............As Isolde and her team descended towards Amberdale, the sight below was grim and foreboding. The once serene landscape was now shrouded in smoke and chaos. Fires raged in scattered patches across the city, casting an eerie glow against the night sky. The buildings that once stood, made from mud and stone, were now reduced to rubble, some still smoldering with embers."This is bad. Everyone, get ready. Use the defensive half-Divine tool we prepared for this occasion and jump down in groups of five. Keep me updated on your situation. Understood?" Isolde Moonshroud looked at the city, realizing they had underestimated the damage done by the foreign enemies.She shouted towards the 60 people, including herself, instructing them on what to do after jumping down, as the plane wouldn't be landing anywhere in the forest.Amberdale didn't have a completely open sky. A large tree in the middle of the city, with its vines wrapped around the city walls, cast shadows over the area.
............"Booommn....Whoosh...!!"A large crater formed at the center where Aarav, Roland, and Brian landed, their immense physical power allowing them to drop from a height of 200 meters unscathed. The Cultist Leader watching them felt his scalp tingle and his body tense, but he maintained his crazy smile."Whoosh!" Aarav made a simple swipe in front of him, instantly clearing away the dust and debris, revealing the devastated city before them."This is...!" Roland and Brian were expecting it, but seeing the destruction firsthand reminded them of the tragedy of their own city, making their expressions grim and filled with rage."Keep your cool. Don't charge in recklessly. We need to secure the citizens first if they are still alive," Aarav said in a calm tone, despite feeling his blood boil with rage. He felt the bloodlust directed at him and turned his gaze toward the man in the black robe, only his head visible."Alright, spread out and help secure the citizens. If anyone gets
............"Craaack....Booommn...!!" Finally, with a shattering sound, the portal collapsed, the dark energy dissipating into nothingness. Aarav fell to his knees, exhausted but relieved.The Cultist Leader lay on the ground, defeated and broken. He looked up at Aarav with a mix of fear and anger. "This isn’t over," he hissed. "You can’t stop what’s coming."Aarav met his gaze with a cold, icy look. "You won’t have to care when you're already dead," he said, before delivering a final, decisive blow to the Cultist Leader, ending the threat once and for all."Huffff... I am still not strong enough. A single bastard was able to make me breathless...!!" As the dust settled, Aarav took a moment to catch his breath.The battle wasn't over, as he knew there were more of these cultists. He just hoped they weren’t as strong as this one; otherwise, they would be fighting a losing battle."Sigh... I have other crazy bastards to deal with," Aarav muttered as he walked away with unsteady steps.
............"Rise, both of you," Aarav said gently. "There is no need for punishment. The past cannot be changed, but we can ensure a better future. You did what you could under the circumstances, and now we must focus on rebuilding and healing."Archbishop Deniel and Elder Thistlewood hesitated for a moment before rising to their feet. Relief washed over their faces, though guilt lingered in their eyes."You have served Amberdale faithfully," Aarav continued. "Now, I need your help to restore hope and order to our people. They need leaders who can guide them through these dark times.""Yes, my Lord," Archbishop Deniel replied, his voice filled with renewed determination. "We will do everything in our power to aid in the recovery."Elder Thistlewood nodded in agreement. "We will not let you down again, my Lord."Aarav gave them a reassuring smile. "I know you won't. Now, let's work together to bring light back to Amberdale. But before that, let me heal you. You look battered and bru
............As Aarav and Lyra walked through the bustling streets, the vibrant atmosphere of Topaz Summit City filled him with excitement."Oh, wow, look at those shiny crystals!" Lyra squealed, skipping from one stall to another with stars in her eyes. Aarav shook his head with a wry smile, watching Lyra’s antics. "Typical woman," he muttered, continuing to follow her.The Crystal Market was a sight to behold, with stalls overflowing with glittering gems, handcrafted jewelry, and rare herbs. Merchants called out their wares, and the air buzzed with the sounds of haggling and laughter."This way," Lyra said, leading him toward a tall, spiraling tower made of smooth, polished stone. "This is the Tower of Clarity. It’s where the city's leaders and healers gather to discuss important matters and share their knowledge."Aarav was impressed by the intricate carvings that adorned the tower's surface, depicting scenes of climbers scaling peaks and healers channeling energy through crystals
............Aarav followed Karan to a quieter area away from the crowd and guided Aarav and Lyra to a nice, quiet café. There were only a few people there, making it a peaceful place to sit."Thank you again," Karan said sincerely. "You really saved my life up there."Aarav smiled kindly. "I'm glad I could help. What happened up there?"Karan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I misjudged the stability of the rock. It's my first time at this competition, and I guess I got a bit too eager.""Climbing can be unpredictable," Aarav agreed. "But you handled it well until help arrived. That's important."Aarav and Karan talked a bit more before Karan asked if Aarav needed any help since he had connections in the city and could assist him. Aarav learned that Karan Miles was actually the son of the City Head of Topaz Summit City.While Aarav was having fun chatting with Karen Miles and waiting for his things he had requested in the Tower of Clarity.......Meanwhile, In the contine
............"Hello, travelers! Where can I take you? Are you here to sightsee?" A middle-aged man asked two suited men as they approached his cab after exiting the airport of Verdiara City."No, we're here on business. Take us to that building over there," one of them replied in a calm tone, pointing at a blurry structure in the distance.Even though the airport is miles away from the city, that single tall and majestic building can be seen clearly, though it appears blurry from such a distance. Anyone can recognize whose building it is."Oh, so you're familiar with the company that building belongs to," the middle-aged man said with surprise, nodding before gesturing for them to sit and put their luggage in the trunk.After they settled in, he asked a question as he started driving away from the airport."No, we aren't that familiar with the company, but we do know who the CEO is and some other details. Mister, you asked as if you know something about it," the suited man replied su
............"Hello, Ms. Rossi, I am Armin Nikol and this is my partner Rema Khan. We are thankful that you accepted our request for this meeting." They kept their polite smiles and shook her hand as they introduced themselves.Elara Rossi, the CEO, smiled warmly as she settled into her seat. "I'm really looking forward to your presentation. I've heard great things about your project and I'm excited to see what you have to share."Armin and Rema exchanged a quick, delighted glance. Encouraged by her words, they felt a renewed sense of confidence.Armin began, "Thank you, Ms. Rossi. We're thrilled to have this opportunity to present our proposal."Rema continued, "Our project focuses on transforming the infrastructure field. We've developed a groundbreaking technology that significantly enhances both the speed and safety of construction processes."Armin took over, "This technology allows us to work ten times faster than traditional methods while maintaining high safety standards. It