Chapter 184: The First Three Hours

It wasn't long when the world got news of the ship that the Australians managed to sink. The attack was brutal and became one of the most embarrassing defeats in Fleet Admiral Ramsden's record. The WGP revealed the details of the post-battle and this included the designs of several Exoskeletons not yet recorded in their systems.

The WGP demanded an explanation from New Great Britain, but all their demands were met with laughs and insults. New Great Britain had been very disappointed with the WGP for the past months as many of its demands were ignored. The WGP seemed to have been siding with the Australians and their lack of action made with regards to the incident in China also fueled the fire.

As no information regarding some secret weapons was being developed in that fleet, New Great Britain ignored their calls and laughed at it.

It was then that the WGP released partial details of the schematics of the new Exoskeleton designs as well an encrypted message with reference to the "Progenitor's Wind Seed."

It was only then that one of New Great Britain's most respected personnel spoke out.

Fleet Admiral Ramsden Audenvise confessed to his crimes and stated that these were mere designs that they were making and have not gone through the testing phase.

Details of the designs were immediately released by the scientists employed under Fleet Admiral Audenvise and gave implications that each design could counter Australian techs. These designs were new Exoskeleton designs that were planned to counter the Australian Dawn Soldiers as well as Morning and Evening. Since the designs were still on the testing phase, they were not yet finalized and hence, not registered among the technologies of New Great Britain.

"Did I breach protocol? No! Check those designs and tell me which among the techs employed on those Exoskeletons are not among New Great Britain's capabilities! You accuse us of breaching protocol, and reveal the information of our techs making those new designs useless without even considering the sciences we've applied on it! So what if they were new designs! They were designs that employed our technological possibilities differently! Why go so far as reveal our technology? Are you rooting for Australia that much? Is Australia your pet project who can create such experiments and you reap its benefits? Why is it that we receive this treatment, whereas Australia, who has developed an inhumane weapon borne from harvesting and using human live specimens continues to move unpunished! You even prohibited us from attacking them with a Weapon of mass destruction?! Such stupidity! The storm we brought over them, and the storm that we will continue to attack them with, will only limit them. I'm sure that their human experiments will feed them when all their crops are destroyed!" Ramsden gave off an angry and fiery speech.

Pangea, South Pacific United, One China, and several other nations applauded Ramsden Audenvise's speech and rallied behind him.

New Great Britain's politicians continue to act in divided notions. One group wanted to punish Ramsden for his unlawful actions, while the rest heralded him as a true Fleet Admiral. To be capable of creating plans to counter Australia's tech at such a short time was praiseworthy.

The report ran across the world creating waves and waves of chaos.

This was the first hour.

The second hour passed swiftly. While nothing happened on the outside, the truth was, the world was preparing for that event. The news and concerns regarding New Great Britain's embarrassing defeat became yesterday's news as people prepared to watch or take part in an event that had enamored the world. Because of the bets becoming high stake bets, a blockchain server was actually used to host the entire game itself.

The online programming codes were also displayed and live-feed tracking and detection systems were in place. In a way, it would be impossible to cheat playing the game

Several board members of Isolent Software, the producer of the world-famous game, Generals was invited to take part in an actual, live viewing of Lynd playing the game.

Several prominent members of the WGP took part. Although as always, their identities weren't disclosed, it was stated that members will watch the actual game that Lynd will do, in person.

And so, the arrival of these members, and how they were secretly escorted to the location where Lynd would physically be playing the game happened.

The members of the WGP each wore strange silver masks that guarded their faces. As part of their protocol, they wore the strongest Exoskeleton ever made on Earth. The Iron Man.

Exoskeletons of about eight feet high walked into the room and observed Lynd from afar.

At the center of this large stage, the gaming computer, other gadgets that Lynd was to use were being installed. This special computer that was provided by the WGP and checked by various parties prior to its deployment in this undisclosed location.

"Are you ready?" Harker asked Lynd.

President Colestar was also among the people who stood by Lynd, along with Haley Vagrant and the current owner of the Covenant of the Strongest. After the death and the discovery that Feltrick Ung-Glaive was someone in league with the Australians, the board immediately reshuffled and Dara Park's father became the current majority shareholder of the Covenant.

Lynd nodded and glanced at the distant towering Exoskeletons.

"The WGP… I can't believe that I'd actually be in a room with them."

"Win this… and you'll probably see more of them." Harker laughed.

"Go. The stream begins." Harker pointed and Lynd turned and started his march.

Everyone on Earth who called themselves a gamer watched this event. The event was so rushed that some only learned about it hours before the actual event.

Almost all news and media channels each had their pay-per-view arrangements and movie cinemas, hotels, streaming services and the like all set time for this period.

