Chapter 34: A friend or foe?
Liam didn't expect to see Rain. Well, he would have known if he paid attention to the news and forums.
"I thought I'm mistaken. Glad to see you in person."
"Y-yeah. Fancy seeing you here."
"Heh, are you still mad at my prank?"
"No! I'm just… you know… didn't expect that you'll…"
"That I'm… what?"
"Liam! Hey!" Another person called Liam.
"Dude! I'm Velkner! Remember?"
"Yeah– Shit! What's this? Reunion?"
"YE HAN!" Velkner called him stressing every word.
"No shit, Sherlock! I didn't betray you! I'm controlled!"
"As if!"
"Still noisy as ever, I see."
"Leonel!"
"Hey Liam, hey Rain, fancy seeing you here… as a foe."
"Well, well, well, the kids are also here!"
"Hey Xavier, long time no see!" Leonel greeted Xavier, they grew closer because of Tower of Wish and added each other.
"Guys! I'm also ugh–"
"Yep, that's Olivia."
Everyone laughed. Misha only smiled as the other girl of the group. The remaining people looked at them strangely.
"Well, let me remind you guys, I'll be the winner here." Leonel announced.
"Pft. Liam and Xavier's stronger than you!" Velkner was dissatisfied with Leonel's boasting.
"Hmm, we'll see about that."
"I guess we'll meet at finals, my friend."
"Wow! Didn't know that Xavier was infected by Leonel's stupidity!" Ye Han butted in.
The group continued to argue and Liam could only smile helplessly. He didn't even know if he should be happy meeting them or sad because the road to championship seemed hard.
"Should we get out of here?" Rain asked Liam.
Liam nodded and followed Rain. Velkner saw them leaving but couldn't stop them. "When did those two become close?"
"You didn't know? You're really stupid! They team up after Tower of Wish and killed a wild boss! The two of them!"
"What?!"
"Yeah. Couldn't believe that they'll kill a boss easily."
"Well, where's Zigz?"
"Dunno. Maybe he wasn't chosen."
"No way! He was top three!"
"What?!" Everyone exclaimed after Ye Han dropped the bomb. The most useless to their attack on the dungeon was the most famous amongst them.
"Liam was placed at 21st, Stupid dog at 19th, Misha at 18th , Me at 16th, Olivia at 12th, Leonel at 10th, Xavier at 7th, Rain at 4th, and finally Zigz at 3rd place."
"Dude, how could you not now? Zigz a famous teen tactor! Stupid people!" Ye Han then exited the tent leaving the frozen people inside.
"Guess he was not feeling well?" Velkner said while not believing it.
"Might be shy?" Olivia entered her opinion.
"Hmm, anyway, see you soon, my friends." Xavier also left after recovering from the bomb Ye Han gave them.
They know Rain was famous because he was a good ranger and also the world announcement with his name on it. But Zigz…
"Guess I'm not the only one who got stronger. Then I'll see you at the competition."
Olivia, Misha, and Velkner was the only one who remained inside the tent. "Do you want to watch the League?" Olivia asked Misha and answered a 'yes'.
They left Velkner alone and didn't have any plan to ask him to go with them.
"Guess, I'll be alone!"
"Not necessarily."
"Who's there?!"
That's how Velkner met his end. After Liam and Rain left the tent they went inside the stadium and saw the opening remarks.
"I'm going back at my country's team."
"Yeah. Nice to meet you Liam."
"You too, Rain. See you at finals."
Rain only gave him a faint smile before he went on his way. Liam gazed at Rain's back and also went on his way after seeing him entered a booth.
Liam studied his card. "Lance Walters, a Dark Lancer, hidden class, level 33."
He didn't know the man he was fated to fight but Lance's and his level were the same.
He can't even adjust his skill levels. He'll ask Xavier about it later because both of them have unique class.
Liam arrived at the booth and saw that everyone had a burning fire within their eyes. Instead of their normal expression they all were eager to start.
Liam cleared his throat. "Don't let the excitement get to you. Remember we are here to win for our country not to fight others."
"Right. Let's calm ourselves and study the battle first."
"All leaders of the representative please come up to the stage for draw lots."
"Get number 32!" Dave cheered.
Everyone laughed. Allen nodded and proceeded to the made up stage. Cheers all around the stadium could be heard whenever a country arrived at the stage.
Allen drew a number. He got a number 13. "Philippines, Group C."
Allen saw that there were 5 groups that were arranged at the stage. Allen stood at the Group C. All 30 countries drew their number.
