Story by: Rhenhwa.
Virtual God's Online
Chapter 11: Unfriendly Ocean
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, organizations, and settings depicted are entirely fictional and created for storytelling purposes.
***
While that was happening, at the same time.
●『Channel4 Live Feed』
– [By the way, what about the others. Blackstar has been the focus of attention that we've forgotten the rest.]
– [Ten from Blackstar's side has been eliminated already. I'd say only about forty more.]
– [Uhh, guys, you might want to see this…]
Yes. Like they had planned.
They knew each individual, even when split equally among all stars, knew they'd stand no chance.
Even if they were high-ranked deities. There were differences between them.
Like that rank, split into three under several categories within said class.
First is the high class, second is a higher class surpassing the first.
After that is an even higher stage surpassing the lower stages.
Those on that ultimate stage are closest to the Transcendants.
And for Eathern-class deities like them, even if their power is limited, it was not as easy.
While their powers are indeed limited, the same cannot be said for their authority.
They possessed authority that far eclipsed theirs; thus, having seen the initial blast that split the first star in half a few minutes into the game, they stopped playing.
Fifteen lower-class deities, not worth naming, but each wielded a set of strange authorities, thrown together from different orders.
Most didn't know each other. They barely coordinated.
But they had one thing in common: fear of the person they faced...and an even deeper fear of what awaited if they failed this task.
[Location: Ocean Star]
"Gaaaah! I should have known! It's fucking Poseidon!!!"
Amidst waves, the entire star was covered in blue ocean. This was the star's default template.
It was only natural that a corresponding deity would be given to this stage.
But of all deities, one stood amongst those close to the transcendent stage.
Ultimate, his power was disputed amongst the high-ranking..
Poseidon, a man with long, wavy blue hair, wore a blue and gold suit; his coat formed a fishtail.
He held a golden trident as he rode the waves, nay that was incorrect to say, rather, it was the waves that willingly propelled him.
["Surrender already. Even with your numbers, you can't hope to stop me.."]
["Although I made a deal with them, I still have to fulfill my end of the task with Akasha. So, don't be scared."]
He said that in a relatively calm tone.
Well, it wouldn't have been a big deal if there weren't giant waves high above Poseidon, ready to fall on them.
"Not to mention, he's already taken control of the entire star."
"Hey! No matter how much you think about it, isn't this unfair? Putting a Fluid-type inside an oceanic star has to be unfair, right?"
They complained, and, in all honesty, they were partly right.
However, in response to their cries of unfairness.
"[It would, if you didn't have fifteen going against one.]"
Poseidon replied with that.
—SHUA!
The moment Poseidon's words fell, five deities from each direction, in an asterisk format, charged at Poseidon, seemingly from thin air.
WHOOSH–!
['....A transfer type?']
Poseidon thought as he glanced at the five. He was about to raise his staff slightly when his hands stilled in the air.
"You won't be able to move; you're already under my authority, supported by three others."
Another appeared, seemingly from thin air, saying that, as the ultimate deity thought, they really had a transfer-type deity.
It was well planned.
"Don't relax yet. We aren't safe; let's isolate this space. His authority is Divine Fluid. Any virtual liquid can be controlled."
"Especially his ideal fluid. Don't give him the chance…!"
Hence, before that.
Five more spawned from the open gate, a little behind the initial five he was already facing.
["A brilliant strategy indeed."]
Poseidon muttered under his breath.
While five distracted him, the other ten made preparations, and while the initial five were distracting him, they also had their plan in mind.
The second five, with an additional one that appeared, used a binding authority, supported by five other authorities to be effective.
When that was done, they would all create an isolation space to trap him.
["It seems like you're all underestimating me... well, while isolation is a good idea, do you really think I'll give you the chance?"]
Poseidon said those words ominously.
What happened next?
All fluids throughout the star began to stir increasingly. Then, even without moving the golden trident, golden ripples formed in the air.
Behind them, the high waves that had been following Poseidon began to shift midair.
SHUA–!
Slowly, it formed into something.
First came fingers, with long liquid, curling from the high waves behind the Oceanic deity.
Then arms, following that was then shoulders, rising from the sea like the spine of a god.
Until at last: a face formed in roiling waves. A titan of water, gazing down as if to drown the sky.
WHOOSH—!
"Everybody, disengage!"
One shouted that, immediately causing them to scatter. With that command, their transporter would transport them away to regroup.
Honestly, they didn't know if it would be worth heading to another star only to find someone worse than Poseidon there.
That is why, even if they left here,
Chances of them meeting someone worse, especially actual combat-type deities with insane authority to back their style.
