Chapter 1042: Chapter 786: All the Familias Gather
In the blink of an eye, four days quietly passed.
On this day, the Immortal Essence Great Secret Technique that had been sung underground for more than a month was finally nearing completion, causing some unusual phenomena within Orario.
Some citizens provided information to the Guild, saying that they had witnessed suspicious red lights in certain places.
Those red lights emerged from underground, rising constantly like particles, accompanied by a magic power that only Magic Guides could perceive.
After receiving this news, the Guild dispatched people to verify these places. It turned out that the suspicious red lights were not only becoming brighter but were also expanding in scope.
Some skilled and daring adventurers followed these red lights into places like underground sewers, where they encountered Monster Plants.
Yes, the Monster Plants had emerged from underground.
It was as if they were trying to create as much trouble as possible for the people on the surface during this final moment, preventing them from dealing with the impending light of day. Monster Plants appeared from entrances and exits of various artificial dungeons, some attacking adventurers in the underground city, some lurking in places like sewers, and even some directly reaching the surface, rampaging in the city as during the Monster Festival.
Considerable effort was expended by the major Familias to deal with these Monster Plants.
There’s no way around it. Although Monster Plants might seem like mere pests to the likes of Reiger and others, who can easily deal with them en masse, that’s because they face high-level first-tier adventurers like Reiger and others.
When facing others, the threat posed by Monster Plants is still significant, possessing a very high resistance to blunt attacks and having a violent reaction to magic power, prioritizing strong rear guards like Magic Guides. Additionally, they can grow stronger by devouring magic stones; each one is an enhanced species. If such Monster Plant creatures are fully matured, they could rival Lv.3 adventurers at worst, and the strongest ones could even be on par with Lv.5 and above first-tier adventurers. Even Theona and Theone initially found them troublesome.
For enemies of this strength, even major Familias would find it quite taxing to eliminate them, let alone adventurers from medium and small Familias. Only the Loki Familia and Freyja Familia could handle the Monster Plants as if they were minor monsters, which other Familias couldn’t manage.
Given such a situation, it’s imaginable how much chaos the rampant presence of Monster Plants would bring to Orario.
The Guild has already started urging actions against this situation.
"The strategy for the Artificial Dungeon Knossos must commence immediately; it cannot be delayed any longer."
This means that the timing for the crusade is already imminent.
Responding to the Guild’s call, Finn made a decision.
"It’s time for a war council."
This is not an internal war council of the Loki Familia but a war council of all Familias about to partake in the assault on the Artificial Dungeon.
The Familias participating in this meeting, besides the Loki Familia, which has been the main force on the front lines fighting against underground forces, include the Ganisa Clan as the city’s constabulary, the Hephaestos Clan as insiders and suppliers of materials and equipment regarding the Immortal Essence, and the Hermes Clan, who once undertook the investigation of the 24th-floor food vault with Reiger and Ais.
Of course, the Ganisa Clan, as the city’s official constabulary and the designated Guild collaborators, had long been acutely aware of underground matters. Given the crisis threatening the entire city, they are obliged to be involved in the assault on the Artificial Dungeon.
The Hephaestos Clan is also participating in this operation. The Loki Familia’s mass purchase of arms in the city invariably involved this largest Forging Master faction. Plus, Chun had long known about the colorful monsters and the existence of the Immortal Essence, having previously launched an expedition with the Loki Familia. Consequently, the Loki Familia and the Guild openly shared the whole truth with them, gaining their support and assistance.
As for the Hermes Clan, they could be described as having been forcibly dragged into this.
As the details of this crusade, whether it’s the presence of underground forces or the city-threatening Immortal Essence Great Secret Technique, are not things that can be freely disclosed!
To avoid large-scale panic and disruption of urban order, this must remain concealed from the majority of the city’s Familias. Even the Freyja Familia was not permitted to know all the information, let alone other medium and small Familias.
The Hermes Familia, having participated in the investigation of the 24th-floor food vault and consequently learned a lot about the colorful monsters, unfortunately learned much intelligence that others couldn’t know.
Thus, they were naturally dragged into this crusade to become one of the assisting parties.
Of course, to compensate for the shortage of manpower and do everything possible to resolve this crisis, the Guild also extended requests to several trustworthy mid-tier Familias, asking them to participate in this crusade.
Especially those Combat Prostitutes who formerly belonged to the Istar Clan and had previously participated in the actions of the Artificial Dungeon with Istar, opposed the Loki Familia, and had some understanding of underground forces. If the Familias they belonged to learned the details through them, they would be dragged down just like the Hermes Familia.
