The diverse group stared at him with a mixture of fear and confusion. This included the pair from the confluence, the terrified individual whose fire he'd extinguished, the zealous kowtower, the burly figure, the two soft-spoken women, the warrior lady, the inquisitive gentleman, and the silent observer.

Under the starlight from distant worlds, he stood tall, his mask reflecting the enigmatic cycle of stability and instability. Each face in the crowd mirrored a distinct mixture of awe and uncertainty, captivated by the spectacle before them.

Taking a step forward, he shattered the silence and responded to the allegations with an indifferent tone, "I care not of what you've heard about me. You're free to leave this gathering as you please."

Subtly turning his gaze over to the gentleman in front, who shuddered as if standing in cold winter, the enigmatic voice added in a disappointed tone, "Yet, it's concerning that a potential fulcrum like you has allowed others to make an opinion for you."

Then, he shifted his gaze and scanned the crowd as the gentleman was lost for words, unable to counter that deep insight.

"As for the purpose of this gathering?" he paused, waiting just long enough for the crowd to become uneasy, "It is an attempt to create an equilibrium where none exists. To counter-balance the other end of the spectrum."

.

.

.

That was it. That's all he said.

Illeana's mind churned as she tried to connect the dots. What did he mean? The phrases 'Potential Fulcrums,' 'Equilibrium,' and 'Other end of the spectrum' echoed in her thoughts, begging for interpretation.

She tried to combine these keywords with her insights regarding his voice. Was there a hint of indifference, perhaps even expectation, in his tone?

She wasn't sure, but she needed something right now. Though uncertain, she sensed an opportunity. Something within her urged that this was significant, even if the reason remained elusive.

Questions flooded her mind, How could this gathering contribute to a cosmic Equilibrium? Why label that man a potential fulcrum? What was the nature of this spectrum?

The more she repeatedly analyzed this, the closer she found herself to understanding a hint of Mr. Axiom's grand plans.

Suddenly, her mind reached a certain direction, and an idea surfaced in her mind—No. It isn't just that man who's a potential fulcrum. It's all of us!

This insight unleashed a torrent of ideas. Of course! They were called "potential" fulcrums, suggesting they were key pieces in achieving this equilibrium..*

Her heart rate skyrocketed as she deciphered one riddle after the other. But what about counter-balance? What did that signify?

While she was lost in thought, others shifted around in even deeper confusion. The gentleman up-front mumbled to himself with an unsure expression, "Equi…librium?"

A bunch began discussing among themselves, and the being up high watched it all without interrupting.

"Is…is this some grand game that the gods play? To balance each other's powers? Are we just pawns in their games?" spoke that half-wit woman who dared doubt Mr. Axiom, clearly unaware of how out of her own depth she was.

The two individuals beside her immediately stepped away, unwilling to be associated with her bold statement.

The previously silent man scoffed, "Do you truly believe you're significant enough to be a pawn of the gods? Were you not listening? The Lord specifically mentioned 'potential.' I suspect they've already evaluated yours and found it lacking."

The woman made to respond, but that's when something clicked for Illeana, and she tuned out the argument. Wait!

She paused, carefully considering this new idea from various angles before quietly affirming, "I get it."

Her whispered words caught everyone's attention, instantly silencing the group as they turned to her with expectant eyes.

Illeana narrowed her eyes and concluded it was okay to share this. No, it was better if they knew it, too. They would've realized it sooner or later, but her telling them directly would cement her position as their better in the group.

If her realization was correct, then it would only help her down the line. With a subtle shift in her posture, she addressed the group, "What do you think a being as powerful as Mr. Axiom would seek to counterbalance?"

As expected, she was met with silence, and she understood why. It wasn't because these people didn't have the imagination. No, it was because they lacked a wider perspective. Even if they'd guessed the right things, they couldn't be sure of it.

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Without hesitation, she provided the answer herself: "Elden Ones."

The crowd's faces instantly paled.

"W-what?" someone stammered.

Another voice quavered, "An Elden One? They're... real?"

Noting their reactions, Illeana pressed on without pause, "These unnatural beings, once restrained by Objectivity, are now held at bay only by their higher forms. They're forced to seek vessels for their descent. And who do you think is keeping them in check right now?"

"No one," replied the burly man, a sharp edge to his voice.

A couple of others nodded, clearly aware of the terrifying destruction these entities wreaked on their lands. Recently, a whole district was consumed by ash in Karthain in one such incident, and she'd been hearing more and more about them through her channels.

