Chapter 102: Conquarers, Saviors, Raiders. II
Not in his wildest dreams did he anticipate that their world was caught in an eternal conflict, where there was no winner or loser, no good guys or bad guys... just survival of the fittest, and the humans drew the short stick since it was happening at their home, forced to worship their ’Saviors’ to keep the lights on, and team up with the ’enemy’ to defeat the Conquerors.
It couldn’t get any more screwed up than this.
It seemed like the rest of the classroom began to understand this as well. None of them had a good expression.
"Is there any way to get rid of the dimensional connection with the Shadow Dimension?" Melissa asked softly.
"Maybe, maybe not." Instructor Seraphis kept it real. "I’m not too informed about such matters... my privileges are limited as well."
"I see..." Melissa sighed.
While his answer seemed to express some hope, everyone knew deep down it was false. They had no idea about the two Primordial Trees, but they recognized that the moment their dimensional roots touched their planet, there was no escaping them.
If even the Radians, the deities they worship, worked under the Tree of Life, it could only mean that the trees existed on a plane beyond human conception.
"I believe it’s futile to attempt to get out of the conflict." Levi expressed calmly. "Our best bet is to put our chips on the side of the Tree of Life and work as a collective to reclaim all the lost territories and kick out the powerful Nightcrawlers. Then request to put the entire planet under their wing. I am certain they have the means to achieve something like this."
Instructor Seraphis raised an eyebrow in surprise... he didn’t react like this because he found Levi’s idea noteworthy, but because this was the current strategy of the World’s Regional Alliance!
’Considering Nightcrawlers are under strict contractual obligations not to share matters related to the CSR Platform to nonparticipants, then he must have reached this conclusion on his own from the little information I gave them.’
’The boy is highly perceptive,’ K’shoba praised calmly.
"While it’s a decent strategy, it’s going to be extremely difficult...borderline impossible...when considering the horrific strength of Void Kingdoms and Eternal Empire nests." Instructor Seraphis replied.
Everyone sighed in discouragement. Though they weren’t familiar with the true strength of Kingdoms and Empire nests, they had seen some photos and short videos... their territories were so incredibly vast they could just make even the largest Holy Region in the world seem like a small town.
Earth was vast, and even with 8 billion people, many areas were deserted... oceans alone occupy 71% of the surface area, and after the Great Fall of Civilization, the pitch-black darkness at the seabeds turned into the biggest Stygian Gates on the planet.
Although no one knew what was hiding at those depths, they weren’t crazy enough to explore it.
"I assume all the massive nests are part of the platform, which forces their leaders to accept any challenge to the territory." Levi wondered. "Since the Death Games enforce a ten-member maximum on each team, we don’t need an army...just ten of the most powerful Daywalkers on the planet to take on the fight."
"He is right!"
"Can’t our strongest Daywalkers create a team under the alliance banner and give it a try?"
Melissa and Arthur said simultaneously.
Before Instructor Seraphis could respond, Nurah murmured briskly, "Our strongest Daywalker has reached Ecliptic Rank (Tier 7), and we only have one."
Then she continued dozing off.
"To deal with Void Kingdoms, we need ten Ecliptic Daywalkers, and for Eternal Empires? We need Radiant Daywalkers (Tier 8)." Instructor Seraphis shared, uncaring that his words had broken his students’ hearts into little pieces.
"So, impossible? I get it." Melissa sighed in disappointment.
"There is no such thing as impossible!" Arthur shouted. "If the old guard can’t do it, then it’s up to us!"
While everyone would have wished to share Arthur’s optimism, the odds were too staggering against them.
Reaching Solarbound rank was already considered an amazing achievement; don’t even mention hitting the upper ranks.
Even if they did, most contracts had a fixed term period that ended at Tier 7. In other words, the Daywalkers become weaker without their partners.
"Arthur is right...I am not here to kick rocks and go back home." Instructor Seraphis uttered sternly. "If you aren’t aiming to reach the peak ranks, it’s best you don’t bother coming to my class to waste my time."
Everyone went quiet.
"Now, to continue where we left off." Instructor Seraphis added. "Becoming a Raider is no simple task. You have to be at Pathfinder rank to consider applying to the weakest raiding teams in the renowned private agencies."
"That’s because Twilight Burrow (Tier 1) and Obsidian Dens (Tier 2) aren’t registered on the platform since they have no intelligent Nightcrawler to lead them. They are packed with Tier 1 and Tier 2 Nightcrawlers."
