

“Everyone calms down, I believe me and Manuel figured out what was happening.”

One of them took a peek, a knight in shining golden armor, his avatar looked dignified akin to a king, his hair standing up like a blazing flame, he is also a handsome man that could question the gender of all male.

That man stood proudly and gave him a sneering look.

“So, you’re Ethan and this one is Manuel, am I right?” Jon said in a dignified voice.

“That’s right...and you seem to be the Vice-Captain of Surrender@20. Jon Marco Bautista right? It’s obvious because I’ve known you for a long time and you’re not a fan of changing your avatar appearance occasionally.” Ethan replied.

“Hmph...It seems like your voice changed huh? You sound dignified in your avatar. I wonder how….”

“That was the first thing I noticed...but most importantly we need to get our team members back in their senses. I know this is a lot to take in but we have no choice but to adapt immediately to our present circumstances.”

“I agree,” Jon said and turned around to grab his golden shield and mace. As a Guardian Class, those are his primary and secondary weapons.

“Everyone! I want you to stand up and introduce yourself one-by-one. For starters, I am Jon Marco Bautista also known as ‘Unrivaled Guardian Hottie’ a Guardian Class and a member of Surrender@20. Introduce yourself in that order!”

Jon said in a compelling and dignified voice that let his listener comply with his order willingly.

They all stood up and lined themselves horizontally.

“Now, first we need to introduce the first one who returned to their senses. Captain...Manuel...please introduce yourself to everyone.”

Ethan took one step forward and spoke.

“Kamusta or should I say ‘Greetings’. My name is Ethan Gonzales, Captain of the Surrender at 20, Gladiator Class, My in-game name is Chrono Jikan. You might be wondering how I look so let me remove my helmet.”

Ethan removed the helmet and let the listeners bask in the radiance of his divine face. He is handsome like Jon, with nape-length white hair that covers his forehead and icy-blue eyes. His white complexion gave them an idea that the man in front of him was in his early twenties.

Everyone gasped in admiration, although they’d seen his face a lot in-game but to look at it in this close proximity made them feel charmed at his beauty. The Captain’s appearance in real life that they once knew is gone.

“I’m Manuel Fernadez, twenty-one years old, member of Surrender at 20, Destroyer Class, my in-game name is Dark Knight, greetings.”

Ending their introduction, everyone does the same, starting from left. A man in the further left. He strutted at the introduction stage where the other three introduced themselves.

“Matthew? Brother?”

Ethan knew at a glance, it was his brother.

“Greetings, I am Matthew Gonzales, twenty-two years old, member of Surrender at 20, Oracle Mage Class, pleasure to meet you.”

He bowed as he ended his introduction, again, everyone gasped in admiration. Donning his avatar, Matthew also has a handsome face akin to his Brother’s avatar, he has long silver hair tied in the back and golden eyes. He wears an unbuttoned knee-length trench coat lined with silver accents. Under it was a dark-red vest and trousers. As a Mage Class, he holds a staff and a spellbook in his hands shining in brilliance.

Then next…

“My name is Inigo Galvez...sixteen years old...Saint Class...My in-game name is Dawning Light.., member of Surrender at 20.”

The man who was introduced in front of them was the youngest member of the team, despite his age, it contradicts his real-life appearance because of his current avatar. Not to mention his intricately designed face gave a warm and soothing atmosphere...his gentleman suit. With a white vest, white trousers, a white shoes, that he became a light himself. His face is sparkling at the reflection of the sun. And as the Saint Class, he holds a silver wand and shield.

“My name is Jasper Ramos, Duelist Class, creator of Surrender at 20, a pleasure to meet you…”

In front of them is Jasper Ramos, wearing traditional wuxia clothing that you can always see in wuxia novels, wuxia anime, and wuxia manga. Since his avatar is heavily referenced by Shen Qingqiu from Scumbag System Novel. His face is elegant and beautiful beyond words, a long black pristine hair and eyes that gave the same atmosphere to James and Jon. The girls waiting for their turn were charmed at his avatar, breathing heavily. But the next one is said to be the most handsome of them all according to fans of Surrender@20.

“My name is Jericho Reyes, member of Surrender at 20, Avalanche Class, member of Surrender@20, pleasure to introduce myself to all of you.”