That's when the old man who'd called Mr. Axiom evil chimed in, "Are you suggesting it'll be us who has to stop them, then? To counterbalance the shattered equilibrium?"

Illeana simply stared back, not fond of stating the obvious.

Realization came slowly, but it ran deep.

Someone asked hesitantly, "But…how? I'm just a second-shade observer. What can I ever do against such beings?"

To this, the old man added solemnly, "Hence why, we're just potential fulcrums, not the chosen ones."

"Not just that," interjected the burly man. "Most of you're missing out on the vital detail."

Illeana frowned, waiting for him to continue. With a smug smile, he declared, "This gathering itself is a boon!"

She quickly grasped his meaning and nodded.

"Do you all not understand how big of an opportunity this is?"

The half-wit woman butted in, "Yes, an opportunity to get our bodies overtaken by an evil god."

The burly man gave her a 'what the hell are you saying' look before ignoring her as he continued, "Forget the insights we'll gain from being in Lord Axiom's presence. Focus on the fact that we're gathered here from different parts of the world, communicating without revealing our identities."

He paused dramatically. "Do you realize what that means?"

Suddenly, everyone fell silent as understanding dawned on their faces.

"Do you not see how massive of an opportunity this is!!?" he squealed, practically shaking with excitement.

The soft-spoken woman in indigo overalls mumbled, "We…don't need to share our trace with a shady mediator or risk our lives at underground meetings."

Another added, "Everything we share and exchange will be witnessed by a god-like being."

"This…this is life-changing! Once we have the lord's permission, I have a trade to propose to everyone."

"Me, too! I am looking for the observation record for the second shade of the Librarian pathway. I can repay with my local currency or a secret of similar value."

"Wait, if someone here has the seeds of a meat flower. I'll pay you back with a flower in three months anywhere in the world. I'm willing to vow in front of Lord Axiom if necessary."

With every new vocalization of the possible benefits, the group's expressions became awed and amazed, but Illeana thought ahead.

There's more to this than just the gathering and the opportunity presented by Nexus itself, she narrowed her eyes in thought.

When she found herself unable to come up with a clear answer, she did it.

Without any hesitation, she took a more respectful posture and looked up as her words cut through the stunned silence, "Mr. Axiom, what would it take for us to realize this potential? What must we do to help achieve this equilibrium?"

She wasn't one to dilly-dally given the chance. She clearly had the upper hand in terms of information over everyone else here. If she didn't use it to her advantage and make a better impression on a god-like figure such as Mr. Axiom, then she was better off singing for sailors in some second-rate tavern by the docks.

There was no need to even try to wrest back the throne of Karthain.

Her words drew gasps from the rest of the peanut gallery as her question broke them out of their smaller thoughts as they realized the essence of Mr. Axiom's words.

----------------------------------------

Vern did his best to hide the surprise as he listened to the conjecture train that had long since derailed from his initial expectations.

What the hell is going on here!?

He'd intentionally kept his words and motive vague to leave himself some wiggle room, but that also meant they were left open for interpretation.

And interpret these people did. He was honestly impressed by the depths of their imagination. He couldn't have come up with such a solid excuse even if he wanted to.

He was especially impressed by the pretender lady. She was making arguments so logical even he himself would've agreed with her if he was down there. She was unexpectedly far more reliable than during the confluence.

Not like I mind. She'd already helped sell his image a tonne, and she was doing it again, asking the right questions. He had a very specific goal in mind, and while the path to his destination had changed a little, things were still going in the right direction.

He nodded internally. I've incepted the notion that they are the chosen ones, and they've arrived at their own conclusions as to why this meeting is beneficial to them. Now, I just need to hook them with what I can offer as Axiom.

It was a delicate balance. If he went too far, he would come off as desperate, but not doing anything to make them reliant on him wouldn't fulfill his initial goal of spreading Axiom's name.

His heart, which had just slowed down, began thumping rapidly once again. He had a vague plan on how to get it done, but the theories of mind were rarely enough to keep up with the variables at hand.

No. It should work! he hissed. I didn't agonize over it for the past few days for nothing.

So he slipped back into the persona and turned towards the pretender lady as he answered, "Realization of one's capacity is a function of their insights."

Pausing for a bit, he scanned the crowd and continued, "So, I will offer each and every one of you a chance."

The eyes that were already on him turned heated as these words surely set their imaginations on fire.

Extending his arm, he raised his index finger and uttered, "One question. Ask me anything."

"The only condition is that…"