"Soul contract orb?" "Yeah, I want another one," Alayn replied to Solarael, his eyes subtly glancing toward Luvern, who stood nearby. "Yeah, sure. You know the price." "150 credits, right. I've got it." With a snap, Solarael deducted 150 credits and materialized the brownish orb from thin air, passing it to Alayn, amusement dancing in his eyes as he anticipated Alayn's next move. "Another one?" Luvern asked, eyeing Alayn with a hint of suspicion. "He really caught onto that little detail just as I wanted, heh," Alayn mused silently as he held the brown glowing orb, one similar to the one he used to make a contract with Evelyn as the Puppeteer. "Yeah. I used one of these before. Trust me, you would love to know who I made a contract with," Alayn replied with a slight smile, casually tossing the orb up and catching it with his right hand. "Can't you just tell me now?" Luvern asked, his usual irritated expression directed at Alayn. He knew that it couldn't be a good thing if Alay
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
"Dear players," Viviana's melodious voice echoed through the waiting room, resonating directly in the minds of Alayn and his team. "It seems you are all prepared to embark on the second and final phase of the game, hm?" As the team readied themselves for the forthcoming phase, a sweet yet enchanting tone pervaded the air, heralding the commencement of the game's next chapter. Alayn and the others, breath held in anticipation, felt the weight of the moment, a pivotal juncture in their journey. Alayn, in particular, sensed that the pieces were aligning in his favor, having secured two formidable players with potent abilities. He believed himself to be adequately primed for this impending, unknown phase, one that Viviana had indicated would be the final stretch. In the game of Kodoku, the next phase meant one thing for certain: they would have to face each other, and only the organizers and gods knew the specifics of this new setting. Amidst the players' mingling emotions—anticipation,
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
"Before we move on to the details of the final phase, Kodoku, I think I should first let you all know the ranks you hold in the scoreboard. Please note that your positions are based on how much entertainment you provided to the Pantheons," Viviana said as she waved her hand. "Scoreboard and rankings?" A player next to Alayn, dressed in a red checkered shirt and black cotton trousers, echoed Viviana's words as a question. "They have a darn scoreboard for us? Isn't the reason for the game to find the most powerful authority holder? Or is that the goal, but these weirdos are making it fun for themselves by adding competition and entertainment?" Alayn mused silently and he wasn't sure of the correct answer. Deep in thought, Alayn sensed a change in his ability card, much like the moments when he had previously experienced alterations – once when he copied Neo's ability and when the "Proceed" button materialized on his card. An inkling told him that something new had surfaced within it,
As Alayn's mind swirled with revelations and speculations, the players around him exhibited a palpable mix of emotions. Some held their breath with anticipation, their eyes reflecting a glimmer of hope, while many wore expressions burdened with fear and trepidation, dreading the unknown that lay ahead in the game of Kodoku. However, a collective hush pervaded the assembly, a tacit understanding that disrupting the angelic figure at the central platform would be unwise, to say the least. Alayn, meanwhile, felt like a conductor orchestrating his mental symphony of thoughts and analyses. The revelation about gods possessing multiple avatars was a puzzle piece that had snapped into place in his mind. He couldn't help but wonder about the other avatar of the god of deception, if indeed such duality existed. As the scoreboard rankings were revealed without providing the specific placements, Alayn recognized that uncovering the rankings of the players around him presented a challenge. The
"Zins, huh? What a peculiar name for currency," Luvern muttered, his voice hushed as he seemed to find amusement in the monetary denomination of Kodoku. Alayn nodded in agreement, sharing the sentiment. With the realization that they were likely transported to a world with its own civilization, Alayn had to revise many of his plans. He had initially assumed they were heading into a straightforward battle royale with only players, but the new circumstances demanded adaptability. Nonetheless, the prospect of a more complex game with additional players didn't deter Alayn; to him, more participants promised more excitement. "Very well, that's the extent of my explanation for the next phase of the game. You'll receive your messages and missions shortly. Any other information necessary for your survival will be provided after the game begins," Viviana stated with an enchanting smile. "Well then, may your own abilities not betray you in the true forsaken world of Kodoku," Viviana whispere
Observing the book vanish after his touch, Alayn couldn't help but ponder whether the rumored luck boost upon entering the library was truly in effect. Intrigued by the mysterious circumstances, he carefully retrieved another book from the nearby shelf, its spine gleaming softly in the ambient light. As he approached one of the exquisitely sculpted small tables, he couldn't help but appreciate the intricate craftsmanship of the furniture. The table and chair emanated a lustrous brown shade, appearing to be crafted from the finest dark oak wood, each curve and detail meticulously designed. Intrigued by the carvings behind the chair, which depicted a bookshelf with a pair of wings, an eyeball, and a hovering triangle, Alayn felt a sense of fascination and curiosity wash over him. The enigmatic imagery seemed to suggest hidden depths within the library's offerings, further fueling his desire to uncover its secrets. With deliberate movements, he swiftly pulled out a chair and settled int