Three pivotal tasks lay ahead, marking the next crucial step in Ashton's journey of evolution. While the prospect seemed promising, the reality was that achieving this goal would require an extensive amount of time.
Mainly because specific tasks were beyond Ashton's control. Specifically, there was one task that fell into this category.
The endeavour to locate a legendary creature proved to be no easy feat, as Ashton had yet to encounter one since the time they had freed Tarek from prison. That beast was an incredibly formidable adversary, and Ashton knew better than to underestimate such creatures.
Despite the challenges, Otiga had established a specialised division within ONI (Outer-Nova for Intelligence Commission) dedicated to searching and tracking legendary creatures. Unfortunately, their efforts have yielded little success thus far.
Ashton spared no expense in his pursuit, squandering Yenos in his quest. Fortunately, the demand for Ghosts and their supernatural abilities ensured a steady flow of income.
Additionally, they had also been selling Drakonian materials in the market, further bolstering their financial resources.
Each piece of Drakonian scale fetched exorbitant prices, amounting to hundreds of thousands of Yenos after factoring in the commission rate. In terms of value, a single Drakonian scale surpassed the combined worth of a hundred solar systems, including Earth-like planets.
On the topic of Earth-like planets, Earth had begun to witness an influx of various space merchants, as reported by the vampire twins, Irina and Verina, during their visit. The opportunities surrounding Earth's burgeoning trade piqued Ashton's interest.
The remaining two tasks on Ashton's list required considerable time and meticulousness. As Ashton was particularly selective when it came to choosing associates and resurrecting summons.
Ashton still needed to recruit four more members into his werewolf pack to accomplish the first task. Simultaneously, he aimed to add two more summons to his ranks in Valhalla.
These prerequisites marked the final steps before Ashton could venture into the realm of super-grade beings, among them the formidable Mazton.
"I cannot rely solely on my Cumulative levels to consider myself an A-ranked being," Ashton muttered, shaking his head in frustration.
His cumulative levels, which denoted his strength in his zompirewolf form, had already reached level 300, placing him within the mid-tier A-grade classification.
Despite his achievements, Ashton's perfectionism prevented him from feeling content with his progress. At times, he entertained thoughts of impulsively speeding through the tasks, but he possessed enough wisdom to resist such reckless behaviour.
He knew that hasty completion might provide temporary advantages, but he would undoubtedly regret it in the long run. After all, what good would a pack of mediocre werewolves and subpar undead summons serve?
Ashton faced similar contemplation when it came to Tarek. However, he recognised the immense value of investing in Tarek's conversion. Tarek possessed invaluable knowledge about the cult and had the potential to create various scientific equipment tailored to the Ghosts' specific needs. The benefits of having Tarek as an ally outweighed any doubts Ashton may have had.
In the interim, Ashton and his trusted lieutenants focused their efforts on preparing for the highly anticipated Orion Ball.
Vulcan, on the other hand, chose to abstain from engaging with an immature emperor and empire. Instead, he resolved to honour his promise and engage in a friendly sparring session with Flintmace.
Upon learning of Vulcan's decision, even Ashton began to reconsider attending the event. After all, it was a rare occasion when one got to witness two S-grade beings facing off against each other.
Despite his reservations about witnessing the intense battle between Vulcan and Flintmace, Ashton understood the importance of maintaining diplomatic relations with the Orion Empire.
The Orion Ball served as a significant opportunity to solidify alliances and forge new connections. With this in mind, Ashton resolved to attend the event, fully aware of the spectacle that awaited him.
The Orion Ball was not merely a social gathering or a display of extravagance but a conjunction of power, ambition, and destiny. Ashton's presence as the guest of honour marked the culmination of his efforts and his rise as a significant figure within the supernatural realm.
In the days leading up to the ball, Ashton also took the time to reflect on his journey thus far. He pondered the challenges he had overcome, the losses they had suffered as a team, and the sacrifices they had made along the way.
As the preparations for the Orion Ball continued, Ashton and his team found themselves engrossed in the intricate details of the upcoming affair.
They worked closely with the tailors, discussing design elements and colour schemes and ensuring that each costume reflected their personalities and roles within the group.
While the men grumbled about the discomfort of their attire, the women revelled in the excitement of dressing up for such a grand occasion. Even Kass, usually more inclined towards practical matters, embraced the chance to indulge in something "girly" alongside her female companions.
As the days passed and the Orion Ball drew nearer, tension mounted within Ashton's team. The prospect of encountering influential figures, both human and supernatural, filled them with a mix of excitement and apprehension.
They knew their actions and interactions at the ball could have far-reaching consequences, shaping their future endeavours and alliances.
Meanwhile, Tarek continued to prove his worth to the Ghosts. His vast knowledge of the cult and scientific expertise became indispensable assets as he worked closely with Otiga.
Tarek worked tirelessly to adapt existing technology and develop new equipment tailored to the Ghosts' unique abilities and needs. His contributions elevated the team's efficiency and effectiveness, earning him the respect and admiration of his newfound comrades.
Ashton recognised the symbiotic relationship between Tarek and the Ghosts. The more they invested in Tarek's development and integration within the group, the greater their collective strength became.
But that wasn't all. As the Ghosts progressed, they made many enemies as well. Some of them were the other mercenary groups that weren't too pleased with the Ghost's sudden rise to power and chose the Orion ball to 'teach' them a lesson.
Unfortunately for them, Ashton had already learned about their childish venture, thanks to ONI and was planning a surprise of his own.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel