Ethan and John made their way into the main hall where the bid was to take place.With the Gonzalez family removed from the bid due to reports of foul play and Ethan's entry into the competition, few were still confident about whom would win the bid, considering what was involved.Of course, with the Gonzalez family gone, that meant that more people would be willing to take part in the bid.“So how are we doing this?”“We will be putting down what we are willing to offer to ensure the national competition is successful. This means that not just money, we have to prove that we have a good location. Considering, we have the backing of the Goldberg, then we have have much to worry about.”“Apart from the Gonzalez family, is there anyone else we need to worry about?”“Even though they are gone, their supporters are still around so we need to watch out for them.”“Alright then.”With that, the officials of the E-Sports Committee stepped out with the head, Mr. Sid, leading them.“Good day,
“We are all wasting time here, we need to deal with Ethan Jones before it is too late. Do you have a plan to do so?”Rook replied. “Just wait and see.” “You'd best not fail.”"Don't worry, I won't, you can trust me.""Hmmph, fine then. Let's go."***The hall was no longer as filled as before with some patrons having already left early, having learned that their submissions were rejected.Those sensible enough had already concluded that Ethan was going to win the bid uncontested. Now they understood why the Gonzalez family had tried to stop him from attending.A terrifying man indeed!Of course, others remained with the intent of seeing things to the end. With that said, the E-Sports Committee once again stepped out with Mr. Sid once again leading them. "Ladies and gentlemen, Apologies for the waste of time but I am happy to say that the decision has been made." He began.Having already heard rumors, John was optimistic as he remarked. “I guess congratulations are in order.” Jus
Ethan wasn't as pressured as when he stood before the Visionary that had possessed Aquila but that didn't mean Rook was any less threatening.A deity that could ignore the heavenly laws to appear in the mortal realm was not one to be lax around.He had already begun streaming with the deities of the Absolute Good faction constantly sending messages to explain the divine being seated before him.According to them, Room was a master of deception, only defeated by Loki, the God of Trickery in that regard.He was one of the few divine beings that would be regarded as a henchman, mostly because he hadn't managed to become a true god, instead languishing as a petty demigod.They didn't know who had contracted him, but it was easy to guess that the deities behind Rook were hostile towards Ethan, and, so, would wish for his downfall.Silence persisted as Ethan and Rook exchanged looks with the four representatives unable to move for some reason.Ethan glanced at them only to realize that they
Ethan ignored Rook's taunting words as he inquired. “What game are we playing?”“Monopoly, my friend. But on a country-wide scale.” Rook remarked as a monopoly board appeared before them.“I don't understand.”“The game is simple. We play Monopoly, using real money, and Lumina Empire is our playground. The winner will be decided by who has more properties. Do you understand now or do I have to dumb it down further?”Ethan once again ignored the insult as he stared at the board.In truth, it was a reflection of the Lumina Empire, with the 36 states revealing the worth of each item displayed as well.But what caught Ethan's eye was the fact that instead of dollars which he was familiar with, the items were instead valued in coins.“I hope you didn't think that we'd make use of the human petty currency on a divine battlefield like this,” Rook remarked in a condescending tone.Ethan shook his head. “I didn't.”Rook snorted. “Now let's begin. But before that, I should let you know, there w
Expecting to see Ethan despair, Rook pulled out a golden ticket with two hundred thousand written on it, a mocking smile plastered on his lips.Ethan's expression remained unchanged, almost bored, even causing Rook to frown as he had expected Ethan to grow scared or, at least, frown.Why was he so calm?Unable to figure him out, Rook decided to play it off as the pathetic human trying and failing to bluff him.Did he think that he would fall for such a pathetic act?Only humans would fall for such things and he was a proud deity.Such things were mere child's play for him.“Your move,” Rook remarked, waiting for Ethan to admit defeat only to be shocked as Ethan pulled out another golden ticket, this time with two hundred and fifty thousand written on it.Rook's expression faltered but he was quick to regain himself.‘Is he planning on spending everything to protect this city?’ Rook couldn't help but wonder inwardly as he stared at the golden ticket.But then, thinking about it, it mad
For the first time, Ethan displayed emotions on his lips but instead of despair or melancholy like Rook would have wanted.It was instead, a smile.A joyous smile. “It kinda is.” Ethan frankly replied causing Rook to glare at him.“You won't win this.”Ethan chuckled. “You have gotten something wrong here, Rook.”“And what is that?”“You are bidding what you can and I am bidding what I want.” Ethan intoned before adding confidently. “We are not the same.”“Bastard!” Rook bellowed before proceeding to pull out three hundred thousand coins at once.Ethan smirked before proceeding to pull out three hundred and fifty thousand coins.Rook trembled as he saw this, his eyes widened as he struggled to believe what he was seeing.Ethan smirked. “Wanna keep going?”Rook met his gaze and for the first time since he arrived, he felt something strange welling up within, something that he had never experienced before today.Gulping hard, he decided to move on to the next city with Ethan throwing t
Rook had spent thousands of years as a Demigod of Heaven and never in that time had he ever been humiliated to such an extent.To think that the perpetrator of such an act would be a human!... A human of all things.Even if he died, he wished to make sure that Ethan would die. Else, where would his face be?That he would lose to a human and still fail to kill the human was something that he had never considered happening.Yet that was exactly what was happening and he had no means to deny it.“Stand down.” Ethan gave a final warning with a cold glint in his eyes but Rook did not listen.Why should he when he was a superior deity?There was no way he would accept defeat, not now, not ever, and so, he struggled but tried as he may, he couldn't overpower Ethan, and that was when he noticed it.He was weaker than when he first arrived and more than that, he could no longer utilize his divine power.That was when the crazy thought came to him that he had lost his divine position but there
After so long, the national competition and its trophy were within reach for Metro City and, most importantly, Zero once again.As the news traveled far and wide, it wouldn't be long before most gamers would learn that the former rising star, Zero was back and not just back, but was back to stay.***After meandering through the feral journalists that wished to get a juicy story for the tabloids, Ethan and John were slated to return to Metro City but then Aquila arrived along with Moses to invite them for a party.l at the imperial palace.“What's the party about?” Ethan asked on their way to the palace.Aquila shyly replied. “Considering everything that has happened, I believe a small party is required to help set the tone of our new relationship.”“I see. But there's no need.” Ethan admitted but Aquila insisted.“After everything, it's the least we can do. Also, you have to celebrate winning the hosting rights for the national competition. Congratulations.”“Thank you.”“Also, I am c