Meanwhile, five men and three women had a badge that had golden numbers in the circle, ranging from 1 to 8. Gerald and Engkanto is among those that wore badges with golden numbers, with Gerald's being a 3, and Engkanto's being a 2.

They all stood to form a circle, and in the middle of the circle was a shackled woman. This woman was Evers.h.i.+fter.

As you may deduce, this was a gathering of the Board of Directors and the Walong Sinag ng Araw. However, this wasn't the annual gathering that the founder calls upon, it was a meeting called upon by Anthony with the appearance of a live Absorber.

The eight strongest wielders of Puting Araw. The second seat and third seat has been introduced, with it in the hands of Engkanto, or Bryant, and Apolaki, or Gerald, respectively.

The fourth seat was a black bald man with a bulky build, his head s.h.i.+ning some light. His epithet was the "Itim na Kabalyero (Black Knight)."

The fifth seat was a pet.i.te-bodied woman with short blue hair, her eyes blue-colored, her skin light brown. Her epithet was the 'Mahiwagang Mangkukulam (Illusive Witch).'

The sixth seat was a white-skinned man with an athletic build akin to Hayden's, with an astoundingly handsome face. His epithet was Kataas-taasang Gwardiya (Supreme Guard).

The seventh seat was the most mischievous and, simultaneously, laziest of them all, an average statured man with a light brown skin and was pretty young. He had a lanky build with compact muscles. His epithet was Juan Tamad (2).

The eighth seat was a beautiful woman radiating gracefulness. Her nonchalant and pensive expression was extremely desirable. What more was that she had a curvy body that is incredibly attractive to any male. She was Ba.n.a.l na Tagalikha, Anthony's ex.

"An Absorber, huh?" A gorgeous unbelievably s.e.xy lady stepped up. Like all other women's uniform, she wore a white tight-fitting dress with a white insignia of the Puting Araw on its left chest. Howbeit, the middle of the emblem held the golden number one. It was Rose Kapayapaan, the supreme of all the Walong Sinag ng Araw. "And Hayden is the one who caught her?"

"Yes," Anthony moved towards Rose, replying with a respectful tone. "Apparently he used… the railgun powered by essence technology on her."

"What?" Hearing this, Ba.n.a.l na Tagalikha's eyes started to s.h.i.+ne. "That guy? Using the tech to hunt cognizants higher than his own Level? Hehe…"

"Calm down," Rose faintly smiled that has a hint of enigma. "That kid hasn't failed us, huh? Send him 500 million credits as a show of our sincerity and our willingness to cooperate with him."

"What?" Anthony's reaction summarized all the feelings that most of the people in the room was feeling. Rose calmly turned her head towards Anthony, her eyes nonchalant. Coughing, Anthony reasoned, "Isn't 500 million credits too much of a reward for a… First Rank Special Agent?"

"What do you mean?" Ba.n.a.l na Tagalikha was the one who interrupted Anthony. Her face emanated coldness and anger. "The price is right, a Level 3 cognizant, alive, what more, a humanoid and an Absorber to boot?"

"But-" Before Anthony could finish his sentence, Rose appeared in front of him immediately. "I-I'm just saying…"

"I know," Rose touched Anthony's face with her hands. "Nevertheless, why would you question my decisions without thinking about it first? It's as if… You have something against Hayden… Do you have something against Hayden?"

"N-no." Anthony gulped, staring right into Rose's eyes with anxiety. "I-I genuinely think that 500 million credits is a bit…"

"Oh, yeah," Pus.h.i.+ng Anthony away, Rose's face brightened up. Anthony's face livened up a little, yet, when he heard the latter part of Rose's sentence, his expression and mood both hit rock bottom. "Give him the position of a Third Rank Special Agent as well. He risked his life on bringing us a Level 3 cognizant, it's impartial and right. Anthony, go send him the money and the message."

His face twitching, Anthony breathed out and took out his phone to send Hayden his rewards. 'Why the h.e.l.l does she favor Hayden this much?'

"Okay." Rose clapped his hands and smiled to the crowd. "Send this cognizant away. Take her to the prisons."

…..

At 1:30, Hayden was called up by the staff member. "Mr. Hayden, you're up. Please go to the room for the taping."

"Oh yeah, wait a second." Hayden politely spoke prior to turning to Richard. "May I request a communication link?"

Richard's face brightened up the second he heard that, willingly giving Hayden the communication link. "I will inform you sometime."

"Yeah, I'll go now." Hayden nodded, excusing himself to go to the taping room. Walking inside, Hayden was greeted by the interviewer and host of the 'A Talk Show for Gamers,' the famous comedian, e-sports commentator, and former e-sports player himself, the legendary Gray d.i.c.kinson.

