Chapter 229: Progress and Confidential Information

The meeting room of the Ace of Spades Guild was nearly empty when James entered that afternoon.

Several folders, two laptops, and a screen displaying a world map sat on the main table.

Various points were marked across it, accompanied by notes that only those involved in the investigation could understand.

James placed a folder beside the others and checked the time.

He had received a message from Armstrong requesting another meeting. It wasn’t the first time they had discussed the matter over the past few weeks, but the tone of the message had made it clear that there were important developments.

He didn’t have to wait long.

The door opened, and the captain entered the room holding a cup of coffee.

"I hope you have better news this time," he remarked as he took a seat.

James closed the door behind him.

"That depends on what you consider good news."

"That doesn’t sound promising."

"I know."

Armstrong set his cup on the table and looked toward the screen.

"Go ahead. What’s happened?"

James opened one of the documents.

"Over the past few days, several research teams have managed to complete new measurements. The results are still incomplete, but we now have enough data to confirm that the anomalies aren’t simply instrument errors."

"And what do they mean?"

"That’s the part we still can’t explain with any certainty."

Armstrong sighed.

"James, you can’t call me to a meeting every time you discover something strange, only to tell me you don’t know what it means."

"I know, but there’s a difference this time. The measurements from different teams are consistent in ways that previously seemed contradictory. In addition, the organizations involved in the investigation have begun sharing their findings more directly."

James changed the image on the screen.

Several tables, graphs, and technical notes appeared. Armstrong studied the data without interrupting him.

"The researchers are comparing the energy measurements with records of the structures near the area of interest," James explained.

"We still can’t determine the origin of every variation, but there are indications that they’re connected."

"And does that mean we’re closer to understanding what’s happening?"

"It means we know where to focus our efforts. That’s not the same thing."

Armstrong nodded slowly.

It was an improvement, though not necessarily a reassuring one.

Over the past few years, hunters had learned to deal with dungeons through accumulated experience. They knew their ranks, understood their general dangers, and could estimate what kind of team they needed to take them on.

However, whenever something appeared that didn’t fit their existing knowledge, all that experience could prove insufficient.

And that was precisely what worried him most.

"What are the other guilds saying?" he asked.

"The major ones have begun organizing their own support teams. Some are preparing specialists for potential reconnaissance operations, while others are gathering resources in case we need to act quickly."

"They’re already preparing hunters without even knowing what they’ll be facing?"

"Some believe it’s better to be prepared."

"And others probably want to make sure they don’t fall behind."

James didn’t answer immediately.

They both knew the way certain organizations operated far too well to dismiss that possibility.

◇◆◇

Armstrong stood up and walked toward the screen.

"And what about Ouroboros?"

James let out a sigh.

"They’re still asking questions. Their representatives have contacted several of the guilds participating in the investigation and are trying to obtain more detailed information."

"Have they sent out a team?"

"We have no confirmation that they’ve conducted an operation directly related to the matter. However, we know they’re preparing resources and reviewing the availability of some of their highest-ranked hunters."

Armstrong frowned.

"I don’t like that."

"Neither do I."

Ouroboros had enough resources to organize an expedition of its own. If its leaders believed they could gain an advantage, it was entirely possible they would try to act without waiting for everyone else to be ready.

The problem wasn’t simply that they might make a mistake.

They could also force other organizations to react prematurely out of fear of losing information or falling behind.

"Do you think they’ll try to get ahead of everyone else?" Armstrong asked.

"I think it’s a possibility we need to take seriously."

"Then we need to make it clear that they shouldn’t."

James crossed his arms.

"We can warn them, but we can’t force them to obey. Besides, we still don’t have enough evidence to justify direct intervention."

Armstrong sat back down.

He didn’t like that answer, but it was reasonable.

They couldn’t treat every move Ouroboros made as a threat. If they started clashing with other guilds based on nothing but suspicions, they would end up weakening the very cooperation they needed to maintain.

"What are the researchers proposing?" he asked.

