Chapter 33: First Meeting
Liam and Anthony woke up after the alarm rang. Liam slept comfortably the whole night. He didn't even feel any discomfort after sleeping with someone else at the same bed.
Anthony was still sleepy. It was his first time sleeping with someone else since he grew up. He missed those days when he was still a kid and his mother sleep with him. He was a grown up now but due to his mentality, he act like a kid.
Liam didn't mind Anthony being there. He opened his luggage and chose a decent looking semi formal clothes before entering the bathroom.
He couldn't exit the bathroom without wearing anything but towel. They weren't at that level yet that he wouldn't mind parading his body like he was the king and didn't care about the public.
Liam took a quick bath and wore his clothes. He looked decent and handsome in a non-narcisstic way. He was just approving of his looks.
Liam exited the bathroom and saw that Anthony slept again. He sighed but still woke Anthony up. He needed to prepare because they have to be at the venue an hour before the opening remarks.
"Anthony, wake up. It's already 8:20AM." Liam shook Anthony. Anthony suddenly opened his eyes. He shouted before bolting out of the room. Liam laughed at the youth's expression. It was only 7:20AM.
He didn't expect that someone would believe him early in the morning. He heard another scream next door. He believed he was found out. But, they still needed to eat before going out so it's good that they were wide awake.
Liam cleaned his room and arranged his bed. He wasn't a neat freak but he have nothing to do. He would have to stay 6 or 7 nights.
Someone knocked on Liam's door. He opened it and saw Allen. "Hey."
"Hey, morning. We called the driver. Just come at the lobby. We'll eat at the venue."
"Sure. I'll also tell Anthony."
"Thanks, man."
Allen left and went downstairs. He knocked on Anthony's room. He could hear a sound of rustling of clothes then a smack before the door was pulled open.
"Are you ready?"
"Yep! This clothes are too big for me!"
"Nah, it's the exact size."
"Noooo! It was too big! It didn't cling on my body! They will all think I don't have muscles because of this baggy clothes!"
"Hmm, let's go." Liam didn't reply with their childish banter. They walked side to side while Anthony was updating his social media account.
"Liam, let's take a picture!" Anthony didn't wait for Liam's consent before taking a snap of them. Anthony snickered because Liam's face looked constipated.
"Hehehe! With my big brother Liam!" was the caption he inputted before attaching their picture that was stolen from Liam.
Well, might as well let him have his way. After all, this could be a reminder of their first competition.
Liam and Anthony arrived at the lobby and met with the others. Allen flashed him a grateful smile. He was nominated as the leader of the team because the oldest Dave, was too lazy to care. Shiela, didn't want to burden herself with an unpaid responsibility.
The others? They were too irresponsible to be the leader representing their country. They couldn't ask Liam because he wasn't in their team. Besides, he was taking care of the most problematic member! Allen was really thankful of Liam's unintended assistance.
Mr. Kim arrived shortly and escorted them to the venue. When they were near the venue, they saw how many people attended the first league. There were also monitor outside of the stadium so those who were unlucky enough that couldn't enter would also see and feel the excitement through the monitor.
They were given an exclusive entrance and the people who wanted to watch didn't act like crazy fans like the movies portrayed.
When they entered the stadium they saw how wide it was. It was really big. Even Anthony was gaping at how big it was and how the company changed the stadium into more comfortable place to watch.
Each country have a booth of their own. It was big enough to fit 10 people. Unfortunately, Philippines didn't expect much and didn't find them a coach.
Mr. Kim escorted them to their booth and told them their neighbors and the place for food, drinks, and toilets. He excused himself and promised to deliver them food.
The food arrived after 10 minutes passed. It was almost 9AM. They have to eat quickly. Allen observed his teammates and their acting like normal. They also have Liam inside the room because Mr. Kim promised to call him if the All Star Player would have a meeting.
The stadium's seat was starting to be filled one by one. Different nationalities yet with one goal. To support their own country. Of course, people with bad intentions wouldn't have a chance to enter.
Every bag was checked. Every phone security was cracked. The owners themselves didn't know but they wouldn't have a chance to know it.
The event have only one goal. It was to be successful and impart a warning to those who would get the message between each line that they would hear soon.
Gabriel, Hanz, Elina, Julius, Nifa, and Linnie, six people were looking at the stadium through a crystal orb. "Where's Rain?!"
Elina sighed. "Shut up, kid. You'll see him in action soon. He's needed there more than here."
"Tsk. Am I still a kid? I'm better than them! My age is the only kid in me."
