(3rd Person POV)
The preview was only a few minutes long, but both Firfel and Vivienne sat transfixed. The animation moved unlike anything they'd seen before—not the traditional hand-drawn style of cartoons or anime, but something with depth and dimension that felt almost tangible.
When it ended, Vivienne immediately turned to Arthur. "What was that? How did you make it look like that?"
"Same 3D technology as the video games," Arthur explained. "Just applied to animation instead of interactive gameplay."
"Wait, seriously?" Vivienne's eyes widened. "You're telling me this technology works for both?"
"Not just animation and games." Arthur's smile suggested he was holding something back. "Films too. You'll see what I mean soon enough."
"Films?" Vivienne shook her head slowly. "Times really are changing, aren't they?"
Even Firfel, who'd heard Arthur discuss 3D technology before, looked intrigued by the possibilities.
"Anyway," Arthur shifted back to business, "we need voice actresses for several female characters. Interested?"
He handed them character sheets. Both women studied the options carefully before making their selections.
Vivienne practically glowed with excitement. "I can't believe I get to voice a character in the world's first 3D animated film. This is like when I did my first anime years ago—that same feeling of being part of something new."
After finalizing details, Vivienne left. Firfel stayed behind.
Alone together, Firfel moved closer. "So... when are we having the public wedding?"
Arthur kissed her forehead. "Whenever you want. It's your day."
"Can I choose the date?" She looked up at him, genuine excitement in her eyes.
Arthur had expected this. She'd want to coordinate with her family in Roses Kingdom, especially her mother the Queen. "Pick any date you like. We can do it tomorrow if that's what you want."
Firfel grinned mischievously. "You said it. I'm not holding back on the budget either. I want it to be spectacular."
"I can rent out the entire Horn Kingdom if you want," Arthur offered casually.
Firfel, despite being a goddess now, still rolled her eyes at excessive spending. She nudged him playfully. "Don't be ridiculous."
---
The HS2's international rollout hit like a tidal wave.
Morningstar Kingdom, Japon, Choson, South East Anatolia, Evros, Eden, and the Empirica Region—all received shipments simultaneously. Store openings replicated the Horn Kingdom chaos: lines around blocks, camping overnight, frenzied purchases.
Even Crown Prince Drakon of Wales Kingdom, who typically dismissed entertainment as beneath royal attention, found himself playing God of War late into the night, completely absorbed.
Within the first week of global release, over six million HS2 units sold. At 150 global dollars per console, plus three launch titles averaging 60 dollars each, the revenue numbers were staggering.
Headlines erupted worldwide:
"HELLFIRE'S HS2 GENERATES 1.2 BILLION IN FIRST WEEK GLOBALLY"
"Gaming Revolution: Six Million Consoles Sold in Seven Days"
"Arthur Pendragon's Net Worth Surges—Now Estimated at 15 Billion Global Dollars"
"Film Industry in Crisis? Video Game Sales Dwarf Recent Box Office Numbers"
**"God of War Becomes Cultural Phenomenon Across Multiple Kingdoms"**
**"Industry Analysts: 'Nothing Has Ever Disrupted Entertainment This Quickly'"**
Tens of millions worldwide had now experienced what it meant to be Kratos—to feel the weight of the Blades of Chaos, to rage against gods, to navigate a three-dimensional world that responded to their every action.
The gaming revolution Arthur had promised wasn't coming.
It had arrived.
Faith energy poured into Arthur in constant streams. The power he'd sacrificed by sharing divinity with Firfel was regenerating faster than expected. At this rate, he'd fully recover within months—and have enough left over to strengthen Firfel as well.
But that wasn't his only path to power. The system mission still loomed: make Hellfire the world's #1 company, earn a deity title.
Arthur's solution was audacious.
He took Hellfire public on the Horn Kingdom Stock Exchange.
The announcement sent shockwaves through global financial markets.
"ARTHUR PENDRAGON MAKES HELLFIRE PUBLICLY TRADED—INVESTORS SCRAMBLE FOR SHARES"
"Most Anticipated IPO in History: Hellfire Stock Opens Today on HK Exchange"
Within hours of trading, Hellfire shares skyrocketed. Investors worldwide fought to buy in, driving prices up exponentially.
The strategy was brilliant in its simplicity. Going public inflated Hellfire's valuation instantly. Stock market capitalization measured company value differently than private equity—and hype translated directly into higher numbers.
One week. That's all it took.
Hellfire became the most valuable company in the world. Arthur's net worth exploded from 15 billion to 71 billion global dollars.
The valuation wasn't just hype, though. Hellfire's actual holdings justified the numbers: central banking control in Horn Kingdom, the global ATM and card payment systems other banks licensed, barcode technology, airports functioning as commercial hubs, vast real estate including major malls, computer infrastructure, and absolute dominance in film entertainment.
Plus the widely acknowledged fact that Hellfire effectively controlled Horn Kingdom's government.
And now, 3D gaming technology that was reshaping entertainment worldwide.
The financial press declared it official: Hellfire was #1.
---
At the Pendragon Mansion, Arthur read the newspaper headline confirming Hellfire's top position.
The system chimed.
[Mission Complete: Make Hellfire the Top 1 Company in the World]
[Reward: Deity Title - God of Inventions]
The title merged into his divine essence immediately.
Then the whispers hit.
