================================

Chapter 375: The Union Strikes

================================

Siva waved his right hand at an angry mob of Humans, both [email protected] rendering and in person, especially Maki —the supposed guardian of the Human Race.

Higginson Bollard was helpless, he had guessed that Siva was someone who likes to play with his intention and his words but he still trusted.

“Make sure you deliver the information promptly or else, I will really loot your facility empty.”

It was both a warning and a taunt. Siva loved the reaction on the guy’s face.

When the doors of the elevator closed, there is only Gaspar in there with Siva, Gaia, and Scion.

Even he was angry right now.

“You really robbed us.” He hissed. “In return, I will engrave this anger in my heart and curse you if you do a poor job with your promise.”

Siva laughed nonchalantly, “Just pray that you’re lucky enough that the attack will be delayed by the time I finish my own preparations.”

Having spoken to this extent, Siva added before Gaspar could reply, “Now that we’re on the topic of preparations, how about we strike each other a deal?”

Gaspar faced him with a frown, “I don’t have any item of worth to offer you.”

Siva eyed the armor he was wearing and while 90% of his face was covered with the headgear, his eyes still betrayed his intention.

Gaspar gulped inwardly, “You…”

“Don’t get me wrong.” Siva threatened, “I’m just curious as to how that armour of yours work.”

“I will not trade.”

“Hehe… don’t be too hasty to reject my offer. I know that what I am about to offer you will be a hundred times more valuable than that armor.”

Gaspar didn’t reply and remained silent. But just as Siva was about to speak again, a doo on their side opened and revealed a full-armoured Maki.

Everybody

“Ah, I forgot. We’re already out of that place.”

Siva displayed a chuckle and seemingly still carefree despite the meaning of his words.

“Captain Miller.”

“Don’t worry, sir. I am not petty enough to even listen to whatever he has to offer.”

Siva laughed heartily, “You sure about that?”

This “Maki” wore a headgear and his body was clad in full battle white armor. He took a step to come face to face with Siva and because of how he how originally set himself, Maki was still eye to eye with him despite Siva floating 3 inches above the ground.

He was actually taller than Siva.

“I’ve had enough bullshit from you.”

Siva laughed, “Heh… trust me, kid, you haven’t seen anything yet.”

Friction from their gazes caused some spark that it made Scion pull Siva’s cape unknowingly.

“Re–—Siva, please, stop causing them trouble.”

“Sigh… alright. Alright. I’ll be direct then.” A grin broke on his lips towards Maki, “Let me ask one last bargain deal with you. Do you have a flesh body?”

Maki frowned, “And so what if I am? You already know what I’m capable of. Why still ask?”

“Good.” Siva’s voice sounded delighted. “Well then, in exchange for that armour of yours, I will let you strengthen your and Gaspar’s fleshly bodies similar to my level. How’s that?”

Maki was quick to understand and he displayed a shocked expression, “Don’t tell me you…”

“Yes. I do have them. Plenty of them! How did you think I was able to get all those Dragon-grade resource?”

Maki doesn’t need to inhale deeply but he did and this caused even Gaspar to wonder.

Just what was it that made Maki inhale?

“Interested?”

Maki, again, couldn’t help but to calculate the pros and the cons of the proposal.

After five seconds, he said, “I will trade three of my White Guardian Armors and in exchange, let two of my bodies, Gaspar, and one other bathe in that blood.”

Siva broke into a loud laughter, “That’s more like it. I know you are a sensible person! But who is the last individual?”

[That would be me.]

With the sound of a woman’s voice, another door opened and beautiful goddess with a waving bright blue hair appeared before them.

Siva was momentarily stunned… or at least it’s how he seemed to be as he stared at her body, despite knowing that she was another one of the two ascended AIs of the Human Race.

(AN: thinking about it, this is logical, right?)

Even Gaia’s eyes had a starry glow on them as she slowly hovered towards the woman with her hands forming a tiger paw, ready to grasp.

Siva didn’t hesitate and told Maki, “I will ask that she give me one of her bod—Gapuu!!!”

[Ara… ara…]

[….]

“Gapuu?”

[Boss, your thoughts were leaking…]

Siva didn’t even finish his words when he was frozen in place with a fire spell.

*****

Seven hooded figures hiding in the dark, and a meeting that only composed of the people that serves as the core of the most important plan.

[Has this been confirmed?]

