Bab 131: Beyond the Convergence: Unveiling Demonic Threats in the World
'Across the universes?'
[ Yes, the VSA is not limited to one universe. ]
Carl blinked multiple times as he heard that.
'You know, I … I'm not even going to ask about that, not now.'
[ For the better. ]
[ Anyway, this faction of demons and the faction that Earth is a part of, well, the VSA branch of Earth is a part of, have some fighting, and it seems they found Earth and wish to try and take it over. ]
[ Something like that is not well-liked by the rest of the VSA, but demons generally don't care how others see them as, so they don't care about such things, still, they can't simply march in and start attacking Earth, otherwise their faction would become enemies with the rest of the VSA, and it would be annihilated quickly as both the VSA and the HA would work together to do so. ]
[ That is why they are using their powers to slowly influence some people and try to enter via a ritual, to break into this world and start causing mayhem and killing members of the VSA here to weaken Earth and allow them to try and take it over later on. ]
'Dammit, and I can't tell Isabella and the others anything!'
[ That's for the better, you can't simply tell them about my existence, there's a high chance they won't believe that you have a system in your head anyway. ]
[ So for now, just keep quiet and continue doing what you usually do, but know that from now on, demonic rituals will become much more frequent and both the HA and the VSA might stop fighting to deal with this threat. ]
The revelation weighed heavily on Carl's shoulders. As the VSA team regrouped, he struggled to maintain his usual nonchalant facade. The implications of the ongoing demonic influence and the potential threat it posed to Earth left him with a sense of urgency.
Isabella, noticing the subtle change in Carl's demeanor, approached him with a concerned expression. "Something's off. You seem troubled. What aren't you telling us, Carl?"
Carl hesitated for a moment, contemplating how much he could reveal without jeopardizing the delicate balance of information. "Look, Isabella, there's more to these demonic threats than meets the eye. It's not just random chaos. Demons seem to be trying to take over Earth, and they're using rituals to weaken our defenses, to enter without causing much trouble."
Isabella's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "And how do you know this? Did you find something during your 'business'?"
Carl, aware of the thin line he was treading, decided to reveal only a fraction of the truth. "Let's just say I have my sources. The point is, we need to be vigilant. These demons aren't here to make friends; they're here to sow chaos and weaken us from within."
The team listened attentively, their expressions a mix of concern and determination. Nacht, ever the pragmatist, spoke up. "So, what's the plan? We can't let these demons keep using Earth as their playground."
"Well, we can't do much except stop any rituals, as for the rest, the VSA and the HA will be dealing with it, neither side wants demons to start spreading on Earth, so there's a good chance that soon, we won't be fighting against heroes, instead, both sides will join together to fight the demons."
"So, you're telling me that there's a possibility I might have to work together with that bitch?!" Nacht asked as Carl sighed before nodding his head.
"Yuen is strong and seems to hide quite some secrets, it's possible that we will cooperate in the future, but of course, the likelihood that we will work with her is not high."
"This is something we won't be able to control, as I have said, the higher ups of both the HA and the VSA, as well as some smaller organizations on the planet will be working together to deal with this external threat, and if you don't want to see demons everywhere, you will have to do the same."
Carl said as he stared at Nacht and the others who nodded their heads somewhat unwillingly.
The team dispersed, each member lost in their thoughts. Isabella, however, approached Carl, her eyes searching for any signs of deception. "You're not telling us everything, Carl. I can feel it. What else do you know?"
Carl met her gaze, a mix of sincerity and guarded secrets in his eyes. "Isabella, there are things that I can't share right now. Trust me, I'm doing what needs to be done to keep Earth safe. Just focus on the tasks at hand, and when the time is right, I promise, I'll explain everything."
Isabella, though not entirely convinced, nodded. "You better keep that promise, Carl. We're a team, and we need to trust each other."
With that, the VSA team resumed their duties, ready to face the escalating demonic threat. The city, once a backdrop for their battles against criminals and villains, now faced an otherworldly menace that lurked in the shadows.
