The debate about Hakime died as silently as it had begun. The Council's attention turned to the immediate threats that affected millions of lives.
Abdoul slid the holographic map, zooming in on the peripheral areas of the four Megapoles.
"The monthly assault is expected in seven days according to etheric prediction models," he announced. "The training grounds and external hunting areas must be thoroughly cleaned. We cannot afford the hordes to use our own outposts as a springboard."
Michelle White nodded, her finger drawing a circle around Nova-Aeterna. "My troops have already begun sweeping operations in the north and south. The mist of laziness makes progress slow, but we eliminate Goblin nests and Slime concentrations. The Gourmandise Tower in the south shows increased activity, its creatures become more aggressive, attempting deeper incursions."
Windsor Griffin spoke, his voice as cold as his power. "The European fortress deployed shock teams to clear the corrupt forests around Paris. Lust monsters use vegetation to hide and ambush. We burn square kilometers to dislodge them. This is a radical but necessary measure."
Morina Laine, the protector of Australia, put on a pinched smile. "Here, the challenge is different. The monsters of Envy are constantly adapting their tactics. Our own techniques have turned against us. We favour small mobile units and lures to lure them into pre-mined kill box areas."
Kaïdo Izanami, in his shady corner, added in a muffled voice: "The Avarice Tower in Japan is testing our defenses with organic drones. They're learning. Our technological countermeasures must evolve every week. Adam, we'll need your last prototypes of jammers."
Adam, Seat 8, nodded, his fingers already tapping in the air. "The new etheric frequency modulators are in production. They will be dispatched within 48 hours. They should disrupt the coordination signals of the creatures of Avarice."
The debate continued, with each councillor detailing preparations for his jurisdiction. It was a colossal exercise in logistics and forecasting. Then Abdoul changed the subject. The map zoomed into an ice-covered continent.
"Antarctica. The situation is deteriorating. "His voice was deeper than ever." Our long-range reconnaissance drones picked up mass movements near the Tower of Wrath. We suspect a high-level boss mobilization."
A series of spectral silhouettes, representing incomplete data, appeared on the map.
"Energy analyses indicate signatures corresponding to bosses of floor 45 and above. We're talking about level 450 creatures and beyond."
A frosty silence fell on the room, colder than Windsor's power.
"If they move..." began Ruben, the healer, his face pale.
"None of our cities would hold," finished Theodore, the Titan, clenching his fist until his joints whitened. "A single one of these beings could ravage a Megalopolis in a few hours."
Abdoul raised a soothing hand. "For now, they remain confined around the Tower. They seem... to come together. But their mere presence so far from the Tower is a disturbing anomaly. The Tower of Wrath has never shown such a level of coordination. We are doubling the monitoring and preparing emergency evacuation protocols for the scientific stations still in operation."
It then moved on to the most critical point, inevitable as a tide.
"And then there's the opening of floor 51. It will coincide with the monthly assault."
The map displayed the seven towers, with a counter flashing above each of them.
"Each tower will open its 51st floor. That means seven new 510-level bosses, one for each sin, who will try to settle on Earth."
Michelle White crossed her arms. "In Nova-Aeterna, we are preparing for the emergence of the Laziness Boss on floor 51. Our simulations indicate that it will seek to establish its territory in the wastelands to the north, greatly reinforcing the surrounding haze. We must contain him before he consolidates his position."
Windsor Griffin continued. "In Europe, the boss of the Lust of floor 51 will represent a social as well as a military threat. Its pheromones could affect an entire city. Our units are equipped with etheric filters and our most mentally resilient Awakened ones will be on the front lines."
Morina Laine sighed. "The Envy boss on floor 51 will be a logistical nightmare. He will copy the powers of our best defenders. Our only strategy is the diversity and constant rotation of combat units to prevent it from fully adapting."
Titus Skydream, who had remained silent, leaned forward, his eyes twinkling. "My brother and the American forces are ready. The boss of the Gourmandise on floor 51 will find in me an appetite greater than his."
Abdoul watched them all, his gaze imbued with an ancestral weariness.
"The opening of the 51st floor is a symbolic milestone. We are entering the second half of the Towers. Bosses will become exponentially stronger, smarter, and their territories harder to reclaim. Every city must hold. A collapse on one front would weaken all the others."
He stood up, imposing effortlessly.
"The time for play is over. The new generation, like this Hakime, needs to be pushed, forged faster. We need every spark of talent. Monthly assaults are no longer exercises; it is battles that will determine whether humanity survives to see the opening of the 100th floor."
His gaze ran through the audience.
"Strengthen your defenses. Coordinate your guilds and armies. The Towers are testing our resolution. Let's show them that humanity has not said its last word. The meeting is adjourned."
The councillors stood up, their faces marked by the weight of their responsibilities. As they dispersed, either by teleportation or by the door, everyone carried with them the certainty that the next few days would be bloody. The war against the Towers had just shifted to a new level, and the shadow of Antarctica hovered, recalling that far greater threats were awakening in the eternal ice.