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Chapter 179 - Pangea’s Great Gamble

News about the decisions that the Pangean Government in partnership with the Covenant of the Strongest to host an amazing challenge spread throughout the world.

It was a political move, it was a money-making move, but most of all it was a loud battle cry that declared the nation of Pangea would not be so easily bullied. The game of Generals became the venue for this challenge. Several thousands of applicants would be filtered down to two hundred applicants. These applicants must have a suitable skill level, and may even be Pro-gamers.

Even though it was past midnight on some countries, some hardcore gamers did the rare act of going out of their caves to submit an application. In fact, the announcement and the news have not yet died down that many already rushed to send in their application.

Some stores were thrown into chaos as the number of people who lined up and rallied claiming that they came in first.

The announcement that the Covenant of the Strongest made in partnership with the Government of Pangea was simple.

Lynd will be doing a military-uplift charity work, which also was the largest gambles to be made since Crazy Carlean's challenge.

Two hundred players will be granted the chance of facing Lynd in the game, Generals. Generals were the largest MMO first-person shooter game ever made. The person who kills Lynd will win 5 million credits and if Lynd is killed, everyone who is left alive in that match will win 300,000 credits and even those who were killed in-game will still receive 50,000 credits. Unlike Piercing, Generals had no exaggerated features for its players. They simulated technologies that existed in this world with physics so accurate it was dubbed to have had "near real life physics."

Since its development, the videos uploaded on the net for the company to make the accurate physics for it circulated like wildfire. From blowing up actual tanks, ships to hiring the best mathematicians in the world, the efforts made for this game even garnered admiration from its enemy companies.

Novastone, the company that developed this game was even up for a World Peace-Maker award for it made the next generation obsessed with mathematics, creating a generation of hungry learners.

And so, with such strict physics, it would be almost impossible to abuse the game with skills alone.

The fee for entering this contest was 500 credits. Each gaming hub around the world was allotted several slots out of the 200 and a series of elimination matches would be made on the gaming hub where several players would face each other in a free for all. The one that defeated would move to the next level and challenge several players depending on the allotted slots granted to a certain gaming hub. This would continue for 2 or 3 cycles until the full number of slots allotted to them were filled.

The event was broadcasted and many gaming hubs erupted with a wild desire to have the chance to receive it. The number of hubs was so many that most hubs would only be granted one slot out of the two hundred.

The game rules had several clauses.

The more kills Lynd would make, the better weapons he could gain access too. As for the opponent's side, when a certain number of players would die on their side, the remaining soldiers would also receive better weapons. Of course, Lynd would still retain the advantage of having better weapons and would as he achieves more and more kills.

As for the game settings, Lynd would be granted full-map access and all the enemies would be shown on his map. His volume settings would become twice as detailed that even those from 30 meters in-game would have weak to moderate sounds depending on their actions.

Apart from this, the Pangean President came out in full support of Lynd's crazy declaration. He issued a challenge for all governments, corporations and the like to take part in. Pangean President Colestar delivered a heartfelt and angry rant about the attack of Australia. He denounced the nation for its cowardly attack on Pangean shores.

"First they infiltrate and work with several corrupt politicians to kill kidnap and take away Pangean citizens for their sick experiments. And when we sought retribution and gave them an attack that they couldn't forget, they now resort to cowardly means of disabling our fortress. At least, when Alean Cipril and President Hoross attacked, they fought to their deaths and resolved to blow up that base when they were not defeated!" Colestar mocked.

"I will finally show the truth of my relationship with General Harker! The truth is, I only pretended to be his enemy! Pangea was rotting with corruption! We've seen the evils done in Malay-Pangea! Had I shown more support to General Harker, then these Pangean turncoats would have used their connections to assassinate me! And so General Harker and I devised this plan to appear antagonistic. When the time was ripe, we caught all the political enemies we had in one huge swoop! But it appears it's not enough! For behold, even now the roots of Australian treachery are dug deep within our country! Some media groups that praised me suddenly attacked me! These same media groups that praised Harker is now attacking Harker! How do you think that bomb entered Pangea easily?" Colestar addressed.

The listeners were stunned and the media reporters rushed to create articles about it.

"But Pangea is not weak! We are developing piloted drones and Exoskeletons that can be remotely controlled. We have grown a new appreciation for the gaming world. Lynd Indigo, who you all know to be an exceptional Piercing e-sport player will challenge the world! We will show you that our training is not weak! Have those 200 soldiers face our players! We will show you a true massacre. And once we reveal our prowess to the world, we will show you all, that we are a step above than the rest! So send in your gamers and send in your soldiers to fight Lynd! We will show you our might!"

The news confounded many and could not believe the headline-worthy news of what Colestar had just revealed.

