Child of Destiny

Chapter 1690: Nothing Special

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Right after the result of the battle between the Empyrean Talon and Seven Seas Alliance, the results from the other matches were also been announced to the public alongside the updated standings.

This became a heated discussion because there were quite a lot of unexpected results such as some veteran players losing to a rookie or a famous group losing to a less favored team.

Some of these results also included the total scores of each match, which was also somewhat guessed by most of the players, who were paying attention to it, especially those who had bet quite a fortune on any gambling sites.

Most of the scores were somewhat aligned with what these expert gamblers and diehard fans had guessed. This included some unexpected results from certain rounds due to unexpected variables.

But what surprised everyone was the clean sweep that the Empyrean Talons had done to the Seven Seas Alliance. It was not just an overwhelming victory, but it was as if the former had read their opponents like a book, making the latter unable to find any way to turn the tables around.

The entire match was quite entertaining altogether, but it was not as intense as what everyone was looking for as each round had only shown how big of a gap between a non-seeded team to a seeded one.

This also proved that the Empyrean Talons were much stronger than most people had originally thought, especially when they were the only teams that had won in such an overwhelming manner.

Even the defending champions, the Godʼs Paradise, had lost two of their rounds due to the surprises that their opponents had prepared. Both losses came from the first round, which was the Single Matches.

The Godʼs Paradise had not sent their strongest combatants to represent them in those first two matches, but those two players were still very strong and quite well-known within the gaming community, they had still lost against some unknown mavericks.

Regardless, the team still overwhelmingly won the next two rounds, regaining their reputation.

Similar accidents also occurred in other matches, which was why none had won a perfect score aside from the Empyrean Talons.

What the Empyrean Talons had down was the complete opposite of those matches, winning a round with a dark horse rookie such as Chaotic Luck. Moreover, the way he won that round was so ʼmemorableʼ that the players would never forget about it.

Due to the series of events, the favorability of the players toward the Seven Seas Alliance dropped sharply, making the tournament organizers change the featured match to the next round.

The next matches would still have the same matchup, but the home and away teams would change. This was why the players had lost interest in this matchup.

– ”If the Seven Seas Alliance were unable to win with their home advantage, then how they were going to win against their opposition if it was Empyrean Talonsʼ turn to have that advantage?” –

These were the thoughts of everyone, making the organizers think of another matchup to be featured for the next round two days later.

On the other hand, the top teams were paying attention to what happened to the other matches, particularly those who they would be facing in the next round.

A lot had studied the matches of their potential rivals.

Even the Empyrean Talons were also doing the same as well as reviewing their performance from the previous match.

…

”Thatʼs it for today,” said Shin as he stopped before everyone alongside a huge virtual screen behind him, which was showing the recorded video of their previous match.

”I know that everyone is quite tired, so we should rest first before discussing our next plan for the upcoming round the day after tomorrow,” he added before pausing for a moment. ”At the same time, we will also look at the other matches and discuss our plans against them if ever we meet them in the next few rounds.”

”But that is for later. For now, you guys can do whatever you want. Whether you want to relax or do some quest within the game, it is up to you,” he added, planning to dismiss everyone.

Cloe, who was watching him the entire time while supporting her chin with both of her hands, finally snapped out of her daze after being tapped by Leonard. ”Eh!? Whatʼs it!?”

”It is already over. You can now finally wipe that saliva from the corner of your mouth,” teased Lorraine, who joined the fun once again, while giggling.

”Eh!?” Cloe subconsciously wiped her mouth with her hands before suddenly pausing after realizing something. ”You! You tricked me again!”

The two laughed as they bickered with one another for a while before Cloe suddenly became a little embarrassed. ”What can I do? He is so attractive when he is seriously doing something. It has been a while since I have seen him act like this.”

While the two girls were whispering and gossiping with each other, Shin suddenly walked over and asked. ”What are your plans after this?”

Hearing those words, Lorraine giggled as she could not help herself from teasing him. ”What? Are you going to invite her on a date?”

Shin was already used to her teasing so he just ignored her as he continued. ”I am planning to continue participating in the Plagued Lands Event, so I am wondering if you can accompany me for a while.”

”I heard that the Church of Light is still issuing some quests about the event. Want to join me?” he continued, ignoring Lorraineʼs existence completely.

Seeing that, Lorraine chuckled before taking it as a cue to exit. ”Then I will not be disturbing you planning your date.”

On the other hand, Cloe thought for a moment as she tried to recall the current state of the said event. ”From what I know, that event is already at its most crucial stages. The battle between the Righteous Churches and the Plague Race is already at its highest state.”

Glancing at the leaderboards, Shin pursed his lips a little as he added. ”My accumulated points are still at the very top of the event, but the gap between me and the others is no longer that huge.”

”And you are inviting me because?” asked Cloe with a pair of squinting eyes.

Shin felt an immense threat coming from her gaze despite the beautiful smile she was giving him.

As someone who was already used to her plots, Shin decided to dodge the bullet by turning his head to the side and saying. ”If you are not free, then I guess Iʼll go alone again.”

”Tsk!” Cloe clicked her tongue after seeing him avoid his trap again. ”Thatʼs cheating, you know?”

She then turned to the side while crossing her arms before her chest. ”Hmph! I guess I will accompany you this time. Who knows you will find other people to quest with.”

The corner of his mouth suddenly twitched when he heard those words as he knew what she was trying to say. She was still sulking about the fact that he did more quests with Alice than they did together. – ”She is still on that topic? I thought we were already clear about it?” –

Seeing the current expression that he was making, Cloe squinted her eyes once again before asking. ”What!? Do you have any problem with that!?”

Shin forced a smile as he shook his head. ”No-… nothing-… nothing at all!”

Satisfied with his answer, Cloe turned around, planning to head to the Church of Light straightaway. ”Wait for me. Let me accept the quest first, then we can head out after.”

At the same time, the other members of the Empyrean Talons went to arrange their respective plans.

Diablo walked over to where Owen was and asked. ”Have a quick round of sparring with me. Iʼve been inspired by something earlier. Let me test it with your defensive style.”

The corner of Owenʼs mouth suddenly twitched when he heard that before complaining. ”Can I reject the offer? I also want my date just like Brother Swordsman.”

Ithilien, who was right beside him, rolled her eyes before saying. ”It is fine. I have to log out for a moment anyway. You two do whatever.”

She then logged out without waiting for Owen to say anything.

”Wait-… didnʼt you just say that-…” Owen was unable to finish what he wanted to say as he could only stare blankly at the spot where she disappeared.

He then glared at Diablo before saying aggressively. ”Lead the way! I also want to test a few more things I havenʼt tried earlier during the match.”

As everyone was making their respective arrangements, the complete rookies such as Chaotic Luck and Samael, who ʼparticipatedʼ in the earlier match, were unable to understand the situation.

From their perspective, the ʼhugeʼ victory that they had achieved was nothing but a trivial thing. The expected celebration that was supposed to take place right after winning the match never occurred.

The two could only look at each other helplessly before sighing. – ”I guess their sense of achievement is different from us, ʼMortalsʼ.”

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