Voices from across the world—thousands, millions—all praying, wishing, desperately hoping for innovations, solutions, breakthroughs. The collective desires of every inventor, engineer, and dreamer suddenly connected directly to his consciousness.
Arthur stumbled, gripping the edge of his desk as the sensory overload crashed over him.
'This is... overwhelming,' he thought, slowly adjusting to the new authority. 'Every prayer for technological advancement, every plea for inspiration, every failed inventor begging for breakthrough—I can hear it all.'
Gradually, the chaos organized itself. The whispers became manageable, filtering into his awareness without drowning his thoughts.
Arthur straightened, a satisfied smile crossing his face. Another domain claimed. Another source of faith energy secured.
---
===Divine World===
Solarus stood before an enormous viewing mirror, watching world 1,067 with growing frustration. The Hellfire company's meteoric rise, the HS2's global success, the 3D technology reshaping mortal entertainment—all of it was spiraling beyond acceptable parameters.
And worse: his faith energy from that world was declining. Daily. Noticeably.
Even his devoted Solarus Faith followers were wavering, distracted by mortal innovations that offered tangible improvements to their lives.
"Whoever is behind this," Solarus said quietly, "they're deliberately provoking me."
"What are your orders, my lord?" a servant asked.
Another servant stepped forward eagerly. "Should we command the faithful to ban Hellfire? Have the church condemn their products as—"
"No." Solarus cut him off sharply. "Hellfire isn't the real threat. It's the deity backing them. Attacking the company won't draw them out." He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "But attacking Arthur Pendragon directly might."
He turned from the mirror, decision made. "Send word to the Pope in world 1,067. Have him issue an official decree: Arthur Pendragon is to be declared a heretic and enemy of the faith. Order his arrest on charges of blasphemy. Seize his assets. Make him a fugitive. If there's truly a deity protecting him, they'll be forced to reveal themselves when their chosen proxy faces execution."
The servant hesitated. "My lord, such a decree could destabilize the entire region. Arthur Pendragon has considerable influence—"
"I want it to destabilize things," Solarus interrupted. "I want him cornered, desperate, with nowhere to turn but divine intervention. And when that deity shows themselves to save him..." His smile was cold. "We'll see how confident they are facing a Sun God directly."
The servants bowed and hurried to carry out the orders.
Solarus returned his gaze to the viewing mirror, watching Arthur's world with predatory focus.
'Come out, whoever you are,' he thought. 'Let's see what happens when you challenge me on my own territory.'
---
Back in the mortal world, at the Holy Land of the Solarus Faith, the main cathedral maintained its solemn atmosphere. Priests and priestesses moved through the halls in reverent silence. Young acolytes knelt in prayer, their devotion palpable.
Deep within the Pope's private chambers—a room that should have radiated holiness—a very different scene played out.
"Come on, come on—dodge left!" The Pope muttered, fingers gripping the controller. "Damn that hydra! How many heads does this thing even have?!"
On screen, Kratos died. Again.
YOU ARE DEAD
"Tch." The elderly Pope—who the public knew as His Holiness Rockefeller III—slumped back in his chair. His snow-white hair was slightly disheveled, his plain white robes rumpled from hours of sitting. Despite his sightless gray eyes, he'd been navigating the game surprisingly well through a combination of residual divine senses and muscle memory.
'370 years of life, and this is what finally defeats me,' he thought with bitter amusement. 'A video game monster.'
Then a voice echoed through the chamber—not through his ears, but directly into his soul.
"Pope Rockefeller. You are hereby ordered to declare Arthur Pendragon a heretic and enemy of the faith. Issue an arrest warrant on charges of blasphemy. Seize all Hellfire assets within territories under church influence. This demon is to be made an example of."
The controller clattered from Rockefeller's hands.
Every hair on his body stood on end. His breath caught. A chill unlike anything he'd felt in centuries crashed over him like a tidal wave of divine pressure.
This wasn't from Altair Station. The angels couldn't make him feel this level of dread.
This came from the Divine World itself. From Solarus directly.
Rockefeller immediately dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead against the cold stone floor. "Your wish is my command, my Lord!"
He didn't dare think anything else. Didn't dare question. Gods could read thoughts if they focused, and Solarus was clearly paying attention to this world right now.
But after the oppressive presence faded, leaving only echoing silence, Rockefeller slowly lifted his head.
His sightless eyes stared at the paused game screen showing Kratos mid-battle.
'Arthur Pendragon...' He felt genuine pity welling up. 'You made something truly wonderful. For the first time in decades, I felt... entertained. Engaged with mortal life again.'
He stood slowly, joints creaking, and looked toward the controller like it was a condemned friend.
'I never wanted this position,' he thought bitterly. 'All I wanted was a quiet life in the mountains. But they dragged me back, forced this title on me, and now...'
Now he had to destroy someone whose only crime was making the world more interesting.
Rockefeller sighed deeply, picked up his ceremonial staff, and walked toward the door.
'Forgive me, Arthur Pendragon,' he thought as he stepped into the hallway where his attendants waited. 'But when a god gives orders, even popes must obey.'
His voice, when he spoke to his assistants, carried none of his inner conflict. "Summon the High Cardinals. We have an urgent decree to issue."
Behind him, the game screen still glowed, Kratos frozen in eternal combat, waiting for a player who would never return to finish the battle.