This produced another laugh from both Jackson and I. "Anyways if the two of you can go ahead and round everybody else up, we can try and make this quick so we can get rested for what'll surely be a long day tomorrow for all of us."

It didn't take long, once the sun went down there really wasn't a whole lot of work that could be done. With the entire electrical grid down, we simply didn't have any power or means to light the area enough to work at night. It was strange really, for one day everyone had been living their lives, doing things we had taken for granted. Whether going to the grocery store, watching TV, spending time with family, it had all been done without the fear of being attacked, or even worse, killed. Suddenly however the world had lost nearly a century of technological advancements.

Granted, I knew that may be a bit of an exaggeration, the knowledge truly wasn't lost, simply... Inaccessible at the moment. I was also certain that there must be at least some segments of the nation, of the world likely still fighting on. From what I knew right now though? New England would appear to have been lost to whatever we could call this... Apocalypse? An invasion between worlds was certainly accurate. At the moment though it was incredibly one-sided.

Perhaps after we get our defenses secured we could move towards finding some power source for the community. I know there should be a fair amount of solar panels strewn around the surrounding neighborhoods. Beyond that? I'm sure everything else had already been reduced to rubble.

I made it a goal for myself to check out the boundaries of the zone and see whether the fires have completely burned out yet. Luckily, the ashfall was lightening up a bit, and I predicted in a day or two it should stop completely.

These were the thoughts that rolled through my head as I waited for the remaining members of the council to gather within our impromptu Council chamber within what had once been Alex's office. I couldn't stress enough how generous my brother had been throughout all of this. Beyond even letting his own family members and friends stay here, he's allowed his home to be used as the beginning bastions of a community within the region desolated by the [Demon Champion] and his flight.

Internally I could only hope that some remnants of the region still held the light of civilization, for I definitely feared that all of us alone would likely be insufficient in combatting the local [Demon Lord] and his armies. Even if I were to advance to Tier 3 or 4, the hundreds of thousands of Demons likely swarming the Boston metropolitan area would be much too vast for any single person, or small group to handle.

When the last member of the Council sat down, I surveyed the room. Just like last time we had my brother, father, Kevin, Rachel, Jackson, Antonio, and Dante present. The last, and newer face in the room was Harrison. Having finally recuperated, the National Guard soldier seemed to have ultimately taken a home to the community. The memories of the conflict only proved that what remained of his regiment was likely gone, and as such if he had any lasting duty to his country, it would be to assist in the survival of the few remaining citizens he managed to find.

Of course, I knew that reasoning, even though valid, was likely a cover to get away from the trauma of the event. As things stood, Harrison and I both knew that it would be nearly impossible to leave the region and to go who knows where. Until we established communication with the outside world, we were stuck together. No one would be complaining though.

I nodded at Harrison, which he nodded back.

This time, I took a place at the front of the room, as I was the one who called the meeting, I would be the one to direct it.

"Sorry that this was all on short notice, but, there were some things that needed to be discussed..." I paused, "Today, for some who didn-" and suddenly I was interrupted as a new notification and screen came into a blaring focus in front of my face.

"What in the living hell..." I exclaimed. All to the confusion of those present in the room.

Notice:

You have been identified as a leader among an agglomeration of members meeting the requisites to be considered a community.

Prerequisites met:

Community of twenty-five

Capacity for Nobility

Communal Recognition

Do you wish to be established as the [Leader] of a Tier 1 [Community]?

[Yes] | [No]

I smiled. Even though my focus had only shifted for a few seconds, everyone in the room was visibly worried, and in response to the several questions of concern, I dismissed their unease with a small wave.

This was something completely unheard of within Holy Arc Online. Though, there was a rather large amount of suspicion that the nobility within the game had their own class of skills and perhaps even access to an entirely different system, I never considered that there was something like this.

So, of course, with my focus renewed on the screen, I accepted the inquiry.

Notice:

A Tier 1 [Community] has been established under your administration.

You have now been granted the title: [Ruler], granting access to the Ruler System.

