A New World, an immersive game experience

'Of course, there's an interview after the match.' Eldrian thought, following their guides back to the fancy coliseum. As they walked towards the couches set up in the center, highlights from their match against Midnight Tea were being displayed on the surrounding holograms.

The majority of those highlights were on the failed ambush, the last-second arrival of Nikki saving Ilmadia, and then the defensive siege. Basically, all the cards Phoenix had been hiding up until now were clearly being displayed. 𝚋𝚎ｄｎｏｖ𝚎𝚕．𝚌ｏｍ

All their cards except for Eldrian. But he wasn't hidden, just unused.

From the opposite side of the coliseum, Midnight Tea's leaders were heading to the interview couches too. Their side looked far more somber, but that was only natural. They had lost.

They weren't yet kicked to fourth or third place; they would have to face the loser of the second semi-finals later today. Whether this was a small mercy or cruelty was hard to say. Their own efforts would determine their ultimate ranking, but their efforts might be lacking.

As for the interview itself, it was quite a normal one. Oier asked both sides about their opinion of the match. What they felt they lacked, what they were going to improve for their matches, and so forth.

He also asked Midnight Tea if they were going to participate in the next tournament, and hinted at the fact that tournaments would be held multiple times a year going forward. With regions qaurterly, and a world cup type situation once a year.

Once the interview was settled, both guilds went back to their rooms. Meanwhile, Oier directed the viewers to the highlights and smoothly transitioned over to some sponsors and stuff. When the time came, he transitioned back to the second and last semi-finals.

—

Back in their rooms, everyone quickly hopped online. They had a small party planned now that they had secured second place. And with Eldrian in their pocket, first felt secure in hand.

Still... they held their party online so as to minimize the effects it would have on their match. Honestly, it was preemptive. But one had to celebrate, and those in the know expected it wasn't going to be possible to let loose after the finals.

They just felt like something was brewing.

Most importantly, Eldrian, for once, didn't separate himself from the rest. He joined them in merrymaking, and soon even the NPCs joined in on the fun. While late, they too had something to celebrate. After all, the first 'Highway" between Phallos and Taurus had been constructed. With the second and third nearly completed too.

With that, trade would soon flow from the empire into the kingdom, along with military support. Though the festivities did remain limited to Eldrian's mansion, and the forts where Phoenix's members were stationed.

Watching over everyone, Diane (Vivian's Mom), thought fondly of the last few weeks. When Eldrian had gotten news of the fact that she wanted to come visit, and Vivian finally settled her emotions, he had gone ahead and fetched her.

Ignoring all the troubles that had troubled Diane and Vivian, Eldrian hadn't even needed to call Ceph for a ride. He still had Aggostead listed as one of his teleportation points. After hopping over via the player-specific teleportation method (via temples), he teleported Diane and himself back to Kynigo via the ring of Avyssos.

Quick and simple. Honestly, he felt terrible for having waited so long to bring her over. The reunion had massively improved Vivian's mood. And as a result, her control of her powers have grown.

This made Eldrian realize that he needed to talk with his own parents. It was something he had been putting off, and it was quite likely dragging him down as a result. He just felt so guilty for leaving them in the dark for so long.

Alas, the danger was still present. If not worse than before. He couldn't ignore that. He had to man up and come clean, as hard as it was going to be.

These thoughts, naturally, made drinking far easier. It helped to drown one's worries in alcohol. Certainly not healthy, but it helped—momentarily.

Midway through their party, all the players separated themselves to watch their opponents batte. But as they had expected, it was quite one-sided.

Not only was the first-seeded guild filled with skilled players, with almost all 100 participating in the tournament being dual-classed Tier 5's, they also had the gear to fit their skill level.

That was only to be expected from a guild that wasn't being sponsored by a mere company, but an entire country. And, in reflection on that, their registered team name was that of their home country. Nihon (Japan).

Of course, not all the players in the guild were in fact Japanese. Due to the relative time zones, it was ideal to have some variety in the player base. Still, the guild was packed with motivated gamers who were willing to make their lives all about ANW.

Their skill was the real deal, and their gear far outclassed Phoenix's. Several of their players wielded Tier 6 items, and their key players even had access to some Tier 7 pieces. Far more than the Flaming Hearts of Phoenix. However, Nihon didn't appear to have any Tier 8 or higher magical items.

When the match ended, the leaders of Phoenix quickly got together for a strategy meeting.

"Eldrian, what you think?" Judith asked, red-faced and slurring her speech.

"Not bad." He replied, having detoxed his system for the meeting and the match. He had offered to do the same for the others, but only Erik, Nikki, and Elizabeth had taken him up on it.

"Do you think you'll manage against them?" Nikki asked. Honestly, she didn't think their guild stood a chance if they went on the offensive. If they turtled up, however, they could still win—she and the other believed.

In reverse of the earlier matches, in the final, it was on the highest seed to take the initiative. If both sides remained at their bases and no one died, then the lower seed (aka, Phoenix) would win.

This meant they didn't need to go on the offensive. They could lean into their strength for the upcoming match. And, if all went well, they might even manage to claim victory without Eldrian's aid.

Still, they wanted to know if he thought he could secure victory. It was simply a matter of having peace of mind. If he said no now, they would end the party and get to planning and training.

But Eldrian didn't say no. "Yeah, shouldn't be a problem. I might need to go a little harder than usual, but I doubt I'd die unless they catch me completely off guard."

He wasn't being boastful either, everyone knew just how strong he was after witnessing his battle against the Death Knight in the Epic-Ranked dungeon. They had just wanted to hear him say it.

"Great! Back to drinking!" Therdul shouted, earning a hoorah from the rest of the players.

'Huh, why did we hold the party in my mansion again?' Eldrian wondered, seeing the concerned look of his retainers and maids as they ran after drunk players. Trying to keep them from destroying the place. 'Eh, whatever.'

Deciding to not overthink things, as he normally did, Eldrian downed a couple of drinks to get back into the party.

The next day, they all woke with headaches. Most of the past night was a blur.