Essim and Aisha stood at one of the posts, where a supervisor was preparing to take their information. He asked for their names, power cores, and origins.
When asked about their power cores, Essim replied confidently, "System." They identified their origin as the Mystic Realm.
Once the supervisor recorded their details, he issued them each a bronze badge and handed them over.
[War Badge]
Name: Essim
Power Core: System | Tier-1
Rank: Bronze
Contribution Points: 0
Origin: Mystic Realm
Aisha received a similar bronze badge, marked with her details.
After completing their business, they exited the post.
"Excuse me, Mr. Ju, where can we earn contribution points?" Essim inquired, looking for guidance.
"Mr. Essim, you can go to the War Office to take on missions," Ju Kun replied, pointing toward the city gate. "Exit the portal area, walk straight along the main city road, and after a few minutes, you'll find the War Office."
"Thank you, Mr. Ju," Essim said appreciatively.
He and Aisha then headed toward the city gate.
As they passed through the gate, the surroundings buzzed with activity.
"Excuse me, coming through!"
"Make way, everyone! There's a discount promotion today!"
"New menu items! Boost your stamina!"
The lively shouts from the crowd made Essim feel like he was truly in a vibrant city.
"Brother, look at that tower! It's so tall!" Aisha exclaimed, pointing toward a towering structure dominating the skyline.
The tower reached so high that its peak was hidden from view.
"We'll have one like that someday," Essim said casually, a smile forming on his lips.
They walked for a few minutes until they arrived at a ten-story building, 100 meters wide. The War Office bustled with soldiers and various creatures from different races moving in and out.
Suddenly, a commotion drew their attention.
"Hey, move aside! Do you think you're special just because of that weak light?" shouted a muscular man carrying a large spiked mace.
Opposing him was a young man with a long swan-feather staff, marked by the distinctive white halo hovering above his head—a clear sign that he was a Faithwarden.
"Tch... Who are you to order me around?" the haloed young man retorted defiantly.
"Hahaha... A little brat like you thinks you can challenge me?" The muscular man sneered.
Before he could finish, he activated his equipment. A helmet, armor, boots, and gloves enveloped his powerful frame. The blue mace expanded, revealing golden spikes.
The muscular man swung the spiked mace with immense force, targeting the young man with the halo.
In response, the Faithwarden swiftly expanded the halo behind him, forming a transparent barrier just in time.
The spiked mace collided with the barrier, producing a thunderous sound and a violent gust of wind that blew through the area.
Essim watched in astonishment, feeling the raw power of both individuals on display. What in the world? Don't they realize there's a Guardian Tower nearby? he wondered to himself.
To his dismay, the barrier shattered under the might of the golden spiked mace. A loud cracking noise filled the air as the mace struck the young man, sending him flying 20 meters against a nearby building wall.
"Brother, why didn't the Guardian Tower activate? Does this city not have an automatic Guardian Tower?" Aisha asked, her voice filled with curiosity and concern. She had also been taken aback by the fierce exchange taking place in a crowded area.
Others around them did not intervene, instead watching the spectacle unfold in silence.
"Once again, the Players and Faithwardens. They're like cats and dogs," someone commented nearby.
"Ugh... Enjoy the show, anyone want to place a bet?" another added, indicating that these conflicts were not uncommon.
The young man with the halo groaned in pain but quickly regained his composure. His eyes glowed golden as he focused his energy.
The long swan-feather staff in his grip floated before him, rising into the air. Quills sprouted from it, quickly multiplying into a dazzling display of feathers that soon filled the sky.
"Hahaha... That Player is going to lose this time!" someone jeered.
"Damn, is the Faithwarden getting serious?" another muttered.
"I'm worried the Mayor will show up to settle the issue this time," a third voice chimed in.
The young man's feathers descended like a rain of arrows, targeting the muscular man with unyielding speed.
"Flowing Mace!" the muscular man shouted, commanding his weapon with fluid precision. The mace moved deftly, deflecting the barrage of feather projectiles as if they were nothing.
Seeing his attack rendered ineffective, the Faithwarden quickly repositioned himself, darting behind the muscular man. The white halo above him shimmered brightly, casting a radiant light.
"Damn... Not this damned Light Prison again," the muscular man cursed, momentarily concerned.
Unfazed, he pulled a large clock-like artifact from his bag. The clock's hands spun, revealing the number 5.
To the onlookers, the entire area within a 1-kilometer radius suddenly froze in time.
Mayor's Office
"Sir, there's a fight between a Player and a Faithwarden again," a female assistant reported to a middle-aged man lounging behind a large desk.
"Again?" he responded lazily, sounding disinterested.
"Yes, sir. The Player even activated his time artifact," she elaborated.
"Tell Elder Zein to handle it," the man sighed, clearly reluctant to intervene. He delegated the responsibility to Elder Zein with a wave of his hand.
"Yes, sir," the assistant replied respectfully, breaking a long talisman to signal for assistance.
Back at the War Office
As the clock began to turn, time around them halted. Most individuals lacked the special abilities to move during this moment; only a few remained unaffected, including a person with snake-like eyes and a young man with a black sword at his waist.
Essim and Aisha found themselves frozen, yet their thoughts remained active as they continued to observe the escalating conflict.
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