In an extravagantly lavish office room, several co-leaders rounded up along a long glass table.
"Are you kidding me! Earth Arena members are not capable enough to handle a B class mission!"
One of the Earth Arena co-leaders, a man with broad nose bellowed, slamming the table with force.
"Who are those irresponsible people?" A handsome man of about late thirties with a sword tied to his back questioned.
"I'm not so... so sure sir Jiao. I came and, and... to inform as soon as I could..." a dark skinned young man answered with genuine modesty and respect. He wore a badge with two blue stripes on his shoulder— a Sea Arena member. Under the domineering presence of several superiors, nervousness overwhelmed his conscience to portray calmness.
Jiao frowned.
Panic struck the young man at the moment he saw Jiao's change of expression.
No one wants to agitate a fricken Sky Arena member, especially when he beholds power and status.
If he was correct, last time, an arrogant kid from the Shane or whatever Class 3 Corporation got his head shaved bald from laughing at Jiao for mispronouncing 'ship' as 'sh*t' during an announcement.
He does not want his beautiful Afro sliced off absurdly with Jiao's deft movements.
"They were new faces. Newbies. I recalled his friend's appearance though. He had outstanding hair dye. Half gold half black."
"Atlas and Nova?" Jiao gasped. "What the heck are these two trying to do again?"
"Atlas?" One of the other Sea Arena co-leader gasped.
"So those mischiefs are the ones who dived down the Aura Accruing Pond? Interesting. Interesting..." a Sky Arena co-leader who kept quiet all along murmured. He is a bald bodybuilder with many tattoos.
Finally, the Earth Arena co-leader laid the initial question. "So how are we going to prosecute this case?"
"We don't." Someone said from outside the meeting room before entering. It was Elder Yan.
"I heard that the kid, Atlas, is a chief's recommendation. What makes him so special?" Jiao asked. The others in the room also displayed curiosity.
"I thought your stream specialized in intel collection." Elder Yan mocked Jiao for personal entertainment.
He immediately resumed after Jiao unsheathed his sword. "Anyway." He furrowed his brows with sincerity. "I believe you've all heard of the Crazy Old Bastard."
"Crazy Old Bastard!" Chattering broke out.
Bastard may sound like an insult. Actually, it is an insult to describe a person. But this vulgarity was the name that the legend proudly gave himself.
As time flew, he changed him name from 'Bastard' to 'Crazy Bastard' then to 'Crazy Old Bastard'.
He has many heroic stories, excluding a case of panty theft? Of course, no one claims its true. The 'Crazy Old Bastard' was a humanoid battle machine.
20 years ago, he had single handedly battled multiple powerful Japanese Ninjas over dominance of an artifact. Three Gold Class Ninjas were slain that day— three mythical Azoths wiped from the surface on the world. Other than a few cuts and slashes, he managed to retreat with the artifact without serious injuries.
The incident was only known as an unaware citizens podcasted the fight onto the newly established internet before erased from history by the government.
Most of the co-leaders reminiscing watching the video in the main hall when they were new recruits 20 year ago. It was used as an educational video to show what Azoths can achieve and encourage unique styles of combat.
Jiao could clearly remember the elegant manner of how that Azoth swung tiny, stealthy needles, dealing fatal blows to his opponents while deflecting attacks with his mighty Dao. Aside from his mesmerizing combat and one in a million weapon choice, he also bore a humorous side by equipping an old fashioned and funny Kim Jong-il mask.
It made him uniquely famous.
He carried that name for 7 years before vanishing.
7 years ago, the once renowned Masked Hero surfaced in society again, creating a new identity for himself— Crazy Old Bastard.
"So you're assuming that Atlas is related to Crazy Old Bastard?"
"Precisely," Elder Yan scanned the room. "Brodie said so."
The co-leaders grimaced bitterly. Brodie is a Galaxy Arena co-leader, So no one dares to defy him. If that boy is really associated with Crazy Old Bastard, then they need to treat him like a Royal Prince around here.
"Never mind, never mind. Let's dismiss this idea and discuss the other topics first..."
"..."
———————————
Atlas didn't know that multiple co-leaders have been exchanges conversations about him for the past 20 or so minutes.
All he could do right now was to endure Nam's miserable complaints of dying to meet his love.
Atlas already proposed to settle this problem after he asks Tristan tomorrow, but Nam was still too immaturely whiney to comprehend what he is conveying.
Alas, a Micheal Jackson ringtone temporarily saved him.
"Boss! No time no see!" A profoundly rich voice boomed from the opposite end of the line.
"Blackbear! Whassup! Whatcha callin for?" Atlas laughed while answering as his pendant began singing a song about loneliness and sorrow.
"Nothing much. Both my children are in Harvard now and my wife is running for council in medical field somewhere in Africa."
"Really? I don't think you're that type of person who likes to chatter under these circumstances."
"You know me too well Boss! I'll get to the point. I'm an Axonn now! Haha!" Blackbear chuckled like crazy, un-humbly boastful.
"Good for you!" Blackbear's rough skin enabled him to fend of multiple people. It is definitely great news for having a drastic increase in power. "What about the rest?"
"Fatsoy and Lady Scorpio are both Tier 9 Tyro Aura Users. Simba is a Tier 9 Elite Aura User, slower than me by a bit as usual. And I was also so close to beating Serpent this time..."
"Which means you were thrashed right?"
"Damn. Don't pour salt on my scar bro." Blackbear cried. "Oh yeah! What about you Boss? I wonder if I can fight you now?"
"Nothing too impressive. I'm only two Tiers above you now."
There was an awkward moment of silence.
"What the fuuuuu—"
The phone hanged up, rendering long, sharp beeps behind.
Laughing, Atlas was about to redial before his phone went ringing again.
"My sad little heart can't take this anymore!" Blackbear wailed with admiration. "Kids these days are crazy!!!"
"Thanks. By the way, I'm in a bit of a trouble. I may need some back up. Gather up and head towards Wuhan, we're gonna be fighting big."
"A fight?" The word picked up Blackbear's interest. "We are always itching for battle Boss. Wanna assemble the whole Blood Hound?"
"No. Keep a low profile. Just bring along the cool squad. I'll meet you at the airport."
"Haha! No problem Boss!"
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Africa, a place where golden sand veiled 60 percent of the whole scorching hot country.
Numerous sturdy huts erected beside a beautiful oasis, with countless armed mercenaries guarding the perimeter and dead center of their territory.
Fluttering in the weak yet torrid heat wind, a flag stood high above the rest. Imprinted onto it, was an intimidating portrait of a majestic, roaring wolf, half drenched in crimson.
In one of the bigger huts, young Percy, pale white Serpent, a very sexually attractive woman and an overweight Indian sat round a table, playing cards.
A huge bear sized black man of more than 2 meters tall barged in their gameplay.
Exhilaratingly, he declared. "Guys! Boss demands our arrival! We've got a mission to accomplish."