The Immortal Player

User1234321: Which Team do you think would win?

User2431390: Hmm… Not sure, probably the last team introduced? Their freaking armors were so cool!

User0182977: Hahaha! I am still going to root for my Goddess Neem! My Goddess for the Win! Go, Go, Oran Gutan!

User1234321: A Trash… Tsk! Tsk! :Face Palm Emoji:

User2431390: She's not half bad though! :Smug Emoji: :Smug Emoji: :Smug Emoji:

User1234321: Aish… You two! Whatever! I'll just bet on the Joe Corporation Teams if the two of you would bet on the Asian Teams. :Sigh Emoji:

User0182977: :Okay Emoji: :Okay Emoji: :Okay Emoji:

User2431390: Good luck on your bet! :Smug Emoji: :Smug Emoji: :Smug Emoji:

The world erupted after all the teams were introduced. Most of the people are having discussions amongst their peers on who to bet upon in the upcoming tournament. Some were just in for the fun while some were hoping to double their cash. After all… This was the first Bearth Online Competition and many betting programs, sites, apps, and such were available everywhere.

The reason why most people talked about 'bets' during this time was that, at this moment, the Game Developer's representative was just giving a few remarks before they proceeded with the explanation of the 'complete' rules of the competition. It was quite 'boring' to watch, especially that the rules are only applicable to players who would be participating in the competition.

As sent by the game developer earlier together with their invitation to the participating teams, there would be three major rounds on the tournament. Namely, the Elimination Round, the Inter-Server Playoffs Round, and the Championship Round.

At the Elimination Round and the Inter-Server Round, Team versus Team matches would be held. The only difference between the two rounds was that on Inter-Server Round, a 'loser's bracket' was added to give losing teams on that round a chance to come back to the competition.

On the other hand, the Championship mechanics was modified and would be a four-way match amongst the Inter-Server Champions and a specific point system would be used to determine the winner. The Game Developers decided to do such a 'battle royale' like mechanics to 'spice' things up for the Championship Match.

The point system was simple.

Each objective that each team would be able to complete would earn them one point.

And Each player that would remain alive at the end of the Simulated Match would be also counted as one point for their respective teams. However, "Captured" Players won't be counted as an additional point even if they survived till the end of the match.

And Lastly on the point system for the Championship…

There would be "Special Objectives" Set by the developers that if completed would automatically end the match even if the "match duration" is still not over. The equivalent points for the completion of the "Special Objectives" would vary depending on its difficulty.

Moving on… The last team standing before the match duration ends, or the team that was able to gain a lot of points would be held the winner of the match.

The Team that would be able to win three matches in total would be held the Champion of the competition.

So… It was obvious that the Game Developers set the Difficulty of the Championship Round by ten folds compared to the Elimination Round and the Inter-Server Playoffs Round—which would actually bring the best of the best team out of all the participating teams.

Winning would only mean pure strength of that Team and nothing more!

…

As for the Elimination Round and the Inter-Server Playoffs Round, the Kingdom Defense Mode or Direct Combat Mode would be randomly selected by the system.

Those who would be able to completely annihilate the opposing force completely, or those who would be able to complete the set objectives would be the ones to win the match.

The Team who would be able to win two matches first would be considered as the winner and would be moving forward to the competition.

As for the Prizes… There were no changes made.

The Participation Prize for those who were eliminated at the Elimination Round would be 1,000 US Dollars for each player.

The Participation Prize for those who were eliminated at the Inter-Server Playoffs Round would be 2,000 US Dollars for each player, and an additional 5,000 US Dollars for the respective Gaming Organization per stage in the playoffs that they were able to reach.

The Server Champion's Guaranteed Prize would be 5,000 US Dollars for each player, 100,000 US Dollars for each Gaming Organization/Guild, 10 Gold Coins for each Gaming Organization/Guild, a month worth of Lifo Supply, and 20 VR Boxes.

Lastly, the prize for the World Champion would be a staggering amount of 1 Million US Dollars for the winning Guild/Gaming Organization, 10,000 US Dollars for each player, a B-Rank Sword, 20 Gold Coins, half a year supply of Lifo, 50 VR Boxes, and the rights to choose where the next Bearth Online Championship would be held.

…

After all the specific information was announced, the event for that day was concluded and the teams were sent off the arena—starting from those who entered first.

Fortunately, Team ARES and Team Oran Gutan were amongst the 11 special teams and were able to leave just after several minutes. Of course, they did not interact much with the other teams because they were not that familiar with each other during those moments.

That said, Team ARES and Team Oran Gutan did not immediately head back to their respective rooms after leaving the arena.

Mrs. Caroline Armaz and Director Veronica Santiago to a nearby large hall that they rented for the next weeks for their whole organization's gathering—the Armaz Electronics Inc. as a whole.

