Defiance of the Fall

Chapter 137: Clearing the Air

The beginning of Thomas Fischer’s speech created a subdued silence in the whole venue. Even Zac was a bit shocked at the numbers. He knew that the Undead Incursion had done a number on both India and China, the two most populous countries before the fall, but that wasn’t enough to explain that amount of casualties.

Six billion lives lost, which meant that only twenty percent was still alive after less than half a year. And Zac knew that the world wasn’t done with its transformation. There were still barely any E-Ranked monsters roaming about, which would change sooner or later.

The new planet Was graded D-Ranked in both mass and energy by the System, meaning that it would be able to sustain D-Rank powerhouses and beasts. There was one small solace in the fact that the animals were getting stronger though. As monsters evolved they became smarter and created their own societies in a sense.

They wouldn’t go randomly attacking settlements, especially not if they knew it was guarded by arrays or powerhouses. Of course, that was predicated on there actually being those kinds of defenses, otherwise the town would be fair game.

“We will take a short break in just a minute. After we reconvene we will go through all the information we have gathered about the incursions and the foreign invaders. There will be much exclusive intelligence there, and I urge everyone to stay behind and listen. It will not only help with your survival in the future, but it might also help with your path to power. For this part everyone here will be welcome to participate, as we’re all together in the fight against the incursions,” Thomas continued.

“After that we will focus on the organization of humanity. This part will have little information of value for our Ishiate friends, so we have prepared a separate venue for you at that point. Waiting for you there are representatives of The New World Government’s information branch, who will do their best in helping you locate your brethren across the world.”

“I hope to see you all again in a bit. Thank you for your attention.”

As he finished the lights once again brightened, and people began to stream out. However, just as Zac and the others made to leave as well an official ran up to their group.

“Excuse me. Mr. Fischer would like to have a word with your group if you’re available,” he quickly said.

Zac just shrugged and followed the man, the others in his group following in tow. They were left to an area backstage, where Thomas and a few other officials waited.

“Mr. Monk, it is good to see you again. I want to thank you once again for the information you provided us the last time. It will be a huge asset to the coming war efforts of humanity,” he said with a smile. “These people with me here are representatives of other major hubs of the New World Government.”

“Johana Yakovna,” a somber lady in her fifties said. “Former Russia and Eastern Europe,”

“Francis Girardot, France,” a man in his sixties said with a slight frown.

”Asano Kobo, Japan. Pleased to meet you,” an Asian man said.

Soon all of them had presented themselves, and even Zac felt a bit intimidated to stand in front of so many of the world’s leaders.

“What’s on your mind?” Zac asked.

“We know about the Zhix, but the identity of the two others is cause for concern,” the Russian delegate said, not mincing her words.

“How’s so?” Zac asked, having a sinking feeling.

“You should know as well as us that there have been no sightings for anywhere else of these species,” another delegate continued. “Their origins are suspect. There is belief that they might be alien infiltrators.”

“Oh? Wouldn’t that make this a prime opportunity for us to kill you all and create some chaos?” Ogras answered with a grin, making a few of the delegates flinch.

“Ogras is just joking,” Zac quickly said, and added with a glare at the demon. “But he’s not very funny.”

“I am Calrin Thayer of the Thayer Consortia,” the gnome quickly said as he stepped forward. “Your eyes are astute, as expected of the people at the forefront of this newly integrated world.”

“You are correct, I am not of this world. I came here to Earth when Port Atwood bought a shop from our Consortia. I am here on a mercantile Visa so to speak. Here is my proof, you should know what these Mercantile Licenses are from the tutorial,” the Sky Gnome continued as a golden glowing parchment appeared floating over his hand.

“I am no threat to humanity or any other Native race. I can’t buy land, conquer towns, or even attack anyone. The system bars me from doing anything detrimental to this planet. However, what I can do is offer you an offer of a lifetime. Aren’t you tired of the high prices of the System-run stores?

“This is a great opportunity for you to take a lead compared to other towns. While others pay 70 Nexus Coins for a Nexus Crystal, you would only pay a measly 60 in our stores. In fact, our rates are better on almost all materials and treasures, and we even stock various things that never are available in the general stores,” Calrin animatedly continued. “Your forces could save millions!”

The merchant’s little pitch actually garnered some interest as a few of the delegates actually looked tempted. Zac was actually hoping it would work, as a few branch stores would boost his revenue by quite a bit.

“That doesn’t explain the devilman,” an Italian delegate said with a frown, actually holding a rosary in his hands.

That brought the delegates back from their own scheming, but many still threw glances at the small gnome who stood next to Zac with a smiling face. Zac could understand them, as he knew how difficult it was to get a real mercantile force to build a shop in your town.

Perhaps if you were a leader of a flourishing town on a C or B Ranked planet many consortia would fight for the opportunity, but at this point in time, the investment cost for the companies was just too high.

