Chapter 186 Echo Of Glory [3]

After a few days after the terror attack, the Obelisk Organization, along with the King of Cassiopeia, and the President of Alastor, issued a widescale player military joint from various guilds, as well as preventive measure for such an attack to happen again.

The security that was assigned when Zebel infiltrated the largest artifact museum of Alastor didn't get accounted for their lack of awareness that led to the impacting terror attack that would be marked as one of humanity's worst parts of history Post-Emergence.

The reason for the security not to be held accountable was very simple... because they were already dead as the high-tech missile, which was in itself an artificial dungeon, killed them upon its contact.

The two princesses, Rumia and Elizabeth, together with Samantha, Anya, and even Leon, had psychological trauma because of what had happened, especially when Zebel's cruelty was slowly screened before their very eyes, helpless at that.

Because of the school trip that turned out to be a bloody senseless killing just to send a message to Artorious to not forget what had transpired within the Trial of the Stars or the starting point of humanity's Star Contract selection, the academy classes, not just from Obelisk Academy and Sky Academy, were temporarily suspended until further notice.

The reason behind such suspension was to let the unrest subside first due to the psychological effect of the terror attack that also affected even those who didn't experience it firsthand.

That alone was more than enough to cause a crack on order.

Han Jiho, on the other hand, seemed to not experience trauma unlike the others as his mind was occupied with questions, which were more than the answers that were still shrouded in the fog of the unknown.

Just after the meeting because of the unusual power that was witnessed by the Orion Continent, many media companies wanted to interview him. Apart from that, numerous guilds wanted to recruit him, though for him, being tied with others would be more of an obstacle to his growth and it was more than enough for him to be on Alexander's side.

What was discussed in the meeting room was the identity of Zebel, which came from Jiho's mouth, as well as the others who were with him in that life-and-death situation. Although Artorious and the other heads of the organization already knew Zebel's identity, they had let them tell about it nonetheless.

Jiho and Samantha specifically told them some of the words that came out of Zebel's mouth, especially regarding Artorious. The man, though, didn't answer any questions yet and let them recount everything that had happened.

In the end, they were asked to shut their mouths in speaking about anything that was talked about in the meeting room and the conclusion about Jiho's mysterious power was something absurd yet entirely possible because it was something that would eventually happen.

— Star Descent.

In other words, Jiho's Constellation partially descended using his body as a medium.

But Jiho didn't make any remarks regarding the assumption because if he denied it, it would mean that the justification for the existence of his unusual power would be lost. And with that, the Star Descent assumption remained still, but Jiho, who knew something according to other System messages that he had browsed apart from what he already knew, was aware that it was not the so-called Star Descent.

The contents of the other System messages, which had happened when he started his offensive against Zebel, were the following.

[Some Constellations that are observing the Planet Earth are watching the spectacle at this moment!]

[Some Constellations are wondering about the identity of the player's Constellation.]

Although the above-mentioned System messages were not noteworthy, it was the subsequent one that took Jiho's attention, which said the following:

[Some Constellations are looking at the Great Universe to look for the player's Constellation.]

[The Constellation of the player can not be seen by the prying eyes of the other Constellations!]

***

In the headquarters of the Black Sky Disorder.

"Zebel, I commend you for successfully executing your job."

The Lord of the organization, which could rival the Obelisk Organization, spoke to Zebel.

At this moment, after a few days, since Zebel requested the meeting, the twelve heads of the organization had gathered.

"Regarding the unforeseen circumstances, would you mind telling us?"

Zebel then recounted what had happened. From Jiho's unusual behavior to Jiho's theatrical involuntary enactment, and the fiery golden light that destroyed her imaginary Dark World.

The original plan was to bait the heads of the Obelisk Organization, specifically Artorious Hall. That's why she temporarily spared Samantha and the others. After the heads came after her, he would summon a portal of darkness where the other heads of the Black Sky Disorder would come out.

In other words, there would have been a full-blown fight between the players in the realm of S Rank, which could certainly destroy the entire capital of Alastor, if not for Han Jiho's circumstances.

"I see. A power that's more than SSS+ Rank even for a moment..."

The Lord of the order pondered for some time before he added:

"Since it's not a permanent power, all we can do is dodge his presence, but I believe that if it's borrowed, it's not something he can utilize without consequences."

The other eleven, including Zebel, nodded at their Lord's words. After that, without waiting for anyone to speak, the Lord of the order continued:

"The humanity wants advancement, so we will give it to them.

"We will thrust forward the development they have long wanted.

"Because the Project Black Veil is in its final phase."

A smile of wickedness appeared on everyone's faces upon hearing their Lord's words.

When the Project Black Veil was finished, it would mean contact with the other side of the world.

But with Zebel's existence, especially her peculiar horns, it meant that partial contact, although not directly, had already been made.

If the one thing that was blocking the eastern world, including the Orion Continent, from the shrouded western world had been destroyed, the impact of it throughout the world would be incomparable to the terror attack that Zebel and the Dungeon Artisan had caused.

It would spell either world-scale opportunity or world-scale disaster, but throughout the history of humanity even before the System arrived, it was the combination of both.

