[Immortal System]
---- It's time to test your merits as a worthy leader. How will you fare when leading your party into a suicide mission? ----
Difficulty: Platinum
Reward:
S= Great Immortal Ito Fragment (2 & 3) + A
A= 2nd circle awakening & Stage 3 Grandmaster
B= Death
C=Death
D=Death
F= Death
---- I hope this isn't the last time we communicate. I have high expectations for you! :) ----
Zeke looked over the vague mission given by the Immortal System that had just popped up, as several weeks had passed since the final trial began. Unable to initially partake in the first week because of Liz's inability. In the second week, Liz finally broke through to Stage 2 Disciple Rank due to Zeke's proven method.
Learning from his past life experiences, Zeke gained the necessary ingredients required from the Valley of Light. He then refined a pill called Grass Root that greatly increased the cultivator's ability to break through the lower stage. After a week of closed cultivation, she was able to succeed.
Now, in the present, they had completed some of the tasks as their point total reached 7 out of 100 needed. Compared to the 180 competing groups overall, Zeke's party was currently positioned near the bottom. Missing out on higher-priority assignments that were initially distributed before entering the fray. Those particular valued duties would be occupied for days or weeks on end until they were officially completed. Leaving slim pickings for the rest.
Zeke, Kenshin, and Liz stood near the contribution board, pondering what to do. Stationed in the Valley of Light apacenter, they reviewed a list of various options.
Anywhere from guard duty to body disposal, mock assassinations, taking extra lessons, and hunting magical beasts for resources located on the outskirts of the four valleys. You could even earn points through team duels if you gather the proper "challengers" plaque.
Yet, every option presented was already crossed out, meaning nothing was available for today.
"Tsk, no luck for today, huh?"
Kenshin remarked.
" What a bummer, even when we were able to arrive here without any outside interference, we still managed to come up with zilch."
Liz sighed, referring to the other unit valleys who caught wind of Zeke's actions, a day before the final trial began. Seen as a major threat, it wasn't recommended to get in their way if anybody didn't seek a certain death sentence. However, that didn't stop others from enacting different means to obtain available tasks while avoiding them.
The pair continued to discuss their tough luck, as Zeke was left to ponder alone the meaning of the nondestinct mission that the Immortal System had just announced. Zeke couldn't help but find it strange that this task had randomly surfaced today. Going against the norm of appearing at the beginning of each trial, like in prior instances. Whatever the case, he knew that their struggle for points would soon come to an end, whether for better or for worse.
....
Meanwhile, inside a quaint secluded building on a summit overlooking the Valley of Light, there was a meeting taking place among the Three Reapers. Overseeing today's proceedings stood an old, tall, thin man cloaked in a grandiose silver robe. Named Benjiro, he was a valued representative from the Hidden Council that controlled this environment of assassins. A group of his superiors who, in secrecy, funded and ran several organizations —including the Hidden Cave of Untold Shadows—with an iron fist.
Benjiro was someone that even these egotistically three couldn't afford to take lightly in their own domain, regarding his high status.
"Now, onto the last topic of discussion. A matter that you three should all be familiar with by this point in time. When mentioning the aforementioned AngelicFlute."
Benjiro sternly remarked through his clear blue eyes, while slowly stroking his long, white beard that nearly swept the floor. Highly touted by a particular superior of theirs, the divine relic discussed was an instrument that could help easily tame any Saint-level Beasts.
This Angelic Flute was presently stored somewhere inside the Martial Alliance's main branch of operation. Known as the mecha of orthodox cultivators worldwide, needless to say, infiltrating this place with one's life intake had proven to be a tall task. Unable to succeed in several years since being assigned this vaunted mission. The Three Reapers began to speak all at once, having an excuse already in mind, but were quickly silenced by Benjiro,
" Quiet!"
"..."
" I, along with our Madame, have grown quite tired of your excuses. Thus, she sent me to pass this personal message addressed to you three underachievers."
Benjiro proceeded to pull out a small scroll while standing, as he cleared his throat before reading,
" My leniency and patience towards you, lesser beings, have worn thin after all these years of incompetence. I'm sadly beginning to believe that you all have taken my personal request far too lightly. A grave mistake that I shouldn't have to remind any of you of the dire consequences that lurks around the horizon. With that said, you'll have one more final year to please me, or I'll take it upon myself to find those capable of fulfilling my desire."
Finishing the Madame message, Benjiro continued,
" You lot should be fully aware that failure isn't an option. Now then, does anyone have a working solution intended for this belabored problem?"
"If you allow me to take the floor, I may have a satisfactory plan that will leave our Madame more than reassured about what's to come at long last."
Taki said, taking the initiative as Lee could only glare at him in dismay, with Benjiro giving him the okay to proceed.
" Firstly, I would like to apologize for my negligence all these years in naively allowing my fellow Reapers to take the helm on such an important matter."
" You, sniveling boot licking..."
Lee began to slander Taki. However, he was swiftly stopped short by a single stern look Benjiro gave him.
"Continue."
"Gratitude. Secondly, doing some digging on my own. I have discovered that the main branch will open up its doors this upcoming month. Welcoming martial artists from the entire Eastern continent under the age of 16, promising an opportunity to become their outer disciple."
" Your point being?"
" Giving this golden chance for The Hidden Cave of Untold Shadows to redeem our prior incapabilities. I suggest sending capable fledglings under each of our command, to infiltrate the base using this process as a perfect moment of cover."
" Hmmm, let's say whoever you choose does succeed in passing the selection ceremony, going unnoticed. I still don't believe they are capable of uncovering the Angelic Flute, let alone retrieving the item in one piece."
" A valid thought on your part if I do say so myself. However, their involvement will only be the spark that eventually lights the flames of chaos. Having a contingency plan set in place, I'll personally guarantee that our Madame will obtain what she seeks. I swear this on my very life!"