“The invading forces are banned from using Arrays for a while longer. They wouldn’t be able to use a teleporter, but Ogras clearly came with us through the array,” Zac said, signaling Ogras to not make things worse. “Isn’t that proof enough he’s not an invader?”

“Yes, we did read about that in the information missive you provided, and it seems to match our own observations. However, while we haven’t seen any invading forces make use of arrays as of yet it doesn’t mean there aren’t workarounds. We simply cannot verify it.”

Zac frowned as he looked at the delegates, going over their words once again and came to an infuriating conclusion.

“You are implying that Port Atwood is consorting with the invaders, helping them against their fellow humans,” Zac said, a fit of smoldering anger starting to burn.

“It wouldn’t be too surprising that some people would betray their race to benefit themselves,” Francis said. “Your faction is simply suspect, as no one has been able to verify it even exists, even after weeks of searching and asking around.”

Enough was enough. Zac felt that Ogras was right, there was a limit to staying low, and sometimes it caused more trouble than it was worth. There was likely no one who had done as much for humanity as him.

Not only had he already closed an incursion, he had also provided vital intelligence. But even though he had been constantly fighting since the integration he was looked at like he was a traitor, by some bureaucrats who hid behind their armies no less.

Zac’s towering aura was released like floodgates, drowning the whole group of politicians. Gasps and groans escaped from their mouths, and a few even fell down on the ground. Only a few could remain standing, Thomas Fisher being one of them. But even he paled noticeably from the pressure of Zac’s aura.

“You think I am a traitor, trying to learn your strategies and plans? Don’t flatter yourselves. Ogras was right about one thing. If I was an enemy of humanity I would simply kill you all and seize control of New Washington. There is nothing you can do to stop me. But you want proof? Fine.”

With a wave of his hand his aura disappeared and instead a prompt was summoned and hovered in front of the group.

[Planetary Aegis: First to stop an incursion in world. Reward: All stats +5, all stats +5%.]

“You want to know how I am so strong? How we knew so much about the incursions? Port Atwood has been fighting tooth and nail since day one of the integration. The information missive you received was taken from one of the invaders,” Zac growled.

The delegates who were on the floor from Zac’s forceful aura embarrassedly climbed to their feet, and was shocked when they saw the Title screen hovering in front of them. There simply was no way to fake a System-run screen, as the System itself disallowed it. And his title was ironclad proof he had fought against the invaders, not for them.

“We have done our part. We have even defeated an incursion, and now we’re in the process of brokering peace with the Zhix in order to benefit all humanity. Port Atwood is standing on the forefront protecting humanity,” Zac said as he glared at the delegates.

“I was shocked to hear that all of you together hadn’t managed to destroy a single incursion while our small force was able to do it. Perhaps it is time you started get a move on instead of playing politics.”

His outburst had various effects on the people present. Ogras only grinned, looking very much in favor of his actions, whereas Calrin looked sick. Zac could only assume the gnome was fearing his sales pitch from earlier was for naught now.

The delegates ranged from angered to embarrassed, with a few looking at the screen thoughtfully. Thomas Fischer only sighed and shook his head.

“I am sorry about my colleagues’ words Mr. Monk,” he said with a contrite face. “We simply needed to make sure about your allegiance. If our plans for the future were exposed, it would risk them not working, which would impact all of humanity. We have been fighting the incursions on multiple fronts for months, and honestly it is a losing battle.”

Zac frowned as he listened intently.

“They are gaining power quicker than we are. After reading your information package we learned the reason is that they are far stronger than us from the start, and simply temporarily limited by the System.

”We believe that the longer things drag on, the harder it will be to expel the forces. Some of our analysts even believe that unless we defeat them within the year then humanity is doomed. This is why we called so many forces here today.”

Zac sighed as he had calmed down by now. He regretted his little outburst either. Not because he acted like a brute, but because he might have given out too much information just to defend himself. He quickly realized that showing the title would have been enough, but he got angered into releasing his aura.

“But your victory gives us hope that our mission is doable. We hope we can rely on your power and expertise in the coming months, and together rid this planet of the invaders,” Asano added from behind Thomas.

“Port Atwood will do what we can in the war efforts, but we have our own things we are dealing with as well. So we can’t promise any specifics. And also I’m sorry to rain on your parade, but the Incursions isn’t our only problem,” Zac said, feeling tired.

“Oh? What do you mean?” Thomas asked with a frown.

“Ibtep, please explain to these people about the Dominators,” Zac said as he turned to the Zhix who had stood by silently until now.

The Zhix ambassador took a step forward, obviously prepared, and without preamble started explaining the situation and history of the Zhix. The delegates seemed slightly intrigued by hearing about the history of the Zhix, but when they learned that the Zhix homeworld actually possessed cultivators even before the integration they started frowning.

When Iptep showed them the level of the one who called itself “Inevitability”, they were completely pale.