Meanwhile, as William has no choice but waits for his turn, Mi-Yung is going somewhere else. She enters the other hallways from this massive room and enters one door like any other. No one is around, and no indications are here as to where it goes.

Opening it, it leads to the stairs that go to the unknown corridors below. There are only dim lights, being the only course of light.

“Looks like an entrance to the dungeon... Some things never change, I guess.” Mi-Yung thinks to herself but still chose to dive into the abyss that is this swirling staircase made of concrete.

It goes on for longer than she remembers, but after a few minutes, she reaches the end.

It has a significantly reduced quality from above. Cracks, dust, and the old feeling of the walls make it quite old. Roughly shaped walls or even the lacking decor of the surroundings make it much older than it is.

After all, this location is much older than the Federation itself. Dating back more than a century or even two.

This island where the Federation is built upon, used to be a land like any other a century ago. Many people lived there, living their best. The economy thrived, and the population wasn't even half that bad. Luxurious resorts and homes for the rich. That was the once-known Bermuda Isles, which is located in the Atlantic ocean.

Though, now, it presents the place for the few remaining places of humanity.

Land and building still survived the apocalypse and even the war in the first half of the 20th century. Although, back then, because of its location, it never suffered any damage. It's thanks to its keen location, that made a significant decision to build the Federation in this place.

Although people long fled and died because no matter where the dark would hunt the survivors. The governments of the nation a couple of decades after the start of the apocalypse saved this place and built an enormous fortress instead.

Mi-Yung knows this history, so the past of this corridor, and its walls. This used to be a scientist and military base. Deep underground, no one could guess what had even happened here in the past. Though, no Dark beings ever managed to come here and made this place their home. It is too secure, after all, which makes this place a perfect hiding spot for humanity.

In the worst-case scenario, the Federation could flee its citizen into this place, but that never happened, and hopefully, never will.

The corridor is around 10 feet wide and ends in a worn-down door a hundred feet from the end of the stairs.

Walking to the door, Mi-Yung knocks on it three times.

In a moment, the door opens inwards and reveals a bodyguard-looking man. A short beard, twice the width of Mi-Yung, and a few heads taller.

“Token,” he tells straight to her face.

Flicking her personal information to the man before herself, Mi-Yung finds this not one bit strange. The people beyond this veil of carefulness are some who like this stuff, yet this carefulness is needed in order to get inside.

Glancing at her information, the guard leaves the door open and politely gestures for her entrance.

Without a word to tell, Mi-Yung puts her badge away and enters the room. The token that man wanted was a simple formal way to know the people. Since this place that only a few know about is only allowed for the top of the Federation. One is not simply invited here because they want, but some of the folks are someone like that.

Walking inside, rather worn down walls are still everywhere. At least renovated floors, and some decor makes it a bit better. It's another bigger corridor, but this time, the hum of people is everywhere.

This place is the reason for today, and many of the institution folks are present as well. Unlike the above, this place has much more scientists, since this is a prime day for them. Seeing the decor and the rooms, Mi-Yung doesn't mind it either way.

Not like the walls, or old age of this place matters, since this place is the main place of interest for the Institution of the Emblems. Old or not, it serves its purpose. To be more specific, scientific research put into not at all scientific Emblems is the only place that matters here.

“Greetings, madam Song.” An attendant in a suit greets Mi-Yung while gesturing a small bow to her attendance of the Awakening.

“Hello, Robertson. A lot of people here, isn't it?” Mi-Yung greets this well-kept man and looks around the place.

Carpets, lines of rooms, and places to sit are around hundreds of feet long, wide and tall rooms. This is only a temporary place for the not-so-privileged people who couldn't get to see the Awakening.

Though, it doesn't matter to them, since the official statements and the results will get to them one way or another. These rooms and people interconnect with each other. There are hundreds of guests, with meals provided as well. There are also open spaces, stairs, and levels to this place.

The entrance of this place is only a small part of everything. Mi-Yung hasn't been here for a long while, but it changed little if any. Maybe some decor, or renovation, but it's not like there is a need to rebuild this space. It would be costly and complicated, considering it's underground.

“The Examination already started. Everyone who you would guess is here. They are watching the show with their keen eyes and understanding.” Robertson says after straightening his back.

“Can you lead the way to the people of the Assembly? I don't want to be bothered with finding them in this crowded space.”

“Of course. Please.” Robertson gestures with his hand forward, as this place is quite open and large. It almost resembles an underground city, but it is better to describe it as a military facility than anything else.

Robertson leads her to a distinct shaped part of this complex in one particular location of the open corridor space. It has a door, which leads to another place. He leads her through stairs and more hallways, while the main event is held at the end of this path. A place that has been clearly remade a couple of dozen years ago at worst.

