Ch 143

  After spending a few hours gathering more information from Rudan and using his clone to discuss matters with his party, Matt felt confident that he had enough material for the broadcast he wanted to conduct. Consequently, he scheduled it for 12 hours later, allowing everyone ample time to adjust their schedules accordingly. For Matt, however, this waiting period felt like a waste, as he couldn't allow Rudan to leave until the broadcast was completed, a fact both of them were acutely aware of. As a result, they spent 12 hours playing a game resembling chess to pass the time, with Matt losing all but one of the 20 games they managed to fit in.

  Still, it wasn’t a total loss, as Matt managed to gain a point in his mind stat. However, this only highlighted his pressing need to focus on improving his strength and dexterity, as both were lagging far behind the rest. He knew that this disparity would eventually come back to haunt him, even if his other stats continued to climb. Durability, Stamina, Spirit, and Mind would mean nothing if he couldn’t land a hit or dodge effectively in a fight, and he had a nagging feeling that this was an accurate reflection of his current abilities for his level. Nevertheless, he decided to put this concern on the back burner for the time being as he watched the last few minutes of the countdown wind down.

  "Rudan, I’ll need you to stand behind me for this broadcast, as it's important for my plans," Matt instructed, his voice steady but urgent.

  "Plans that I may not want to aid with," countered Rudan, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Tell me, what happens if I act out while you’re on the broadcast?"

  "That is simple," Matt replied calmly. "My plan will fail, and as you said yourself, you will likely be killed once everything plays out."

  "I see no future where—" Rudan began, skepticism lacing his words.

  "If I can truly open a path to my world for you, I’ll bring you over," Matt interjected with a confident smile.

  Rudan suddenly paused at his words, his eyes widening slightly before he frowned and finally nodded, conceding to the logic of Matt's proposition.

  "Very well, I will behave no matter what foolishness I hear during the broadcast, but I will still speak my mind afterward," Rudan agreed, his tone reluctantly cooperative.

  "That’s fair," Matt acknowledged with a nod. "Now, if you would be so kind as to stand behind me, we have about 30 seconds before it starts."

  With that decision made, Rudan moved behind the chair where Matt was seated, contemplating whether he wanted to modify anything in his prepared speech. He was acutely aware that his words could either trigger a surge of support for Scattered Stars or incite a full-blown revolt. Regardless of the outcome, he realized there was no alternative; inaction would surely yield nothing worthwhile for his efforts. Simply put, he was uneasy about his chances of confronting Tempormr or any other formidable powers vying for control of the universe if his plan were to fail. With these thoughts swirling in his mind, the broadcast commenced, and Matt concentrated intently on delivering his message.

  "I will not waste any time on greetings or unnecessary matters today. This broadcast serves only two purposes. First, to speak to all those who have recently joined us and are not natives of Earth. Second, to update those native to Earth on what I have learned since the last time I held a broadcast like this. I don't care if those not from Earth stay on for the second part, but you never know—Rudas here may have told me something useful for you as well.

  "Now, to all those who are new and not from Earth, there are going to be aspects of my leadership that will greatly conflict with what you are accustomed to. For instance, I couldn't care less about someone's gender when it comes to aspiring to grow powerful. While I can agree that women should value their roles as mothers and wives, men should also seek to empower them. I will not comment on the practice of the powerful having multiple wives, but I will say that it is not something I am interested in at all. If I were, well, I doubt that those from Earth would be very understanding.

  "I am sure that many of you out there are already muttering and thinking that I am going to change things in a way that you won't like. Others of you are laughing, thinking that my days as the one in charge of you are numbered. Well, any of you are free to leave at any time; just know that we have implemented a control measure that will see all merit points you currently possess seized and forcibly transferred to the organization for redistribution. That is right, while our exchange system is far more open than you are used to, we are also cautious of anyone thinking of leaving with a large amount of merit points to their name. So, you may as well use them for whatever you like and accept that, as long as I live, they will remain with Scattered Stars."

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Matt paused for effect, allowing his words to sink in. He knew that to some, he might have just painted a target on his back, but he was trusting that the penalty period would restrain those far beyond his ability from making a move. Besides, by now, his achievement of defeating an A rank while only being a D rank had likely spread far and wide, and that alone should make most people hesitate. Still, Matt would be disappointed if there weren’t at least a few attempts on his life while he waited, as that would deny him the chance to showcase his strength. According to Greg, and surprisingly with Emily's agreement, this display of power was necessary.

