CHAPTER 159: PROTECT CASUAL LARRY!

The following morning, inside Scarlet’s tent, Brunt, Lilly, and Scarlet were discussing.

"Vice Leader," Brunt said. "Crimson Star has already put Gabriel’s name all over their networks, even in neighboring kingdoms. Their allies will come for him. If we protect him too openly, the Adventurer Guild will be dragged down with him."

Scarlet didn’t speak, only glanced at Lilly, who nodded and began to explain.

"We’ve already talked about this. As long as he’s a member of the Adventurer Guild, we will protect him."

Brunt pressed his lips into a tight frown.

"Moreover," Lilly continued, "Lilith Valentine herself came for the vice leader. Crimson Star initiated this conflict first. If Vice Leader wasn’t strong enough, she would’ve been killed too."

’Tsk. And there goes my plan of kicking that prick out.’ Brunt thought bitterly.

Suddenly, he spoke. "What about the Tempest family?"

The Tempest family was Ken’s family.

This time, Scarlet answered. "The Tempest family is known to be civil. I’m sure we can resolve this without conflict."

...

Since today was the last day of the event, the top guilds were filled with high spirits.

Across the wilderness, preparations for the final day were underway. Viewing centers were filling with excited spectators.

The hype was overwhelming—so much so that even common citizens across the Valerian Kingdom had gathered in squares and marketplaces to watch the broadcast. It wasn’t just an event—it felt like history itself was being written.

"I still can’t believe the Adventurer Guild is leading. That’s never happened before!"

"I know, and it’s all thanks to Gabriel and Scarlet!"

"Don’t forget Olympus and the Holy Church are right behind them. I’ve got a hunch today will get bloody!"

Far away from the game world, on one of the biggest channels, two familiar analysts sat behind their desk.

Behind them, crowds had gathered in the studio to watch the finals.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the Inter-Guild Display Event Finals! I’m Noel—"

"—And I’m Doodle Brambleton!" Doodle grinned. "And trust me, folks, today is going to be CRAZY!"

"We’ve seen blood. And we’ve seen a certain NPC turn this entire event upside down," Noel said with a smile. "Gabriel Reyes, or as the player base calls him... Broken Heaven."

Doodle slapped the desk dramatically. "Or should I say... the Guild Destroyer!"

The crowd roared, half cheering, half booing. Clearly not everyone was a fan of Broken Heaven, despite his strength.

"But it’s not just him," Noel continued, gesturing toward the massive display.

"Olympus’s Jack Arefield is no longer holding back. Martial Palace’s Liang has yet to show his full power. The Holy Church is pulling something sinister with that shadow summon. And Crimson Star? At this point, they don’t care about the event—they only want Sir Broken’s head."

"Let’s take a moment and check the forum chat." Doodle smiled as the screen split, displaying the top messages.

...

Terrorfreeze: This is it boys, last day! Time to see who’s the real king.

haifuri: My money’s on Olympus. Jack Arefield hasn’t even broken a sweat yet.

balicoda: Nah, Guild Destroyer’s the wildcard. If he survives, he becomes legend.

Readerinthewild: All of you are blind. The Holy Church will crush everyone. Our summon can’t be stopped.

Darkbow74: Broken Heaven dies today. Mark my words.

The trending keyword across the forums was clear—Guild Destroyer.

J_F_2440: Crimson Star gonna grief the whole map. Watch.

Phillip_Clark: Nah, Guild Destroyer all the way! Man soloed Ken, he’s untouchable.

Funforallpeople: Keep talking. When our summon shows up, you’ll all shut up.

Monke232: You clowns are arguing while Liang hasn’t even shown his final form. Just wait.

CasualLarry: Bro, I just wanna survive the last day. Stop making it sound like a massacre.

God_of_Dreams: GUILD DESTROYER VS HOLY SUMMON. BOOK IT.

...

The scrolling wall of chat was endless. The name Guild Destroyer blazed across the trending feed in neon red.

Doodle chuckled. "You see that, Noel? Forget the guild rankings—the real hype is about one NPC."

"You’re right. It seems the viewers care more about him than the event itself," Noel agreed.

At the start, she had been a doubter. But after witnessing Broken Heaven’s feats, it was hard not to be moved.

"If Broken Heaven shows up today, this event will go down in history. Mark my words, fifty years from now people will still talk about this match!"

The crowd exploded with noise, waving banners and shouting. Some wore Olympus colors, others bore the symbol of the Holy Church, and many held crude signs painted with: BROKEN HEAVEN = GUILD DESTROYER.

The big screen shifted, showing live polls flashing across the world.

Who Will Win the Finals?

Holy Church: 35%

Adventurer Guild: 22%

Olympus Guild: 18%

Martial Palace: 15%

Crimson Star: 5%

Other: 5%

But then, below the chart, a new poll appeared in bold blue letters:

Who Will Survive the Finals?

Guild Destroyer: 48%

Everyone Else: 52%

The crowd erupted in arguments, voices clashing over the results.

..

LarrySurvivor: Forget guilds. My bet is on Casual Larry surviving somehow.

Chex_Geam: Summon Destroyer. End of story.

Iron_Griffin: If Sir Broken kills that summon, I’m naming my firstborn after him.

Noel smirked. "This is the first time in history where the forums read like a prophecy."

"And it gets better!" Doodle pointed toward the audience. "Look at this sign!"

The camera zoomed in on a glowing board: DELETE THE SUMMON! Another fan waved a banner: PROTECT CASUAL LARRY.

The audience roared chants of "LARRY! LARRY! LARRY!" echoing through the studio.

Noel rubbed her temples. "This is supposed to be the most serious day of the year, and instead people are rallying behind some random player named Larry. Who even is he?"

"Hey, don’t disrespect Larry," Doodle shot back, grinning. "He represents the common player. If he makes it out alive, we all win."

Some time later, the cameras cut to live feeds of each guild camp as they prepared.

Noel smirked. "So, Doodle, what’s your prediction?"

"I’m calling it now!" Doodle pointed dramatically. "Final clash between the Guild Destroyer and that freak summon from the Holy Church. And when it happens—"

"Well, go on!" Noel urged.

"Let’s find out for ourselves," Doodle grinned mischievously. "Look—the event’s about to start."

At that moment, booming voices echoed across the wilderness.

"Welcome to the FINAL DAY of the Inter-Guild Display Event! For two days, you have fought, bled, and clawed for supremacy... but today decides the victor!"

The voices roared so loud that even those in the wilderness could hear.

"FINALS START NOW!"