Unexpected News

Chapter 30: Unexpected News

Liam haven't found any suitable grinding spots these past days. The league tournament's approaching. The players paid attention to the All Star Player rankings.

The rankings change every hour. They could only vote and revote once. The die has been cast and no one paid attention after 4 days had passed. But, in a particular household one youth was still ignorant about his participation on the All Star Player voting.

Besides, there was no one who was close to Liam since his injury nor his parents and siblings paid any attention to the game. Well, his baby brother did pay attention on his gaming life but wasn't interested enough to pay attention regularly.

Also, Liam's brother was studying eagerly that he didn't have time for anything that wasn't inline with his studies. Especially that the semester was ending. A lot of projects and papers were needed to be passed on time before the final exam.

Liam was still engrossed on finding good grinding spot that he didn't pay anymore attention to league announcement. He only knew that another major update was upcoming so he needed to grind as fast as possible.

Liam forgot his quests and the items he got on the Vulcan of Terrors nor the drops of the Drake. He was so engrossed that he forgot to check his phone, email or any social accounts he have.

Basically, he was so ignorant about the real happenings to the real world that he could only think about finding a good one. Killing the drake made him level up to 30 but he still wanted to be on the level rankings. Which was beyond his imagination.

Level 50 and above would double the needed experience. Also, the hunting grounds and bosses were hard to kill. There was no available dungeons after clearing the Tower of Wish and Demise. A lot of players were already complaining and questioning the company about it.

But, the only answer they could get was it wasn't a bug and the complaint has been filed to the higher ups.

Well, if they knew the truth of the update then they would be excited because the upcoming update would bring greater change inside and outside the game.

Liam logged out of the game. It was already night and the last day of voting. The vote would be officially close at 11PM on Philippines time.

Liam didn't forget to take care of himself. He could just apply next year as one of representative of Philippines after he built his ground.

He knew that he have to take it slow and strengthen his foundations especially his body. He needed to improve his real physical body to his virtual reality body. Why? Because the coordination of his brain and body should be able to perform together.

Liam moved from the capsule to his bed. He laid down and looked at the ceiling. The light that was coming from the capsule dimmed and the room darken.

The cold air coming from the air conditioner and the dark room complimented each other and created a desolate and gloomy atmosphere but for Liam it was comforting.

Before his accident, he was a youth that was once full of dreams but turned into a depressed man without any hope for his future. Until, he was introduced to virtual reality game. Games using a console was being forgotten after the successive release of virtual reality games.

Now, mobile games were only a past time and the use of phone degraded to messaging, social apps and more conventional uses.

Liam took a mouthful of air and exhaled. He stood up and prepared himself a decent meal. He was also used to being alone after logging out.

Sometimes, his parents would be on their home before he come out of his room but not that day. The only sounds that could be heard where from the kitchen. Liam didn't think too much about it because he was now an adult. And every adult should know how to control his emotions.

Until he could prove that he was fine, he have to persevere and fight. A battle where he forgot that he wasn't alone was fought with his feet tied on the ground.

If Liam didn't delusion himself that he was fighting a battle alone then he wouldn't have to be pressured about everything. He would have been composed and focused on improving slowly than fast leveling.

Players and mobs were totally different. With the upcoming league and his spot cemented on top 20. He was sure to be surprised on the great news that he received since yesterday.

While on the other side, the company was at a lost. They couldn't receive any confirmation about Liam's participation. The rankings wouldn't change after 3 days because of one vote per each player.

"Ugh! He was the only one who hasn't confirmed his participation!"

The man who complained was patted by his co-worker. He sympathized with him because they were assigned 4 players each to contact but, he have to be unlucky to be assigned to someone who didn't even check their phone nor social media once for the whole day.

"Just keep calling his phone. We only have today."

"I know! Why ME?!"

"Did you try contacting our branch on the Philippines? They could deliver the news to him tomorrow."

"I did! But look at the time?! Huhu! It's almost 11PM here. And I'm still here! And why haven't you clock out yet?"

"Same. I also have one that didn't confirm his participation but! Alas, he have a lot of questions and still thinking if he should participate or not!"

The two employees cried their hearts out with the two people who couldn't do a simple job of confirming their participation.