You have been granted the additional rank of [Leader], providing benefits in conjunction with communal strength.

You may now provide a name for your Community.

>

I smirked, intuitively I already knew the appropriate name. Genesis. I thought.

Calculating...

Calculating...

Success!

The Community of Genesis has been established.

Calculating...

Advanced Governmental structures have been locked as a Tier 1 Community, requiring further advancement.

An Assembly of individuals have been identified as potential advisors, would you like to establish an advisory body for your community?

[Yes] | [No]

Did the system actually identify our makeshift council as some type of governing body? I was surprised really. This entire process was entirely new to me, but I couldn't see any downsides to accepting the systems prompt, so, I accepted it.

Notice:

An Advisory Body has been created.

Calculating...

The Advisory Body has been named The Communal Council

Calculating...

Invitations to the new Communal Council have been extended to the following individuals:

Kevin Reyes [High-Human Paragon's Warrior]

Rachel Lynn [Apprentice Mage]

Jackson Johnson [Apprentice Blacksmith]

Sam Parker [Battle-Farmer]

Alex Parker [Warrior]

Harrison Tucker [Soldier]

Antonio Rodrigo [Apprentice Builder]

Dante Brown [Warrior]

Upon Acceptance of invitations, the preceding individuals will be granted the [Advisor] title, granting limited access to view the Ruler System of The Community of Genesis.

In Addition, each individual will be capable of further, specialized, leadership classes following further Tier Advancements of your Community.

Calculating...

Calculating...

Notice:

Special Conditions have been fulfilled.

You have been identified as a member of the advanced High-Human Race.

Human Individuals born within your community will automatically be granted the High-Human racial evolution.

Your Community should it grow, will be considered an exemplar among lesser, Human nations.

Calculating...

The Community of Genesis is welcomed into the Ruler System.

The success of the Community will be your success, and your success will be the success of your community.

Tread Carefully, as a great power has been bestowed upon your people.

As I dismissed the final notification, I was awe-struck. The implications of this were pretty drastic. In Holy Arc Online Kingdoms were known to grant specific bonuses to the members of their nations. Being able to establish Armies, and cohesive leadership structures were paramount in any large-scale conflict. There were a whole host of classes only granted to members of a nation. While Kevin and I never delved into that side of the System, we were still well aware of their advantages. Of course, we never joined them because they would mean being tied down in service to a nation... And we had only wanted to play a game.

This though? This was different. I didn't know what exactly this new system would consider requisites for further tier advancement, but I would be sure to delve into the system itself and explore it as soon as I can.

As of right now, I needed to calm the members of the council in front of me.

It was obvious they had all received a notice of the creation of the Community, as I could pick out among the incessant chatter the words of [Advisor] and Genesis. So, waiting a few moments, I decided I needed to grab everyone's attention.

"Guys!" I yelled out. I felt my charisma and leadership skills take effect as everyone turned to listen to me. Several were distraught by the events, namely Antonio, but most of the others were simply curious as to its implications.

"I can explain this everyone, I just need everybody to listen for a minute. I presume everyone just got a notification regarding the creation of a new community?"

Everyone nodded, and it was Alex who spoke up, "What's the... Community of Genesis even supposed to mean? Did you choose the name?" Alex asked.

Nodding, I continued, "Kevin might be the only one present somewhat familiar with the concept, but within Holy Arc, kingdoms were fairly commonplace, and it had long been speculated that they had their own form of... well, access to the system. I say this because we had both observed nations having their own variations of common classes, and more specifically, had access to a tier of leadership and nobility classes that were simply impossible to attain without being a member of a Kingdom."

"Now," I said, "I believe I speak for Kevin and I when I say we've never encountered a... [Community] before, but! I'd bet that it's what the system considers a precursor to the eventual creation of a Kingdom."

