Chapter 124: Discussing the Details

What did Liu Zong need? Akara was also pondering this. However, since Liu Zong had just pinpointed the key to her current achievements, Akara found herself unable to propose terms of her own. The initiative had shifted to Liu Zong.

Liu Zong, for his part, ignored Akara’s internal thoughts. Suppressing his excitement, he began to calculate item by item.

"Of the three points we discussed, we cannot help with the second, so I will make no demands there. As for the third, it seems you do not wish for us to intervene?"

"It is not that I do not wish for your intervention, but rather that the moment you do, you become our mortal enemy. This is decreed by the heavens and cannot be changed."

Liu Zong understood that Akara was referring to the system’s faction classification, which would not change simply because no one was watching. He skipped over the topic. "Then, for the next few years, the only thing we can assist you with is the first point."

He paused, then pivoted. "However, there are only five of us. If you want to restore your strength within three years, five people are not enough. Furthermore, we cannot be here constantly. You need to open a passage into this forest so I can bring in more people. We will rotate every three months to ensure that resources for your restoration are provided continuously."

"Additionally, restoring your strength qualifies as a mission. You must provide appropriate rewards. We don't want much—items of Brave-level strength will suffice. I believe you must have a surplus of those."

"As for the quantity, I trust you have a number in mind; there is no need for me to elaborate. Furthermore, the outsiders I bring in may not share my loyalty. I need your guarantee that when it comes to the Resonant Amber, only I and the four outsiders I bring may participate. Other outsiders must be strictly forbidden from touching it."

Akara did not object. Instead, she said, "You are very cautious, always calculating every detail. This has its advantages, but also its drawbacks. Sometimes, in the face of events, there is no need to calculate so much. I agree to everything you have said. As for the matter of the amber, even if I wanted to involve others, I could not, for you are the only one whose heart is not swayed by that object."

"That object?" A glint flashed in Liu Zong’s eyes. "A creation of the world? A Titan construct, or a relic left by Pangu?"

"Why, are you tempted as well?" Akara replied with indifference. "It is a Titan construct, but it has been on this land for nearly ten thousand years. It can only be used once every three thousand years, allowing a Kurast monarch to transform into a totem."

"During the last great war, Tumor-Eye forcibly used its power twice, causing the object to fall into a deep slumber. For three thousand years, no other monarch has had the chance to become a totem."

"This is precisely why those fellows have been eyeing this opportunity. They have realized that in seven or eight years, the object will be usable again. Having suppressed the amber and the Great Goat-Heads for so long, it has resonated with them. As long as those two are burned, they can be converted into energy for the object."

"Once one’s strength reaches the monarch level, neither the laws of heaven nor the energy will prevent them from becoming a new totem."

Hearing this, Liu Zong recalled Akara saying earlier that the final materials might not be complete. He asked, "If it were you, how much of the amber and the Great Demons would be consumed at most?"

Akara paused at the mention of "Great Demons," then realized he meant the Great Goat-Heads. She calculated and said, "At most, eighteen portions are required."

Liu Zong calculated mentally. Originally, the Resonant Amber and the Great Demons existed in a one-to-one ratio. There were twelve pieces of Resonant Amber, meaning there should have been twelve Great Demons, all suppressed in the same location. That meant twenty-four portions in total. If eighteen were consumed at most, then in the worst-case scenario, six portions would remain. If those six were all Resonant Amber, he would obtain six pieces. Of course, this was the best-case scenario; if one or two were destroyed during the suppression, the final count would naturally be lower.

Having understood this, Liu Zong agreed to Akara’s proposal. They then discussed the rewards.

Akara had lived for many years and possessed many treasures, but she needed them for herself. According to her, a standard monarch required three wizards, twenty-one Braves, and countless servants. To ascend to a totem, she required three times the strength of a monarch, meaning she needed nine wizards and at least sixty-three Braves. For years, Akara had lacked suitable subordinates, having only ghosts formed from Ghost Grass around her. Everything had to be rearranged, and she needed to cultivate the necessary number of wizards and Braves from her servants in the shortest possible time.

This required her effort and vast amounts of equipment. Thus, Liu Zong’s request for Brave-level gear was not something she could easily fulfill in great quantity. However, Akara was not unprepared. Over the years, she had collected many goods and much knowledge, including equipment blueprints ranging from Lv0 to Lv3. Liu Zong even saw a green Lv4 blueprint.

These were things Liu Zong valued. He believed that if he could offer these, even students who had reached Lv1 would be happy to come here to complete missions. The key now was for the school to recognize these as battlefield missions. Because of the current situation, the Third Middle School was already under pressure. Liu Zong had originally planned only to spend three months a year here, but now he was negotiating to ensure at least twenty Lv1 players were present at all times, rotating every three months. The difference was significant, and he wasn't sure if the school would agree.

Pushing these thoughts aside, Liu Zong clarified every detail with Akara. Finally, they wrote the contents on a plain sheet of white paper and signed their names. Liu Zong signed as "Zhu Liu Giant," while Akara drew a pattern that looked like a cross between a digit and a leaf.

The system recognized this pattern. After they signed, the paper spontaneously ignited, the flames falling onto the backs of their hands. Simultaneously, a voice echoed in Liu Zong’s ear:

[Contract signed. The details of the serial mission "Amber Light" have changed. Please check your mission log...]