The atmosphere was electric, buzzing with anticipation as a crowd swiftly gathered around the first guy in the center.
Hopeful and desperate faces pressed in close, their eyes shimmering with emotion.
For many years, these individuals had felt lost and forgotten, but now they looked to this man as if he were their last beacon of hope.
Children, men, women, and the elderly all clamored for attention, eager to be chosen.
The first guy surveyed the throng encircling him, panic flickering in his eyes. "Damn! I didn't expect this to escalate so quickly,"
He thought bitterly. "I need to calm them down or I won't make it out of here in one piece."
"Everybody calm down!" he shouted over the din, but his voice was swallowed by the chaos surrounding him.
Frustration mounting, he narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"I said everyone calm down!" His voice boomed across the area like thunder, causing the crowd to take a step back in shock.
A heavy silence fell as they stared at him wide-eyed; they could feel their eardrums vibrating from his powerful shout.
"Good! That's better," he nodded with satisfaction at the now-quiet crowd.
"Listen up: The kind gentleman can only take those between the ages of five and eighteen."
Instantly, an uproar erupted once more. Some faces lit up with joy while others twisted into expressions of disappointment and resentment.
Whispers filled the air: "Why these requirements?"
"What about us?"
"Is this some sort of scheme. Everyone I believe this guy might part of that Noble Family to abduct children and use them tiake sacrifice. Don't believe what he says?"
As doubt crept into their minds, caution replaced excitement among those who met the age criteria.
They began to wonder if this was part of a sinister plot, perhaps an abduction for some dark purpose?
The first guy's expression darkened as he caught sight of one particularly vocal critic amidst the crowd, a man whose words dripped with suspicion.
"If it weren't for timing,I would have killed this guy by now" he muttered under his breath.
He forced a smile onto his face and addressed everyone again: "Please understand that this is not some scheme to abduct children! The kind gentleman genuinely wants to provide a safe haven for homeless children."
He paused dramatically before adding, "Do you really think someone as powerful as a Tier 9 Forbidden Realm expert would stoop so low?"
Gradually, skepticism began to wane as they considered his words, how could such an esteemed figure resort to such actions?
With that realization came collective relief; perhaps there was truth in what he said after all.
Just then, another voice cut through the air: "How do we know you've even met this Tier 9 Forbidden Realm expert?" The same person persisted with resentment laced in his voice.
Frustration bubbled within him again; thoughts raced through his mind about how much he wanted to silence that voice forever.
But just then, a chilling whisper echoed beside him: "When you're done here... kill him."
The first guy stood momentarily stunned, a cold smirk creeping across his face as he fixed his icy gaze on the crowd.
Suddenly, that same man added ominously, "Hey little guy, don't trust him! He's planning to use you and your siblings for some evil sacrifice. Don't go!"
The first man locked eyes with this troublemaker for several tense moments before turning away.
Inside, however, his desire to kill was teetering on the edge; one more word from that guy might push him over.
Leo turned to the speaker and declared in his youthful voice, "I, Leo, don't want to be trapped here forever. I won't let my siblings suffer any longer! This opportunity is too precious to pass up, even if it turns out to be a trap that could cost us our lives. I'm willing to take that risk because this isn't the life we deserve!
Opportunities come but once; if I miss this chance, there's no going back. At least I'm fighting for a better future!"
"Huh?" The first man blinked in surprise at Leo's words; he hadn't expected such wisdom from a ten-year-old child.
Admiration flashed in his eyes as he muttered under his breath, "This kid could make a pretty good assassin."
The crowd fell silent, their expressions shifting from shock to awe as they processed Leo's brave declaration.
Just then, a woman stepped forward, her three children in tow.
With a hopeful glance at the first guy, she said, "Sir, I don't quite understand why you're only taking children. But as that little guy mentioned, isn't it better to take risks than to be a coward? I may be past the age limit, but my three kids meet all the requirements. Can you please take them?"
The first man paused for a moment, studying her with silence before responding. "For this one time, I'll make an exception and allow you to bring your children along."
The woman's eyes widened in disbelief as she processed his words.
"But didn't you say...?" Her surprise was palpable.
He waved his hand dismissively and reassured her, "Don't worry about it! The kind gentleman gave me one extra spot that I can fill if I choose to, and I've decided to use it for you."
Overwhelmed with gratitude, the woman sank to her knees, tears glistening in her eyes. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
"Come on now," he said gently as he helped her up from the ground. "No need for that."
With tears streaming down her face, she gathered her children close as they stood behind him, three little faces filled with hope and excitement.
As the first man stood tall, a spark of inspiration ignited in those who met the age requirements.
One by one, they began to step forward, forming a line behind him.
Within just a few minutes, about a thousand young faces ranging from five to eighteen years old stood behind the first guy with hopeful looks on their faces.
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MG Note: Guys let's rush up and enter the Top Hundred Golden Ticket Ranking of this month.
Reward : Mass Release for two days.
The top three contributors will also recieve rewards.
1st place= The opportunity to introduce a new character, set the character personality, character design and everything.
2nd place= The opportunity to design Jarvis character image.
3rd place= The opportunity to design Seraphine Netherfrost character image.
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Again thank to for reading my novel.