  "There are a few more draconian methods that we are considering," Matt warned as he continued. "Especially if we feel that members are hoarding their merit points without reason, since our current plans require resources to flow freely. Now is not the time to worry about profit and loss; what we are after is growth. We aim for growth in a manner that the universe currently lacks, as my intent is to connect the isolated regions and usher in a new era of trade."

  Matt frowned because the idea had been Eleanor's, who saw the fact that all the organizations essentially isolated themselves from others as a major opportunity. If Scattered Stars could market itself as a neutral entity, entering the various worlds controlled by other factions and facilitating trade between them, it could empower a rapid rise. However, this strategy was also highly dangerous as it defied the conventional logic of how organizations operated. This brought Matt to his next statement.

  "What is the point of isolating ourselves from others? Alone, we stand no chance of survival. But if we can offer value to the universe as a whole, then why would they care if we control a few isolated worlds that hold little value in the grand scheme of things? This is the path I will pursue between now and the end of my time here. If I fail, it will mean my life is over, and all of you will be free to pursue whatever path you see as best. However, when I succeed, I expect each and every one of you to rise to the occasion and strive to reach the peak of A rank at the very least. Anyone who can't at least reach that has no right to claim they deserve to be a member of Scattered Stars. The only exceptions to this are those who are true masters of a craft and the direct family of those who do reach that rank, as I am not blind to the various forms stars can take or that some can only shine with the support of others."

  Based solely on Rudas’s words and his own observations from dealing with Tempormr and the higher-ups of Godfrey Enterprises, Matt realized that what he was proposing was a novel concept. However, he understood that it was likely a concept that had been attempted before; it was just that when asked, Rudan knew nothing about it. Thus, Matt was banking on the idea that those who tried it previously were all focused on expanding their organization’s power and boundaries simultaneously. The absence of any desire to expand beyond the two worlds was what Matt was counting on to ensure his plan's success. Even though he knew the first part of his plan was a long shot, relying on little more than hope and a prayer, it would only succeed if he could persuade Radoznaormr to agree with it.

  "Now, onto those of you who have come from Earth. I am delighted to see that most of you are still alive and that even more of you have joined our ranks in these past few days..."

  Matt continued to discuss the various things he had learned, which would be useful to most people, right up until he had only a minute left. This included reassurance that he wasn't in a position to judge how far any of them could go, and that a willingness to try was all he currently asked of them. However, he needed the last minute to close things out in the right way, as he knew it was crucial to reassure them that he had a plan, and it was needed desperately.

  "So, as this broadcast comes to an end, I simply wish for you all to know this: while most of you will never know the specifics, I do have a plan, and I have no intention of dying on any of you. Still, like all of you, I can fail, and if I do, I’ll gladly pick myself back up and continue working to ensure that the results I desire will be achieved. Even if that means fighting my way through the universe, either eliminating all threats or dying in the attempt."

  With that, the broadcast concluded, and Matt felt he might have gone a bit too far with the cliché of claiming he would die trying, but deep down, he believed it to be true. After all, if his plan failed, he would likely have to confront and possibly slay Tempormr one day, if not face many more challenges, if he ever wished to live in peace. Even if he could manage to hide, the same couldn't be said for all those he now cared about. As much as he hated to admit it, he realized he couldn’t return to living in solitude. Even if he doubted the future of his relationship with Rose, the comfort he found in her presence had been genuine, and he suspected that he could no longer dismiss it as easily as he once might have.

  The real question that Matt found himself pondering was which of the women seeking his affection could he envision keeping pace with him. Unfortunately, this led him back to the same conclusion he seemed to reach every time: none of them could. He had moved on, leaving them behind, and now he felt the need to confirm what he already knew in his gut and provide each woman with a sense of closure. Afterward, Matt fully intended to seek out a woman whom he believed would be able to at least defend herself against the challenges and threats he anticipated facing in his life if one even existed to begin with.

  She didn't need to be a beauty. She didn't need to be eloquent. She didn't even need to be human. He couldn't care less about desires for children, wealth, power, and even peace. No, all Matt cared about was that he could find comfort in her presence and that she wouldn't leave him prematurely. This had him seriously contemplating the very real possibility of accepting a political marriage if such a woman who met all his criteria was offered, and they were both allowed to live as they wished. Surely, such a woman didn't exist, and if one did, what faction would be foolish enough to offer her to a man considered as good as dead, in exchange for a hope that seemed unlikely in their eyes?