The System Awakens: Rise of the Champion - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Chapter 45: The Rising Storm In Italy

While Damian was clearing the third trial of the Tower of Evolutions, events of significance were unfolding in Italy, particularly among the top guilds of the country.

In a vast meeting hall, a man with shoulder-length brown hair sat with a commanding presence.

His body was large, muscular, and burly, matched by a rugged face.

This was Pietro Grimaldi, the guild master of the second-strongest guild in Italy, the [Ivory Lance Guild], and the strongest recorded Awakener in the country.

He sat on one of the chairs surrounding a massive round table, glancing at a middle-aged yet powerfully built man seated at the head of the table.

This man was Giuseppe Santis, the chairman of the Italian Awakener Association.

“Why did you summon us, Association Head?” Pietro Grimaldi asked, crossing his arms.

The room was not empty.

Alongside Pietro Grimaldi and the association chairman were several notable figures.

Among them was Eric Walcrown, the master of the [Wild Phantom Guild], the third-strongest guild in Italy.

Also present was Lorenzo Rossi, the guild master of the [United Swords Guild], which had recently risen to equal footing with the Wild Phantom Guild thanks to backing from the Zhao Martial Arts Family of China.

Marco Santis, the chairman’s son and a powerful Awakener whose strength rivaled that of the guild masters, was also in attendance.

Additionally, Laura Fontana, the guild master of the [Emerald Bloom Guild], a women-only guild recognized as one of Italy’s strongest, attended the meeting with her vice guild master, Angela Rinaldi.

Together, the [Ivory Lance Guild], [Wild Phantom Guild], [United Swords Guild], and [Emerald Bloom Guild] represented four of the most powerful forces in Italy, aside from the seven guilds controlled by the Vatican’s Cardinal Generals.

The Vatican’s guilds, while separate, were unmatched in influence and power.

These four guilds maintained a professional relationship with the Awakener Association, and though some guild masters didn’t get along personally, they could set aside their differences when necessary.

“He called us here to talk about the Vatican’s Seven Generals and their activities. Isn’t that right, Association Head?” Eric Walcrown said with a smirk, resting his chin on his hand.

“Yes, that’s exactly why I’m here too,” Laura Fontana said sharply, narrowing her eyes in irritation.

“The people from those seven Vatican guilds are constantly interfering with my guild’s business. I want the Association Head to make them back off.”

“Believe me, Laura, I understand… If they keep pushing, I’m ready to wage war on the Vatican, if that’s what it takes to stop them from meddling in our affairs,” Pietro Grimaldi said with visible irritation.

“Calm down, Pietro. Don’t make any rash decisions. The Vatican is currently the strongest force in Italy,” Giuseppe Santis replied, scanning the monthly reports submitted by the four guild masters.

“We might not win,” Pietro retorted, smirking, “but I’ll make sure to take at least three of those Generals down with me before I fall.”

“I’m sure you would,” Giuseppe replied with a nod as he continued reviewing the sections of the reports concerning the guilds’ trials.

“Association Head, the Vatican is spiraling out of control,” Laura said, her tone firm. “If you don’t stop them diplomatically, we’ll have to handle them ourselves, the hard way.”

“I’m with Laura on this,” Eric Walcrown added, narrowing his eyes.

“They’re getting far too annoying. You’re turning a blind eye to the damage they’re causing.”

“And what exactly do you want me to do? Huh?” Giuseppe responded, spreading his hands in exasperation.

“I can’t just go and order them to stop everything they’re doing. The Vatican has millions of followers worldwide. If I confront them, they could turn the entire globe against the Awakener Association… Then I’d have to answer to the World Awakener Association for that!”

“So what you’re saying is that we have to endure all their harassment, bullying, and abuse with our hands tied behind our backs? Is that it?” Laura asked, crossing her arms.

“Well…”

“Oh, lord… you’re the Association Head, and yet you’re asking us to lower our heads to them like this?” Laura said, rolling her eyes.

“I agree with her, Father. We can’t let them do whatever they want. If we do, the Awakener Association will become a laughingstock. Just think of what the other country’s associations would think of us,” Marco Santis, the son of the Italian Association Head, added, glaring at his father.

“It’s not that simple. We don’t have enough force in the association to stand against them if they retaliate. If they suddenly decide to battle for supremacy, what then?” Giuseppe replied, shaking his head in frustration.

“Then let us join forces,” Eric Walcrown suggested, raising a finger.

“The four strongest guilds and the association together. Surely, we can do something about them.”

“I agree. Even though it’s such an annoyance to work with the other guild masters, it’s necessary,” Pietro Grimaldi said with a grin.