Gray was pretty handsome himself, though he's shorter than Hayden by about 10 centimeters, and far older as Gray was already 30 years old this year. He had an average physique and wore a black suit. As Gray was English in nationality, he talked in English, which was also the language that is used in 'A Talk Show for Gamers.'

"Hayden!" Gray spoke affably. With a warm smile, Gray hugged Hayden as a greeting. Regardless, Hayden noticed that Gray was tired. "Are you ready? The taping will start in 5 minutes. All you have to do is answer my questions, and perhaps crack a joke, is this your first time taping in front of a live audience?"

"Yes," Hayden spoke politely. "Though I think I'll do fine. I've seen many of your shows interviewing e-sports players and of the kind before."

"Okay, good." Gray bobbed his head up and down. At that moment, he was called upon by a staff member. "Good luck out there. You'll do great! The staff member will call you in."

Hayden thanked Gray, sighing when he left. It was all happening incredibly fast, a kind of rus.h.i.+ng feeling was contained in his head. It was… Surreality. He couldn't believe that he was going to appear in TV for the first time.

Anyhow, it was a good thing that his Divine Perception was there to back him up as Hayden has always been a nervous wreck appearing in public anytime. In other words, he had a severe case of stage freight, which developed only after 6th Grade. This is the reason why Hayden disliked leaders.h.i.+p positions and public speaking.

Taking in a deep breath, Hayden readied himself, a.n.a.lyzing the situation instead to keep the nervousness at bay. He was thinking of the inexplicable format and popularity of the show.

This 'A Talk Show for Gamer' wasn't as simple as it seems. Alike most talk shows, there was an audience. However, as one of the largest shows in the world, even in a country such as the Philippines where the e-sports industry wasn't as booming as those in America's, South Korea's, and UK's, there would be, in the least, 1,000 people watching live.

You see, as an international conglomerate, the Global Gaming Channel wasn't as plain as it was on the surface. More so its largest program, 'A Talk Show for Gamers.' As it was a talk show for gamers, they needed to interview famous gamers in numerous countries, and this was hard, specifically for the main host, Gray.

The format of the 'A Talk Show for Gamers' worked upon was quite unique in the talk show industry. First, it would announce the nationalities of the gamers it would interview for a week prior to the taping. Second was announcing the guests for the week on a Monday, and the third was taping and selling the live viewing tickets.

It would then be taped a week early, with the host having the burden of traveling to the country that the talk show host would interview people in. It was a hard job, considering the fact that Gray would have to interview five people in a single day, fly from UK to whatever country the interview would take place in, then back. That was all in a single day.

The only real fortunate thing for Gray's job was three things, he simply needed to work once a week if he wasn't commentating, the pay was insanely high, and the fame that it brought Gray was ginormous. This job brought him countless job offers to his doorstep for commentating countless games.

In fact, due to his position as the main host of the talk show, for many years, he was the main host of the main compet.i.tions of the big four, War of Honor, Steel Storm, Universe 2100, and Primal Rage.

'That must be mentally taxing for a regular man…' Hayden empathized with Gray. 'His pa.s.sion and diligence for his job is admirable.'

Hayden hoped to find something to be that pa.s.sionate about. That was the moment he realized that he may never find something like that. As a wielder, and the wielder of Divine Perception no less, finding something to be truly pa.s.sionate was tough.

'I mean, I can learn literally everything in an instant…' Hayden became kind of depressed at this realization. In truth, no matter what, he would learn everything within an instant because of the pa.s.sive of Divine Perception that increased his reflexes and overall coordination. 'I simply need to exert minimal effort, and boom…'

One would think that this was a good thing, but for Hayden, it wasn't at all. It's like using cheats on a single player game, it removes all the arduous effort a player would have to do, only for them to realize that the arduous effort is what makes it fun and worthwhile.

'Congratulations, self, you just somehow successfully made yourself miserable…' Hayden's face contorted in annoyance. 'Is this knowledge really a gift? Why do I feel that sometimes it's a curse…?'

At that second, he was called upon by the stage manager to go out to the stage. "Mr. Hayden, your entrance cue is approaching, please prepare. Also, please wear this."

Hayden nodded, patting up himself and wearing the lapel mic handed to him, Hayden heard Gray's voice. "Our guest for today is currently one of the most popular youth in the world, rising to fame within a short span of six months due to his incredible mechanical and macro plays in War of Honor, is a d.a.m.ned skilled and revered basketball player, and viewed by many as one of the most handsome people in the world. Please welcome, the one and only Hayden Emperador, everybody!"

