Ascenders Rift

Chapter 158: The City of Hope, A Curious Discovery

The City of Hope was the building block for the humans of Qeodreona, its entirety spanning for many kilometers making its boundaries unobservable through the naked eyes. Many humans lived here, each of which had a fresh look on their face as they went about their business, with some driving flying cars and others uniquely shaped vehicles that hovered a few inches off the ground.

While few seemed idle, most of them walked about with an air of sharpness, each wearing armor, and as they held an assortment of weapons, prepared for battle at any time.

Curiously, the buildings here were of a splendid design, some looking like domes, while many skyscrapers had a twisted shape, much like a knot.

Amongst all of them, the tallest building in this city was very much a combination of two exceedingly towering skyscrapers that were tied together like a knot, showing exquisite design and mastery of architecture. It was this building that was known as the Hall of Governance, led by the government body and the City Head of the Morison's family.

At this moment, a circular shaped hovercar had landed within a docking port of a twisted skyscraper. Here, there were many other ports like this available as the entire roof of the building was no smaller than a few hundred square meters. A few other cars were parked with different people walking about, dressed in a classy style much like those of high society.

A few people noticed the car that just landed and could not help but notice, a classy looking woman spoke with curious eyes, "Eh? Honey look, isn't that a military-grade flyer? I wonder which big shot it is that came back from the front bases?"

A stern-looking man looked over before his face changed in a shock as he spoke, "I-It's from the Morison, hurry we can't block their path!"

"What? That clan!" The lady replied in shock.

A few others had similar reactions, as they quickly made passage as if welcoming royalty. Not long after, the transparent glass hatch of the hovercar opened, Leo, Julie, and Razel promptly exited from a latch along with Evan, Joe, Layla, and the others.

The people seeing them bowed not looking up, but Leo and the others paid them no mind. When they exited, Breya couldn't help but notice that not too far off, were a series of drones that flew in the sky with mounted particle guns. Some had warriors and militia on flat platforms that floated in the air with different kinds of rifles as they patrolled the city.

'There defenses are quite good, I have yet to see their guns in action, but if we can get a few samples then maybe that mad duo will able to do something crazy,' Breya thought as she observed the scene with a thoughtful look on her face.

Julie seemed to notice her look; she spoke with pride, "Miss Breya, I take it that you like our Sky Patrol?"

Breya smiled and answered, "I'm impressed; your defense network is one of the best I've ever had the pleasure of witnessing."

Though Breya said this, she wasn't joking; one mustn't forget that Earth isn't a united place. As a special officer of the MSS, she has seen many unique terrorist organizations and opposing military bases.

"Hehe, it's one of our pride, if we didn't have such security few of us could ever feel peace in our circumstances," Julie said with a soft laugh, but if one looked closely at her, they would notice that her eyes were telling a different story.

Razel and Leo also felt the same, as their eyes had traces of sadness, but they soon cleared this mood and continued to escort them to the elevator.

While walking, Evan, Joe, Rick, and the others were taking in the sights from around them.

'It's even better than I'd imagine, such good condition. Tch! I had initially thought it would be some apocalyptic military camp. Those guys sure knew how the exaggerate things...' Evan thought as he recalled the story told by that party from his previous life.

"Look at that thing! It's even bigger than our Morning Star Tower. These guys sure know how to live it big!" Joe said in shock as he looked at the largest building in the distance.

Emilia felt a bit embarrassed by her brother's words; he didn't even take into account the presence of Leo and his company.

Layla giggled at this, while Breya merely gave Joe a side glance before pretending not to know him. As if he realized his mistake, Joe soon came to his senses as he looked at Leo and the others, but luckily for him, they didn't seem to mind.

Leo took this chance to introduce the area by starting with the building far off, "Haha, you are right, it's quite a lofty building, but it's also the core of our city. It is there that our government body resides and perform their duties. If you look around it, you can see a few other core facilities such as the Evolution Labs and the Training Quarters. However, we can talk about those things later, let's hurry on down, this building we are on is the number one recreation hub of our city. You are all guaranteed to find all types of luxury here..."

"Oh... any you say?" Joe asked with flashing eyes.

Leo picked up on his meaning as he made a knowing look when he winked and spoke, "I see you're a man of culture as well, Brother Joe, that's right, any kind..."

As Leo said this, he even tapped Joe's shoulder and nodded his head. The two at this moment seemed like kindred spirits as Joe replied in joy, "That's great, then I can't wait to enjoy myself. Brother Leo, I'll be in your care."

