Chapter 427 - Arcane Decision
[Overall Performance Rating: SSS Rank.]
[This result reflects an overwhelming and decisive victory achieved through superior coordination, strategic execution, and sustained combat effectiveness.]
[You have obtained an Arcane Grade Item.]
[Arcane Grade Items are artifacts that possess power far beyond what ordinary humans are capable of imagining. Their existence stands at the boundary between mortal creations and the authority wielded by divine beings. Even among high-tier relics, Arcane Grade Items are considered rare anomalies, capable of altering the flow of battle, fate, and growth itself.]
[Such items do not merely enhance strength. They resonate with the will of their bearer, amplifying intent, decision, and resolve. In the hands of the unprepared, their power may become a burden. In the hands of the determined, they may shape history.]
[To proceed, a selection is required.]
[Please choose the primary nature of the Arcane Grade Item to be granted.]
[Available Options:]
[Offensive Type: Focused on overwhelming power, destruction, and direct domination over enemies.]
[Defensive Type: Focused on protection, endurance, survival, and preserving forces against overwhelming threats.]
[Utility Type: Focused on control, support, growth, and long-term strategic advantage.]
[This choice will play a critical role in determining the future direction and fate of the alliance.]
[The individual who makes this decision will bear the weight of its consequences. The chosen path will influence upcoming battles, future growth, and the balance of power within and beyond the alliance.]
[The Arcane Grade Item granted will align with the characteristics, intent, and inner nature of the decision-maker.]
[Choose carefully.]
[Decision Pending.]
The system message was displayed clearly in the air before Atlas, large enough for every lord and person in the room to see its contents. They read it slowly, fully understanding the meaning behind every line.
One thing was certain. The Arcane Grade Item was now truly within reach. Atlas only needed to stretch out his hand and acquire it.
An Arcane Grade Item. Just hearing the words alone was enough to send a chill through his body.
"Based on the information we have gathered so far," Atlas began, "this is the first time the system has ever given out a reward with a grade this high."
He paused and then turned his gaze toward Edrik. "What do you think this means, Edrik?"
Edrik, who was standing behind Atlas, gave a light bow before answering.
"My lord, according to the options presented, there are offensive, defensive, and utility paths. However, it is also clearly stated that a reward of this level is not given to all victors. Only those who achieved an SSS Rank evaluation receive it. I believe the number of such alliances will be very small."
Atlas nodded slowly. "But the potential of an item with a grade this high should be..." He did not finish his sentence.
"That is correct, my lord," Edrik replied. "Its potential power would be enormous. It could change the overall direction of the game in the future if a single alliance holds an item of that level."
Atlas nodded once more. "One thing is clear. The system is pushing us lords to raise the intensity of Lord Battles. Even a rank-2 lord can now gain access to an item of this magnitude."
One of them spoke up. It was Luna.
"With an item like this, I believe we can chase higher ranks and climb much faster, Atlas."
"I agree with that," he replied, continuing after a brief pause. "Ranking up faster also means more battles and more struggles ahead."
After falling silent for a moment, he continued. "Now, the question is, offense, defense, or utility?"
The room soon filled with discussion as everyone began sharing their opinions, exchanging views with one another about which of the three options held the greatest potential.
"The most obvious choice is offense," one of them said. "It would give us greater attack power. With overwhelming force, we could win wars much more easily."
Someone else quickly responded. "But we have to remember that this is still just a single item. It could be a weapon, maybe a sword or something similar. In war, it would only be usable by one lord. I am not sure that would have a large impact overall."
"I believe we could rotate its use between lords," another added. "Still, I agree. It does not sound very effective if we only have one item that can be used by one lord in a single event."
"We could also use something like this to fight high-level monsters, take on tougher challenges, and gain better drops," someone else said. "But no matter how powerful a weapon is, it would be wasted if the one using it cannot fully handle its power."
"Then wouldn’t the same concern apply if we chose the defensive path?" another asked.
"I think so as well."
The discussion continued, with everyone offering their own considerations and weighing which option would be the most optimal. At that moment, Atlas also asked for opinions from his elite subordinates regarding the choice.
It was not that Atlas lacked his own answer. He simply wanted to gather as much input and data as possible, especially from those who had been involved in the battles far longer than he had.
Until finally, Atlas stood up once more and voiced the conclusion they had reached.
"That was truly an exhausting discussion," he said as he took a brief breath and smiled. "But I have listened to and carefully considered every opinion."
He nodded again. "We also held a vote, and both the discussion and the voting pointed to the same choice."
He clenched his fist lightly. "We will build this alliance to be even stronger. Moving forward, we will continue to discuss how we can share roles and support one another, because we will need each other more than ever."
Then, as for the path they would choose, Atlas reached forward and pressed one option on the floating screen before him.
[You have selected: Utility Path.]
Atlas exhaled quietly.
He could only hope this was the right choice.