Entering, Hayden bowed here and there, greeting the audience with a smile along with a nod, and shaking hands with Gray. Gray spoke to him, "Welcome to the show. I'll be d.a.m.ned, you really are handsome."

"Oh, come on," Hayden smiled, acting shyly by waving his hand and snorting. That was when he found the opportunity to crack a joke. With that in mind, Hayden spoke in a joking and abashed tone. "Of course I am. How can I not be?"

At the unexpected reply, Gray chuckled a bit, as well as the audience. The two then sat, with Hayden comfortably sitting with his legs crossed. "So how is it being in front of a live audience for the first time?"

"Oh yes, it is so great to be here." Hayden turned serious, albeit somehow remaining lax. "Thanks for inviting me."

"Of course, you're one of the up and coming stars of the gaming world, we would have to keep our eyes on you." Gray complimented.

"Oh, please," Hayden acted unabashed this time around, subconsciously emitting the 'cool aura' he always possessed. He threw the compliment back at Gray, "Please, compared to you I'm nothing but a speck of dust."

"Why thank you." Gray was impressed of Hayden's composure, eloquence, and smooth return of the compliment. "So, you're 16 years old, right?"

"Correct."

"What did your parents think when you told them that you are a Linker?"

"Well…" Hayden answered with a short story on how he actually kept it a secret at first and then dropped it by announcing his independence. "They were both shocked, speechless, and… angry. You know how typical parents would react."

Hayden was surprisingly cracking jokes this time and wasn't as serious as he is when with anybody. With that, the interview proceeded smoothly. Here are the important bits.

"So…" Gray had this mischievous glint in his eyes. "I'm going to ask the question that all women, and perhaps some men, would want to ask you. Are you currently in a relations.h.i.+p?"

"That's… A… Secret." Hayden teased the crowd. "For now, I would not reveal my relations.h.i.+p status."

"Is this perhaps a cover for your… girlfriend?" Gray pushed through, his eyebrows bobbing up and down.

"Maybe." Hayden shrugged with a slight grin on his face. "Who knows, maybe it is, maybe it is not? Is there a lucky girl? Maybe, maybe not. What if it's a man? We would never know."

The audience laughed along with Hayden and Gray as Hayden teased the people about his relations.h.i.+p status. Indeed, this was the right decision.

…..

"Would you want to go to the Pro a.s.sembly of War of Honor?" Gray imposed a question that Hayden has been partic.i.p.ating.

"Uh, of course." Hayden nodded, serenely answering with a sharp gaze. "Though, I have a specific reason, and that is to meet Ares. I have to thank him for the publicity he gave me in his stream, my fame is all due to him, and for that, I desire to meet him in the Pro a.s.sembly."

…..

"So, I'm aware that you're also a basketball star." Gray snapped his finger and pointed to the screen behind him, with a video of Hayden playing.

Hayden was showed how he dunked for the first time in his public basketball career, in the third game of the Regionals Youth Tournament, faced against one of the stronger high schools in Metro Manila. In the video, the instant he caught the ball, Hayden dribbled skillfully, and with a graceful twist, Hayden got past the first defender.

Faced with the second, Hayden made his opponent think he was going to take a shot by striking a pose, rapidly dribbled, and pa.s.sed him. Arriving at the area under the net, Hayden was faced with the center of the team, at a staggering height of 1.86 meters with a muscular body. Remember Hayden was still pretty small at the time of this video, hence the man was towering over him.

With a dribble, a step, and carrying the ball with a hand, Hayden stepped inside the free throw line. At that point, Hayden took another step and jumped powerfully, with the man doing the same. That was when, with his right hand, he jammed the ball into the net, breaking through the man's hands. The scene ended with the cheers of the crowd as Hayden hung on the net with a single arm while the gigantic center fell on his b.u.t.tocks.

It was an astonis.h.i.+ng and breathtaking scene that was shown live on TV and is considered as one of the flas.h.i.+est plays in basketball history; one that can solely be seen in anime or fict.i.tious shows. A show of a strength of a one-man army.

"You're also considered the top student of the prestigious Scholar Academies in the Philippines. How do you balance Streamlink, sports, and your studies so well?" Gray imposed a question.

"Well, in all honesty and seriousness," Hayden was somber as this one wasn't a joking matter. "Hard work without any break. All I do is practice and study, with the sole break I have is me recording…"

…..

"Do you have any hobbies that may be of interest?"

"Oh, I learn languages in my free time." Hayden replied. "Presently, I am proficient in seven languages."

"Really? This is such a surprise. When did you start and find the time to learn languages?"

