The God Realm returned to its previous calmness. The destruction was still clear, and half of the realm was still wrapped around a veil of coldness.
"Argh…" God Ares slowly stood up with the blade of his axe cracked. His face almost looked like it was melting away, but it was only his state of utter exhaustion. He used every inch of power found in his body and didn't even manage to injure the avatar.
That reality made his pride and confident demeanor as God crumble.
"At this rate… Only annihilation awaits us." He aimed those words at God Zeus and Hermes, who were still in a state of hyper-focus.
Hermes agreed, "Yeah, the players need to grow much stronger."
Snap!
God Zeus snapped his fingers, and a translucent screen emerged from thin air. Soon, Arthur's face appeared with the dark room behind him.
"Gods." Arthur bowed politely and tried hiding his turbulent heart and shocked look. He managed to get a glimpse of destruction and the state of the Gods.
They looked like they had been hit by a truck.
"Arthur. We need to increase the pace of humanity's growth."
Arthur raised his head with slight surprise, "Wouldn't that attract the demon's attention?"
"Yes." God Zeus admitted, "But, seeing the demon using his avatar. I can tell that they are impatient to enter this world."
"They are using everything in their power to travel here, but it will still take time."
"At this moment, only one of the strongest demons managed to send their avatar, but those aren't difficult to defeat. So far, we don't need to worry, but humanity won't be prepared for their arrival at the current pace."
Arthur bit his index finger and said, "The humanity isn't ready. They aren't united. The second phase had just started."
"Since the first realm was mostly separated, the second realm will be finally when all Continents gather."
"And… There had been slight difficulties."
Gods raised their eyebrows, wondering what could make Arthur so troubled.
"Haahh…" Arthur was seated in a nearby chair that was still visible on the screen. He began explaining the second phase.
"Second phase was to spread Mythical VR Helmets to wealthy families, and to reveal the location of Spring Gate for selected few for them to unlock."
"However, that had… A problem."
"South Continent has a rather unusual player base. There are few players that neither wanted to appear on Rankings. Therefore, they disabled it and became completely invisible in Rankings."
"Then, they didn't try to defeat God Zephyros' Avatar, instead waited for others to defeat it."
"But, that caused a problem. The player base that actually tried defeating failed because they simply didn't have their strongest players present."
"That made South Continent's players growth slower because they were week slower than others, and now they are basically isolated from three other Continents."
Gods weren't pleased to hear that. Their faces became thoughtful, and they wondered what could change that outcome.
Then, God Hermes opened his mouth, "Send a notion what Dream Potions are for. That should interest many, but don't tell what they are for yet. Instead, just say it makes the player who drinks that stronger."
God Ares and Zeus nodded at that suggestion.
Arthur also nodded.
"Also, humanity needs to unite, and the fastest way is for them to learn the truth." God Ares said with a solemn look.
Instantly, Arthur shook his head with clear anxiety, "That would cause widespread panic. Humanity is filled with fools, and it won't end well."
"Have some faith." God Zeus said, "The humanity might be fragile and foolish. But, we have learned from the Legends of that world that they harbor a strong heart."
"When things get tough, they will be there to safeguard humanity's legacy."
Arthur became silent. His face was shrouded in a veil of thoughtfulness.
"I guess it's also time to spend all legacies to other realms." God Hermes suggested.
"Agreed, and…" God Zeus crossed his arms, "Arthur, it's time for the Third Phase."
"What?!" Arthur jolted up with shock filling his face, "Are you sure, sir?"
"Yes, begin the third phase within a month. Prepare for it, and ensure that you will stay in your company's lead. That is the most important thing."
"If the foolish Board of Directors gets their hands on your power, the humanity is as good as dead!"
"Alright…" Arthur nodded— then, the room of thousand screens became dark as the three Godly figures disappeared from the screens.
The screens flickered, and they became dark. Then, Emilia stepped out of the shadows with a pale face and whole body trembling.
The things she heard were far from ordinary, and she understood that the world would change drastically in the upcoming months.
"Right…" Arthur tapped the metal edge of the nearby table with his index finger, "What to do… What to do…"
"A-Arthur, if you do this… How can you stay as CEO?" Emilia spoke with concern.
Arthur stood up. His tall figure towered over Emilia.
"In the eyes of Board of Directors, I might seem loose cannon and replaceable."
"I can also see them eyeing my position with hungry looks, and one misstep from me will cause them to lunge at me with sharp teeth."
"T-Then, what can you do?" Emilia asked.
"Well…" Arthur's mouth curved upward, and an unmistakable grin stretched his mouth, "Past decade, I haven't been idling around… I have been preparing for White Online for so long…"
"There is nothing I haven't planned for, including the Board of Directors and the chance of me getting removed from the company."
Slowly, Arthur trekked toward the sliding door, which showed a light-filled hallway, and framed pictures on the walls.
Emilia rushed to him, asking, "What could you possibly do? I don't see any way how you can stay as CEO if you rush the third phase!"
"Especially after everyone had just gotten Mythical Helmets that they had waited for so long. It will also make every sponsor and investor angry at you."
"There is no way it will end well!"
Arthur's grin never faced, "I know… But, if I have to make investors angry. I need to make everyone else love me."
"What if… Every commoner on this planet wanted me to stay as CEO of Legacy Company… Will I be removed?"
Emilia's eyes widened, "A-A-Are you saying…"
"It's time to plan properly…" Arthur stepped out of the room and continued walking till he reached his office, where he would spend the remaining month planning and deciding when to execute the plan that would change the direction of the world…
Forever.
