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"Russell, have you seen the Obelisk Organization's updated System Reboot Guide?"

Sitting on one of the Elderwood benches on the Chaos Training Grounds, Amelie curiously asked.

Continuously hacking the Elderwood Training Dummy without using an Elderwood Training Sword, to avoid the activation of its defense mechanism, without looking at Amelie, Russell casually replied.

"Yes. It would be a big help for illiterate people."

When the arrival of the System plunged the world to become something similar to fantasy stories, there were people, even today, who couldn't fully grasp the terminologies or functions laid for them.

In other words, the aftermath of the Emergence, although it had strengthened the bodies of ordinary people as a seven-year-old F- Rank Player either Pre-or-Post Reboot had a strength that's almost similar to a young adult already, their intelligence was something that didn't get affected in any way.

According to the updated guidelines that were released by the Obelisk Organization, which took some time to finish because some of the information had to be experienced firsthand by Obelisk-affiliated players for it to be more credible, it was explained to everyone, in the simplest way possible, regarding the Golden Stat, Unallocated Stat, Sacrificial Altar, Chamber of Breakthrough, as well as other basics, on what were they or how they worked as a function of the System.

For these players, the most confusing ones were the Sacrificial Altar, which allowed them to virtually sacrifice profession-related skills, as well as the Chamber of Breakthrough, which they needed to go through for them to advance to their next rank.

Even though it was difficult at first, with the simple examples and educational videos made by the technical and media team of the Obelisk Organization, the System functions for illiterate people were then presented with ease and in a way that could be easily grasped.

"You're right. I remember the times when I have to learn on my own."

Amelie seemed to feel nostalgic for a moment. Ever since she was a kid, who was sold as a slave in the black market or Thorn of Rose, she had to learn by herself and for herself. Moreover, all she had learned were tactics on how to assassinate someone.

Her routine being a slave or puppet of her previous organization was to produce Dark Tears, and trained to entice and assassinate someone.

"Uh, anyway, let's call them. I apologize for suddenly becoming nostalgic. Haha, it's inappropriate at a time like this."

Amelie faintly smiled with a bit of embarrassment.

"Don't worry about it. Having someone to vent out with whatever thoughts you have... probably, that's one of a kind."

Russell then stopped hacking the Elderwood Training Dummy as he shot a glance at Amelie, then nodded.

"Freya, Ken, Amery-! Time out for now! Come here, the three of you."

Amelie said as she beckoned the three of them.

Amery and Ken were sparring or more like the latter getting a one-sided beating. On the other hand, Freya was practicing her swordsmanship alone, to be more focused, from the other corner of the training ground.

But all of these came to a halt with Amelie's voice, in which the three above-mentioned names complied without any expression of reluctance.

***

"Here are your Mercenary I.D."

Forming a circle as they sat in a lotus position at the side of the arena, Russell handed each of them the newly printed identification card, which was the evidence that they were genuine mercenaries.

"Whoa, so they really just copied our faces on our Obelisk I.D., huh?"

Amelie spoke cheerfully as she scrutinized the identification card in her hand. The others, except for Russell, did the same.

"Alright. This is the beginning of our journey as a mercenary group, but I'd like to make some announcements first."

The others, who were fidgeting with their respective identification cards, stopped and focused on Russell, who seemed tense at this moment.

Letting out a sigh of resignation, and subconsciously shaking his head, Russell then continued to deliver to them the news without beating around the bush.

"Samantha Hall also becomes a member of our mercenary group."

Myriads of expressions were evident in their faces — Amery's eyes seemed to remain cold, but her thoughts were somewhat in turmoil; Freya's eyes constricted, shooting glares at her older brother, and seemingly wanting to demand an explanation; Ken, though, had a look of a surprise because Samantha was one of the renowned individuals throughout the Orion Continent, but they got her as a member of the mercenary group. In other words, his mind didn't think of how it happened; and lastly, Amelie was on the verge of cackling.

"Well, you see. This is what happened..."

Russell, without waiting for them to ask, recounted everything that had happened — from the moment that Samantha just suddenly appeared, as well as the unexpected dinner, but he highlighted the conversation regarding the Fourteen Days Founding of Deep Connections.

"I see... That's what happened, huh."

Freya revealed a faint smile, but Russell just brushed it off as he continued to speak regarding the role of the mercenary group.

"Our mercenary group's name is Umbra, which means darkness or shadow, and based on that, we will be the kind of mercenary group that will work behind the scenes.

"Anyway, is there a question any of you are curious about before I proceed with our plans to be implemented?"

Russell asked, glancing at each of them. After a few seconds, Ken reluctantly raised his right hand.

"Uh, although it's something that barely helps, I just want to know the difference between an Adventurer and a Mercenary. Aren't they practically the same?"

"Hmm... they seem to be, but they aren't. And don't consider it as a seemingly useless question because that's quite an important one.

"Alright. Adventurers are players that are affiliated with a guild, while Mercenaries are players who don't have any affiliation but also contribute by paying necessary taxes to continue existing.

"And we know that the purpose of Adventurers is to explore uncharted territories, especially outside the Orion Continent, and raid any form of dungeons.

"But the Mercenaries, like what we would become, can be hired to do some work for them. In other words, we can be with anyone, but without strings attached after the job is done.

