Global Survival: I Have Endless Skeletons-Chapter 139: [Bonus - ] The Secret Meeting.

In another part of the uncharted territory, the ground was thick with mud. Dark soil had hardened into brittle crusts, cracked like shattered pottery.

In some places, stagnant pools of murky water reflected the dim, overcast sky. The air reeked of grime and decay, heavy and suffocating, as though the land itself were rotting.

Standing at the center of the muddy plain were three figures, positioned in a tense triangle.

In the distance loomed a gigantic cobra, its massive body coiled and motionless, its scaled head raised high above the ground. Its unblinking eyes watched everything with cold vigilance.

A solemn expression hung among the three individuals.

"What do you want?" Jareth asked in a cold, unfriendly voice.

He stood upright, his uniform immaculate despite the filth around him. His sharp gaze was fixed on the woman before him, wary and guarded.

Beside him stood a thin young man wrapped in a black robe. His complexion was pale, almost bloodless, giving him the appearance of someone perpetually ill.

His eyes were dull and half-lidded, as if perpetually bored.

However, those who truly knew him understood how dangerous and ruthless he was.

His frail appearance was nothing but a façade.

He was Fenric, the brutal and calculating leader of the Slave Trade Guild.

A Level 18 Necromancer.

He appeared almost too lazy to engage in the conversation, as though this entire meeting were beneath him. In truth, he could not wait for this meaningless exchange to conclude.

The woman they faced returned their stares without hesitation.

A slow, faint smile crept across her lips as she looked at Jareth, the Federation Police Chief, and Fenric, the Slave Trade Guild leader.

"I want us to come to an understanding," she began in a slow, casual voice.

She was Riona, the leader of the Beast God Sect.

"My Beast God Sect has already begun its campaign. I do not want you to interfere in it. In return, I will not interfere in your affairs."

Her eyes shifted between the two men.

"Can we agree on that?" she asked calmly.

Jareth and Fenric did not respond immediately. Each harbored his own hidden agenda.

Although, on the surface, it appeared that the Federation was cooperating with the Slave Trade Guild, that was far from the truth.

They were merely using one another for selfish gain.

The Federation relied on the Slave Trade Guild for nefarious operations that could not be publicly traced back to them.

Meanwhile, the Slave Trade Guild depended on the Federation to supply fresh captives, human sacrifices for their twisted ambitions.

Their alliance was nothing more than convenience wrapped in mutual deceit.

"I do not care about your little campaign," Fenric said at last, breaking the silence. "As long as you do not target my people."

His tone remained flat and disinterested.

Jareth nodded slightly. "Likewise. Continue whatever you are doing. Just do not lay a hand on the members of the police force."

Riona listened carefully.

Her smile deepened, subtle and knowing. She had already anticipated this response, especially from Fenric. She knew exactly how depraved and self-serving he was.

Jareth’s answer, however, surprised her slightly. She had expected him to impose stricter conditions.

Nevertheless, she did not allow even a flicker of that surprise to surface on her face.

This development was advantageous for her plans.

"Very well," she said with a nod. "I promise not to touch your people, and I will ensure our paths do not cross."

Neither Jareth nor Fenric offered further words. Without ceremony, they turned and departed in different directions, each disappearing into the desolate landscape.

None of them trusted the agreement they had just made.

Although they had verbally pledged not to target one another’s forces, they all knew it was a façade.

A lie.

A smiling lie.

And only a fool would believe it.

Each of them sought control over the first floor of the Abyss. They desired exclusive access to its resources, its power, and its strategic position.

How could they possibly allow others to share in their treasure?

Whoever controlled the first floor would wield influence over countless lives. They would dictate survival, opportunity, and death.

Beyond that, control meant the ability to nurture their own forces at unprecedented speed.

And more importantly...if Earth were eventually devoured by the Abyss, they would have a place to call home.

The first floor of the Abyss would become their new beginning.

Riona understood this perfectly. That was precisely why she had arranged this meeting.

As she watched the two men depart, a sinister glint flashed through her eyes.

"I need to eliminate them as soon as possible," she whispered to herself. "Especially that freak, Fenric."

As long as she could dismantle the Slave Trade Guild and eradicate their sacrificial operations, taking down the Federation afterward would be significantly easier.

She gazed in the direction the two men had vanished, then turned her head, preparing to move forward with the next phase of her plan.

Just then, she noticed something flying toward her from afar.

At first, it appeared as nothing more than a tiny dot in the sky. Within seconds, however, it grew larger and clearer.

It was a bird.

No, a humanoid bird.

A humanoid raven.

Its broad black wings were stretched to their full span as it glided through the sky at breathtaking speed. The air rippled around it as it descended rapidly toward the muddy plain.

Within moments, it landed gracefully before Riona. The creature folded its wings neatly behind its back. Its sharp, predatory eyes locked onto her.

"What happened?" Riona asked, her brow furrowing deeply.

She recognized this Ravine immediately. It was a direct subordinate of the Beast God’s Envoy and answered to no one else within the sect.

The Ravine did not hesitate.

"The sanctuary has been destroyed," it said bluntly.

Riona froze.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"W-What was destroyed?" she demanded, her voice faltering for the first time.

"Everything," the Ravine replied. "The Envoy has been killed. Everyone within the sanctuary is dead."

Riona stared at the creature as though she had misheard.

"The altar has been destroyed," the Ravine continued. "There is no longer any way to contact god."

For a moment, the world seemed to fall silent.

She could not believe what she was hearing.

"How is that possible?" she asked hoarsely. "Who did it?"

Rage began to boil within her chest. Her composed façade shattered as her expression twisted with fury.

She had worked tirelessly to build the sanctuary. Every sacrifice, every ritual, every calculated step had led toward her ultimate goal.

And now...

Rumble!

The colossal cobra behind her stirred violently. Its massive body slithered forward at astonishing speed, carving a deep fissure into the muddy earth as it moved.

The ground trembled beneath its weight.

"A young man," the Ravine answered.

Riona’s eyes widened further.

"A young man?" she repeated incredulously.

"He is a Necromancer," the Ravine continued, its voice tinged with unease. "Unlike any Necromancer I have ever encountered."

"Our sect stood no chance against him. He slaughtered everyone and turned them into his undead servants."

Even recalling the scene caused the Ravine to shudder.

"I do not care who he is!" Riona screamed.

Her voice echoed across the desolate plain, startling even the gigantic cobra beside her.

"I will kill him."

She was consumed by fury.

Everything she had painstakingly constructed had been obliterated in a single stroke.

She had been so close. So close to completing her objective. The connection to the Beast God strengthened with every sacrifice.

And now it was gone.

Her face contorted, no longer beautiful but twisted by hatred. Vengeance radiated from her like a tangible force.

The air itself seemed to grow colder.

"Find him," she ordered through clenched teeth.

The Ravine lowered its head slightly in acknowledgment.

*****

[AN: Thank you for your support and gift. This Chapter is sponsored by hard_worker]