Chapter 141: A Just Cause
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Whenever nighttime would fall, the Pangean citizens and almost any avid fans of the Piercing games and its pro-scene would generally tune in to the action-packed live-stream of the fastest rising e-sport and streamers on Earth.
Lynd Indigo and Meryl Mikado were the fastest streamers to have ever pushed beyond the 1 million credit mark. It took them two days to complete the stream. Collectively, the two earned an estimate of 12 million credits on their streams.
Covenant of the Strongest became the most lucrative investment for businessmen causing chaos in the underworld. Various groups were trying to get tied with the Covenant but because of Harker's influence, only the most daring groups dared to make their attempts. The worst-case was bomb threats made on one company that wanted to initiate a deal with the Covenant of the Strongest.
Of course, for the key players themselves, their daily lives and especially their streams were generally undisturbed.
"And that's all for tonight guys! Thank you for all who gave me these donations!" Meryl had completed her daily routine on her stream. Unlike most female E-sport players, Meryl relatively wore modest clothing. They were decent but not too showy.
"Also, don't forget, Lynd will be streaming after this and so the challenge has been placed. I heard that they will be selecting Lynd's opponents randomly. So, test your skills! You could be the one who may give Lynd his first defeat. Of course, secretly we've been playing with each other so, in reality, this isn't his first defeat." Meryl giggled.
"As promised, Lynd will fight against various players and those interested must gamble 100 credits. If you manage to defeat Lynd, you get 1000 credits. And Lynd will be playing against you, with one hand, tied behind his back. Honestly, he can defeat anyone who's not an E-sport player easily even with those conditions. Seeker and Lynd had always played like that even before. I never got into the hang of it and not to mention I didn't want to put callus on my hands and fingers. Their quite dainty." Meryl revealed her thin fingers.
"As for you, ladies! Please remember this… Lynd's quite a shy guy. So please keep your proposals to yourself. He can't concentrate on those demands to marry him or have him sign your bras and underwear. We don't want that incident to happen again. So um… don't throw your underwear's directed at him. If you really can't hold yourself, aim for the stage. Don't throw it at his face." Meryl laughed.
The comment section of Meryl's stream had very few comments. And that's only because you need to pay to get the access to actually put in comments.
Yet despite this, a flurry of text still covered the chatbox with many comments pouring in.
Comments about people stating that Meryl shouldn't do what these two were doing as they were brutes erupted. Some of the bolder men stated that they wanted to put a ring on those fingers. Luckily, due to the strict rules and how there were dedicated people who would kick out and perma-ban those who would make lewd comments, no one ever breached the boundary.
"Also, I'd like to make an announcement on behalf of Lynd. He's generally a shy guy, and even though he was pressed by our managers, he was too shy to admit it. But we've decided that all 80% of the earnings we get from the stream will be given to support several orphanages in Pangea." Meryl smiled.
The news stunned everyone. Most streamers only promise a specific amount, but Meryl had decided to give 80% of her earnings as donations. This was unprecedented kindness. Even those who proposed to Meryl took back their words as they felt ashamed and unworthy to have an angel like Meryl.
"Lynd will also do the same. All of the earnings he would get on the gambles of that event will also be donated to the orphans and fatherless. As you know, the rate of child abandonment has been exceedingly high and more and more children are growing up without fathers, mothers and even both." Meryl gave an emotional speech as images started appearing on their stream.
"I've been raised up by two great parents… who sadly weren't able to retain their citizenship and was sent back to the East Asian Alliance. This is both an appeal to the EAA to please let me get my parents back. They are Pangean's by heart. Please let us be together again. I would also like to use this opportunity to thank Pangea for their constant fight in getting my parents back. I'm glad I have this nation supporting me. So in response to your kindness, I'd like to use this money to look after the orphans of this nation." Meryl smiled as tears seemed to have covered her eyes.
The world was heartbroken at Meryl's face. Several of those chatting cursed the EAA for their selfish demands of Meryl. Although they lost legally as Meryl was born and raised in Pangea, her parents were forcefully demanded to return.
"I plan to give these orphans education. Eighty percent of what I earn will be dedicated to helping them finish their studies as well as support to give these kids a little joy in their lives. Also, let us remember that after the detestable discoveries of human trafficking in our nations a few months ago, we have over a hundred some children who are left to fend for themselves. So this will be my fight." Meryl casually wiped off the tear on her eyes.
The chat room went crazy. People were demanding to open a donation box but Meryl simply shook her head.
"I don't want to be too greedy. I know how famous we are. And so I know that many will willingly donate thousands. But that's why I won't accept donations and only payments for the access of this stream. Don't worry guys. With the amount that I'm earning it is more than enough to help these young orphans." Meryl smiled.
The viewers were stunned. She was… too Bright.
"The good news, I accepted the offer to go to the EAA since the Covenant had agreed to let me be the brand ambassador of a new clothing line to be unveiled by Shrandel, an Antarctica based company in the EAA. This company vowed to do what it can to help me see my parents without being stopped by the government so, during my stay at the EAA, I'll have the chance to meet my parents before going to Antarctica. So this is my shot to go visit my parents regularly so I agreed immediately."