"Continue gathering data and establish a common protocol for sharing any significant discoveries. They also want the guilds to refrain from sending teams without prior coordination."

"That makes sense."

"For now, everyone seems willing to cooperate. The problem will be maintaining that willingness if the situation drags on for too long."

Armstrong rested his hand against his chin.

"Because the longer this goes on, the more likely someone is to lose patience."

"Exactly."

James knew they couldn’t wait indefinitely. Preparation was necessary, but so was understanding the risks before sending hunters into an unknown situation.

The difficulty lay in finding the right moment to move from investigation to action.

And no one had a definitive answer.

"What do you need from us?" Armstrong asked.

"For now, I want us to keep the hunters who might be useful available in case an operation is organized. I’m not talking about mobilizing them yet. I just want us to have a clear picture of our resources and who could participate if necessary."

Armstrong nodded.

"I can arrange that. But I don’t want anyone interpreting this preparation as authorization to act on their own."

"I’ll make sure that’s clear."

"And keep the captains informed. If we receive new measurements or find any indication that the situation is getting worse, I want to know as soon as possible."

"Of course."

James gathered the documents he had been using and placed a smaller folder on the table.

"There’s something else that’s worrying me."

Armstrong looked up.

"What?"

"The attention this matter is attracting outside research circles."

"You mean the governments?"

"Them too. But not just them. Intermediaries are trying to obtain information, and some reports that should remain restricted have already been mentioned in private conversations between organizations that aren’t directly involved in the study."

Armstrong pressed his lips together.

"Have there been any leaks?"

"We can’t be certain. They could be rumors, information obtained through legitimate channels, or people trying to make themselves seem more knowledgeable than they really are. For now, we don’t have enough evidence."

"In any case, we need to be careful."

James nodded.

"I’m tightening access controls on the documents. The less incomplete information circulates, the better."

Armstrong glanced at the screen once more.

He didn’t like keeping secrets, but he understood the need for caution.

Informing those responsible for making decisions was one thing. Allowing uncertainty to spread among people who had no way of verifying the facts was something else entirely.

"If this turns into a media spectacle, we’ll have problems long before we understand what’s happening," he remarked.

"That’s why I think we need to keep it under control."

"And if we eventually have to intervene, we should do so as discreetly as possible."

James nodded.

"I agree."

◇◆◇

The meeting lasted nearly an hour.

They reviewed communication procedures, the resources they might need, and the measures they would take if any organization decided to act without coordination.

They also agreed to maintain an updated list of hunters available for potential special missions.

When they finished, James closed the last document.

"We can’t wait forever," he admitted.

"At some point, we’ll have to make a decision, even if some questions remain unanswered."

Armstrong remained silent for a few seconds.

"I know. But we can’t let other people’s ambition decide for us when that time has come, either."

"That’s why we need to stay calm."

"And be ready for when we can no longer afford to wait."

James picked up his tablet.

"I’ll keep you informed."

As the researcher headed for the door, Armstrong called out to him again.

"James."

The man stopped.

"When the time comes to send hunters, I want us to be clear about what we’re expecting from them. We can’t just gather the strongest hunters and send them somewhere unknown. We need an objective, a plan, and a way to retreat if things go wrong."

James looked at him seriously.

"I’ll keep that in mind."

"Good. I don’t want anyone paying the price for a decision that could have been made more carefully."

James left the room, leaving the captain alone.

Armstrong remained seated, studying the reports they had reviewed during the meeting.

The investigation was progressing, but they still didn’t have enough answers. The world’s major guilds were beginning to prepare, and although cooperation was still possible, some people’s patience wouldn’t last forever.

Sooner or later, they would have to act.

And when that time came, they couldn’t afford to improvise.

The captain picked up his cup of coffee, now almost cold, and took one last sip.

Then he turned his gaze toward the window.

Outside, the hunters continued with their usual training and preparations. For them, the world was still functioning as it always had.

Armstrong hoped it could stay that way for as long as possible.

Because if his suspicions were correct, a time would come when maintaining that peace would no longer be entirely up to them.