The Immortal Player

In a dark room located in a mansion deep in a rainforest. A young man and an old man were playing a 'chess-like' board game. The young man's side, the white side, has seven more unique pieces left. While the old man, the dark side, was only left with the smallest and the biggest piece each player have. (The two remaining pieces signifies the smallest and highest value in the board game.)

"Old D! It seems like 'destiny' does not favor us these days!" The young man wore a relieved expression as he ends his turn, with the victory on his sight.

"Hmm... indeed." The old man who was frowning and was trying to think of a way to win the board game with the use of his 'two' pieces. Moments later, he leaned his back to the chair and sighed as if he accepted his loss.

"So... What's your plan old D?" The young man stared at the old man, anticipating for his response.

"Hahaha! You are a nosy one, kid!" The old man burst into laughter that confused the young man for a second. But later on, the young man smiled back, and somehow, "got" what the old man meant.

"Hahaha! Of course! I am the God of Destiny's inheritor after all. Master Destiny brought me up this way!"

"You do resemble that crafty bas*ard! BUT... you still lack experience as a God!" The old man smirked as he took the biggest piece he has and used it to directly kill the young man's biggest piece that was wide open.

"..." The young man was confused about the old man's move. But before the young man could speak, the old man started to lecture him.

"Being a God or Goddess is not a blessing. It is more of a curse. You get too strong, other Gods and Goddess would be threatened and will strive to bring you down. Yet... If you become too weak, You'll get targeted by other Gods and Goddess to reduce the competition. Don't forget humans and other beings, who have great greed for power! They'll do whatever it takes for power. They won't have second thought doing evil things for power!"

"Heh! I know old D! I am not born yesterday... Hey, Hey, Hey! Don't dodge the question, old D! What are your plans? What are your plans?" The young man smirked, however this time, the young man looked menacing.

"Simple, To Retire!" The old man smirk as he stared to his remaining piece on the board game. The young man could only smile as his attention was also shifted to that small piece.

...

"Hahaha! As expected of my son! You have your own ship in this game!" Pedro's father laughed proudly as the "Karakoa Main Crew Group" (Karakoa MCG) toured around the Karakoa ship. It was led by Pedro who was closely followed by his Parents, Loren, Sabrina, and Faunia. Everyone's attention was shifted to Pedro's father that embarrassed his mother.

"Honey... Honey, calm your self!" Pedro's mother pinched his father in the arm that caught his father's attention as his mother forced a smile towards the others while she was trying to whisper angrily to her husband to stop.

"This is a good idea! Why don't we try entering Cruise Lines?" Pedro's father relaxed as he rubbed his chin.

"Eh... Another of your wild ideas! Let's focus first on the present matters in the company. We can try anything you want when everything is stable." His mother commented back. Hence, his mother and father started their "discussion" as if Pedro, Loren, Sabrina, Faunia was not there. (His father and mother may look like they were acting weird or childish, it is just that, that feeling of a parent, trying to hide their worry or sadness, especially that Pedro was still not waking up due to the "accident".)

"Please don't mind them. Let's continue, I am also wanted to rest already." Pedro forced a smile as he looks to Loren and Sabrina.

"We understand classmate Pedro. Our parents also fight at some times." Loren forced a smile to Pedro as she ignores Pedro's Parents.

"We're not fighting!"

"We're not fighting!"

"Pfft...Haha!"

Pedro's father and mother uttered in unison that somehow made Faunia unable to contain her laugh. His parents just took a glance to Faunia, then returning to their "discussion".

"Ped... Ehm... Classmate Pedro, Are you sure, Aldo and the rest would be fine on their own in the other ship?" Sabrina who was beside Loren, made huge strides to be able to catch up to Pedro.

"Hah... Sabrina, just call me Pedro if you want to."

"No, no, no... sorry about that!" Sabrina halted her steps immediately as she blushed red as if she ate something spicy. Loren shooked her head as if saying 'These guys, his parents on the back is arguing. Why do I get the feeling that these two 'closet lovers' will also start their own 'discussion'?'

"Hah... Just call me that!" Pedro insisted that made Sabrina speechless for a moment.

"Then... Pe~Pedro... would, would the others be alright?"

"Don't worry... An NPC Crew is with them. They'll be more than just fine!" Pedro answered back with confidence as he stole back a glance to everyone.

"If you say so!"

"Then, what's your plan?" The long silent Faunia asked as they were about to arrive at the ship's battle arena.

"Plan? To get strong, what else?" Pedro smirked as he opened the door to the battle arena.

"Heh... Human, aren't you strong enough? You defeated me, remember?"

"Strong, Khuh? Do you know why Kings get replaced?" Pedro's arrogant and happy look turned serious as they entered the battle arena.

"Heh, because humans are weak!"

"No! Because they think that they are the peak, the strongest, the one who reached the so-called 'Limit'. They exert less effort to improve because their minds were set or fixated that they already achieve what is considered to be the "limit"!"

"Reminds me of something... what was it? Go beyond? Plus ul..." Loren rubbed her chin as she frowns trying to recall where she heard the familiar phrase. However, Pedro interrupted before she can finish.

"Historically speaking, once there was a King that believed in his knowledge as the peak of human knowledge, that was somehow gifted by gods. One day, he lost a war into which where he was the one who designed the tactics and strategies that was used. (Western continent: American player force vs NPC kingdom, NPC kingdom lost and gets conquered in his past life.) Wait..."

"You saw your mistake, human?"

"Another King... had "unlimited" full trust to his nobles, warriors, and generals. Later on, the King was betrayed by everyone! But..." Pedro was confused for a minute until his father spoke.

"That King, probably, was also arrogant to the point that he failed to consider other possible threats and limited the possible "threats" to his only so-called 'enemies'! Nevertheless, my son only wanted to tell, those who can or aim to surpass what is set (the limit), can someday defeat those who were considered at the top, the best, or the strongest!"