***

"Oppa... What should we do about the book? Should I hand it over to Red and Violet?"

Freya asked her older brother about what they should do regarding the book or the novel that Russell had written.

Pondering for a moment, Russell asked casually.

"Don't you want to read it until the end?"

Freya had only read some things regarding Jiho, but it was enough for her to know the Jiho of the future if the story went according to what was exactly written, which was improbable due to the fact that the Goddess of Night had clearly said to Russell that it has yet to be completed.

"...Haha, I don't want to spoil myself."

With a faint smile, Freya replied. But as an older brother, Russell strongly believed that Freya didn't want to read it because she didn't want to know the great disasters that would befall humanity in the near or far future.

"Anyways, let's go see them."

Without waiting for Russell to speak, Freya spoke evasively.

After that, Russell and Freya went to see Amelie and Ken to raid Chaos Dungeons, to accumulate bonus stats — both Unallocated or auto-allocated.

***

In the Chaos Training Grounds, Russell, Freya, Amelie, and Ken had just arrived.

"Another run?"

Amery asked with anticipation. Russell then nodded at her words.

Since the terror attack, Russell and his Chaos Companions raided quite a number of Chaos Dungeons where the chance of success was high. In other words, they felt the need to be stronger as soon as possible so that they could protect those worth protecting.

But Russell had clearly a different reason for becoming stronger.

'I need to get that thing after the Black Veil is destroyed.'

He thought in a serious manner before he, together with others, vanished from the spot where he was standing after selecting and entering the Chaos Dungeon to be raided at this moment.

***

<I remembered what you have previously told me. About Jiho being a runaway. Although you didn't answer my question, based on what happened, it means you know what he is right? Or his Constellation maybe?>

Samantha curiously asked the entity within her head.

<Don't stress yourself, woman. You just need to become stronger before the next Close Mystery Tower opens.>

The entity denied answering Samantha's curiosity for the second time.

<Then help me become stronger than my current self!>

Not minding the rejection, Samantha spoke firmly and seemingly desperate.

<I just have the right way for you...>

Without waiting for Samantha's response, the entity continued:

<I guess it is time to teach you about Inherent Powers.>

***

"Hup-!"

Elizabeth jumped towards Rumia, who was defending against her incoming strike. At this moment, they were training intensely along with Jiho and Anya.

The trauma they had experienced, except by Jiho, was now getting better, to say the least, but whenever they were in the presence of the crowd, they felt apprehensive for some reason.

"Why did Samantha didn't come?"

Jiho asked, curious.

Anya, who was sitting on his side as they were resting for a moment and watching the two princesses from afar, just shook her head. Two to three seconds later, she casually made a response.

"Well, she just said she'll be busy with something.

"But I can't blame everyone for being at an edge or doing whatever they wanted to become stronger since what happened to us... was just horrifying."

Han Jiho fell silent with her words, remembering what had transpired just a few days ago. He couldn't help but subconsciously clenched his fist.

Even though his emotions seemed to be getting him, there was one thing that just couldn't leave his head.

It was the aftereffects of the so-called Echo of Glory.

***

Somewhere around in the Great Universe, on the Floor 98th of the Last Close Mystery Tower.

"My Lord! I have an urgent news!"

A man in shining white armor genuflected in front of a lofty man sitting on a throne. The one on the throne was wearing a golden crown over his golden hair. His eyes, too, were golden in color.

It would be similar to the human design if not for a halo that was floating just above the crown, as well as the six wings on his back, which contained numerous different eyes.

Before the presumed servant managed to continue, the so-called Lord raised his right hand.

"I have felt it... The Echo of Glory."

His voice reverberated throughout the heavenly palace.

"My Lord, if it is indeed from the Glorious One, what steps shall we take next?"

"Trace the echo's origin and confirm its existence.

"If it is confirmed, send a legion to eliminate his remaining existence."

With his absolute order, the servant nodded in reverence before he asked the final question before locating the place where the Echo of Glory was assumed to be detected.

"My Lord, how about the world where it is possibly located?"

Pausing for a moment, the so-called Lord spoke without reluctance.

"Destroy the echo along with the world itself, but... consider the existing factors if it is allowed to be destroyed.

"If not, then just kill the Glory One's remaining echo."

After that, the servant nodded before saying...

"Your Will is absolute, my Lord."

***

In the palace of the Queen of the Elves.

"Your Majesty, the vampires' movements are getting meticulous. It's been a few months since some of them started to linger just outside our borders."

One of her attendants spoke about the situation with the vampires.

Pondering for some time, the Queen then opened her mouth.

"Send an envoy to the Vulcan Kingdom... and the Orion Continent."

"Your Majesty... may we know the reason for such an action?"

"We will request aid because it would undoubtedly threaten their territories somehow.

"Although we will not fully trust them, they would certainly cooperate for the sake of eradicating a pest.

"In other words, their help will lessen the possible loss in our race if the war breaks out."

The Elven Council understood the Queen's intention as they unanimously agreed with her decision.

"Your Will is absolute, Your Majesty."