I could see the looks of confusion on most of everyone's faces, and the host of questions everyone had. So, I went ahead and continued to explain. "Look, to be straightforward, I don't have a clue about the details of what this new access to the system can do, but I believe that it can only help us in what we are attempting to do as it aligns with our goals. We are here trying to form some sort of safe haven away from the dangers this new world presents. We want to protect our families, our loved ones, from the monsters and demons that have suddenly decided to make our world their home."

"I have no doubt that the implications of this are going to be massive, but all of you should be able to, with your new [Advisor] title that is, to view whatever ends up happening. We can meet up again tomorrow to discuss more in-depth what this new part of the system is after we've investigated it." I finished.

With my final words, most of the questions seemed to have been appeased for the moment. They knew that I couldn't answer all of their questions, and as such stayed silent for the time being. It was Dante who spoke up next though. "So... From what I understand, it looks like you were made the leader of the community... Now, I suppose I don't have much of an issue with it if that's what everybody is fine with, but why you over somebody like Alex, or your father even?" Dante asked pointedly.

I frowned slightly. Quite frankly I was likely over my head if I thought I was going to be some type of leader over so many people from so many backgrounds. In fact, the more I thought about it, the more daunting it all seemed, and downright scary to be honest. To be responsible over so many? Now, that was terrifying.

I mentally jolted myself though, I knew that when I had gone to the [Round Table] and spoke with Astia that something much larger was at play here, and my class was directly suited towards a leadership type of role. It was harrowing, but I knew the answer I needed to give.

"You're right Dante..." I paused, "Honestly, I don't doubt for a second that Alex or even my father would be more qualified to lead the community."

"The only explanation I can think of though?" I asked rhetorically. "Is that it likely has something to do with my class and... The fact I am no longer exactly human."

This announcement resulted in a facepalm from Kevin. We had agreed that perhaps it might be better to keep the specifics of my class and our racial change a secret until we felt it would be an appropriate time. However, I didn't think starting this... Community, on the basis of some type of subterfuge, would be the best idea. Open communication and honesty would likely be the best way to keep things from going haywire with this new development. After all, we needed everyone to stick together, and that all began with trust.

Everyone else was confused. Rachel and Jackson were somewhat less obvious about it. I was pretty sure they had overheard Kevin and I talking about it before, so it wasn't that much of a revelation to them, even if they had no idea what it meant, but the dots certainly just connected in their heads.

My dad looked especially concerned, but It was Antonio who spoke first, "What do you mean not human!? That's just ridiculous!"

I could tell everyone else wanted an additional explanation, so I continued.

"When I told everyone initially about the game and its effects on the world, there was one detail that I had left out, that is, the system granted me two special titles, both of which initiated some changes to me, as well as opening additional opportunities." I began.

There were two implications of the first title I received. The primary effect basically incurred a racial evolution. So, when I say I'm no longer human, that isn't entirely accurate. It's probably more correct to say I simply... Evolved. Both Kevin and I are actually now, what the system calls, [High-Human]'s, basically a specialized and advanced human race that has been much more adapted to the use of mana. When we level, our stats are increased by a much larger amount than what others would gain. The second implication of this first title was that I was declared as the progenitor of the new species... Granting me a whole host of other benefits, such as granting me access to the [High-Human Paragon] classes, which, I'm pretty sure are just some sort of glorified, jack-of-all-trades leadership class. In addition to that, it also gave me the ability to allow others to similarly evolve into a [High-Human], which, is how Kevin became one."

"The second title, I am honestly unsure of. From what I can tell, it gave me an unknown skill, which I have yet to identify the impact of." Of course, I knew that at least partially it allowed me to have some form of contact with Astia. I presumed it referred to me also being the nexus to the cause of the system's integration into our world... The implications were honestly way too complicated, even for me. So that was a can of worms I was going to refrain from opening for now.

Everyone stayed silent. Then Jackson spoke up, "So uh... I take it that you're at least still a human then, not an alien or monster...? Just... Like a superhuman?"

I nodded, "I mean, that's a general explanation, but basically you're right Jackson."

That response settled everybody back down. It seemed the hardest part was now over and we could move on to reasons I had called for the council in the first place.