Most of the Pangean media reported the news in a positive light, while the remaining questioned President Colestar's reckless decision and condemned his gambles. New articles about the morality of Colestar and how his reputation may have not been as it seemed flooded the news.

Soon, General Harker was asked to comment on this arrangement.

"I am confident that this new Lynd will wipe the floor of those gamers. I will not deny it. Lynd has undergone several human-enhancing surgeries that improved his senses. Of course, it is nothing beyond the limitations imposed by the WGP. They are welcome to check." Harker said firmly.

The outcry of this statement was mixed. Many were stunned, while most of the Lyndiculous fan-club were outraged that their husband was experimented on. And an online clash questioning the morals of President Colestar, General Harker and the treatment of Lynd flooded Pangean social networks.

Outside Pangea, the news outlets were all making mocking the stupid move of this Pangean President. Of course, the gamers of the world rejoiced at this delusional move.

The entry fee itself already broke the record and allowed Pangea to earn 700 million credits worldwide because of this declaration. It was also steadily increasing hour by hour.

Unlike the former gambles led by Seeker, this gamble was not being transacted on the Deep Web. It was held publicly and even utilized the online gambling room, the Gambling Den to host the worldwide gamble.

Everyone had access and could see the amounts being wagered on there. President Colestar even made a bold move and configured the gambling room to have an odd arrangement. The minimum bets that could be placed on Lynd winning would be 30,000 credits. As for the minimum bets for Lynd losing, it was only 1,000 credits. And so, because of the wide gap, many of the common folk gambled on Lynd losing and only a few were brave enough to bet on Lynd's victory.

The first shocking bet amounts were from a rising Inheritor in the Novelty-Blastoise Clan. An unknown teen lady who just vied for the Seats of Inheritors was approved to the surprise of everyone. Charm Novelty-Blastoise had pulled all the share that was allotted to her and gambled it all on Lynd. A staggering 116 million credits were placed favoring Lynd's victory causing an eruption of conflicts within the families. In fact, many of the others who were Inheritors placed huge bets on Lynd losing.

Various families around the world also began moving. The majority sided against Lynd with the highest wager reaching 100 million credits only.

The number of people who joined in the gamble grew. Several of the rich and powerful had even secretly made the gamble and sought companies, groups, and even the government so they can drop in their gamble. The wealth of the word was clearly shown at that time as millions were pouring in.

While the gamble was generally portrayed in a positive light within Pangea, on the international media, Colestar was seen as a fool. Memes were made portraying him as an idiot and used his name as a curse word that meant someone who was extremely dumb or stupid.

The most prominent international media even invited various military experts to ask for their opinion for Colestar and Harker's strange actions.

"Being a General of that game could be likened to being a General of an army. It's one thing for a General to step out and become a real-life General. What makes a good General? Strategies and experience! The strategies that are used on that game have long applied core strategies that real Generals use. In fact, several countries have even modded that game to fit their own technologies and have invested millions and possibly billions in creating a simulation that could be comparable to that of real life. Although it does not apply to everyone, for even Lowengren was an exception to the rule, great generals may arise from that game. But good soldiers? The main difference with using E-sport players to be actual soldiers… well… it's that they may treat it as a game." An internationally acclaimed war analyst of New Great Britain explained in a WGP-owned international news channel.

"Is it really that different?" The reporter asked.

Before the War analyst could answer, a WGP General took over.

"A General should treat war or a battle as a game. They should keep in mind their resources and should push aside their feelings and think. Lowengren was the perfect illustration of this. He was cold-hearted and cruel. But as for soldiers, creating a battle like a game could be critical. It's different when soldiers rush recklessly because it's a game, rather than fear for their life. Gamers like Lynd can be skilled. But nothing can replace the hardships and years of training a real soldier goes through. The gap between the skills will be different." The WGP General concluded.

Various experts across the country began sharing their suspicions. Even Pro-gamers noted that it would be impossible for Lynd to massacre 200 gamers. As such, gamers around the world fought hard to acquire a seat among those 200 slots. It was as if Pangea was handing out free 50,000 credits at the least. Of course, many were confident that in a 1 vs 200 games, most of them would net the 300,000 credits.

The topic became so popular, that it stood side by side in the news next to the battle that occurred in Africa and the escalating tensions in the Middle Earth Triangle.

The only place where the news was not glorified, was in Africa itself. As for the Nations of Africa, their news focused on a possible war that would emerge and the Government increased the security detail to the highest. Citizens near the Red Sea were asked to move towards the southern parts of Africa as their Citizen Response level was moved to Pre-Exodus mode.

People were now following the protocols to relocate if ever war breaks out.

Lowengren and Alean watched the news through a small TV that was positioned on the outside of the jail cell.

"What do you make of this?" Lowengren asked Alean.

Alean giggled.

"That's not how my Path works."

"You said that its sort of like prediction."