Several chats started wishing Meryl the best while others were openly applauding Shrandel's move that allowed Meryl to bypass the laws that hindered her from meeting her parents.
"After this stream, I will be going to the airport and will take off for the EAA in a few hours. My next stream will be on the EAA and next week stream will be on Antarctica. I didn't want to say this… but Seeker won a gamble against me… so here goes." A strange frustrated look surfaced on Meryl's face.
"It's going to be cold on Antarctica. So please send me your love and hugs to keep me warm." Meryl then made gestures and expressions with cute poses that were very unbecoming of her image.
The chats stopped pouring in as people were stunned at the development.
"Happy, Zeek?" Meryl frowned.
The chats started pouring once more.
Most of the viewers hadn't moved on from Meryl's attractive pose and teases.
It was then that she noticed one particular chat that asked a serious question.
"What about Seeker? Will he be donating?"
Meryl smiled.
"Sadly, Seeker can't donate his earnings with all the crazy bets he's been playing against other nations."
A lot of laughs were made in the room at Meryl's comment.
"That's very Seeker." Someone remarked in the chat room.
"But don't take his moves to be selfish. Remember, he wants a better Pangea. With the probability of war looming on the horizon and in case, Australia will suddenly attack, this will greatly help us with our war. The money he can earn can greatly benefit this nation as he promised to use it to support the military. That way Pangea, as a nation can allot more budget to health, education and so on."
If it were anyone else, people wouldn't have accepted this claim. But when these words came from the angelic, sweet and innocent Meryl, it was a blinding light of goodness.
Some actually cried as they read on. These three friends, Carlean, Mikado, and Indigo, were angels sent to help Pangea.
"So that's all for tonight! See you on Friday for the next stream! Bye guys!"
And with that Meryl logged off.
"Phew." She took off her headset and started stretching.
"I still can't get used to this…" She shook her head.
In the room, stood Halley Vagrant, the manager of the Covenant of the Strongest.
"Use to what? Fame?"
"No. Deceiving people."
"Deceiving people? You are giving money to orphanages. Why would that be deceiving people? It's a just cause."
"A just cause? Orphanages? More like a Jewish training grounds to make an Unbecoming army." Meryl shook her head.
"It's an ingenious scheme. The money is publicly noticed by all and since orphanages are natural places where the government or some secret organization will look keenly, we are openly funding our armies. If anything, we need 144,000 as Arthur once mentioned."
"Whatever. But that's the last time I'm doing those poses!"
"You know those really help us. By making it look like Seeker's bullying you to make those pose, you retain your angelic reputation but at the same time garner more fans. Not to mention even Danny smiled when you did those pose." Halley giggled. She knew that Danny Haze, the most famous e-sport players amongst women had a liking on Meryl.
Meryl had nothing to say.
"I'm surprised that this is what bothers you and not that crazy man in Antarctica that wants to um… touch you."
"How much did he pay?"
"Three hundred million credits." Halley Vagrant laughed.
"Ugh. Not even enough to pay off half of our debts with Lennox… I'm not bothered. It's not like he can actually touch me. Still, Zeeks' plans are scary. Just what kind of world was it like in the future that he would be this brutal?"
"If you ask me that pedophile had it coming. You wouldn't have been able to pull this off if he wasn't that immoral. Frankly, with what's at stake, Seeker's quite reserved in his actions."
"Then I must be happy that it was Zeek that got sent to the past instead of you."
"You should. If I were the one in control, I would have used you and Lynd more daringly. That's considering what you already pulled off. I'm sure Arthur and Lowengren would feel the same way. But no… you got an overprotective leader who would only risk us and keep his beloved friends from such terrors." Halley laughed.
Meryl frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Oh come on! Alean and Lowengren's halfway around the world facing who knows what. Cliff's been sent to his missions. Harker's return to the Underworld was quite dangerous. And even I am forced to act as mediators with the most dangerous criminals in Pangea. Do you know how many of those uncultured swine's have tried to strip me in the open? Even my nephew, who is a timid boy have been shipped off to the Tatsulok and then to China to train with those assassins! And here you two are making streams and money." Halley gave Meryl a scornful gaze.
Meryl could only remain quiet as she looked to the window.
"Is that you see it? Aren't you forgetting that we attacked Australia? Are you forgetting our war against those Assassins? You think you've had it rough? I faced death more than I can count on these experiences. I'm just like your nephew! I'm still a kid, Miss Halley. I'm not used to all this intrigue, espionage, framings and murders… I have to do it… I've lost my childhood, Halley." Meryl spoke angrily.
Halley was surprised and gave an embarrassed coughed.
"I believe I had misspoken. I guess… I forgot you are one since you are so strong. It's just. I've seen what you've done with those soldiers and how you train them to reach Unbecoming… I guess I keep forgetting that you were just an innocent girl four months ago." Halley apologized.
Meryl simply smiled.
