MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Two days passed in the blink of an eye, yet they felt unlike any other.

Within this brief span, a momentous shift occurred.

A summons was issued by those who stood at the pinnacle of power, the Rank 0, a notification of attendance extended to all adventurers within the Rank 1 to Rank 3.

A meeting was to be held.

For many, the gravity of this announcement was undeniable.

Those mid mission immediately abandoned their tasks, driven by an overwhelming urge to be present at this rare gathering.

How could they not?

They were about to meet the Rank 0s, beings whose power surpassed all others.

Adventurers hastened back, their every step heavy with urgency, as though their very lives hinged upon this summons.

Within the span of two days, the halls that had once teemed with activity grew eerily quiet, with many departing for Floor 0.

Even Anthony, upon receiving the notification, promptly vacated his hotel.

He stepped onto Floor 1, as was his habit, but found the usual bustle absent.

The hall, once filled with voices and footfalls, now stood almost deserted.

Only Daelen and Mira remained, quietly awaiting his arrival.

"Lorian, you've finally arrived"

Daelen remarked as he noticed Anthony approaching, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"You're late. Everyone else has already gone ahead"

Mira added, casting a brief, sharp glance in his direction.

"I'm not late"

Anthony replied nonchalantly, his voice smooth and steady.

"The meeting was set for 1 PM. It's still 12:50, by the way"

With that, he continued his stride forward, unfazed by Mira's pointed words.

The trio made their way toward the platform, where the selection for Floor 0 was already in place.

This time, however, there was a notable difference.

As they approached, no payment was requested.

The usual toll for traveling between floors had been suspended, for this meeting alone.

Afterward, the system would return to its customary mode of money-making.

Without further delay, the platform activated, and space itself seemed to bend around them.

In an instant, the trio disappeared, their surroundings warping as they were transported from the familiar setting of Floor 1 to an entirely different location.

As the trio materialized in their new surroundings, a figure stepped forward, his movements graceful and deliberate.

He bowed in respectful greeting before leading them through the halls toward the meeting's location.

The atmosphere was markedly different from the usual vibrant energy of the adventurer floors.

There was no overwhelming aura, no presence that pressed upon those nearby.

Everything, every soul present, radiated an eerie calm, as if time itself had slowed, even stopped. It felt as though the very air held its breath in reverence.

Before them stood a vast hall divided into four distinct sections: Rank 0, Rank 1, Rank 2, and Rank 3.

Each section was marked with precision, a clear distinction between the tiers of power.

The podium at the center remained empty, waiting for the meeting to commence.

At the heart of the hall, an imposing timer counted down, each tick of the seconds creating an almost surreal sense of anticipation.

Three minutes remained.

The trio found their seats in the Rank 1 section, sitting together in a rare moment of silence.

Daelen and Mira kept their eyes respectfully lowered, their demeanor a reflection of the overwhelming presence of the Rank 0s.

They knew better than to speak, lest they draw attention to themselves.

Anthony, however, was different.

His gaze drifted across the room, silently appraising the gathering of the most powerful beings in existence.

His eyes momentarily lingered on the Rank 0s, those Emperor level figures who towered in power above the King realm.

He felt no need to speak, for there was nothing to say.

But in his mind, he could not help but acknowledge the truth.

'Emperor Rank'

The rank directly above the King Rank.

For a moment, Anthony's thoughts were distant, lost in the weight of his own internal reflection.

Then, with a subtle shift in focus, he removed his gaze from the Emperor level beings and settled into the quiet tension of the room.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

For those who stood above this rank, they were no mere mortals; they were beings of the Star Rated caliber.

As time unfolded, a figure began to stride forward, as if the very essence of time marched in tandem with their steps.

It was unmistakable, before them stood a Rank 0 individual, an Emperor Ranker.

"Good afternoon, everyone"

The woman at the podium spoke, her voice as soft as a whisper, yet it carried an inexplicable warmth that seemed to touch the hearts of all present.

"There is no need for introductions"

She continued, her words devoid of arrogance, for the truth of her statement spoke for itself.

"I am well known among you all"

"Now, onto the matter at hand"

"The task is simple. We have located one of the hideouts of the Forsaken Cult"

A ripple of shock swept through the hall.

The mere mention of the cult stirred a reaction in all, for who among them was unaware of the Forsaken Cult?

A plague upon the very planet itself, they were like cockroaches, relentless, impossible to eradicate, and stubbornly refusing to die.

"I won't go into detail on how we acquired this intelligence"

The woman continued, her voice unwavering.

"But the mission is straightforward. What we seek is absolute annihilation"

"We will eliminate every living being we find there. Be they children, infants, or babies. No strategies. No ambushes. We enter, we take lives, and we leave"

She paused, allowing the weight of her words to settle.

A low murmur spread across the hall as the gravity of the mission sank in.

"They number in the thousands, though many are mere cannon fodder. That is why your presence is needed"

She continued, her tone steady.

"Though those of us at Rank 0 could obliterate these fodder effortlessly, we seek no distractions. The consequences of even the slightest lapse in focus do not bear discussion"

Everyone understood, one moment of hesitation could lead to a fatal blow.

Though it seemed that the battle would be one of fodder against fodder, the fighters didn't mind the comparison.

In fact, many recognized it as an opportunity to surpass their limits.

These kinds of missions often saw breakthroughs, as the drive for survival pushed even the most seasoned warriors to reach new heights.

"Any questions?"

She scanned the room, allowing reticence to stretch before a single voice broke through the quiet, asking the question on everyone's mind.

"What about the rewards?"

Without hesitation, the woman responded.

"The guild will handle all rewards. You needn't worry about that. Additionally, any treasure you find on the corpses of those you slay belongs entirely to you. The guild takes nothing from this mission"

Normally, treasures found in these types of missions were claimed by the guild, who then compensated the participants.

But in this instance, not only would the guild forgo its claim on the spoils, but it would also reward them generously.

The gravity of the mission, and the compensation, was clear.

"Anything else?"

The speaker asked again.

"When does the mission begin?"

Another adventurer asked.

"Precisely two days from now"

She answered.

"Prepare yourselves fully. For those who sustained injuries on previous missions and arrived in haste, our healer has agreed to restore you to peak condition free of charge"

A wave of astonishment rippled through the crowd.

A healer offering their services for free was unheard of, such an offer was as absurd as a pig defeating a tiger.

"You will receive the coordinates to the rendezvous point three hours before the mission commences"

With that, the woman gracefully stepped away from the podium, leaving no room for further questions.

And with that, the meeting drew to a close.

Soft murmurs reverberated through the room as attendees made their departure.