Within the Red Clan Tower:

The elders had gathered. More than previously. Even a few grand elders were attending, causing concerned eyes to look at each other. The elders were used to being viewed as all powerful by most within the tower, but the pressure given off by the grand elders made them feel like children.

Among the Red Clan, they all knew each and every resident worked for the benefit of the tower. Even if they disagreed with actions and methods, they could trust that they wanted to benefit the whole. Yet, with how rarely the grand elders came down from their own locations, nervousness was common in everyone around them. Even in the Tier 5 elders.

This time, no matter what the elders decided on, whether with a consensus or not, a single grand elder could override their votes.

"You have all received a copy of the message broadcast on the new world?" questioned Kurnithax'aa'Jarnith. Of course, everyone here had seen the message. Otherwise, most wouldn't have bothered attending.

"That reward is quite enticing, meaning that native stepped in something serious," casually added an elder.

"How many shall we send to that world to kill him and his pet natives?" asked another.

"We should not even be on that world," barked another. "The Red Clan is not interested in worlds, and it is more important to stay neutral. Or at least be viewed as neutral."

"Even for a list of high rarity classes?" asked Klinxint'ac'Dilnik, the one primarily responsible for managing the students in the tower.

"Who even knows how long that list is?" insisted a dissenter. "It seems unlikely that a native new to the [System] could figure out any legendary classes, let alone a whole list of them."

"But the [System] does not lie," responded one in favor or attacking Earth. "It listed both mythical and legendary. The word 'classes' was also plural. That means there are at least several. If even only four are included, that would be a treasure trove."

"Who is to say we don't already know them? Besides, this native isn't one of us, and without the list including a soul class then it is of no use to us."

"All knowledge can benefit us!" shouted an elder more accustomed to interacting with other races. "Whether to use, sell, or bargain, it is better for us to control information than others. Besides, we do train other classes outside of the tower. Imagine an army of legendary warriors or mages."

"What use do we have for an army if we have no interest in expanding?"

"There is more to consider than just that," interrupted Kurnithax'aa'Jarnith.

Slowly he opened a scroll. Once open, a display appeared in front of each person there. They all took time to read it. Several gasped as they did.

"T-this can't be!" cried the more aggressive elder. "How can there be signs of a soul class with this native?"

"Is this correct?" asked another. "The [System] guaranteed no non-native was present on the world?"

"You may read the details," stated Kurnithax'aa'Jarnith, not bothering to answer their questions. "We have been trying to research him since the beginning. An apprentice of mine and a researcher managed to capture him. They found out nothing before communications stopped."

"He managed to kill them?" asked a typically quieter elder.

"Not quite," answered Kurnithax'aa'Jarnith. "The researcher died but my apprentice still has her life scroll intact, though we have yet to locate her. We also sent a negotiator who is strong for his level along with two powerful fighters. The negotiator's life scroll has been destroyed but not the fighters."

There were more gasps as the implications settled into those present.

"Exactly. This native has overcome a speaker with a powerful charm capability that we sent, as well as the best negotiator we could get to the world. None of the other races have even noticed their presence, which means this native overcame them without public conflict."

"How could he…" began the dissenter.

"That is what we've been trying to find out," snapped Kurnithax'aa'Jarnith, annoyed with the bickering. "Klinxint'ac'Dilnik and I have been working with a base we established on the new world to try and learn more about this native. Even before this bounty we were trying to capture him to learn more."

A sigh escaped from one of the grand elders. He leaned forward onto the meeting table, and everyone watched him intently.

"The reward for this bounty is indeed worth trying to get, however it sounds like there is more of a mystery to this native than the reason for this bounty," was said slowly by the grand elder. He waited a moment in thought before continuing. "There have been so few mysteries over the last thousand years. The value of this native alive could be greater than the reward for his death."

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"B-but, capturing him could lead to open conflict with the other races. Besides, the [System] has never placed such a rich bounty on anyone, let alone a native. Do we want to chance incurring the [System]'s wrath?" questioned the dissenter while stuttering.

The other grand elder then met the elder's eyes, with the elder immediately looking down at his hands. The grand elder's eyes flashed red and power wafted off of him as he looked around the room, daring any to meet his eyes.

"That just increases his value," said the first grand elder, ignoring the other's display of power. "How could a native warrant such a hefty reward? We must capture him. We must know the mysteries of this native. Spare no expense and do not worry over the other races. There are plenty of younglings with abilities to influence those on this new world. Continue your work, Klinxint'ac'Dilnik and Kurnithax'aa'Jarnith. I will set up an office lower in the tower so I might advise you should you require it."

***

Scyrric world 843:

Laughter echoed throughout the throne room, which should have been impossible with all the sound dampening runes that had been worked into the walls. However, the power of the grand elder was enough that his power infused laughter caused them to crackle and sputter.

At the sound, Commander Grthk dropped to a knee. The other captains were already on their knees. The lieutenant who had reported the message from Earth immediately prostrated himself.

