Online Game: I Started with Max Charisma and Caught the Goddess's Eye

At Shelter 102, Donlow was anxiously waiting for word from Drumph.

It had already been an entire day since Drumph had left the shelter to head for the Imperial Capital. Under normal circumstances, he should have already spoken with Luca, and by now Donlow should have received Luca’s thoughts through him.

“Why hasn’t any news come through yet? Could it be that Drumph has run into trouble as well?”

Pacing back and forth in her office, Donlow’s mind kept conjuring up one possible mishap after another.

“I can’t just sit here waiting any longer. I need to reach out to him myself!”

Her patience was finally worn thin; Donlow resolved to initiate contact with Drumph.

Just then, the door to her office was suddenly knocked on.

“Come in!”

The door opened, and Fuzzsir stepped inside.

“Nova suddenly showed up at the entrance of the shelter. She says she has something very important to discuss with us. Should we let her in?”

The message caught Donlow somewhat by surprise.

They had been near the Daskhollow Base before, where the chaos energy was overwhelming and hordes of monsters roamed. For Nova to make it to the shelter’s gate could only mean she had already cleared out all the monsters around Daskhollow Base.

“Let her in. I’m very curious to know how she managed to wipe out every monster in Daskhollow Gorge so quickly,” Donlow said in a calm tone.

A few minutes later, Donlow, Fuzzsir, and Nova sat together in the shelter’s conference room.

“Daskhollow Base was completely destroyed in the battle. You must help me rebuild it!” Nova declared bluntly.

Donlow and Fuzzsir didn’t respond right away. They simply sat there in silence, watching Nova.

“Of course, I’m not asking for your help for nothing. Once it’s done, I’ll offer you my support in return.”

Nova knew the people of Morning Star would never offer assistance so easily. She had to work hard to persuade them.

“To show my sincerity, let me first tell you everything that happened at Daskhollow Base—every detail from the moment the monster horde arrived up until the moment I made it here to your shelter.”

And with that, Nova recounted in detail the entire series of events.

She laid out every last detail.

Nova didn’t conceal anything about Silent Dark Shadow’s fighting style or the additional powers it had gained after successfully ascending to godhood. She even disclosed the full intelligence regarding the weapons stored in Daskhollow Base’s arsenal.

After listening to Nova’s account, both Donlow and Fuzzsir agreed that her sincerity was beyond doubt. At the same time, however, they couldn’t help but feel deeply unsettled by Silent Dark Shadow’s successful ascension.

The emergence of a chaos deity in the real world was bound to trigger a chain of far-reaching consequences. Still, at least for the moment, it wasn’t something they themselves needed to worry about. The ones who truly had to shoulder that burden were Luca, Drumph, and the higher echelons of the Federation.

After a moment of quiet thought, Donlow finally spoke, her tone gentle.

“You are indeed very sincere, and I am willing to help you rebuild Daskhollow Base. But our own situation here is dire. Even though the monster horde didn’t completely destroy the shelter, you must have noticed that our defensive walls are in shambles. We can’t even manage to patch up our own defenses—how could we possibly spare the resources to help you?”

Donlow’s words left Nova bitterly disappointed. Yet, she had already prepared herself for the worst before coming. After only a brief pang of discouragement, she quickly steadied her emotions.

“In that case, could you at least take me along in your next operation? You’re well aware of my strength. I won’t be a burden to you.”

The reason Nova wanted to move together with Morning Star’s members was simple—she believed that wherever they acted, Senator Devitt would inevitably be drawn in.

Faced with her request, Donlow and Fuzzsir didn’t give an immediate answer. Both felt it would be best to inform Drumph and Luca and let them make the decision.

After a moment’s hesitation, Fuzzsir finally said,

“I don’t object to acting alongside you, but we can’t decide this ourselves. We’ll pass your request on to Drumph. If he agrees, then you can come with us.”

Hearing that, a satisfied smile spread across Nova’s face.

“That’s wonderful! I’m certain Drumph will agree.”

With those words, she kept her eyes fixed on Fuzzsir, smiling all the while, hoping he would hurry and seek Drumph’s opinion.

Fuzzsir glanced over at Donlow, and Donlow gave him a slight nod.

Without another word, Fuzzsir left the conference room.

“Since Daskhollow Base has already been completely destroyed, why don’t you stay here in the shelter for the time being?” Donlow suggested with a smile.

