Chapter 37: Everyone has the right to live and be happy

’’I have bad news,’’ Doran said, holding his forehead in depression. Then he drank all the fruit juice in one go before leaning his back against the bench, revealing his fat belly,

Vyral sat opposite Doran, frowning in apprehension, ignoring the server who had placed the cup of fruit in front of him.

Doran said.

’’Grey. That asshole has interfered with my process of saving your relative. Therefore, I can do nothing, but... he has given me a condition. If you accept it, he won’t get in my way. Your grandfather will be free.’’

Doran put his fingers together while staring at Vyral.

’’You have to defeat his brother – Jack Fairchild – in a live-streamed battle across the entire City for one more day.’’

Vyral asked.

’’Anything else?’’

Doran shook his head slightly.

’’Don’t underestimate Jack. His race is an ancient werewolf.’’

Doran said while handing Vyral his iPad displaying the werewolf’s stats—Lv.4.

Vyral rubbed his chin, assessing the werewolf’s radar chart. He grimaced when he saw that its Speed stat had reached the maximum. Apart from that, its other stats were fairly balanced.

’’Max Speed?’’

Doran nodded, crossing his arms.

’’Right. He’s an Apostle of the Wind Goddess.’’

Vyral fell deep in thought for a moment before replying.

’’Not a problem.’’

Doran let out a tired breath.

’’Not a problem? It seems you’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg.’’

He explained,

’’You’ll be publicly humiliated before the entire world, including the NPCs in the game.’’

’’This battle will be recorded in history because it’s the opening ceremony for a new features that the corporation is officially launching.’’

’’The first feature: an individual ranking competition for players aged 17 to 25, and another for players above 25.’’

’’The second feature: a guild ranking competition.’’

’’The ranking competitions will reset every month. After that, the top players and guilds will be rewarded by the Deities with countless treasures, money, and other unpredictable rewards.’’

Doran raised his voice.

’’Do you understand the importance of these two features now? The opening ceremony is extremely important. It’s like a marketing strategy. On top of that, this battle represents two societies: the bottom and the peak.’’

’’You represent the scavengers.’’

Vyral narrowed his eyes as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. For some reason, he understood the heavy weight resting on his shoulders. If he lost, his fate in the future could be even worse than death.

He understood why Doran had warned him like that. Doran was afraid he would let his previous achievements get to his head and end up losing.

However, Doran was wrong.

Vyral had always been the kind of person who prepared everything thoroughly from the very beginning.

He chuckled.

’’So, you mean my victory will be recorded in history. I like it.’’

After that, Vyral returned to his room. He took the time to study the stats, traits, and combat style data on the iPad Doran had given him.

He also discussed a plan to deal with Jack with Doran, yet it was of little use. Jack was the kind of person who kept a low profile. He barely posted anything on social media. As a result, they found nothing useful except a few selfies of Jack with girls.

Soon, one day passed.

Vyral followed Doran and several black-suited men to a pitch-black hovercar designed like a Rolls-Royce from Vyral’s former world.

Not long after, they arrived at the headquarters of SIS Corporation.

Vyral entered a vast room where two gaming pods stood in the center. The rest of the room was completely empty.

’’Finally, we meet.’’ Jack said with half-closed eyes, smiling as he waved a hand at Vyral.

Vyral squinted while staring at Jack. He looked almost identical to Grey, apart from his hair color, half-closed eyes, and personality.

This one seemed quite low-key and polite. However, Vyral quickly changed his opinion when Jack spoke again.

’’Hope you give me something fun. The boys outside weren’t enough to get me high.’’

Doran spat in disgust as figuring this out.

’’Don’t talk to him, Vyral. He’s nothing but a sick, perverted faggot.’’

Jack chuckled, not denying it at all. He took off his clothes, revealing his naked body. Vyral and Doran frowned in discomfort.

’’Damn it! He really is gay.’’ Doran muttered.

Jack snorted and slowly approached the gaming pod.

’’It’s just a habit when I play games.’’

Vyral sighed.

’’Weirdo.’’

The next moment, he stepped into a gaming pod.

From behind him, Doran reminded,

’’Do whatever you want. In the arena, even if you die, your real body won’t.’’

Vyral asked from beneath the mirrored shell,

’’What about the pain?’’

Doran shrugged, offering no answer.

He closed his eyes as the electrical system interfaced with his nervous system. Soon, his body turned motionless, his consciousness transferred to another space.

Vyral opened his eyes instinctively, the view of a vast arena entering his sight. He could hear cheers and shouts resounding from every direction.

’’Look at that! A goblin?’’ an audience member asked in surprise.

’’What the hell? I thought the opening ceremony was supposed to be something special. Why would they let a goblin fight a werewolf?’’ another audience member grumbled.

Some audience members nearby simply clicked their tongues in disapproval.

’’Foolish. This is exactly the corporation’s intention. This battle between a scavenger and a rich heir will draw a clear line, so those scumbags know where they belong.’’

’’Have you heard the news lately?’’

’’Yeah. They’ve been cooperating with the Unholy Players.’’

The audience member spat in anger.

’’All for the energy to play a game. They sold their souls just to play games. They should appreciate the scraps we throw at them. Enjoying the wretched life in lifespan 30-40 years.’’

Another audience member, who was sympathetic toward the scavengers, spoke up.

’’You shouldn’t blame them. If we were in their position, would we do the same or not?’’

’’Players from the scavenger class are always at risk of being suddenly logged out of the game, so they live with the fear of never being able to play again for the rest of their lives, so...’’

’’So they have no choice.’’ Another voice interrupted. The young audience member, called Gerald, gazed at the goblin below. A scar ran across his face. His eyes carried a hint of admiration, yet also a touch of regret.

’’They did the right thing. Everyone has the right to live and be happy.’’