Lord of the Karmic Fate

Inside a luxurious room, lying on a large bed with his mask still on, Raven sighed deeply and sat up.

[Start of the Challenge: 00:15:43]

Looking at the floating panel in his line of sight, Raven stayed silent for a few seconds before he slapped his thighs with great force and jumped onto his feet.

"It's show time."

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Escorted out of his hotel with President Bai himself and his guards, Raven was brought back inside the Star Palace where everyone he once saw half a day ago could be seen gathered.

Members from both the United World League and the Realm Association, heads of each major and smaller guilds, the few individuals from top guilds, and people who enjoyed special privilege compared to the rest.

Naturally, among the crowd, Raven was able to spot numerous familiar faces such as Felix, Canwin, Roven, Cassie, Min Chen, Old Dan, Kayn, Lucas, Darwin, and even Luna.

However, not so surprisingly, different from about half a day ago, right now Raven could notice that everyone had a dark and grim face, some even so pale that they looked ghastly, almost on the verge of collapsing!

Luna looked the worst out of all of them, as despite her looking collected with an indifferent face, Raven knew her way too well and understood that was just a mask.

Especially from the way the corner of her eyes were teary and the way the glass of wine in her hands shook because of her trembling fingers.

Seeing her like this made Raven's heart clench in pain, wishing he could run up to her and give her a big and caring hug.

'But I can't...' sighing inwardly, Raven shook his head softly while he recalled their last conversation with each other before he allowed the Star Treasury to track him down.

That was the only thing he could reassure himself with until all this hell won't come to an end.

Walking beside President Bai, Raven stepped onto the small podium erected at the end of the hall and stood before everyone.

Right now, he was standing before hundreds of people while cameras recorded his figure, broadcasting it worldwide live for every human to see it.

[Start of the Challenge: 00:03:11]

'...Three minutes, huh?' Raven thought inwardly, wondering what he should say.

President Bai told him it would be the best he could reassure everyone, that everything will be fine.

'But how could I convince others if even I am not convinced about the future?' Raven sneered silently, his decision on what to say set in mind.

He won't lie nor raise others' hope.

Silence filled the room which grew heavier and heavier with each passing second, but just as it was ready to turn unbearable, Raven cleared his throat and began to speak.

"As you all may have realized already, our future is not bright. We all have been pushed to the edge of a bottomless abyss where if we happen to fall will never crawl out ever again."

When Raven began to speak, the people began to whisper to each other, the atmosphere turning gloomy right at that instant.

President Vai and many higher-ups frowned when they saw this as this was not what they expected to hear. They even decided to drag him away when suddenly Raven continued to talk.

"However, just as our history left behind us has proven it numerous times already, no matter what obstacles have crossed our paths or dire situations we have fallen into, we have always found ways to adapt, survive, and rise to the top!"

The moment Raven's voice fell, it seemed the gloomy atmosphere inside the room seemed to shift, becoming elevated with little hope and strong emotions.

Seeing this, Raven smiled and resumed;

"Yes, I also know this is completely different from those times, after all now it's up to a single individual to determine whether billions could keep living or die. I know."

"I also know that there is nothing worse in the world than the feeling of being helpless and powerless. As for watching our fate be decided by someone else, believe me, that is the worst feeling ever."

When Raven said those words, a distant memory he wished to never remember again resurfaced in his mind, only to be pushed back in the very next second.

After a deep sigh, he continued;

"However, as we have no other choice but to flow with the tide and accept all this, the harsh reality, there is only one thing I can say to all of you... No, ask instead..."

"I want all of you to believe in me... Believe in me and have faith in my strength as just only then I can promise you that no matter what, even if it is the last thing I have to do, I will struggle with everything I have to save all of us!"

[Start of the Challenge: 00:00:01]

[Start of the Challenge: 00:00:00]

[Initiating Challenge, Heaven or Hell, right away!]

"And for that, you have my wo-"

However, Raven couldn't finish his sentence as suddenly silver light enveloped his body, instantly causing his body to vanish from sight.

As for the rest of the people, among quiet sobs and shocked gasps, suddenly several panels popped up, each showing the same image.

"What the hell is that thing?!"

"Oh, please no!"

"Behind you!"

Everyone's face paled the moment they saw how a massive creature, seemingly a huge centipede plunging itself at Raven from behind him, its opened maw full of razor-sharp teeth ready to bite his head off.

"That's it... He is dead..." many fell to their knees with tears flowing down their cheeks, only to be shocked the very next second.

Just a second before the creature was ready to fall on its seemingly oblivious prey, Raven's body flashed, and in less than a second he appeared several meters behind the centipede with a green dagger in hand.

As for the creature, like a puppet whose string had been just cut fell on the ground, twitching and shrieking in pain before its body stiffened, no longer moving or breathing.

It was dead.