Chapter 98: Great Family Gathering

What exactly was this great family gathering?

Based on Lurker’s explanation. It was exactly what the name implied, an assembly bringing together every great family to discuss and decide on matters concerning the welfare and continued survival of humanity.

This gathering took place roughly every few months. The exact timing was never fixed, since it was only convened whenever a Rank-A Hunter returned from their mission with something significant to report.

So, fundamentally, this was a gathering called specifically because a Rank-A Hunter had returned with important information to deliver to the great families, who currently served as the pillars protecting humanity whenever none of the legends happened to be present within the safe zone.

As one might expect, only individuals holding substantial influence over humanity’s fate attended this gathering.

Not just anyone, but those with genuinely enormous influence!

’So, why exactly am I being invited!?’

Julian felt like his soul might just leap right out of his body. But, fine, as shocked as he currently was, there seemed to be a fairly clear explanation behind this.

It was easy enough to say Julian had been invited because the widespread misunderstanding surrounding him had now reached a point where people genuinely believed he held enormous influence over humanity, through the power he supposedly possessed.

’And here I am, still genuinely just a Rank-D.’

That was exactly the problem.

Julian anxiously watched Lurker, who returned his gaze with genuine seriousness, brimming with a confidence that suggested Julian’s presence at this gathering was something entirely appropriate.

Julian was genuinely tempted to refuse right then and there. But, at the same time, he recalled that this gathering was being held specifically because a Rank-A Hunter had returned with information crucial to humanity’s continued survival.

Recalling his conversation with Aveela also made Julian realize that, if he genuinely intended to do something about the current state of the world, then attending this gathering and gathering clear information was undoubtedly the right move.

’Ugh...’

Julian parted his lips, feeling like he was about to swallow something foul, his entire being resisting whatever words he was about to say. But through sheer force of will, he finally spoke.

"I’ll attend."

"Really!?"

Lurker’s reaction genuinely startled Julian. Because the man, who always looked so calm and composed, now appeared thoroughly excited, hearing Julian’s agreement.

Julian froze, while on the other side, Lurker, realizing his own reaction, quickly cleared his throat, embarrassed.

"Sorry, I got a bit too excited there. Anyway! Thank you so much for agreeing to attend, Lord Julian! I’ll get you the exact details on when this gathering will take place shortly."

"Oh... alright."

Still a little awkward, Julian simply answered calmly and gave a nod.

After that, he watched Lurker say his goodbyes and head off toward his own black limousine.

And so, that was how Julian ended up agreeing to attend a certain gathering, while, on the other side, Kina had also finally departed for the Elite Academy.

Watching all these developments unfold, Julian let out a slow breath.

’I genuinely wonder... how have I actually managed to survive this far?’

Julian found himself questioning that. He felt it was a somewhat ridiculous question, yet it genuinely left him curious.

He was truly curious how he’d made it this far, even after all his earlier laziness.

Well, regardless, Julian let all those questions go for now. He didn’t dwell on them too much, since what actually mattered was the present, and whatever future lay ahead.

After that, roughly four more days passed, and Julian finally reached a decision after receiving several replies from Aveela, who’d proven remarkably difficult to reach.

The woman had kept rambling on and on about how difficult it was to get any signal out there. But somehow, she’d genuinely managed to get a signal through even while so far removed from human civilization.

—So, you really want to meet Aclyris? Good! You’ve already prepared what you want to trade, right?

—Because, as you’ve seen, Aclyris doesn’t deal in our currency. That creature trades by exchanging their goods for something of equivalent value instead.

—And, by the way, the place where Aclyris resides is genuinely dangerous territory. Can you actually make it there safely? No, wait, since when did you become this brave, anyway?

—Ah, and could I get a photo of you right now? I’ve been missing you a bit.

"...She really does sound lonely."

Julian couldn’t help but find Aveela’s messages genuinely amusing.

His manager, who barely ever used her phone since she preferred talking things out directly, had just sent him a fairly long string of messages.

And it was clear enough from all of it that his manager was probably feeling a little lonely. Julian felt a flicker of sympathy, but he also had no intention of sending her a photo.

That would feel genuinely awkward.

So, instead, he simply replied briefly.

—Once manager has some free time, we could go out for a meal together, and a drink, something strong.

Julian no longer worried about getting drunk. After all, his body, now under the strength of Rank-D, had grown so powerful that alcohol, or even a mild poison, would no longer have any effect on him whatsoever.

That was something Julian had learned after overhearing a few people discuss it, and of course, Julian had also tested it out for himself.

With that, Julian switched off his phone, then felt his stomach starting to churn uncomfortably.

"...Should I use Fearless right now?"

The feeling had grown genuinely unbearable, to the point where Julian actually considered committing some petty crime just to get himself arrested and thrown into prison.

That way, he wouldn’t have to go anywhere near that dangerous territory at all.

But he held back that wave of fear, yes, he genuinely tried to push through it. Yet in the end, Julian simply couldn’t manage it, so he finally decided to activate Fearless right then and there.

The moment he used that skill, a tangible shift immediately took hold.

"...What exactly was I even afraid of?"

Everything felt like nonsense again, just like before.

Julian blinked, then let out a breath.

There was a fairly clear reason why Julian had decided to head into that invaded territory even though he still wasn’t strong enough.

First and foremost, it was thanks to Fearless’s push, which clearly convinced Julian there was nothing left to fear.

But there were two other reasons as well.

The second was that Ilunia knew a safe route, while the third was that the acquaintance Ilunia had mentioned had already checked and cleared that path for them.

So, what else was there to be afraid of?

No. Actually, why should Julian be afraid at all, in the first place?

"Well, let’s go meet Ilunia first."

Ilunia should already be waiting at the Academy gate by now. So, Julian took one last glance around his house, let out a small sigh, and then his entire body vanished as he used Flash Step, a skill he could now wield with far greater ease since his recent breakthrough.