Chapter 207: The Target
The battlefield was littered with the wreckage of Dominion, the two Impulses, and the Hounds that the Freedom Shelter destroyed.
As for the three flying vessels on the ground, they were still smoking where they had crashed.
The survivors stared in disbelief at the muscular man below. He seemed completely unbothered, as if destroying three flying vessels with nothing but stones was the most natural thing in the world.
Then his gaze shifted.
The man turned toward Atom, Kai’s A‑Grade Sentinel.
At that moment, there was an intense pressure in the air...
Kai reacted without hesitation. His body blurred with Specter Step, and in the next instant he was standing beside Atom, his hand resting lightly on the Sentinel’s shoulder.... "This is Atom," Kai said firmly. "I’m the owner of this Sentinel."
He remembered Hale Libra, the Augmented Human he had encountered before... He was Level 80 with five Titles, a man who had fought against Ascendant Units of the A.I. Civilization.
Hale had been kind, respectful to fellow humans, and never a threat. Kai could only hope this man was cut from the same cloth.
The man smiled faintly as he relaxed his body.
"I’m not going to destroy it. Don’t worry. I saw that thing fight alongside you." He said with a calm assurance, almost casual, despite the devastation he had just caused.
Kai’s eyes narrowed slightly as he wanted to know why this person was even here....
The mysterious Augment Human had then continued,
"I’m Cornelio Aries from Cameron..." He paused for a moment as he saw their expression...
He then realized something, and repeated his instroduction.
"Ahem... So you don’t know Cameron, right? It’s a Human City in the north. I’m here to invite you to visit the city."
Kai blinked, stunned.
’Cameron?’
He knew the existence of human cities from the map he had purchased, but this was the first time he had heard one named directly. The existence of Cameron meant more than just a dot on parchment...
’I knew it... My map isn’t outdated. There are really human cities out there!’ Kai thought but as expected.
"Cameron..." Kai muttered, his voice low. "Wait, why are you inviting me? Am I the only one invited?"
Of course, Kai had been planning to go north eventually. The map had shown him the scattered remnants of human civilization, and he knew he would need to connect with them. But the Global Event had kept piling up, dragging him into endless battles and responsibilities.
Cornelio’s smile widened slightly. "Only Level 30 or someone of similar strength can be invited there. I just passed by and saw that you fit the criteria. If you want to visit the city... use this."
There was no way Kai would believe that reasoning at face value. There must be something else since this was simply too sudden.
In any case, Cornelio reached into his belt and produced a small token made of wood.
Cornelio handed it to Kai without hesitation.
"Hmm?"
Kai accepted it carefully. It felt heavier than it looked, as if it carried more than just physical weight.
Of course, he immediately activated his skill... Fast Appraisal.
[ You have discovered Invitation Token! ]
[ Grade: Special Item ]
[ Description: A token issued by the Human City "Cameron." It serves as proof of qualification and grants entry to the city. Recognized by Augmented Humans, Cameron’s guardians, and the Aries Faction. ]
[ Note: Requirement - Level 30 or equivalent strength. Without meeting this condition, entry will be denied. ]
Kai’s eyes widened as the information appeared before him.
He was telling the truth. This wasn’t just a trinket. It was proof of legitimacy, a key to one of the human strongholds fighting against the A.I. Civilization.
Needless to say, the survivors behind him heard their conversation and could help but imagine themselves entering the place...
"A human city... Cameron..."
"I wish to go there someday."
"M-maybe my family is in that city..."
"Wait. Level 30? T-that’s a bit too high."
Meanwhile, Kai looked back at Cornelio, still cautious.
"So you’re saying I can enter Cameron with this? That they’ll recognize me? Will I become part of your faction or something if I use this token?"
Cornelio smiled and nodded. "Well, yes. You’ll be tied to Aries... Still, it wouldn’t mean that you’re part of our faction already. You’ll only be truly part of us if you gain that surname. Anyway, Cameron doesn’t open its gates to just anyone. But with this, you’ll be welcomed. That’s the most important thing..."
Kai gently nodded...
The possibility of connecting with a larger human city was within reach.
But it also raised questions.
Cornelio seemed to sense his hesitation. However, he didn’t have to explain more.
He knew that this would be extremely hard to reject.
And as expected, Kai tightened his grip on the token and nodded.
He had always known the path ahead would lead him to the human cities. But hearing it directly from an Augmented Human made it real.
He exhaled slowly, nodding once.
"I understand. Thank you... Cornelio Aries."
Cornelio’s smile widened as he heard this...
However, as expected, Cornelio couldn’t contain his curiosity and asked a question that Hale Libra had also asked before!
"Have you been chosen? Ahem... I mean, can you share you Titles with me?"
Kai froze as he heard the same question again.
Previously, Hale said he was searching for someone with a title connected to being chosen by the A.I. Civilization, or perhaps by some A.I. superpower...
Kai smiled as he immediately had an idea. For now, he decided to act as if this was the first time he had heard such a question.
Needless to say, this move allowed him to control the conversation and lead Cornelio into revealing his own Titles, in exchange for Kai’s information.
"Fine... I’ll show mine. Watch." Cornelio said as he took out his own Status Crystal and showed his status to Kai.
[ Name: Cornelio Aries ]
[ Title: Veteran, Conqueror, Anima’s Target, Aria’s Enemy. ]
[ Level: 80 ]
[ Health: 7,800 / 12,500 ]
[ Spirit: 240 / 920 ]