The room looked small upon entering it. White walls surrounded the square room. There were no windows and only a single door. The floor rose in layers, each two feet wide before a new layer stepped upwards. Each layer surrounded the next layer, as they became smaller the further one ascended. A shallow square pyramid rising to the middle of the room.

In the center of the pyramid, on the highest layer, was a square pedestal with blue, slightly transparent displays facing each direction in the room. The floors, walls, and ceiling were pristine, not marred by any markings or dirt. The only marks in the room were runes in the center of every side of each layer.

On this day the door to the room opened. It was a square door, also plain white. There was no handle on it or hinges, but it opened perfectly with no gap between the door and the wall it connected to.

In walked one of the Juungii. Then another. They came in a line, a long procession walking in step. Each wore a white robe that contrasted with their gray skin. Their hairless heads had no unique features as if they were cast from an identical mold. Large pairs of expressionless eyes took up 70% of their faces, with only a small mouth at the bottom of their chin splitting the gray skin.

The Juungii all had thin, sinewy limbs and their bodies looked too narrow to support their oversized heads. Their long bare feet made no sound on the white floor and left no mark behind. There was a music-less hum as they entered.

The row of beings walked to the base of the square layers. They entered at the center of each raised portion, where the runes were, and stepped upwards. Upon reaching different layers, they would leave the procession line and walk around the layer until they reached an empty spot and would then bow to the blue screens before prostrating themselves.

Even though most of the Juungii were almost five feet tall, once they began to lower themselves to the floor, their bodies had no trouble fitting on the floor that appeared to be only two feet long. This was not due to their bodies but to the runes on the floors. Each layer became its own space, much like how the Dimensional Convergence Rifts were pockets of extra dimensional space.

Looking at those kneeling and prostrating would cause a person's brain to struggle, as the warping of space would affect the perception of distance and amount. No matter how many Juungii filled the layers, there was always enough space for more.

Hundreds of Juungii filled the layers, arranged by their tier and level. Lower tier classes were at the bottom while those who had reached Tier 3 were two steps down from the top. If the people from Jackson had watched this scene, they would have been surprised by the almost 100 Juungii who had reached such a high level.

Once the line of Juungii was situated, all bowing and humming towards the blue screens on their chosen layers, the door closed. After a moment's time, the door opened back up and a new line entered. This time it wasn't Juungii who entered, but humans. Thousands of them. Men, women, and children were all there.

They were dirty and haggard, looking pale, but they did not look like they were starving. Instead of wearing pristine white robes like the Juungii, they had spotless gray robes. Some of the robes looked small on people while the robes on the shorter people looked billowy. The uniformity of the Juungii did not match that of humans, but the clothing that had been provided to this world's native race had been uniform in its crafting, preventing it from looking proper on the diverse species.

The people who entered had done this ritual before. They had disappointed the Juungii in their ignorance and behavior, and the etiquette had been taught to them with a firm hand. It had taken a lot of discussions, and not a few punishments, before some of the adults had convinced the Juungii to not include children below a certain age. The Juungii had trouble understanding that young natives could not control their behavior.

As the people filed in, they avoided looking at the different layers. Many had made the mistake of viewing the different spaces, and a few had seizures as their brains tried to interpret what their eyes saw. Instead, they kept their vision on the person in front of them or on the blue boxes.

Just like the Juungii, the humans bowed and prostrated, as they had been taught. Each human was barefooted, but they all had an additional accessory. A gray bracelet was on each of their left arms.

Once there was no one standing in the room, everyone bowing to the blue displays, the door closed. Then a chime went off. The humming stopped. The chime went off twice more.

As the door opened yet again, a single Juungii entered from it. With measured steps it walked to the open area at the center of the layers. This Juungii was taller than the rest by half a foot. The tag "Proselytizing Archbishop [5]" sat above its head. Even though all the humans had their eyes averted from the Juungii, many began to shake as they felt the power that came from the Tier 4 leader of this base.

As the Archbishop reached the layer just below the blue displays, he bowed and knelt on the floor. Time passed before a new chime went off and the Archbishop stood.

