[ The old continent will reopen in 25 days from now.]

In Fray's office, he sat amidst scattered items and books, his gaze fixed on a bronze assortment. Standing before him, Isha, with a respectful demeanour, expressed, "I apologize, sir. Despite your valuable information, we fell short of the S rank and missed claiming the top spot in our path. I am prepared to accept any punishment."

Fray contemplated Isha's sincerity, then shifted his attention to the array of items before him, the items were from bronze boxes, with only one silver box, Which was the A rank reward. "Who secured the first rank in your path?" he inquired.

"The group known as the Order, who obtained the second rank in the united ranking after us," Isha replied, casting her eyes downward.

(With origins in the Adoria Family, the Order Guild, much like the Guardians team in the original story, was among the dominant forces on the old continent. So, it's understandable why Isha faced challenges against them,) Fray remarked with a thoughtful expression.

Despite Isha and the rest of her team being talented and well-trained in assassination, they lacked training for direct combat or facing monsters, like the members of ancient families.

Contemplating this, Fray responded, "No issue. Focus on strengthening yourselves; don't prioritize ranks"

Isha's team, part of the Merciless Clan in the System, operates separately with their path. However, in the united ranking, the system recognizes them alongside Fray's team as the Merciless Clan. Their rank impacts Fray's, and as he aims to maintain the top spot for future plans, he was concerned Isha's team might lower it. Fortunately, with their current achievements, it seems he doesn't have to worry about that for now.

"Thank you, sir. We'll give it our all," Isha affirmed.

"That's it. Take the rewards and rest," Fray instructed.

Surprised, Isha questioned, "You won't keep the rewards, sir?"

"No need. Return each item to its rightful owner. They hold no value for me," Fray declared, while the rewards from the bronze box might prove valuable for ordinary individuals, Fray, being a member of the Dalma family, already has access to similar items and skills. He only finds interest in exceptionally special items.

After Isha respectfully exited the room, Fray's gaze lingered on the intricately designed pocket watch clasped in his hand. The watch bore the emblem of the Dalma family.

A soft click echoed as Fray carefully returned the pocket watch to his inner coat pocket. As he rose from the imposing desk, Fray's fingers grazed over a map spread across the table. The map depicted intricate markings denoting strategic locations in Iskar city.

After taking a final glance at a certain spot outside the city walls Fray walked toward the door, leaving the room he closed the heavy wooden door behind him.

. . .

In the mystical atmosphere of Elisa's office, a richly adorned coffee table anchored the room. Seated gracefully around it, Elisa emanated an air of authority, while across from her stood an old man, a weathered presence named Master Anass.

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"Why have you summoned me, Elisa?" inquired the aged Anass with a spark of curiosity.

"Thank you for joining me, Master Anass. I've called upon you because I wish to confer authority over the lands of the four Eldrom villages," Elisa revealed.

Anass's eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect of authority. "Does this mean you've finally decided to rejoin the succession battle?" he asked eagerly.

Despite being a member of the four members of the family council and holding immense influence within the Dalma family, Anass Dalma had remained elusive in granting favour to any family member, except for Elisa. Despite various attempts by others to win his favour, Elisa was the only one he deemed suitable. However, his attempts to guide her towards the family head position had met staunch resistance, and she refused without divulging her reasons.

"No, it's not me seeking authority this time," Elisa declared firmly.

An expression of confusion crept onto Anass's face as he questioned, "Then who desires it?"

Knock knock

At that very moment, a distinct knock echoed through the room.

"Enter," Elisa commanded.

As the door creaked open, Fray stepped into the room, his countenance stoic. As he entered the room, Anass's expression darkened. He turned to Elisa, scepticism evident in his voice. "Don't tell me the stupid rumours about you supporting this child are true?"

Elisa, meeting Anass's gaze without uttering a word, let her silence serve as a response.

"Well, this is disappointing," Anass declared with a despondent expression. Rising from his seat, he continued, "Do whatever you want, but don't expect me to hand authority over twenty thousand villagers to a kid."

"Anass, please, just give us a chance," Elisa implored sincerely. Seeing Anass pause in his stride, she seized the opportunity to add, "You've known me since my childhood. Do you truly believe I would support him without reason?"

Anass, caught in the complexity of Elisa's words, turned to Fray with a hesitant expression. "Why do you seek authority over such territory?"

"I merely wish to utilize the lands for farming, nothing more," Fray responded.

"What!? Do you think that's easy? If it were, it would have been attempted before," Anass replied coldly. "Iskar City is already in dire circumstances, and that territory is the most damaged. I can't let a kid worsen things."

Elisa interjected with a proposition. "I have a deal for you, Anass. If we fail in achieving our promise, I will rejoin the succession competition as you want."

"What!?" Anass exclaimed in surprise. Even Fray was taken aback, as this wasn't part of the plan.

"Are you sure?" Anass asked, genuine interest in his eyes.

"Yes, I'm serious," Elisa affirmed with a firm expression.

Anass, astonished by her commitment, couldn't help but think, ( she really trusts this kid!) as he observed Fray with a newfound curiosity.

. . .

As the cart rumbled along the cobbled streets, Fray sat within, peering out the window at the stark contrast unfolding before him. Still traversing the area surrounding the Dalma mansion, the opulent abodes of the affluent families of Iskar City flaunted their prosperity. The streets exuded an air of contentment, where plump and jovial citizens revelled in wealth and tranquillity.

However, as the cart gradually distanced itself from this illusion of affluence, the reality of Iskar City unfurled. The once-happy streets transformed into corridors of despair.

Faces etched with hardship lined the route, and the cart peddled hard bread at the price of a full day's labour, and damaged fruits and vegetables fetched double the normal that, and even the scarce quality goods were beyond the reach of the destitute citizens. Children, clad in tattered clothes, huddled on the ground, their malnourished bodies bearing witness to the struggle for survival.

In this desolate scene, the impoverished citizens of Iskar City trudged through their daily lives, their struggles etched into the very fabric of the neglected streets, a poignant testimony to the city's ongoing plight.

Elisa, seated across from Fray, addressed the dire circumstances, "Iskar City's economy is on the verge of collapse. Despite Anass's best efforts, he couldn't rectify it. Even as a council member, he faced insurmountable opposition from the powerful families controlling the city's economy."

Fray, his gaze fixated on the squalor outside, muttered, "This is unacceptable."

"It's strange. Do you genuinely feel remorse for them?" Elisa asked, taken aback by the unexpected empathy in Fray's typically cold demeanour.

Fray, turning to Elisa with a serious expression, posed a question, "Do you know there's a world where their biggest concern is extending their age beyond a hundred?"

"What!? Another world?" Elisa mumbled, perplexed by Fray's revelation.

"Do you know the strangest part?" Fray inquired, lost in his contemplation.

"What?" Elisa, still confused, asked patiently.

"The history of that world is shorter than ours, and our resources are several times greater than theirs. Yet, we are the ones suffering. The only difference is that humans cannot coexist with other intelligent life forms. The energy and illogical aspects of this world are the main reasons for its downfall," Fray explained, his gaze returning to the view outside the window as he delved into the complex tapestry of his thoughts.

Elisa, absorbing Fray's confusing words, became lost in contemplation. She, more than anyone, grasped the weight behind Fray's statements. A sense of worry and complexity crept into her thoughts as she pondered what plans Fray might be formulating.