"It's ok… Even I forget who I was back then. Still… If I had known that the energies on those suits he lent cost that much I wouldn't have used it recklessly." Meryl wept as she recalled the shocking total expenses that they have to pay Lennox.
"Seeker's taking care of it right now. He should be reaching the penthouse soon. I'm still shocked and sickened at the news though… I respected a lot of them… but I guess they had it coming…" Halley could only sigh.
"Me too… Those names… there were very respectable men and women! To think they would be so… perverted."
"It's a quick way to earn though. We have the perfect excuse. Imagine tomorrow, two business empires, several prominent names and possibly thousands and thousands of people will lose their jobs."
"And all because their boss is a pervert. At least we could finally pay off our debts to both Lennox and Meng…" Meryl sighed.
"I thought money wouldn't be a thing in the future!" She continued and cursed.
"Right now, it's a means to amass weapons." Halley laughed.
Meryl was silent. She then gave a visible shudder.
"What's wrong?" Halley asked in confusion.
"It's just… If he wanted a billion credits… I wonder what exactly is he going to do with it. I mean… even when Seeker tried to negotiate, Lennox wouldn't lower his price and demanded it. I wonder… what exactly, is that Overcomer planning on doing? That thought… just scares me." Meryl later sighed and started packing her clothes.
Halley smiled.
"I believe… that whatever that man is up to, it will surely be another just cause. Like the one, you have been doing. Anyways, I'll head out to Lynd. I'll do my best to make him stay. I've heard that his fans want to tease Lynd more and more. May bought fun toys for him."
Meryl and Halley laughed.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the very depths of an active volcano…
A woman and a man wearing an Exoskeleton armor were zooming on the complicated crevices and molten tunnels.
"We need to get out of here! The lava's starting to affect my suit!" The woman spoke with a pained expression.
Their escape was chaotic. The sudden appearance of a man inside their secret base had caught them off guard. They tried to fight and kill the threat but, the enemy was so powerful that they had to escape. Abandoning their base, the two had flown for hundreds of kilometers and had used up several of their doomsday protocol to ensure that they wouldn't be detected by any government agencies and corporations.
Yet in all this, the enemy was closely trailing by.
And so in a desperate attempt to throw off the enemy, the two had flown into the mouth of an active volcano and even dove deep into the brimstone and sulfur off towards some safe tunnel in the underground.
Though the suit resisted the burning lava, the insides of their suit were enough to cook them alive. If it weren't for the fact that they were genetically enhanced, then they would have died from the burns.
"We can't get out yet. Let's find a place to hide first. I'm sure that that… thing couldn't follow us into this volcano. We'll stay here for a while and try to recover." The man sighed as they continued to rush towards a cooler place of the volcano.
Suddenly, a strange scene occurred as electric currents started to gush out of the nearby lava pool from which the couple just came from.
The electrical energy was dark blue as it zoomed around the area.
The couple panicked but the sudden emergence of the lightning was too fast.
BUUUZZZ!
The two were stunned by the bolt and couldn't move.
They crashed on to the hot walls and it was as if the lightning had solid shape.
The two panicked as the clutched on to the lightning that now had a physical form.
Slowly the lightning gathered before them and was starting to compress.
A figure of a man could be seen.
"Set note… Extreme heat and presumably, coldness can still inflict pain, thereby limiting the thought process. Set countermeasure. Execute." The cold and uncaring voice commanded.
As the figure started to become clearer and clearer, a famous face appeared that caused great fear to the two couples.
"Lennox Humphrey!" The man called out.
"It's been a while. Stefanny… Damien. How are the kids?" The man asked as he gave an unaffected look towards the two.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Whenever nighttime would fall, the Pangean citizens and almost any avid fans of the Piercing games and its pro-scene would generally tune in to the action-packed live-stream of the fastest rising e-sport and streamers on Earth.
Lynd Indigo and Meryl Mikado were the fastest streamers to have ever pushed beyond the 1 million credit mark. It took them two days to complete the stream. Collectively, the two earned an estimate of 12 million credits on their streams.
Covenant of the Strongest became the most lucrative investment for businessmen causing chaos in the underworld. Various groups were trying to get tied with the Covenant but because of Harker's influence, only the most daring groups dared to make their attempts. The worst-case was bomb threats made on one company that wanted to initiate a deal with the Covenant of the Strongest.
Of course, for the key players themselves, their daily lives and especially their streams were generally undisturbed.
"And that's all for tonight guys! Thank you for all who gave me these donations!" Meryl had completed her daily routine on her stream. Unlike most female E-sport players, Meryl relatively wore modest clothing. They were decent but not too showy.
"Also, don't forget, Lynd will be streaming after this and so the challenge has been placed. I heard that they will be selecting Lynd's opponents randomly. So, test your skills! You could be the one who may give Lynd his first defeat. Of course, secretly we've been playing with each other so, in reality, this isn't his first defeat." Meryl giggled.
"As promised, Lynd will fight against various players and those interested must gamble 100 credits. If you manage to defeat Lynd, you get 1000 credits. And Lynd will be playing against you, with one hand, tied behind his back. Honestly, he can defeat anyone who's not an E-sport player easily even with those conditions. Seeker and Lynd had always played like that even before. I never got into the hang of it and not to mention I didn't want to put callus on my hands and fingers. Their quite dainty." Meryl revealed her thin fingers.
