Chapter 691 Future Plans
Erik's gaze was distant, his mind still entwined with the perplexing Thaid he had seen on the screen, when an unexpected knock on his door hoicked him from his reverie.
"Who is it?"
"It's Kael," the voice on the other side said.
"Come in," Erik said, his tone welcoming. He shifted from his chair, moving to sit at his desk, his posture relaxed yet attentive.
Kael, with his dark complexion and distinctive prominent nose, entered the room, his short, well-groomed brown hair adding to his distinguished look.
His burly build and notably muscular arms spoke of strength, yet his thoughtful demeanor revealed a penchant for intellectual challenges.
As Kael stepped into Erik's room for the first time, he was struck by its stark simplicity. The room, belonging to a man of Erik's stature, was unexpectedly sparse.
A lone bed, a desk with a single chair, a basic bathroom, and a modest bedside table comprised the entire furnishings. The absence of personal touches or decorations was conspicuous, painting a picture of someone who either spent very little time in personal space or had little interest in it.
The bare walls, devoid of any photos or artwork, and the lack of any items that suggested hobbies or personal interests hinted at a deeper, unspoken melancholy.
The room felt more like a temporary shelter than a home, reflecting a sense of detachment or perhaps an underlying sadness in Erik. This minimalism suggested an inner turmoil or a profound distraction that left no room for the ordinary pleasures or comforts of life.
With a nod, he greeted Erik, his expression showing seriousness. "I came to discuss what we're going to do about what we found," he said, referring to the azure Thaid captured in the black box footage.
Erik gestured for Kael to take a seat. "I was just reviewing that video. For now, we keep this a secret."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Why? That thing is undoubtedly beyond anything we can handle. Shouldn't we warn people?"
Erik shook his head. "I want to investigate this further before taking any final decision," he said, his hand brushing his chin in contemplation. "The video only shows part of the Thaid's strength. If I can kill it, I want to do it, but if it is too strong even for me, things must be done with more care." His eyes narrowed.
"Maybe collaborate with the Band of Giants," Erik suggested, but as he spoke, his gaze shifted away, betraying a sense of reluctance.
He was hesitating at his own suggestion, as if the very idea of collaboration sat uneasily with him. His facial expression tightened. Reaching out to the Band of Giants was not a course of action he favored.
There was a stiffness in his posture that emerged as he mentioned them, suggesting an internal resistance to the idea, as if he were considering all options but found this one unpalatable.
"Besides, there are other things going on that concern me more," he said, his gaze returning to Kael, showing a seriousness that underscored the weight of his words.
Kael leaned forward, his brow furrowed in concern. "What could be more concerning than the presence of that monster?" He trusted Erik's judgment. If Erik deemed something more pressing than this Thaid, the situation was indeed serious.
Erik held up a hand, signaling a need for discretion. "I can't discuss it right now, but trust me, there are a lot of things going on in the city that demand us to be prepared."
Kael paused. "All right," he said. "You're going to search for the monster by yourself? Are you sure that's wise?"
Erik leaned back in his chair, a calm, resolute expression on his face. He met Kael's worried gaze with a steady look. "There's no one else in the city able to handle this besides me. You know that as well as I do." His voice was even, exuding a quiet confidence.
Kael sighed, his expression turning serious. "I do, but Erik, judging by what we've seen, this is far more dangerous than it appears. We checked it ourself. This Thaid doesn't appear on any databases, not even those on the dark net. We don't know what it can do."
Erik nodded. "I'm aware of the risks, Kael. But the fact remains that there's no alternative and I need the guild to focus on growing right now. I will do it while you, Noah and the others manage the guild."
Kael observed Erik's expression. One of the rare individuals permitted seeing him unmasked. He scrutinized Erik's features, looking for any trace of doubt or uncertainty in his decision. Seeing no such signs, Kael spoke.
"Alright, if that's your decision. Just remember, there's no financial gain in this, and you're exposing yourself to danger," Kael said, his voice tinged with concern as he leaned forward.
Erik responded, his expression resolute. "I understand," he said. "But I've been considering a trip soon. This situation simply adds another purpose to it."
Kael gave a slow nod. "Alright then," he said.
As Kael rose to leave, Erik's voice halted him. "Before you go, there's something else. I'm planning on establishing some shifts for the guild members. We need to improve our members' level of strength, and I want people to focus on increasing their neural links. They won't be able to take quests every day."
Kael paused, digesting the information. His expression shifted to one of contemplation. "That's a smart move. The stronger each member is individually, the more powerful our guild becomes. I'll pass the word along," he said.
"Excellent." There was a hint of satisfaction in Erik's voice. "Make sure everyone understands the importance of this. We're entering uncertain times and must be prepared for whatever comes our way."
Kael observed Erik. "You seem damn sure about this."
"I am."
Kael gave a last nod, his face showing resolve. "Understood, Erik. I'll make sure everyone gets the message."
Once their conversation had concluded, Kael exited the room, shutting the door with a soft click that resonated in the stillness of Erik's space. He found himself left alone in the room, so he reclined in his chair, allowing his mind to drift back to the enigmatic Azure Thaid.
However, amid all this intrigue, Erik realized he needed to shift his attention towards more pressing matters. There were responsibilities that demanded his attention, and these responsibilities were both pressing and unavoidable.
Lost in deep contemplation, he remained seated with his gaze fixed on some distant point, pondering the countless challenges and unknowns that the future held.
The first item on his agenda was to expand his business operations. Erik had a vision of a guild that could sustain itself, generating its own weapons, armor, and vehicles.
Although it would lead to an increase in the overall expenses, they could offset it by selling their merchandise and earning a profit. Everything seemed fine, except for the fact that he was expected to pay an initial lump sum to get things started.
In order to accomplish this goal, he had to bring together a group of highly skilled individuals, including designers who would create the blueprints, blacksmiths who would forge the weapons, engineers who would construct the machinery, and mechanics who would ensure their upkeep. He had already come up with a few names he had in mind.
Erik's strategic planning encompassed more than just recruitment. His goal was to enhance the abilities of his guild members, making them faster, stronger, and more resilient warriors.
The more he thought about it, the more he realized the tremendous potential the system held in perfecting and enhancing the technique used in Liberty Watch Village.
If he were able to improve the technique for creating neural links, his team members would be able to establish these connections at a faster rate.
However, his intention was to maintain exclusivity over his superior technique, which was both faster and more efficient than any other.
By implementing this strategy, his guild members' strength would be fortified, which would distinguish them from others and guarantee their safety. This would cause the guild's prestige being elevated, which would in turn attract a wider range of talented individuals.
However, his mind was preoccupied with another ambitious project, which involved the development of a potion that could replicate the effects of expensive brain and body stimulating serums, but at a more affordable price.
Erik realized that in order to succeed in this endeavor, the system would have to conduct a thorough exploration of both alchemy and biochemistry. However, the potential benefits of giving his guild an edge in both physical and mental conditioning were too important to overlook.
Erik also realized the need for healing potions and other vital consumables. Given the nature of their operations, injuries were unavoidable.
In situations where healers were not available, having a consistent and reliable source of effective healing potions was going to be absolutely crucial.
With the intention of making things more convenient, he had the idea of setting up an alchemy lab, expecting its production would not only be beneficial for the guild, but also have the potential for successful sales in the market.
However, before diving into these ambitious plans, there was a pressing matter that needed immediate attention — a discussion with his clones. The execution of his strategies hinged on their vital participation, and their collaboration would help to initiate the actualization of his guild's future vision.
This content is taken from free web nov𝒆l.com