COI C184
Later that same day, Manager Kubo receives the news about their infiltration. The meeting was almost over, and she called out to them.
“I have something to say before we leave”
The others were surprised and the leaders thought it was over. The unconcern expression as they already focus on the serious matter. Manager Kubo has the same topic with them.
“It’s about the ruins. There are people we found that there are loose enemies are still left”
King tsks himself, he knew this is going to happen. He knows what lies hidden inside the brown red cloud.
The leaders know the term of the loose enemies. They waited for her to tell the full detail before responding. They thought the citizens know nothing about the ancient undying who served under the demons. Manager Kubo explains further
“My workers have finally found the what they called as the last wave. The Enders have left us the most difficult dirt to remove and also ready to crumble and sweep them from this city for good. All we have to do is to follow with these coordinates”
Everyone sees the details from the Dexter Guild’s hidden files, they didn’t give a complete report until now. The reason they did that is not to disrupt the working flow, and these problems were not open until they have proof to show them. Thankfully, it wasn’t serious yet. However, the other representatives are anxious that the problem in the ruins are still not over. Old man Ban is the only person to see they look rather scared. Not only he wasn’t scared he asks the manager confidently.
“It seems like you’re not worried about it. Is there good news?”
“Well, yes. But it won’t be easy if they finally finished it”
The reports talked about the Enders who stayed in the island had all their equipment left in Enders Bridge, which is likely that they are as useless as civilians. They look at the advisor and he blatantly ignored them. Still, it wasn’t his fault. The conditions of the remaining demon forces have already sunk into the deepest of low in their powers. The Jigeram is here, lost its connection with their masters. The runes were taken care by the Dexter Guild, and the corrupted spirts are all gone thanks to the weird mix and max with the plant. Although, it causes havoc and loses the city’s manpower because of it.
The results of the amazing work at Taiyou Industries. Where no monsters reoccurred and the brown red cloud disappeared, and it was all thanks to the Dexter Guild. Sadly, it took so much time to get it to clean off the demonic influence and the powers needed to keep it going. Delayed into month passed and somehow get the city barrier to work again. The leaders were impressed, and more so to the demon elf. The report spoken by the manager is not complete. The whispers on her lips and early removal from the demonic influence made her suspect who.
“Lilith”
This afternoon, in Taiyou Industries. The actions they did to pushed the city barrier further to cover the entire industrial factories in their district. It wasn’t easy and saw crystal formed barricades materializing. The monsters are returned in pieces and bodies all around scattered. The wraiths, the beasts, and the feral spirits are gathered and collected into the gaze of the Jigeram’s light. Their manifestations are not stopping and the brown red cloud is forming together with the dusts. Dust storms formed and going to the outer layers of the city barriers.
Scratch marks all over, and the workers remembered what the Enders told them. Undoubtedly with little sweat spots on their foreheads, the echoes of being breached are under way.
“Do we have to wait for another week? The monsters are here. We should take them out before they recover”
“We were helped by them since the they arrived during the siege. I think I can place my trust on them one more time”
“Damn, we can’t even see through the crystal barrier. You can hear the sounds of ramming from here”
From Taiyou Industries, Mihayara inner district, and Fuku City are in the sounds of terror. Monsters banging on the outer layer of the crystal, they can hear from the ground then to the sky as they climb up. The worried citizens couldn’t wait enough for the signal to come and now heading to the evacuation area. Citizens from Chojima district aren’t going to wait for the magic to come and save them. They used their own magic to go to their previous safe zones. All carefully secured and moved there where the evacuation areas improved than the last one.
Kombat and Sniper made it back and took a break with one of the evacuation areas. He brought his nephew there as the situation inside the ruins are getting dangerous. In the meantime, they have to go to the city guild personally as the hardware they have is not suited to deliver it by magic or any form of software.
“I can’t believe you were able to made it out. With that hardware can’t be transported easily”
“You can say that again. Say, how’s your goodbye with your guild? I saw in your inventory that you have a little friend inside”
“You too?! This is Oue’s familiar. I don’t know why it wants to reveal itself”
There they entered again, the city guild with their promising sight to secure so many people from the previous evacuation. They reach their destination and left his nephew there, they walk inside. Then they see their friends greeting with a strong pat to their solid armor.
“Cling*”
No reaction, but they did only see the side of their eyes. “Team Platinum?” “What?! Oh, I mean, I didn’t notice you guys are here”
Nera scowls at him “You got yourself a new body armor”
Paladin and Lycaon keep tapping on Kombat’s armor “WOW! That’s some hell kind of armor. You don’t even notice us”
Kombat explains to them “Sorry, we have something important. The adventurers need info in order to face monsters, right?”