A large empty space was shown with bluish light surrounding the entire field. Right in the spotlight of the bluish hue, on top of a pyramid, was a computer screen. It had an enormous monitor and the seats were designed for comfort, ease, and maximum performance. One liter of the most popular gamers-sports drink sat on the side of the desk with a specialized cup and a long straw.

A long staircase that reached to the bottom was slowly panning into view.

At the very bottom, was a famous announcer who stood wearing a stunning tuxedo.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the World! Tonight is the night of champions. Two hundred gamers from all over the world. One-hundred thirty-six pro gamers and sixty-four skilled veterans of the world-renowned game that redefined Massively Multiplayer Battle arena, Generals have been gathered. These are the best of the best. Some winning over fifteen rounds of elimination and coming up first. We are not exaggerating that anyone here fought great odds and won. No one who relies on luck could get to this stage. Two hundred of the best of the best had to face nearly a thousand foes to get to where they are standing."

A video presentation was immediately shown flashing and showcasing players all over the world. Several of the most well-known and famous soldiers and Generals was shown on screen. But because there were two-hundreds of them, even the most famous fighters were shown only for two or three seconds.

Around the world, the cheers made in stadiums, hotels and other public places which streamed this event became a thunderous noise that awoke the residents nearby, if there were residents who didn't tune in to this almost impossible gamble.

"Their opponent? He is no nobody. He is, in fact, one of the most successful video game streamer to ever reach success. Though they rode the wave of surprise that we know to be Seeker Carlean, they made their footings on those places that ate pro-gamers alive. They held their fort and became one of the most talented champions in the Game of Piercing. But tonight, he isn't playing Piercing. A challenge has been announced and all the world responded. He will face two hundred players in a gamble that is so unprecedented that it makes Crazy Carlean look like Cute Carlean! Ladies and Gentlemen, standing six-foot, five inches, the Gentle Giant rises and will now approach the stage. Will this be a stage of glory or a stage of grave defeat that will bury Pangea and turn the sparkling pearl of the orient seas into a pit of gloom? Arise Pangea and shout your support, for Lynd Indigo ascends the steps of destiny!"

And there, Lynd began his ascent.

The cameras panned and focused on each footstep of Lynd. Slowly revealing and panning upward revealing the design of Lynd's clothes that matched the red, white and blue flag of Pangea.

The world watched in silence as Lynd walked through those stairs.

A rock rendition of the Pangean national anthem began to play with a crescendo as Lynd reached the peak of the pyramid.

The camera zoomed in close enough to see Lynd take his seat, put on his headset. His face didn't bear the usually shy and bashful attitude. He had a confident gaze, a resolute expression, and a scheming grin.

"No words. Come at me. All of you."

The cheers around Pangea were so loud. Never was a nation so united in cheers.

"Well, what else can I say? Let's get ready to rumble!" The announcer declared firmly as the game began.

Two hundred players were divided into different positions within the map.

They all had simple handguns.

Lynd began with a standard submachine gun. His starting point was at the center of the map, inside a large tall sky scrapper with various ammunitions. Of course, the ammo and weapons present were only according to the level of weapons that Lynd had access to.

The Generals took their positions. Eight generals divided their team into eight groups. Each group consisted of twenty-five players each, including the General.

"Alright, team! Remember the plan. We have to avoid a Lowengren's Maneuver. If he kills over One hundred twenty of us that's when he gets access to nukes. We take this head-on." The General announced.

Various theories were raised on how Lynd would defend against two hundred players. Every known location in the game was analyzed by these eight generals and they each had their strategies to counter Lynds.

Suddenly, the players all began to move in an almost synchronized movement. The messed up deployment all started to form groups.

"What's this? The two hundred players have actually organized themselves! The Eight Supremes have actually contacted the players! This is… this is almost cheating!" One of the commentators shouted immediately.

"No rules were set against this. The challenge did not state that these groups could not communicate head on! If Pangea was more clear in their rules and the conditions of their gamble, they could have avoided this."

"Look. Each group is moving into specific positions. It looks like each player is to head towards one of the highest peaks within their current locations."

Several flares of different colors were being sent to the sky as the game progressed.

"Their communicating! They are communicating!"

"It's clear that the Generals have talked it out. This seems a very delicate position for Lynd. It's sad that we cannot see Lynd's point of view."

"That's right! Only the WGP has access to it to avoid cheating. What do you think Lynd is going to do?"

"Torch Tower is a heavily guarded base. Lynd has access to mines, sub-machine gun sentries. And grenades. But with how organized his enemies are, I don't know how else he can hold down the fort of Torch tower. Look. The generals have planned well; they are now taking vehicles that they can use to storm the base. Some are using whatever elements that the sub-machine guns cannot penetrate."

