Tier-9
"Shiekh Khalid, what I am going to tell now should be kept as a secret. Remember this is a secret of Marchetti family"
Paul emphasized his family name at the end so that the Badamis can understand the gravity of the situation.
"When the calamity struck we Arabs lost everything. Our oil fields and our prosperity came crumbling down with a single earthquake. Only a hundred people of the royal family survived that. Then later appeared the Beasts and mutated animals wreaking havoc. Just when we lost hope, Godfather came to our aid," Sheikh Khalid said emotionally.
"He saved us from the Thirios. He supported the Badami family to regain our former glory. Though we may not be oil kings like our past, we are the leading the federation cryogenic technology and this is all because of the Marchettis. I promise you, in the name of the Saudi royal family, we Badamis will follow you. Even to the hell," he stated with his chest wide open.
Suddenly, sounds of hand clapping were heard in that silent hall. It was Paul. He got affected by the resolve of the Badami family and old Khalid's speech.
"Very well said," Paul said while clasping Sheikh Khalid's shoulders. "Now I understand why my grandfather always trusts you. Shukran Sheikh Khalid. From now on you will likewise have my trust," he announced.
Immediately there is a bliss on the faces of the three generations of the Arab family before him. The Marchetti family is known for their beast technology. They produce high grade energy potions and have monopoly in the market. They are also the primary supplier of the beast weapons to the federation.
The Thirios and mutated animals have valuable materials that can be used for augmenting the human power. The only complication is that they decompose rapidly after their death. This is the main purview of the Badami corporation, they manufacture cryogenic containers that will delay the decaying.
The Marchetti group is the largest purchasers of their products. If the Arabs lose the trust of Marchetti family next boss, later they will lose 80 percent of their turnover. So they are ecstatic to hear Paul's words.
"Now that we passed this let's get down to the business," said Paul. "We got an information that a Tier-9 Thirio's crystal essence got smuggled into the Xuzhou city," he said startling Khalid.
Khalid instantly turned and looked at his son, Ibrahim, beside him. Who was also equally stunned to learn what Paul said.
"Seems like you guys are also not aware of this," stated Paul, observing the reactions of the Badami's.
"I am too ashamed to add this, but this is the first time we are hearing this, Boss Paul," Ibrahim said and signaled his son Salman with his eyes. Salman hurriedly clicked on his Portable Assistant Device (PAD) which is strapped on his left hand.
A PAD is a portable device that can be strapped to the hand like a watch. It is used for communication in the post apocalyptic era. Even though Earth went through so many changes, technology still advanced. After the catastrophe, the humans are extremely busy with defending against the mutated animals and forgot about the technology. When the strongholds were built and survivors of different ethnicity and background converged, the seeds of civilization bloomed again.
They not only recovered the old technology but with the help of different ability users, they developed new innovations that far advanced than their predecessors. This also helped in creating new weapons that can even keep Thirios in check. Ten years back the federation made PAD compulsory and were also used as a permanent identification.
"That's not a big deal. The major problem is we don't know who owns that tier-9 beast material. There is nothing regarding it in the records too. You know a Tier-9 beast materials are rare and that too this is a crystal essence. We need that at any cost," said Paul seriously.
Similar to humans, the mutated animals are also divided into tiers, and they will also break their limits at Tier-7 and turn into Thirios. So a Tier-9 Thirio is as powerful as a Tier-9 Super. So their crystal essence, which is the blood in their heart, is precious, and they are used for cultivating their abilities.
But the Council strictly controlled the Beast materials. So their value is extremely high and can only be obtained through Council credits which are only issued to the Supers. For getting such material, Marchetti family should either kill a Tier-9 Thirio on their own or buy them from the Council at a ridiculous price. Now there is an unrecorded Tier-9 beast material in the Xuzhou city and anyone who gets it can keep it.
Just then, Salman came back drenched in sweat.
"None of our contacts know about any beast material. Also, the Luciano family and Conte family wants to meet you, Boss Paul," he said.
"Okay. Even I have something important to discuss with them, anyway. I request the Badami family to arrange the banquet and invite all forces in Xuzhou city," Paul replied. As the pioneer family of the Italian descent, Marchetti family is admired by the all the Italian survivors throughout the world.
"We gladly accept that, but I thought your visit to Xuzhou city is a secret. Would it be alright for you to meet them?" Sheikh Khalid said politely while also glancing at the Paul's guards.
Paul understood what old Khalid is hinting at. So he snapped his fingers and the two bodyguards came forward and removed a ring they are wearing.
"A concealer artifact?" Khalid thought and quickly regretted his question to Paul. Instantly, after those guards removed their rings, a dreadful force covered the entire mansion, freighting the people inside it.
"Demi Supers?" immediately his face turned grave. But before he speak, a large group of Badami family's ability users entered the hall, but Sheikh Khalid immediately ordered them to stand down.
"I am sorry for embarrassing myself. Greeting to the Demi-Supers," he said, bowing.
Khalid got information that Paul was only accompanied by two Tier-4 ability users and thought that Paul wants to stay low keyed. But when he got asked to arrange a meeting with the all the forces, he got confused.
Because, in Xuzhou city there are also families like Badami, who support Marchetti families rivals or other mafia families and if they know Paul only brought two Tier-4, they will definitely attack. So he became worried and indirectly mentioned Paul about his security.
Now Khalid got embarrassed because he forgot the identity of the youngster before him. He is the next heir of the Marchetti group and future Boss of the Marchetti crime family. How can his bodyguards will be a weak Tier-4's.
So he apologized quickly and as the protectors of humanity, the Supers are revered and considered them as heroes. Whereas the Demi-supers are the Tier-6 ability users one step away from breaking into superhumans. So as the strongest humans below the Supers, the people admire them.
"No need," said Paul, smiling, and the two supers kept their rings back, concealing their aura. Khalid arranged the best rooms in their mansion for Paul and his guards. He went back to supervise the meeting.
Soon the night fell, and the Badamis prepared a grand banquet in their mansion and filled with people from different ethnicity. The strongholds are the only protection to mankind, so after decades most of the survivors from different countries settled in them.
As it is a banquet, the guests brought their families with them too. When the clock struck eight, Paul came down wearing a brown somber Italian suit, which fit perfectly to his body. His deep eyes and handsome face combined with his slim yet well built muscular torso set the hearts of the ladies present on fire.
Paul slowly walked towards the center of the banquet. He took a glass filled with Italian wine and said.
"Buongiorno!" he said in his Low-pitched voice and instantly the whole mansion turned into chaos with hysterical cries of the ladies at the banquet.
=====FYI=====
I will alternate between words Thirio and beast sometimes. Don't get confused. Thirio is a mutated animal above Tier-7. Beasts is the common term I will use for both the mutated animals and the Thirios.