"As for you, ladies! Please remember this… Lynd's quite a shy guy. So please keep your proposals to yourself. He can't concentrate on those demands to marry him or have him sign your bras and underwear. We don't want that incident to happen again. So um… don't throw your underwear's directed at him. If you really can't hold yourself, aim for the stage. Don't throw it at his face." Meryl laughed.
The comment section of Meryl's stream had very few comments. And that's only because you need to pay to get the access to actually put in comments.
Yet despite this, a flurry of text still covered the chatbox with many comments pouring in.
Comments about people stating that Meryl shouldn't do what these two were doing as they were brutes erupted. Some of the bolder men stated that they wanted to put a ring on those fingers. Luckily, due to the strict rules and how there were dedicated people who would kick out and perma-ban those who would make lewd comments, no one ever breached the boundary.
"Also, I'd like to make an announcement on behalf of Lynd. He's generally a shy guy, and even though he was pressed by our managers, he was too shy to admit it. But we've decided that all 80% of the earnings we get from the stream will be given to support several orphanages in Pangea." Meryl smiled.
The news stunned everyone. Most streamers only promise a specific amount, but Meryl had decided to give 80% of her earnings as donations. This was unprecedented kindness. Even those who proposed to Meryl took back their words as they felt ashamed and unworthy to have an angel like Meryl.
"Lynd will also do the same. All of the earnings he would get on the gambles of that event will also be donated to the orphans and fatherless. As you know, the rate of child abandonment has been exceedingly high and more and more children are growing up without fathers, mothers and even both." Meryl gave an emotional speech as images started appearing on their stream.
"I've been raised up by two great parents… who sadly weren't able to retain their citizenship and was sent back to the East Asian Alliance. This is both an appeal to the EAA to please let me get my parents back. They are Pangean's by heart. Please let us be together again. I would also like to use this opportunity to thank Pangea for their constant fight in getting my parents back. I'm glad I have this nation supporting me. So in response to your kindness, I'd like to use this money to look after the orphans of this nation." Meryl smiled as tears seemed to have covered her eyes.
The world was heartbroken at Meryl's face. Several of those chatting cursed the EAA for their selfish demands of Meryl. Although they lost legally as Meryl was born and raised in Pangea, her parents were forcefully demanded to return.
"I plan to give these orphans education. Eighty percent of what I earn will be dedicated to helping them finish their studies as well as support to give these kids a little joy in their lives. Also, let us remember that after the detestable discoveries of human trafficking in our nations a few months ago, we have over a hundred some children who are left to fend for themselves. So this will be my fight." Meryl casually wiped off the tear on her eyes.
The chat room went crazy. People were demanding to open a donation box but Meryl simply shook her head.
"I don't want to be too greedy. I know how famous we are. And so I know that many will willingly donate thousands. But that's why I won't accept donations and only payments for the access of this stream. Don't worry guys. With the amount that I'm earning it is more than enough to help these young orphans." Meryl smiled.
The viewers were stunned. She was… too Bright.
"The good news, I accepted the offer to go to the EAA since the Covenant had agreed to let me be the brand ambassador of a new clothing line to be unveiled by Shrandel, an Antarctica based company in the EAA. This company vowed to do what it can to help me see my parents without being stopped by the government so, during my stay at the EAA, I'll have the chance to meet my parents before going to Antarctica. So this is my shot to go visit my parents regularly so I agreed immediately."
Several chats started wishing Meryl the best while others were openly applauding Shrandel's move that allowed Meryl to bypass the laws that hindered her from meeting her parents.
"After this stream, I will be going to the airport and will take off for the EAA in a few hours. My next stream will be on the EAA and next week stream will be on Antarctica. I didn't want to say this… but Seeker won a gamble against me… so here goes." A strange frustrated look surfaced on Meryl's face.
"It's going to be cold on Antarctica. So please send me your love and hugs to keep me warm." Meryl then made gestures and expressions with cute poses that were very unbecoming of her image.
The chats stopped pouring in as people were stunned at the development.
"Happy, Zeek?" Meryl frowned.
The chats started pouring once more.
Most of the viewers hadn't moved on from Meryl's attractive pose and teases.
It was then that she noticed one particular chat that asked a serious question.
"What about Seeker? Will he be donating?"
Meryl smiled.
"Sadly, Seeker can't donate his earnings with all the crazy bets he's been playing against other nations."
A lot of laughs were made in the room at Meryl's comment.
"That's very Seeker." Someone remarked in the chat room.
"But don't take his moves to be selfish. Remember, he wants a better Pangea. With the probability of war looming on the horizon and in case, Australia will suddenly attack, this will greatly help us with our war. The money he can earn can greatly benefit this nation as he promised to use it to support the military. That way Pangea, as a nation can allot more budget to health, education and so on."
If it were anyone else, people wouldn't have accepted this claim. But when these words came from the angelic, sweet and innocent Meryl, it was a blinding light of goodness.
