Chapter 64: World Of The Living ?

The city sat under crushing tension. Everywhere you went, people were talking about what had happened at the Games.

“They said the goddess killed some of us just to come to this place!”

“My spirit should’ve been resting in the grave. Instead, I’m here—suffering.”

“Then let’s start riots. Maybe then our voices will finally be heard.”

“And how do you plan to do that? Don’t you think she’ll kill us?”

“She can’t. We’re her pawns. If she kills us, there’ll be nothing left for her to use.”

“Yeah… you’re right. Besides, we’re already dead, what’s more to loose .”

They spoke in tight clusters, voices low but charged, fear mixing with desperation. Groups formed, whispers turning into plans—raw, reckless strategies on how to move forward, and how to finally push back.

But the part of the story that truly shattered expectations—the part that knocked the breath out of the city—was how the demons had escaped Midworld without consequence. They had walked away clean. A revelation no one had anticipated, and one no one had ever thought possible.

At the Grid Lions’ headquarters, inside the meeting room, sat Alexander Smith.

After the demons vanished and extraction sent him back to base, he found himself alone in a dark-blue, single-seat chair mounted on a circular track that wrapped around the room. The floor beneath him was pure glass, spotless, transparent, making the height beneath feel endless.

Earlier, the captain had told him someone important wanted to speak with him. Alexander didn’t know who, but one idea had already settled into his mind like stone.

It has to be the goddess.

What had happened during the Games had shifted the balance of authority. It had forced the very being who rarely set foot in Midworld to walk its ground like everyone else.

Click!

The door slid open automatically.

Alexander rose at once, attention pulled toward the entrance.

Two figures entered.

The first was Captain Clark of the Grid Lions—Alexander’s uncle.

The second was a tall, striking black woman with white hair and an overwhelming presence. From Alexander’s perspective, she looked like a stranger. But the longer he stared, the more familiarity crept in. That blazing white hair confirmed it.

They took their seats, the room settling into a tense stillness as the meeting began.

The woman crossed one leg over the other, relaxed—too relaxed—like she owned the place, forgetting entirely that she was a visitor.

Captain Clark leaned forward, preparing to speak. Whatever he was about to say felt heavy enough to bend history.

“I know you’re a smart man,” he began, voice measured. “Exactly how a Smith is meant to be.”

Alexander’s eyes stayed on his uncle.

“When a golden opportunity presents itself, you don’t hesitate. That’s why you’re with the Grid Lions, and not those weaklings you used to call friends. You see the world for what it is. You don’t let illusions cloud your judgment.”

Alexander felt it then—whatever plan was coming, it was massive. Big enough to make his uncle talk like this. The thought alone made his blood heat.

Then the woman spoke.

And in that moment, her disguise shattered.

“There is a proposal for you,” she said smoothly. “I believe you’re already aware that you’re an anchor being. One of the perks is influence—you make people listen, even when the odds are stacked against you.”

Her accent. Her pacing. Her confidence.

She’s the goddess.

But this wasn’t the end of it. He could feel it.

Alexander tilted his head, appearing attentive, but inside his mind was racing.

“Why hide in a human form? Afraid of looking desperate? Gods really are strange when it comes to respect.”

He forced himself to stay sharp. One wrong step here could ruin him. He needed to push things in his favour.

“And thanks to Jamie Noter,” the goddess continued, “a war that ended years ago is about to begin again. The demons have their champion. It’s time humans and elves have theirs.”

Alexander blinked.

“Me?”

“Affirmative,” she said without hesitation. “You’re the best fit. You have the mind, the power, and the presence the light side needs to crush the demons.”

The words shut him down completely.

He’d expected the first proposal. He already knew he’d be involved in restoring the so-called order they loved so much. But this—

Fighting Jamie?

That made no sense.

If that future ever came, it shouldn’t be him standing against Jamie. That felt… wrong. Twisted.

The first part made sense—during the third game, spectators had rallied behind him, cheering like he was some kind of savior. A symbol. A leader.

This second part gnawed at him.

Midworld was full of powerful figures. Why him?

For a split second, it felt like the goddess was probing him—testing him. Watching how he’d react when pushed.

“We want you to be our Lord of Hope,” she said calmly. “Humans and elves don’t want a god to save them. They want one of their own. Someone they can believe in. Whether that person is controlled by the gods doesn’t matter. All they want is the illusion of superiority.”

Alexander exhaled slowly.

“So I’ll be your puppet?”

Silence fell.

Even Captain Clark stiffened. He knew it too—strip away the words, the promises, the framing, and that was all that remained.

Slavery.

“Yes,” the goddess replied without blinking. “You will be my puppet.”

Her stare never wavered.

“Let’s not pretend otherwise. Humans have never been free. You’ve always lived under divine control.”

The nail was driven deep.

“Then I refuse.”

“Wait,” she said quickly. “You haven’t heard the good part.”

Alexander hesitated, then nodded.

She smiled.

“If you agree, we will train you. Grant you power beyond anything you imagine. When this is over, you’ll return to the world of the living with that power intact.”

She paused, then delivered the final blow.

“And to prove our sincerity—if you agree right now—your friend Bray will be returned to the world of the living.”

Shock slammed into Alexander.

His eyes widened.

All along, he’d been resolute. Defiant.

But now—

The bitter deal was starting to taste sweet.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep