Chapter 74: Meeting and Attack
Control Bureau L-1 Base, Conference Room.
The gray-haired, somewhat scholarly four-eyed individual sat calmly at the left end of the long conference table, looking at the documents in his hand. Beside him stood the administrator of the L-1 Base, Anderson, like an attendant.
At the head seat at the end of the long table sat another elderly, yet robust four-eyed individual with the physique of a giant bear, resting with his eyes closed.
Suddenly, the robust four-eyed individual opened his eyes abruptly.
The next moment, the conference room door was pushed open, and a figure clad in a black robe, with a black crow perched on their shoulder, walked into the conference room.
"..."
Looking at the robust figure at the end of the conference room, Richard's pupils slightly contracted.
"Level 6 Creatures!?"
The aura of the robust four-eyed individual at the end of the conference table was well-concealed, yet Richard still sensed a heart-stopping danger emanating from him.
This was hard to explain as anything other than a Level 6 Creature.
"It seems the annexation plan needs to be adjusted."
After a brief silence, Richard looked at the scholarly four-eyed individual who seemed to be reading the documents while actually focusing on him, and smiled as he spoke: "It looks like the bureau's matters are quite busy, with you still reviewing documents at this time, sir."
The scholarly four-eyed individual organized the documents on the table, then stood up and smiled at Richard: "There have been quite a few disturbances lately, please forgive us, esteemed one. I am Avery, the Director of the Control Bureau. This is my old friend, Grig, the Minister of Operations at the Control Bureau."
As he spoke, he made a gesture of introduction towards the robust four-eyed individual.
Grig looked at Richard, his four blue eyes focusing like lenses, scrutinizing Richard carefully. He then spoke: "You are not in your true form, and neither is that on your shoulder."
"...Your perception is quite sharp indeed, sir."
Beside him, the Control Bureau's Director, referring to himself as Avery, showed a slight change in expression. Although he was not as powerful as Grig, he could still sense the abundant Life Energy of the person and bird in front of him, which was something only a Level 4 Operative could possess.
Now, the reality revealed that this was actually an avatar. So doesn't this mean that these two World Masters' true forms each possess such strength?
Thinking of this, Avery couldn't help but become a bit more cautious. He originally thought this would be a smooth meeting, but unexpected circumstances presented themselves right at the start.
"You are quite powerful." Grig spoke again, "If given the chance in the future, I hope to battle with your true form."
Richard courteously smiled: "If the opportunity arises, I also hope to battle with you." He then added in his mind: "But I'd rather explore the mysteries of your body on a dissection table."
Grig said no more, casting a glance at Avery, then remained as motionless as a stone. Richard could tell that this guy was definitely not one for eloquent conversation; the real cooperation and negotiation would still have to be conducted with this Avery.
"I've heard that you are a traveler?" Avery found a topic and continued the meeting.
"You could say that." Richard lied without changing his expression.
A glimmer flashed in Avery's eyes: "So, does that mean you've been to many worlds?"
"Not that many, just a dozen or so."
Listening to Richard's indifferent tone, Avery was momentarily stunned, unable to discern if Richard was bluffing or if he had truly been to that many worlds.
As the Director of the Control Bureau, he had once promoted a world exploration project. But their technology was limited, unable to accurately calculate the positions and distances of worlds. If they relied on their technology to travel to the Star Realm, it would likely take centuries to find a world.
Therefore, if what these two said was true, their technological level was surely a significant leap ahead.
In a flash of inspiration, Avery figured out the intricacies. A hint of amazement appeared on his face at the right moment, then he sincerely asked: "Have you seen the situation of our world?"
But Richard's answer left him somewhat disappointed.
"Your world is too unique. I've seen similar situations, as Anderson should have mentioned in his report, which is a world collision. But the situation in your world is somewhat exaggerated; the probability of such a level of world collision is nearly zero.
So I feel that your situation should be some natural phenomenon I haven't seen."
Richard spoke with sincerity, and Avery was slightly disappointed. He originally thought Richard was being coy about the truth, but realized Richard was not hiding anything at all. While this disappointed him, it also slightly relieved him.
Honesty is a commendable quality.
"It seems we're truly a one-in-a-million 'Chosen World' indeed." Avery smiled. After the playful words, he shifted the topic back to Richard.
"How long can you stay in our world, esteemed one?"
Richard smiled, his gaze suddenly becoming sharp.
"That depends on the intentions of you two. If the World Guardians don't want us to stay longer, we can only leave."