Technically, it was for Team Oran Gutan that has 50 Players with them. Organizing their lineup would be impossible inside a small room, so, it was evident for them to secure a spacious area for them to have a discussion or a team meeting.

Whichever's the case, even Pedro and Weyron were also not informed of the reason as to why the Team ARES was also asked to go to the said Hall that they rented.

And the moment they arrived in that establishment, the lady waiting for them at the reception area bowed towards them out of respect while saying, "Welcome, esteemed guests! Please follow me to your rented hall!"

"Thanks!" Pedro and Weyron said as they bowed slightly in unison.

The lady retained her smile and brought them to a hall that was huge enough to cater to hundreds of people inside. That said, its centermost area was occupied by a huge holographic projector that was similar to the ones used in the arena.

At this moment, Pedro's father and mother approached them with smiles on their faces.

"How do you like this, son?" Mr. Jon Armaz asked Pedro. "I specifically requested the President of Bearth Online Development Company to set this up for you… It is similar to the simulation equipment that would be used in the competition! Awesome, right?"

Pedro nodded with a smile on his face and said, "Thanks, dad!"

Mr. Jon Armaz simply burst into laughter in response and said, "I am glad that you like it! Anyway… Why don't all of you come in first! Your mom and aunt have something to tell all of you."

Pedro simply nodded to Weyron and everyone else in response. They entered the room and as soon as everyone was inside, the door was closed—shut, and Mrs. Caroline Armaz started speaking.

She said, "I called everyone here because there is someone who wants to speak to all of you."

Mrs. Caroline Armaz simply nodded towards Mrs. Veronica Santiago—who was on her laptop and was probably talking to someone in it.

Mrs. Veronica Santiago simply smiled in response and in the next second the hologram projector lit—displaying the figure of an old man that is very familiar to all of the players.

"Greetings, Young men and women!" The old man said with a smile on his face.

"M-Mr. President!" Weyron shouted like a child as he pointed to the Philippine President's holographic figure that was projected at that time.

The Philippine President simply chuckled and nodded his head in response. Then, he faked a cough and said, "Since everyone here recognizes me, I would skip the introductions and head straight to the purpose of my call… As you can see, Team ARES and Team Oran Gutan are amongst the handful of teams that would be representing our country in this said competition. I would like to wish you good luck and am one of the millions of Filipinos—hoping that you would bring glory to our country in the Bearth Online 'Industry'! Kick those b@st@rd's @sses and show them how scary we can be in fights! Shove your swords to their @nus if you can!"

Everyone could not help but burst into laughter in response. Some even cheered in support of the brave remarks of their president.

"Anyway… Jokes aside… I am talking to my advisers about what can I do to reward all the participants in the said competition—that would represent our country. So… Although it is not yet official, expect that I would prepare a reward to all of you—even if I had to do it personally!" The president said confidently.

"President! I would be happy if you can set me up with a date with [Insert name of an actress] instead!" Weyron shouted shamelessly in response.

The president simply smirked and said, "Aish… Why are you telling that to me?! Tell that to [Insert name of an actress], young man! You are like a celebrity now. She would know a thing or two about you by now! After all… You have b@lls to ask her, right?"

"Of course!" Weyron shouted confidently.

Everyone could only slap their face in response—embarrassed to the President because of Weyron's Actions.

However, contrary to their reaction, the President chuckled and said, "Anyway… I still have a lot of work to do young men and women! I would have to leave first! Thank you for your time and May you bring our country glory to Bearth Online 'Industry'! Good luck and God bless!"

Weyron saluted in response while Pedro and everyone else bowed slightly in response as the holographic figure of the President vanished.

All of them were barely able to keep the excitement that they have deep inside and were starting to get rowdy—discussing the honor that they just obtained for meeting the President and being amongst the representatives of the country in this competition.

Thus, Pedro was even barely able to hold his excitement and even challenged Weyron and Team Oran Gutan for a friendly match in the spur of the moment.

"Wey… What do you think of a friendly match in this simulated environment? This way… Both sides could go all out—unlike the skirmishes we once had!" Pedro asked with a smirk on his face.

Weyron was also pumped up at this moment and reactively said, "Bring it on! I'll let you taste the power of our Ace!"

Pedro simply smirked in response and said, "I am looking forward to it!"

The rest of the Team ARES followed behind Pedro with an evil smirk on their face. The hype and the fact that they won't need to hold back—and restrict themselves from killing their opponents, made them shook from excitement as they were guided by Pedro's father to their respective Simulated Battle Modified VR Boxes.

That said, Weyron, Meen, and the rest of the Team Oran Gutan did not waver because they have complete trust in Meen's skills and their overpowered secret weapon—which was not used during their skirmish.

"So, do we!" Weyron said with a smirk on his face.