Suddenly, several names were shown on screen as several players were immediately defeated. The echoing sound of a submachine gun shooting somewhere could be heard.

As the sounds were designed to imitate real-life, several of the soldiers immediately followed where the sound came from.

"Sir!" A soldier who found one of the Eight Supreme General unconsciously reported.

"Don't panic. This is advantageous for us." The General laughed.

"Why?"

"Simple. None of our players were positioned close to Lynd's tower. This was done so to allow Lynd the opportunity to prepare for our raid. But this time, it's easier. He abandoned his fort. He wants to kill us commando style. This is easier. We hunt." The General laughed.

"We hunt?!"

"Also. This means he left his tower unguarded save for some sentries. Regardless, this gives us time to raid, some of the Generals must have changed their plans. See?" At that moment three red flares of different shades could be seen piercing the skies.

"Shoot the blue flare." The General ordered and a soldier immediately fired it.

Three red, and five blue flares each of different shades were now up on the sky.

"Three groups would raid the fort, while five will defend. Which means, five would look for Lynd." The General concluded.

It was then that the announcer caught notice of the movements of the soldiers.

"The shades of flares! That's it! Each General uses a different shade of flare according to the color their character has! It's an ingenious communication system!" The announcer analyzed.

"It seems Lynd was trying to demoralize his enemies by killing them immediately! He left his fort and opted to use guerrilla tactics!" the second announcer declared.

"It's his strategy. He knows that if his enemies planned this, they would use fort-raiding strategies. But if Lynd adopts a commando-style, his enemies may be left unprepared. At least... in theory."

"But that means his fort, where his newer weapons would spawn is easy for the take!"

"And that's why we can see three generals headed towards the tower itself!"

Another round of gunshots was heard as a few names were shown on screen.

"Eight dead already! Lynd has killed eight soldiers! This looks like a good start!" The announcer shouted in amazement.

"This looks bad. Let's move more cautiously. Luckily, none of the generals have been targeted. It looks like Lynd is aiming for soldiers on the fringe areas." Another General analyzed. He had thirteen soldiers gathered which marched alongside him.

From then on, the soldiers avoided the open streets, and cautiously probed their movements.

But what the world, the announcers and even the players didn't know, was that the World Governing Powers who was granted the opportunity to view Lynd's perspective was cursing and declaring that Lynd must have cheated.

"How the hell can he cheat?! That's a computer I developed, placed under my own network and have passed the test not only of our own team but those of the various nations of the world!" A powerful and prestigious member of the WGP argued.

The Kings of the World was stunned to see an impossible act.

Each soldier died from one bullet. Everyone was wrong. Lynd didn't leave the fort. Yet, he wasn't even on the highest floor of the tower. What appeared to be random shots in the air, actually killed eight soldiers.

Lynd's first upgrade was complete. He now had access to high-grade binoculars. He grabbed it, moved up on the floors and then surveyed the area.

"Now that that's done, I guess I'll start with Seeker's mission first." Lynd sighed as he rushed towards the control room of the tower. With the kills he made, he could now broadcast sounds to make it more difficult for his enemies to search for his location.

He moved towards the device which gave loud broadcasts on the city and booted up the device.

His avatar moved towards the microphone which would broadcast his declaration to the entire players.

"You think you're all better than me? Please! You guys are just seeds that haven't even sprouted! I am the Progenitor! And you seeds are nothing!" Lynd arrogantly declared.

While Pangea rejoiced, all over the world, certain individuals who were watching the stream suddenly started to shake.

"We're heading to Pangea." A man declared as he stood up. He was the leader of one of the premier developers of weapons for their country.

"Sir?"

"Is this the era, where Rome will rise again? Oh, Progenitor… Is that you?" He muttered under his voice.

Somewhere above the Caliphate nations, in the heart of Mesopotamia. A woman smiled and began to be in deep thought.

"Isaac." She ordered.

"It seems… I have to take a trip to Pangea."

"Madam?"

"Prepare the Glidewing. We move before the WGP activates the All-Sight."

"What's going on?"

"Trust me." She laughed.

Somewhere in the mountain regions of East Asian Alliance.

A blur of soldiers was running towards their ships.

Inside the ship, a pilot had already sat down. He was still taking deep breaths for the speed he had to employ had already challenged the limits of his ninja training. Suddenly, a muffled puff could be heard, and a tall man stood behind the pilot.

"Good. You arrived faster than me." The man laughed.

"Lord Rai." The pilot bowed.

"To Pangea." Rai ordered.

When Lynd gave his declaration, it was the third hour.