Chapter 8
"This report shows a significant increase in gates. As you can see from the statistics, our department reports an unprecedented surge, with 24 new gates across the country. You can check the reports we sent to your respective clan or guild databases."
"These gates don't even include existing gates. The progress of gate emersion and successful completions are completely unequal, causing concern among all of us, especially among the council and the government."
That was the secretary's brief report, briefly explaining the current situation across the country and disseminating the information to the clan and guild leaders who had attended the Explorers' Meeting.
It consisted of those who had fought and proven their skills in solving public problems, especially in resolving gate anomalies.
Each of them had their own distinct personalities and figurs, so it was safe to say that these meetings sometimes went awry.
And one of the problems was about to arise, and one of them was about to be perpetrated in a mere moment.
"What is our relationship with those damn rats? They haven't even shown any help or support, damn it!" A man from one of the clan leaders scorned and slammed a hard smack on the table.
Those were the words of one of the clan leaders, who appeared more delinquent with his gang-style hairstyle, but whose ability was evident in his aura, which he had never concealed.
And in a loud voice, a mature woman in formal attire, like a businesswoman, rebuked him, "You shouldn't say things like that, Kira. This is a meeting between clans and guilds. Everyone must respect each other's words and actions, regardless of whether they participated."
The man named Kira could only glare hard and then voice his dissatisfaction at the woman.
The woman, known as Lionness, was one of the founders of the strongest guild in the country and recognized in other countries for her contributions on both the world and national levels. This proved that there was still a hierarchy of power, but everyone knew that power came with the respect it deserved.
Lionness herself was the nickname she received. She was a tough woman with blonde hair with some silver strands. She is idolized by many people and explorers for her abilities and accomplishments. She is often depicted with her eyes closed, giving him a mysterious impression.
This was a reminder and warning to anyone who acts up in a meeting, regardless of the institution's leader, who has been silent since the beginning, only to return to his seat after opening the meeting.
"Despite Mr. Kira's sneers, it's true that officials and the council aren't taking direct action to address threats like this. What do they care if they rely solely on us, who are constantly fighting?" said one commentator, trying to highlight a key point in this topic.
She was a relatively young woman, but quite sarcastic in certain ways. Her name is Wendy, dressed in a dress and carrying a doll, the meeting participants knew she possessed certain skills, despite her somewhat childish presence.
This time, Lionness herself didn't reply. Instead, another woman, who seemed quite the opposite of Lionness herself, answered.
Her skimpy attire, revealing some of her sensual features, caused a slight discomfort among them. The woman's name was Sandra. Her personality was very open and had quirks that tended towards the worrisome, but this time she tried to defuse the sarcasm in her own way. "Enough of this cat and mouse talk. Kira and Wendy are absolutely right, but we have a more important matter regarding the gate anomaly. And I'm sure you two have had some run-ins with officials recently, haven't you?"
"Ugh!" "Eek!"
The two of them looked like they were caught red-handed with arrows stuck in their heads, evident by the incident they were trying to conceal. Essentially, this important information had been spread among the clans and guilds to restrain them from acting arbitrarily, especially when they gathered for something.
The old bald, leader of the institution, who had been silent until now, now decided to act, after receiving a light discussion from his secretary who had whispered to him during the small commotion.
He quickly stood up, startling several of them as he suddenly began to lean forward and rest his fingers on the table.
"Thank you everyone for coming. Once again, I thank you for your hard work. This time, there's good news and bad news for all of us."
Everyone began to take a slightly serious look at the leader, waiting for what new information would come.
Despite the information already conveyed through the previous hologram layer, they wondered if there was anything new they needed to be wary of.
"The good news is…"
One second
Two seconds
Three seconds
The chairman deliberately delayed the information he wanted to convey, anticipating a response from the participants who, even briefly, were genuinely curious. Some of them, who appeared calm and collected, even slightly annoyed by such a situation, began to move their heads closer, trying to hear clearly.