Group A: U.S.A, Finland, Germany, Brazil, Poland, Singapore
Group B: South Korea, France, Ukraine, Malaysia, Italy, Spain
Group C: Canada, Japan, Philippines, Jordan, Austria, Netherlands
Group D: China, Sweden, Denmark, U.K, Bulgaria, Norway
Group E: Russia, Australia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey
"First, let me introduce to you our commentators for this event. The one and only Legend on E-sports! Mr. Lim Woo shin also known as the Legendary Assassin!" A middle aged man went to the stage with a spot light even if the sun was up. It made the entrance of the commentator special. Woo Shin, wore semi-formal attire, waved at the audience and bowed.
"Next our guest commentator from America, Miss Agatha! Yes! The one and only Holy Maiden of the West! She was known since VR Games were introduced and she never failed to show miracle after miracle. Unfortunately, she didn't want to switch to Advent of Heroes for now." A blonde woman walked to the stage and made a wave with a dazzling smile. She wore a semi-formal attire like Woo Shin.
The audience laughed at the joke of the MC. Now that the commentators were introduced. The game was officially starting.
"Please go back to your own booth. We installed monitor on your booths and we'll call you if you'll take up the stage."
All leaders dispersed even Group A which they all thought would be the first to play and fight. The commentators also went up on their booth and started commenting.
"Group A are all at the top 20 spots on E-sports except for Singapore. We'll see how Singapore will fare with this line-up." Woo Shin started with a fact.
"I agree Mr. Shin, while on Group B South Korea and France were the only top 10 on E-sports were competing. While the others were top 11 and above." Agatha also started with a fact.
"Group C with a powerful Canada battling top 18, 19, 23, 25, and 27. We'll see how the returning Legends Philippines, fare with the top 7 Canada."
"We can also feel the heat of Group D! Top 3, 4, and 5 countries were at the same group! I really wanted to see who will emerge victor."
"Group E have also powerful countries! I really look forward to this battle especially with Russia and Australia."
"Agatha, which country will you support except your motherland, of course."
"Well based on the fans inside the stadium, then I'll pick China. They were overwhelming in number!"
"I can see that too, but I want to see how Australia defeat their opponents especially with their unique class Xavier, the Dragon Knight."
"Oh! Right, Advent of Heroes do have those classes which was stronger the higher their level is. But, I believe that even normal classes could withstand those unique and hidden classes."
"Yes, as everyone know, the stats were not the only deciding factor in a battle but also control and how you execute your skills."
"Yes, Mr. Shin, I believe that we will see the teamwork of each country soon."
"Oh! They're coming up to stage. Let's give them an applause everyone."
Group A went up to the stage and went on the capsule that was on 6 different side.
"Thankfully, the stage was big or 30 capsule wouldn't fit on the stage."
"Right? We could tell how big the event was but I never thought that a capsule was that huge. We all know that other VR games only have a headgear."
"Now, for the mechanics of the battle. The company prepared five different Boss Raids with the same stats."
"Group A will be facing a Ice Drake in a Tundra. A tundra is a vast and flat treeless region in which the ground is frozen."
"A great definition Miss Agatha. Yes, They'll be facing a Ice Drake while the snow was also falling. Think on how hard it'll be."
Everyone's character was loaded at the end of the map. The ice drake was at the middle of the map so everyone walked towards the middle area.
"On this battle, each country will have their own boss. So, there won't be a bloodshed on this battle but time is of the essence."
"Everyone's level and status were all adjusted. The company gave them 3minutes for adjustment. Now, we'll see how good everyone is."
"USA started their attacks. They have 1 priest, 1 mage, 2 warriors, and a ranger. Their line-up was good for a standard boss raid."
"Finland and Germany also started their attack. Finland have 2 mages, 1 priest, and 2 warriors. An offensive team. Germany has a hidden class so they have an advantage."
"Brazil, Poland, and Singapore haven't arrived at the middle."
"Oh! The ranger of USA was really good but can they take this to their advantage… no! The warrior has been hit!"
"Germany might emerge victory on this group. Hidden class Warlord or also known as the lord of the battlefield. They have great buffs and debuffs on raid and battlefield. He was also the leader of their country."
"Brazil finally started their raid. Oh, Singapore, don't let your ranking be your downfall."
"I believe that the winner is right at the corner."
Group A
00:20:03 Germany
00:22:04 USA
00:25:43 Finland
00:32:10 Brazil
00:32:33 Poland
00:40:23 Singapore
Germany got the 1st place on Group A. The battle continued and unlike USA, South Korea proved their might.
Group B
00:19:21 South Korea
00:23:14 France
00:24:51 Spain
00:24:53 Italy
00:26:28 Ukraine
00:30:01 Malaysia
"Now we'll have Group C. Based on the line up that proved to be the key to this raid. Canada has a great advantage. They have a hidden class within them."
"Will Philippines emerge victorious or they will again undergone a decrease in ranking?"