(Levian’s View)

Levain frowned at the group of people before him. They have personally invited him over for the annual meeting of the Underground Council. It wasn’t like the normal governmental society that he knew, but the secret society that ran the governmental world's dark operations. At first, he was excited at the prospect of being able to join a large organization, which would further his plan.

But when he stepped through the door, the power around them was minuscule and pitiable that he couldn’t help but scoff at their weakness.

In total, there were thirteen members, all hailing from prominent figures and powers. He couldn’t tell who was where because each and every one of them was wearing a half white mask with each their own design. Only their figures and smiles could be seen as the rest seemed to be doused in a hazy appearance.

There was no color in any one of them as Levian was the only exception who wore a simple blue with red markings on his clothes. He had half the mask that covered almost all of his face, leaving his lips shown.

They all turned when he entered, watching him with interest while some scoffed at his flamboyant entrance.

“Well, well, well. This must be Levian.” An elderly man sitting in the middle of the table spoke up for the rest of the other people. He had his hand crossed as he leaned forward to take a good look at Levian.

Levian stepped forward, he made his way towards the only open chair that was present. The door closed softly from behind as shadows of people moved into place.

“You must be Dr. Umbrella, or should I say number 13?” Levian spoke confidently. He had done his own extensive research behind these group of thirteen. Everyone had a specific number with a nickname behind it. Levian still couldn’t figure out their names to this day, and it irritated him. To know the names and their private lives were a step forward to what he needed to do, but he had a bit of time, for now. 

“I’m pleased that you know my name.”

“Who wouldn’t?” Levian shrugged his shoulder as if it was no big deal. “Someone as high in position as you holds the future of both the magical community and the government in the Sleepers realm. Ah, I forgot. They are now awakened.”

The way he said it made a few of them roll their eyes.

“As you can see, you are our first member outside the circle allowed a meeting. Usually, we go through a few years-long process before you are even able to take a step into this council.” Dr. Umbrella said calmly, watching Levian for any peculiar flare-ups from his words.

Levian didn’t think much of it. He just waved his hand and said, “That is why it is my greatest honor to skip through such a phase and be allowed to take part in your council.” He sweetened his words, even though he didn’t quite want to. He needed to play the part.

“We have noticed your proposal…” Dr. Umbrella nodded. Someone in the back stepped out of the darkness and slid across the paper across the table.

A few of them reached over, picking up the number of obscene pictures of death, fear, and many more. None of them flinched as it was a normal thing to see in their field of work.

“This is?” A young man that went by No. 12 asked. He was the only one out of the group that seemed under thirty, which was very rare in this field. He flipped over a photo and found a dead body of the gates' wreckage that had gone into an overflow.

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These weren't the only pictures, all centered around one gate. There were hundreds more that showed the destruction of the cities, forests, mountains, and even the ocean waters.

Levian had mainly picked out each major gate around the world. His hand crossed in front of him as a large smile erupted on his face. He was enjoying their silly little expression that they were trying to hold back. It wasn’t like the normal death that one would see hidden away in one’s room, but the large amount of death and destruction would make anyone hurl.

“Why did you show us these pictures?”

Levian lazily twirled his short hair in between his fingers. He was waiting for this question.

“To help evolve our planet.”

“Evolve our planet?” They all asked in unison. Unsure what he was trying to scheme.

Levian sighed, shaking his head at the imbecility of the group. He knew that they weren’t even smart enough to understand how things were going with the magical world. They were all oblivious.

Taking his time out, he spoke gently as if he were talking to a group of kids. “This planet has lost a lot of its mana over a long period. Dungeons' appearance is a prelude to balance out this world, bringing with it a balance that is much needed,” Levian continued to explain.

He knew that this wasn’t the only reason. The world was correcting its mistakes, and the mistakes were human. That is what he believed, but he didn’t tell them that. He wanted them to squirm around a bit more, trying to decipher what was truly going on.

“Which is why there is a worldwide awakening.” Levian went silent for a moment. Staring each one of them down, his eyes glittered with a sense of excitement.