Nova hesitated for a moment, but after a brief consideration, she nodded in agreement.

“You’re right. Daskhollow Base is far too dangerous right now. I’ll stay here.”

Donlow’s suggestion wasn’t out of concern for Nova’s safety. What she truly wanted was to keep Nova within the shelter, where she could be watched and contained.

For Morning Star, the situation had already grown critical. Donlow had no intention of letting Nova—or the Zenith Technology Company standing behind her—cause any further trouble.

Imperial Capital, Morning Star Headquarters.

After receiving Fuzzsir’s inquiry, Drumph didn’t make an immediate decision. Instead, he resolved to first consult Luca’s opinion.

At that very moment, inside the lounge, Luca sensed a surge of powerful chaotic energy drawing closer to the Imperial Capital.

Though his injuries had not yet healed, his max-level Perception ability allowed him to detect what ordinary people could never hope to perceive.

“A powerful monster is approaching the Imperial Capital! I can’t determine its exact nature yet,” Luca muttered to himself.

He wasn’t speaking only to himself; the words were meant for Sophia as well.

Sophia quickly pressed him: “I can’t feel any strong monster approaching. What kind of traits does this monster you’re sensing have?”

“It’s surrounded by a strong aura of curses—but those curses are somewhat different from the ones we’ve encountered before. Moreover, the chaotic energy it carries has a very distinct quality. The chaos itself reeks of ill omen.”

Luca spoke slowly as he concentrated on the monster’s essence. Then, all at once, his eyes shot open.

“I know who it is! The monster approaching is Silent Dark Shadow! No one else could possibly radiate such a signature.”

Luca’s judgment came swiftly and with certainty.

Sophia didn’t voice any objection.

After hearing Luca’s words, she too felt that Silent Dark Shadow was the most likely explanation.

Even so, she still had lingering doubts.

With a trace of hesitation, she asked,

“Why would Silent Dark Shadow come to the Imperial Capital? Could it be that it wants to use this moment, right after its ascension, to completely destroy the city?”

“No! I don’t believe it’s here to cause trouble for humans,” Luca said gravely.

“You mean…” Sophia began slowly, her voice tinged with uncertainty, “it’s here to go after Zenobia?”

“Yes. That’s the only explanation that makes sense!”

“But it’s only just become a god. How could a newly ascended monster dare to challenge Zenobia? And Zenobia isn’t even guaranteed to be near the Imperial Capital!”

Sophia was visibly shocked. If Luca’s judgment was correct, then they were about to be dragged into yet another devastating battle.

“I don’t know the full picture,” Luca admitted, his tone faintly wistful, “but this is the only reasonable conclusion.”

By his estimation, Silent Dark Shadow and Zenobia were on the verge of clashing near the Imperial Capital. The battle between them would inevitably spill over into the city itself.

And once that happened, Luca knew he would be forced to intervene.

“It seems, no matter what, we can’t remain on the sidelines. We have to start preparing for battle right now,” Luca said with a touch of resignation.

Just then, the lounge door suddenly swung open, and Drumph stepped inside.

“Daskhollow Base has been completely destroyed. Nova’s gone to Shelter 102, and she wants to join us in our next operation. I’m not sure what to decide, so I came here to ask—do you think Nova should be allowed to act with us?”

Without hesitation, Luca replied,

“If Nova is willing to fight alongside us, then let her come.”

“Alright. I’ll send the message back to Shelter 102 immediately,” Drumph said, already turning to leave.

But at that moment, Luca called out sharply to stop him.

“Bring Nova directly to the Imperial Capital. Another fierce battle is about to erupt here.”

Luca’s words left Drumph standing frozen in shock.

Luca then explained the reasons behind his warning.

By the time he finished, Drumph’s expression had grown extremely grave.

“I understand. I’ll bring Nova here right away, and I’ll make sure my men are fully prepared for battle. No matter what kind of enemy we face, we must ensure the safety of the Imperial Capital! The Imperial Capital must never be destroyed!” Drumph declared solemnly.

Luca gave a small nod, acknowledging his resolve.

Without wasting another moment, Drumph quickly left.

“It seems he still has no idea just how powerful the enemy we’re about to face really is. He’s far too blindly confident,” Sophia remarked, her tone edged with concern.

But Luca didn’t share her view.

“I don’t think Drumph is blindly confident. His mindset right now is exactly what it needs to be.”