Essim surveyed the room, taking in the faces of those present. It had been fifteen days since they had ascended to the Mystic Realm, and everyone in the World Market Alliance had grown stronger. He could see their development just by observing their physical appearances and the aura they radiated.
To his right, seated in the front row, was Mr. Haikal, his presence marked by the floating black tome that followed him wherever he went. His mastery of dark magic had earned him significant recognition within the higher ranks of Essim's island. To the left sat Laras, who had become more composed and serene, though no less formidable. The massive cross strapped to her back radiated a calming yet unmistakably intimidating energy. Its sheer size, coupled with the aura of peace it emitted, left a strong impression on all who saw it.
The other members of the alliance had been far from idle during these fifteen days. Seated in the middle right was a young man with a distinctive Y-shaped staff, the flame at its tip glowing green and perpetually alight. Next to him sat a muscular, middle-aged man with his upper body exposed—his hardened physique a testament to his profession as a blacksmith. This man, Gusti, was renowned for his S-rank talent in weapon crafting and had never failed to impress.
While some, like Laras, Mr. Haikal, Gusti, and Budi with his flaming staff, openly displayed their powers, the most intriguing figure sat quietly in the back left. A little girl, with short black hair, pale skin, and wide, innocent eyes. At first glance, Essim had doubted she possessed any system at all. However, when she summoned a skeletal dragon to demonstrate her abilities, his doubts vanished. It was this remarkable power that earned her a place in the alliance. Initially shy, she had opened up after several visits from Aisha, growing braver with time.
Essim stood up and cleared his throat. "Welcome, and thank you all for attending this important meeting," he began. "First, let's review the details of the current event and how it operates."
The meeting commenced with Essim explaining the key aspects of the event, ensuring that everyone had a clear understanding of what they were dealing with.
"Mr. Essim," Gusti spoke first, his voice steady and authoritative, "some of my sources have informed me that the portals lead to territories occupied by a certain race. A war is raging there, and if we assist them, we can earn contribution points."
Mr. Haikal, leaning forward with interest, added, "I've also heard rumors that those contribution points can be exchanged for silver badges. These badges are essential to breaking past level 20."
One by one, the other members shared the information they had gathered. No one held back, grateful for the support and opportunities Essim had provided. After all, the World Market Alliance had once been the top force in region #2344, and no one was foolish enough to challenge Essim's authority.
As the conversation unfolded, the group pieced together a clearer picture of the event. Portals would materialize at random across their vast island, which spanned 100,000 square kilometers. These portals led to different levels of racial conflicts—the larger the portal, the fiercer and higher the level of the war it connected to. Upon entering a portal, there would be a mandatory one-hour delay before the return feature would appear on the status panel. Moreover, entering the portals came at a cost: 100 energy crystals per person, with the fee increasing depending on the size of the portal.
Contribution points could be earned by aiding the race they encountered within the portal, with the quality of the rewards improving as the level of the race increased. Sovereigns could also take on special missions from creatures in these races' realms, offering additional ways to gain rewards.
Satisfied with the discussion so far, Essim moved on. "Alright, I think we've covered the basics of the event. Now, let's discuss how we'll participate. Any suggestions?"
Mr. Haikal was the first to speak again, offering a word of caution. "I recommend entering the portals in teams, Mr. Essim. We still don't fully understand the dangers these realms may present. It's safer to go with trusted companions."
"I agree," said Dion, who had remained silent until now. Though confident in his A-rank talent for Enhancement, he still considered the alliance like family and shared Mr. Haikal's concerns. "Some members, including Mr. Haikal and Princess Laras, aren't specialized in combat. We should work together to protect one another."
A lively discussion ensued, with everyone weighing in on the best strategy for handling the portals and how to secure a spot in the top three ranks of the event. After some back and forth, they reached a consensus. Two teams would be formed: Mr. Haikal would lead one group of five, and Laras would command the other. Essim and Laras, due to their unique strengths, would go solo. For now, they agreed to focus on earning as many contribution points as possible before making further plans based on their experiences in the racial battles.
Before concluding the meeting, they also discussed each member's abilities, ensuring everyone knew each other's strengths to form effective teams. They took a moment to exchange items and resources to ensure everyone was well-prepared.
As the meeting neared its end, Essim stood up once more and pulled out two talismans from his inventory. "Before we finish, I have something to share," he said, distributing the talismans. "These were obtained during the Tier-1 promotion test."
Golden Step Talisman: Upon activation, the user can teleport to any location within a 1-kilometer radius.
Golden Shield Talisman: When activated, the talisman forms a protective barrier that can withstand a full-force attack from a master-level creature.
After an hour and a half of intense discussion, the meeting concluded. Essim and Aisha left the conference room and began walking toward the heart of Life City.
As they strolled along the main street, made of pristine white bricks, the city's beauty and energy surrounded them. The central area of Life City was bustling with activity, its streets filled with people, and Essim and Aisha blended into the crowd, enjoying the vibrant life of the city they had worked so hard to build.
"Brother, how about we stop by the Fresh Water shop?" Aisha said excitedly, pulling on Essim's arm. She pointed toward a nearby two-story building with a glass front. The logo above it depicted a glass of water with ice cubes, water splashing out in waves.
Essim chuckled. "You'll never change, always thinking about food. Alright, let's go." He couldn't resist Aisha's enthusiasm when it came to her love for trying new dishes.
As they made their way toward the shop, passersby recognized them immediately.
"Princess Aisha! Where are you headed today?"
"Princess Aisha, you're even more beautiful in person! Can we take a picture?"
Even though technology in this new world had outpaced that of Earth, social media was still in its infancy. However, devices capable of taking pictures had started to appear. It was only a matter of time before civilization here would surpass anything humanity had once known.
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