Deities such as Blonde Chaos.
As such, they had to do their best.
["Futile. It would do you well to remember, I have taken control of this star already. And technically speaking, I have rewound the binding."]
It took a moment for them to notice.
"Ngh–Uah!?"
"This is bad!"
At some point, they did not know their authorities had backfired, and now they were bound.
It was a gamble, in the first place.
Using an authority within a stronger domain—type authority was pure madness. And, as Poseidon said, it was a good strategy.
Had they maintained the isolation, it would have worked, and Poseidon would have been sealed.
While that wouldn't have cleared this star, it would have at least reduced the chances of Blackstar's success.
That, too, was acceptable.
However,
["Naturally, I'm no demon. Even if one of you survives this attack, I'll forfeit. I have no interest in games.."]
["If it weren't for the 'deal,' I wouldn't have bothered. So, here."]
Casually dropping those words while those Eathern-class deities looked at the Ultimate Deity with pained expressions.
What were the chances of lower-class deities like them surviving the attack of a deity that surpassed them in existence by four layers?
Statistically zero? Yes.
Afterall, this was akin to telling a child to survive a punch from an MMA fighter.
That level of unreasonableness was what Poseidon was displaying.
'A–and he said he's no demon.'
They all wanted to complain, with frustrated expressions, but could only grit their teeth and accept the attack.
"It's not over…! Our bodies may be sealed, but not our will, our authority. Shie! We're transporting that attack!"
One suddenly shouted, the most motivated among them. He may be of low class, but he doesn't believe he lacks the spirit of one.
That is why…
"No way! I'll die! I can't transport that thing on time!"
Contrary to the initial morale boost, the person he called for assistance suddenly shot down his idea.
As they began to banter, Poseidon had already dropped his hands; the aqua giant slowly threw its fist towards them.
"Hahahaha! Who says we're completely transporting the attack?"
Their leading figure said that, with a hint of mania, the type of expression that says, "dammit all" and "damn it, we ball."
"We'll die regardless."
"Listen up, we don't have much time. We'll use binding to slow its descent; in the meantime, open just enough of the gate to transfer the damage away."
That was easier said than done.
Not that Shie himself couldn't do it.
Transporting damage away was just one of his abilities; however, he was simply scared of Poseidon.
That thing wasn't a normal giant just swinging its arms down. That was an authority swinging its force upon them.
And all of them can feel its immense pressure.
"If we do it we die! If we don't, we die anyway! Think of the one thing you hate the most!"
"Blackstar!"
"Who forced us into this mess?"
"Blackstar!"
They all took turns saying things like that as a means of motivation, to psyche themselves up.
After all, the more they thought about the pressure weighing on them, the more scared they felt.
So, what was better than blaming the people or factors that set them up for this fight?
"Who set us up with High-God Poseidon!?"
"Akasha!"
Definitely those two.
All the while, Poseidon simply looked upon them with interest. For lower-class deities, they surprisingly had guts.
Even if they were forced into this game, he was amused by them.
However, this was the end. His expression darkened as he finally let down his attack.
BOOM–!
Contrary to the violent sounds of a splash, what resounded was an explosion, which made no sense.
Clearly, there were no visible explosions.
The waves kicked back violently as fluids spread everywhere. Of course, the waters themselves avoided Poseidon.
By the time it had settled down, Poseidon scoffed.
["Hmph. See, you can do it if you try. Well then… I've done enough. Any more and I'd be violating the deal…"]
Saying that, he turned away from them.
["Akasha. I forfeit this node. Give them the key.."]
Poseidon said this as another panel appeared before him. Having had enough for the day, he annoyedly accepted the exit.
As soon as he did, his body began to break down into several particles of light, with a golden orb floating from him toward them.
With one final glance, he looked back at them, before looking back at the horizon.
["The Blackstar kid… "]
In the middle of his speech, before he could even finish, as though itching for payback, the system booted him from the space.
Doing that left fifteen dieties sprawled on the ground.
Each of them was still in the game, qualified to go to the next star.
However, they had done their part. Though they used a lot of manpower, this was still their third clear.
Meanwhile, as that happened, fifteen of them, all sprawled on the seabed, were floating.
The logic of sinking had no hold on them; so, there, they lounged.
"...Did we win?"
"Yeah. Technically."
Another groaned.
"Remind me to never blame Blackstar again."
"You will. Once your brain reboots."
"...Fair."
Five Stars had been beaten, and a certain transcendental goddess was annoyed by this outcome.
『....!!』
『Notice: Deity Aghea is attempting a breach of the Akasha system!』
『Notice: Deity Ageha! Cease your interference immediately—!』