Lycaon was a bit skeptic “Monsters? You can’t get yourself out in a mess when you are above with that freaking moon”
“There is more than you ever know. I’m talking about the demons’ army”
“The demons’ puppets, I can’t believe that you of all people going to said it to my face again”
“Again, hah. You still remembered how me and my partner face that monster back in the siege”
“Hey! We got our shares in the ruins. You guys are more than a badass when surrounded by enemies”
“Don’t be jealous, just be glad we are alive. This one, the moon had stopped our fail safes”
King is waiting for Manager Kubo’s messenger. He heard that Mihayara district have the copy, and they will receive theirs like them. The guild master appeared before him
“You shouldn’t be wary, at least we have some good news with the former adventurers getting back in their life. Others thought of leaving after the first convention”
“But, guild master. All of our hard work to take advantage the city sphere and . . .”
“You shouldn’t be worried like that. Everyone has to earn a living. We are not heroes yet, and we shouldn’t be. If we want to survive this world, we have to give up the use of the failsafe”
The guild master learned a lot from the Enders inside the city sphere. The envy in his eyes as he was busy getting into the sphere without even taking care of the situation happened in the city. The irony of this, the adventurers are thinking of forming their own small guilds. Their counterpart, the Fuku City guild, still didn’t have a proper name yet have already taken all of the Fuku City residence to theirs. So, there is no need for problems conflicted with his own people. The city guild is still had their memberships high and newcomers are still going as former college students dropping out as time goes on. It won’t worry him as much as they made a proper course for them all.
The representatives come in, all of them are guild leaders to their respective groups. One of those leaders is Team Platinum’s captain. Many low ranks give their respects and the higher ranks greet him with tough smiles. Gordon comes along says his greetings to everyone.
“This is an important meeting. So, to any of the low ranks want to taste your teams into the most dangerous mission, then listen carefully. This is no normal monster and we are in winter or the 4th moon cycle”
The guild master leans to King “I guess we have people with strong dreams here”
Lion King watches him meets with Kombat as he handed over the helmet with the data. The guild master starts doubting to himself as he looks like he misses to be who he was. It was obvious. He becomes the guild master of the city guild because of his management. He was a mangaka, a civil servant after his failed next manga. The humbled defeat soon left him when the convention gives hope. Yet, this guild master is not giving up. He still has the responsibility that he had doubting himself for so long.
Every leader watches the video and the details go through to their UIs. The unimaginable sight to see dead low stats with still capable performance. An undead to what they saw quickly regains to the last bits of mana around it. In an environment that cleans all of the mana, its fierceness made them overestimate. There are special rune barriers that station at the Stadium as the mid wall against the outside and Mihayara district. From what they saw earlier wasn’t from during extermination before. It reveals to them what is its purpose. A capturing net to let the last monsters standing trapped.
Kombat and Sniper explained briefly, but it takes too long for the others to listen. However, there are others keep using their UIs to see the amazing work that the Dexter Guild did. These guild representatives are the most skeptic to see them going around the ruins and away from the fight. Now they see they established quite a trapped to their enemies. While others won’t forgive them to take their loots. The message is already sent, but the guild master insists on the two.
“Thanks for bringing up this crucial information, and I would like to speak more of it”
King refuses “It won’t be necessary. The district representatives will be providing for us for that”
Sniper agrees “I understand your concern, but we have less manpower on the field work in Taiyou Industries. We just need some rest and tomorrow will be going back to work”
“I see, how unfortunate”
The guild representatives continue to discuss on the matter as they leave. “This is the day, the day we received the goods”
“I heard they are inspection. I hope our stash has the things needed for us”
“Heavy plating for you, but we ordered a bit more exotic. My guild members had ventured to Enders Bridge and we got ourselves better”
“I would love to see it. Too bad we have to be ready for next week”
“A week?!! The enemies are already in front of our borders even inside the ruins”
“Don’t be hasty, we are just glad we have the training we need when facing those monsters. We have the low ranks as supports now thanks to the drills they received”
“Anyway, why did they leave?”
“Who?”
“The Enders”
“Oh, them. Have you considered Alga’s light on Rune Isles?”
“I thought that place is just lifeless with machines”
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“For your information, my team have a little research. The origins of those monsters are not coming from land. A matter of fact, everything that is a creature are all originated close to the sea”
The guild master shouts “SILENT! We have extra time. If we need to feel safe for the rest of the week, then tell me. Are the monsters out there any dangerous than the siege itself?”
