Meeting

31 December 2024

The large room was dimly lit, and the air was thick with anticipation. In the center of the room sat Yan Luo, a figure cloaked in mystery and power. He surveyed the group of individuals gathered before him, each with their own story and reasons for being there.

"Welcome, system users," Yan Luo began, his voice deep and commanding. "I am the creator of the system that has changed your lives in such a short amount of time."

Yan Luo's presence was palpable, a godly figure with a cruel sense of humor that kept everyone on edge. He was the god of death and the god of the system, a ruler of the new underworld and a newborn deity.

The participants of the meeting included Alex, a former stagnant B rank hunter who had become his own guildmaster because of the system. He was resourceful and observative, and never gave up on a challenge. Then there was Arya, a mercenary hunter and enthusiast of supernatural, magic, and technology. She had become a researcher because of the system, and was known for her intelligence and vast knowledge.

Ayu was a supernatural artist and illusionist, and her capabilities had increased exponentially because of the system. She was a creative individual who had a strong desire to understand cultures and people. Rawasi, a former mercenary hunter, had turned into a successful businessman thanks to the system. He was driven by a desire to protect his own family, and his talent as a businessman was evident to all.

Reinaldo was a former low-level freelance hunter who had turned into a high-ranking hunter in Brazil thanks to the system. He was there to have fun and had a crush on Zerya, Yan Luo's subordinate. Lastly, there was Ryan, also known as Tardigrade, an arms dealer who had access to high-grade magic weapons provided by the system. He was a calculating individual with a cold demeanor.

Yan Luo continued, explaining the reason for creating the system. It was to prepare humanity for a war with otherworldly gods, the very beings responsible for the dungeons and monsters that had started to appear in February 2023. The world had changed into a world of magic and supernaturals, and Yan Luo had anticipated the coming of these gods long before they arrived. With his immense knowledge, he had created a system that would give humanity a fighting chance against them.

The participants were the initial test drivers for the system that was soon to be released publicly. While the public version was slightly inferior to theirs, it still provided a game-like RPG leveling system, albeit with more limited features.

Yan Luo congratulated the participants for completing the test phase, rewarding them with an authority to grant others the system. Another gift was a land in Yan Luo's domain, the Underworld. They could request buildings and facilities to be constructed on their land.

As the participants gathered around Yan Luo, they couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence for the creator of the system that had changed their lives so dramatically. They referred to him with the utmost respect, addressing him as "Lord" in the manner of gods.

Yan Luo sensed their hesitancy and awkwardness, and sought to put them at ease. Despite his godly reputation, he encouraged them to speak to him as they would any other human being. After all, he too had once been mortal, and he understood the importance of connecting with others on a personal level.

Yan Luo's words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of their implications. The room was silent, as each participant absorbed the gravity of the situation. They had been living in a world of magic and supernatural beings for less than a year, but the impact of this revelation threatened to shake their newfound reality to its core.

Alex, the former stagnant B rank hunter turned guildmaster, was the first to speak. "Otherworldly gods? Are you saying that the dungeons and monsters that started appearing last year were created by them?" His resourceful nature had always kept him one step ahead of danger, but this was something entirely new.

Yan Luo nodded gravely. "Yes. They have been manipulating the fabric of our world for a long time. It was only a matter of time before they revealed themselves and started their invasion."

Arya, the mercenary hunter and technology enthusiast, spoke up next. "And you created this system to give humanity a fighting chance against them?"

"That's correct," Yan Luo replied. "I have been preparing for this war for a long time, using my vast knowledge to create a system that will help humanity survive."

Ayu, the supernatural artist and illusionist, was silent, her creative mind no doubt working through the implications of this information.

Rawasi, the successful businessman and former mercenary hunter, was the first to break the silence. "And we are the initial test drive for this system? What does that mean for the public version?"

Yan Luo smiled. "It means that you all have been using a more advanced version of the system than what will be released to the public. The public version will be more limited, like a game-like RPG leveling system."

Reinaldo, the high-ranking hunter with a love for fun and a crush on Zerya, Yan Luo's subordinate, spoke up. "And what about the rewards you mentioned? The authority to grant others the system and land in your domain?"

Yan Luo's smile widened. "Yes, as a reward for completing the test phase, you all will be given the authority to grant others access to the system. And, as a bonus, I will gift you each a piece of land in my domain, the Underworld. You can request buildings and facilities as well."

The participants were stunned by the generosity of their host. Yan Luo had been a formidable presence when they first met him, but now he seemed almost godlike in his power and abilities. And yet, he had treated them with respect and kindness, like equals.