Volume 2 Chapter 91 Omega Impact's Rhapsody (III)
...World Seeker Guild Association British Headquarters ── Underground Conference Room
"Thank you all for coming from afar."
Yes, the one greeting is the British Headquarters No. 2 Vice-Guild Master, and the Seeker world ranking second place King, 'Sophia Knightley'. By the way, she also doubles as the 'real boss behind Omega-sama's powerful faction'.
"Long time no see, Sophia-sama"
"Been a while, Linhua."
"Sophia-sama, as always, you're so beautiful today."
"Thank you, Mr. Hadrer."
After Sophia's greeting, everyone shows their initial reactions. In the midst of that,
"So? What about the Guild Master of the British Headquarters (your place)? Absent again?"
The one pressing Sophia with a clear and strict tone is 'Lucy Fairchild', the Guild Master of the World Seeker Guild Association American Branch, holding the title of Jack, the Seeker world ranking 4th place.
With her long, piercing gaze, she looks like she has a 'strict expression towards others'... but then, she actually is strict. However, since she's also 'strict with herself', her words are powerful, and her dignified demeanor wins her immense popularity from Seekers and ordinary people alike.
Even Sophia, who is higher in ranking, stumbles over her words in response to Lucy Fairchild's challenge.
"...I, I'm sorry, Ms. Lucy."
She's this uneasy.
"For a world ranker to not attend a meeting where we're all gathered... isn't that a bit too disrespectful to us?"
"I apologize."
"Hey, if you're gonna say that, where's Selina? Isn't Selina in the numbers of the American Branch (your place) too?"
And here, challenging Lucy Fairchild is Park Ha-san, the ninth-place Seeker from Korea.
"She said she absolutely couldn't miss her plans, so she won't be here today. I approved it. Is there a problem with that?"
"Of course it's a problem! You're contradicting what you just told Sophia."
"No, I'm not contradicting myself at all. Look, I'm the head of the America branch, and I'm here. So it doesn't matter if that kid from my branch skips out."
"Fine then, quit grilling Sophia about attendance."
"Not happening. Selina came last time, didn't she? Meanwhile, Alexandre Arthur──British HQ's Guild Master, number one in the world, the so-called 'Ace'──he didn't show up last time or this time. Actually, he's skipped every single meeting. Don't lump my Selina in with some jerk like that, okay?"
"No. They're the same."
"...Hey, Park Ha-san? Are you seriously picking a fight with me right now?"
"Nah. Just correcting the facts, that's all. But hey, you can take it however you want."
"Is that so? Then maybe I'll be the one to start the fight."
"Bring it. With the skills I've got now, I won't lose to you anymore."
"Heh. Try me."
"You got it!"
"Stop it! Both of you, please!"
"B-Both of you... C-Calm down, please!"
Just as Lucy Fairchild and Park Ha-san were about to snap, Sophia jumped in, along with another giant──Wolf Elgenstein, Guild Master of the German branch, currently ranked tenth in the world, and standing an enormous 211 centimeters tall.
"Park-san! Please, can you just step back?"
"S-Sophia... Alright. I'll chill out."
"Ugh, honestly! Still as much of a pain as ever! Move it, Wolf!"
"G-Guh...! P-Please, hold on, Lucy!"
Thanks to the two of them holding everyone back, the scene finally settled down.
"Oh, thank you, Wolf. You really saved me!"
"N-No, no, i-it's n-nothing at all!"
Wolf blushed, scratched his head, and ducked his head bashfully at Sophia's thanks.
* * *
"Okay, everyone. I called you here today for just one reason──Omega──er, the whole signal hijack by Omega."
As the noise died down, Sophia jumped straight to the point.
"From us at British Headquarters, every Seeker who qualifies and volunteers will be sent. That makes... 22 people."
Everyone stared in shock at Sophia's sudden announcement.
"Wait, S-Sophia... you're joining too?"
"Of course. Actually, I want to."
Park Ha-san was the first to push back at Sophia.
"Honestly, this whole thing with Omega──him hijacking the airwaves──it feels like a direct challenge to Seekers worldwide, including us. And, yeah... his strength is real. That's also true."
"! Sophia..."
"And, he's got power on the same level as us. You saw him fight in the Ryukyu dungeon, right? There's no denying it... is there?"
"""""........."""""
Sophia's pointed words left everyone silent.
"And then, the higher-up of the Talking Monsters we met in Ryukyu dungeon──'Magdala of the Four Pillars'──she's just as strong as we are. Plus, if Omega's right, there are 3 more monsters at her level, and below them, whole squads of C-class or higher ranking Talking Monsters."
"And they could burst onto the surface any day now... attack us. If that's not a threat to humanity, what is?"
"So, I want all top ten world rankers──the Numbers──and all the Big Four in. This is my official request!"
None of the Seekers answered Sophia right away. But it wasn't a rejection. Everyone just needed more time to think.
In the end, only 2 people──Yóu Linhua and Park Ha-san──sent Sophia a message that they'd join. No one else replied, even right up to the day before the tournament.
Whether the rest will join... we'll know on the day of the tournament.
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