Chapter 923: The Rendezvous
[Later That Day]
Back at the base, the atmosphere was calmer but still buzzing with the energy of their recent success. Rey leaned against the rough wall of the meeting room, arms crossed, as Tess
addressed the team.
"Headquarters has finally reached out," She announced, her tone serious but laced with relief.
"We've received the coordinates for a rendezvous location."
The team listened intently, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.
Tess continued, "Josh and I will be going there to hand over the resources we've collected, exchange information, and receive our next directive."
Rey tilted his head slightly, curiosity piqued. "Directives?"
Tess nodded. "HQ gives us specific tasks regarding the Dragon King and his forces. These can range from sabotaging their supply lines to infiltrating strongholds or even launching direct assaults on any of their bases. They dictate the overall strategy, and we execute."
She paused, glancing briefly at Rey.
"Our last task was to investigate this area because of the strange energy wavelengths we detected. That's how we found you."
"Lucky timing," Rey said with a faint smirk.
Josh snorted. "For you, maybe. For us? That was a hell of a welcome gift."
Ignoring Josh's comment, Tess pressed on.
"We're supposed to deliver the resources we've gathered so far-Monster Cores, data, anything of value. In return, the representative will provide us with our next steps."
Rey nodded slowly, the gears in his mind turning.
It sounded like a tight, well-organized system-something he hadn't expected from a ragtag group of resistance fighters.
"Makes sense," he said after a moment. "But if this is such an important meeting, shouldn't you have more people going?"
Tess hesitated, her gaze flickering toward him. "We're keeping the team here to guard the base. Too many people would attract attention, and we can't risk compromising our location. Josh and I can handle it."
Rey straightened, his expression unreadable. "Then I'll come with you."
The room fell silent for a moment. Tess's brows furrowed.
"Rey, it's not that simple-"
"I can handle myself," Rey interrupted calmly. "You've seen what I'm capable of. If something happens out there, wouldn't it be better to have someone like me watching your back?"
Josh looked between Rey and Tess, his expression torn. "He's got a point, Tess. If things go south, he's a hell of a trump card to have."
Tess crossed her arms, clearly weighing her options.
Finally, she sighed. "Fine. But you follow orders, no questions asked. Got it?"
Rey nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Got it."
As the rest of the team voiced their support, Rey noted the shift in their attitudes. I
f it had been a few days ago, they would have flat-out refused, leaving him with no choice but
to accept it. But now, after proving himself as the strongest among them, they had no choice but to accommodate him.
"The strong are always indulged," he thought to himself, a hint of satisfaction in the thought.
"Prepare your gear," Tess said, her voice cutting through his musings. "We leave at dawn." Rey returned to his room and smiled.
The solitude of his small but private space allowed him to experiment with a few things, and by the end of things, he had two new Non-Exclusive Skills in his Status Window.
'This is good... very good.'
Just like this, he would steadily climb to his previous stature.
***********
The next morning arrived quickly, the rising sun casting a soft glow over the barren landscape. Rey stood outside the base, adjusting his equipment as Tess and Josh loaded supplies into a concealed vehicle.
'I didn't even notice they had vehicles hidden until today...' Rey thought to himself.
He wondered what else they were keeping from him, though he knew it was only a matter of time before he was fully integrated in their affairs.
At this point, he had already proven to them-without the shadow of a doubt.
'They need me more than I need them.'
"You ready?"
Tess asked, glancing over at him.
"Always," Rey replied with a smirk, sliding into the vehicle's back seat.
The drive was uneventful at first, the vehicle humming softly as it glided over the uneven terrain. Rey stared out the window, his mind wandering to the rendezvous ahead.
"What kind of person are we meeting?" he asked, breaking the silence.
Tess, seated in the passenger seat, glanced back at him. "HQ doesn't usually give specifics. Could be a senior officer, a courier, or even someone from the science division. Depends on what they need from us."
Josh, who was driving, added, "It's not just about who's there. It's about the information they bring. HQ doesn't mess around when it comes to strategy."
Rey nodded thoughtfully, his gaze returning to the horizon. "And who's running HQ? I mean, this Resistance seems a lot more organized than I expected."
Tess hesitated, as if debating how much to reveal. "No one knows for sure. There are rumors, of course—about a council, or maybe even a single leader pulling the strings. But whoever they are, they've managed to keep us united against the Dragon King."
Rey leaned back in his seat, mulling over her words.
A hidden leader orchestrating a resistance against a tyrant. It was almost poetic, in a way. "And the Dragon King," he said quietly. "What's the plan there? You think HQ actually has a shot at taking him down?"
Josh laughed bitterly. "That's the million-dollar question, isn't it?"
Tess's expression hardened. "We don't have the luxury of doubt. Every mission we complete, every resource we gather-it all adds up. One day, we'll be ready to face him. Until then, we
follow HQ's lead."
Rey didn't reply, his thoughts turning inward.
The Dragon King was a force to be reckoned with, but so was Rey.
He clenched his fists, a quiet resolve settling over him.
For now, he'd follow their lead. But when the time came, he knew he'd have to carve his own
path. The vehicle rumbled on, the rendezvous point drawing closer with each passing mile.
Whatever awaited them there, Rey was ready to face it.