Chapter 95: So Soon?
Others were still waiting, hoping someone else would go ahead and test the waters. If the Void God Kassadin intended to form a faction and offer the opportunity to grow stronger to those who joined, they'd quickly follow suit.
Harvey's announcement wasn't confined to the bounty hunter world. Anyone on Xandar who was browsing the web or had access to various information channels could catch wind of it.
"Kassadin is establishing the Void God Cult and has publicly revealed the location."
"It's not far from here. Should we pay a visit?"
"Let's wait until after work. We can head over then."
"Sounds good. We'll go after."
Darm and his brothers had already heard the news. After a quick exchange of opinions, they finalized their plans in just a few sentences.
Over the past month, they had truly come to understand the greatness of the Void. With their newfound strength, they had become dedicated laborers, using every free day to find tough jobs. Their bricklaying efforts earned them five times more money than their old jobs as guards.
At first, they thought about quitting their guard posts and focusing entirely on manual labor. But Darm convinced them to stay. He reasoned that keeping their current jobs would make it easier to apply for the Nova Corps exams later. Passing the exam and getting their hands on the coveted Nova armor would catapult their power to new heights, especially with the Void's gift of evolution.
With their enhanced strength and the Nova armor, they'd be making some serious money.
Darm's plan made sense to them, so they ditched the idea of resigning. As for the discussion about meeting Kassadin, there was no disagreement—they were all on board.
As time passed, the message spread under the name of Kassadin, reaching more and more people across the universe at lightning speed.
※※※※※※
On Void Island.
Sonya had just placed an online order for a variety of basic gravity facilities from Wengersath Corporation. She had no idea why Kassadin wanted such a random assortment of equipment, or why he even needed such trivial things in the first place. But if Kassadin ordered it, she wasn't about to question him—she just bought everything available.
After the order was placed, she shifted her focus to browsing different combat training videos. Her strength had improved significantly, but she lacked the techniques to fully harness it. There was no time to waste; she needed to study.
Once the chefs arrived, she'd also have to settle them into the housing and kitchen facilities specifically arranged for them.
Even though time was tight, Sonya wasn't one to waste a second. She immersed herself in watching various fighting styles, replaying the moves in her mind to cement the techniques.
Initially, Sonya thought she'd have at least three hours of free time, as the chefs weren't scheduled to arrive until the noon flight. But less than an hour later, her AI assistant notified her that someone had landed on the island.
She stopped mid-punch, stunned.
"Could it be already?" Sonya muttered in disbelief, quickly realizing what was happening.
She activated her communicator and a projection appeared, revealing four people who had just arrived at the island's port—three men and one woman.
"…Really?"
Sonya observed the group, noting their cautious demeanor. They didn't seem suspicious or hostile, just... careful. She looked down at herself, realizing she was drenched in sweat. Deciding it was best to clean up before addressing the situation, she headed to the villa to freshen up.
While Kassadin didn't mind how she presented herself, she knew she'd have to be more mindful in front of the future members of the Void God Cult. She couldn't be as relaxed around them as she was with him.
Ten minutes later, Sonya was back, dressed in a white top and shorts. She radiated an air of innocence and sunshine, a far cry from someone who might evoke danger—a first impression that could win her some goodwill.
"Kassadin, sir, we have visitors. They arrived eleven minutes ago, but they aren't the chefs we were expecting."
"I know. They're currently making their way down the road."
"Should I meet them at the temple?"
"Take them there. Let them observe the monument. If they decide to believe in the Void, allow them to stay. If they choose otherwise, show them the way out."
Kassadin casually sipped on a cold drink, showing no signs of urgency or concern as he responded.
"Yes, sir," Sonya replied, nodding before turning to leave.
Harvey already knew who these visitors were. Three of them were superpowered individuals, and one of them, Lacey, was someone he'd crossed paths with before.
The fact that the message had attracted them so quickly was a good sign, but whether or not they could seize this opportunity would depend entirely on their interaction with Sonya.
If they failed to grasp it and chose to leave, Harvey wouldn't lose any sleep over it. After all, there would be plenty more visitors now that the Void Temple was established and word had spread.
While he was willing to give people a chance, they had to be capable of recognizing it. If they showed arrogance toward Sonya, someone who had joined the Void but wasn't overwhelmingly powerful yet, it would reveal a fatal flaw in their character. That kind of arrogance, when coupled with great power, could lead to disastrous outcomes.
As he sipped his drink, Harvey kept a close eye on these first visitors. Meanwhile, Sonya moved swiftly through the trees, quickly reaching the steps of the Void Temple. She stood there, ready to greet the first wave of newcomers.
Though Kassadin wasn't physically present at the temple, Sonya knew he was surely watching everything from the villa.
As Kassadin had said, he was offering these visitors an opportunity. Whether they could impress him enough to receive his blessing and join the Void would depend entirely on their actions and intentions.
Sonya knew her place in the grand scheme of things. For now, she was Kassadin's caretaker—she hadn't yet earned the title of his true envoy. But she was determined to work hard toward becoming one.