The door closed, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly changed.
Everyone put away their smiles, their faces serious and solemn as they looked at Rhodes.
Rhodes wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin.
"I know you're very concerned about what happened to me in the Double Dungeon."
Liu Zhikang, beside him, raised an eyebrow but did not speak rashly.
Rhodes spoke the most horrifying words in an incredibly calm tone.
"What I can tell you is, believe it or not, this world will face destruction within a year."
Everyone's eyes widened instantly.
After a long moment, not a single person could speak.
Finally, it was Liu Zhikang who frowned deeply, his gaze sharp as a knife, staring at Rhodes.
"From a personal standpoint, I'm willing to believe you're not speaking carelessly. But if you want the authorities to believe it… do you have evidence?"
"Within three months, a super-large portal will appear in R-country. At that time, even if all the National Power-level Hunters in the world go together, they will not be able to prevent the destruction of R-country, and that will be the beginning."
That portal connected to the territory of the King of Giants, the First Monarch, and would release a large number of giants to cause the Rumbling.
R-country in this world didn't have a Captain, and firearms were almost ineffective against giants with magic, so it could be said that if Cheng Xiaoyu hadn't been in the original work, the country would have definitely been annihilated.
The H-country Hunters' expressions tightened again.
It wasn't that they had profound humanitarian concerns; it was purely that if this was true, then as R-country's neighbor, they would suffer the most direct impact!
Gao Jianli barely maintained his composure, asking in an almost pleading tone.
"Since you say so, surely… you must have a solution?"
Rhodes smiled faintly, his words filled with absolute confidence.
"The key lies in your attitude. I can clearly say that if I don't act, no one in this world can stop those guys."
Cui Zhongyin "483" still wanted to ask a whole host of questions like "who are those guys," but Liu Zhikang suddenly stood up abruptly.
"Let's go, find a place to fight."
Gao Jianli was silent for a moment, then also stood up.
"I'll arrange it for you."
Thirty minutes later, on a deserted island that had been shattered into countless small pieces.
Liu Zhikang lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath.
"Ha… ha… It's been a long time… since anyone pushed me to this extent… I'm sure… what you said… is true!"
Meanwhile, Rhodes hadn't even broken a sweat, lazily stretching.
The battle with Liu Zhikang allowed Rhodes to roughly estimate his current combat power level.
The evolution to Lv.7 was an all-around improvement.
Kaguya's Draw Slash, with the enhancement of the giant attribute, could even easily cleave an entire island in half with one strike!
And the magic he copied, driven by his now immense magic power, had effects that were unimaginably strong!
Most importantly, although he couldn't fully unleash all the Shadow Monarch's power in the short term, he could freely draw upon that extremely vast, almost infinite energy!
Under these circumstances, Kamui and Susanoo both underwent a qualitative change!
If he got serious, even if Liu Zhikang also possessed a fragment of brilliance, he would at most last a few seconds before being instantly killed by him!
The H-country Hunters watching from the side were even more dumbfounded, their jaws nearly hitting the floor.
"Hunter Rhodes… is he really not the final BOSS that escaped from a Dungeon?"
Liu Zhikang recovered some stamina, then sprang to his feet with a backflip.
"What do you want? I promise, I can get you the maximum benefits from our country!"
A Seven-Star Hunter's promise was as heavy as a mountain, and no exaggeration, even if the highest echelons learned of the impending doomsday, the only country truly capable of quickly uniting and mobilizing its entire national strength to respond was indeed Z-country.
A fierce glint flashed in Liu Zhikang's eyes.
"If it really comes to the end of the world… then no means are off-limits. If some guys in the country still dare to jump out, I'll clean them all up at once."
Gao Jianli also walked over. He also wanted to promise Rhodes something, but in the end, he could only give a bitter smile.
"I apologize, but our country's political environment… I can only say that I will do my best to mediate for you."
Rhode had actually planned his prayer point harvesting scheme long ago, and Liu Zhikang's arrival perfectly filled the final step.
"I need you to do everything in your power, using all your resources and state machinery, to make me famous."
If there was any scenario that could make the vast majority of people worldwide most likely to generate A-rank prayers at the same time, it would definitely be—the arrival of the end of the world!
However, to prevent people from simply giving up hope, a well-known savior must first be created for them.
So that everyone, even in the most critical moments, would be willing to believe that the savior could protect them!
Once successful, with billions of people globally, even if only tens of thousands developed strong prayers for Rhode, it would still be a massive harvest!
