----

The others followed Lucian's beckon and situated themselves at a table capable of fitting ten people comfortably. However, a menu appeared before their eyes as they took their seats, and its contents were split between a few choices.

For one, they could turn on the privacy settings, which caused five soundproof metal sheets to form a rectangular prism around them. Outside of privacy, the menu also possessed the feature to request special refreshments at the expense of Merge Tokens.

However, after browsing through the menu, the exorbitant prices turned them off. Although it was understandable due to their effects, 100 Merge Tokens for a specialized elixir was too much in their eyes.

Thus, they only settled for privacy for the time being.

"First things first. We need to discuss our abilities. As for the ones I know, we'll have to establish a more thorough understanding. I'll go first to break the ice; my abilities are Amplification and Hypervigilance," Lucian revealed.

However, while revealing the uses of his skill, Lucian chose to omit the ranking of his abilities. For some unknown reason, even if he intended to reveal them, the skills linked to the Limitless Stone were hidden from detection.

Amplification was an exception because it was a copy of Lucian's original ability, therefore allowing him to present it he deemed fit. However, something surprising became known to him.

'I can manipulate the information at whim!'

Therefore, instead of SS Rank, Lucian introduced his Hypervigilance as an A+ Rank ability.

While he wanted to garner support from the team, he didn't wish to go for overkill. After all, SS Rank abilities could only appear in someone with an Extraordinary Refinement. In other words, Lucian would be perceived as a 9th extraordinary-class Guardian.

Although the name sounded enticing, Lucian looked at the repercussions from a logical standpoint. First, he didn't know these people well enough to disclose vital information about himself. Which led to his second dilemma.

If he were to reveal that, it would present an ill opportunity for rumors to surface. After all, gossip about the strong was one of societies' primary hobbies. It was unknown why, but it seemed speaking about someone else's strength really gets a person's blood pumping.

With that being said, his secret of possessing an SS Rank ability would also land him on the radar of those same extraordinary individuals. After coming in contact with them for a brief moment, this was something he didn't want—at least for the time being.

Until he could bide his time and become stronger while first accomplishing his goal of healing his siblings, then gaining renown held no appeal to him.

"Erm...well, my information is quite simple here," Ahri responded. Her parameters appeared on the screen before them, for the whole team to see. However, when their eyes fell on Ahri's Fractal Rating, their expression became deep as they failed to understand it.

---

Name: Ahri Valentine

Title: N/A

Archetype: Variant (Emitter)

Fractal Rating: D- (S? SS? [Unstable!])

Authority: Delta

Health: 100%

MQ: 160/160 (2.45 Mana Units per min)

[«Attributes»]-

»Strength: D

»Agility: D-

»Endurance: E+

»Dexterity: D

»Vitality: D

»Perception: D-

»Spirit: D

»Wisdom: E+

----

[«Enhancements»]

»Points: [Omitted]

----

[«Abilities»]-

» Radiation [Unstable Ability]

…

"Unstable? What does that mean?" Aeran muttered with an astonished expression. This was a first. Until now, none of the team members were aware of Ahri's situation. Although her attributes were good, her rating and abilities didn't seem to be.

While the others were at a loss, Lucian examined her closely. Since an Emitter was an unfamiliar archetype for him, Lucian wished to acquire information. Thankfully, it wasn't too hard to do so. Just recalling her prior use was enough to get Lucian's mental gears turning.

'Perhaps both of my speculations fit her bill. What if the instability of her ability is that it needs to evolve? Maybe her utilization can change as well. The only issue is…'

"Does using your ability inflict pain?" Lucian questioned.

"Not really. There is only a temporary numbness in my hands as I activate it. I haven't tried it, but it could be possible that my ability doesn't require me to only use my hands as a catalyst. It just feels like the most convenient method," Ahri answered.

Lucian rubbed his chin in thought for some time. This situation was hard to judge, and he also didn't want to create a situation that endangered her. "Hm, we'll have to put you on the back burner. You won't take the head position for our next run. Instead, it'll be you."