As for Carl and his team, fully aware of this new threat, they were all busy getting ready for the inevitable.
The frequency of the rituals would only get higher and higher, and until it became too much, the most important thing was to become more powerful.
Carl, for one, was getting ready to drink the bottle that he gained after defeating the demon. He needed to wait a bit before doing so, but it was one thing that could improve his strength quickly.
In the days that followed, the VSA headquarters buzzed with activity as the news of demonic threats spread through the organization. The leaders from different factions convened to discuss strategies for countering the emerging menace. Isabella's team found themselves at the center of the storm, tasked with investigating and neutralizing any demonic influence.
Councilor Xenith, appearing through holographic communication, addressed the VSA agents with a stern expression. "The demons are utilizing Earth's vulnerabilities to infiltrate our ranks. Our focus now is on eradicating any demonic presence and preventing further incursions. Cooperation between factions is imperative."
Isabella's team, including Carl, received a series of new missions, each involving thwarting demonic rituals and uncovering hidden cults that served as conduits for the otherworldly entities. The urgency of the situation forced even the most bitter rivalries within the VSA to be put aside temporarily.
The words 'the convergence is coming' became more and more frequent and more and more villains and heroes started coming across the cultists and demon worshippers.
During one mission, as they infiltrated an abandoned facility suspected to house a cult, Carl's Devil powers resonated with an unusual intensity. The air was thick with the scent of arcane energies. As they descended into the depths of the facility, they stumbled upon a chamber adorned with sinister symbols.
"Look at this," Cypher said, examining the symbols with a frown. "This isn't just a makeshift ritual site. It's like they're trying to open a gateway to another dimension."
Carl closed his eyes, tapping into the heightened senses granted by his Devil abilities. As he concentrated, he felt a surge of malevolent energy emanating from a hidden chamber within the facility.
"In there," Carl pointed, his eyes snapping open. "There's a concentrated source of demonic energy. We need to stop whatever they're trying to bring through."
Isabella led the charge, her frost-imbued staff at the ready. The team faced stiff resistance from cultists who seemed willing to sacrifice everything for their dark cause. As they fought their way through, the symbols on the walls began to glow ominously.
In the hidden chamber, the team confronted a figure surrounded by an aura of darkness. The cult leader, eyes ablaze with fervor, chanted incantations that echoed through the chamber.
"We won't let you open a gateway to hell on our watch," Isabella declared, her voice unwavering.
The cult leader, undeterred, responded with a malevolent grin. "You cannot comprehend the power that awaits beyond this portal. It will consume your world, and I shall be its harbinger."
As the cult leader's chanting reached a crescendo, the symbols on the walls pulsed with energy. The very fabric of reality seemed to tear, revealing a glimpse of a nightmarish realm beyond.
Carl's's team fought against both cultists and the growing instability of the ritual. Cypher, working frantically on his holographic interface, attempted to disrupt the convergence. Nacht, Blorg, and Rex held the perimeter against reinforcements.
Carl, with a deep breath, unleashed his Devil powers. A surge of hellfire engulfed the cult leader, disrupting the flow of dark energies. The symbols wavered, and the tear in reality began to close.
In a desperate bid, the cult leader, now severely weakened, made a final attempt to complete the ritual. A demonic entity, its form shifting between shadows and twisted shapes, began to emerge from the portal.
Isabella, fueled by determination, charged forward. With a swift and precise strike, she shattered the symbols, disrupting the ritual entirely. The demonic entity recoiled, its form destabilizing.
Seizing the opportunity, Carl unleashed a torrent of wind to further destabilize the entity. The combined efforts of the team brought an end to the threat, and the demonic entity dissipated like smoke.
As the chamber fell silent, Isabella turned to Carl with a nod of gratitude. "You knew how to stop it. How did you...?"
"Devil's intuition," Carl replied with a smirk. "I guess you could say it's a unique skill set."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone