Breaking — [Malovia Island has been shut down. All citizens have been evacuated. The BUA has issued an official alert, demanding that all Guilds around the world pay attention to the matter. Not much else has been revealed about the Gate.]
Breaking — [Kermite Class? The world questions the incidents that have occurred at Malovia Island. What is going on? And can we survive this?]
Breaking — [In an unprecedented move, the BUA has issued its first global alert in years, prompting immediate responses from international Guilds across all regions. Officials confirm that every major Guild has been formally summoned, heightening concerns within the global community. As uncertainty grows, the world now waits anxiously for further developments, unsure of what this unfolding incident may bring.]
One day had passed since the gate appeared.
In just one day, the entire island was evacuated. Alongside it, the BUA issued a global warning, prompting the entire shutdown of the island and the immediate assistance of all international Guilds.
Malovia Island — BUA Branch.
"Thank you all for coming."
A man dressed in a pristine, dark suit and with a large frame stood before a large oval table, where a large projector appeared behind it. Seated on the oval table were all the top Guild executives from Malovia Island.
This included the Guild Master of the Severed Stars Guild and the Guild Masters of the other King Grade Guilds.
"We’ve already issued a global warning, and the Guilds from the main island will be coming in the following hours. As many of you understand, we’re not dealing with something minor. The initial recordings of the gate’s energy have been released, and the levels are suggested to be at around..." The man paused, his tone turning graver as his gaze swept across every member of the room. "The gate’s rank has been measured to be at around SS rank, and it’s still steadily climbing. I’m afraid we’re going to be handling a Kermite-Class Anomaly."
The atmosphere in the room immediately turned tense. It was as if the very air had been sucked out of the room, with the faces of many turning grave.
Sigil, Elcid, Melas, Thrall, and Kermite.
This was the official classification that ranked anomalies.
In the rankings, Kermite was the last class and considered the most dangerous. It implied that whatever they were dealing with was at a level that posed a threat to the entire world. There were not many Kermite-Class ships in the world, but whenever one appeared, the consequences were catastrophic.
Even the Conductor, the anomaly that had appeared not long ago, was only Thrall-Class.
This indicated just how terrifying a Kermite was.
"The incoming Guilds will be arriving with their full personnel. The island will be overwhelmed soon, so I expect all of you to receive them properly and brief them without delay. We cannot afford even a moment of hesitation. We still have no certainty about how long the gate will remain stable."
Tapping his fingers against the table, the agent pressed his lips into a thin line.
He froze mid-motion as a faint signal reached his earpiece, lifting a hand to listen. After a tense moment, he gave a clipped nod and raised his gaze to the others, his expression darkening.
"Scouts of the Highest Order have already been dispatched to assess the situation, and I need every one of you to prepare for the inevitable descent. Select only the strongest your Guild has to offer. If you send anyone less... I fear you will be sending them to their deaths."
The room turned silent following his words.
Nobody made a single sound, their attention fixed on the agent.
They were all aware of how serious the matter was, and as such, didn’t deny his words.
"Mhm. Okay." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novelꞁire.net
With his hand pressed against his ear, the Agent looked at all the Guild Masters.
"The delegates from the other Guilds are here. Let’s go and welcome them. This is going to be a long couple of days."
The meeting was soon dismissed.
Over the next few days, an increasing number of people began to arrive on the island. Guild Masters of all major Guilds made their way onto the island, taking their time to observe the Gate and delegating some orders to their Guilds back on the island.
The BUA was also busy handling other matters.
There was not a single moment of rest for anyone.
"Has anyone found the whereabouts of Seth?" Kyle asked, checking his phone and seeing the multiple strings of messages that he had sent to Seth.
He was starting to get really worried.
"I haven’t gotten anything either."
Joanna stood before Kyle, her phone out as she also sent him a series of different messages. However, regardless of how many she sent, she didn’t receive a single message back. When she looked towards the other members, they also shook their heads.
"It’s as if he’s completely disappeared."
Kyle’s expression turned grim as he looked at his phone once more. He tried calling, but when he received the ’Sorry, the number you’ve dialed cannot be reached’ message, he could only close the call before leaning back in his chair while biting his nails.
He was really starting to worry.
"You’ve found nothing?"
Joining them, Zoey looked at Kyle. He shook his head, prompting her to frown deeply.
"...Why did he disappear all of a sudden? This is quite rare for him. Do you think that something has happened to him? Maybe during the—"
Kyle cut her off, not wanting to even think about it.
Despite his best attempts at trying to remain calm, he was actually starting to panic.
Why did he suddenly disappear? Why couldn’t he reach him?
The more questions Kyle had, the heavier his chest became.
And just when the first signs of anxiousness were starting to show on his body, a certain voice boomed across the surroundings.
"I’d like everyone’s attention!"
Immediately, all eyes focused on the Section Chief as he walked out of his office, holding onto a tablet.
"I will now announce the names of the people who will be participating in the game. For very clear reasons, not everyone will be able to participate. Only the top elites of our Guild will participate. Now then..."
Clearing his throat, the Section Chief began listing down the names.
One by one, names began to be called. Everyone was familiar with the names that were being called, from Zoey to Kyle to Clara. All the top elites of the Guild were being called.
The list wasn’t very long, with the Section Chief soon reaching the end.
But as he did, his brows furrowed.
This sort of reaction caused the room to pause, all eyes falling on the Section Chief.
"Why is he frowning?"
"Is there something wrong with the list?"
But soon, the Section Chief spoke.
The last name that came out of his mouth made the room pause.
And not a moment later, a figure walked into the room.
The instant he appeared, the room stilled. Kyle and Zoey felt the air tighten around them, pulled toward that void-like presence as his cold, obsidian eyes swept the space with unsettling calm.