[Divine Descent System - Godslayer]
Host: Kael Voss (Real Name) | In-Game ID: Zhu Shen (Unactivated)Status: GCV Stability 100% (Uninfected) | Physical Condition: HealthyCore Background: Aeria Federation's 2nd-largest consortium heir | Objective: Secure Divine Descent device for Lila EliasKey Foreshadowing: Past identity as a top Sky Slaughter player | Trigger Event: Reunites with Lila & meets Gareth
July 5th, 3100, Starfall City, Aeria Federation, noon. The sun blazed fiercely.
Kael shook the sweat-soaked hair from his forehead, glancing angrily at the scorching sun above. He had been standing under this brutal heat for over an hour. Looking at the distribution platform growing closer ahead, he let out a relieved sigh and muttered under his breath: "Ugh, if it weren't for that stubborn little girl Lila, I'd never endure this torment in a million years. Protecting her is truly a handful."
Today marked the 30th day of Divine Descent device distribution. Naturally, the crowd was far smaller than in the first half-month, but when Kael arrived, the long line still made him want to turn around and flee. In the end, he gritted his teeth and took his place at the back, inching forward slowly through the agony.
After the signing of the Century of Peace Treaty, international disputes were resolved through virtual game wars. However, with countless virtual games worldwide, fairness demanded the treaty be revised every decade—changing only the designated game world. This meant that for ten years, any disputes requiring war must be settled in that specific game. Inevitably, the treaty-designated game would sweep the globe; countries would vigorously encourage citizens to participate, investing heavily in nurturing overall player strength and, most crucially, top-tier players. Except for a few neutral small nations, most countries followed this path. Over time, smaller virtual games faded away—eventually, only the designated game remained, as humanity needed just one "second world."
The newly revised treaty designated Divine Descent as the virtual game world. Promotions for Divine Descent blanketed every corner of the globe; the Aeria Federation government had also been promoting it vigorously for a month. Like every previously designated virtual game, Divine Descent devices were distributed free of charge. All one needed to bring was a DNA sample (hair, skin, etc.)—the device would bind to the DNA upon collection, usable only by the owner.
Divine Descent earned its name for a simple reason, as explained officially: "The continent of Divine Descent is shaped like a nearly perfect crescent moon. Eastern players will spawn in the east of the crescent, and Western players in the west. It is named 'Divine Descent' for the beauty of its landmass."
The scorching sun tested Kael's dwindling patience. Clutching a strand of Lila's hair (for her DNA binding), he grinned and grimaced as he moved forward with the line, occasionally glancing back at the long queue behind for psychological comfort. As the eldest son of the heir to Aeria Federation's second-largest consortium, he usually got whatever he wanted with a simple request. In his entire life, this was truly the first time he'd endured such heat for so long—all for the little girl who saved his life.
5... 4... 3...
Finally, only three people remained ahead of him. Kael let out another small sigh of relief, glancing at the receptionist—sweaty but still wearing a professional smile. He muttered softly: "She's pretty, but compared to Lila's pure eyes, she's nothing."
After one glance, he lost interest, turning his head casually—only to freeze, his mouth agape, blurting out involuntarily: "Lila!"
What he saw was Lila Elias, the little girl who saved his life years ago. Now fifteen, she had grown into a girl with pure features like an angel, anyone who saw her would be stunned and captivated by her almost ethereal beauty. She held a snow-white ice cream and ate it sweetly, a smile that could melt hearts curving her lips, and eyes that sparkled like crystal—Kael's heart ached at the sight of her unusually pale complexion, a sign her GCV Degradation had worsened.
The scene before him was so familiar it made his chest tight; Kael stared blankly... She was still the pure elf he remembered, but the faint paleness on her face told him how much pain she was enduring.
A gentle push from behind jolted Kael awake. He quickly took a small step forward—only two people remained ahead of him. Shaking his head, he looked at Lila again... It was only then that he noticed she was sitting in a wheelchair.
His heart sank. Lila's GCV had advanced to the point where she could no longer walk.
Wait... the man pushing her wheelchair.
