"Brother Alayn," Neo greeted Alayn with a warm smile as Luvern and Alayn approached the rest of the team. "We've resolved our little misunderstanding," Alayn replied with an equally friendly smile, casting a reassuring glance at his team members. Relief washed over their faces, especially Serene's, as they let go of the tension that had been building. Luvern stepped in, ready to explain Alayn's innocence in Evelyn's death, painting a picture of self-defense as she had attempted to attack Alayn. Lies flowed from his lips, but he saw no other choice in this situation with a micro explosive in his neck. "It's great that you sorted things out, but what's our next move? Are we moving on to the next phase?" Aria interjected, her voice alluring as she directed her gaze at Luvern. She waved her ability card in her hand as she spoke. Alayn had seen three ability cards thus far, including his own, but this was the first time he had glimpsed the back of someone else's card. Observing the bac

"You can call me... Puppeteer," the man with the distorted face replied, his cheek muscles stretching in what appeared to be a smile. As Evelyn's memories slowly returned to her, she straightened herself up. The moment of her death had been erased from her memories, thanks to the effects of the life orb. Nevertheless, she had a vague idea of who might have killed her, and she knew that she had been brought back to life by this mysterious individual before her. "Puppeteer, you say?" Evelyn repeated, withdrawing her hand from the counter. With a peculiar yet measured smile, the man in the gray coat acknowledged her words. "Yes, that's what I'm called in this realm," he confirmed, his deep voice carrying an air of secrecy. Evelyn, her initial confusion slowly giving way to curiosity, took a step closer. "First and foremost, thank you for bringing me back to life," she said, her gratitude genuine but cautious. She was keenly aware that she owed this stranger her current existence, yet

Approaching the majestic round table, Alayn decided to occupy a seat on one of the tall golden chairs randomly. Spotting Aidan in one of the chairs, Alayn chose the seat next to him, glancing around as the others also settled into their respective places. "This is truly something, isn't it? I feel like royalty right now, even though our space is somewhat limited," Aria broke the silence with her enchanting voice, capturing everyone's attention. As she spoke, her eyes roamed the waiting room, showering praise on its mesmerizing beauty. "Yeah, I couldn't agree more. It's as if we're in the drawing room of a royal palace from one of those novels. I've only ever read about places like this," Serene joined Aria in her admiration, her innocent eyes sparkling with delight as she surveyed the room. Luvern couldn't help but smile as he observed his sister, clearly enjoying her newfound camaraderie with the team. Yet, he harbored reservations, fearing that Serene's growing trust in her teamma

Hours passed by like a gentle breeze in the wilderness as Alayn and the team relished the relaxation they so desperately needed. Their minds had been thoroughly cleansed by the god of the mind's authority in the waiting room, and the rejuvenating effects of the environment had made their bodies feel more alive and vibrant than ever before. Even Alayn's throat, which had been irritated by the cold of the fallen world during the night, had fully healed. Each of them experienced a newfound sense of health and vitality that seemed to transcend their previous physical limitations. Some team members took short naps, while others, particularly Alayn, indulged in dishes they had previously been hesitant to try. Strangely, despite consuming food and drink, they never felt the urge to use the restroom or engage in any bodily functions. Alayn speculated that this anomaly might be the result of the divine authority or powers at play, altering their metabolism or rendering the food they consumed

Viviana's voice resonated throughout the entire cathedral-like opera house space, slowly dispersing the haunting memories of the madness and nightmares the players had just endured. As her soothing voice signified the transition to the next phase, the crowd of players reacted with a mixture of restlessness and violence. Some began to demand a return to Earth, pleading and shouting for it. Amid the commotion, Alayn took the opportunity to discreetly observe the other players surrounding him. He was cautious not to let his gaze wander too freely, as the ethereal presence of the god-like silhouettes still felt capable of shattering his sanity. Glancing around the platform, Alayn spotted his teammates nearby, and he saw various other players, some in teams and others alone. A kaleidoscope of clothing colors and styles filled his vision as he scanned the players, his heart pounding with hope. He searched fervently for someone familiar, someone he longed to see, someone he wanted to intro