Thus, on the fifth day, a war council officially convened under the leadership of the Guild.
The location was on the thirtieth floor of Babel Tower, a hall with an open design for the entire floor, making it like an aerial pavilion, presenting an expansive space overall.
It is also the venue for the quarterly deity gatherings.
In the past, deities would gather here every three months, exchanging information and bestowing titles upon adventurers who successfully leveled up.
Today, this sacred venue will be open to all major Familias about to partake in the assault on the Artificial Dungeon.
On this day, the Familias participating in the crusade sent their captains and high-status representatives one after another, gathering many Familias on the thirtieth floor of Babel Tower.
Finn naturally represented the Loki Familia.
However, the accompanying person was not Revilia, who served as the vice-captain.
"You are our trump card for this operation, so attend the meeting with me."
With this reason, Finn brought Reiger along to the thirtieth floor of Babel Tower.
When Reiger arrived here, the place was already filled with leaders from various clans and their attendants.
"You’ve arrived, Finn, and young Reiger."
The first to greet the two was Chun.
The head of the Hephaestos Clan and the only Lv.5 within the clan seemed to have attended the meeting alone, walking over with an unwavering smile as usual.
Beside Chun, the leader of the Ganisa Clan, Shakti, also stepped forward, accompanied by two familiar faces known to Reiger.
"Asafi."
Reiger raised an eyebrow.
One of these two, surprisingly, was the leader of the Hermes Clan, known as the "Omnipotent," one of the city’s rare "Mystery" holders, and the illustrious Magic Artifact Master—Asafi Al Andromeda.
"Long time no see, ’Deceptive Swordsmen’... no, I should call you ’Limit Breaker’ now."
Asafi pushed up her glasses and greeted Reiger with a bittersweet expression.
Apparently, being dragged into such a significant endeavor, Asafi was feeling the pressure heavily, her mood visibly burdened.
The other person beside Asafi seemed more at ease as they spoke to Reiger.
"I knew you would come, ’Limit Breaker’."
The speaker was a combat prostitute with brown skin, tall and voluptuous.
She had a striking pair of long legs and looked at Reiger with challenging eyes.
"Lijie?"
Reiger raised his eyebrow because of this person’s appearance.
She was Aisha Bellka, known as ’Lijie,’ the combat prostitute.
Indeed, it was the long-legged fierce woman whom Reiger had defeated twice, formerly belonging to the Istar Clan—Aisha.
"You joined the Hermes Clan?"
Ignoring her challenging gaze, Reiger spoke knowingly.
"...Well, I was somewhat conned into it." Aisha, realizing her provocation failed, seemed a bit disappointed and said, "After that goddess was deported, I didn’t know where to turn, but was eventually talked into joining by the clan’s main god with sweet words."
It was clear Aisha felt quite dissatisfied with that so-called main god she mentioned.
Heavenly God Hermes, this deity was notoriously persuasive and incredibly free-spirited, so much so that even Asafi, the leader, showed a troubled expression when mentioning him. Aisha must have suffered quite a bit.
"You didn’t join the Hestia Clan with Chunji?"
Reiger casually commented.
"No, that clan doesn’t suit me; they’re too innocent. If someone as carnivorous as me was there, their main god would have to keep an eye on me daily." Aisha seemed to remember something, feeling both amused and narrowed her eyes, looking at Reiger, suddenly saying, "I thought you cared about Chunji too, maybe wanted her to join the Loki Clan. Yet, you did nothing."
Aisha was genuinely puzzled.
From Reiger’s actions, she could tell that the famous ’Limit Breaker’ cared about Chunji.
Initially, she suspected Reiger was after Chunji’s Demon Art, hence her guarded attitude during their meetings. But after Istar was deported, and the Istar Clan disbanded, he made no move, allowing Chunji to join the Hestia Clan.
What was the reason for this?
Aisha couldn’t figure it out.
To this, Reiger simply chuckled and replied.
"Nothing much, just like you, I felt the fox girl wasn’t suitable for us."
Hearing this, Aisha raised her eyebrows.
"Indeed, Chunji lacks ambition or desire; she just wishes for a peaceful life and to advance while watching her recognized hero’s back, not suited for the frontline-loving Loki Clan."
Aisha agreed with this view, staring at Reiger and sighed.
"Speaking of which, you’re Lv.7 now, it seems I have no chance for vengeance against you."