"Holy shit, that's Money Traveler!" Stewart blurted out.
"Hey, knock it off. Orson's here—don't call me guild master. I'm just a glorified workhorse," Bradley shot back, scowling.
Orson found it pretty amusing. Bradley's face was still that chubby, square shape, but now topped with an odd mess of silver hair. His build was a lot bigger too, more like his game avatar. Clearly, Bradley—the world's biggest henpecked husband—had wanted to keep his Infinite Dimensions physique. So when the system fused their forms, it mashed together his real body and his in-game one into this new look.
The others mostly stuck to their real-life appearances, just like Orson, confident enough not to hide behind avatars.
"Are you an idiot? You've got a spatial pouch—just stuff the damn car in there!" Madman couldn't help ribbing him.
The words had barely left his mouth when an arrow zipped past Madman's cheek and slammed into the doorframe.
The one who fired it was none other than Bradley's wife, Vanessa.
Under relentless nagging, Vanessa had finally made a game character too, but it was obvious she hadn't played much—only level thirteen.
"Anyone tries to bully him, they'll have to get through me first!" Vanessa scoffed, raising her low-level bow, eyes icy as she stared Madman down.
Nobody dared crack another joke. They all looked at each other, wide-eyed.
Bully Money Traveler? What kind of logic was that?
He was the one with a dragon lord mount, the Godslayer guild master, an S-rank elemental class, the Thousand Men Killer Money Traveler. Who would even try to pick on him? What a joke.
Bradley shot Madman a desperate look, silently mouthing, "Don't you dare. Her temper's no joke…"
"Uh, hey there." Madman backed down immediately, scratching his head, mumbling an awkward apology. Joking around with brothers was a habit, after all.
"Even as a joke, it's not funny. Anyone who crosses him will have to deal with me," Vanessa huffed, while Bradley tried to soothe her with a goofy grin, terrified of stressing her during pregnancy.
"That's right, keep him firmly under control or he'll get way too full of himself," Ruby chimed in, twisting Madman's ear.
"Oh, so you're Ruby's boyfriend? What exactly did she see in you?" Vanessa arched an eyebrow, switching into savage mode. "Or do you not even know yourself?"
Madman's back broke into a cold sweat. That's when it hit him—he'd messed with someone he absolutely shouldn't. Ruby was Bradley's cousin, which made Vanessa… basically his cousin-in-law.
Vanessa didn't even bother looking at Madman, ignoring Bradley's silent pleas. "Have you two even gotten married yet? And already clinging together like that? Write me a full self-reflection report later."
Madman shot Orson a pleading look. The famous God-thief who kept big shots in every region awake at night was now totally crushed by a newbie archer—and completely powerless to fight back.
Orson nearly fell headfirst into the flowerbed laughing, waving his hand. Forget Madman, even he wouldn't dare mouth off to Vanessa. She was a middle school teacher—tall and pretty with a cute baby face, but an absolute master of discipline and academics. Against clever, highly educated troublemakers like Madman, she was unstoppable. As for Orson, who'd dropped out of middle school? He'd be an appetizer at best.
After that, they all gathered around for a meal.
Orson took the chance to ask about the guild members' families, finally relaxing a bit when he learned everyone had safely followed his evacuation plan.
An hour later, military personnel came to escort them all to a semi-permanent underground facility beneath BG City.
Meanwhile, the outside world was transforming—like some primordial beast was waking up.
Even over a thousand meters underground, they could hear the distant rumble.
As they waited, a sudden notification rang out in their minds: "Chat channels are now open! World fusion initial phase complete!"
"Hey, is anyone there? Please help—we're trapped under the Linhai City shopping mall!"
"There are lots of civilians hurt here. No phone signals—someone please come!"
"Help! There are Infinite Dimensions monsters chasing us. So many people got eaten… oh god, is this the end of the world?!"
Countless messages popped up all at once. Most were desperate pleas for help. Many were voice chats choked with tears, clear signs of horror.
"What's really going on out there?" Sienna whispered, poking Orson's arm, worry all over her face.
"It'll be alright. I promise."
Orson's face was pale, but he forced a smile, gently running a hand through her hair.
He knew perfectly well—even though most people had hidden away in emergency shelters, there'd always be those who ignored the warnings, thinking they'd be fine.
Amid this chaos and confusion, dozens of golden announcements streaked across the sky. Loudspeakers blared across the regions:
US ID 101: "This is the War Emergency Control Center. Please remain calm. Head toward areas marked by signal flares…"
US ID 229: "Emergency Disaster Control here. Use your Infinite Dimensions interface to add these IDs as friends. DM us your coordinates—help is on the way!"
US ID 7: "This is the Ziegler family, one of the Ten Overlords of the US. Adventurers, protect the civilians. If you encounter monsters, hold on—reinforcements are coming!"
Alexander: "US ID 003 here. Any adventurers with command experience, meet me on the surface. Together we'll shield the people of the US!"
Demon Emperor: "Leader of the Slaughter Guild here. Send us your distress locations. We're coming!"
The apocalypse had arrived.
"It's your turn now, Orson."
K.D stepped into the lounge, face solemn, eyes locked on Orson.
Just minutes ago, military satellites had confirmed the impossible—another world was merging with Earth in the strangest, most horrifying way. Infinite Dimensions structures were popping up everywhere, with monsters crawling through the streets. Even more bizarre, landmass had quadrupled, and the oceans had expanded fivefold.
There was a hint of pride in K.D's voice.
If not for Orson's early warning, the US would have suffered devastating losses.
Bradley and the others looked at him too, hopeful. They'd pieced together what was happening from world chat, but their faces still shone with pride and resolve. It was as if just having this man here meant no matter what came, the Godslayer warriors wouldn't back down.
Orson's expression froze. He didn't posture or hesitate—he just nodded, then pulled out a golden megaphone and broadcast across the world.
Orgod: "This is Orson. Adventurer Orgod. US ID 001."
"That's right! We still have Orgod!"
"Oh my god, Orgod was a monster in Infinite Dimensions—if he's here in reality, he's like a Celestial descended to earth!"
"Thank god, we're saved! What monster could stand against him?"
Just a single sentence, but it caused a tidal wave of emotion, setting blood on fire. Countless adventurers snapped out of their fear, seizing on this anchor of hope.
Orson took a deep breath, emotions churning. Blank and Sienna each gave him a nod of encouragement.
He nodded back. What was happening now had already gone beyond the limits of any individual's bravery.
These people needed to see a light in the darkness. They needed a god behind them—someone omnipotent, everlasting.
That would give them unmatched resolve and courage.
"If you need a god, then I'll be that god."
Orson spoke silently to himself. Then, with iron in his voice, he said aloud:
"No matter where you are—how small, how weak—there's no need to be afraid. Don't retreat. Raise your swords and your staves high. I will stand with you, always!"