Lycaon answers him “It is safe, the reason for another week delayed is when the Jigeram and a certain weather will come up”
“What weather?”
“Of course, since the city barrier blocked what harsh environment coming from. Remember to always wear runes at all time. It will be hard to imagine. This defense will succeed”
Meanwhile, Fuku City is in a dire calling out by the citizens. Another siege will be coming and their borders to the northwest are seeing multiple assaults, clawing its way inside with no signs of getting breached. The defectors were trying to deal with it and the strange thing that happened are the monsters speaking in different languages. Their translation wasn’t able to do it and more while even with their UIs. However, there is no need for it. Understanding what the monsters are saying is nothing to get its worth.
The Fuku City citizens watch their border covered by the crystals, barely anything to see but the fade silhouette from the monsters’ appearance. The cult leader reads the message from the district representatives’ meeting, recorded to all given details. The spy entered the room and gives his annual updates on the upcoming unrest.
“Boss, there is no unusual response, even the convention is going on. They seemed to be peaceful. They are acting quite lazily for the past days”
“It is certain they were being taken care of. I have no worries about them beside the one who is actually playing with us”
The spy bows and takes his leave. Then later, the gang leaders approached to him. “We are ready to collaborate with the defense”
“Good, there’s message from the city that we are going to sally out next week”
“Next week?! But the outside is crawling with those bastards. We should end what lies there”
“Are you sure about that? I have a message from Taiyou Industries about the condition happened in the ruins. The monsters are still had something left in them”
“Ugh! We’ve been through that all over again, the monsters have nothing. What else we have to deal with it?”
“It’s no longer be a next time. According to my intel it will be the last time. The siege will finally end for good”
A loud groan to hear the end is finally here, they won’t believe it. The cult leader is not tolerated with their complaints as the defector gang leaders confront to him.
“About next week, do you have something on that piece of paper for that reason?”
“There is none, I was hoping they added a little . . .!”
In everyone’s devices, it rings without a notice. The loud sounds remark popping out as the others tried to check and see. It was the news again. Hours ago, they brought about the elves are coming over. Now this time is a signal warning.
“Breaking news, the elves have arrived to the massive tree. They unleashed a powerful spell barrier going through the tree that is leaching on the city barrier. There’s (loud explosion)”
The video shows where the tree is. It was not the elves who attack it, but the Jigeram’s light dragging the massive tree branches to crumble. The energy it stored falls apart releasing powerful volts exploding around the tree.
“. . . The ampstalk tree is tearing itself apart, harming all things around it, including the monsters. (loud explosion)”
The news cut off showing no signal. The reason for the delay is in the news now. Everyone can’t argue what they seen and proceed to the main problem in their district.
“Ok . . .? So, when are we going to deal with the pests?”
“Back to the point, Hmm. The boss here seems to be not phased. Are you sure about the initial plan you’re going through?”
The cult leader had few words mostly to the defectors. It seems the gang leaders have their own dealings protecting the city. Even though they ignore what happened to the communities, they were not their human resources anyway. Their human resources though were disturbed by the unrest. They won’t be acting nice. His spy had the troublemakers under surveillance. It wasn’t that too hard for every citizen get their agreement with the term of service in the internet. No one will escape their convenient life.
“I have decided all of our problems with the siege and the unrest in our city. All of you will choose either you are going to have fame for yourselves in this city or take revenge against this nuisance”
“But boss, the opportunity for us to gain something out from the tree. Even though it is not sure, there is no way that the efforts from all over the region to go in vain”
“Heh, I don’t care about that. Hey boss, I send my good lucks to you while we choose this fame shit”
“Being part of the entertainment industry, I need my reputation get a head start. How about you Devilishly Rats?”
“Sigh* Our reputation is in the police’s wanted list. We are gang members, a real amateur kind there. I don’t have a thing about this place. I’m sorry boss, I think the defectors won’t be the one saying no”
“I can’t why I have to agree with amateurs. We are going to protect the city. We don’t mind joining your ambitions, but the reason we came back must have this city stay intact”
The gang leaders have chosen their fame, it was obvious from the start as the sole purpose now is to protect the city. It made him very happy to see such gangs care so much about the survival of their own city. Even Fuku City fell into a revolt, there are other districts will fill their needs.
They continue on the meeting. The preparation for next week will be a good responding letter to Mihayara district, where the Fuku City guild will come and aid them. He starts to remember the name of the guild was still not mention.
“Oh, by the way. What’s the name of Fuku City guild?”
“That’s, we don’t know, it was established by the defectors”
They turned their gazes at them “It was made up, just to allow the city to confirm them as adventurers. Boss, you were the one who acknowledge it. Why not you’ll be given it a name?”
