Tower of Heaven

For a moment, Atlas was unsure of what to do.

He did have an original plan that he could follow, but when he left the dormitory, he learned some crucial information.

Rather than being on an ordinary Tower floor as he expected, the dormitory was in an exclusive world. In other words, a hidden world.

'There are nine main worlds attached to the Tower. The nine of them are Neutral Zones. However, the Tower is also connected to an infinite number of worlds. It has become the very core of existence, thus, even that which exists outside of its influence still somehow falls under its umbrella.'

This world specifically was the property of the Society known as Dusk. It was home to several facilities, some that Atlas knew of and some that weren't even contained in his information.

Once he realized this, he got the urge to stay. After all, as long as there was any influence from the Tower, leaving a world was easy. Entering it again was a different story.

Looking at the system window in front of him, Atlas was confident that he could execute the plan that he was originally going to follow, but was it a better idea to stay here and siege these bases while he had the element of surprise?

"No. In fact, the element of surprise is no longer with me.'

With the destruction of the dormitory, Dusk already knew that this hidden world had been compromised. They would be prepared for the next attack.

'Along with that, there is the person who was observing me.'

Since that man made no effort to pursue him, Atlas couldn't be sure if he was an enemy or not, but it didn't matter. He had been spotted regardless, so it was true that he no longer had "surprise" on his side.

'The conditions for re-entering a world…depend on the world. The good thing is that they cannot be changed, as they are a part of the Heavenly Law. Once they are discovered, the world is as good as found.'

Then, if he left and didn't return for a long time, perhaps he could make Dusk let down their guard, making it easier for him to attack.

'However, I first need to find the key to re-entry.'

Atlas shook his head. As long as he continued attacking Dusk, he would find his way back here eventually. From what he could see, this world was one of many "hubs" that Dusk used to facilitate their activities. There would be another teleportation array that led here eventually.

'For the sake of creating a Society Legend, this next negotiation is the most important.'

He raised a special communication talisman with a pinkish-red engraving and inserted his qi into it.

"Have they responded?"

He spoke first, asking about something he requested several days ago.

"They have."

A response came back soon. The voice on the other side was calm and smooth. It was the voice of a dragon who could see the future.

"The bait you provided was good enough. They were quite up in arms when we contacted them."

It was a meeting Atlas currently didn't have the status to make happen on his own. For the first time, he was forced to ask the Tatsuya Clan for their help.

This was a meeting related to the mission, but it was also one unrelated to the Cosmic Dragon Clans as far as Atlas was aware. In something like this, it was easy for Mireiya to help.

Hell, with the status of Divine Sanctuary, forcing those people to appear was easy. Nevertheless, since the meeting was Atlas' business instead of theirs, Mireiya used the bait he prepared.

"It will be dangerous for you to meet them alone. They are much stronger than you, so it is likely that they will attempt to coerce you."

Mireiya had obvious worries. But, Atlas shook his head in response.

"No, it's fine. I have my own ways to protect myself."

"That may be true, but I cannot feel assured with your words alone. Adella will accompany you to the meeting to ensure your safety. That is the greatest compromise I can make."

Atlas' expression turned wry. He still wasn't quite sure why Mireiya treated him so kindly, but he could only assume it had something to do with the fate she saw.

'It's almost like she considers me her own son.'

It was an awkward feeling, but considering the relationship Atlas had with the Tatsuya Clan, it was a bit more bearable. Her tone of speech was extremely similar to his own mother's voice. He did miss her dearly…

Perhaps that was why Atlas conceded without trying to argue.

"That is fine with me. When is the meeting scheduled?"

The topics he wanted to discuss didn't need to be kept secret from the members of the Tatsuya Clan. This was also a step towards saving Artemia and Horus, so even if Adella was accompanying him to keep an eye on him, he didn't mind.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"It was scheduled for three days from now, but even that seemed too far for them. It may be better for you to return to Vanatos now, as I believe they will arrive earlier than they are supposed to."

She spoke in hypotheticals, but it was Mireiya speaking, after all.

Atlas nodded his head and looked out into the environment wistfully.

"Very well. I'll be on my way then."

It was a bit of a shame, but he had to let it go.

This was not the last this Dusk world would see of him. And, even when he was not present, his influence would still reverberate through its atmosphere.

There was another group in this world that was trying to do the exact same thing as him. When they noticed that he had not acted again even after many days passed, they took it upon themselves to continue the siege.

In reality, their attack had nothing to do with Atlas in the slightest. However, as both groups were acting in the shadows, others were unable to tell them apart.

The line became even more blurred when a cloaked figure with a white mask started to appear in the hidden world even after Atlas left.

Because a certain group decided to use his image to conceal their own activities, Atlas received an unexpected benefit.

Their deeds were attached to his name, and their actions contributed to his Legend. To them, it was a matter of convenience, but for Atlas, it was like sitting back and watching Heavenly Treasures accumulate in front of him.

The hidden world's troubles would not end any time soon, but for now, Atlas was unaware of all of it.

He left the hidden world by using the Tower System and returned to Vanatos through the Celestial Ladder. After arriving at the Tatsuya Clan palace, he spent the night meditating and comprehending the Dao.

If everything went according to schedule, he had two more days to train in peace before his meeting.

'That won't happen.'

Mireiya told him to come early because she had seen something, and just as she'd hinted, the day after Atlas arrived, his visitors did as well.

They entered the Tatsuya Clan palace and were guided to a meeting room. Once snacks and tea were served out of common decorum, the door to the meeting room opened and a certain masked man walked inside.

He immediately laid eyes on two people.

They would be one of the most important parts of his plan.

After all, the main people contributing to his Society Legend would not be himself, but them.