"What if they do?" Avery smiled, looking at Richard, his eyes equally sharp.
"We are not xenophobes. We are more than happy to make a traveler friend who doesn't cause trouble for us. If in the future, we can resolve the issues of this world, perhaps we might come looking for you two."
"Then maybe we can stay a bit longer," Richard laughed, "As travelers, we are filled with curiosity about the unique landscapes and geographical phenomena of various worlds.
The invasion phenomenon of this world is definitely worth documenting and passing down forever."
Avery laughed heartily, "It seems our expert group is going to gain a heavyweight figure."
Avery walked to Richard's side, extended his left hand, and formed a fist. Richard, who had stayed in this world for a month, knew that this gesture meant the cooperation was achieved.
In their earlier conversation, they had already reached an agreement.
Avery needed Richard and his companion not to cause trouble for him, and Richard indicated no problem, even willing to help them study the invasion phenomenon.
Of course, this was only the initial cooperation.
The invasion disaster was increasingly out of control, and the appearance of the Catastrophe Snake was a symbol. The gap between worlds is gradually disappearing, and in the future, it will be more common for World Lord Level creatures to enter this world.
The Control Bureau would definitely find ways to use Richard's combat power, which could easily handle Level 4 creatures. More in-depth cooperation would undoubtedly occur in the future.
With the cooperation achieved, Richard and Avery chatted a bit more. Richard recounted his experiences in other worlds, and the various incredible scenes of other worlds made even Avery, the Director of Control Bureau, slightly tempted.
The Control Bureau had been established for over a thousand years, and he had been the director for over a thousand years as well. If there's no suitable replacement, he would continue indefinitely.
This position with immense power is almost a cage for Avery.
Of course, the temptation was only for a moment. Any creature that reached the Fifth Level had an unyielding will and steadfast heart. They have their own creeds and beliefs; external temptations could not waver their inner resolve.
Even the Soul Mysterious Realm could only shake their hearts by completely erasing their memories and adding mental interference.
The meeting ended on a happy note for both host and guest.
Grigor left first, his work more important and busier than Avery's. Avery then discussed religion with Richard; before the meeting started, he had been reviewing documents regarding how Richard unified the entire city's religion in a month.
Regarding the cult issue, Avery had always wanted to handle it but couldn't.
Because the reason for the emergence of the cult wasn't due to any human factor, its root was in the society of the Four-eyed People. The invasion disaster was so unpredictable that even some Control Bureau agents would feel fear, let alone civilians with a less steadfast will.
So, Avery wanted to learn from Richard's experience, so that when Richard left, he could continue using religion to stabilize the public.
But just as they were talking, a violent space tremor caught their attention—because the tremor was very close to them!
Outside the Control Bureau, an inky Space Rift opened in the air, looking like a black hole's eye. But soon, the eye turned from a black hole into an Exotic Realm scene.
Through the Space Rift, agents on the ground could see a vibrant, flourishing grassland, and a giant elephant, as large as a mountain, was rushing towards the opening… no!
An operative agent with sharp eyes saw that the giant elephant was not moving on its own but was being lured by something.
"Avery, I heard you have a distinguished guest."
A grand voice echoed from nowhere, instantly sweeping through the entire Control Bureau building. Avery and Richard appeared outside at the same time, Richard somewhat eager as he looked at the approaching giant elephant in the rift, while Avery's face flushed deep blue, appearing very angry.
Richard took out the Balancing Hand and waved it gently. In the next instant, an invisible Energy Wave spread around under the curtain.
Even as a World Master, Dimension Long Range Energy Wave was still an advanced piece of witchcraft. In fact, with Richard's deepening power, the Energy Wave could penetrate deeper under the curtain, exploring even more silently.
"Avery, who is this pretender?"
"A traitor." Avery said through gritted teeth.
As he spoke, a gemstone-like blue light burst from his eyes, and his body expanded to over ten meters high. The terrifying pressure even caused agents on the ground to faint. The blue light in his eyes scanned around, trying to locate the source of the voice.
"Traitor? Such an unpleasant title."
The voice didn't change because of Avery's transformation; on the contrary, it even had the leisure to introduce itself to Richard.
"Allow me to introduce myself, I am Stassin, a former Deputy Director of the Control Bureau and the founder of the invasion studies field. Later, due to differing philosophies, I left the Control Bureau and, along with like-minded comrades, established the current Fusion Party."