Chapter 56: Chapter 56: The Game Unveiled
Jax could see Jennifer’s face clearly from where he stood.
She was trying to hide it the nervousness, the hope flickering in her eyes. Her hands clasped together tightly, knuckles white.
He looked at her and smiled faintly.
"I accept."
Jennifer’s face barely changed, but something in her eyes shifted. Relief. Gratitude. She exhaled softly, shoulders relaxing just a fraction.
"So the vote is in favor of the game," Jennifer said, her voice steady now. "But before we proceed, I’ll still hold a final vote after explaining the game settings. And it’s quite complicated, given your five-way matchup."
The crowd leaned forward, listening intently.
Jennifer stepped into the center, commanding everyone’s attention. "The game will take place in a VR world. And this world is, by far, the greatest we’ve ever produced. It will feel realistic. Alive. Creatures and beasts roaming everywhere."
She paused for effect.
"It’s a battleground game. Last person standing wins."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"However," Jennifer continued, "I need to clarify something. This game doesn’t have the setting for team matchups in the traditional sense. So Queen Nyx, I apologize, but the condition you mentioned earlier about forming teams of three doesn’t work as initially stated."
Nyx’s eyes narrowed. "Then what—"
"But," Jennifer interrupted smoothly, "I have a solution. That’s why I chose this game for this bet. Every team member will be teleported alone, separately, into different zones. After that, if you meet your teammates, you can team up again. Or you can attack them friendly fire is allowed. So in the end, it’s still a team game, but with more variables."
The crowd listened carefully. Game rule analysis was everything in this world.
Jennifer gestured to her assistant, who stepped forward with a small projection device.
"Now, let me tell you how to win. The game is called Beast Taming Battleground. From the name, you can probably guess it’s about taming beasts. There are plenty scattered across the VR world. Different types. Different grades. Different powers."
She smiled faintly. "However, taming them isn’t easy. It’s not about you choosing them, it’s about them choosing you. Whether from respect, love, similarity, or something else entirely. You’ll have to figure that out. I’m giving minimal information on purpose. It makes the game more interesting."
Jax’s mind worked quickly. ’So it’s not just combat. It’s strategy. Psychology. Reading the beasts.’
Jennifer continued. "You can refer to beast information and your current stats from the system screen in the game. As for beasts, you can have a maximum of three. And if one binds with you, that spot is reserved only for it. Meaning if one beast dies, you cannot capture another. You’ll have to play the rest of the game with one less companion."
She let that sink in.
"Player elimination happens when your HP bar drops to zero. That means the main target is always the player. The beasts are pawns. Opponents can ignore the beasts entirely and attack the player directly to win. But that’s a reckless strategy."
Her assistant raised the projection device. A glowing screen appeared, floating in the air.
TYPE CATEGORIES:
Elemental – Natural energy manifestations (Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Lightning, Ice). Ranks: D to S. Mythic – Legendary hybrids, dragons, phoenixes, griffons. Ranks: D to S.
Psychic – Telepathic or illusion-wielding beasts. Ranks: D to S.
Emotive – Feed on human emotions; rare and unstable. Ranks: D to S.
Biomech – Synthetic-organic creatures; precise, tactical, cold logic. Ranks: D to S.
Primal – Ancient beasts representing raw survival instincts. Ranks: C to S.
Ethereal/Spirit – Celestial or ghostly beings. Ranks: C to S.
Corrupted – Once pure, now warped by player actions or dark resonance. Ranks: S to S+.
The crowd whispered, impressed.
Jennifer raised a hand. "Now, the main issue. This game is still in beta phase, so we haven’t embedded Neurocast yet. Live broadcasting or even full recordings with millions of angle aren’t possible."
The crowd murmured in disappointment.
"But," Jennifer continued, "to solve this, we have the basic Vision Link. It’s a recording device that captures the perspective of a single person. Its drawback? It can be broken. So I recommend players don’t let it get destroyed or attack each other’s helmets. If a Vision Link is destroyed, that player’s perspective stream ends, and spectators won’t like that."
She looked around. "So that’s all. Now I’d still like to know whether the votes are again in favor."