The person on the other side of his finger looked with shock.

"M-me? Quite a large responsibility, no?" Aeran replied.

"It is, but this also allows me to move on to my next point. We have your ability which seems oriented around sound. It proved effective against the wolves. However, the true anchor of our run will be you, Sylvia."

While her presence in the team was small, after learning of her ability, Lucian was pleasantly surprised. She possessed a minor form of the ability Attraction. Which meant she was one of the extremely rare Natural archetypes.

The premise of her ability allowed her to attract a grand total of 450 kg and the targets varied depending on her focus. However, the consumption of her ability was also insane. Just three usages and her reserves were completely empty.

Part of this was due to her lack of control while the other part was due to her Refinement changing her initial ability, so she was unfamiliar with it.

Nevertheless, this was something practice could fix.

Sylvia started to twirl her hair around her finger nervously while looking at Lucian with fear present in the depths of her eyes. "What do you suppose I do? I...don't have to put myself in danger, do I?"

"No, you'll be moving alongside me. After all, I intend to accomplish the bonus task," Lucian said.

Everyone in the party looked at him with an incredulous expression followed by exaggerated gasps. They couldn't understand what impelled him to believe this was possible.

How could he possibly believe they possessed the means to go from an impossible clear, to completing it within 75% of the timer?!

"Dude, what? That's a little insane. You on drugs, mate? How about you share some?" Olov blurted. To him, Lucian's revelation sounded like the mindless ramblings of a drunken fool. This was absolutely impossible to accomplish.

"Well, first it is possible. It'll just take some heavy sacrifices. I just need to know if you're willing. When your skills fail, there is only one other choice to experience the evolution needed—taking a risk others wouldn't," Lucian answered calmly.

His decision was completely unaffected by their reaction. This stillness in his mindset caused a subtle intrigue in the team. From ambivalence, they gradually came to the shared desire of wanting to hear these so-called risks.

"Well, don't leave us in suspense, tell us already dammit! I can't take the habits of you youngins. What do you think this is? Some kind of action-mystery movie?" Olov grumbled while kicking his foot.

"The FM Shop; we'll have to take advantage of it. Specifically, we need to equip two of you with adequate knowledge. In this case, I suggest Aeran and Olov be the receivers of the knowledge."

Skeptical expression formed amongst the team as they heard this.

"Uh, we've already been over this. None of us possess the tokens to buy any knowledge from within the shop. If that's the case, then this plan is already unsound. It isn't feasible," Adonis interjected before sighing afterward. Apparently, his raised hopes were too hurried.

'I guess we're destined to never clear this thing.' Adonis thought.

However, Lucian merely smiled. "Under normal circumstances, yes. But as I said before, this will come with sacrifices. Separately there isn't enough, but as a collective, there should be. Everyone will have to put their tokens on the line."

"What!? No way," Olov disagreed.

Lucian silently leaned forward before countering, "Why not? If this were to become your last run, they'd become useless if you never returned here, so what's the issue with releasing them early?"

Olov's eyes widened with realization as he said this.

"Lucian's right. This actually workable. Our selfish views made us overlook this possibility. Well, no more; I advocate for this place. I have 98 Merge Tokens remaining," Ahri stated. As the leader, she was the first to announce her balance of tokens.

With her acting as the catalyst, the others followed along with a snowball effect. One by one, they announced their balance.

In total, the team possessed 712 Merge Tokens.

"Good, I have 400. It'll be just enough to purchase the two essential bits of knowledge."

A large trade window appeared as the influx of Merge Tokens flowed toward Aeran and Olov.

However, after they received the tokens, Lucian announced the remaining portion of the stipulations, "This isn't free. When we clear it, you are to return the tokens to their rightful owner."

"Don't you mean if?" Sylvia commented.

"I said what I said. It isn't a matter of if but when," Lucian responded with confidence.