"On the other hand, Midnight Dominion is ruled by a Tier 3 Nightcrawler, and many of them are registered on the platform. Only teams made up of six members can put forward the challenge and prepare for the raid."
"While low-ranked agencies only have a main team consisting of six members to deal with them, the high-tiered agencies were allowed one main squad of ten members for Shadow Castles and above. Plus, three smaller teams for Midnight Dominion."
"If you want to become a Raider, you either have to be so strong that they make a place for you in their rosters, or join intense competitions hosted by agencies to fill empty spots. Of course, they always prioritize their own members in the selection."
Everyone kept nodding their heads in understanding, already knowing this much. If becoming a Raider weren’t so difficult, it wouldn’t have been the most coveted profession in the world. The Raiders were given almost as much freedom as Farmers while earning ten to a hundred times more, depending on the success of the raid.
They were called Raiders for a reason.
Besides reclaiming territory, the Raiders were given full access to the treasuries in the nests. Those were always filled with all sorts of treasures, ranging from rare dimensional natural materials and totems to peculiar dimensional items, such as Distorted Artifacts.
The government only took 10% to keep the Raiders motivated to do more raids. These rewards were unrelated to the platform itself. Since the platform was systemized to push all three paths into taking their roles seriously, their prize pool was insane...But more on that later.
"Once you are chosen to become a Raider, the government will give you the Rifter Contract, and you will be fully introduced to the platform and all of its rules and details." Instructor Seraphis said. "For now, you have work to do on yourselves, and your first official mission will be carried out in two months."
"First mission?"
Everyone raised an eyebrow in surprise, knowing that usually first official missions are held in three months for newly contracted Daywalkers. Those missions have two choices: either join a department as an intern or get sent to the wilderness to conquer low-grade nests.
Those missions were very important since their success rewarded them with a lot of Solar Aegis Coins from the administration. If they fail, they get nothing, and their growth is delayed immensely.
"You are given two months of preparation. Firstly, I need you to reach the Evolution Stage of the Rookie rank. Secondly, you will undergo a series of challenges to ensure that you are fit for the mission." Instructor Seraphis said. "As for the mission, you will have three choices: an internship in a department, a solo clearing of a Twilight Burrow, or lastly, join me as helpers for the Blood Hunters’ upcoming Major Expedition."
Levi and the others’ eyebrows rose in astonishment after hearing the last option.
"We are allowed to join? Even as trainees?" Omar asked, voicing everyone’s thoughts.
They had no idea what kind of expedition the Blood Hunters were planning, but they knew that "Major" implied at least a Shadow Castle nest.
Such expeditions were too dangerous for even low-ranked agency members, let alone newborn Daywalkers.
"Of course not, but you are with me." Instructor Seraphis said calmly. "Lord Idriss requested me to join their expedition, and I decided to partake only if he approved bringing some of you."
"Before you get excited, participating in this option isn’t available to everyone...only for those who prove they have what it takes..."
Without waiting, everyone’s expressions hardened. They glanced at each other, seeing the flame of competition burning strong. Even Omar, who sought to become an Officer, decided to give it his all for the next two months to secure a slot.
It was simple: such real-world experience isn’t available to anyone. Many Daywalkers have never stepped into a Shadow Castle nest since they’re mostly challenged through the CSR Platform.
In other words, only the top ten Daywalkers of an agency were entitled to raid. However, this upcoming expedition was different.
Since Instructor Seraphis could bring them, it meant it was going down in the real world as an invasion, and most agency members would join, plus mercenaries, and helpers from other agencies.
"In these two months, I will teach you how to perfect your fighting styles and cultivate faster without abusing growth totems. I expect you all to reach the Rookie evolution stage." Instructor Seraphis warned. "Failure means rejection from any mission."
"Sir, how will you decide who joins you in the expedition? Will there be a test?" Demetris asked solemnly.
"There is no test; you will be judged throughout the two months."
Hearing this, everyone realized the two-month preparation would be a trial... anything they did or chose might decide whether Instructor Seraphis would take them.
While not everyone was comfortable with his vague testing, they had no plans to lie low.
But most importantly...
’Evolution stage... I have to reach it, I must!’
This thought coursed through everyone’s minds...except Nurah, who was still dozing off, and Levi, whose mind was occupied by the CSR Platform.
’Ash’Kral, I think I will need more details, and I won’t take no for an answer.’ Levi said sternly.
’Sure. Can you handle it, though?’
’What do you think?’ Levi’s tone hardened.
’Alright.’ Ash’Kral chuckled.