At the highest floor of the company, a meeting was currently on going.

"Raphael's quest has been triggered." the director opened up the topic they all didn't want to hear.

"I see. So he was coming this early. Every plan has to be adjusted. We only have two years and a half, huh." a white haired woman said while sipping her tea every sentence.

"What did Frizzia said?" the pale turquoise haired man asked.

"Basically, we still have three years at maximum and 2 years, minimum." the youth said while playing with a knife. "Why isn't Rain participating in here?!" the youth sudden exploded.

But, everyone didn't pay any attention to him. He was only a child to them. He kept calling Rain by his name but didn't add any prefixes for respect to his senior.

They might be close in age but they couldn't take anything serious especially with the only youth who only have talent but no brains.

"Have we found his envoy? He might not awaken right away but we never know." the woman with a wizard hat asked.

"Yes, I tasked it to Bert. He would report it to me if he find him."

"Good. So now, let's proceed to the upcoming league."

"Do we even have to talk about it?! Of course we have to be there!" the youth gave his consent on his appearance.

"We could do that. But, I believe that they aren't prepared enough to accept things. I already planned on revealing the Special Point Shop. So, you shouldn't be seen for now."

"I agree with this."

"Me, too."

"Alright. We agreed on it. So, Julius, you have to keep quiet for now if you wanted to show your amazing self to the public."

Julius, the only youth, clicked his tongue expressing his disapproval but he couldn't veto their votes. He was the weakest among them and the youngest. Especially Hanz was also there. He might be calm but he didn't want to provoke his only teacher/master.

"Alright. Dismissed."

Everyone left except the director and Julius. "Why does Rain participated on the tournament?

"Of course. He needed to complete his weapon. Also, he was the only one allowed to go inside the tutorial as a player. The reason? You don't have to know that. Now, leave. I want to be alone."

"Sure, director. Or should I call you, Gabriel of Eternal Ice?" Julius laughed and vanished.

Gabriel didn't pay any attention to Julius. He have forgotten that name. He was now Gabe, and no more.

Liam woke up at exactly 7AM. He stood up and stretched his body. "Another day of grinding!" Liam exclaimed and walked out of his room.

"Good morning, son."

"Morning, dad."

"Are you taking care of yourself?"

"Of course, so what's for breakfast?"

"Egg and bread. Do you want a coffee?"

"I'm good, mom. I can do it myself. You should get ready. You might be late to your work."

"Nah, I'm attending your cousin's wedding. I took a day off. Want to go?"

"Nope, the game would have maintenance 2 days from now. So I'm going to be busy."

"Oh…" his mother looked sad. But she understand her son so she didn't force her son to go with her.

She looked at her son's happy and refreshing look. She knew that he finally found something he wanted to pursue so she wanted to support her son but she would stop him if he forgot to take care of himself.

The father and son looked similar but with different temperament. One looked strict while the other looked easy going but once they wanted to achieve something they would pursue it to the best of their ability.

"Where's sis?"

"Still sleeping. She would go with me. She also took a day off. Your father didn't want to go to your cousin's wedding because he didn't want to see your uncle. Still, immature at their age."

"Pfft." Liam laughed and also her mother. They knew that the fight wasn't anything serious. It was only a misunderstanding but with their pride on the line as a man. They didn't want to admit that they were wrong.

"Well, I'm going first. Have to run."

Liam didn't eat much because he have to run. He only ate one piece of bread to have enough energy for one lap around a basketball court.

Once Liam was done, he came back, he drink a coffee, eat again, and took a bath.

When he came out of the bath, someone knocked on their door. He was only wearing a piece of towel on his waist so he didn't check who it was.

"Coming!" he heard his mother walking towards the door so he didn't pay any attention on it. He dressed himself and was preparing to log in when her mother knocked on his door.

"Someone was looking for you at the door."

"Me? Okay, be there." Liam exited his room and went towards their front door. "Are you looking for me?"

"Perhaps, are you Mr. Liam Idanza?"

"Yes, that's me."

The man breathe a sigh of relief. "I'm here representing Gabe Corporation. I wanted to deliver a message from the main company that Mr. Liam Idanza was chosen to be one of the participant to the upcoming All Star Player League Tournament."

"What?!"