Some actually cried as they read on. These three friends, Carlean, Mikado, and Indigo, were angels sent to help Pangea.
"So that's all for tonight! See you on Friday for the next stream! Bye guys!"
And with that Meryl logged off.
"Phew." She took off her headset and started stretching.
"I still can't get used to this…" She shook her head.
In the room, stood Halley Vagrant, the manager of the Covenant of the Strongest.
"Use to what? Fame?"
"No. Deceiving people."
"Deceiving people? You are giving money to orphanages. Why would that be deceiving people? It's a just cause."
"A just cause? Orphanages? More like a Jewish training grounds to make an Unbecoming army." Meryl shook her head.
"It's an ingenious scheme. The money is publicly noticed by all and since orphanages are natural places where the government or some secret organization will look keenly, we are openly funding our armies. If anything, we need 144,000 as Arthur once mentioned."
"Whatever. But that's the last time I'm doing those poses!"
"You know those really help us. By making it look like Seeker's bullying you to make those pose, you retain your angelic reputation but at the same time garner more fans. Not to mention even Danny smiled when you did those pose." Halley giggled. She knew that Danny Haze, the most famous e-sport players amongst women had a liking on Meryl.
Meryl had nothing to say.
"I'm surprised that this is what bothers you and not that crazy man in Antarctica that wants to um… touch you."
"How much did he pay?"
"Three hundred million credits." Halley Vagrant laughed.
"Ugh. Not even enough to pay off half of our debts with Lennox… I'm not bothered. It's not like he can actually touch me. Still, Zeeks' plans are scary. Just what kind of world was it like in the future that he would be this brutal?"
"If you ask me that pedophile had it coming. You wouldn't have been able to pull this off if he wasn't that immoral. Frankly, with what's at stake, Seeker's quite reserved in his actions."
"Then I must be happy that it was Zeek that got sent to the past instead of you."
"You should. If I were the one in control, I would have used you and Lynd more daringly. That's considering what you already pulled off. I'm sure Arthur and Lowengren would feel the same way. But no… you got an overprotective leader who would only risk us and keep his beloved friends from such terrors." Halley laughed.
Meryl frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Oh come on! Alean and Lowengren's halfway around the world facing who knows what. Cliff's been sent to his missions. Harker's return to the Underworld was quite dangerous. And even I am forced to act as mediators with the most dangerous criminals in Pangea. Do you know how many of those uncultured swine's have tried to strip me in the open? Even my nephew, who is a timid boy have been shipped off to the Tatsulok and then to China to train with those assassins! And here you two are making streams and money." Halley gave Meryl a scornful gaze.
Meryl could only remain quiet as she looked to the window.
"Is that you see it? Aren't you forgetting that we attacked Australia? Are you forgetting our war against those Assassins? You think you've had it rough? I faced death more than I can count on these experiences. I'm just like your nephew! I'm still a kid, Miss Halley. I'm not used to all this intrigue, espionage, framings and murders… I have to do it… I've lost my childhood, Halley." Meryl spoke angrily.
Halley was surprised and gave an embarrassed coughed.
"I believe I had misspoken. I guess… I forgot you are one since you are so strong. It's just. I've seen what you've done with those soldiers and how you train them to reach Unbecoming… I guess I keep forgetting that you were just an innocent girl four months ago." Halley apologized.
Meryl simply smiled.
"It's ok… Even I forget who I was back then. Still… If I had known that the energies on those suits he lent cost that much I wouldn't have used it recklessly." Meryl wept as she recalled the shocking total expenses that they have to pay Lennox.
"Seeker's taking care of it right now. He should be reaching the penthouse soon. I'm still shocked and sickened at the news though… I respected a lot of them… but I guess they had it coming…" Halley could only sigh.
"Me too… Those names… there were very respectable men and women! To think they would be so… perverted."
"It's a quick way to earn though. We have the perfect excuse. Imagine tomorrow, two business empires, several prominent names and possibly thousands and thousands of people will lose their jobs."
"And all because their boss is a pervert. At least we could finally pay off our debts to both Lennox and Meng…" Meryl sighed.
"I thought money wouldn't be a thing in the future!" She continued and cursed.
"Right now, it's a means to amass weapons." Halley laughed.
Meryl was silent. She then gave a visible shudder.
"What's wrong?" Halley asked in confusion.
"It's just… If he wanted a billion credits… I wonder what exactly is he going to do with it. I mean… even when Seeker tried to negotiate, Lennox wouldn't lower his price and demanded it. I wonder… what exactly, is that Overcomer planning on doing? That thought… just scares me." Meryl later sighed and started packing her clothes.
Halley smiled.
"I believe… that whatever that man is up to, it will surely be another just cause. Like the one, you have been doing. Anyways, I'll head out to Lynd. I'll do my best to make him stay. I've heard that his fans want to tease Lynd more and more. May bought fun toys for him."
Meryl and Halley laughed.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the very depths of an active volcano…
A woman and a man wearing an Exoskeleton armor were zooming on the complicated crevices and molten tunnels.
