The Broken Halo

”As for the rewards...”

The unease in the hall faded almost immediately at those words.

Even some of the recruits who had looked worried about the journey raised their heads. Danger was easier to accept when there was something valuable waiting at the end of it.

Korran did not look surprised by their reaction.

”Every recruit who completes the convoy assignment will receive seventy thousand low-grade hell stones and one hundred war merits.”

Quiet murmurs spread across the benches.

Seventy thousand low-grade hell stones was not a small amount for most Fiends and Archfiends. However, the second reward drew far more confusion.

Korran raised one hand, and the hall became silent again.

”War merits are not the same as the merits used by Black Horn or the kingdom’s military. They were created specifically for the invasion of Earth.”

He tapped the War Tag fixed to his clothing.

”They will be recorded here. They cannot be transferred, sold, inherited, or exchanged between recruits. You can only earn them during the campaign or by completing special missions connected to it, such as this convoy assignment.”

A few recruits lowered their eyes to their tags.

Simon did the same.

A new section had appeared beneath his core number.

[WAR MERITS — 0]

Korran continued.

”Completing an assigned objective will earn war merits. Protecting important cargo, killing or capturing valuable enemies, discovering useful information, rescuing important campaign personnel, and making contributions that affect the battle will also earn them.”

His gaze swept across the hall.

”Not every kill will be worth something. If fifty of you surround a weak enemy and cut it apart, do not expect Black Horn to reward all fifty of you as heroes. The War Tags will record your participation, but the officers in charge will decide your final merits.”

A few recruits looked at one another quietly.

Korran’s face remained hard and cold.

”You can also lose merits. Abandoning your position, disobeying an order during battle, attacking another campaign member, stealing military resources, or deliberately placing the mission in danger will come with penalties.”

”What happens if our merits reach zero?” someone asked from the defence section.

”They can fall below zero,” Korran replied coldly.

The expressions of many changed.

”If that happens, any future merits you earn will settle your debt first. Depending on what you did, you may also lose your campaign privileges or be executed.”

No one asked another question.

Korran turned toward one of the officials behind him. The demon placed a black orb on the platform, and an image appeared above it.

It showed a large hall filled with shelves, sealed cases, weapon stands, medicine cabinets, and glowing formations.

”The normal treasury prepared for the convoy assignment contains high-grade Profound artifacts, Peak-grade Profound artifacts, medicines, herbs, techniques, beast materials, and other resources.”

The image changed, showing several rows of dark chests.

”Every recruit who completes the assignment may choose one high-grade Profound artifact or an item of equal value. The twenty recruits with the highest evaluation may choose a Peak-grade Profound artifact instead.”

Excitement spread through the hall once more.

A Peak-grade Profound artifact could cost more than many of the recruits had earned in years. Even those who already possessed one could sell it, exchange it, or give it to someone else.

As for Simon, he had little interest in the weapons.

The Chaos Wraps would not even allow him to wield them, so what was the use. However, the treasury might contain techniques, beast materials, herbs, or something else that might catch his fancy.

Korran waited until the voices lowered.

”Do not confuse that treasury with the War Treasury.”

The image above the orb changed again.

This time, only a pair of enormous black doors appeared. Crimson formations covered their surface, but nothing beyond them could be seen.

”The War Treasury will open when the campaign officially begins. Only war merits can be used inside it.”

A heavy silence followed.

”It contains resources that are not sold in public auctions and cannot be found in Velmora’s normal treasury. Sovereign artifacts. Rare bloodline materials. High-level techniques. Calamity Beast cores. Unique treasures. Medicines capable of saving a Greater Demon whose heart has nearly stopped.”

Greed appeared openly on several faces, and even some of the Black Horn officials standing behind Korran glanced at the image.

”The more valuable the item, the more merits it will cost,” Korran said. ”Do not expect one escort mission to buy you a Sovereign artifact. The one hundred merits offered for this assignment are only a beginning.”

Simon’s eyes remained on the black doors.

The War Treasury was far more interesting than the convoy reward.

He did not know what Earth had become since his death or how powerful the earthlings were now. If the war lasted long enough, there would be plenty of opportunities to gather merits.

And unlike ordinary currency, the best resources inside the treasury could not simply be bought with hell stones.

Korran dismissed the image.

”Additional rewards will be given for exceptional contributions during the convoy journey. Your commanders will decide whether those contributions deserve hell stones, artifacts, medicine, or more merits.”

He paused.

”Do not create unnecessary danger merely to increase your evaluation. If your actions damage the convoy, you will be punished before you are rewarded.”

Sonya leaned toward Simon and whispered, ”This Honourable feels like that warning was aimed at her.”

Akaza nodded without looking at her.

”It was.”

She sent him a cold glare and harrumphed.

Korran glanced at them but didn’t say anything.

The recruits who were not automatically chosen received their training and test schedules through their War Tags. Those already selected received the time and location of their first core training.

Assault Core Nineteen which was Simon, Akaza, and Sonya’s core would report the following morning.

Their training would continue for three days. On the fourth day, the convoy would enter Velmora and remain inside the city for its final inspection.

The meeting ended soon after.

Hundreds of recruits poured from the Rift Preparation Hall, filling the road outside with conversations about artifacts, merits, and the convoy.

Simon, Sonya, and Akaza left together.

They had only crossed two streets when Simon felt a faint vibration inside his spatial ring.

It came once.

Then again.

Simon frowned, then he sent his perception inside.

’The Murmur Bone?’

Simon furrowed his brows slightly.

He separated from Sonya and Akaza near a restaurant they were about to enter, telling them he needed to do something. Neither questioned him.

Sonya only told him that she would eat his food if he took too long.

Simon found a secluded area and checked the walls, shadows, and surroundings with ShadowSense.

Only when he was certain he was alone did he bring out the Murmur Bone.

The black bone was warm.

A thin line of crimson light spread across it, and a second later, the Voice spoke from the other side.

”A convoy will enter Velmora in four days.”

Simon immediately raised brow.

”I need you to attack it and steal some items from it.”

Simon blinked and glanced at the War Tag around his neck.

’What an interesting turn of events.’

In one hand was Black Horn’s order to protect the convoy.

In the other was Black Banner carrying an offer to rob it.

And Simon could not help but smile when he thought about this.

--------

Join my discord link. It is easier for me to respond to questions on discord: