Mandatory Mission

At the missions area.

There was a giant notice board carved out of a giant tree. It stood more than a hundred feet tall, and was covered in postings.

Holding a staff, an elderly man in white robes stood at the front of the notice board. Disciples would come to him with letters or jade slips indicating which mission they were to be given, or if they were there to post a request.

On either side of him were disciples coming and going, passing by the wide path and casting glances at the notice board as they did so.

The elder would not move or say a word unless it was about a mission or request; the disciples were quite used to him.

"Good day, Statue Elder," a disciple said as she passed by.

"What's up, Elder Solid-Stones?" another disciple extended a fist for the elder to bump.

He did not reciprocate.

Gilgamesh appeared at the missions area and looked at the giant board, giving a low whistle.

He saw the disciples that were around and they saw him. Some of them recognized him, and he smirked in response to their words.

"It's Viktor-Killer Gilgamesh," someone called out to Gilgamesh, giving him a wave.

"So that's the guy who thinks he can beat Big Brother Feral?" Another disciple sneered.

"He's also the guy who faced two tribulations in two days, back to back."

Gilgamesh paid them no mind and walked over to the elder, withdrawing the letter from Hunter Guardian as his void ring flashed.

When the elder saw the letter, he raised his staff. With a wisp of his true energy, it extended and rose to an area of the notice board.

The staff ran across the postings, and each time it would emit a faint golden glow. Suddenly, several objects fell from the notice board, which the elder swifty caught in his hand.

At the same time, the staff reverted to its usual size.

"These are the options for a mandatory mission. You can't choose more than one."

When the elder opened his hand, eight jade slips were revealed.

Gilgamesh grabbed them up and inspected each one before making his decision.

'Herb gathering... Relic hunting... Finding a lost pet... Boring.'

Suddenly, he saw something that made his eyes glisten.

"I'll take this one," Gilgamesh said as he handed the others back to the elder.

The elder waved his hands, and following an intense golden glow the jade slips disappeared.

He then placed his hand over the jade slip in Gilgamesh's hand and said, "Unseal."

That jade slip suddenly lit up, and a noise like the breaking of a chain sounded.

"Go on then. All the information's there."

Gilgamesh departed without another word.

As Gilgamesh departed, the elder closed his eyes and let out a breath of exasperation, heaving a forlorn sigh.

With a resigned, defeated expression, he shed a single tear that fell from his face in silence.

Gone unnoticed.

As Gilgamesh walked, he perused the contents of the jade slip

"Objective: Investigate the murders taking place in and around the Town of Tribes."

Gilgamesh smiled, then went on to the rest of the details.

"The sect's allies in the Temple of the Slithering Vine have informed us of an increase in reports of brutal murders taking place in the nearby town."

"Mortals are being mutiliated, drained of their lifeforce and hung on trees. It is suspected that a skilled cultivator of at least the Early Establishment stage is involved, as the temple attendants and staff are unable to sense them."

Gilgamesh thought about the situation a bit before he put the jade slip away.

When he thought about the steps he would have to take to complete this mission, he instinctively activated the Omniscient Author's nature.

He instantly felt himself use up a significant amount of true energy.

In his mind, answers and explanations came to him, which he digested furiously.

'The area surrounding the Forest-Gate Guardians' Society has always been the home of several native tribes. In more recent years, following the establishment of the sect, the tribes banded together and attempted to revolt.'

'Not wanting to take severe action against simple mortals, the Old Patriarch ordered the construction of the Temple, and placed his subordinate there to facilitate the slow indoctrination of the tribes.'

'In truth, this was an excuse for the Old Patriarch to ostracize this subordinate: the Holy Shaman.'

'The Holy Shaman and the Old Patriarch have waged secret battles, and this mission is likely a setup for yet another battle.'

'Your involvement in this matter is not a coincidence. Someone who understands you somewhat is attempting to plot against you.'

Gilgamesh absorbed the information with a smirk, and decided to push the limits of his true energy by repeatedly using the Omniscient Author.

As he did so, he altered his direction.

He was planning on going to Law and Wyg's houses, and invite them to accompany him on this mission.

Whatever it is that he came to learn, he felt as though he would need some spectators on this mission.

Meanwhile, in the heavens of heavens, somewhere in between two layers of 12-colored clouds...

A celestial being, draped in starlight clothing, was flying through the air. From both above and below him, golden arcs of light illuminated everything.

In the distance, he saw two massive pillars, one which rose from the bottom layer, and one which descended from the top layer.

The point where these two pillars would have met was occupied by a mass of floating land, constructed of nothing but 12-colored light. Upon that floating island, the enormous shape of a castle could be seen.

When the man saw this, he took a deep breath and increased his speed. Once he was close enough to that mass of land, he announced his arrival.

"Lord Cloud, Overseer of the 119th Solar System, requests an audience with the Heavenly Master!"

Immediately, upon the walls of the castle, winging beings adorned in armor fashioned from precious jewels and diamonds appeared.

They looked like humans, but their white feathered wings, regal auras and the matchless divine halos that lingered behind them suggested that they were far beyond human.

"Lord Cloud is recognized. The Heavenly Master will see you."

With no further words, one of those winged beings flicked his finger in Lord Clouds direction, then the latter was instantaneously transported to a location within the castle.

Sitting alone at a table that could easily accomodate more than a thousand people, another celestial being was enjoying a feast of high-quality spiritual food, fruits and wine.

He did not look at Lord Cloud, nor did he express any kind of acknowledgment. He simply carried on eating, and would ocassionally use a napkin to wipe his mouth.

"Your Humble Servant bows in your presence, Esteemed Heavenly Master." Lord Cloud fell to his knees and upon his face in reverence.

"Mm." The man acknowledged.

"I bring to you a report on a strange classification of being. It is a human that calls itself Gilgamesh."

Upon hearing this, a fork fell from the Heavenly Masters hand and crashed into his plate. His eyes finally looked away from his food, and toward the kneeling Lord Cloud.

As he gazed at Lord Cloud, bright green energy flashed in his eyes, and the image of a bright white brain appeared on his forehead, glowing powerfully.

"Gilgamesh, you say?"

When he spoke, the heavenly aura of the entire space, both within the castle and outside it in the heavens of heavens, came to life.

All things that existed in the world of 12-colored clouds came to life and resonated with the Heavenly Master, wishing to become subservient to his will.

"Truth's Mind is hard to ignore," the Heavenly Master suddenly sighed.

Then, he moved. A simple action like pushing his chair out and beginning to stand, yet it had terrifying ramifiactions.

The heavens of heavens shook and shuddered, and both layers of clouds began to recede, as though they were fleeing from the Heavenly Master's presence.

He stood up and walked to Lord Cloud, each step creating a terrifying shockwave that spread from the castle throughout the entire world.

Even the divine golden light appeared to dim slightly.

No longer looking down at the now shivering Lord Cloud, the Heavenly Master instead turned his eyes to the direction Lord Cloud had come from.

"I should like to visit this one. I suppose I cannot continue to shirk my duty now that you have brought this news before me."

The Heavenly Master's words radiated more power and authority than Lord Cloud could bear, and spectral blood seeped from the corners of his mouth.

At that time, the image of Truth's Mind stopped glowing and vanished from the Heavenly Master's forehead.

He let out a breath that became a powerful and chaotic wind that spread out, become a current of torrential spatial power.

"Take me to the Gilgamesh."

Lord Cloud managed to pick himself up, but did not dare to look the Heavenly Master in his eyes.

"As you command, Heavenly Master," Lord Cloud obsequiously responded.