“So, you’re saying that because of the dungeon's appearance, there is a worldwide awakening of magical power?”

“Yes.” Levian was a bit sad that these people were slow on the uptake. “The magical fools who hoarded the magic are no more, now we can bring it into the community, but this is not enough.”

The others were enthralled in what he had to say, for they all felt a sense of understanding.

“The next step is about to appear, and from this powerful surge of magic, we will even evolve further.” Levian gripped his hand, excited at the prospect that was to come.

“Wait, how do you know all this?”

Levian chuckled, looking at them slowly. “It’s because I have lived it once.” He spoke in a low voice that many didn’t catch.

“Excuse me?”

“It’s because the world goes through different phases of levels. We are only the first stage of the magical appearance of magical power that appeared through the world, but it is not enough to bring back the more powerful source that lingers in the abyss.”

“What do you mean there is more?” No. 13 asked, surprised to hear that there was a step above the mayhem that the gates were causing. Nobody expected there to be even more.

“For sure.” Levian smugly smiled. “The next stage is just around the corner. I assure you. This would be a great play that you would all enjoy and benefit.” He crossed his hands, leaning back on his chair.

Levian was having a thrill of a time. He didn’t want this game to end as they were too easy for his picking. Instead, he wanted them to continually guess and run around the ground like the bugs they were.

With a lick of his lips, he wetted it.

The thunderstorm of voices continued onwards between the council. All trying to outvoice each other. It was a symphony of music in his ears, making it an exciting time that he couldn’t get rid of. With a sigh, he snuggled in his chair, crossing his leg. A few more grueling minutes pass by, allowing him to take a bit of time to bring his thoughts together again.

Eventually, the voices calmed down. Their shouting match slowly dissipated when they noticed that Levian wasn’t taking part in their conversation. His relaxed mood brought upon them a curiosity that made them wonder what he was thinking about.

Levian was pleased with their sudden change of attitude. He took this chance to say something that finally caught everyone’s attention.

“So, would you like to join me?” Levian words were a soft poisonous entanglement of ecstasy. Nobody could say that it wasn’t a bad idea to join hands with him. The thought of power and to know what would possibly happen to expand their influence was a tantalizing effect.

“What do you offer?” No. 13 coughed; he was the second person after Levian to have a much cooler head and did not participate so heavily in the group's shouting match.

Levian noticed that No. 13 was hard to persuade, but he had a feeling that he needed one more push to get them completely on their side.

“I know this sounds too good to be true, but how about this.” Levian leaned forward. “I’ll give you one piece of information that you can all benefit from for free.”

“What do you have in mind?” They all moved a bit uncomfortably, but they silently waited with expectation.

Levian took a moment. He didn’t say anything except silently watched as the air around him intensified even more and more.

“Tomorrow, an overflow will happen across all dungeons.”

No. 12 scoffed at Levian’s words. “That’s normal. It’s always bound to happen.”

“This is different,” Levian assured him. “The monsters that will pour out from the dungeon are a rare type of monsters; from it, you would be able to create very powerful armors and weapons that have not been seen in hundreds of years.”

“So…?” No. 12 wasn’t sure where Levian was going with it.

Levain rolled his eyes at No.12, not understanding how important this was. “Profit. Buy up as much of the carcass of all the creatures made from these creatures. In return, sell it in the next week when the second overflow happens. In two weeks, the Players will find the use of these materials, which will increase in value.”

“And these carcasses are?”

“Magical crystals, body parts, etc...only found in a special Overflow when certain conditions are met. And the number of dungeons that had fallen past one hundred, which ensures its first major wave.”

 “Are you the one who caused all this?” No. 12 suspiciously asked.

A creeping smile erupted on Levian’s lips. “I wish I was.” He said with a chuckle, “but you can say I am just an observer that came to correct the change of which the flow of time.”

Levian got up. He bowed once. “I’ll come back in two weeks. On that day, you are either with me or against me.” He shrugged, not really caring if they choose now or later. He walked out of the meeting with confident strides, leaving them behind.