"It is time," intoned the leader.

At his words, all the Juungii raised their upper bodies as they sat back on their knees and feet. The humans also sat up, most keeping their eyes closed until they were upright and could look at the Archbishop and the displays without seeing the space warping layers.

"We who are blessed by the [System] give our thanks. The divine [System] continues to nourish us, to strengthen us, and to guide our paths. All glory to the [System]."

"All glory to the [System]!" recited every Juungii in perfect unison. The humans also spoke, though the difference in voices, pitch, and speed made it sound awkward compared to the Juungii.

"As the [System] has requested," spoke the Archbishop, "so we have done. We have strengthened ourselves as is required. We have removed those races from around us who have blasphemed the [System]'s gifts. We have saved these natives, protecting and guiding them in the glory of the [System]."

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

"As the [System] wills," intoned the rest.

"Now a new stage of blessing is upon us. Let us revel in the words of the almighty [System]."

"Guide our steps," the congregation said in unity.

Time passed. Many of the humans squirmed or glanced around them while the Juungii all sat completely still. They indicated no extra thoughts or intentions as they waited. Then, finally, the blue displays on top of the dais came to life. New words were printed on them.

Stage Four reached. Tier 4 classes may now enter the portals from their home worlds. Controlled land rankings are now available.

"The [System] has spoken," said the Archbishop after a suitable amount of pause. "While the greedy races that use the [System] gifts to ravage others may import their strong, we Juungii will gain strength by sharing in the blessings of the [System] received on this world."

Many of the humans wanted to rebel upon hearing this. They knew what was coming. In past sessions there had been many who cried out, some who argued, and those who tried to leave. However, they had been publicly disciplined so all would know it was unacceptable. Through experience they knew the only option was to submit to it.

"Goot, Juut, step up higher," ordered the Archbishop.

Two of the Juungii who knelt two steps lower than the Archbistop stood and stepped one layer higher.

"We shall now share the blessings that the [System] has shared with us."

A beep sounded from nowhere. When it was heard, pain hit all the humans. The gray bracelets that they wore became hot and everyone felt like their energy, strength, and life were being drawn from them into the bracelets.

At the same time, the lowest two steps of Juungii raised their left arms and an embedded rune on the inside of their wrist flashed. None of them cried out.

While everyone handled the pain in their own way, the two Juungii who had risen steps soundlessly looked at the blue displays. Goot and Juut both had been high Tier 3, with the same class of "Proselytizing Bishop."

Over five minutes, red flashes covered the two as well as the Archbishop. The two Bishops grew in height to match the Archbishop. Then their tags changed to match his too. At the same time, the level of the first Archbishop increased. He went from level 5 of Tier 4 to level 35. Goot became a level 3 "Proselytizing Archbishop" and Juut reached level 6, both now in Tier 4.

When the red flashes stopped, many of the humans dropped to the ground. Exhaustion filled everyone. Silent tears fell and they didn't need to look around to know that every single human, as well as the lower Juungii, had lost 10 of their own hard-fought levels.

"As other races buy their strength, we find our peace and strength from the [System]. We all share in its glory. Those below lift those above while those above bring peace to those below. As it has always been."

"Thanks be to the [System]!" spoke the Juungii congregation while the humans cursed the [System]'s arrival in their minds.

***

"Sire," spoke the kneeling Scyrric lieutenant. "Reports have come that Stage 4 has been reached."

Commander Grthk quietly watched the lieutenant, giving enough of a pause to enable him to report more. No additional information came, so Grthk turned and looked at his commanding chair, where the Grand Elder sat.

The Grand Elder met his eyes but also did not speak, waiting to force Grthk to ask the question. Grthk lowered his eyes and turned back to the lieutenant.

Grthk's size was large enough that if he stood, he would be taller than the Grand Elder sitting on his almost-throne on the raised floor. To show proper respect, Grthk had taken to sitting in a more regular chair. That meant all the other leaders in the room were forced to either stand or sit on the floor, depending on the mood of the commander.

