CHAPTER 88: DICIN’DAILIES

"Hello, everyone! This is the DaisiesDaillies of the world Evolution Online. On this platform, we don’t consider Evolution Online a game—we consider this our reality, a place of escape. A world we’re carefully crafting to be a better place than our deteriorating earth.

"Today we bring you electrifying news. Matters that will tickle your ears and ignite your heart’s expectations. Sitting here with me is my stunning guest. Please introduce yourself, dear guest."

The camera focused on a young alabaster-skinned lady. Her eyes were black and almost lifeless, her hair jet black also, long and cascading down her shoulders. She looked like a goddess delicately carved from white stone, carefully sharpened and smoothed by a divine artist obsessed with perfection.

She was dressed in a simple black suit, her cleavage openly displayed, making a man who had just drained ten barrels of water thirst for something more.

As she moved her lips, the people behind the camera were mesmerized. Even her voice was like the sweet, soft melody of a piano progression—she was art embodied in its purest form.

"My name is Lucreatia Eki. The White Snake, as I’m popularly known. I’m also the Assistant Clan Leader of the Golden Wings. I’m here on behalf of my Clan Leader, as there’s intense preparation going on regarding the raid. She’s been quite busy."

The host, sitting behind the semi-circular table, donned in a crisp grey suit, gestured lightly with his hands as he spoke.

"Speaking of this raid—this must be the raid of the Level 300 Named Deviant Aetherion, right?"

The lady nodded.

Her tone was even, devoid of any unnecessary inflection.

"We’ve put the raid on hold for a long time now. We’re also aware that other renowned clans such as the ninth-ranked Eeshoro Clan, the sixth-ranked Ragers, and so on have failed miserably."

The man paid attention.

"Hmm, hmm, and despite knowing that these renowned clans have tried and failed, what do you have to say about the Golden Wings clan that’s ranked fifteenth? Don’t you think it’s presumptuous..."

He leaned confidently into his seat, continuing just as Lucreatia opened her mouth.

"Actually, there have been speculations that the Golden Wings clan has managed to get their hands on the mysterious Player Cien, which is why they can make such a bold claim."

The lady was silent for a moment, but there was no slight change in her expression—she was almost like a marble statue.

Her beauty was staggering because this was reality, not the game. It was understandable that she was the White Snake; what wasn’t understandable was why she was equally pale in reality.

But the thing was that Lucreatia had always been like this. People dug up her old pictures when she was elected as the Assistant Clan head of the Golden Wings. Rumors swirled with different and outrageous accusations. That was when her beauty was uncovered—even from her high school days, she was a white gem, literally!

"It’s quite foolish to assume that all we need is a player to make us finally want to act. The level of stupidity is disappointing, especially from a populace that knows who the leader of my clan is. The round table members of the clan all occupy the top hundred unified rankings. Isn’t that more than enough reason for us to challenge the infamous, undefeatable Scorchwing Sentinel?"

The interviewer gulped and readjusted his posture. He spoke his next words with careful caution.

"So... you’re saying... with certainty, the Golden Wings this time is going to defeat the Named Deviant? The general populace is curious as to what makes all of you so confident."

Lucreatia shrugged.

"The raid will be streamed live. If anyone is curious, they’re welcome to watch."

The interviewer nodded with a forced smile.

"Yes. Exactly, I’ll definitely be there to watch. And I’m sure the people watching this will be too. Thank you very much for your time, Lady Lucreatia."

He faced the camera.

"We’ll go on a short break now and return with even more electrifying news."

The set immediately shut down, with applause for both the interviewer and the guest. Meanwhile, the man rushed to grab a bottle of water and gulped it desperately.

He glanced at Lucreatia, her hips gliding as she walked silently out of the room.

His colleague approached him.

"Hey? Are you okay... you almost seemed like you were in a tight spot there."

The man coughed, loosening his collar and tie with a strained, stressed expression.

"I don’t know, man... the air suddenly felt suffocating. It felt like I said something she didn’t like—her eyes were like death, bro."

The colleague looked at him with concern.

"I don’t think I noticed anything, though..."

He patted him lightly on the shoulder.

"But anyway, buddy, well done... get a little rest and let’s cover the star of today’s show."

The man nodded.

"Right, right."

After a while, the cameras and lighting were back on. The director announced, "3, 2, 1, start!"

The man resumed with his vigor and vibrancy.

"And welcome back to DaisiesDaillies. We come to you with a topic that’s been blazing hot recently. Crazy, crazy, crazy! I’m sure many of us have watched the insane Goblin Dungeon of Rhamira and how our Player Cien single-handedly demolished close to fifty—if not over—level 50 goblins.

"It was insane! It was mad! I don’t think any player can emerge and boast of such an incredible feat as a rookie player. Because of this, his name is dominating the charts. Singers are even composing songs about him. I heard a Japanese orchestra OST has been created and added to the goblin raid video.

"Bro is literally blazing right now, and so many of us are desperate to hear from him, meet him, know where he is... how can someone be so masterful at capturing people’s hearts and yet be even more masterful at vanishing into thin air?"

From his sleek tablet, a distinguished gentleman watched the news as it continued.

He had ashen hair that was neatly slicked back, with just one strand falling across his face. His glasses perched on his nose as his ashen eyes stared at the screen in his hand, one leg crossed elegantly over the other.

"Were you really that careless, or did you want to be discovered... huh, little brother?"

He chuckled softly and set the tablet on his massive desk. His eyes glinted with malicious intent for a brief moment before he focused on the PC in front of him.