Jax thought, ’Clever, Jenny. Really clever. You built up the hype with a marvelous game concept—fantasy mixed with Pokemon-style taming. But then you dropped the Vision Link issue at the end. That leaves questions. Like whether Nyx orchestrated this to hide cheap tricks behind that excuse.’
But then Morgana spoke. "I accept."
Jax blinked. ’Wait. No argument?’
Calista nodded. "I accept too."
Nyx smiled sharply. "Me too."
Beatrix sighed softly. "My vote won’t change anything now. So let’s hope everything goes right."
Jennifer smiled, relief washing over her face. "I’m honored that you all accepted my creation for this history-making fight. Now, I’d like Queen Calista to provide the equipment. My assistant will gather everything needed. In the meantime, can all the leaders announce their team members?"
Nyx stepped forward immediately. "I, along with my daughter Azara and this girl named Emma, will play."
She gestured to the human girl standing in the right. Emma’s cold eyes swept the crowd once before she nodded.
Beatrix stepped forward next. "Thalia and Kai will join me."
Kai grinned excitedly. "Yes! Let’s do this, Mother!"
Thalia smiled faintly, elegant as always.
But Beatrix hesitated for a moment, glancing at Kai with a mix of fondness and concern. ’He’s enthusiastic... but is he ready for this?’ She sighed softly, then smiled. "Alright. Let’s hope you don’t embarrass me, dear."
Kai laughed. "I won’t! Probably!"
Calista spoke next. "Celestia and my right-hand commander will join me."
A tall, armored woman stepped forward beside Celestia, her face stern.
Then it was Jax’s turn.
He glanced at Paige, then at Kiera. He sighed. ’I have no other options. Kai’s already taken. Celestia is with other team. Zinnia No way! Guess I’m stuck with family.’
"Paige and Kiera," Jax said flatly.
Kiera glared at him. "You don’t sound thrilled."
"I’m not."
"Feeling’s mutual."
Finally, Morgana turned to her assistant. "I’ll take Professor Olivia and..."
She paused, looking at her mother.
Lyra stood nearby, leaning on her cane, smiling sweetly.
Morgana hesitated. "Mother, will you play?"
Lyra waved a hand dismissively. "Sweetheart, your mother is too old for these things. VR connections take a toll on the mind and body. I’m not sure—"
Then she stopped.
Her eyes gleamed with sudden realization.
She turned to address the entire hall, her voice sweet and kind. "My lovely people, don’t you think it’s a bit unfair? Not the game rules, but the bet rules."
The crowd fell silent.
"It’s a battleground where the last person standing wins. That person leads their team to victory. But what about the team members who aren’t the leaders? They don’t gain anything. So wouldn’t it be better... to let the winner make the wish? It depends on them whether they honor the leader’s wish or make their own. Isn’t that fair?"
Silence.
The crowd processed her words. Slowly, murmurs of agreement spread.
"She’s right..."
"The victor should claim the reward..."
"That’s how it’s always been..."
Nyx looked at Azara. She knew her daughter wouldn’t dare oppose her. Then she looked at Emma. The girl’s expression stayed cold, unreadable. Nyx sighed. "I agree to this as well."
Calista nodded. "I accept."
Beatrix smiled gently. "That sounds fair."
The agreement was made.
Jax didn’t get a chance to speak, but he didn’t want to anyway. ’Winning against these monsters will be hard for Kiera. Paige is strong, but I can beat her if she stands in my way at the end.’
Lyra’s voice rang out sweetly. "Then I’ll join your team, Morgana."
Morgana blinked, then smiled. "Thank you, Mother."
The final team was announced.
And then Jax’s eyes landed on Lyra.
She was staring directly at him. Smiling. That sweet, innocent smile.
But her eyes told a different story.
Jax’s mind raced. ’She pointed out the hole in the game rules. She’s joining the game. Wait... is she entering to win? To claim the wish for herself?’
His eyes widened.
’And why is she staring at me like that?’
’Is her wish related to me?
Suddenly, an image flashed in his mind.
A wedding hall. Decorations. Flowers. Music.
Him standing at the altar in a groom’s suit.
And right beside him, in a wedding dress, was Granny Lyra.
’FUCK.’