Return Of The Strongest Player

'Even the Fates?' Felix muttered internally, stroking his chin. Considering both the Norns and Moirai had announced such changes, it seemed they were inevitable. 'That boy… he has something to do with this.'

'I noticed it when he came back from the tenth floor. He was much stronger, not only mentally, but also physically. It was as if he'd realized something he was uncertain of prior to his departure.'

'As if his doubts had been cleared.'

"You mentioned the change in laws, Odin," Diya suddenly interrupted. "Explain. The Holy Land has also experienced climate change, but not anything of that sort."

"Yes," Odin replied, staring directly at Diya as he licked his lips. "That is because no one noticed the change in laws except the Norns, and perhaps the Fates. It was a subtle shift, but the Norns discovered something. I am not at liberty to reveal what it was, as I–too–am not certain."

"Odin, control your sexual desires, or else I'll tattle on you to Frigg," Felix announced playfully, revealing a toothy grin while observing Diya's uncomfortable expression. "I'm sure she'll love to hear all ab–"

"Okay, okay," Odin interrupted Felix's monologue, releasing a sigh.

At that moment, Diya shot a thankful glance at Felix, to which the latter replied by winking playfully.

"All right, if there's no other information to be shared, we'll move on to the next topic," Zeus announced, his gaze complicated. "Does anyone have anything to share, or can we conclude this meeting?"

"Why're you in such a hurry?" Felix inquired, cocking his head.

"None of your business, devil," Zeus shot back, directing a glare at the Saint Sealing Devil.

"I have something to discuss," a hand shot up. The eyes of all Divine Rankers turned to face a woman with beautiful, dark hair that cascaded down to her waist. A detached expression clouded her jade-like face, while her eyes were narrowed.

She seemed like an ice beauty.

"Speak," Zeus commanded, resting his face atop his palm, while his elbow rested upon the table.

"I wish to discuss a certain man named Arthur Solace," the ice beauty announced, causing murmurs to arise within the hall. The dancing shadows stopped, while a deathly silence enveloped the area once the murmurs subsided.

There wasn't a single existence in the tower unbeknownst to the name Arthur Solace.

As the notifications of his success were transmitted digitally to al players, his legend had already been built. He had a strong foundation, and many admired him. However, there were always two sides to a coin.

Some accused him of being a carry. A carry was a player guided through the tower's floors by bribing the Guardian in-charge. However, many dismissed such a brazen claim, as the Tower Administration had yet to react.

Or, perhaps even the Administration was involved?

That claim was also dismissed, as the High Guardians had yet to make a move. Preserving balance was the eternal duty of the High Guardians, and to discard their purpose was like giving up on their life.

Players didn't believe the High Guardians had the guts to commit such an act.

"Arthur Solace…" Zeus muttered the name as a cacophony of crackling lightning descended upon the hall, enshrouding it with blinding light and a feeling of dread. Zeus' expression remained deadpan, but one could practically sense the fury ooze from his muscular body, like a bodily fluid.

His impression of the crimson-eyed man was not well, as he arose like a prodigy, much like him in his prime. As someone capable of dominating the lower floors, Arthur inevitably piqued Zeus' interest.

Despite being such a prideful man, Zeus lowered himself, sending several letters of invitation, and even an envoy.

Yet, his lack of presence hindered the invitations and envoy from ever reaching Arthur.

'How could he not be interested in joining Olympus?' Zeus wondered once his envoy failed to locate the crimson-eyed man, overflowing with rage and indignation. 'The boy is too arrogant for his own good.'

However, it wasn't convincing when those words were spoken by Zeus–the most prideful man under the heavens.

"What do you wish to discuss about him?" Odin inquired, stroking his beard as he stared at the table, lost in his thoughts. It seemed he–too–was interested in the topic, judging by his lack of reaction.

Odin was an unusual man.

"His rise is too quick," said the ice beauty, her eyes flashing murderous intent. "As the pinnacle of the tower, do you people not feel threat? Do you people not realize the threat we might face if he grows to our level?"

"What are you trying to say, Annabelle?" Indra inquired, his eyes narrowed. As a prideful man, he did not understand Annabelle's concerns. "Are you saying we should suppress another prodigy?"

Zeus was heavily against the idea. "Cowards."

"Zeus, listen to me," said Annabelle, her expression strained now. "One day, he will rise to the higher floors. What will you do, then? What will you do when a player who has conquered ten floors with first place in every single one appears on the 98th floor?"

"Bold of you to assume he will ever become a Divine Ranker…"

"What is stopping him? If it isn't us, who will stop him?"

The Divine Rankers were unperturbed by Annabelle's concerns, and found her to be excessively cowardly. As a High Ranker, she needed to maintain her dignity, yet she was scrapping it.

What could a mere greenhorn do?

'He will probably be killed soon, considering the weight of his brazen actions.'

The Divine Rankers were heavily against the idea of nipping the so-called 'threat' in the bud. Although they had suppressed a few prodigies in the past, most of them were mid-rank clans on the verge of becoming high-rank clans.

But a lone wolf?

What could he do?

"Didn't he disrespect Bahamut's daughter recently?" A certain High Ranker spoke, letting out a chuckle. "As far as we know, he might already be dead."

"No… Bahamut has been quiet, lately. He wouldn't have killed the boy unless he directly attacked the Celestial Peaks' reputation."

"But his daughter is precious to him."

"Still, whatever he is doing, he values it more."

"Isn't Arthur on the verge of receiving the 13th Constellation Token?"

Silence descended yet again.