"If you are still confused, how about a player that's not affiliated with any guild, and also not a part of any mercenary group? Well, they're the same as Adventurers, but in a freelance mode."

Russell diligently explained to Ken, which was also taken note of by others.

"I see... I think I get it now. In other words, we are getting paid by doing what others wanted, right?"

Ken, rubbing his chin subconsciously, responded to Russell's explanation.

"Yes. That's right. But it doesn't mean that we can take on jobs that are difficult or life-threatening."

'Well, I created this mercenary group just for some crucial things in the future, but we also need a good reputation.'

Russell faintly smiled as he thought of the upcoming disasters, far more grave than Black Sky Disorder's first terror attack.

"Anyways, just as the name of our mercenary group, and to be clear with the four of you, I'll be the one who will be working in the shadows, and you four... Or five, including Samantha, will be working up front to increase the Umbra's reputation."

Russell then continued explaining to them why that was the case, which Freya was first worried about, but then reluctantly agreed in the end.

"That will be all for Umbra. Now, let's discuss how we should get Ken a Star Contract from a Constellation, a God, or a Goddess, which I believed was now also thoroughly explained in the guidelines that were published by the Obelisk Organization."

Ken felt elated upon hearing about the possibility of having a Star Contract.

***

A few moments later...

"Hahahaha-!"

Amelie couldn't help but guffaw at the realization they had arrived at.

It would be hard for Ken Raven to receive a Star Contract from a higher being because of one reason, which was his Attribute: Nihility.

As every Chaos Companion of Russell possessed such an Attribute, it meant that the eyes of higher beings were being somewhat deviated away from them. In other words, even though Ken was now skilled enough to get the interest of some higher beings, there was nothing he could read in the System about any of it.

"I forgot about that..."

Russell whispered, pondering for a moment.

For him, the Attribute: Nihility remained as a mysterious one because it could either activate to completely conceal their presence just like when Czerina stabbed him before, or it could also passively hide their presence from the higher beings, like when the mysterious Egg sulked, causing some True Ancient Constellations to look at Earth.

But, as the System had told him, the Attribute: Nihility was now stronger than it was previously. Although he didn't know what that truly implied, Russell was certain that it arrived at the point when the eyes of higher beings, though would momentarily land on them, would only see uninterested prospect players.

In addition, they could edit their respective Status Windows, which they were also doing occasionally. It, however, would also cause the higher beings to lose interest in them.

"H-how about the Student Council President's previous Constellation? Hahahaha-!"

Amelie teased Ken, who was feeling dejected.

'Speaking of that Constellation, since Arthur Wolfson died, he probably cast his gaze somewhere. That's just how his nature is.'

Russell thought, remembering the personality of the Constellation that he had created to be Arthur's Constellation in his unpublished novel.

Although the Constellation was an evil one, he was someone that didn't dare to pry into mysteries and just wanted to make puppets of any beings he considered lower. In other words, when Arthur Wolfson's head rolled on the ground and the connection between them was on the verge of getting cut off, his Evil Constellation, due to Nihility that made him unable to see what happened to his Champion, voluntarily severed his connection with Arthur and didn't even retrieve Arthur's soul.

'He's a scaredy cat, but I'm glad I made him that way.'

Russell thought, realizing the hilarious behavior of Arthur Wolfson's previous Constellation.

"Hmm... I have an idea."

Russell's words ended Amelie's temporary satisfaction with one's misfortune.

With that, he explained to Ken how to get the interest or attention of some higher beings.

'The right one will see through him, after all.'

Russell thought as the first meeting after they became a certified mercenary group ended.

***

Sitting in front of the long mottled table, Elizabeth von Etherion was lost in thoughts. Her heart, however, was on the verge of collapsing because of the pent-up emotions she had been enduring since she discovered the truth behind the death of his father.

"My dear, what's the matter? Are you not able to sleep?"

Eliana didn't understand why her daughter called her in the middle of the night, especially here in their dining area.

"Mother..."

With a faint smile and seemingly dead light green eyes as though she barely had any sleep for the past few weeks, Elizabeth muttered.

Eliana then took a seat just beside her. Feeling that something was wrong with her precious daughter, Eliana then hugged her smoothly.

But before she managed to do so, Elizabeth raised her hand, blocking the incoming embrace of her mother.

"W-what's wrong my dear..?"

"Mother... I-I want to know something first."

"...What is it that you want to know?"

Eliana's thoughts seemed to be disrupted by the sudden development.

Taking a slow deep breath, Elizabeth then spoke what was in her mind, something superficial at least.

"The attacker on Alastor's capital told Samantha about her father's sins... Did you know anything about that?"

Eliana's heart skipped a beat upon hearing the unexpected question. Her reaction didn't go unnoticed by her daughter.

"...Elizabeth, don't believe every word that came out of her mouth."

"Ha... Of course, you would say that. But the funny thing is we were spared just because she perhaps wanted to kill us in front of our respective, very own parents, right?

"Like, how can someone possess such an immense grudge?

"Stop lying mother, you know something about what happened or whatever Samantha's father did."

Elizabeth's tone was becoming unfilial.

"You should go to bed. It's late."

Brushing off her daughter's words, Eliana turned her back as she slowly walked away.

But Elizabeth's next words caused her to stop moving and her body trembled.

"Yeah... It's late. Just like when I came to know that I'm the one who killed father."