Chapter 588 (2/2)

Many people had suggested that she hire a bodyguard, but to Tessa, this seemed like surrendering to the other side. The point wasn’t to gather enough physical power around herself that she was a true threat to some of these powerful individuals but to show that a high level of accomplishments in the System was not all that humans could seek.

As a child, Tessa had loved to read speeches from the great political leaders of the past 200 years. Even when she learned that they had been written by average people, and only read by the leaders, this hadn’t shaken her enthusiasm. If anything, it intensified it. Because then these speeches really were something that came from regular people. And their power was not just in the mouthpiece they used, but also the persuasive allure of well-wrought language.

That was Tessa’s goal. To create something that would stand the test of time and define the philosophy of their city, maybe even all of Rawland. But right now…

As they made their way back to the city, Tessa furiously chewing on her lip the entire time, they passed another military camp. Waving calmly, Lucifer strolled past the group. But they made Tessa’s heart heavy as she looked at them. It was Sydney’s group.

This was the other path, the path that Tessa had not taken. This was a woman who had pulled herself up through power to stand equal to all comers. Not only was she strong enough to assist Lucifer himself, but the people of Franksburg respected her. Even Tessa respected her, for all that it was surreal to hear the name of someone she had known before the System spoken of in such considered tones.

Randidly Ghosthound.

Sighing deeply, Tessa looked away. And then a voice called her name.

“Tessa! Is that you?”

Tessa looked up to find Sydney was there, looking somewhat taken aback. Tessa mustered up her best smile. “Sydney! I had heard that you were living in East End, but I didn’t know…”

“Relax, I don’t mind you haven’t called,” Sydney said, rolling her eyes. Lucifer had stopped and was considering the two women. Eventually, he turned and walked back towards them. Sydney walked up to join the group and then hugged Tessa. The huge was tight and sweaty, due to the sun overhead. But Tessa didn’t really mind. It was… nice to be on the receiving end of a physical touch where kindness was the goal. That didn’t happen often for Tessa, anymore.

“And I heard you are a Councilwoman now. I bet that’s strange. If we were still living in the old world, would we even be old enough to run for Councilwoman? The world is a strange place.” Sydney shook her head. “Sometimes, the magic seems like the easy part.”

“That’s easy for you to say, you have your own VIllage. And a pretty hot one these days too. Everyone wants to go and find an elemental that they can use. Where did you get the idea for that, anyway?” Tessa asked.

“A loyal subordinate that encouraged me to take gambles.” Then Sydney nodded towards Lucifer. “It was Drake. After going into the Raid Dungeon… he became rather pessimistic about the future of East End if we didn’t adapt. That was how much of an impression the people from Donnyton made on him.”

It was strange to acknowledge the influence Donnyton had on them all, and everyone fell silent. Donnyton was always moving forward and refining their treatment of Skills, Classes, and Paths. When it came to raw knowledge, few matched Daniel and Clarissa. Their equipment production industry was so effective that they were reaching the point that the equipment you could buy from them was just as powerful as those you could buy through the System created shops. Their squads were relatively small, but when they moved they ripped through monsters like they were below Level 10. They made everything look so easy.

Even Tessa, who very rarely was near actual fighting, had been impressed the few times she had seen Donnyton’s Squads in action. Tessa opened her mouth to say something, but her wristlet began to ring. It was Jeremy.

“Ah, excuse me, I need to take this,” Tessa said, and she stepped away from the other two.

Immediately, she heard Lucifer say to Sydney, “Thank you.” She didn’t hear Sydney’s reply as she answered the phone.

“Yes?”

“Councilwoman, you need to get back here now. Something big is happening in Zone 1. Something that is gonna really light your fire.”