It still the darkened conference room, Luke had slowly stepped out of the room. It wasn't because he was shy or anything, but it just the new guest's entrance was quite impressive. Instead of using the door, the guy preferred the window.
"Dear guest who shattered the glass of my office, would you mind telling me your name first, at least? And do you want tea or... forget it, just tell me where your companion is as well? I remember there were 3 of you?"
With that, Larry raised an eyebrow and clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white. The sound of his fist tapping the table echoed, sending subtle vibrations along the polished wooden surface towards the guest's vicinity.
The man before him was draped in a black coat, standing approximately 6ft tall, with a prominent nose and a beard. With a flick of his hand, he placed his wide-brimmed hat onto the edge of the table before settling into the chair.
His hands naturally found their place on his abdomen, while his feet casually alternated on the table's surface.
"You can call me Vic," he offered in a calm, measured tone.
As he spoke, he casually reached into the air and plucked a shimmering silver spore. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it onto the table, causing the spore to emit a constant vibration, accompanied by an otherworldly aura of spatial energy.
Larry's mind instantly harked back to his visit to the academy, where he had saw those fervent lunatics who immersed themselves in the study of space spores on the outskirts of Luzmell. Only they could create something as stable as the one Vic had just produced, but it took days.
This spore at least an A.
It was a mega-type, capable of generating A-level spores and possessing storage capacity.
"Damn..."
Larry let out a low, nonchalantly grumble, his eyes flitting momentarily towards Vic.
"Dear Mayor Larry, I understand your surprise. But let's come to the point. You can consider this spore here as a timed bomb. The range can cover this entire building, and I am quite certain that similar conversations will be taking place among other parts in this city."
Vic twisted a silver ring on his finger, his eyes gleaming with a silver light.
"I have three purposes for coming here. First, to check the matter of the five bell tolls and the potential appearance of A-level mishaps. If my colleagues and I were not hallucinating on the way here, then it seems you've made a mistake..."
He paused for a moment, tilting his head slightly, then leered at the mayor before adding:
"You know what funny is, the second thing is that we came here to find out who made that bell sounded... definitely not you. Five times, exactly five times! Anything more and it would mean you are reporting an S-class mishape. Those of us who have been fighting on the frontlines against the monsters in Luzmell don't believe we would miss such one from our nose. Otherwise, we would be ones ringing the bell first. So, we suspect that there's an A-class Awaken gone crazy in this city. Only an uncontrollable A-class Awaken would ring the bell five times. After my colleagues finish their jobs, we might need your assistance in such thing."
"The third thing--"
Vic's words came to a halt as he saw Larry raise his hand, indicating that he had something to say.
So Vic gestured with a "please" motion, but in a silently urging way.
Larry took a moment to gather his thoughts, his gaze shifting from Vic to the table and then back again. A small smile formed on his lips before he finally broke the silence.
"Well, it's not really anything important. I know what the third thing is: money, resources, and spores...Right! Take the money and leave. According to the 'Bell-Ringer' rules, I believe you've only received the first task. There are no rogue awaken in the city, and you shouldn't expect the entire city to work for you based on that reason."
"That's impossible."
Larry's words hit the room like a stone sinking into a pond.
Vic's hand, which was spinning his ring, came to a stop as he furrowed his brow. The spores on the table flickered along with his thoughts.
He pondered for a moment, then his expression shifting from confusion to amusement, and suddenly burst into laughter.
"A clever bluff. Where you learn it? You trying to say there are higher-level Awakens in the city, eh?"
Larry, maintaining his cool demeanor, remained expressionless. He shook his head in response, silently negating Vic's assumption.
"Just leave..." Larry's voice held a subtle hint of resignation, a testament to his weariness.
"It's not possible."
But Vic seemed determined to expose the city's weakness, to unveil the secrets that lay hidden within its walls. He tapped his chin with his finger, his gaze constantly flickering as he plotted his next move.
Although he had only received a task to inspect the situation, he had already formulated a plan in his mind as soon as he received it. This city, which was close to the Luzmell frontlines and had a somewhat unstable governing body, it was the perfect supply station for him. If he could take over this city, it wouldn't take long—maybe just a few months—to strengthen his own influence.
But he didn't expect the mayor in front of him to be a mix of intelligent and unintelligent. He immediately saw through his intentions.
He wasn't afraid of being reported by the mayor. Awakens with the ability to participate in the Luzmell frontlines, blocking the creep monsters and the fearsome mishapes within a certain range, were already scarce.
For that reason, he got exemptions for most things, and he was certain that his superiors would look away to his actions.
However...
Vic stared at the table like staring at the run-down town, his brows furrowing deeper with each passing moment.
"Are there really Awakening Rank A2 above individuals in this godforsaken place?" he thought to himself, quickly shaking his head and dismissing the idea.
He was an A2-tier Awakener himself, albeit considered exceptionally talented among others, thanks to his fortunate meet in battle where he formed a contract with a spatial beast. Yet, he knew all too well that no Mega Type could learn and replicate spores up to A2 level in such a short span of time.
But this damn town seemed to suggest otherwise—a powerful Awakener hiding within its confines.
While Vic endured the risks and perils of risk being crazy during battles day and night, this unknown one enjoyed the safety and comfort of the city, indulging in tea or coffee, perhaps?
What gave that guy the right?
The thought enraged Vic further.
"It's impossible, Mayor Larry! The terms remain the same. Bring me 3,000 B spos, and as for this bell-ringing Awaken, I'll find that guy myself."
Mayor Larry observed Vic's status but remained silent. He understood the vast difference in power, realizing that the city couldn't casually confront an individual like him, though he flagrantly violated the rules.
Shifting the focus was all he could do.
At least he got someone else to help find the bell.
With a shrug, Larry motioned towards Vic's feet, which rested atop a nearby table.
"Do as you wish. Oh, and by the way, your way seating just remind me of a certain scoundrel we have here. If you have the time, I can introduce you to each other..."
Vic didn't quite get the meaning behind Larry's words, so he paused, and bewildered.
"Never mind..."
While Larry couldn't finish his sentence.
In that momentary daze, an eerie sensation surged through Vic's mind—an amalgamation of countless cries, laughter, and emotions.
The same phenomenon occurred within Larry, as well as in every Awakener within range of their connection.
Dong—
As if to confirm Larry's words, the ancient bell resounded tolled once more.
The sound reverberated through Vic's being, causing him to spring to his feet, his hand clenching tightly around the silver spore. He turned his gaze towards Larry, his eyes widening...
But Larry just laughed.
"Here you go."