The Achievement Junkie

The moon was already high in the sky, nearing the start of its descent. Most of Trodar was sleeping peacefully. Korten was confused but the crowds were gradually being swayed by their chief and their elders to believe in Trodar. Churstin was in a similar predicament, but there were far fewer who denied Trodar's ability to protect them after witnessing Halmut's retreat.

News was spreading faster than wildfire about Trodar, filling in the rest of the world about Korten's sudden shift to abandon Halmut and the legendary gods. All intel informants were raking in as much cash as possible while the many nation leaders were baffled to hear such news.

Of course, Gilga was the most peaceful. They were happy to hear the spreading rumors and awaited the official announcement. It would give them another reason to celebrate and to add to their sense of security, something that people could never get enough of.

"Jack! Jack!"

Startled awake, Jack opened his sleepy eyes. The hero blinked as he retrieved his contact crystal. "Lyrun? Is it already happening?"

"Yes!" replied the Elf God. "Tomorrow, all gods minus Halmut will march on Korten with an army of dragons. That includes more than a dozen new dragon gods. Please, help--"

"I'll get everyone ready… And I'll make sure our response doesn't rick your discovery."

"Thank you, Jack."

"Why not Halmut?" asked Jack, yawning afterward.

Lyrun quickly stated, "He'll show up if Sterfen makes a move, so--"

"Then don't worry about Halmut. I doubt he'll try something right now without Halmut appearing."

"Okay… Then I must go. Again, thank you, Jack."

With the conversation over, Jack stretched and found his way out of bed. He tried not to wake his wives but it was too late. The moment Daliea woke up and heard Jack's half of the conversation, she woke up the others.

Jack quickly mentioned Lyrun's message, shocking the women briefly. But Jack reassured them not to worry and that he would coordinate a fitting response.

Having said that, Jack departed and mentally contacted all gods and all higher-ups within the guild for an emergency meeting. Jack gave them no choice but to go, stating that the meeting will begin in 30 minutes. Most didn't question Jack but his mention of the gods and dragon army was enough to get everyone up and out of bed.

The moment the final person stepped into the conference room, Jack had already begun the discussion. Jack was intent on creating a plan that would buy them time, allow them to kill at least a god or two for the sake of the demigods, and keep Korten safe as a testament to Trodar's abilities. Eliminating the dragon army was also something they were after, but Jack would also accept crippling and diminishing the army.

Once everyone was involved, they were astounded with the scheme they had created within the following few hours.

*****

Within the Korten wilderness, the greenery and wildlife were lively and vibrant, tenderly awoken by the warmth of the morning sun. The same went for the elves across the country. However, the elves in Estonya were awoken by their own wake-up call.

"People of Estonya, thank you!"

The shout of a familiar voice caught the attention of the city. Merchants and bakers that were awake and setting up shop were the first to spot Jack in the central market, along with two unfamiliar faces. One man was chubby and was afraid to show it while the other had grey skin and was smiling brightly as he examined the city.

"It's Jack!"

"Is that Eedaj?!"

"Who's the other one?"

"That's no god."

"Yeah, gods aren't fat."

As the city woke up to welcome their surprise visitors, their rumors and whisperings shifted as all gossip does.

"I am a god!"

"Calm down, Guuro. As the only god in your condition, how could they imagine a god to look like you?" chuckled Eedaj.

"Shut up! Oosam's not like that either!"

Jack butted in, "Oosam isn't muscular but he's not fat."

"Well…" Guuro scoffed and clicked his tongue. He refused to speak more about this, not wanting to drag out the topic anymore.

While Guuro hid his sentiments, a welcoming party quickly arrived with a bow. Grangor arrived with Gwendon and the oldest elder as Gwendon formally bowed and announced their arrival, "Jack, Eedaj, welcome to Estonya. And who might this esteemed guest be?"

"That's--"

"I'm Guuro, the God of Commerce!" Guuro introduced himself loudly. "I'm excited to work with you all and see the elves prosper like never before."

"As the God of Greed, you can trust Guuro to maximize the profits of Estonya," added Jack, getting Guuro to slap Jack across the back.

Gwendon smiled and nodded. "We're grateful to have you here, Guuro. Follow me. We'll meet within the Life Tree."

"Yes… I'd like that," stated Eedaj, following closely.

The elven chief and the party of gods sauntered through the town, leaving the citizens speechless. To them, gods were deities rarely seen, if that. Yet the moment they agreed to join Trodar, three gods showed up to casually visit the nation's capital, walking through the streets like they were common folk.

Along the way, elven elders joined the welcoming party and followed them to the Life Tree. Once there, they passed Gwendon's home and climbed the hand-carved stairs to reach a vast conference room in the base of the behemoth tree.

"It's been so long, yet everything is intact…"

"I made sure to keep this space clean and orderly at all times," stated Gwendon, receiving a smile of approval from Eedaj. "Each room has been attended to for years, so you can be sure that every room is usable."

Eedaj put his hands on a seat and sighed, "I'm glad to hear that… Then, shall we get started?"

"Yes, let's," reaffirmed Jack, sitting in the chair beside Eedaj.

As everyone took a seat at the long conference table that was carved from the Life Tree and still attached at the table's base, Gwendon admitted, "I had assumed that Grangor would handle the integration along with the incoming greis elves. Jack, is there a reason that you've returned and brought these esteemed gods with you?"