Damon's Ascension-Chapter 36: Advent of the Human Race 14

Kissuo did not waste time here and got right down to it. If there was one thing about the IUAS processes that was different from typical bureaucratic human procedures, it was that it was far more efficient because not every species could tolerate lethargy or slothfulness. ƒreewebɳovel.com

"In first rank remain the Dragon Race. This ranking is retained due to the fact that they still possess the best overall average in most fields universe-wide, with an EX in Power, SS in Mobility, SS in Mentality, and SSS in Providence. Based on their ability awakening average, they are rated with an SSS."

No one was surprised by this, and the dragons didn’t seem relieved nor refreshed by this. Even the human race, in their short time out in the IUAS, knew that the positions of the dragons within the universe were extremely hard to shake.

"In second rank remain the Phoenix Race. This ranking is retained due to their SSS Power ranking, EX Mobility ranking, S Mentality ranking, and SS Providence ranking. Their ability average is the same as the dragon race at SSS."

This one too brought no fanfare.

"In third place are the Nephilim, the special children of two top races. They possess the advantages of both their parental species with an SS Power ranking, SS Mobility ranking, SS Mentality ranking, and S level Providence. Their ability average scores at SS, and each one of them has endless potential."

Kissuo smiled slightly. "In fourth place are the Elves, the children of the universe. They are graded with an A rank in Power, SS rank in Mobility, SS rank in Mentality, and A rank in Providence. The average ability score is rated at SS given their profound natural talent."

Many rolled their eyes, not even bothered to argue with him on this and rather just let the elves live in their delusion as long as they were willing to handle the tiring tasks of bureaucracy.

Kissuo looked up with a grim smile. "From here is where the changes take place. In the previous 5th place were the Behemoth race, now replaced by the up-and-coming human race."

Hearing this, there was a low buzz in the senate as half of the eyes fell on the carrier with the three representatives of the Behemoth race, who were stone-faced, while the other half fell on the humans who wore casual smiles.

"The reason for this change lies in the fact that although the human race possesses F ranked Power and F ranked Mobility, they have SSS Mentality and EX Providence, hitherto unseen in the universe. On top of that, they are rated SSS in terms of abilities, and this is the minimum score given them, which still has the chance to increase once the ability average is further developed as more of their kind awaken."

Kissuo spoke slowly and clearly, making sure that his every word was heard and understood.

"Are there any refutations or disagreements with this placement?" Kissuo asked pointedly, looking toward the Behemoth race.

Damon and co. also looked over to see who their biggest enemies were at the moment, wanting to see how they would respond. Meanwhile, the leader of the Behemoth race, an easily 14-foot tall cyclops with wild green hair and a ferocious scowl on his face, simply stood up and glanced around.

"Hmph, we are not so petty as to cause a fuss. Let us see what the future holds," he said in a deeply gruff voice, not even glancing at the human race’s direction the entire time.

This kind of disregard made the smiles of the humans become strained, as their forced confidence was tested at this moment. Damon had instructed them to wear such smiles no matter what to show confidence in overcoming obstacles and to prevent putting up a weak front, but the pressure was mounting.

Kissuo nodded. "Then I shall continue. In sixth place are now the Behemoths with..."

Damon listened carefully to the species ranking as it went on, but it didn’t really matter since he had already memorized it during the first week on Ambrose’s ship. If anything, he only noted that the Hifers and Rabbeum, who debuted with them, came in 10,004th and 10,124th place, respectively.

Looking at their leaders who sat on either side of them, there was a haggard look on their faces as their financial negotiations obviously did not go nearly as well as what the humans got. The price they had paid might even be slightly higher due to their proximity to humans as a way for the companies to vent their anger.

The listing came to an end, and Kissuo folded his documents as he nodded to everyone. "Apart from the Humans and the Behemoths, everyone can head to the Galactic Union’s lounge for refreshments and entertainment. The two species called, please follow me to the Union’s Council Room."

"Let’s go, it’s our time to shine, people," Damon prompted with a smile, controlling their carrier to follow that of Kissuo towards the top part of the senate chamber.

Soon, they were joined by the carrier holding the three Behemoths, bringing them close enough to view each other directly. Now that they were close, the sheer size of the Behemoths was more apparent, with them easily towering over the entire group like a human to a chicken.

No words were exchanged, though the humans gave the Behemoths glances from the side while the Behemoths squarely ignored the humans. This awkward situation carried on until the carriers reached an entryway at the top of the senate chamber that led to a wide hallway.

The three parties disembarked, Kissuo with his two aides, the three Behemoth representatives, and Damon with his crew. Surprisingly, no one stopped the many humans from tagging along, which the group hadn’t expected, as they thought the core three of Damon, Felicia, and Xela would be the only ones to tough out the final handover.

At the end of the hallway were a set of wide double doors that opened automatically to reveal a blank room with white and black walls that stretched far.

"Intion-223, create a suitable office room for the purposes of a handover between the human race and the Behemoths, chaired by myself," Kissuo commanded with an authoritative tone.

"Yes, Lord Kissuo," a male toneless voice responded from all around them as the room rapidly shrank to be large enough to be comfortable for the Behemoths and humans alike.

To the humans, it was as if the Behemoths shrank down to their size, while to the Behemoths, it was as if the puny humans suddenly grew multiple times larger. It was an effect that did not actually affect their relative sizes but rather their perceptions of each other’s sizes since this was a virtual world.

"Please be seated, Representative Targota and Representative Damon," Kissuo introduced as he himself sat at the high stage that overlooked the table with his two aides, overseeing the entire exchange.

Both parties did so, with Felicia and Xela sitting beside Damon and the other parties doing the same. Once everyone was suitably settled, Kissuo began the proceedings to get it over and done with.

"Alright, due to the recent species ranking reshuffling, the human race has been pushed to the 5th spot over the Behemoths, who formerly held that place. As the rules are, we have to have an official handing over of rights and responsibilities.

Kissuo glanced at both sides. "This process is usually straightforward, with both parties required to sign the agreement. Of course, if any party is dissatisfied with the benefits being shared over, there can be some negotiation based on merits and rational argumentation."

"Lord Kissuo, I would like to ask what these specific rights and responsibilities are?" Damon asked carefully, not wanting to jump into a pit inadvertently.

Kissuo nodded. "Take a look."

A holographic screen appeared before Damon and his group, neatly listing all the benefits the human race gained as a result of being in 5th place and what they were obligated to do as a result.

For the rights, the human race would gain species diplomatic immunity when committing a crime in any IUAS territory within the universe. The human race as a whole also had a credit line of 1 billion Essence Coins from the IUAS, which had no interest rate and could be paid back at any time, at any rate.

The IUAS would also sponsor free awakenings for up to a hundred humans every year, chosen randomly from the populace with no contract of service or payback required. The human race would also have access to all the latest technological achievements of the IUAS, as well as specialized subsidies to help them raise their civilization level to match that new height.

They would also be given rights to certain unclaimed areas of the universe near their home planet that could be terraformed for leisure planets, entertainment, sports, or whatever other purpose the race wanted to use it for.

These were just the boldest of the list of benefits; there were countless other miscellaneous ones.

While the other humans ogled at the long list of benefits, Damon’s eyes shifted to the obligations, his lips thinning into a neutral expression at what he saw.