Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground novel Chapter 878

Chapter 878 Target

After receiving the news from the warrior, Atticus immediately left the observation tower and headed toward the meeting room. He told Lyric to remain behind, as the boy wasn't allowed to join the scouting team outside the fortress in the first place.

Lyric had wanted to beg Atticus to convince his father to let him join, believing the apex's support could sway Candence's decision. But Atticus shot the idea down without hesitation. He had no intention of bringing along someone who would be a liability. Moreover, not even he could guarantee anyone's safety in an environment like this.

The Vampyros were a race notorious for their precision in killing and brutal tactics. Atticus couldn't afford to split his focus during battle. He had never fought while worrying about others, and when he fought, he went all out.

Determined to get to the root of the Vampyros' strange activities, Atticus walked straight to the meeting room, ignoring everything else around him.

As he entered the room, his sharp gaze immediately locked onto Candence, Vyn, and three individuals standing behind them.

'Master+ ranks,' Atticus thought, recognizing their mana levels at a glance.

Their ages also added to his assessment. During his training, he'd learned that reaching Master rank in one's late thirties or forties was considered exceptional, indicative of individuals with potential to reach the Grandmaster+ rank.

They were valuable assets.

As Atticus's presence filled the hall, all eyes turned to him. His aura blanketed the room like a tidal wave, commanding their full attention.

Candence stepped forward quickly, offering a formal nod. "Apex Atticus, thank you for joining us. I hope your stay at the fortress has been pleasant?"

Atticus gave a curt nod, his tone even. "It's been fine."

His gaze shifted briefly to Vyn. The man smiled politely and bowed, as though everything was normal.

'Playing it cool, huh?' Atticus thought, but he said nothing. Instead, his sharp eyes moved to the three individuals standing behind Candence.

The trio flinched under his piercing stare, their composure cracking. They had only seen him from afar the day before, but standing this close now, they could feel the weight of his overwhelming aura.

Noticing their unease, Candence stepped in to break the tension. "Apex Atticus, these three are some of our finest scouts. They will assist you with your mission, guide you, or accompany you, whatever you prefer."

He turned to the group. "Introduce yourselves."

The first to step forward was a woman with sharp green eyes and the vibrant hair typical of the Resonara family. She wore a headset that wrapped around her large ears. Bowing deeply, she spoke respectfully. "Apex Atticus, my name is Jena. It's an honor to meet you."

The second, a tall man with a lean build and calm demeanor, followed. His voice was steady, polite. "I am Crescendo. I look forward to working with you."

The last was a muscular woman with scars running along her arms. Her hardened face showed experience, but her tone was blunt. Her bow was barely a nod. "Mira," she said simply.

For a moment, the room fell silent. Candence's frown deepened at Mira's lack of respect, and Jena shot her a sharp glare. Before anyone could comment, Atticus spoke.

"My name is Atticus," he said, his tone neutral. "Pleased to meet you all."

Turning back to Candence, he added, "I'm ready to leave now."

Candence hesitated, grateful that Atticus had ignored Mira's behavior. He gave a firm nod. "Understood. Be careful out there, Apex Atticus."

He bowed deeply, then gestured for the scouts to follow. The group moved in unison, trailing behind Atticus as he walked out of the hall.

Once the doors closed behind them, Candence let out a long exhale. "I hope he'll be okay," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

Beside him, Vyn's expression flickered coldly for a split second before returning to its usual composed demeanor.

He said nothing, but his sharp eyes lingered on the now-closed doors.

As the group left the meeting room, they walked down a dimly lit corridor deep within the fortress. At the end of the hall, they came to a large, reinforced door. Crescendo stepped forward and unlocked it, revealing a large room.

The room was filled with neatly arranged weapons and armor of all kinds. Swords engraved with glowing runes hung beside shields, and Atticus even noticed bows and other specialized weapons.

In the center of the room was a table covered with artifacts of various shapes and sizes.

'An armory,M Atticus thought, his eyes scanning the space.

Jena noticed his curiosity and spoke up. "The area beyond the border is extremely dangerous. We always make sure we're fully equipped to handle anything."

As she spoke, Crescendo and Mira began gearing up. They strapped on armor adorned with glowing runes and selected weapons from the walls. Jena followed suit, carefully donning her own gear.

The room was silent except for the sound of buckles being fastened and weapons being adjusted. Mira shot Atticus a few hostile glances, but he ignored her completely.