Assembly

The vast chamber of the Angelicist Organization felt colder than usual, the stone walls thick with echoes, as though the very air itself was charged with divine energy. Julius sat in one of the many rows of wooden chairs, his hand resting on the hilt of his legendary sword.

Around him were a hundred people who had been transported with him—warriors, mages, healers, and scholars—all gathered for what was supposed to be just another briefing, another task to prepare them for the quests that had seemed so ordinary up until now.

But there was something different in the air tonight. It hung thick and heavy, an unspoken tension that made the hairs on the back of Julius's neck stand on end. The usual murmur of conversation was absent, replaced by a quiet expectancy. Everyone seemed to know something was coming, something that would change everything.

They had all recieved the quest to come here, they had all cleaned their ears out for this assembly, this assembly that would define the future. They were all already aware of the monthly rankings, perhaps this assembly would give them more purpose.

At the front of the room, a tall, thin figure stood before a large altar draped in golden cloth, a symbol of the divine carved into the stone behind him. The priest was garbed in simple yet elegant robes, the faint glow of holy light illuminating his features.

His presence was not commanding, not like the usual leaders Julius had encountered in the past. But there was an undeniable weight to him. This man was different. His eyes shone with the clarity of someone who had seen the truth of the world, someone who understood the divine purpose.

Father Alden was his name. He was a high priest Angelicist church. As Father Alden raised his hands, a quiet reverence filled the room. His voice, calm and steady, echoed through the hall, reverberating off the cold stone walls.

"I have been appointed by God, to tell you all your purpose."

"I know many of you have wondered why you are here," he began, his words slow, deliberate, as though each syllable carried the weight of eternity. "You've been tasked with quests, with challenges that have seemed mundane at best, simple tests of your strength and skill. In just a day you've fought beasts, hunted criminals, and cleared shrines of corruption. But you have not been told the truth. This is where that changes."

Julius's grip tightened on his sword. The sense of unease that had been growing in his chest began to settle in his bones, a deep, gnawing feeling that something far more dire was at hand.

His gaze flicked to the faces of those around him—some were visibly apprehensive, others confused, still others seemingly unaffected. But all were waiting, silently, for what Father Alden had to say next.

"You have been gathered here for a reason," Alden continued, his voice gaining strength, a subtle fire burning in his words. "Not for trivial rewards or small victories. No. You have been chosen because the world is threatened by evil forces."

Julius felt his pulse quicken. The words were familiar, but the way Alden spoke them made them real in a way that Julius had never considered before.

"Demon cults have risen, the demonic race has left it's slumber of peace, and may soon declare all out war. The monsterous legions have rebuilt their armies and ploy with them. We will need your help to save this world. Most importantly, their first place to strike will be Wooxia, here where we stand."

Alden paused for a moment, allowing his words to settle in the room. His eyes scanned the crowd, as though measuring the weight of each gaze. "There are those among you who have questioned the purpose of your training. Some of you may have believed that these quests were designed for your personal growth, for glory, or for gold. But that is only half the truth, we need you all to be strong so you can fight for this world."

He stepped forward, his voice dropping to a solemn whisper. "The quests, the challenges you have faced, they were not mere tests. They were building blocks. Every battle, every trial, every monster you've slain has been part of a larger plan—a plan to prepare you for the coming storm. The only way the systems will continue to fuel your power is if you follow the quests, it is the minimum requirement that we ask."

Julius felt a shiver run down his spine. The priest's echoed through his mind. It was as though the world itself had tilted, and Julius was on the cusp of achieving greatness.

"You see," Alden continued, "the Demon Kings—those who rule the realms of darkness—have begun to awaken from their ancient slumber. Their cults have prophesised these times for many years, as they hung in the shadows."

A pause. The room was dead silent, save for the faint sound of breathing, the weight of Alden's words hanging heavy in the air. Dain began cackling, as if he had been waiting to hear the priest's words for a while.

"The monster legions follow closely, but they have already been a known threat. Just one that is far more powerful than we had thought."

"You have all been given the power to fight," Alden said, his voice now rising with fervor. "And yet, you have not been given the full knowledge of why. The quests, the missions you've undertaken—The time will come when you will be called upon to storm the Demon King's Castle, to breach the Monster Emperor's Palace, to assault the Horde's Hideout—the very heart of the darkness. Before that, we must stir conflict in the demon's cities and the monster's tunnels."

Julius's breath caught in his throat. The Demon King's Castle? He had heard the name, of course. It was a place that every generic adventurer had to leave for at the end of their journey, in his games of course.

"The path you have walked until now has been one of preparation," Alden continued, "to strengthen you, to shape you into the warriors needed to face the oncoming storm. Your strength, your power, your experience—all of it has been tested to ensure that you are ready. But it will not be enough. Not yet."

Alden's gaze shifted, meeting Julius's eyes directly, and for a moment, it felt as if the entire world was holding its breath. "The time has come for the final phase of your trials. You will be sent on more dangerous quests, each one designed to challenge you in ways you have not yet experienced. Your skill, your will, your faith will be tested as never before. The enemies you face will be stronger, more cunning, and more deadly."

Julius's heart pounded in his chest. He knew there purpose here would be grand, and this matched his expectations perfectly. A war between races, demons, monsters, humans. And the continent of Wooxia would be the battlefield.

"But know this," Alden's voice grew softer now, more intimate, as though sharing a sacred truth. "You are not alone. The gods are with you. The systems will guide you to strength."

"Each of you," Alden said, his voice firm, "will play a role in the battle to come. Some of you will face the front lines, while others will provide support, strategy, and knowledge. You will all be tested. You will all be pushed to your limits. We need you to help us, and you need us to gain strength. The trade will end in the survival of this world, and that is all we truly desire."

Alden stepped back, his eyes scanning the room once more, as if seeking the resolve in each of them. "This is your calling. This is why you are here. To fight not for gold or fame, but for the survival of the world itself. You are the light in the darkness, the hope in the face of despair. Do not forget that. The next assembly will be to celeberate the monthly rankings, try to aim for a high rank if you want to be rewarded well. I wish luck to you all."