Kael's pupils contracted slightly... He was a young man around twenty, tall and slender with sharp, angular features, exuding an imposing aura. He pushed the wheelchair forward slowly and steadily, fearing any sudden movement would disturb Lila. That was Gareth—Kael could feel the cold, lethal aura of a top fighter from him, the kind that only the best virtual game players or elite soldiers possessed.
Sensing Kael's gaze, Gareth suddenly turned his head—and Kael met a pair of cold, star-like eyes. Under that gaze, Kael felt as if his eyes had been gently pricked by a sharp sword. This man was protecting Lila with his life.
Gareth's gaze lingered on him for only a moment before returning to Lila, softening instantly... it was the gaze of someone looking at the most important person in their life.
This person... this gaze... he's a top-tier fighter.
"Gareth, ice cream." Lila turned around, holding the half-eaten ice cream high to his lips. Gareth smiled, bending down slightly to take a small bite where Lila had left her lip print. Lila smiled purely, pulling the ice cream back and taking a bite exactly where he had.
Kael's heart jolted with shock, barely resisting the urge to rush forward. Although vaccines for the GCV Virus had reduced infections and contained transmission significantly, even vaccines weren't 100% effective. Lila clearly had advanced GCV Degradation—was Gareth not afraid of being infected? GCV spread through all bodily fluids, including saliva—it was common sense even a child knew!
"Gareth, can we go home soon? It's so hot outside. I'm afraid the clothes you just washed for me will get sweaty again."
"Sure, Lila. Let's go."
Their figures and voices grew farther away from Kael. His eyes followed their direction—not looking at the delicate Lila, but at Gareth. This man would do anything for Lila.
Are they relatives? No, Gareth's aura is too cold, nothing like a family member. He's a guardian.
Kael slammed his head lightly, looking up just as Gareth disappeared around a street corner, pushing the wheelchair.
Crap... I have to find them.
Only one person remained ahead of him. His hour-long ordeal was finally coming to an end. Shaking the sweat from his head, Kael's mouth twitched anxiously. In the end, he gritted his teeth, darting out of the line and rushing in the direction Gareth and Lila had gone.
"What a nutjob?" The fat man who'd been standing behind him glared at his retreating figure, muttering. After enduring so much to almost reach the front, he just ran away—he must be crazy.
Rounding the corner, Kael finally caught sight of Gareth's back again, letting out a long sigh of relief. But remembering that sharp, unusual gaze earlier, he didn't dare get too close, trailing far behind cautiously as he watched the back move forward.
More than ten minutes later, Gareth pushed Lila into an upscale villa community—Aetheria Manor. Kael froze for a moment, then smiled in realization... someone who could protect Lila so carefully would never lack money to take care of her.
Still not daring to get too close, Kael didn't enter the community. He waited until their figures vanished from sight, then rushed to the security booth, asking politely: "Sir, which villa do that young man and the little girl in the wheelchair live in? You see, I'm an old friend of the girl's family, heh..." He pretended to look embarrassed and smiled.
The old security guard glanced at him, immediately giving him an understanding look. Turning his head, he shook it and said: "They live in Villa 12. But I'd advise you to not bother them too much. Sigh, the girl—Lila—is truly breathtakingly beautiful, but her fate is too tragic. Her father was Dr. Elias, a doctor who specialized in treating GCV patients. A few years ago, he got infected by accident, and by the time they found out, Lila and her mother Clara had both been infected. Two years ago, her parents passed away one after another, leaving only Lila. This young man, Gareth, appeared out of nowhere after her parents died and stayed with her—no one knows where he's from. He must have a lot of money, moved here with Lila and hired the best doctors. But no one dares approach Villa 12; even the neighboring families moved away, afraid of GCV. It's really admirable, though—Gareth has stayed by her side despite her GCV infection, and somehow he's never been infected himself."
The old security guard sighed repeatedly, clearly pitying Lila's fate.
So it's true... Lila's parents are gone, and Gareth is the only one protecting her. Kael nodded, saying, "Thank you, sir," before hurrying away under the security guard's strange gaze. His mind was made up—he would save Lila, and he would need Gareth's help to do it.