[Fifth Elder, is this really true?]

[How reliable is your source?]

“Gentlemen, I can assure you that this Intel is a hundred percent true. The source is one that I have been using as the foundation of the Intels that I’ve been providing this board since the very beginning of our establishment.”

[Are you willing to vouch for it?]

“There is no loss even if it’s only half reliable.”

[Hmmmmm…. Half reliable is still alright. At least it’s still reliable.]

[Right. Even if it’s a mistake, it’s still beneficial to the plan.]

[I agree. So when do we dispose of him?]

[Do not be hasty, Third Elder, remember that he is still part of the Grand Quest so we still need him to lead us to that person.]

[Grand Quest or not, we have two of the three keys and we are now on the most important part of the entire plan.]

[The Seventh Elder is correct. We must not be hasty in this. A careful planning will ensure that we get in our hands the last piece of the key.]

“And that’s why I called these two here.”

Longyun and Tabata, they were the two people that became the emissaries of the country called the [Union of Six Federations] from The West. It was a country owned by its real world equivalent which is a Business Super-Giant “The Union of Seven Nations” —an organization made up of corporate behemoths that went as Hegemons of the seven continents’ business empires.

When RPG: Terroa rose to conquer the world market, its supposed developer and publisher, [Panorama Corp], became the thorn at each of these behemoth’s throats.

All of them took this as a slap to their faces and an insult to their hegemonic prides.

The development of the game was a top secret and only when it went “online” did The Union found out that it was owned by the supposedly already declining Panorama Corporation.

It was a huge blow to their egos.

As such, they set to launch the campaign to buy the game from within and use their own game to conquer their market shares.

The plan was simple: build an empire in Terroa, employ 80% of the players, promote their own products inside the game… and deplete the in-game currency and exchange markets until the banks only recognize he monetary conversions offered by their name.

It was a realistic move but in order to do this, a big reason why Players must choose their brand must be present.

So, with this reason in mind, they set out to be the first organization to chase and complete the greatest honor within the game —Grand Quest.

And, like any other quest and missions, there’re too many routes to take for this quest and the one they chose is through the legacy connected to the history of the largest country in the game.

But as they moved along this path, there existed oppositions: Player-based organizations that had triggered a different route for the Grand Quest.

One such organization was “The Legion” which 50% of its members were included in the payroll of Panorama Corp.

Naturally, they are their competitions. But just as their plan was built upon their original goal, they also infiltrated the core players of The Legion and so, through the temptation of the irresistible allure of “benefits”, with a slight cajoling hidden within their good intentions, The Union finally managed to buy 30% of the Legionnaires.

As such, with a shining status next to the gilded reputation of the supposed “strongest guild” in Terroa, The Legion became the second guild to be branded as the Guild with the richest players next to the Alcides Guild.

The country of Jeremiah represented the unity of the entire Terran Race and with the will of its second sovereign, the “King Test” that allowed the throne to choose its next king was declared free for any “chosen” qualified souls.

NPCs and [Players] are screened by the Council of Elders’ Council Knights with a strict standard and compliance.

After much effort, Longyun and Tabata became The Union’s aces in this upcoming annual event.

“But, just as I have shared to you all, I feel that this year’s King Test will be different.”

[Hrmmm… that news is indeed alarming.]

[First Elder, may I suggest that within this year’s King Test, we use this information to rope him in to our fold?]

[I concur.]

[It is a good idea.]

[Do you mean that we search for the NPC’s missing brother?]

“Yes First Elder.”

[Hrrrmmmmm…]

It was a sound akin to growl rather than a sigh.

[Alright.]

[Well then, should we contact Julia?]

“I already did but it seems that she had decided to retire with that persona. She said that she will be restarting her career.”

[She’s a poor excuse of a spy.]

[…a huge idiot who doesn’t know how the world works.]

[Indeed… if it was one of our people, then we’d have trouble of using them with that ability.]

“She is so lost to her character that she believed that it was a betrayal of her honor to sell us the details of her avatar.”

[Alas, of all the things she was good at, she was also good at hiding her real-world secret from our agents.]

[Hrrrrrrrmmmmmmmmm….]

A deeper growl.

[First elder?]

“What do you plan, First Elder?”

[Let’s not think too much of it. Third Elder and Fifth Elder, you work together with our asset in the Human-NPCs to keep track of the latest info with Siva’s mission for the Humans. Make sure that it will be us who will find that brother of his.]

