God's Avatar

Meeting of the Battle Gods

A gigantic round table carved of gleaming black stone, in the middle, there was a team logo carved on the center. It sat in the center of the meeting room, surrounded by 12 luxurious chairs.

Every single place has been filled. The presence caged inside the meeting room is overflowing with magnificent power.

The room is brightly lit, thanks to the lighting in the ceiling.

The 12 battle gods of Legends of AEON sat in the chair, wearing a serious look on their faces.

“Okay, we will start the discussion about this new world. Everyone will have the chance to speak their minds but it will be conducted later…”

A man clad in shining white armor spoke in dignity, everyone can feel the pressure in his word. That was the team captain of Surrender@20. Ethan.

“For now, we don’t know what is happening to us, some of you said that this phenomenon happens in fiction but we all know that fiction is fake...So, what we're talking about is the information that we have so far.” Ethan said.

“Is it too early for us to discuss this?” A young man abruptly said, he was seated in his luxurious chair, his hands propping up his head.

“What do you mean? Matthew?” Ethan asked.

It was Matthew.

“You know guys, we’ve been only here for one and a half hours at most. What could we possibly discuss here?” Matthew replied.

Though his question is reasonable, his tone hints irritation, why could they really be discussed here?

“I appreciate your concern, but I think we have enough information that we can tackle at hand,” Ethan replied.

Matthew pondered for a little bit, he knew his brother or the captain was smart. What could he be possibly missing? A gleaming light bulb appeared in his pseudo-mind.

“That was it…”

“Yes, the menu system.”

Before he could voice out his realization, Ethan immediately cuts it. His conjecture is right.

“That said, we will start first at the menu system…” He began, “Menu system acts like a system that can help us to get something, like housing, status appraisal, cash shop items, and so on. Meaning that this system is the only thing that connects us to the real world, however, the system appears to be lacking some administrator, we can’t call help, there is no frequently asked question tab. If we want to return to our world, this system is the only lead. But I ain’t seeing any hint of ‘quit game’ or ‘return home’.”

Ethan explained the menu system briefly according to the information that they currently have. Though it was only a conjecture, this system is the only thing that connects them to the real world.

“So what of it?” A man in the golden armor interjected at his explanation, “If we cannot return to our world? Is it the same that we are stuck in this world forever? I mean look around you, we even bought a house that can last for 100 years without paying.”

“What do you mean by that Jon?” Ethan knitted his brows at his words.

“I mean, the system is just there so we can live our life here conveniently, right? Think of it as a retirement.” Jon chuckled at his jest.

“We can’t overlook the possibility of that,” A man seated across the round table supported Jon.

“Thank you, Jericho,”

“So that it’s all about the system, we know how it works, we can buy anything we want there including the cash shop items. Can we move now to the next agenda?”

A woman’s voice reverberated in the enclosed hall, it was filled soothing and relaxing as if anyone could hear it, they would be at ease. Her golden shoulder pads and tiara is gleaming in the light.

“Samantha, feel free to add another topic in the discussion,” Ethan said.

“Our next topic is about the abilities and skills that Matthew and Aeyana tested in the open field.”

She opened another topic.

“♪ That’s right! I tested it and imagined myself playing on my computer and then I felt something within me and then it goes boom. I unconsciously released the string hehe ♪” Aeyana energetically said.

“Aeyana, we are in a formal meeting, please be serious when you speak.” Ethan scolded Aeyana, she immediately covered her head at his scary voice. It was not impactful in real life but his new avatar’s voice is concerning.

She lifted Samantha’s hand, hoping she could do something.

“♪ Sister Samantha, brother Ethan is bullying me again huhu ♪”

“Ethan, I know that you are the captain at this point but please reconsider Aeyana’s way of expressing herself. We are in a situation where anyone can be depressed so instead of scolding her, why not have her way?”

It was a girl sitting beside Samantha. Her beauty is beyond idols shown on television; she had a glamour that surpasses humans. Though four of them are exceptionally beautiful, this one is the top of them all.

“Sister Angelica!” said Aeyana while in awe. Angelica tucked her fluttering jet black hair behind her ear, exposing her charming face.

“Sister Angelica is right, Ethan I hope you can read the room here.”

The girl wearing a frilly velvet short dress said in a mature voice. Her wavy long blonde hair fluttered as he flung it to the side.

“Woahh…”

The rest of the boys were charmed at their alluring beauty. They forgot for a moment that they were in the meeting. Ethan specifically, with his adamant behavior was stunned as well, he can’t help but gaze as the girls basked their beautiful presence in the meeting room.

Until he was snapped back in reality.

“Ehem, Okay, I’m sorry for being strict. I’ll let it slide this time but the next time we are in a meeting, please I want you to be formal. We are not in entertainment show after—”

At this moment, Ann snapped, her swords and shield appeared instantly and in her left and right arm.

She dashed forward and was ready to deliver a decisive strike, however, mid-air, Ethan did the same, he met her in the center of the round table accepting her challenge, and swung his swords, colliding with her sword. The impact created a shockwave that can be felt by anyone present in the meeting room. The room trembled at their might.

For a moment, it was a fight between the Templar class and Gladiator class. Both excel in close combat, it just happened in mere microseconds that the rest weren’t able to grasp it.

“Lower your weapon, Ann, you’re acting too rashly.”

“You were supposed to ease the feelings of your teammate and yet, for just one second, you can’t even drop your strict behavior?”

