The success of the Sector 7 mission had far-reaching consequences. News outlets across the globe hailed the Eclipse Guild as a beacon of hope in a world teetering on the edge of chaos. Hiroshi's face was plastered on every screen, his words of unity and determination resonating with a desperate populace. Meanwhile, Alden watched from the shadows, his mind already calculating the next move.
The public's response to the guild's success was overwhelming. Social media was flooded with hashtags like #EclipseGuild and #HeroesOfTheTower. People gathered in the streets, chanting Hiroshi's name and waving banners with the guild's emblem a crescent moon encircled by feathers.
News headlines screamed, "Hope Rises: Eclipse Guild Saves Sector 7," and "Unity in Chaos: The Heroes We Needed." Television screens showed footage of climbers emerging victorious from the rubble, their expressions a mix of relief and pride.
Among the throngs of people, a young girl held up a handmade sign that read, "Thank you, Eclipse Guild! My family is safe because of you." Her mother stood beside her, tears streaming down her face as she whispered, "They saved us."
In the bustling streets, vendors had begun selling Eclipse Guild merchandise. T-shirts, hats, and even action figures of Hiroshi and Kenji were quickly snapped up by eager fans. The atmosphere was electric with hope and admiration.
Hiroshi, ever the humble hero, took it all in stride. "We couldn't have done it without everyone's support," he said during a live interview. "This is just the beginning. Together, we can reclaim our world."
A teenager in a school uniform tweeted, "Hiroshi and the Eclipse Guild are real-life superheroes! #EclipseGuild #HeroesOfTheTower." Within minutes, the tweet had thousands of likes and retweets.
Alden, watching the interview from the command center, rolled his eyes. This guy is the Credit Gobbler. He is no human.
Kenji, too, had gained a following. His cool demeanor and quick thinking during the mission had earned him the admiration of his teammates and the public. Videos of him holding the Shadow Behemoth at bay with his telekinetic powers went viral, and people began calling him the "Mind Master."
Kenji's Instagram followers skyrocketed overnight. Comments flooded his latest post, with fans calling him "the coolest climber" and "the one to watch."
Kenji scrolled through the comments, a satisfied smirk on his face. He posted a picture of himself in action during the mission, captioning it, "Just doing my part. #EclipseGuild #MindMaster."
Alden observed Kenji closely during a debriefing session. The young man sat casually in his chair, his smirk ever-present as he recounted the mission. "It was nothing," Kenji said, brushing off the praise. "Just another day at the office."
He's playing the part well, Alden thought. But I need to make sure he doesn't get too comfortable. Last thing we need is him thinking he can single-handedly take on a Behemoth. That wouldn't affect the guild that much.
Kenji glanced at Alden, sensing the scrutiny. "You know, Vice Master, you don't always have to look like you're plotting world domination," he said with a chuckle.
Alden raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "And you don't always have to act like the world's your playground, Kenji. We all have our roles to play."
The next day, General Takashi Nakamura arrived at the guild headquarters for an official visit. He was accompanied by a small entourage of military personnel, their expressions stern and professional.
"Impressive work," the General said as he shook Hiroshi's hand. "You've given people hope, and that's no small feat."
Hiroshi smiled warmly. "Thank you, General. We couldn't have done it without your support."
General Nakamura took a moment to observe the bustling activity within the guild headquarters. Climbers were training, strategizing, and preparing for their next mission. The atmosphere was one of determination and camaraderie.
Alden stepped forward, his tone polite but firm. "General, we've proven our capabilities. Now, it's time to discuss the next phase of our partnership."
The General nodded, his sharp eyes studying Alden. "You've got our full support going forward."
Though you guys are already an uncontrollable factor, might as well stand by your side, the General thought.
"The Eclipse Guild will temporarily act as law enforcers on awakeners until the government establishes a guild union or a dedicated force to enforce the law," the General said.
Alden's lips curled into a faint smile. "Understood." Smart move from them. This gives us more influence and keeps us in the spotlight although they think that would be "temporary".
As the day drew to a close, Alden stood on the balcony of the guild headquarters, overlooking the city. The lights of Tokyo flickered in the distance, a stark contrast to the darkness that had consumed so much of the world.
The guild is gaining momentum. Check, Alden thought. Currently, I train daily to increase control on my skills day by day. Although after gaining Astron memories my control over mana and skills increased significantly, but still there's room for improvement. I need to stay one step ahead.
He glanced at the tower, its silhouette looming ominously in the night sky. I kinda miss the tower already. It's so primal hunt, get stronger. What more can a man need?