Taki rose from his seat with passion, placing his hand over his heart, expressing an unshakeable commitment to the cause. Witnessing this, Benjiro smirked while motioning for Taki to sit back down.
" I see. Tell me, does anybody else here have a better idea in mind?"
Benjiro asked, scanning the room as Ono and Lee could only subtly sink into their chairs with embarrassment.
" Well, then, I'll be sure to pass on the events of today's meeting to our Madame. Now then, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have other matters to attend to here before finally leaving this dreadful place."
The elder soon left thereafter, being greeted at the door by his two escorting mages, before they departed together.
" Tsk, good riddance, you uptight bastard!"
Lee barked, slamming his fist on the sturdy table once the coast was clear. His reaction quickly elicited a snide remark by Taki,
" Hmph, where were these disparaging remarks when the man was in our presence just moments ago, tough guy?"
"Shut it! You're lucky I don't crush your throat for shamelessly tossing Ono and me to the wolves!"
" What did you say?"
Before the tension between these two threatened to boil over, Ono decided to play the role of peacekeeper as he normally did when it came to their ongoing vendetta.
" Now, now, I think both of you know that the pressing issue here doesn't involve your endless pissing contest. Anyways, Reaper Taki, would you care to explain your plan in further detail to us?"
" Certanily."
Taki responded with a wry smile after regaining his composure.
....
Later into the night, still located in the Valley of Light. After Benjiro fulfilled his duties set upon him by the Hidden Council. Taking a rest before departing for the next morning. Benjiro could be seen unwinding in his private quarters, reserving the entire 3rd floor of a lavish inn. The lit candles flickered as he was about to extinguish the flame. However, he soon heard a slight knock on his shut sliding doors.
"What is it?"
" Pardon my intrusion , Sir Benjiro. Reaper Taki seeks an audience with you."
One of his escorting mages announced. Surprised by this impromptu visit, Benjiro pondered for a second what could have brought Taki to his front door so late into the night.
"Tsk, fine, send him in."
Soon, a cascading shadow could be seen before entering.
" Greetings, Sir Benjiro. I thank you for welcoming my presence at this late hour."
"If you say so. Now, what brings you here after today's previous meeting?"
Benjiro questioned. Having his face immediately twisted into a frown of annoyance just before Lee pulled out a sealed jug from his spatial pouch.
" I thought before your early departure, we, as long-time acquaintances, could share a drink of your favorite Saki while chatting about the old and new alike."
Considering himself a connoisseur when it came to selecting alcoholic beverages, Benjiro eventually waved Taki over to take a seat with him by the window. He soon joined Benjiro at the small table, sitting across from him on his heels, astutely. Taki then unsealed the bottle of Saki as he poured Benjiro's drink first into the decorated porcelain cup already prepared.
" This drink isn't poison, right?"
Benjiro asked not overlooking his mastery in the posoin arts as Taki calmly shook his head no,
"Clearly you, jest. I wouldn't even dare to have the foolish notion of pulling the wool over your keen eyes."
Afterwards, he poured his share of Saki into his cup. To prove his words true, Taki voluntarily took the first sip as Benjiro's facial expression began to ease, witnessing this sight.
" Hmph, alright enough with your empty flatteries. Speak truly about why you visited this night, while I still hold some patience."
Benjiro demanded while taking a swig of his cold beverage as well.
" Very well, the reason for my arrival has to do with the Angelic Flute."
" Huh? What more is there to discuss on the topic? Don't tell me you're already having second thoughts after boldly swearing on your life?"
"No, not all. Everything is already set in motion."
" Good, then if that's not the issue, what is?"
Pausing for a moment, Taki reinforced his initial resolve to speak his peace,
"Well, excuse me in advance for my impudence, but I came here to request a favor upon completing our Madame's objective."
" A favor, you say?"
Benjiro inquired with a noticeable scowl as Taki continued,
" Yes, I humbly ask that Reaper Lee's head be delivered on a silver platter to me, in exchange for successfully retrieving the Angelic Flute."
Displeased, Benjiro's voice rose, chastising Taki,
" Hmph, indeed, your arrogance knows no bounds! How could a mere soldier ant like yourself ever think you were in any position to leverage anything against our Queen Madame! When all three of you scoundrels' lives are hanging by a mere thread."
"Again, I apologize for my words. However, I didn't walk into the lion's den blindly. It is known to me that even though you serve the Hidden Council wholeheartedly, your loyalties sway towards a certain member. Since you helped nurture and raise Madame when she was a child."
Hearing this revelation that was only supposed to be known to a select few, Benjiro's red-hot rage froze over for a split second before giving a hostile warning,
"Watch your tongue before I rip it out for you! You're already treading on thin ice as is!"
"Certainly, I mean no offense. Getting down to the brass tax, I believe that Lee's death will greatly benefit our Madame as well, if you would care to listen."
"... Go on."
Taki explained his plan thoroughly. Gaining confidence as their conversation went on for at least an hour. Listening with a stone face while interjecting from time to time, Benjiro let out an unexpected chuckle as Taki finally finished breaking down his self-conceived scheme.
"Amusing. Alright, I'll pass your brazen little proposal on to our Madame and get back to you. However, don't let tonight's unscrupulous behavior become a habit. I expect you to fully divulge the source of your information concerning Madame and me at a later date. Now, leave me to my peace and slumber."
" Of course. Thank you again for your time and magnanimity. I wish you a good night, Sir Benjiro."
Making his exit after bowing, Taki casually strolled down the empty inn hallway in an unusually chipper mood as he was left to his own thoughts,
' Everything is finally starting to fall in place, after these past few years of setting the perfect stage for your long-awaited demise, Ryu!'