"How have our forces faired?" asked Grthk.

"Sire, as we have discussed, our forces have continued to spread out. Our glorious soldiers have brought many other races under their control, either taking their bases or making them subservient."

"What of the bases near the aberration?" asked one of the captains who were currently standing.

"Wiped out," spoke the lieutenant.

"How could they…" started one of the other captains when a loud thud occurred. They all looked to where Grthk had slammed his tail into the floor.

"That question is irrelevant," said Grthk. "The important question is how we should respond."

"We should bring more forces to the region," suggested one.

"Send through as many Tier 4s as the [System] allows," said another.

"The aberration's forces must be wiped out! They are a plague."

Grthk turned again and looked at the Scyrric sitting on his throne.

"Grand Elder, what might your wisdom and experience suggest we should do?" Grthk asked hesitantly.

As if to mock him, the smaller Grand Elder spread his lips and ran his long tongue along his teeth. His tail swished around behind him and then lengthened, tapping on the far wall as he was in thought.

"Oh, the young ones want to force combat before they are prepared." A wicked glint came to the Grand Elder's sharp eyes as he looked at the others. "My suggestion is to destroy our bases on the landmass the aberration is expanding to. Take our soldiers and relocate them to further bases. Once there, accumulate land and resources while subjugating those around. Wait to send stronger soldiers until those already on that world have increased their levels."

"You propose we leave the aberration to grow?" asked Grthk.

"Yes," hissed the Grand Elder. "Remember our purpose! The aberration's forces grow faster than others. They have raised the speed of this world claiming over any before. If we take the land that they don't control and leave more for them to raise their levels on, then once we finally confront them there will be more XP for us!"

Commander Grthk pondered this strategy. At its face, it seemed contrary to how the Scyrric usually face world claiming. However, as the Grand Elder said, it would fulfill their purpose of conquering the world while becoming stronger. If Grthk could travel through once Tier 5s were allowed to, then a powerful force might be enough to push him to Tier 6.

Grthk nodded to the Grand Elder.

"I see. Maybe my anger on behalf of all Scyrric blinded me. Yes, we will consolidate before spreading out, then we will gain more than if we fought in waves. Thank you for your wisdom, Grand Elder. I shall do as you suggested."

The Grand Elder smirked before exposing his teeth to Grthk.

"Also, it's possible that the aberration's position was leaked to the Drathan. We shall see how both sides fare."

Hissing came from all the captains in the room at the thought of their fiercest enemies colliding with the aberration's natives.

***

"Then he is still alive but without contact?" asked Kurnithax'aa'Jarnith.

"Correct," answered Klinxint'ac'Dilnik. "According to the life scroll."

"Somehow the natives have the ability to capture and imprison our Red Clan members," said another Red Clan elder in the meeting. "Most unprecedented."

"Should we send a more substantial force after the natives or try further diplomacy?" asked another.

"Four of our own have disappeared and one researcher has died. I think we are beyond diplomacy," responded Kurnithax'aa'Jarnith.

"Those natives have broken all kinds of tradition. Even if it is through ignorance, it cannot be allowed."

"What shall we do? We have a base, but it is not close enough to them and probably doesn't have the strength to face their expanding power."

"Maybe we should break tradition too," pondered Kurnithax'aa'Jarnith.

"Is that wise?" asked Klinxint'ac'Dilnik. "Our peace and influence have been maintained in part through our neutrality. What will the consequences be if we change that without informing the other races."

"We cannot let them trample us! These natives cannot be allowed to do as they want!" shouted another voice.

"Then perhaps it is our time to break from tradition. Traditions only fit so long as the situation remains constant. This world is unique. There is something special happening, whether due to the aberration or something else behind the scenes. It should be the Red Clan who gains this new knowledge and understanding," whispered an elder. "Would it be so surprising that we try our hand at taking it to?"

"Then let us put it to a vote," said Klinxint'ac'Dilnik with a shake of his head. "Shall we conquer this world for our own benefit?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.