"We need to get out of here! The lava's starting to affect my suit!" The woman spoke with a pained expression.
Their escape was chaotic. The sudden appearance of a man inside their secret base had caught them off guard. They tried to fight and kill the threat but, the enemy was so powerful that they had to escape. Abandoning their base, the two had flown for hundreds of kilometers and had used up several of their doomsday protocol to ensure that they wouldn't be detected by any government agencies and corporations.
Yet in all this, the enemy was closely trailing by.
And so in a desperate attempt to throw off the enemy, the two had flown into the mouth of an active volcano and even dove deep into the brimstone and sulfur off towards some safe tunnel in the underground.
Though the suit resisted the burning lava, the insides of their suit were enough to cook them alive. If it weren't for the fact that they were genetically enhanced, then they would have died from the burns.
"We can't get out yet. Let's find a place to hide first. I'm sure that that… thing couldn't follow us into this volcano. We'll stay here for a while and try to recover." The man sighed as they continued to rush towards a cooler place of the volcano.
Suddenly, a strange scene occurred as electric currents started to gush out of the nearby lava pool from which the couple just came from.
The electrical energy was dark blue as it zoomed around the area.
The couple panicked but the sudden emergence of the lightning was too fast.
BUUUZZZ!
The two were stunned by the bolt and couldn't move.
They crashed on to the hot walls and it was as if the lightning had solid shape.
The two panicked as the clutched on to the lightning that now had a physical form.
Slowly the lightning gathered before them and was starting to compress.
A figure of a man could be seen.
"Set note… Extreme heat and presumably, coldness can still inflict pain, thereby limiting the thought process. Set countermeasure. Execute." The cold and uncaring voice commanded.
As the figure started to become clearer and clearer, a famous face appeared that caused great fear to the two couples.
"Lennox Humphrey!" The man called out.
"It's been a while. Stefanny… Damien. How are the kids?" The man asked as he gave an unaffected look towards the two.
Whenever nighttime would fall, the Pangean citizens and almost any avid fans of the Piercing games and its pro-scene would generally tune in to the action-packed live-stream of the fastest rising e-sport and streamers on Earth.Lynd Indigo and Meryl Mikado were the fastest streamers to have ever pushed beyond the 1 million credit mark. It took them two days to complete the stream. Collectively, the two earned an estimate of 12 million credits on their streams.Covenant of the Strongest became the most lucrative investment for businessmen causing chaos in the underworld. Various groups were trying to get tied with the Covenant but because of Harker's influence, only the most daring groups dared to make their attempts. The worst-case was bomb threats made on one company that wanted to initiate a deal with the Covenant of the Strongest.Of course, for the key players themselves, their daily lives and especially their streams were generally undisturbed."And that's all for tonight guys! Thank you for all who gave me these donations!" Meryl had completed her daily routine on her stream. Unlike most female E-sport players, Meryl relatively wore modest clothing. They were decent but not too showy."Also, don't forget, Lynd will be streaming after this and so the challenge has been placed. I heard that they will be selecting Lynd's opponents randomly. So, test your skills! You could be the one who may give Lynd his first defeat. Of course, secretly we've been playing with each other so, in reality, this isn't his first defeat." Meryl giggled."As promised, Lynd will fight against various players and those interested must gamble 100 credits. If you manage to defeat Lynd, you get 1000 credits. And Lynd will be playing against you, with one hand, tied behind his back. Honestly, he can defeat anyone who's not an E-sport player easily even with those conditions. Seeker and Lynd had always played like that even before. I never got into the hang of it and not to mention I didn't want to put callus on my hands and fingers. Their quite dainty." Meryl revealed her thin fingers."As for you, ladies! Please remember this Lynd's quite a shy guy. So please keep your proposals to yourself. He can't concentrate on those demands to marry him or have him sign your bras and underwear. We don't want that incident to happen again. So um don't throw your underwear's directed at him. If you really can't hold yourself, aim for the stage. Don't throw it at his face." Meryl laughed.The comment section of Meryl's stream had very few comments. And that's only because you need to pay to get the access to actually put in comments.Yet despite this, a flurry of text still covered the chatbox with many comments pouring in.Comments about people stating that Meryl shouldn't do what these two were doing as they were brutes erupted. Some of the bolder men stated that they wanted to put a ring on those fingers. Luckily, due to the strict rules and how there were dedicated people who would kick out and perma-ban those who would make lewd comments, no one ever breached the boundary."Also, I'd like to make an announcement on behalf of Lynd. He's generally a shy guy, and even though he was pressed by our managers, he was too shy to admit it. But we've decided that all 80% of the earnings we get from the stream will be given to support several orphanages in Pangea." Meryl smiled.The news stunned everyone. Most streamers only promise a specific amount, but Meryl had decided to give 80% of her earnings as donations. This was unprecedented kindness. Even those who proposed to Meryl took back their words as they felt ashamed and unworthy to have an angel like Meryl."Lynd will also do the same. All of the earnings he would get on the gambles of that event will also be donated to the orphans and