Mimou
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Chapter 180: If anyone should shut up, it’s you.
🕑 Added 2025-01-19 08:42:24 +0000 UTC« Chapter-179 | Index | Chapter-181 »
Sora leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over the gathered figures.
'I was expecting to meet a person or two this morning,' he thought, shaking his head. 'Instead, I’m surrounded by a pack of sharks, all circling for the reward I got from the tower.'
Deciding to get some clarity, Sora invited Kim and Kara into a group chat, preferring the privacy of silent messages.
He turned to Kim, sending the first message.
[Ralph Eden: How do you know so much about all these people?]
Kim smirked, replying almost instantly.
[Kim Dong: Being a guild leader isn’t just about leading raids or dealing with guild drama, Ralph. It’s about staying ahead. Information is power, and you’d be surprised how much I know.]
[Ralph Eden: Seems like you’re not so bad at your job after all…]
[Kim Dong: Of course! Who do you take me for? Everything I told you earlier was just basic stuff. I make it a point to know the most influential people in the world.]
Before Sora could reply, Kara’s laugh drew his attention. She was holding Kim’s tablet, her fingers scrolling through some files.
[Kara Spirine: Most of these files are stamped with [Tsuki]’s insignia—and look, they’re all dated today. Seems like you were just as clueless as us a few hours ago… What’s [Tsuki]?]
Kim froze for a moment, his confident demeanor cracking just slightly. Then, with a sheepish smile, he sighed.
[Kim Dong: Why expose me like that? Can’t you let me have my moment?]
Before Sora could press further, Kim subtly gestured toward a group of cloaked figures standing near the edge of the room. Among them, Sin Soo-Yun stood quietly, as unreadable as ever.
'It's clear Sin Soo-Yun isn't working alone.' Sora thought.
[Kim Dong: See those cloaks? That’s the [Tsuki] guild. Specialists in gathering and selling information. No one knows who founded the guild, but their reputation is exceptional. That’s where most of my information—and frankly, most rich players’ information—comes from.]
Sora nodded, understanding the necessity of such an organization and imagining how profitable the information business must be.
Taking the tablet Kara handed him, he skimmed through the details on the gathered individuals.
'Out of the 70 people here, not a single one is below level 100. Most of them are tied to political powers, influential guilds, or both. A few high-ranking players seem to have come independently.' He quickly grasped the bigger picture.
Returning the tablet to Kim, Sora noticed someone quietly closing the door to the hall.
Before anyone else could speak, a cloaked figure from Sin Soo-Yun's group stepped forward. His dark, flowing cloak obscured his entire form, save for a peculiar pink mask covering his face. He was strikingly tall—easily nearing two meters.
“Now that everyone is here,” the man began, his voice surprisingly gentle, “we can begin.”
All eyes turned to him as he continued, “First, let me apologize for the suddenness of this meeting. I understand this wasn’t what you expected, Ralph Eden.” He inclined his head toward Sora. “But I assure you, this matter is of the utmost importance. I hope you can spare us some of your time.”
Sora shook his head as he studied the speaker. “I don’t mind,” he replied. “I’m not particularly busy today.”
The man nodded, pleased with the response. “Thank you. My name is Kisuke. I have been asked to lead this meeting as I'm part of a neutral force which has nothing to gain or lose from this meeting.”
‘Neutral? Am I supposed to believe that?’ Sora thought, his eyes appraising the man. Despite the humble tone and gentle words, Kisuke’s presence was extraordinary. A quick glance above his head showed him part of the man's information.
[Kisuke Oyama – Level 180].
‘A level 180, and from the feeling I'm getting, he's probably an expert in body forging...’ Sora noted. ‘Interesting.’
Paying to the other people's reactions and attitude, Sora thought, 'And from the look on their faces, no one here seems to look down on him, or any of the other cloaked figures.'
Kisuke turned slightly toward Kara and inclined his head again. “Kara Spirine,” he said , “allow me to congratulate both you and Ralph Eden for your extraordinary run inside the Ascension Tower. Your performance has inspired and impressed all of us.”
Kara offered a polite nod in return, a smile on her face.
Turning his attention back to the room, Kisuke addressed the gathered crowd. “Before we proceed, shall I introduce everyone present?”
Noticing most people shaking their heads, Kisuke turned to get Sora and Kara's answer.
Sora’s answer was immediate. “No need,” he said. “I know what I need to know.”
He still paid attention to the reactions across the table. Some individuals frowned, clearly preferring formal introductions, while the majority seemed indifferent, perhaps relieved to avoid wasting time. Kisuke, however, only nodded.
“Very well,” he said, his voice steady. “Let’s begin.”
The room fell silent as Kisuke continued. “Everyone here today shares knowledge of a truth known only to Innate Skill holders above a certain level and some quests holders. Less than a year ago, a famous player spread an interesting piece of information—one that has since changed the way the strongest forces look at this world and its wars.”