"You know how I said that the break that I exclusively get is my recordings?" Hayden stared at Gray with a joking expression. "Yeah, that's a lie, I promise two hours of everyday to learn a language… It's my form of stress release."

"Studying is your form of stress release?"

"I'm abnormal that way." Hayden made the audience crack again. "Seriously, it's soothing for me to learn languages."

"When did you start? What are the languages that you've learned?"

"Of course, my mother tongue, Filipino, and English I started that when I started talking." Hayden was moving his hands as he talked to submerge people in his answer. "As for what I learned in all my years starting from the 6th Grade, there is Korean, j.a.panese, Chinese Mandarin, Spanish, and French."

"I know a little French," Gray seemed to probe Hayden to see if he's telling the truth, which annoyed Hayden a tad. One of his greatest pet peeves were being questioned when he's telling the truth. Gray started to speak French. "Can you understand me?"

"No, I can't," Hayden spoke fluent French as he shook his head. "I can't understand a word you're saying right now. Can we speak English?"

"You are indeed proficient," Gray laughed at Hayden's antics in French. Rotating his head to the audience, Gray spoke in English, "Ah, yes, how rude of me, Hayden told me that he can't understand a word I'm saying when we were speaking."

"How about Korean? Will you greet our Korean viewers?"

With that, Hayden was asked to greet in all the languages he knew much to his annoyance. Not desiring to be seen as rude, Hayden humbly obliged without letting the emotion escape from his own visage.

…..

"Any final words for our audience and watchers?" At the one hour and 55-minute mark of the recording, Gray asked the closing statement.

"First, uh, thank you for watching this episode of 'A Talk Show for Gamers.'" Hayden looked into the camera wearing a beam. Clasping his hands together, he continued, "Please support my Streamlink channel, Supremacy, and follow me on my official social media account page, Hayden Emperador. I know this is cliché, yet, as it is true, I'll say it. Remember, hard work trumps talent. Who knows, maybe you have talent for something, you just haven't discovered it."

"Everybody, Hayden Emperador!" The crowd stood up and gave Hayden a round of applause. Letting the crowd settle down, Gray continued. "Thank you for watching this episode of 'A Talk Show for Gamers,' see you tomorrow!"

Waving to the camera, Gray stood up. Hayden calmly stood up and waved at the camera along with Gray.

"Aaaand… Cut!" The stage director shouted the words. "Please, everybody, exit uniformly and properly. Be civil and don't push each other."

On that note, Hayden shook hands with the staff members, showing humbleness. He said, "Thank you for your hard work" to all of them wearing a genuine smile of thanks.

That was when a flash went off from one of the crowd members. Again, this wasn't Hayden acting, it was all genuine kindness from his heart for the hardworking people. After all, without the staff, there would be no show for him to film.

…..

1 Puting Araw Uniforms – To refresh your memories:

Male Uniform:

White Polo – Insignia on the left chest pocket, thin kinetic absorption ceramic that could absorb 1,000 psi of force before breaking, and hydrophobic, powerful fabric strength.

Black Trousers – Hydrophobic, and powerful fabric strength

Black Combat Boots – Footstep sound nullification

Long White Coat (Can be worn b.u.t.toned up or not) – Hydrophobic and powerful fabric strength. For reference, picture coats worn by cool anime characters.

Female Uniform:

White Tight-Fitting Dress – Insignia on the left chest, powerful fabric strength, and has a thin kinetic absorption ceramic that could absorb 1,000 psi

Coat Choices:

White Vest – Similar to Men's Long White Coat

Long White Coat – Similar to Men's

Shoe Choices:

Black Combat Boots (Recommended) – Similar to Men's

Black Sandals – Similar to Black Combat Boots

Optionals/Emergency Purposes:

White Facemask – Hydrophobic, filters germs and dirt. Most have it in the pockets of their white coats for emergencies.

Black/White Gloves – Hydrophobic, most of them are custom-made with different properties

2 Juan Tamad – Juan Tamad, literal translation is Juan Lazy, or Lazy Juan, is a character in Filipino folklore that is, obviously, extremely lazy. There are many stories online.

Wielder Fun Fact: Women wielders, specifically Level 3 and above, cannot get pregnant unless they wanted to. It was quite a convenient discovery for many people and is common knowledge for wielders around the globe, except for those disconnected with wielder societies of course. The exact cause for this was unknown, but it is commonly a.s.sumed that Level 3 wielders and above are just too powerful. On that note, women wielders actually don't feel pain that comes along with menstruation and it is theorized that a woman wielder can actually stop their own fertilization and menstruation, though those are merely rumors and isn't proven nor tested as no wielder, at least currently, focuses on such studies.

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