SYSTEM ASCENSION

Sound league has always been active by any time of the day, but this night was even parked. Securities were tightened as all the numbers scattered around the overseas branches were summoned back to headquarters.

The meeting room was already filled up with the members of the numbers. A long table stretched out in the middle and chairs surrounded it.

”I heard Cal dropped off the numbers,” someone laughed. ”A sixteen year old boy beat him up and took his place.”

”Haha,” another laughed. ”The boy must have used a trick to win.”

”Nevertheless, he did beat Cal.”

”Owen, you watched the fight. What happened?”

The middle aged man, Owen, laughed. ”He didn’t use a trick. The boy is skilled.”

”Are you just trying to favour him with words?”

The door opening drew their attention.

”Settle down. League master is coming in.” Gwen clapped.

Remy followed behind, holding the door wide. Rowen stepped in first, eyes scanning the numbers casually. They didn’t need a soothsayer to tell them that this was the ex league master. He handed it over to Zeal after Zeal returned. Currently the strongest in sound league. They kept their guards up.

Then, Zeal was walking in with Elias trailing behind. All chairs scraped against the ground as everyone stood up.

First was Zeal. He waved with a casual smile.

”Hi.”

No one answered.

They subconsciously gulp down.

He was someone they never acknowledged when he came back, and they went against Rowen’s wish to install him as the league master. He invited all of them to sound league headquarters and beat them an inch away from death. That was their league master, Zeal Ringoff.

Another, was the strange tall male in a hood behind Zeal, radiating the energy of an S rank. He didn’t keep his guard up, but they saw zero openings. No doubt, the new number six.

’Beat Cal with a trick, my ass! That boy is a monster!’

Gwen clapped again to gain all their attention. They immediately bowed.

”League master!”

Remy pulled out a chair, and Zeal sat.

”Alright, let’s get this over with.”

Everyone else sat also.

The number ranking had always stopped at ten, so there were currently ten people in the room.

A lady stood up. ”I bring report from the S rank—”

The league master raised a finger and she went quiet. She quickly took a step back and bowed.

”I apologize.”

She had almost forgotten the rules of a number meeting. Introduction before speaking. Due to past cases of a numbered being killed and impersonated, self introduction was always necessary. After an introduction, the room security device automatically scans the person’s identity.

She started again. ”I am number ten Sai.”

A same chiming sound was heard, and it beeped in approval.

”I brought a report from the S rank gate we closed recently. We spent over six months there. It was a world name CAD.”

Rowen raised his hand. ”Number one. Rowen.”

The device chimed in approval.

”If you’re giving a report based on what is happening in a different world then you know it’s not in our line of work.”

”Yes sir.”

”So does it concern Qld?”

”Yes sir.”

Zeal tilted his head. ”Let a different person continue the report.”

Sai sat down in a hurry, and Gwen stood up.

”Number three. Gwen.” She took a deep breath. ”They called themselves the disposal. An organisation chasing a goal we know nothing for. Their influence seems to have stretched across many worlds, and we believe Qld is a part of it.”

”You believe?”

”I’m certain.” She corrected herself.

She sat down, and the last numbered who had gone on the mission stood up.

”Number seven. Tale.”

”Furthermore, this group contains numerous species that we have no record of. Beast men, elves, humanoid creatures and more.”

”And is there any possible link?” Zeal asked. ”To their goal I mean?”

”We only heard a word,” Gwen replied. ”Upholders.”

Elias’ eyes twitched, but his expression didn’t change. He had remembered Zeal’s words. A second force fighting against Upholders who are the chosen ones of the God of the void. Omeo.

This meant two things for him. He’s either an upholder or a disposal.

”We were able to take out the branch in Cad, but one of their information said they will be visiting the Aoi continent,” Sai said. ”Precisely Torzi empire.”

Elias’ ear perked, and a fleeting memory crossed his mind.

*I came from Dashed...known as the Ring. Please visit my family.*

He frowned.

’who was that?’

”Number two. Owen.” The man raised his hand. ”Concerning Torzi empire, our branch reported this morning about a terrorist organisation they came across. The report said they used poison.”

”Poison?” Rowen muttered.

”Number five. Remy.” She stood up. ”We were unable to bring back a sample because it was more like an acid than an actual poison. Nothing could hold it.”

”Nothing?” Zeal muttered. He glanced at the side. ”you can take care of that right? Elias?”

All eyes turned to the new number six.

”I don’t do things for free.” He finally spoke. He didn’t even introduce himself before the device chimed.

Eyes instinctively snapped to Zeal, preparing to see his worst side, but he just smiled.

”I’ll pay you.”

”Number four. Casy.” The lady stood up. ”Dare I ask, number six, what are you going to do about it?”

Elias stretched out his hand and instantly a bottle was weaved on his hand. Although it was transplanted, its sturdiness was a different language.

Number four scoffed. ”How is that—”

At a second interval she had to narrowly dodge the bottle flying at her. Elias threw it so precisely that it cut the side of her cheek and crashed into the wall behind. A dent wasn’t on the bottle, but the wall cracked and a huge part came down.

”...”

Number four slump down into her sit and gulp down.

”Wow!” Only one person found it interesting. She leaned over the table, nearly tripping on her chair. ”Your ability is interesting!”

One look at her, and Elias could say one thing. She was short. Really, short.

She was basically standing on her chair, and number eight who didn’t say a word was holding the chair to stop her from falling off.

She grinned. ”Number nine. Tiana.”

A thought instantly hit him as the room device chimed. She is Rowen’s fifteenth daughter.

”Alright.” Zeal snorted and leaned back, clearly bored. ”It seems we’re going to Torzi. I trust you’ll lead the way, Owen.”

”As you have said.” The man inclined his head.

”Then that leaves who will go,” he pointed to his brother. ”You’ll stay behind.”

”Sure.”

”I’m going.” Elias cut in.

Once again, they all stared at Zeal as he gauged his expression. He leaned closer to Elias.

”You don’t seem interested though.”

”I’m not.” Elias admitted. ”I have another reason.”

”Tell me.”

”No.”

”Please?”

”Screw off.”

”Hm,” Zeal leaned back. ”Fine. Me, you, Remy and Owen. Any objection?”

”No sir!”

He sat up. ”Dismissed.”

The rest didn’t move an inch as he walked out. All except Elias who followed immediately. As they got out, Elias glanced back at the closed door to the meeting room.

”Number eight didn’t say a word.”

”The one close to Tiana,” Zeal chuckled. ”You’re sharp for someone who doesn’t think.”

”Is that an insult?”

”Not really. He’s someone still struggling to fit in. He’s from a leading family, so he’s supposed to lead his house, not join another league.”

”Then why did he join?”

”Youthful curiosity perhaps?” Zeal shrugged. ”He’s just like you. An S rank.”

”...I see.”

”But, will you really not tell me why you’re going to Torzi?”

”A promise,”

”A promise?”

”I’m going to Dashed.”