Rhode's true thoughts could not be expressed, and both Liu Zhikang and Gao Jianli were somewhat dumbfounded upon hearing his request.
Before they could ask, Rhode continued.
"One month from now, I will first clear all the monsters on Jeju Island."
"However, I will not act directly. I need you to build momentum for me in advance, creating a situation where many people hope for me to intervene as much as possible."
He looked at Liu Zhikang.
"The country can use this opportunity to gain benefits from H Country as much as possible. I don't care about such a small matter."
Gao Jianli's mouth twitched slightly.
Hey, hey, hey, I'm still here!
Liu Zhikang clicked his tongue.
"Your request is a bit… peculiar. But since I promised you, I will absolutely fulfill it."
Then he heavily patted Rhode's shoulder, his tone firm.
"And don't worry, I will absolutely not let those people swallow what you fought so hard for. Whoever dares to reach out, I will cut them down!"
Rhode shrugged indifferently.
In this world, apart from the power of those guys, he had very few needs.
Liu Zhikang, however, seemed to vaguely guess a bit of Rhode's plan.
"You want to… use the Jeju Island incident to warm up for the R Country portal three months later, and then make more people hope for you to intervene?"
Rhode smiled.
Talking to smart people saves effort.
"Alright, leave it to me."
Liu Zhikang patted his chest and grinned.
"Although I don't know the reason, I might have been a bit hesitant before."
"You almost beat me to a pulp just now, so I figure if someone like you is treating this so cautiously, even if I don't believe it, I can only plan for the worst-case scenario."
Although Rhode was not born in this world's Z Country, Liu Zhikang's conduct indeed made him feel a lot more favorably.
Rhode's gaze then turned to Gao Jianli.
"I need to form a special multinational rescue team. At that time, I will invite people I value from other guilds. Currently, it will start with H Country."
A wry smile immediately welled up in Gao Jianli's heart.
It sounds like this request is much simpler than the one for Liu Zhikang… but poaching people is too hateful!
"May I ask, what is this team for…?" He still asked, steeling himself.
"To deal with the future global crisis."
Rhode's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable power.
"I will have my companions lead them to designated locations for rescue."
This was also why Rhode insisted on keeping Li Xiaoxi.
Not all prayers can be solved by pure force.
And Li Xiaoxi was the most suitable healing-type candidate he could currently access in this world.
Although she was only B-rank, her ability was a bit low.
However, didn't M Country have a guy who could enhance a Hunter's abilities?
He just needed to go there sometime, copy it, and then come back to strengthen her.
Gao Jianli sighed helplessly upon hearing this.
"How can I refuse when you put it like that…?"
He said with a wry smile, "Miss Li Xiaoxi is a free agent. If you get her consent, I can approve it directly. So, do you have any other target candidates?"
Rhode's gaze passed over everyone and landed on Che Huiyi, who was secretly touched by his righteous words not far away.
"The new team needs a powerful S-Rank Hunter to lead it."
"Eh?"
Che Huiyi jumped in surprise, blinked her beautiful eyes blankly, and pointed at herself.
"Me… me?!"
Cui Zhongyin's mouth twitched violently.
I knew it… I knew it would be like this!
Although he had guessed this moment would come, being poached face-to-face still made his heart ache so much he couldn't breathe!
Che Huiyi was still a bit conflicted and at a loss, but Cui Zhongyin keenly saw that her heart had already wavered!
He steeled himself and simply spoke loudly, as if to cut off her last hesitation.
"Hunter Che Huiyi! I, in the name of the Guild Master of the Hunter's Bureau, declare—you are fired!"
"Eh—?! Eh eh eh?!"
—
After everyone returned to Seoul, they exchanged contact information and then went their separate ways.
Che Huiyi and Li Xiaoxi, however, were temporarily kept by Rhode.
Rhode first looked at the somewhat flustered Li Xiaoxi.
"Although our time together has been short, I can see your kind nature. This is also why I kept you."
This girl… would have high compatibility with the girls in Astrea Familia.
They all had nearly pure hearts, which was one of the reasons Rhode would give her special care.
"But, if you find it difficult, I won't force you."
Li Xiaoxi bit her lip, struggling for a moment.
Fear and hesitation flashed in her clear blue eyes, but ultimately, they turned into courage.
She looked up, her gaze firm as she looked at Rhode.
"I-I know this world is facing a huge crisis! Although I… although I'm very timid, I also know that someone has to step forward!"
"I… I want to stand with you, with everyone!"