He said in an expressionless manner, his avatar’s face is devoid of expression, but that what makes him more handsome than the others, his wavy long blonde hair, an intricately designed face, and wears extravagant battle armor that shows his ripped body and perfectly toned body. At a glance, everyone's first impression of his avatar is a bad-boy. As an Avalanche class, he holds an intricately designed trident.

“My name is Ian Alcantara, member of Surrender at 20, Gunslinger Class, twenty-three years old.”

The man in front of them has swarthy skin that wears a brown cowboy hat, brown trench coat, black vest, black tie, black trousers, and black boots. His avatar is referenced by High Noon Lucian in League of Legends since he is an AD-Carry main and his favorite champion is Lucian. Though he is the only one who has swarthy skin, it cannot be ignored that his face is as handsome as the rest, not to mention his masculine facial features.

Now enough for the men and now is the time for the female introduction. The Surrender@20 has eight males and four females.

The boys grinned and rubbed their hands together in excitement. Because the female avatars are the most anticipated ones to introduce themselves.

One of them started to walk forward in the introduction stage, even though she is not starting yet, the boys began to gasp in admiration. Charmed by her beauty.

“ ♪ Konichiwa! Mina~san (Hello Everyone) my name is Aeyana Cruz desu ♪ I’m a V-tuber s***h Esports player ♪ My class is Sniper, yoroshiku onegaishimasu ♪”

The boys clapped in joy, some whistled. As expected of the V-tuber, she can even entertain them in this scenario. Her voice became more soothing and powerful that charmed the boys.

Her appearance is somewhat similar to her V-tuber avatar. Her avatar is a beautiful young woman with aqua eyes and long wavy blonde hair which is tied in a twin-tail with a pink butterfly. She wears a short pink frilly dress that showcases her idol figure and her slender thighs. As a Sniper Class, behind her was a pink longbow and to her right legs strapped a pink quiver.

The boys were taken aback at her introduction, her petite body, and godlike thigh.

“Are those even real?”

“I want them to sandwich me!”

“Aeyana~sama please allow your loyal servant to rest his head on your godly thigh…”

The man who kneeled in front of her is Jericho, an avid anime and light novel watcher and reader. This was a dream come true to him if Aeyana were to grant her favor but…

“Ouch!”

But what he received was not her permission but her slap.

“Hentai!”

“Call me hentai one more time!”

“Oi, Jericho!” Ethan placed the tip of his greatsword at his shoulder, “We have three more to go remember?”

What a murderous intent, thank you, Captain!

“I’m deeply sorry!”

…

“My name is Ann Mendoza, member of Surrender at 20, Templar Class, pleasure to meet you.”

“Woah, this girl is fine as well!”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

Donning her avatar, Ann Mendoza is a young beautiful woman on par with Aeyana, she has a slim body and a long wavy golden-brown color. She wears a fancy sleeveless velvet short dress that shows her slender thigh and pale skin, As a Templar class, she wields a sword and a shield.

“Look at those thighs!” Jericho was breathing heavily, the others were the same, they couldn’t deny once more.

Next…

“Samantha Estolas!, member of surrender@20, Chanter Class, a pleasure to meet you.”

Donning her avatar, Samantha is a young beautiful woman wearing white leggings that accentuate the firmness of her thigh, adorned with wavy violet and white cape, a golden pointed tiara, and pointed golden armor shoulder pads. As a Chanter Class, she wields an intricately designed staff.

Last one…

“My name is Angelica Garcia, member of surrender@20, Ripper Class, pleasure to meet you all!”

Angelica is a young beautiful woman, with the characteristic of onee-san. She wears a jet black short dress adorned with a frilly gold-black tail dress. As a Ripper class, she wields an intricately designed scythe adorned with gold linings.

End of introduction.

“Seems like the first problem has been answered! We are donning our own avatars! Not to mention the vivid image of this world and our character.” Matthew briefly said.

“Well, thankfully everyone is here, now we can move on to the next problem. We will tackle our main problem later of ‘How the hell did we get here?’” Ethan said.

“Okay, what should we do next, Captain?” Jon asked.

“During this scenario, first we must find shelter! It’s damn hot out here!” He complained...wait a minute?”

Ethan realizes something, when he focuses on his forehead, a transparent game menu pop-up…

[ Congratulations on figuring out how to open the menu system! Please click the next page for further information! ]

“Hey, what did you find?” Jon firmly said.

“Something interesting!” He grinned, “Guys, the game has not yet abandoned us!”