“Alright.”

[I’ll handle the manpower.]

[Oh, and by the way, Second Elder, what about the pressure you’ve planned to set with the high office of Panorama Corp?”

[Don’t worry, First Elder, I’ve already set up the appropriate stage to instigate instability to the board leaders of Panorama Corp; any day now, agents from the International Online Safety Regulations Committee (InOSaRC) will sure to pay them a visit with the news.”

There was a nodding gesture from the shadow in the middle of their group. It was clear that the First Elder was satisfied.

[As for the two of you, Longyun and Tabata, just do your best to make use of the forces allocated to you during this event and eliminate all of your competitions. Including the one that that Draco is rooting for… the one with the Unique Ability that could summon a dragon. Of course, if you can rope him in, then do so as your main priority when meeting with him. Do we understand each other?]

“Yes sir.”

“Leave it to us.”

[Mn. If there’s nothing else, then this meeting is adjourned.]

The six figures disappeared and the ones left in the dark meeting room were Longyun, Tabata, and the Fifth Elder.

The room brightened and they were now back to a study in an in-game manor owned by The Union, situated in a Walled City in Heartilia.

All of them were in their in-game avatars.

The Fifth Elder was from the Elven Race with a clear blonde hair that flowed like silk, and it was clear that he had just created this avatar a few minutes ago.

As part of their racial trait, Elves were tall and lean with a slim physique paired with handsome features and pointy ears.

Their eyes were a clear blue like the skies and their noses were handsome hooks akin to those who live on cold countries like Rashia.

“How’s the feeling, Uncle?” (Tabata)

“Not bad though I feel giddy when I move with too much speed so I tend to slow my pace when walking around.”

“Those are sings of a newbie, dad.” (Longyun)

“Shut up.”

“But dad, you look like your young self on one of mom’s albums… with pointy ears.”

“Am I now?”

“Yep.”

“And taller.”

“Well, anyways, you two… I don’t want to learn of your failures later, and I most especially don’t want to see you lagging behind that Jack when it comes to accomplishments.”

The faces of the two became serious.

“Yun’er. You’ve been trained a winner since you are young so don’t lose.”

“Yes, father.” Longyun’s expression was serious and the playful teasing of a son to his father was gone with a blink. He was a professional.

“Tabata, you are my brother’s son and you are also born a winner. Of the rest of The Union’s people, you two emerged and gave our line the greatest honor so don’t mess this up and tarnish our Long-name’s prestige. Am I clear?”

““Yes, sir.””

“Good.” The elder stood up, swiped the air, and was just about to log out when he faced Tabata and Longyun with earnestness. “And regarding the extra mission to rope in that Siva, we don’t know if he’s really a player or an NPC yet since his history is really vague but because of the news we received, it’s more likely he’s just an NPC so…….”

He didn’t finish his words but the two is at least smart enough to understand what he wanted to say at the last sentence.

“I will not fail you, father.”

“We will do our best to kill him.”

The elder smiled, “It’s good that you know.”

He logged out.

Longyun and Tabata exchanged looks and then took out their T-Devices, shouting the place to where destinies will meet: Jeremiah.

*****

BANG!!

CRASSSHHHH…!!!

“Aaaaaargghhh… CARL!!! What the hell are you thinking?!”

President Ethan was startled when Carl, without knocking on the door, barged in as if he kicked the door open.

“President! Presideeent…!! We have a problem with the International Online Safety Regulations Committee!”

Ethan, who was about to throw a figurine to the barging Carl, calmed down and asked, frowning with an ugly expression, “What now? We have long since submitted our monthly report for the safety regulations standards.”

“That’s not the problem here, sir.” Carl said and then pulled up a panel window showing him four news articles. “THIS!!! This is the problem!”

It was a news about the deaths of players in the real world while playing RPG: Terroa.

Ethan of course had seen this report in one of the daily meetings of the board. In fact, this was news that boomed just a few days ago. It was a scandal and it garnered the attention of those who’s been against VR-reality, including those who advocated NPC Human and most especially Female Rights, and wanted to pass a bill that will keep an eye on the alarming increasing count of mistaken NPC-to-Player-identity of successful and attempted rape cases in Terroa.

And because it was a case involving the game which they have developed in their labs and even released on their own name, it was indeed news that made its way up the meetings.