Rhode showed a satisfied smile.
He turned his head and looked at Che Huiyi on the other side.
Che Huiyi averted her gaze slightly, adjusted the baseball cap on her head, and said in a low voice, "It's the same for me wherever I work… but, let me state in advance, I'm not good at management work…"
Rhode chuckled lightly and said as a matter of course, "It's fine, for management, we'll find professionals. It's just that you'll need to be in charge of interviews at that time."
"Hmm… do you have any requirements?"
"Girls with sufficient qualifications and particular expertise in a certain area."
Rhode paused.
"You filter out the unqualified ones first, and then I will personally interview them and explain the job content and benefits."
Che Huiyi blinked, her expression becoming a bit subtle.
"Are you saying… the company you want to form will be all girls?"
Rhode frankly met Che Huiyi's suspicious gaze.
"This is related to my abilities. Once you and I understand each other more, you will understand the reason."
"For now, I can only say that I will not force anyone to join."
Che Huiyi hesitated for a moment.
Feeling the incredibly reassuring and comfortable "scent" emanating from Rhode, she finally nodded.
"Alright… I'm willing to trust you, Mr. Rhode."
"Just call me Rhode."
"Rhode… then, what will our new company be called?"
A name suddenly flashed in Rhode's mind. A name that led Valkyries to the battlefield.
"Let's call it Valkyrie."
Rhode handed over all the initial preparatory matters to Che Huiyi, with Li Xiaoxi assisting.
As for himself, he gracefully became a hands-off boss.
Back at the villa, Leyana and Noin also seemed to have a strong sense of urgency due to Rhode's talk of a "world crisis."
They decided to team up and defeat the Demon Lord tonight for one last indulgence.
Starting tomorrow, they would officially set off to conquer the Dungeon and train themselves!
Rhode was also happy to see this.
This world's great crisis was definitely the best opportunity for them to level up their abilities and achieve great deeds!
He himself had no need for ability points; he just needed to kill key targets.
The rest could be entirely handled by the girls, and he would simply reap the rewards and harvest souls.
Moreover, at that time, he could even put on a fantastic show of DanMachi monsters versus this world's monsters…
Heh, I'm getting more and more excited!
The next day, the girls woke up early.
Gao Jianli had already arranged for a secretary to specifically liaise with them and fulfill all their requests.
Because it was a last-minute decision, they could only find a C-rank portal.
Since it was just to maintain their state, they had no complaints.
To avoid unnecessary public opinion, Gao Jianli's secretary also deliberately kept their true identities and ranks confidential, arranged fake identities as two D-rank Hunters, and then put them into this temporary team.
The portal was located in the center of an unfinished construction site.
When the girls arrived at the scene, eight people had already arrived early.
"You must be the replacements sent by the association, right?"
The leader was a big man with a full beard.
When he saw that only two seemingly frail and unremarkable girls had arrived, a glint flashed in his eyes, but a warm smile immediately appeared on his face. He stepped forward to greet them and introduce the team members.
"Hello, I'm Huang Dongshi, and these are…"
Leyana, hiding her strength, secretly observed the group of people.
In the terms of this world... five C-ranks, three D-ranks.
So weak...
Just then, a young man, clad head to toe in luxurious gear, approached with a shy-looking girl.
"Hello, both of you... I'm Liu Chenhao. I'm here with my... friend. I hope we can look out for each other."
Friend? Hmph, I bet it's his girlfriend...
Noin mumbled a small complaint in her heart, then nodded rather casually, her tone full of confidence.
"Don't worry. If there are any problems, we'll protect you."
This confident statement made Liu Chenhao freeze for a moment, then he burst out laughing.
"Ha... Haha! You two really have a sense of humor...."
Huang Dongshi, walking at the very front, swept a glance at the four people happily chatting behind him, a sneer flashing in his eyes.
His gaze lingered for a moment on the eye-catching equipment on Liu Chenhao's body, and an almost imperceptible curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Alright, it's almost time, let's go!"
Inside Kamui Space.
Rhode was sitting cross-legged, examining the wine gourd that sealed Candiaru.
He could vaguely see a pitch-black body silently sleeping within it.
Rhode narrowed his eyes.
"System, how many Prayer Points will it cost to extract all his genjutsu abilities, plus his racial characteristics?"
It will cost 12,000 Prayer Points.
The corner of Rhode's mouth twitched slightly. He closed his eyes, as if making a difficult decision.
"..... Hurry up and copy it."