Robertson opens the insides of the small gate, and while bowing, he puts his hand in front of himself like some kind of old gentleman. That is funny, considering he is younger than Mi-Yung. Of course, as the attendant of powerful Walkers, he is not lacking manners.

Not like Mi-Yung is bothered to see him, nor pleased to see someone act like that. It is just how some things work and the past used to be like this, too. Some people like this stuff, others down, while some couldn't care less about this stuff.

Mi-Yung is someone between each, but her worries are about completely different problems than some etiquette bullshit.

Inside this room, a plethora of people either sit or stand around the tables, which are placed into the massive windows in the front. Talking, laughing, or simply observing the windows on one side of the wall is about everything in this room. There are two rows, while the front is a rectangular table, that has benches for people to sit between each other. It resembles bars, but there is more privacy, and they are placed far from each other.

Of course, there are other forms of sitting. There are regular tables, and high seating area with sofas, and high raised chairs which are common for bars. There is also some form of raised stair-like system in the back, where people sit on cushions and observe from high ground.

This makes sure everyone has some view of the massive, and tall window that is around the whole side wall. It's right before the benched tables that have the front view.

Although, as normal as this seems, no one is normal in this place. Each and every guest here is a powerful being and someone who is privileged enough to see the Awakening. It means to see the future Walkers and someone who they will fight, or bid over each other in the near future.

That's right, the window is open right towards the humongous open room. A kind of bunker, but a with tall ceiling, and concrete is used as the main material. It is a hundred of feet wide room, with a light that illuminates the very middle.

That's where the main thing that everyone who is curious about stands. That is a rather strange mechanism that is the Accelerator. It is named to further the limits of the Walkers, which makes its name kind of special.

As Robertsons is leading her to the table according to his memory, they sooner meets someone who recognizes Mi-Yung.

“Ahhhh! Mi-Yung! You came?! What makes you come here at this time?” A lady clothed in a rather loose white robe walks to the new arrival and gave her a tight hug.

“Y-you don't have to hug me whether we see each other, Seong unnie.” Mi-Yung tries to shake her away, as this lady is of the same nationality as herself. She doesn't have to act this familiar with her, but she knows her, but it still makes it weird, considering the place.

She knows her the same way as she knows this rather bashful lady. Though the federation is what it is, the general view of the nations still remains. Since humans have many distinct races, it isn't all that strange to act familiar with each other through their nationality.

“Your chest... No. I mean, I am glad to see you, Mi-Yung.” Seong pulls herself from her and greets her one more time. This time, in a much more reserved manner.

“I swear... I am only coming here because I am a proxy to someone... Nothing strange, since I want to observe the situation, and how many people even came here.”

“You? A proxy? How come, since you have so much work and whatnot...” Seong asks in visible confusion, yet an underlying smile that may reveal her mischief, of already knowing about it.

“I won't tell. It is a surprise even for myself,” MI-Yung replies with a smile which leaves Seong a little dejected, but understanding.

“Fine... Since you say so. Do you want to accompany me to the table of the Assembly, or... you want to go to the other parts?” Seong glances at her face with a meaningful smile.

“I... I will spend a bit of time strolling around with a few people. My person has still a couple of hours left, anyway.” Mi-Yung says, while not making it obvious her primary reason was the Assembly table. She even shooed Robertson away so he wouldn't tell anything.

This leaves Seong helpless and causes her to leave for her own business.

“Make sure to come, alright?!” she voices before leaving.

This leaves Mi-Yung finally alone. She has her own observation that she almost forgot about. Seeing the place first, the seatings are into many parts, but they are in no shape, not crowned. They make two rows, with benches and chairs alike. Everyone has a view from the window, but with so many people, it's rather crowded to enable everyone to see. At least a few hundred is a bare minimum of Walkers in this not-so-large room.

This is the Awakening, and the folks in the charge of the Examination are here. Everyone that should be here is already present since the Awakening is already ongoing. Each is curious about the results, and since this place is relative to their safety, why not place importance on this day? A small day off for the majority of them is as important to any normal human.

Though almost each one of them is special, and powerful Walker in their own rights. Same as with Seong. She is in the Assembly for a bit longer time than Mi-Yung and is in fact, a Rank 7 Walker.

There aren't many needs to conceal the emblems in their bodies, and many presents theirs wide open. Some in the form that goes alongside their clothing, while some hide it since that's more comfortable for them. Such as the arm, shoulder, and back position of the Emblem that isn't that easily presentable.

Most wear formal clothes. That includes the suit for men and some kind of dress for women. Though there is much more variety in this than one would guess. After all, not many high-rank Walkers care about some manners, but those who care make at least half of this room.

That is the fact, and it shows. Even Mi-Yung is dressed for the occasion, so she doesn't find it strange to see others too.

After glancing around, Mi-Yung spends some time looking for Kaufman, but considering the size of the place, he could be anywhere. It could be easy to conceal oneself with so many people around. She believes he would be forceful for sure if William ends up good, so a little chat with him wouldn't hurt her.