fatherless. As you know, the rate of child abandonment has been exceedingly high and more and more children are growing up without fathers, mothers and even both." Meryl gave an emotional speech as images started appearing on their stream."I've been raised up by two great parents who sadly weren't able to retain their citizenship and was sent back to the East Asian Alliance. This is both an appeal to the EAA to please let me get my parents back. They are Pangean's by heart. Please let us be together again. I would also like to use this opportunity to thank Pangea for their constant fight in getting my parents back. I'm glad I have this nation supporting me. So in response to your kindness, I'd like to use this money to look after the orphans of this nation." Meryl smiled as tears seemed to have covered her eyes.The world was heartbroken at Meryl's face. Several of those chatting cursed the EAA for their selfish demands of Meryl. Although they lost legally as Meryl was born and raised in Pangea, her parents were forcefully demanded to return."I plan to give these orphans education. Eighty percent of what I earn will be dedicated to helping them finish their studies as well as support to give these kids a little joy in their lives. Also, let us remember that after the detestable discoveries of human trafficking in our nations a few months ago, we have over a hundred some children who are left to fend for themselves. So this will be my fight." Meryl casually wiped off the tear on her eyes.The chat room went crazy. People were demanding to open a donation box but Meryl simply shook her head."I don't want to be too greedy. I know how famous we are. And so I know that many will willingly donate thousands. But that's why I won't accept donations and only payments for the access of this stream. Don't worry guys. With the amount that I'm earning it is more than enough to help these young orphans." Meryl smiled.The viewers were stunned. She was too Bright."The good news, I accepted the offer to go to the EAA since the Covenant had agreed to let me be the brand ambassador of a new clothing line to be unveiled by Shrandel, an Antarctica based company in the EAA. This company vowed to do what it can to help me see my parents without being stopped by the government so, during my stay at the EAA, I'll have the chance to meet my parents before going to Antarctica. So this is my shot to go visit my parents regularly so I agreed immediately."Several chats started wishing Meryl the best while others were openly applauding Shrandel's move that allowed Meryl to bypass the laws that hindered her from meeting her parents."After this stream, I will be going to the airport and will take off for the EAA in a few hours. My next stream will be on the EAA and next week stream will be on Antarctica. I didn't want to say this but Seeker won a gamble against me so here goes." A strange frustrated look surfaced on Meryl's face."It's going to be cold on Antarctica. So please send me your love and hugs to keep me warm." Meryl then made gestures and expressions with cute poses that were very unbecoming of her image.The chats stopped pouring in as people were stunned at the development."Happy, Zeek?" Meryl frowned.The chats started pouring once more.Most of the viewers hadn't moved on from Meryl's attractive pose and teases.It was then that she noticed one particular chat that asked a serious question."What about Seeker? Will he be donating?"Meryl smiled."Sadly, Seeker can't donate his earnings with all the crazy bets he's been playing against other nations."A lot of laughs were made in the room at Meryl's comment."That's very Seeker." Someone remarked in the chat room."But don't take his moves to be selfish. Remember, he wants a better Pangea. With the probability of war looming on the horizon and in case, Australia will suddenly attack, this will greatly help us with our war. The money he can earn can greatly benefit this nation as he promised to use it to support the military. That way Pangea, as a nation can allot more budget to health, education and so on."If it were anyone else, people wouldn't have accepted this claim. But when these words came from the angelic, sweet and innocent Meryl, it was a blinding light of goodness.Some actually cried as they read on. These three friends, Carlean, Mikado, and Indigo, were angels sent to help Pangea."So that's all for tonight! See you on Friday for the next stream! Bye guys!"And with that Meryl logged off."Phew." She took off her headset and started stretching."I still can't get used to this" She shook her head.In the room, stood Halley Vagrant, the manager of the Covenant of the Strongest."Use to what? Fame?""No. Deceiving people.""Deceiving people? You are giving money to orphanages. Why would that be deceiving people? It's a just cause.""A just cause? Orphanages? More like a Jewish training grounds to make an Unbecoming army." Meryl shook her head."It's an ingenious scheme. The money is publicly noticed by all and since orphanages are natural places where the government or some secret organization will look keenly, we are openly funding our armies. If anything, we need 144,000 as Arthur once mentioned.""Whatever. But that's the last time I'm doing those poses!""You know those really help us. By making it look like Seeker's bullying you to make those pose, you retain your angelic reputation but at the same time garner more fans. Not to mention even Danny smiled when you did those pose." Halley giggled. She knew that Danny Haze, the most famous e-sport players amongst women had a liking on Meryl.Meryl had nothing to say."I'm surprised that this is what bothers you and not that crazy man in Antarctica that wants to um touch you.""How much did he pay?""Three hundred million credits." Halley Vagrant laughed."Ugh. Not even enough to pay off half of our debts with Lennox I'm not bothered. It's not like he can actually touch me. Still, Zeeks' plans are scary. Just what kind of world was it like in the future that he would be this brutal?""If you ask me that pedophile had it coming. You wouldn't