He declines “I rather not. If you excuse me. I’ll be busy on my next meeting”
Everyone left, and the cult leader is waiting for another guest to arrive. Magic comes inside with elven magic. He was waiting for him for how long he heard about him from his friends. Even allowing the two girls delivered a special item to defeat the demon inside the internet. Everything he had let it through without proper professional decision. Alone, coming into the wind that glows like thread. Dimmed light under the sandy colors, he appeared with his face covered. The covered man from the dark green dot gang, who is willing to cooperate with him.
The covered man says his greeting bow with a question to say “For how long will you let one single troublemaker taken control your people?”
“Before answer your question, I’d like to thank you for your help to deal my first demon”
“You were not part of the conflict, and it wasn’t meant to that demon. There’s also another who spread its influence. Are you sure that you chose to use it again? It might flee before destroying the realms it recreated”
“I am happy for your concern for me. It is unfortunate I let the demon influence my people, but they are no longer people when they are enslaved, right?”
The covered man expected much of this man’s word. He is not easily be deceived when the cult leader has the elven magic. It will be impossible to hide his motives and the item he was given to him, the jade stone bind with the demon’s soul. The cult leader can’t observe the covered man’s expression. Hide away with his mask on, and nothing else to say more. They get on with the business
“Ok, then about that agreement earlier or was it a few weeks ago”
“You want my men to come and aid your order. I’ve already heard from the both of them. They seem acting differently when it comes to justification”
“Laugh* Believed me, you will learn more about the dark secrets of my countrymen’s past. We like fame gloriously and our shame forgotten through a more traditional way”
“You do understand that souls will come back to haunt you?”
“I have, those people wanted to stay here. It will be my blessing to them rather a curse. I think nothing less to provide this world as their heaven. Death is not even a problem since you can hear them spirit away around this world”
“Such judgement led to hell. This world is not the place for the souls to rest”
“Neither will be the others who wished to leave”
“Sigh* In the end this is the demon is influencing your people. I have no judgement among the humans and their nature. Rather, I have lived too long to see the variation of humanesques in different worlds. The problem is a problem from what you people called as. I can’t admit my people from the rebellion want your people to leave, before the . . . Sigh* It will take years before they returned”
“Again? with your prophecy, when will your men will able to aid me to purge this revolt?”
The covered man looks at him seriously. This man is resembled from most human leaders’ actions. The acceptance that not everyone is going to make it. This is what the covered man defined them as bold, and nothing much else to people who is given the free will to choose. The irony of this vision is that this world, it is indeed someone to be ruled. This world however, wasn’t the case from all those eras ago. The present is just a struggle to ascend. The rebellion will always be the villain in this world, it is because the Hero faction was right. Everyone wants to rule the world.
He responds “They will aid you at any time, but only be leading by your companions. You’ve not known how much your command might ceased their advance”
“I understand. Remember this settling the unrest will start when the defense against the siege begins”
The covered man left as he fades away along with the wind. The sight to behold that he never believed that he has support from another continent. It will be beneficial for him to take care of the problem. The concern he is having for the covered man to be an ally or not. He sends a call to them.
“. . . Hey, it’s the boss. What do you want in the middle of the city turned into a cracked egg?”
“It will survive, how about your partner? Did the hitlist continue?”
“Sorry to disappoint you, but they really are getting a beaten. We have found out, without the other guy even know what’s going on. We found one of the Enders is in a case and carried inside the train. It seems those hitmen of hers are involved with the demons of yours”
“What a surprised, I have my own defects disappeared because of one nut job killed them”
“That’s ironic for the citizens to die instead of those guys. Maybe because they are in the lucky spot, I guess”
“Anyway, your gang leader came for a visit. It seems you guys will be leading”
“That would be better that way. The equipment they are bringing is a more controversial than you might think”
“Why is that?”
“We have our own dealings with looting inside the ruins. Nothing much for the of us to understand what’s they are trying to find. I can’t say much and keep myself rolling. Furthermore, they have set up some nice counter measure magic. The demon you have now will be easily be found by the time you step foot inside”
“Uh huh, I will be going to see it to believe it”
“Hah! That’s what my partner said?”
“Is that a joke?”
“If she is going to see my . . . YES! Laugh*”
The cult leader ends the call abruptly and proceeds to go to the main servers. Chelly is waiting for him with the designated schedule. Wheatley had seen so much that happened inside Fuku City. It is quite devastating to scourge around the place where the people are segregating each other.
