Draconic Ascension - System Apocalypse Isekai LitRPG

Michael stared at Adriano, blinked, then smiled.

"Yeah, it's me," he said calmly.

There was no harm in admitting it. Soon, Adriano would forget this whole exchange. Oblivious to this, the man nodded matter-of-factly.

"As I thought," Adriano replied. "Honestly, it's the only reason why I didn't tell my men to make a move against you or try to throw you out. So, you're the one. We have a lot to talk about."

Michael smiled at him.

"I don't mind. But first, I'd like us to talk about how this conversation is going to work."

Adriano motioned for him to continue with narrowed eyes. Michael leaned forward, looking dead serious.

"I'll tell you what I've learned about the Trees and the monsters I encountered. In exchange, I want you to tell me your organization's current situation, from numbers to Levels and overall power," he continued.

Adriano raised an eyebrow and stared at Michael for a second. Michael stared back.

It's not a fair exchange.

All Michael was asking for were a few numbers and the organization's future plans, while Adriano would receive information about humanity's greatest enemies at this point in time. This information alone would be able to greatly change the organization's power if used well.

But I don't have to tell him everything.

Did Adriano understand this as well? The man remained silent for a few long seconds.

"Why do you want to know about our organization? If you're really the one who's been hunting the Trees, you're stronger than anyone we've got. What do you get out of this?"

Michael tilted his head with a furrowed brow.

"Isn't it obvious? I want to make sure the highest number of people survive after the Safe Zones disappear. You aren't the only organization I've reached out to, nor will you be the only one to get this information. I just want to make sure this city's factions are powerful enough to handle the future."

"And that means making us able to hunt the city's strongest enemies."

"Yes."

"You want to know about our development because you want to be able to tell how powerful we are and how strong we will be."

"Yeah."

For a few more seconds, the two men only stared into each other's eyes. Michael could almost see the inner war that Adriano's mind was waging. He was then able to perceive how that war got replaced by decisiveness deep within the man's eyes.

"I'll take that deal," Adriano said. "Fuck it. Even if it might be something I'll regret."

Michael grinned. As expected, the man had accepted. His previous conversations with Adriano had been different. He had expressed his desire to join the faction, then used that to get Adriano to share information with him in an attempt to convince him to do so. This time, however, it would be a true exchange of information that went well beyond what Adriano had told him before.

"You won't regret it. I have no other intentions, even if you don't believe me when I say that."

Adriano leaned back on his chair.

"Be serious. Who would? Still, let's begin. I hope both of us can be of help to each other."

The man extended his hand for a handshake. Michael took it.

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After that, the conversation began. Michael started talking about the different types of Trees and Saplings, as well as their respective abilities. As he spoke, he could see Adriano's distrust disappearing bit by bit, likely because his own men had told him the same things. It didn't completely vanish, but it was enough to make this conversation more genuine.

After a certain point, Michael stopped speaking of the Trees.

"Now, it's your turn," he said seriously.

Adriano nodded.

"Our faction is called Warriors, as you probably already know. I created it in the Tutorial, but since it ended, we have grown exponentially. Right now, there are about two thousand people under my command, most either Mages or Healers, but there are quite a few actual Warriors. A small percentage has undergone Class Evolutions. Most are capable fighters in their own right but there's variation."

The man continued to speak, discussing the organization's current status, how many people were willing to fight, how many teams had been formed, and more. Michael simply let him talk, even though he already knew a lot of that information because of the other times he'd talked to Adriano. Still, some things were new, which was exactly why he was doing this in the first place. A thought crossed his mind as he stared at Adriano with a neutral expression.

Right now, a single day can make a world of difference when it comes to a faction's forces.

The System's declaration that the Safe Zones would disappear hung like a guillotine over the necks of every person in the city. According to what he already knew, both from Adriano and other leaders of different organizations, new faces were joining each faction daily. As the teams became larger, hunting outside got easier. The more time passed, the more each member of the groups became more used to and attuned to the other members. In turn, this magnified the efficiency of their hunting and, therefore, the rate at which they Leveled up. Simply put, the organizations' power grew by the day.

And I have to know how powerful most of them are, at all times.

To steer this city in the right direction and help as many people as possible, he needed to know what would be good advice to each faction. For that, he needed to be aware of their circumstances.

He dragged himself out of his thoughts and continued to pay attention to Adriano's words. Once Adriano finished discussing the Warriors' current situation, he stopped speaking and only looked at Michael, then gestured at him.

My turn.

Michael started speaking of each of the different types of Trees' abilities and their specifics. The Trees of Sharpness could use their leaves as blades, but they could also imbue their trunks with a cutting aura that harmed anything that got within melee range; the Trees of Attraction could affect the surrounding beasts and monsters within a certain area, but they could also hinder one's thoughts during the battle and create gaps in one's defense because of them, which could be enough to make one perish. The elemental Trees possessed mastery over their respective element, but they were able to receive less damage from spells and attacks that matched their element.

In such a fashion, Michael and Adriano continued their conversation. Michael carefully decided what to say and what to withhold, and the man seemed to be doing the same. It was only natural for two people who didn't trust each other. Michael already knew the man, but Adriano didn't remember him at all. There was no way to have a more truthful exchange.

Finally, after about twenty minutes, the conversation ended.

Michael stood up and nodded at Adriano.

"Thank you, Adriano. I'll be back, but you won't remember me by then."

Adriano narrowed his eyes at him.

"What do you mean?"

Michael only shook his head with a smile and handed Adriano a piece of paper. Written on it was a summary of everything Michael had talked about.

"Please write it somewhere that piece of paper is important. Don't throw it away. Until next time."

Adriano slowly grabbed the paper, scanned it, and threw Michael a confused look.

"It doesn't sound like you're joking. I really won't remember you?"

Michel grinned at him.

"Not even a little bit. Just the way it works."

"Wait," Adriano said, making Michael stop in place. "I told you there was a lot I wanted to talk to you about. First, I would like to thank you for killing all those Trees and monsters. Because of you, this city is a bit safer."

Michael smiled at him.

"I've already explained why I did it. No need to mention it."

For the first time, Adriano smiled back.

"And thanks for the information you've given me," he waved the paper in his grasp. "I'll make sure not to throw it aside. Shit, it's worth more than gold. Thank you. I'll write a note about helping you whenever you come to us, so don't hesitate to come back. I'll help you then."

Michael nodded at the man, keeping his smile.

"Yeah, thanks. Now, there are other factions I need to talk to. Just plan ahead well, based on what I've told you. I'm off."

Adriano nodded as Michael turned around. Silently, Michael left the room. Waiting for him outside was the same blond woman who had led him to the room. She eyed him with a furrowed brow.

"Since you weren't thrown out, I assume your visit was worthwhile," she said simply.

Michael laughed and nodded.

"It was."

She sighed and led him back to the elevators, even though he could remember the way. After entering, he went back down to the building's main reception, nodded at the woman who had spoken to him, and left.

He took a deep breath as the ceiling was replaced by the blue sky, breathing in the unnaturally clean air of the Safe Zone.

I should talk to Rose and Viktor.

His allies from the Tutorial were still around, now stronger than ever.