After a little more time walking, she is greeting and made some small talk with envoys and Walkers alike. As the secretary of the General Division of the Federation, she knows a lot of important people. There are even those who came from Outside organizations she knows. That means the convoys from China, Japan, and even a few independent and private forces of the Walkers.

“I swear... I have no issue with him snatching William away, but forcing himself with anything is as bad as he does things.” She snorts inside and rather chose to go to her desired destination.

Reaching the bench in front of the massive window, there are around 10 people sitting in this part. They are watching and looking into the open space while chatting with whatever they can.

There is a monitor in front of the table that reveals the results of the participants. At least according to the screenings of the tests, that are put here through some servers and connections.

“Gooddamnit! Only 30 percent?! How disappointing...” a sturdy build man in a tank top shouts in displeasure. The results of the current participant show not that pleasing results.

“What do you mean, Cloud? He is from Outside. He will surely become a good surveillance member and achieve at least rank 4 in his life.” A beautiful-looking lady dressed in a shiny gold robe tells the man while leaning on his arm.

“It is still disappointing, though. How many such Walkers happen to be done already? 20 of these qualities? We are still only in the early 30ies and it's not looking good at all.” Cloud continues to complain, but soon enough, Mi-Yung makes her entrance.

“Greetings sir Cloud, miss Reawes. Hello again, Seong unni.” Mi-Yung takes a seat that is offered by Seong. There is still more to greet, but those are further down the table, so she only makes a customary greeting to them. There is even... someone very familiar on the further left. Her boss to be exact, but she is far enough from him.

“Ohhhh, Mi-Yung? What makes you come here? You were never once bit interested in this occasion because of your work.” Cloud glances back upon a new arrival. A rather surprising one, as his honest words were unlike Seong's.

“I am curious about it myself,” Reawers tells as well and sneaks a small hug to Mi-Yung as well, who is to her right, and Seong is to her left.

Such pleasantries are not always happening, but Mi-Yung knows that such occasions force these... bothersome situations.

Smiling the same as usual, she gives an excuse instead of answering. “I am curious about someone. That is all. If it's not bothering you, I will watch for a bit in your presence before reaching other tables or groups.”

“No problem at all. Another presence of beauty is much more appreciated. Am I right, brother Ray?” Cloud grabs a shoulder to his right and drags a man to this conversation that is clearly unwilling.

“I-I have no idea, Cloud... Don't bother me. I am watching the show.” the man with a complete and utter boring face says to Cloud, before shoving his arm away.

“How boring...” Cloud complains once more before being given Seong's and Reawe's approval of his word.

Mi-Yung knows the Cloud quite a bit. He is an outgoing person who is appreciative of women, but not as obnoxious as he shows here. Lady Reawes to his right is his partner. Both are Rank 7, while Cloud is closest to 8 out of anyone in Rank 7 of the Assembly. As for what they do, or don't, that is not important at the moment.

Everyone is, for the most part, taking their attention to the sights in front of them. For their partnerships or friendships, this occasion is not for them, or about them. This is a time when new blood is rising, like every once in a while.

In more minutes, that goes on, and there goes a first moment that leads Cloud into a better mood.

“There goes number 43! Wanna know about her? I have full authority over the lists.” Cloud glances at his friends and colleagues alike in a proud manner.

In his hand, a private touch screen tells much better details about the participants. Unlike many, his position has certain privileges, so he openly presents himself with it at this table.

“Go on. I am listening, as well as Mi-Yung.” Seong tells while sitting closer than she should be beside Mi-Yung.

“Right! Named Celleste, she is from the camps in the surroundings of Australia. Aged 15 at the moment, her Emblem has strange effects of striking the Rank 1 monsters while being only Rank 0. Isn't it intriguing?” Cloud tells with visible excitement on his face.

“Striking? That is a rather forceful term, don't you think so? Did she kill them?” Ray to his left suddenly and without helping himself, asks. His unclear voice wouldn't be unnoticed anyway, so he leans quite closer to Cloud.

“Brother Ray is curious? Right. That is correct.”

“Fascinating... Fascinating...” Ray mutters in an inaudible voice and pays no more attention to the happenings to his right.

“There are occasional youngsters like that. It isn't so strange as this, Cloud.” Seong gives her side of a comment.

“I know it very well. Let's see what her talent is or not. Any bets?” Cloud glances back and seeks the spectacle before the front seat of the window.

There is a sturdy chair in the middle of the bunker. It's a place for the Awakening, which doesn't seem that comfortable, but there is no other choice.

Beside it, a girl with features that could be only called beautiful and innocent is walking towards it. There is no speck of a smile on her face. Her long and haggard dark hair leaves nothing but pale skin that makes quite a contrast.