Grunting, as they clashed their swords, creating a spark. Both of them look at each other dead in the eye. No one is yielding as though the round table that they were standing in turned into an arena.

From a spectator's perspective, they looked equal, no one knows who will be the victor of this fight despite the slim body Ann has. Her frilly velvet dress fluttered violently upon impact. But in an objective view, to determine who’s strongest, it will be the Templar class since it’s a tank class compared to Gladiator who just only excels in combat.

The rest were surprised at this sudden action, but one of them is smiling menacingly.

“Okay, we are in a meeting, so why don’t we cool our heads?” Ethan proposed, “I will let go of my sword and you will let go yours, how’s that sound?”

Ethan looked at Ann but her eyes were filled with tears…

“I hate you...I hate you...I hate you...Captain, why did you raise your sword against me? I can’t believe you.” Her voice is breaking as if she was broken up with her boyfriend.

Feeling guilty, Ethan sheathed his swords, putting them inside the scabbard, he prostrate to the point where his forehead is kissing the table.

“I’m sorry, please forgive me... my body reacted instantly, I didn’t mean to hurt you, Ann...Please.” His pleading words are not entering in Ann’s head.

“Scumbag…”

Another person instantly blinked behind, holding her scythe proudly, she swung her scythe at Ethan but…

Jon gave Ethan, Angelica, and Ann a glance of displeasure. Then he swung his right hand, which was propping up his chin on the edge of his set. Four empty spaces adorned with golden brilliance appeared in the air next to him. The shining empty space immediately released a chain and restrained Ann whose scythe was about to hit Ethan’s neck, putting it into a complete halt.

Angelica was stunned at the sudden turn of events, the chains that are restraining her, rendering her immobile, are most likely from Jon. A skill called [Divine Chains of Resentment.] A Guardian Class skill.

“We are supposed to take this matter seriously and the three of you decided to interrupt it with your nonsense?” Jon's tone is piercing yet dignified as if the Gods are chiding their children. It was full of pride yet magnificent.

“You're in the presence of the Battle Gods of Legends of AEON, your actions cannot be tolerated. If we are in the real world, you will be given a warning letter—”

Among them, someone can’t take it any longer, this was supposed to be a meeting, and yet…

That man raised his wand and pointed its tip towards the three.

“Cleanse” Inigo muttered

The wand radiated in divine light. the chains that were restraining Aeyana, were fading, turning into a speck of light.

It was a Saint skill that removes all debuffs. Inigo

“Big Brother and Sister, why are we fighting among each other? We are supposed to help each other and solve this problem together...you’re the adults here and yet seeing you fighting makes my heart shatter.”

Inigo complained, after the cast time of his spell, he sheathed it back on his waist.

Everyone was now feeling guilty of their actions, especially the one who is involved in the fight.

“Sorry Inigo, for making you see all of that.” Ethan apologized.

“Yeah, my bad too. I lost my cool.” Ann said, lowering her sword.

Angelica and Jon can only sigh deeply, realizing what they've done and reflecting on it. Everyone who was involved in the fight returned to their seat promptly.

Inigo heaved a sigh of relief.

“Interesting, so that’s how close combat skills work. That goes for the skills and worth tackling.” Jericho said, acting as if nothing happened.

“Yeah...hehe” Jasper and Ian chuckled together.

“That fight looks like an anime! Seeing it live...it was amazing.” Matthew praised.

“Everyone who fought earlier will be punished later…” Samantha scolded.

“So, please tell us how the heck did that happen? Your skills I mean.” Jasper initiated.

“No clues, my body just reacted like it was an impulse or some sort,” Angelica answered.

“So, blinking from behind is just a reaction?” Jasper leaned over, clasping his hand on the table.

“I don’t know what to put in words…” Angelica defended.

“I think Angelica is right...our skills just activated immediately when we reacted as if we know what we’re going to do,” Ann stated, though there is a trace of tears in her alluring face.

“You’re ignoring the authority here...so I will say sorry for that, but it justified my actions of restraining her since it can lead to danger for our captain. Angelica, please reflect on that...we don’t know if we can die in this world.” Jon said.

“Hmph…” Angelica scoffed, “If this was a game, you wouldn’t die in a single skill. Not to mention, in terms of stats, the Captain is higher than all of us. He is a whale after all.”

“We are all whales…” Jon murmured.

“For me, it’s a mystery for me why a basic skill like Fireball is strong to such a degree that it can scorch a vast flatland. I’ll investigate more so I can give a definitive reason.” Matthew stated.

“Then how about a proposal?” James steals the attention of everyone.

“What is it?” Ethan asked simply.

“How about we stay here in this Estate for two months, practicing our abilities and honing our skills. After all, we are in a body of our avatar, we just control them using our hardware but now that we are smushed together, I think this is a part where to master our skills before venturing the new world.”

“Woah…” Ethan was surprised by his insights, does he really think that far.

“Interesting, I think we can do that. “ Matthew supported.

“Yeah me too.” Jasper and Ian added in unison as everyone just nodded their head at Inigo's proposal.

“Then are we all in agreement that we will hone our skill in two months or more?” Ethan asked everyone. Everyone nodded.

“Then, effective immediately, we will hone our skills and abilities before we venture into this new world, for now. We will enjoy our life here and hope that everything is just a dream.”

A burst of laughter reverberated in the meeting room.

The meeting was concluded and returned to exploring the Estate that they’d bought.