Looking at the duo before them, Razel and Julie shook their heads as they didn't think they meet another Leo. Evan, and the others, however, each had a different reaction to this scene.

Evan and Rick didn't seem to mind it, as they were both pondering different things. Rick had eyes observing the rooftop seeing a few solemn individuals that stood at the various corners in silence.

However, unlike Rick, Evan's eyes were narrowed as he pondered one aspect of Leo's words, 'Evolution Labs? Training Quarters? I've heard that their head was a Level 11 Human Ascender, but could it be that there are differences between us? Let me check...'

As Evan thought to here, he looked at Leo and spoke in his mind, 'Inspect!'

Following his words, a screen popped up, showing his details.

[Leo Morison]

[Race - Human (Evolved) | State - Lesser Tier Ascender (Stage 1 - Early)]

[Rank A Evolver (+1 Stats Per Level)]

[Total Stat +5 Stats Increase Per Level (Rank + NSB)]

[Title:]

[Qeodreona's Chosen - Stat Boost | +3 All base stats]

[Level - 9] 

[Health - 550]

[Battle Energy - 50]

[Strength - 74]

[Vitality - 70]

[Agility - 72]

[Defense - 70]

[Talent:]

[Ancestral Flame Gene - A genetic-based talent awakened after the successful evolution of the human body. It allows for the user to naturally wield flames.]

[Skills:]

[Fire Palm - An attack that allows the user to generate a cluster of fire on their palms and based on the amount of power used as well as mastery, its destructive effects will change.]

[Weapons:]

[B Grade Combat Suit] 

[+5 Addition to all base stats]

[Durability - 3]

[Description - Pinnacle of human engineering artifact, although it is not a ranked weapon, its stat-boosting effects are comparable to a standard Ranked 1 item.]

....

When Evan saw those details, he couldn't help but grow surprised as he thought, 'Interesting, so even though it's a different path, it's still considered ascending. I've seen many other kinds, and a few cases such a these, but never for other humans. If anything, what made those humans different were there inherent classes, much like those of the Fifth Calamity's Eternal Night World. It could be that the humans on in Qeodreona have something far different from those belonging to other worlds.'

As Evan thought to here, his eyes flashed when he saw the B Grade Combat Suit, he couldn't help but imagine, 'I wonder, what would Cline be able to do with this thing?'

Evan was currently thinking of a bold thought, but Layla, who heard Joe's previous words, merely smiled before sneaking by Evan's side and grabbing his hand.

Having been roused from his thoughts by skin contact, Evan looked at Layla and saw that she was looking at him with a strange look.

As if understanding her thoughts, he smiled as he flicked her nose as he whispered in her ear, "Are you hot and bothered?"

Layla hearing this blushed, not daring to look at his face, she pinched his arm and let go as she pouted and spoke, "You're so darn perverted, I only wanted to grab your hand."

Evan didn't buy this; he spoke in a nonbelieving tone, "Sure you did, I believe you..."

Layla snorted at this and didn't look at him, but if one looked at her ears, they see it had a tinge of red.

Evan smiled at this and firmly grasped her arm, covering those small and slender fingers with the big and sturdy grip that could only come from a man.

Layla slightly quivered as she felt that grip, as Evan smiled, saying nothing and paying attention to the drama unfolding in silence.

Emilia glanced at Joe before turning to Breya, but as she did this, she felt as if a glacier had appeared, as Breya thought smiling carried an icy gaze when she stared at Joe's back in silence.

"Brother is such a clutz at times, sigh..." Emilia murmured while following along.

Breya's mind was now at another place; her thoughts overflowed with her sister's words. 

'If a man doesn't know his place, it is up to us as women to teach them. Never must they put their eyes another, for if they truly have eyes for you, they will act in accordance...'

When Breya recalled those words, her eyes flashed in an odd manner as she thought with a firm look, 'Sister, I'll try the next phase...'

Joe felt a bit strange, but he didn't pay it any mind thinking it was only the wind.

Following the previous scene, the group soon arrived at the elevator. They now stood on a circular transparent platform at the center of the rooftop.

Nearby were a few men and women in formal suits; they greeted everyone. Soon, one slender man with a pointed mustache and beard, with a hat on his head, made a slight bow before speaking politely, "Greetings all, my name is Belson, welcome to the Angel's Abode."

As the man spoke, his sharp and clever looking eyes shone as he gazed at everyone with a deep look, causing Evan, Rick, Breya, and Layla to narrow their eyes, as a strange atmosphere lingered for a moment.