Zero to Peak: Ascension Online

Paulo had nursed the cut to stem the bleeding while Onelight verbally assaulted Lauren. He didn't care about Lauren, but he became incensed when he was referred to as a 'twat' and 'fool'. He was about to lash out when Eliot pounded his fist on the table, signalling to him to calm down.

Paulo heeded, but his expression betrayed his true feelings. He wanted Onelight to pay for her words. Onelight hurled more cutting words, highlighting the toxic relationship between Lauren and Paulo, effectively adding salt to the wound.

"Everyone, calm down!" Wanyama shrieked with authority.

The opposing parties heeded his command. Ivan, who had been quiet throughout the commotion, wondered when Wanyama had recovered from his coma.

'I will ask him later. It's not good that I know a team member suffered a misfortune, yet I never enquired about his well-being at any point during or after his recovery,' Ivan mused.

"I'm not staying for this rubbish. I can't remain where I'm being insulted. I deserve better than this," Paulo declared, standing abruptly from his seat and heading towards the exit.

Eliot eyed Paulo as if he were a madman committing an obscene act. Lauren was torn whether to follow him or not, but she ultimately decided against it, unwilling to validate Onelight's scathing words.

"No one leaves this room without my express approval. You are in my home, and you will behave according to the rules I have set," Brainboss uttered firmly, his voice resonating with authority.

Paulo seethed with anger at the unjust authority Brainboss was commanding. He turned to face the Awakened Transcendent and barked,

"You sit there bullying powerless people. You act as if you stand for truth and justice, but the truth is that you are merely a bully who acts to please his own desires and those he favours. When I get in contact with my parents, I will ensure that you pay dearly for this insult, which you so clearly supported."

Eliot facepalmed, the sharp smack audible across the tense room.

Paulo wondered why Eliot would facepalm. He had expected unwavering support from his fellow obnoxious, spoilt brat.

"Unfortunately for you, Paulo, your parents can't do a damn thing to me. If they try, the government of the Long Journey would be forced to terminate them instantly, and if they refuse, it will be the entire world against your parents and the whole of the Long Journey.

"It's clear your fragile mind didn't discern the subtle shift in Eliot's attitude throughout the meeting. Apart from that singular moment when he threw a tantrum with you, he behaved himself impeccably because he is acutely aware of the stringent rules I have set for him in this house.

"In summary, you are part of the peace and unification programme. Your parents want you to cultivate your powers to be the best; hence, they have signed you away into my custody. I'm your guardian, and you are my ward. You will act according to my instructions. If you misbehave, I will whack you like those slaves you have at home."

Brainboss bit his lips, instantly regretting a decision. "I wish I had recalled this point earlier. I would have used a whip to whack you so that you could feel the exact pain your slaves feel when you whack them for fun."

Ivan and his teammates immediately realised the kind of truly messed-up person Paulo was. They also regarded Eliot in the same contemptuous light: two obnoxious, heartless bastards who shamelessly trampled on people to get their way.

Ivan raised his hands, signalling that he wanted to ask a question. Brainboss granted him permission to speak.

"Can I refuse this trio from joining my team?"

"You cannot. I have made the decision. My decision can only be overruled if the higher echelons decide that the trio are better off somewhere else. And before you ask, you cannot change teams without notifying the higher echelons. Let's say you go ahead to make the request. After you have made the request, you will wait for approximately three years before there is a team vacancy for you to be transferred. By the way, there is a high possibility that your change request will be rejected upon reaching the higher echelons' table."

Ivan tsked, displeased with the stark revelation.

Eliot sneered, "You should be glad that I'm on your team. I bet you haven't fought a real battle in your life."

Ivan briefly gazed at the arrogant young man, a deep frown etched on his face. Little did Eliot know that Ivan had over two thousand kills to his name.

Eliot wore a smug smile on his face, believing he had struck Ivan in a vulnerable spot. Like a conceited fool, he brazenly bragged about himself:

"We started badly, but we can still make things right. Let's start with basic bonding. As you know, I'm Proud Reaper — Call 911, that's my full avatar name, not the shortened version Mr. Brain introduced me with. I'm a knight-class special character with a sub-aptitude. Not to brag, but I know most of you don't possess a sub-aptitude.

"You may wonder why I'm telling you this. Well, I don't want any misunderstandings in the future where you guys, apart from Paulo and Lauren, become jealous of me because of the splendid power I unleash."

A malicious glint appeared in Eliot's eyes. He then asked Ivan, "Black Riot…77? Or is it 79?"

"79."

"Please don't tell me that's your real avatar name," Eliot laughed, a sneering sound.

Lauren and Paulo had mocking smiles plastered on their faces. They were clearly enjoying Eliot's cruel scheming.

"Dude, you are in your thirties, and you are still naming yourself like a nineteen-year-old," Eliot sneered. "I'm sorry. It's sorry, right? The word you use to apologise?" He laughed again, a harsh, derisive sound.

His allies chuckled, amused that Ivan was now 'the laughing stock'.

"Perhaps you chose that name because you have a power-packed ability. Okay, tell me, what's your class?"

"I'm a martial artist," Ivan stated blankly.

The arrogant trio burst into uproarious laughter. It was far worse than they had imagined. They had been meticulously taught by their private battle tutors that a base-rank martial artist class was insignificant. Such individuals possessed no enhanced strength or mind-blowing abilities that could possibly grant them an advantage in battle.

"Seriously? A martial artist? No wonder you were all calm and silent earlier. How do you fight against powered monsters, by merely kicking them or channelling your inner power?"

"Black Riot 79 is the most powerful member of this team. He was the one who made Wanyama team leader, and no one objected. He has over three hundred kills in a single dungeon raid, and he personally killed a mutated dungeon boss. I advise that you should be on good terms with him," Brainboss stated, his voice cutting through the tension.

The smug smiles on the trio's faces instantly vanished. They were utterly bewildered. How could a mere martial artist be the most powerful member in the team? Their private tutors had never been wrong in whatever they had taught them.