“You look pretty good,” Jeffrey observed. “You should see if you can find a special someone like that. If I can get some action as an anthropomorphic chicken, I think you can too.”

  Lao raised an eyebrow. “I’m starting to regret telling you about my checkered past. You do realize I’ve lived as a monk for the last thirty years? The One Eyed Dragon died long ago. I’m a different man now.”

  A laugh slipped from Jeffrey. “I keep forgetting that people actually called you that. Really? The One Eyed Dragon?” He smirked at Lao. “And to think you waste all that potential…”

  Lao scoffed, and gave Jeffrey a shove. “Enough of that. This old man can still beat you any day of the week. Watch it with the jokes.”

  “You do realize that once you reach E Rank, you can return to the prime of your youth?” Jeffrey said. “You should get ready for all the attention that will bring. In the Salvinii System, my home, all of the E Rankers were constantly being approached by suitors. Power may have been the primary motivation, but looks were certainly up there.”

  Lao nodded. “I am aware of that. But I will not be availing. I am happy as I am now. Perhaps the System has altered my appearance a bit, but I still feel every one of my sixty five years. I will not don some superficial costume to feel better about myself.”

  “Well, that’s a waste… Whatever. If you don’t want to engage with the fairer sex, we can always go to a bar.” Then Jeffrey scowled. “Right. You won’t even do that.”

  “How did you become more immature with age, rather than less? You’re a few centuries old. But that proves my point about the System and appearance. It’s what happens on the inside that counts.”

  Jeffrey raised an eyebrow, grinning. “On that we can agree, One Eyed Dragon.”

  Lao opened his mouth, and then thought better of it. “Touche.”

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  They continued down the street, talking amiably for a few minutes. As they neared the city center, though, a sudden crack snapped through the air, the skies above splitting in half to reveal a floating head the size of a moon. It was a sight that was instantly recognized by all present. Tantalos Veruvax, the master of the universe, had appeared.

  “I do hope that my favorite playthings…subjects are well?” He said, the sound blasting down at the Earth. “Your heroic leader is off gallivanting through the Tower of Transcendence, while you all wait patiently here. I have to say, I am beginning to grow bored.”

  “Bored?” Jeffrey said in horror. “Shit…”

  “Nothing here seems like a challenge for you lot. F Rankers killing E Rankers, a racial faction bringing in those from another species, what wonders will you achieve next?” Tantalos smiled, his teeth glinting as sunlight reflected off them. “You need a trial to tide you over until Sam Atlas returns, one I am all too happy to provide. As your ruler, I have a certain level of control over the local System. One which I will use…”

  Suddenly, far off beyond the orbits of the outer planets, a new star was born, twinkling in the firmament. To to enhanced eyesights of the peak F Rank Jeffrey and Lao, a few details were immediately evident. Details like eyes, and teeth.

  “Worldmaws are not often seen in such a weak universe. All of them are at least D Rank. The only reason they don’t consume entire galaxies is because of how slow they are. I think the System will explain shortly.” Tantalos winked. “Farewell. I do hope you survive.”

  Leaving before anyone could really process what had just happened, Tantalos winked out of existence, the rift in space that he had emerged in vanishing. Only, the twinkling star that was the newly summoned Worldmaw remained, hovering in the firmament like a star of the apocalypse.

  A System notification appeared before everyone on Earth at that moment.

  You have gained a new quest!

  Maw of the Void: SSS

  Spurred by the idle boredom of your universe’s master, Tantalos Veruvax, a wild Worldmaw has been teleported to your solar system. It is on a collision course with your world, and will arrive in a month’s time. If not slain before then, it will devour Earth whole, and everyone on it.

  Objectives: Slay the Worldmaw before it devours Earth

  Rewards(Personal): One level appropriate Dao Fruit

  Rewards(Faction): One D Rank artifact

  Jeffrey and Lao gazed up at the sky in unison, their faces grim. A single word escaped their mouths at the same time. “Fuck…”