“If joining forces is what it takes to put the Seven Vatican Guilds in their place and stop their harassment, then we, the [Emerald Bloom Guild], will give our full support,” Laura declared firmly.

“No…” Giuseppe Santis shook his head.

“The Seven Vatican Guilds are not a threat. You all keep talking about them as if they are a danger to the country, but they’re not. Until they do something that poses an actual threat to the country, we’re not having this conversation. I’m not about to risk the lives of countless awakeners over something so trivial,” Pietro Grimaldi said, shaking his head vehemently.

“A trivial matter? This is about pride and self-respect! Of course, I’m offended by this and ready to fight. Just because you think it’s trivial doesn’t mean it’s trivial to us. I won’t let some nobody walk all over me. I’m not that weak!” Laura shot back, glaring.

The Italian Association Head sighed deeply.

“Just don’t do anything rash, okay? Wait until I try to negotiate or make some sort of arrangement with them. Don’t act hastily,” Giuseppe Santis pleaded.

“That aside, have you heard the rumors? People are saying the Warrior Nuns perished while climbing the Tower,” Laura remarked, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial tone.

“Of course, those are just rumors. There’s no way it’s a coincidence that the day the Pope died of a ‘heart attack,’ the Warrior Nuns suddenly disappeared while climbing the Towers,” she added with a snort, as if the Vatican’s actions were utterly ridiculous to her.

“They probably reached the first tower realm and are hiding from the Seven Vatican Generals there,” Angela Rinaldi, the Vice Guild Master of the [Emerald Bloom Guild], said thoughtfully, rubbing her chin.

“It might actually help if we found them first and made them join forces with us against the Seven Vatican Generals.”

“After all, the main reason their religion grew so much in the past few months was because of them. If we had them, we could lure in their believers to stand against the Seven Generals,” Lorenzo Rossi added.

“Pfft, we don’t need anyone but the Great Master. If we had him with us, I believe he could defeat all seven generals in one go,” Eric Walcrown declared proudly.

Everyone who heard this raised their eyebrows, especially Laura Fontana, Angela Rinaldi, and Pietro Grimaldi, who had never heard of this person.

Lorenzo Rossi, however, narrowed his eyes, clearly displeased with the mention of the Great Master.

He had fought this person once and lost miserably.

Ever since then, he had been training and leveling up like a madman, determined to claim victory in a rematch.

As for Eric Walcrown, he was eagerly waiting for the Great Master, whose name he didn’t even know, to take control of the force he had created, the [Wild Phantom Guild].

What Eric didn’t realize was that the United Sword Guild had issues with the same person he was calling the Great Master.

“Who is this ‘Great Master’ you’re talking about?” Laura asked curiously.

“He’s my master, the strongest hunter to ever exist,” Eric replied with reverence.

“The strongest?” Pietro Grimaldi raised an eyebrow.

He was the strongest person in Italy and had never met anyone stronger within the country.

His curiosity was piqued.

“It’s the person in that video that went viral on Awakening Day. I’m sure you’ve seen it,” Eric said.

“Oh, yes, that video. The sickly-looking man killing those wolf-like monsters? That’s your Great Master? How is he? How have I not heard of him before?” Angela Rinaldi said, suddenly remembering.

“Well, I haven’t met the Great Master since that day either, but I’m sure he’s out there somewhere, growing stronger and waiting for the right time to showcase his excellence and brilliance to the world,” Eric shrugged confidently.

The others looked at him as if he’d hit his head.

“Eric, the Association has placed his profile on a high-priority list in the World Awakener Association. If he was out there somewhere, someone would have encountered him by now,” Giuseppe Santis said calmly.

“Yeah, he probably died or became some monster’s dinner,” Lorenzo said with a smirk.

“Say what you want and believe what you want, but I know he’s out there. You’re just afraid to accept that there’s someone more powerful than you,” Eric shot back defiantly.

…

[Remaining Time: 00(D):00(H):00(M):02(S)]

[Remaining Time: 00(D):00(H):00(M):01(S)]

[Remaining Time: 00(D):00(H):00(M):00(S)]

[You have survived the Sludge Demon Swamp.]

[You have proven your will to survive.]

[You have completed the 3rd trial of the Tower of Evolutions.]

[Rewards: +20,000 Gold]

“….”

“That’s it? Where are the rest of my rewards?”

“My lord, the system is stingy… I just completed a hell-mode trial, and it didn’t give me anything except the gold?”

“Well, it’s not like I can do anything about this,” Damian sighed, shrugging his head in dissatisfaction.