have been able to pull this off if he wasn't that immoral. Frankly, with what's at stake, Seeker's quite reserved in his actions.""Then I must be happy that it was Zeek that got sent to the past instead of you.""You should. If I were the one in control, I would have used you and Lynd more daringly. That's considering what you already pulled off. I'm sure Arthur and Lowengren would feel the same way. But no you got an overprotective leader who would only risk us and keep his beloved friends from such terrors." Halley laughed.Meryl frowned."What do you mean?""Oh come on! Alean and Lowengren's halfway around the world facing who knows what. Cliff's been sent to his missions. Harker's return to the Underworld was quite dangerous. And even I am forced to act as mediators with the most dangerous criminals in Pangea. Do you know how many of those uncultured swine's have tried to strip me in the open? Even my nephew, who is a timid boy have been shipped off to the Tatsulok and then to China to train with those assassins! And here you two are making streams and money." Halley gave Meryl a scornful gaze.Meryl could only remain quiet as she looked to the window."Is that you see it? Aren't you forgetting that we attacked Australia? Are you forgetting our war against those Assassins? You think you've had it rough? I faced death more than I can count on these experiences. I'm just like your nephew! I'm still a kid, Miss Halley. I'm not used to all this intrigue, espionage, framings and murders I have to do it I've lost my childhood, Halley." Meryl spoke angrily.Halley was surprised and gave an embarrassed coughed."I believe I had misspoken. I guess I forgot you are one since you are so strong. It's just. I've seen what you've done with those soldiers and how you train them to reach Unbecoming I guess I keep forgetting that you were just an innocent girl four months ago." Halley apologized.Meryl simply smiled."It's ok Even I forget who I was back then. Still If I had known that the energies on those suits he lent cost that much I wouldn't have used it recklessly." Meryl wept as she recalled the shocking total expenses that they have to pay Lennox."Seeker's taking care of it right now. He should be reaching the penthouse soon. I'm still shocked and sickened at the news though I respected a lot of them but I guess they had it coming" Halley could only sigh."Me too Those names there were very respectable men and women! To think they would be so perverted.""It's a quick way to earn though. We have the perfect excuse. Imagine tomorrow, two business empires, several prominent names and possibly thousands and thousands of people will lose their jobs.""And all because their boss is a pervert. At least we could finally pay off our debts to both Lennox and Meng" Meryl sighed."I thought money wouldn't be a thing in the future!" She continued and cursed."Right now, it's a means to amass weapons." Halley laughed.Meryl was silent. She then gave a visible shudder."What's wrong?" Halley asked in confusion."It's just If he wanted a billion credits I wonder what exactly is he going to do with it. I mean even when Seeker tried to negotiate, Lennox wouldn't lower his price and demanded it. I wonder what exactly, is that Overcomer planning on doing? That thought just scares me." Meryl later sighed and started packing her clothes.Halley smiled."I believe that whatever that man is up to, it will surely be another just cause. Like the one, you have been doing. Anyways, I'll head out to Lynd. I'll do my best to make him stay. I've heard that his fans want to tease Lynd more and more. May bought fun toys for him."Meryl and Halley laughed.Meanwhile, somewhere in the very depths of an active volcanoA woman and a man wearing an Exoskeleton armor were zooming on the complicated crevices and molten tunnels."We need to get out of here! The lava's starting to affect my suit!" The woman spoke with a pained expression.Their escape was chaotic. The sudden appearance of a man inside their secret base had caught them off guard. They tried to fight and kill the threat but, the enemy was so powerful that they had to escape. Abandoning their base, the two had flown for hundreds of kilometers and had used up several of their doomsday protocol to ensure that they wouldn't be detected by any government agencies and corporations.Yet in all this, the enemy was closely trailing by.And so in a desperate attempt to throw off the enemy, the two had flown into the mouth of an active volcano and even dove deep into the brimstone and sulfur off towards some safe tunnel in the underground.Though the suit resisted the burning lava, the insides of their suit were enough to cook them alive. If it weren't for the fact that they were genetically enhanced, then they would have died from the burns."We can't get out yet. Let's find a place to hide first. I'm sure that that thing couldn't follow us into this volcano. We'll stay here for a while and try to recover." The man sighed as they continued to rush towards a cooler place of the volcano.Suddenly, a strange scene occurred as electric currents started to gush out of the nearby lava pool from which the couple just came from.The electrical energy was dark blue as it zoomed around the area.The couple panicked but the sudden emergence of the lightning was too fast.BUUUZZZ!The two were stunned by the bolt and couldn't move.They crashed on to the hot walls and it was as if the lightning had solid shape.The two panicked as the clutched on to the lightning that now had a physical form.Slowly the lightning gathered before them and was starting to compress.A figure of a man could be seen."Set note Extreme heat and presumably, coldness can still inflict pain, thereby limiting the thought process. Set countermeasure. Execute." The cold and uncaring voice commanded.As the figure started to become clearer and clearer, a famous face appeared that caused great fear to the two couples."Lennox Humphrey!" The man called out."It's been a while. Stefanny Damien. How are the kids?" The man asked as he gave an unaffected look towards the two.
