Billion Dollar Player

Chapter 33: The New King

The Floating Island stood isolated in the vast expanse, a place unparalleled and distinct from any other in the world. Its expansive territory surpassed its distant appearance, captivating all who gazed upon it.

At the heart of the Beginner's Island loomed a colossal statue, a tribute to Arze, the former Top Ranker of the Bloodline Trial. However, as soon as Raven set foot on the island, he noticed a gradual transformation taking hold of the statue, changing its shape.

The sudden metamorphosis of the statue sent shockwaves through the inhabitants of Novice Village. This monument had remained unchanged for as long as anyone could recall. The statue at the center drew the majority of attention, leaving Raven unnoticed by many.

"There's a change in the statue? Has a new king risen in Novice Village?" a curious youngster exclaimed, breaking the silence.

"When was the last time this happened? I can't even remember. Has someone broken Lord Arze's record? Who could achieve such a feat?" wondered another resident.

As Raven walked through the streets, he overheard numerous astonished voices. However, what stunned him even more was when the statue finally completed its transformation. To his astonishment, he realized that the statue now resembled none other than himself.

Even the long-term inhabitants of the Floating Island, who had become accustomed to its wonders, were left dumbfounded. The absence of wings on the figure depicted in the statue revealed that it was not a Draconian or an Archangel, which came as a shock. Instead, the statue portrayed a human.

Within the confines of the Beginner Island, only a few humans resided, their strength so feeble that they had been unable to venture beyond the Novice Village.

These humans, known for their timidity, chose to remain within the safe boundaries of the Beginner's Island, fearful of the unknown. Consequently, they had become the subject of ridicule throughout the island.

Humans were regarded as third-rate citizens, lacking respect from their peers. However, upon witnessing the statue's transformation, the humans, who had always kept their heads lowered, finally raised their gazes. They wondered if this was an omen of significant change brewing in Hellfire.

The revelation that a human had surpassed Arze and claimed the top rank in the trials left almost everyone dumbfounded. People became vigilant, eagerly searching for the individual portrayed in the statue, anticipating a momentous shift in power.

Some individuals, having recently completed the Trials, were not surprised by Raven's statue.

They had personally witnessed the trials' intricate challenges, so it held no shock for them. They began sharing their experiences, slightly embellishing Raven's achievements to depict him as a bloodthirsty devil.

As Raven strolled through the streets, he encountered tales of his own exploits. Some of these stories were so absurd that he couldn't help but roll his eyes in disbelief.

While most of the island's residents remained cautious and prepared themselves for when they were to see Raven, there were also those who were driven by greed. They believed that Raven's success was a result of mere luck.

Despite his skills, they considered him inexperienced in the outside world. Furthermore, they boasted higher levels than most of the inhabitants of the Beginner Village, bolstering their confidence in crushing a newcomer.

They harbored the conviction that they could defeat Raven, seize his treasures, and further enhance their own strength, potentially attaining an even higher Bloodline.

Instead of showing reverence towards Raven, they viewed him as prey. Moreover, numerous individuals felt embarrassed that a seemingly weak human occupied the position of the King of Trials.

Their frustration led them to vent their anger on the weaker humans, vandalizing their shops and subjecting them to physical abuse whenever they encountered one.

Raven's altered appearance shielded his true identity, preventing anyone from linking him to his original self. However, his human facade attracted significant attention, drawing the gaze of many individuals.

Observing the plight of humans in this realm, a sense of irritation welled up within Raven. The circumstances seemed to suggest that humans held no rights and were treated as mere stepping stones for the higher species.

"Oh, a new human brat?" A figure adorned with two horns extending from their forehead fixated their gaze upon Raven, their lips curling with anticipation. "It's been years since a new human arrived. And now, it seems two have come at once?"

The demonic figure stepped forward, blocking Raven's path, accompanied by a group of diverse players from various species who had formed an alliance for mutual benefits.

Unlike the organized factions within the Bloodline Trial, this group here comprised individuals from different backgrounds.

Raven halted, finding himself encircled by an expanding crowd, closing in on him from all directions. Alongside him stood his puppet, Elia, whose face remained hidden behind a mask, leading others to assume she was also human.

"Can I assist you?" Raven turned to face the players that surrounded him, keenly observing their presence.

In his original Bloodline, he possessed the ability to perceive the levels of other individuals through his Divine Vision. However, as a Puppet Master in his current form, he lacked access to this skill.

Unable to gauge the strength of those encircling him, Raven could only discern their names displayed above their heads. The bright red hues of their names indicated their history of player kills, signifying a formidable past.

Conversely, when the other players glanced at the name hovering above Raven, they encountered a bright green inscription, denoting a player who had not taken a single life.

[Arash]

Upon seeing the green name, the crowd erupted into hearty laughter. To them, Raven appeared as yet another weakling who had breezed through without encountering any real challenges, resembling nothing more than a feeble rat.

"Hand over all your treasures and coins, and in return, we shall grant you our protection!" the leader of the group declared, a wide grin etched across their face.