"Not really. It's a wider version of being in the Zone. When you are in the zone, don't you feel like you know what to do?" Alean asked.

"So it's a manner of feeling."

"Right. It's knowing where I should be and what I should do. But I still haven't sorted it out. Just trust me on this. Please?" Alean asked with a smile.

Lowengren averted his eyes from Alean's pleading look and cursed.

"Ugh. This is why I enjoyed being the only child. Having a big and domineering boyish sister like you is very problematic. Fine. Guess we're playing it by ear." Lowengren gloomed in his defeat.

Alean laughed.

"Oh come on! Seeker is our leader. You should get used to it."

"I wonder how Arthur feels. I'm glad that he gets to be the main strategist of our little team. Poor little Arthur. I am honestly expecting a change in these grand plans."

"Oh? I also had such a feeling. I feel that Seeker's sort of random."

"He is. I think Arthur knows. You know what the problem is with most of those reincarnated stories? Especially those about a person who was reincarnated to his younger self? It doesn't deal with the emotional, mental and even biological changes that a person has. You have a biological brain of a teenager. Let's say that teen is given in too depression, immaturity or selfishness. We know in science that the brain matures roughly when someone is 25 years old. You force the memory of an adult into a teen kid, who is yet to mature in the development of your brain will lead to problems. And worse, is that Seeker is an Unlocked. His brain is literally immature and hasn't reached the fullness of its intended growth. What do you think would happen?"

"A rapid switch in personality," Alean answered.

"Yeah. That's why the rhythm you feel when you're around Seeker is random. The stronger his unlocking gets, the more vivid and powerful his memories affect him. At the Unbecoming, he can see and review his entire memory. And that is like being able to watch the episodes of your life in great detail. But that's just it. Watching it is not experiencing it. Seeker improving on the Inhuman stages would trigger a switch because his memories become more and more detailed."

"So it's like he would finally be able to experience your memories again and again. As if it happened on the first time."

"Yes. imagine the possibilities when we get there." Lowengren laughed excitedly.

"Oh let me guess… a teen like you? You'd probably relieve and re-experience that moment you got lucky!" Alean accused.

Lowengren's mouth was wide open.

"What the? I was talking about relieving the experiences of my first time playing video games!" Lowengren argued.

Alean laughed.

"Well, at least I got the relieving the virgin experience part right. Oh. They're coming." Alean sensed.

Immediately, Lowengren and Alean's demeanor changed.

The moment a figure was heard, Lowengren suddenly began shouting.

"Are you there? Admiral! Please! I'm begging you! Let me contact my wife! I have to know if my daughters safe!"

The Fleet Admiral finally appeared.

"You got some explaining to do, Vender." The displeased tone of the Fleet Admiral could already be heard.

"The information you gave me; the locations of those alleged trading ports were non-existent!" The Fleet Admiral glared angrily at Lowengren.

"Fleet Admiral! It's because of the attack! I didn't know that the Caliphates employed an EMP bomb! How did they manage to get it here? Isn't the world banned from international trading! If anything, maybe that Fleet Admiral is tying up loose ends and has designs to kill me! Please let me speak to my daughter! They might have relocated when that bomb exploded! Help me reach out to her! My daughter! My daughter could be dead!"

The Fleet Admiral turned to the three Commanders nearby.

"What do you think?"

"He does make sense. Australia was on lockdown. We guarded the south seas and ensured nothing went out. The only way that an EMP bomb could even reach this part of the world and even New Great Britain is if someone from the WGP gave it to them. The Caliphates could not have gained that weapon. Or perhaps they allied with New Great Britain who took part in the Sacking of Australia."

"Right. And the bomb that exploded in their base was to prove their innocence. Except that the facilities in that area were of great importance to New Great Britain. Several labs are there…" The Fleet Admiral answered.

"Then, I will mockingly say this. You want to believe what Vender said, even though all the proof he claimed about that Fleet Admiral betraying the WGP has vanished into thin air?" The Fleet Admiral turned and asked.

"I would." A Commander spoke.

"Me too… He can't possibly be lying. The moment we got here, we found out about the dildos. The chances of this person being schemer are practically zero."

The Fleet Admiral and the remaining Commander nodded together in agreement.

"Admiral. We must also make haste. Since we stopped the attack, that Fleet Admiral could be headed here to us. We need a plan."

Magantae turned to Lowengren once more.

"Fine. Tell me everything you know about-"

"I won't cooperate! Kill me or let me talk to my daughter!" Lowengren shouted in great defiance.

Mangantae was stunned silent at Lowengren's shout. She frowned but then turned around and ordered the Commanders.

"Have him contact his wife. Use a Priority Ping of the highest security. I don't want any other people, even those in the WGP to know of that call."

Alean and Lowengren were trying their best to hide their smile.. Things were going according to plan.