Everything went dark for a split second as a powerful ray of light shone down from the sky. No one could see anything or even open their eyes.
And when they were finally able to open their eyes again, an ethereal being stood in front of them. A golden angelic ethereal being with blonde hair. Her face was not visible; only a halo around her head could be seen, and her entire figure glowed from top to bottom.
Despite the fact that nothing about her was concretely visible, one still had the impression that she was a peerless beauty who had descended from the heavens themselves.
No one, including Liam, was able to take their eyes off of her. It was as if they were transfixed and spellbound to look at her and worship her.
Liam was the first person to recover, as he dazedly shifted his gaze from this ethereal being and noticed the two other people standing on either side of her. It was none other than the golden knight and Mia.
As soon as he saw Mia, his pulse immediately quickened, and he had a bad feeling. Who were these people, and what were they doing here?
He had only just figured something out, but before he could take a step forward, they were already here? Did they come here for him? Damn it. Why were they here at this crucial moment?!
Before he could get any answers, Alex as well snapped out of her trance as she trembled at the sight of the familiar face. "Mia!" She shouted and dashed forward.
Liam only had the chance to turn and barely look at her when her charging figure was recklessly flung aside without any warning. "Silence insect." It was Mia who had done it. She watched indifferently as Alex's body hit a rock and slid down unconscious.
This made everyone else as well snap out of their trance. What was happening? They all could see Mia, but they couldn't understand why she was acting in this manner?
But before anyone else could make a move, another wave of intense pressure hit them, making them kneel on the ground without being able to breathe properly, let alone move a muscle.
This time the angelic figure in the centre had taken action and not even Liam could resist it. She only had to lift a finger and snap it, and that forced his body into submission.
Luna was the only one who growled loudly, but a golden cage fell on her the next second, silently sealing her in place. All the undead summons also dissipated on their own and the beast horde completely disappeared as if they had never existed in the first place.
"Now, it's better." A melodious voice rang out as the dazzling angelic figure floated closer to the group of kneeling players. She floated gently and gracefully all the way to where Liam was kneeling.
"A first-order player? Unbelievable!" Her voice sounded again. It was as if she were impressed, but there was also a tone of mockery in those words.
"Oh, now I understand." She continued circling around Liam. "You have an SSS- Nether affinity. Hmmm? How did a human like you come to possess something like this?"
Liam's back stiffened up as a chill ran down his spine. He felt something scanning him. He was suddenly naked. It was as if there was nothing he could hide from this person.
And the goddess was not done yet.
"Hmm... Interesting. Very interesting. You also managed to obtain one of the top legacies in my world. Clap Clap Clap. Well done. Bravo."
"Not to mention… a divine beast, a superior mana core, above average body constitution, insight beyond what should be capable of, a weapon that commands true power and even draconian souls."
"How wonderful. Marvellous. Marvellous. For a mere human being from your realm, you have outdone yourself. Ha Ha Ha. Bravo. Bravo." She lifted her hands and clapped.
However, with every word she said, Liam's expression only became that much worse. Seeing this, the goddess chuckled lightly.
"Don't misunderstand me. I am not here to punish anyone. Rather, I am here to reward you. Courage and bravery should be rewarded, not punished. And your efforts, young hero, definitely did not go unnoticed."
Hmmm? Liam was confused.
"Mmmm. Let me first introduce myself. I am one of the divine temple's high priestesses. I am here because you have contributed a great deal by protecting our people and the Gresh Kingdom from this beast horde."
Liam felt the pressure on him lessen, and it even pulled him up to stand again. Then, without any warning, the high priestess threw another bomb at him.
"As a reward for your meritorious achievements, how would you like to become the fifth emperor of this world?" Her voice rang loudly and clearly.
Liam was dazed. Fifth emperor? What the hell was she talking about?
"Hmmm? Why are you looking at me like that? Do you not believe me?" She retrieved a golden orb from her ring and held it in her palm. "You just have to accept and you will gain not just that title but also immense power that can bring you to the top of this world."
"Becoming an emperor would let you become the ruler of all the players. You would be able to earn riches and power beyond your imagination. Everyone else would serve you. You will only be second to me."
As she continued talking, throwing out one sugar-coated word after another, the golden knight next to her frowned, which didn't go unnoticed.
Liam's gaze was observing everything that was happening around them as he mentally prepared for the worst and did not let his guard down.
Mia, on the other hand, did not have any reaction. She just stood there, cold and indifferent.
Silence filled the space, as no one else made any sound as well. No one even understood what was happening. The hit Alex took left a bad aftertaste, but this offer didn't seem to be bad.
***
Bonus chapter 1~
Please thank Raymond Tague for sponsoring this chapter!
