"So how will we decide what to do?" Noah asked with a smile on his face.
"We all five will launch a joint attack on the leader of those beasts while the other elders will take care of the weaker beasts," Aiden spoke at this time, and everyone nodded in agreement.
"What about those weaker beasts then?"
Noah looked to his side; a beautiful woman with raven hair had spoken. She was wearing a sheath dress that highlighted her dainty figure.
"West Village leader, what do you suggest?" Noah asked with a mysterious smile on his face.
"It is inevitable that the younger generation must fight the weaker beasts. However, considering their numbers, which are in the thousands, that would be troublesome. We might not even survive their first wave to begin with if we don't make proper barricades," she looked at everyone present.
"How about we set up a contribution board and reward those who can hunt the most beasts? Our West Village is willing to give out mermaid tears and many other rewards."
"Our North Village is also willing to contribute siren skins and lower-grade treasures," Noah declared.
Observing this, Aiden remained impassive, though inwardly he gritted his teeth in frustration.
"Our South Village will be supplying valuable potions," Aiden added, his tone light.
"Then our East Village will provide an array of artefacts," spoke a man of short stature, nodding in agreement.
Lastly, a figure resembling a caveman, clad only in a simple black skirt, stepped forward. His height was even a head taller than Aur, he announced, "Then our Nomad Village will supply beast blood, including the rare tier two shadow bears."
The other four elders were stunned by this revelation.
"Shadow bears?" Aiden muttered, eyebrows furrowing in thought.
Indeed, the existence of such creatures was unexpected. Despite lacking a tier three beast, the Shadow Bears have managed to maintain its own territory, nestled deep within the wilderness.
The only reason they haven't been wiped out yet was because the backlash from them was not worth the effort of the five villages.
But this didn't mean the blood and organs of these bears weren't valuable; they could be used to make many spells.
Additionally, they had a distinctive feature of increasing the strength of the body if eaten raw, although it was only the first time, even various healing spells used the organs of these bears commonly.
However, wiping out the shadow bears' entire tribe would require at least ten elders, enough to make any of the five villages bleed.
"Alright, it's been decided then," Noah announced, clapping his hands with a smile on his face.
The main speakers here were mostly the leaders of the five villages. As for the elders, they were mostly there for show. They weren't as well-qualified in conversing with tier three wizards.
Throughout the meeting, Aur and William remained silent, even though William didn't speak a single word.
…
Aur gazed at the stone tablet being slowly set up.
"These stone tablets will record the merits of all the people, but remember, tier two wizards cannot participate in it. A contribution point here is equivalent to a low-grade mana crystal. If you can kill a mortal beast, then you will gain ten contribution points. For a peak mortal beast, you will gain a hundred contribution points.
For tier one beasts, you can gain a thousand contribution points, and for a peak tier one beast, you will gain a total of five thousand contribution points," Raven, the West Village leader explained, smiling seductively.
"These contribution points can be used to exchange for anything listed in the shop you use. Are you satisfied with my arrangement?"
The four village leaders didn't speak, their expressions indiscernible, but it was a form of acknowledgment as well.
"Let's bring the juniors and use these as the anchor point."
Noah's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, but he remained silent.
"Understood."
Noah and the other three leaders also nodded to the words of the West Village leader.
"We will meet again in a day, and the plan to repel the beast tide will be decided then."
With that, the meeting concluded.
Noah returned to his group of elders and addressed William and Aur sternly.
"Remember, protecting your life is a must. As for these resources, although they might seem valuable, your life is far more precious. If you encounter a peak tier one beast, remove all greed from your heart and escape with all your might."
William felt warmth in his heart upon hearing this. "Thank you, Master."
"Thank you, Leader," Aur said with a moved expression.
"Good," Noah nodded with a satisfied expression.
"I have contacted the others using a message-type spell, so they should be arriving soon. Remember to hunt in groups rather than alone."
As the others arrived, the sun had already begun its descent below the horizon.
Aur observed the instructors, senior students, and the disciples of the Elders with a curious expression on his face. Among them was Naomi, whose gaze held a complexity as she looked at him.
"How interesting," Aur thought, his eyes flashing with intrigue.
"Hey, Aur, do you want to team up with me?" William suddenly approached Aur and spoke.
Aur silently regarded him and then shook his head.
William nodded, as if anticipating Aur's response, and returned to his previous position.
While he did so, others approached Aur, attempting to join his team, but all were met with an expressionless face of Aur.
"How arrogant does Aur think he is, just because he has become an Elder? He thinks he can do everything alone."
"It's not that a person who barely took twenty-five steps and could reach the tier one wizard realm the fastest, even in history, cannot be a simple character at all. Besides, even when he was participating in the annual competition, he acted alone and scored monstrously far ahead of everyone present, I heard. His combat power must be terrifying."
"From my analysis, Elder Aur likes to work alone and doesn't take anyone-"
As whispers circulated among the crowd, Naomi walked out with an expressionless face, heading towards him.
"Aur, I would like to accompany you on the hunt," she said.
"Sure," Aur casually responded.