Kisuke paused, letting everyone digest his words. “The war for Supremacy will not merely decide which kingdom stands victorious. It will determine which kingdom survives.”
“The nine defeated kingdoms,” he said slowly, “will be erased. Wiped out completely. Every man, woman, and child will be lost—except for those who hold a specific kind of item, or accompany someone who does.”
“While some argue that there will be another life after this one, and I hope you can read between the lines here, please understand that these items have no value in this world. They can only be used in another world.”
Sora tried to hide his surprise at the words. 'I had considered that option, but hearing others confirm it feels quite bad...'
"Now please imagine a world where we have lost the War for Supremacy. The world that gave birth to us will be the new home to one of the nine invaders. And the only places where humans will be able to survive will be the spaces protected by those items."
“The player who revealed this information referred to these items as the [Arks],” Kisuke went on. “At the time, the exact names of these items were unknown. Now, we only have confirmation that there are ten grades of [Arks], with varying quantities of each grade.”
Kisuke’s hand moved toward his inventory, and a moment later, he produced a small, token. With a wave of his hand, he shared its description with the room.
[Sanctuary Token (Tier 10)]
[Description: If your Kingdom is unable to gain victory in the War for Supremacy, you can use this to summon a Sanctuary, creating a protected space where people of your choice can be sheltered for a period of 5 years.
Before use, this token can be traded. It cannot be destroyed.
After use, the space cannot be invaded.
Population limit: 1,000.]
The room’s reactions varied. Some players frowned, not liking the boldness of the cloaked man. Others tried to hide the greed, but their eyes remained fixed on the token. A few, like Morgan, snorted or remained indifferent, clearly unimpressed with the item’s limitations.
Sora remained silent, his mind already comparing the description to the item in his possession. His [Haven of Peace] had a significantly better tier and a far greater capacity, capable of saving 500 million people for twenty years.
He kept his expression neutral, but he didn't not stop thinking.
‘So this is what they’re here for. It seems I have quite the treasure indeed... And they want a share of it...’ Sora thought.
Kisuke’s voice broke the silence. “As you can see from some players' reaction, even a Tier 10 [Ark] holds incredible value. What remains to be discussed is how we, as individuals and representatives of our regions, will work together with this knowledge.”
Kisuke turned his masked face toward Sora. “And, of course, everyone hopes to hear from you, Ralph Eden—the holder of the most significant [Ark] currently known.”
Sora sighed. 'What a way to start the day...'
Thinking for a few seconds, he asked, "If you have such an item, why can't we all look for similar items, and try to find as many as we can?"
Kisuke shook his head, "According to our source, the number of items like this is limited. And even getting this low tier [Ark] took quite a lot of efforts. This one needed someone who had an innate skill specialized in looting monsters, and a few dozen kills of a high level World Boss to drop..."
Curious, Sora asked, “How many of these items does humanity have?”
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Observing the expressions around the table, Sora guessed that he wasn’t going to get a straightforward answer.
As expected, Kisuke responded calmly, “Unfortunately, we don’t have that information.”
Sora’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the figures seated around the table. “Anyone here willing to show some sincerity and answer the question?”
His words hung in the air. Sora’s gaze moved from one person to the next, lingering on each.
“President McCall?” he addressed the former leader of the United States, his tone neutral.
“I can’t casually reveal such information. Our enemies might use it against us.” The man answered quickly.
Sora turned his attention to the Chinese leader. “Madam Hu Lexin?”
She shook her head subtly, her stance mirroring McCall’s.
“Minister Bhagat?” Sora pressed, looking at the Indian representative.
The minister offered nothing but silence.
“Admiral Figaro?” Sora asked, hiding his annoyance.
Again, silence.
Sora leaned back on his chair. ‘If they admit to having one, it weakens their position in negotiations. If they deny it, they risk being seen as vulnerable. Makes sense they’re staying quiet.’
A quiet laugh escaped him as he turned to the players he was more familiar with. “Clémence? Pedro?”
To his surprise, Clémence spoke up, her voice clear. “We don’t have any [Ark].”
Pleased by her honesty, Sora’s gaze shifted to Morgan, whose expression hinted he might speak.
Before he could respond, however, someone interjected loudly. “Morgan, keep your mouth shut.”
Morgan scowled, his irritation clear. “Hannah, you’re not here representing [GODS]; you’re here as a representative of the NEU. If anyone should shut up, it’s you.”
Ignoring her glare, Morgan turned back to Sora with a smile. “My faction within [GODS] has three such items. One Tier 9 and two Tier 10.”
The room erupted in chaos. Gasps and murmurs swept through the gathered players, the tension escalating instantly.
“MORGAN CASEY!” A man standing behind President McCall exploded with anger, his voice shaking with fury. “This is not what was agreed upon by your guild! This is high treason!”
The chaos grew louder as players began shouting over one another, accusations and threats flying across the table.
‘This is going to be a long day.’ Sora thought.
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