"All of you haven't even finished the gate yet lately," said the leader, who then crossed his arms in front of his chest as if he had delivered 'good' news.
Everyone immediately shifted from their serious demeanor to stunned and embarrassed by the rather painful announcement. Most of them slowly turned their heads away from the gaze of their leader, who acknowledged the results of their exploration.
"That's also including you, Lionness." The leader then continued, targeting the best among them.
The woman named Lionness, who had previously behaved differently from the others, was calmer than the others and completely unperturbed by the "good" news. She only bowed slightly before, even though she was sitting relatively close to the leader.
Lionness, upon being called that, now feel a little embarrassed and her cheeks flushed, but she regained her composure and replied to their leader.
"But leader, we each have our own reasons and difficulties. Calling this good news is sarcasm and an insult to us." Lionness replied calmly, keeping her eyes closed but facing their bald leader.
Lionness herself disagreed with the comments about their struggles, as the clans and guilds were essentially working hard to resolve the gate anomalies that could threaten at any moment.
"There are no ifs or buts. This is a fact of that happens for us. We're fortunate that no gates have yet operated out of control." This time, the leader attempted to convey another point from her information.
"I call this good news, proving that you're united at least in this major problem. It's highly unlikely, given all of you guys behaviors."
Once again, a cupid thrust the harsh reality into the hearts and consciousness of the clans and guilds, not like an arrow, but like a piercing spear.
It's true, most of them sometimes create more public trouble than they do in solving gates, but again, they are highly relied upon to resolve gates from time to time.
"And the bad news this time is... this is happening all over the world. Europe is experiencing a larger energy surge than any other major nations."
This news was truly bad news. As previously reported, the energy surge proved the emergence of a gate anomaly whose classification was essentially unknown until it was analyzed on-site.
The more gate anomalies that remain open and unmaintained, the greater the risk of damage to the surrounding area. Indeed, there has been research that suggests that prolonged gate closures can generate damaging radiation energy.
Therefore, conditions in this country that require gate closures for an extended period could have dire consequences. Recurring damage after decades of recovery is not something they want.
"Regardless of the two pieces of news, Chairman, aren't they both truly bad for us? Do you intend to share this with the public to raise awareness?"
Lionness asked, anxious about the bad information they had received, trying to figure out what the institution would do.
"Neither I nor the institution intend to leak or share this information publicly. Adding to the problem is not our job. Therefore, we still hope that you will carefully consider resolving each gate for the time being."
"Regarding the energy surge in other countries... we have decided to decline sending personnel assistance to Europe. Given the circumstances, it is simply not feasible in our current situation, at least until you reduce the restrictions and anticipate the gates that appear."
Everyone began whispering, discussing in small voices, creating a commotion throughout the room. Some of them chose to remain silent and consider what solution they should take.
One of them, Wendy, clutching her doll more tightly, raised her hand, attempting to respond.
With the Chairman's permission, she spoke, "I have no objections to being sent as assistance to outside parties."
The leader wasn't at all surprised by Wendy's comment, considering her profile suggested an interest in certain issues, but she chose to reject it.
"No, Wendy, nor any other clan or guild is permitted to do such a thing. As I said, public safety here takes priority. Regarding external issues, we can handle and mitigate any disadvantages."
With slight regret and gritting her teeth, Wendy sank back into her chair and remained silent.
One of them then did the same to the girl, but this time with a different intention. As before, she was allowed to speak, and the others began to listen attentively.
"We know this is an institutional decision, but doesn't that also preclude outside assistance in resolving our problem?"
This time it was a handsome man, the leader of a highly respected swordsman guild in his area. His expertise lay in resolving public issues and training new personnel, especially explorers, after the candidates had completed their education. "Good point. True, most countries would do the same thing we are. In other words, this is public isolation. It's been a long time since it was implemented decades ago."
"Then will institutions and countries be determined—"
"Ush… I'm not finished yet. We've already planned for if something like this happens. The temporary solution is to continue relying on you guys to do your jobs better. Another solution is…"
Once again, the clans and guilds were being toyed with with this delay tactic, making them hope the leader would soon announce something important or even useful.