“. . . This is some strange class system you got here. Who is in the right mind to from this complex but still working program?”
“It works because no one notice it, Wheatley”
“Don’t act like it is better. Enders Bridge is not easy to ignore such an elaborated nonsense. It won’t be easy either getting yourself into a mess that created by your boss”
“Tell me about. I am in the verge going into the plan to eradicate his enemies once and for all. He didn’t know there are a lot of people kissing his ass just to leach his success. That former yakuza is in deep shit. I don’t think I can go on like this”
“That ‘I can’t go on’ thing won’t be a good idea. Sadly, I don’t know how you feel. Not even the internet is giving me the answers all this mess. I’m just glad that it wasn’t the internet that answered your problem with your community”
“That’s not true, the internet did help them reconnect one another”
“You got me. Still, that stuff they pulled through. There’s no way it was masterfully done. And, I wouldn’t think your help means ‘can’t go on’”
Chelly giggles a bit, and the way it talked about it means no absolute sense. Still, its voice is sincere and its nostalgic voice made her cheer up. “Thank you, Wheatley. For an AI from Enders Bridge, you got yourself a heart”
“Ooh, trying using the ‘can’t go on’ on me. This app doesn’t have the features to study it. Wait a minute, you’re trying to test me. Well now, I’ll call your boss here in the next five minutes and tell him what you’re trying to do to me, Ah . . .” She checks on the time and it was right, exaggeratedly. She went to her office and shuts off the Wheatley app. Still doubting what to do something she might regret, but consider she is the head in the main servers. It will be possible . . .
The cult leader comes in right on time, she is here ready herself for the next plan. “Thank you for giving the time to work with you, boss. The project is developing well and the new form of tech and magic fused together are cooperating quite nicely”
“It is all thanks for the professionalism of your work and the others. Let’s discuss about the plan”
Chelly listens to his plan and her first breached of service to her own customers and consumers. Revealing the personal information of each suspect he provided for her. The deadline will a few days from now. Expectedly, she already done it. She already had it to help Tabitha to get through those people.
“I think I’ll be able to provide you the details. I was wondering, those realms you talked about. Is it possible to use the internet server or the network to access through a magic portal?”
“That’s the project will be providing from the other team. Your job is to make the server and provide information to my targets. You don’t have to worry about having your part having technical difficulties. The people I hired are a bit more experienced”
“Are they from outside of this city. You mean people like Agatheans or Enders?”
“Something like that. I would be glad to let you see it, if you like”
Her device rings and she answer the call. “Sorry, would you give me a minute?”
The cult leader let her answer the call. Then she ends the call and respond “Excuse me, about what you said earlier. I think I won’t have the time to see your project”
“Was it because the call before?”
“It’s a family matter, I guess your city starts the unrest again. Also, take a look at this. It was from the call”
The cult leader reads the post after the call. It was It3ch’s post and there were another cyberattacks. The revolt still persists and he lost his mood immediately.
“I shouldn’t be surprised by this. Your service must continue to secure it after all these messes”
He left, then she lies down and gives a big sigh. “What great timing, Wheatley!”
She turns on the app “You know it wasn’t perfect timing, and the cyberattack was few minutes too late. It is almost like you are going to get yourself involved. The update is getting more terrifying when you get yourself inside the server now”
“Yeah, and I was the one who confirm the update. I am creating a dystopian as we speak”
“Awe, that reminds me back in Enders Bridge. Dystopian . . . Hmm, I’m starting to get bored thinking about it. Let’s get to work and make your boss proud”
“You crazy eyeball! Laugh”
Inside the central building, the cult leader has step into the secret lab. Where a portal, warp gate by the look of it. Futuristic with less magic involved, the runes able to improvise the quality of the structure and filled with uncontrollable energy. The rift opens and as it switches from portal to portal. All connected and link altogether under one place. Where his friends are coming looking at it blindly. The man said
“I guess we are going all sci-fi in this massacre”
The woman shakes her head with his dumb joke “Sigh* eradicating people without batting an eye. You two will be the one getting your hands dirty”
Cult leader response, “I’ll be disappointed if you don’t lead those gangs of yours into defeat”
“Hah! Why not bring a sparring match with your goons with our minions?”
She rolls her eyes “This guy, the dark green dot will be ready. The people we are bringing are the enemy of this region. If the city found out about it, we will . . .”
“I know, it would be a shame for our city rely on outside help. Just like they did to bring those foreigners in without proper manners”
The cult leader shows no concern to the foreigners. The ideology of being the most adaptive and proficient. Yet fighting his own people, who are worthless, is a sacrifice worthy to keep this city’s honor.