Although he had pride and great confidence, Raven never believed himself to be an arrogant person nor did he allow cockiness to grow over his head for more than a few seconds when it arose.
In fact, because of his cursed luck, what he had learned throughout his life was that no matter what happens, he must never allow himself to get full of arrogance or karma will teach him a great lesson fairly soon.
For instance, there was that time in the past when, through Lady Luck's massive blessing, he won several grand just under a single night. He became so happy or could be said cocky, that he began to mock those who lost, only to be beaten up and get robbed the very second he left the building...
Even right now, if Raven thought back about that moment, he felt both shame and anger for being so ridiculously stupid!
Ever since then, he had been forced to learn to be always humble or at least control his behavior before others and never get ahead of himself, or else things could go south rather quickly.
Though, looking at the way everyone stood and talked, it seemed they were not taught such a lesson as Raven, which made him feel sick. Luckily, he had a mask on his face, or else people would be surprised to see the way he looked at the moment.
No, in truth, the reason why Raven felt so much disgust toward the people before him was because of their behavior.
Like, for fuck's sake!
In less than a day, a single human's rise or fall will decide whether humanity will experience either salvation or total annihilation!
Of course, Raven could see some indication that the people within this hall felt nervous with a hint of fear, but in reality, they looked almost as if...
They didn't accept the truth... No, it was better to say they didn't want to accept the truth!
It was almost like they didn't believe that a single fight can decide the fate of billions of lives, hence why they were acting so carefree.
'...Fucking clowns.'
The disdain and fury within Raven's heart became only more intense than before.
Massive gates appearing out of nowhere, Artifacts, items, and other magical stuff granting supernatural powers, mysterious deities whose names spoken out loud could kill people alone, and beasts that so far had been only a part of myths and legends...
After witnessing and even getting used to all these things, these fools really belived there was no supernatural force that could erase the entire humanity out of existence?
How naive...
After walking inside the hall, everyone stopped talking and shifted their gaze at the duo at the door.
At first, Raven believed everyone was looking at Min Chen beside him, after all, she was like a goddess with a beauty that was enough to start wars between nations.
Not even a second after he entered the hall, shocked murmurs started to spread to every corner while eyes filled with awe, jealousy, wonder, and even greed got glued to his figure.
For a second, Raven felt almost as if he was getting stripped before everyone.
"Thanks to your little show during the Special Event, you have become like a star, so it is no wonder they are all shocked to see you here." Min Chen explained with a soft smile while Goran behind the two of them nodded.
"I see..." Raven mumbled and after lingering at the entrance for a few seconds he walked to the side. Goran followed him there also, making him feel almost as if he all of a sudden earned a bodyguard.
As for Min Chen, although seemingly reluctant, when she saw a few familiar faces among the crowd she sighed and decided to greet them.
Naturally, Raven could still see her glancing in his direction, looking at him almost as if she feared he will vanish before she could have the chance to talk with him at least one more time.
Time passed slowly, people with seemingly high ranks and prestige walked inside the hall one after another, from which Raven was able to recognize Lucas and Darwin.
He even saw his father, Old Dan together with Kayn, Thomas, and even Luna enter the hall, the latter not so surprisingly spotting him in less than two seconds. However, as they had to act as if they didn't know each other neither of them approached him.
This, of course, earned a soft sigh from Raven, which unfortunately didn't go unnoticed.
"That sigh... I know it way too well. You are sad and worried."
"Huh?" turning his head to the side, Raven watched as the crimson-haired beauty at some point in time arrived beside him without his notice, her delicate hands holding a small plate with a piece of white cake on it.
Looking at the beauty for a few seconds with a complicated look, Raven shook his head and turned his attention back to the crowd, only to see his little sister staring at Min Chen with an intense stare for some reason.
"Sad? Not really. I would say disappointed instead. As for worried? Perhaps that is true. After all, who would not feel worry at the moment? Only fools."
"Disappointed? Why?" slicing a small piece off of the cake from his place and putting it into her mouth delicately, Min Chen looked at Raven curiously.
Raven looked at the young goddess beside him once again, and after pondering for a while he just shook his head helplessly, "You would not understand it."
"Really? Well, try me then." Min Chen smiled as she put another slice of cake into her mouth.
Raven looked at the beauty beside him for a few seconds and wished to explain it, when suddenly the doors through where they came in closed, and a figure at the other side of the hall appeared.
That figure, was none other than President Bai.
"Welcome everyone, it is good to see that all of you are safe and sound." President Bai smiled, which looked a bit exhausted before his face turned grave and said, "Although I wish nothing more than to start a toast and talk with each of you, knowing everything you all have gone through in the past few weeks, as we are short in time I will not waste any time."
After saying those words, a maid from beside President Bai took a step forward and taking out a piece of paper she began to talk;
"Please, those of you who hear their name step forth. Canwin Lowarm, Roven Dustorb, Min Chen, Cassie Goldstone, Felix Vaincor, and Luck."
'Felix?' surprised, Raven began to look around, trying to find someone among the crowd.
And soon enough, there he was, the pale young man he was so familiar with, Felix.
'So it seems he also reached Rank 8, huh?' Raven thought in his heart as he walked forward, quickly reaching the front of the crowd with the rest whose names had been mentioned.
Canwin Lowarm, the strongest member and also founder of the Ascended Gods Guild, is also known as the Bright God because of his unique Artifact.
He had a small but strong frame with short blond hair, blue eyes, and almost snow white and smooth skin that even women would get jealous over. He was the typical playboy, one who could get any woman drooling just by showing his smile.
Rovan Dustorb, on the other hand, was almost the complete opposite of him. He had a big, bulky frame, black tattoos running visibly everywhere on his chest, shoulders, and even at the side of his bald head!
Furthermore, to make his appearance even more bizarre, he was wearing nothing but a luxurious bathrobe.
Yes, he was the guy who sneered at Raven the moment he stepped out of the vehicle.
However, even that bastard's appearance paled in comparison when Raven's eyes fell on the figure of Cassie Goldstone, a woman who seemed to be in her early thirties.
'Holy crap!'
Raven's eyes almost fell out of their sockets when he saw the woman because she was almost naked!
Yes! Almost naked!
The woman in front of him wore a single black, sheer dress, allowing everyone to see her almost completely naked body below! The only parts that were covered with beautiful jewelry, of course, were the intimate parts, so she wasn't completely naked.
Unfortunately...
After all, while being in her early thirties, she was like a bombshell, immediately attracting all eyes to her seductive body let it be from males or females.
'...She is really something else.' Raven swallowed nervously, trying to not feast his eyes on Cassie's body, with which he surprisingly succeeded when suddenly a cold shiver ran down his spine, making him feel almost as if someone stared at him with dagger-like eyes.
"Good. It seems everyone is here." the maid stated to which President Bai nodded, and without further hesitation gestured at the six to follow him before walking away.
As for the rest of the people within the hall, they were asked to wait patiently and enjoy the food and drink.
Which, just as Raven has guessed it, they did, with the same carefree attitude as before...
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om