Hanz stared at Julius and it shut him up. "Well, who would go for the opening speech?" Elina asked.
"I'll pass." Hanz expressed his answer.
"Me, too. Olivia's here."
"Of course, I'll pass too. Velkner and Misha's participating."
"Well, Leonel's here too. So, I'll pass."
"Then we'll leave it to Mr. Director Gabe."
"Pft." Julius laughed and remembered Hanz so he shut up.
"Well, I guess it's time for me to show myself. How about my request to Frizzia?"
"She said 'there's still no movement concerning the ice angel'. So, you'll have to wait a bit more. Maybe, you'll feel find someone, too."
"Hmm, dismissed."
Everyone left even the director and Julius. Julius and Gabriel appeared inside a car. "Don't give to much information or it'll affect the synchronization."
"I know!"
"Good. Let's go meet them."
At the same time, Liam was talking with Allen when Mr. Kim came back. "Mr. Idanza, the meeting will start now."
"Oh… then…" he looked at each of the representative. "Good luck, guys. Show them how Philippines will take the crown." Then he exited hurriedly.
"That was… embarrassing…" Allen commented. "But, like Liam said, we'll show them how powerful Philippines are!" Allen stretched his hand and Anthony followed by placing his hand above Allen's.
The remaining five also felt the burning desire to take back the reputation they once had.
"Let's do this!"
"Philippines, fight!"
Like a candle that was lit by a fire, the desire of everyone burned brightly and their eyes showed how they prepared for the moment to come. They will grab the momentum and bring back the trophy to their motherland.
Liam followed Mr. Kim. Fortunately, Mr. Kim didn't laugh at him. Mr. Kim also hope that the youths he took care of would win even if the chance was small.
Liam exited the stadium and saw a tent near them. Liam showed his letter of eligibility. The tent was not narrow nor wide. It was enough to fit 50 people with enough breathing space.
Liam waited for 20 minutes before a young man stepped into the stage. "Good Morning, everyone. I'm Julius Aleem. I'll brief you to the mechanics of All Star League and answer you questions. I apologize for the early meeting but will have to make it quick so we'll be able to watch the opening ceremony of the first day of League."
"Alright. First, let's talk about the rules of the tournament. Consumables couldn't be used inside the battle. Using any active skills inside an equipment will be allowed. The copy of your character and items have been copied by our system so you have a chance to change your equipment every battle."
"As I have said, we only copied your character and items. You can use your skill point and remaining attribute point or use any upgrading item before the battle is allowed. Remember, don't use consumables inside the battle or you'll be disqualified."
"Now, let's proceed to the prize. 32 players were chosen to participate the very first All Star Player League. The 32 players would battle to the top. Every battle could earn you 150 points."
"30 points for Execution of skills, dodging, attacking with basic attacks and so on. 20 points for Audience impact. The louder the audience the higher chance to have a bigger points. 50 points for votes. Every battle, we'll have a voting before the match on who they expected to win."
"30 points for Time. The faster you finish the battle the higher you'll get. Lastly, 20 points would be given to those who have… oh! It's a hidden criteria! So you'll know your earned score after each battle."
"Now! Let's have a draw lots!" Julius snap his fingers and like a magic, a box appeared near the stage. "Draw your number and it'll reflect on whose enemy you'll have."
Everyone picked their number. They all saw a blank black card with nothing on it. Liam also picked a blank black card.
"Now, now, now! Let me show you some magic!" Julius snapped his fingers and each card they held vibrated and formed a number with their identification. "Now you saw your number, then why don't you try looking at the back?"
Everyone turned their card and saw the same but instead of their names and number they saw someone else's information. "The number and information you see will be your enemy. Now, let's discuss on how you'll spend your earned points."
"During the tournament. We'll have a major update but, with the people here staying far away from their country, we decided to compensate you by giving you rare chance to use the hidden shop that could only be purchased by using your earned points during the All Star League."
"What items it will sell? Then let me tell you! Every items, skills, equipment, ingredients, and anything that you have encountered will be available on the shop. Yes, it'll be available. But depending on its rarity, it'll be expensive or cheap. The points will only be earned inside the competition. So, I hope I'll see you again, next season." The room suddenly turned dark and when the light came back Julius couldn't be found.
"He said we'll have a chance to ask?! Bullshit!"
Everyone have a complaint of their own but Liam didn't. He just have to win and maybe he'll be able to come back next year and he'll have a better chance on getting good items than now.
Liam was just exiting the tent when he heard someone called him. "Liam!"
Liam looked at the one who called him and was surprised. "Hey, Rain?"