“What’s the big deal? We’ve already answered that case with a press release two days ago. It’s the player’s fault for not eating and not even keeping hygienic environment in his house as he played the game.”

“Boss, this is different. These four cases of the deaths of these players, there was a witness that said he was their friend and that they were all part of a single guild in Terroa.”

Ethan finally frowned. This is indeed an alarming scandal. “Let me take a look.”

Carl flipped the panel towards him and Ethan spent a few minutes reviewing the article. In the middle of his read, he exclaimed a curse and at the last part, he stood up and threw a figurine on the wall beside Carl.

“GOD-F*CKING SUN OF A BEACH!!!”

“B-Boss, what should we do? I can’t contact with even one member of the Alcides Guild!”

“Sabrina!!!”

A young secretary —a new secretary— came in the room, afraid and is clearly in the middle of being traumatized.

“Coffee….. sir?”

“This isn’t the time. Later. Set an emergency board meeting in thirty minutes. Tell them it’s a Class-1 emergency.”

“Yes sir.” the young woman wearing short pencil skirt that showcased her long legs couldn’t even wait to be given the permission to leave as she run away from the doo, afraid of being on the same hot seat as Carl right now.

“Carl.”

“Hai!” Carl was startled.

Ethan paused. Long. He was hesitating. Then, he fell down hard on his chair and massaged his nose bridge with his elbow on the table.

“Carl.” This time his voice was calmer but there was more of the feeling of dreadful urgency on the deep tone of his voice.

“Sir.” this time, he was also calmer. Serious.

“You said earlier that Siva is looking for his little brother… does that mean that he’s an NPC?”

“It’s just a conjecture, sir.”

“And are you sure that they aren’t the two Player ID Codes that we removed from the insurance database back then with AG’s urging?”

“I’m still in the middle of cracking that up, sir. As you know, removing account numbers from the Insurance Policy System is a norm for players who have been traumatized and have chosen to quit entirely or those who have used up their policies… filtering the ones we’ve removed or the two that we deliberately removed from the system would still take time.”

“Didn’t you have any copy of the command?”

Carl retreated close to the door before saying in a timid voice, “But you ordered me to dispose of any evidence that may connect us to AG.”

“…!! You……….”

“B-Boss, that one’s still in the box—UwaaaaH!!!”

BANG!!!

CRAAAASSH!!!!

The door closed and the figurine that’s still in the box and hadn’t yet to be placed on the tray behind Ethan shattered, with the sound of the poor figurine multiplying several times echoing across the office hall.

“CAAAARRRRLLLLLL!!!”

Carl opened the door slightly, “I’ll be going back to work now, boss, because I am trying to be the employee of the month next month.”

He closed the door.

“Carl! You better get your ass back here!!!”

“I’m already at the elevator!” he (shouted).

When he heard nothing on the other side of the office, Carl heaved a sigh and saw the trembling (new) young secretary hugging her knees and biting her nails, uttering weird mantras.

“Do you want to be assigned to the Lab Dep?”

It was a half joke suggestion but the young girl immediately shouted a loud “YES!”

“CAAAAARRRRLLLL!!! I know you’re in there!”

There was the sound of rustling and the falling of the chair with heavy footsteps, and the two on the other side were startled with the young secretary straightening her back and burying her face on her panel while Carl, in a panic, was not able to get out of the office in time so he hid behind a standing lamp shade his own height just behind the brown door.

WHOOSSHH!!!

The door opened and Ethan’s angry face that wore a frightening scowl greeted the secretary.

“Where is he?”

“He said he’s on the elevator already.”

“Grrrr…. I swear I’m gonna choke that guy the next time I see him.”

Ethan didn’t waste time and closed the door again and with it, the secretary heaved a deeply relieved sigh.

“God that was scary.” She patted her pair of healthy chests and looked at Carl, chuckling.

“I better get out of here now.” Carl emerged from his cover. “Apply for the transfer now while the fat dragon is sleeping.”

“Who’s the fat dragon?” the door opened and a fa—angry dragon stretched a hand to grab the poor fella’s tail coat upon his escape attempt, dragging him back to the den like a livestock to be skinned and processed.

“Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii…..!!! I’m busy! I’M BUSY!!!”

“I need you in the board meeting.”

And so, Carl died with overwork that day……

…or not.

.

.

================================

Just a few hours more until the test.

================================

.

.

.

.

.