"Oh, what fun!" giggled the grand elder. "I have never seen a world taking like this!"

Grthk frowned at the merriment, but internally he was putting together plans. He knew where all the Scyrric bases were in relation to this native, and they had already been consolidating their forces throughout the world.

The grand elder had previously insisted that they not get involved with the aberration until later in the takeover. But this reward changed a lot. No one knew how unusual this native was better than the Scyrric. The Commander was willing to believe that the bounty reward was more significant than anyone unfamiliar with the native could believe. After all, how could a native do something to warrant such strong classes.

After the grand elder finished laughing, Commander Grthk waited an additional minute before speaking up.

"Then this changes our plans, yes? We can move our forces to attack before others can."

At Grthk's words, the grand elder sat up tall, his eyes growing larger.

"What? Attack? Of course not, commander," said the grand elder in surprise. A pleased smile shaped his mouth. "This situation is too amazing to end so soon."

"But, begging any disrespect, grand elder, why will we allow any other race to gain that list. For the [System] to offer it in exchange for the aberration, it must be a lengthy list indeed."

One of the grand elder's eyes squinted intensely at Grthk, as if questioning his sanity.

"What has the aberration done since rising?" asked the grand elder.

"I do not understand the question," replied Commander Grthk.

The grand elder sighed, as if the Commander was missing something obvious.

"Who has defeated him?"

"Only Sgolkr, when he captured him," answered Grthk.

"And when our army attacked him?"

"He defeated them."

"And the Red Clan speaker?"

"He escaped from her…and she disappeared."

"And the Drathan?"

"They were also defeated. I don't see…"

"Exactly!" boomed the grand elder. "You don't see. My own network informs me that he had taken more captives from the Red Clan. He can fly the Drathan aerial base he captured, and his natives even ride their Torquin. Even your former berserker was found and put down, after rising to a high level for the world. The natives have grown more at every obstacle than any who know a true path."

"Then, what do you require we do, grand elder?"

"Encourage that growth! Let us make this even more interesting! Make some of the lesser races beset him from multiple sides. Once our planetary forces are consolidated, we shall send even more soldiers there."

"But what if the aberration falters?" questioned Grthk. "Won't we lose out?"

The grand elder smiled, his tongue flicking out from between his teeth rapidly.

"Even if the bases and other natives are slain, I do not believe the aberration shall fall. However, if it will put your mind at easy, Commander, then you may send through a force of elites. Have them watch closely, and if it looks like the aberration is not up to the challenge, then they may kill him."

"Yes, grand elder. It shall be done as you instruct."

The grand elder slid into a slouch in the oversized throne. Once more he smiled and chuckled to himself. Maybe, if this situation became worse, the [System] would release the restrictions on tiers that could visit the world. If things even got to that point, then perhaps this grand elder would finally be able to use his Tier 6 skills on a worthy opponent.

His smile grew even wider.

***

Earth, on a Drathan base hovering over what had been Bhopal, India:

"I cannot believe Kolrath failed!" cried Dorlan, the leader of this base. He had a fiery personality, and the cracks in his skin flared red, almost erupting when the "Blaze Scion [3]" yelled.

Another Drathan on the display in front of him scowled before scolding him. She was in charge of a different base, located over Thailand. Both were enjoying warmer temperatures than Kolrath had encountered in Tennessee.

"That is old news," replied Slohich, the "Blizzard Mistress [1]". "This meeting is about how we should proceed with this bounty. Do we have a reply from home?"

"The Torilyn has ordered that we kill him and claim the reward. There was no method ordered other than to coordinal between us," answered Thorgich, "Aerial Bombardier [8]."

"Then that is what we shall do," answered Slohich. She looked at all five displays before her that represented the Drathan leadership on Earth. "I propose that we move together. We should travel to outside the native's territory where we will meet. Then we can decide locations and attack from different directions."

"A gamble!" shouted Dorlan, his red cracks flaring again. This time flames rose from his mouth. "We shall bet on who can defeat the native first. The one that does will lead the rest of the planet's conquest and shall be given credit for it to the Dominus."

"Agreed," replied Thorgich quickly.

Slohich sighed, as if annoyed by a younger sibling, but she did nod in agreement, with two others replying with their assent.

"Then we shall move," said Thorgich. "Once we gather, I will host a meal while we decide the details of our attack."

***

On Earth, near Tennessee:

"The heathen has further sinned against the almighty," said the Juungii Archbishop at level 56.

"We were already forming to reprimand the native and lead more of his kind to redemption. Now the divine has made its mandate," said an Archbishop at level 14.

"There is no question of the [System]'s intent. The reward is worth nothing to us. All the natives associated are beyond hope. We shall bring the fires of purity to them," added a level 12 Archbishop.

"So we shall. Gather our people for another baptism. The heathen was able to overcome one Archbishop. We shall see him fall before more. Make sure the liberated natives are there too, for we can't truly know if his evil has spread to them. They shall accompany our crusade as well. Either they will prove their dedication or be purified alongside him."

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