Chapter 516: War Meeting Without The Boss
Rachel lowered her Grand Phone slightly. "A war meeting, huh..."
She let out a quiet sigh and turned her face to the side, frustration clear in her eyes. "Garion... you really picked a bad time to go training."
From the phone, Sorien’s voice came again, followed by a faint chuckle. "It’s fine, Rachel."
Rachel blinked and looked back at the screen. "Oh... sorry, I thought the call ended."
Sorien shook his head lightly. "Not yet. And don’t worry about it too much."
Rachel adjusted her grip on the phone, her fingers tightening for a moment before she relaxed. She gave a small, uncertain smile.
Then Sorien continued, more direct this time. "So, can you go?"
Rachel paused. "Me?"
She pointed at herself, brows narrowing in confusion. "You want me to attend instead of Garion?"
Sorien nodded from the other side. "Yes. That’s exactly why I told you what the meeting is about."
He leaned back slightly, his tone casual but firm. "You’ll be Garion’s representative."
Rachel’s lips pressed together. "But this is a Grand Faction meeting..."
She hesitated, glancing away for a brief second. "I’m not sure if that’s appropriate."
Sorien waved his hand dismissively. "Don’t worry about that."
Rachel stayed quiet, her gaze dropping as she thought it over.
Sorien continued, his voice turning more serious. "Sianor and the other top leaders already know who you are."
He added with a small smile, "We were all at your wedding, remember?"
Rachel blinked once, then exhaled softly. "Right... I forgot."
Sorien leaned forward slightly, his expression sharpening. "And this meeting isn’t about status or formality. It’s about war."
Rachel’s expression shifted, her hesitation easing just a little.
Sorien continued, steady and clear. "As long as you carry the same authority as Garion, that’s enough."
Rachel looked down for a moment, thinking.
Her fingers tapped lightly against the side of the phone before she nodded to herself. "I see... If that’s the case, I’ll go."
Sorien smiled faintly. "Good."
Rachel straightened a little. "I’ll represent God Gym."
Sorien gave a small nod. "I’ll send you the coordinates."
He paused briefly, then added, "The meeting will be held in the Solmira Clan."
Rachel nodded again, more firmly this time. "Understood. I’ll prepare to head out in two days."
Sorien inclined his head. "See you there, Rachel."
Rachel gave a small nod in return. "See you."
---
Rachel stood alone in her room, frowning as she stared at the floor.
"A war meeting... seriously?" she muttered. "Why now of all times?"
She let out a quiet breath and began pacing across the room, arms folded tightly over her chest.
"And where the hell are you, Garion?" she added, her voice edged with frustration.
"You really picked the worst possible time to disappear."
She paused by the window, glancing outside as if expecting him to suddenly appear.
When nothing changed, her shoulders slumped slightly.
She clicked her tongue, annoyed, then ran a hand through her hair. "Unbelievable..."
For a moment, she stood there in silence, thinking. Then she exhaled and straightened, forcing herself to move on.
"Alright. Enough of that," she said more firmly.
Rachel turned back into the room and began gathering what she needed.
"Two days," she murmured under her breath. "I need to be ready."
---
At the same time, far below the surface of the ocean, Garion’s body drifted in darkness.
He had already descended five kilometers.
The pressure around him was crushing, far beyond what any human body should endure.
His skin had long since torn away.
Exposed muscles trembled under the constant force of the ocean, twitching with every second he remained there.
Blood mixed with the salt water, vanishing instantly into the abyss.
Yet he was still alive.
The only reason he could still be alive was because of the system, Atlas.
Garion spoke in his mind, his thoughts strained but steady. "Atlas... I didn’t think you could help me like this."
[Of course. You are my host. If you die, what will happen to me then?]
Garion gave a faint, humorless smile. "Yeah, fair enough... but still. I’m already five kilometers deep. Why isn’t it enough?"
[You are attempting to create a Divine Physique, a body that surpasses the fourth realm. How could that process be easy?]
There was a brief pause before Atlas continued.
[You chose the fastest path. Naturally, it is also the most extreme.]
Garion nodded slowly, even as his body shook. "Yeah... you’re right. Time’s tight. I need power, and I need it fast."
He looked down into the endless dark below him. It felt like staring into something without a bottom.
"...Just how deep does this ocean go?" he muttered. "How far do I have to go to finish this?"
[Approximately ten kilometers. You must endure at that depth to complete the transformation.]
Garion froze.
"...Ten?" His thoughts wavered for the first time. "Are you kidding me? I’m only at five, and I’m already about to die."
[I am not joking. Without my support, you would already be dead.]
Garion let out a weak sigh. "You really don’t sugarcoat anything."
[There is no need. I state only the truth. And the truth is you still need to reach the deepest point.]
Garion frowned, forcing himself to stay focused.
"I know... but ten kilometers isn’t just double five. The pressure doesn’t work like that."
It was far worse, several times worse.
[Yes. That is why we chose this method instead of going to space, isn’t it?]
Garion closed his eyes for a moment, then nodded. "...Yeah. You’re right."
His fists clenched. "Damn it... for my wife... and for God Gym... I’m doing this for all of you."
His body trembled again, muscles straining as if they might tear apart completely.
"If I survive this..." he muttered, a faint grin forming despite everything, "I’m going to train them so hard they never forget how much I went through."
[Of course. But first, you need to survive.]
Garion let out a breath, steadying himself. "...Yeah."
He tilted forward, letting his body sink deeper into the abyss. "Let’s go. All the way down."
[I will be here.]
And with that, Garion descended further into the crushing darkness.