The Isekai Game

Reward or Punishment?

No threat rose their blade. Not a sound echoed through the white plains except that of platforms shifting in the distance. They drove near the girls along with Dani and Jeff. Even the spirits of their teammates were hurt by the blindness.

Bit by bit, the light eased away allowing everyone to see. It collided to form a man with 8 wings and long-dreaded hair. His large royal scepter matched his draping blue robe.

The spirits of The Wild Bunched ran towards the scene before their last 4 living members. Chris Gristle appeared at their side, guiding them towards the Archangel Gabriel. Mina looked back at the spirits of her dead comrades and screamed an echo into their ears.

"It's okay, it's just a game," said Leira repetitively as she hugged her friend.

Once everybody stood before the bold Archangel Gabriel, Logan sighed for their win. Jaivva was amazed they actually won. The lack of energy from Logan and Andres surprised her.

Gabriel's bolden muscles grew and receded with each breath. They were perfectly defined as natural as opposed to a gym magazine. Andres admired the archangel for his strength. His pitch-black skin made his status feel rather achievable for a boy like Andres.

The Archangel spoke down towards the team. His voice rang courage that was unseen by mortals. For the ears of Mina, Logan, and Vanessa it was like that of Samael. Yet it wasn't a challenge to fear. It felt more like a lecture to learn.

Short with his words, Gabriel informed the team that they had lifted Samael's curse upon the land. By successfully bringing the last two descendants of the people to him, the people will restore to their human state.

"What state are they in now?" asked Leira.

"Like that of dough which has been sweetened," answered the archangel.

They had all realized the gingerbread men under their control had been the people of the land.

Gabriel continued that they will remain as they were before the curse came into effect. Mina wanted to cut him off but didn't have it in her to speak against the archangel. It was clear to them all that the town lived a life of sin. Samael wasn't merely a defiant angel torturing the people. He was rather a carrier of God's scorn towards the people.

It was only through repent that the wrath would end. However, through the pain of The Wild Bunch, the curse was lifted.

"I will be your guide through this town," said the large kitty in a seldom voice, "If one wishes to face the curse once more as a team or individuals, they may send their request to me".

Waving his scepter across his audience, Gabriel granted them a light which presented rewards to each member. 30,000 player points were deposited to their accounts. Gift cards awaited them at the studio exit. His work was done for though the team didn't meet the challenges presented, their gallantry earned the respect of the heavens.

Everybody watched as the archangel faded away. The light that formed him screeched upwards as though it frictioned against air itself.

Form returned to the fallen teammates as a reward for winning. Their transparent nature thickened back to their lively status. Smiled appeared on the drained faces of the wildly exhausted team. Logan stared over into Vanessa's pale white eyes, thanking her for the hard work she put into winning.

Vanessa gushed with a foldable fan in her hand. She held it closed as she smacked it against Logan's head. Jaivva smacked her fan against her palms, glaring at Hakim.

Logan and hakim were clueless to what warranted such mistreatment. They shielded their heads from Vanessa and Jaivva's assault. They were being lectured on their potential. Sure hakim was capable of defeating high-level content. Logan especially was a little beast of his own.

But the two were capable of so much more if only they took their studies seriously. Sure they won at defeating a level 4 game. However, it was a wake-up call to the two newer players that knew it would take more from them to win in June's event.

Leira and Mina were curious as to what even waited in June.

Jeff explained the gist. Much like a final exam, or better yet a draft in a pro-gaming league, all Isekai Game players were evaluated in June. They were then drafted into the pro leagues as individuals or teams to play in the big leagues.

There they can live a much more adventurous life and live on wealth like that of a professional baseball player. Andres who held his b****y knuckles tight with a bandage added one may even retire by the age of 30 if they are good enough.

The beating of Logan and Hakim was only stopped by the wishing of an early happy birthday to Vanessa from Dani. Everybody fell silent. Jaivva hugged her friend to wish her a happy birthday. It was a shock to Vanessa. Her birthday was on the 30th, but she never told anybody. She should've known Dani would've snooped through her basic info.

"Happy un-birthday," said Logan.

Jaivva was thrown off by his odd remark, asking for the purpose of such a thing. Vanessa smiled at Logan's remark. She favored his reasoning. After all, it wasn't his birthday.

Leira was no better. She hugged Vanessa reassuring her that it was okay. They were all mad up there with nothing better to do.

"I'm so embarrassed," said Vanessa holding her cheeks.

The love she felt from the team was only rivaled by her family. It was good. The warmth it brought. The reassurance that was made. The guidelines placed on Hakim and especially Logan to get their off-game act together. It was all one step closer to making it to becoming pros with her Isekai family.