"It's by forming a special team. Those who join must abandon all work for the specified time without exception," the leader stated firmly, scanning the eyes of all who were focused on him without exception.
This meant that even the leaders and leaders of clans or guilds have to join and abandon their duties and rights.
With frowns, several clan and guild leaders expressed slight disapproval of this statement. Lionness and several other powerful organizations made this clear.
Ignoring or even abandoning one's status and position was tantamount to making a fatal mistake, especially for oneself and their guild members. The absence of a leader or even a temporary change of leadership could have a stabilizing effect on an organization, which could be disruptive.
With such considerations, how could they possibly agree to such a hasty plan? Moreover, it sounded like the leader had no room for debate due to the aforementioned national and international status.
"You must think this is a hasty and uncompromising plan. Rest assured, we haven't yet officially established this decision, so you can at least work as you are for the time being. However...!"
With a serious expression, the leader glanced at each of them once more, one by one, with varying eyes. Especially those who had been awarded powerful titles.
"This will soon become a top priority. You will serve as assistants and bodyguards for this team; at least you won't have to be too busy with anything other than your assigned duties. For the time being, we haven't found permanent members for this special team."
The leader's eyes closed, indicating that this decision should not be disputed and that he hoped for their cooperation.
However, this statement also raised new questions for them, this time represented by Sandra.
"According to what you said, Leader, are we not going to play a crucial role, especially in leading the team's operations? Does that mean someone from outside will take on that role? Is it the right decision, Leader, to hand it over to an outsider?"
"Again, good point, there's nothing wrong with that method. Recruiting new or unique individuals might be the key to the solution this time. And of course, it all comes back to all of you to find and pinpoint them to join this team, ahahaha!"
Annoyance slowly crept onto each of their foreheads, each of them trying to hold back their curses at the seemingly irresponsible statement.
"If necessary, find someone equal to our little Lionness, ahahaha!"
The mention of little Lionness, once again, didn't escape the bald man's reference. Unlike the others, Lionness herself would retaliate when necessary, and for her, need wasn't difficult.
"I know my abilities, leader. It's impossible for us to find someone who can even match me. You've once again raised a difficult issue for us."
This time, Lionness's golden eyes lit up as she stared at the leader, indicating that she herself was serious in her statement.
"Funny. Is that the same arrogance or naivety you share, little Lionness? There are many out there who dream of being like you, but are you sure no one has surpassed you?"
A sarcastic smile widened across the bald leader's face, once again demonstrating her dominance in this discussion. After all, not many of them could challenge his authority. At least this time, Lionness was accompanied by several leaders who dared to express their opinions.
Lionness's gaze returned to the expression on the leader's face, who seemed to be enjoying herself under Lionness's pressure. Even without any aura emanating from the two figures, everyone present could sense the intense tension between them.
But Lionness herself ultimately chose to give in and leaned back in her chair, closing her graceful eyes.
"Sigh... you're always doing this as usual, old man. Okay, for now, we're willing to report or investigate any individual you desire."
A soft whistle from the chairman brought everyone back to their senses and drew their eyes to him.
"Thank you for coming this time," a round of applause signaled the end. "The rest will be communicated to you through my secretary or our institution. That's all, and goodbye."
The chairman, with a firm and dignified walk, left the room, followed by his secretary.
For the leaders at this meeting, at least they felt informed and had a plan of action for each of them going forward.
Finally, they all left the room one by one, ending with Sandra, whose habit of teasing Lionness to go somewhere ended in vain.
The last of them, which is the Lioness sat pensive once again, her eyes closed. It wasn't until Sandra finally left, closing the door, that she opened her golden eyes and stared at the reflection in the tinted glass of the meeting table, revealing her face.
Once again, she pondered something, muttering to herself about the old man previous statement.
"Me? Naive? Someone surpassing me?"
The same sarcastic smile of their leader once again fixed inside the reflection.