Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord-Chapter 32 - Recruitment Day

Atlas and the others gathered around the dining table, sampling the variety of snacks he’d brought back. As expected, Karian wasted no time grabbing whatever caught his eye, devouring everything at lightning speed.

At one point, just as he reached for another treat, Morganna shot him a sharp glare. He froze mid-reach, then quietly pulled back, letting her take it instead.

Atlas couldn’t help but chuckle at their behavior. He could understand Karian’s reaction, coming from a brutal world, he likely had never tasted anything quite like this before.

But Morganna?

If Morganna had once been practically a god in her original world, ruling an entire planet, surely she had access to all kinds of luxuries and rare foods, didn’t she? Or maybe the world she came from was simply that different, so far removed from this one that even these simple treats were something new to her.

And within just a few minutes, nearly half of everything Atlas had brought was gone, demolished almost entirely by just the two of them: Karian and Morganna.

Afterward, Atlas retrieved the Awakener Devices he had acquired earlier and began handing them out.

"Activate these with your Mana," he explained. "They’re communication tools, but they come with a range of other features too. I’ve picked one up for each of you. I’m sure they’ll come in handy."

He distributed the devices one by one. Edrik was the first to respond, quickly tapping through a few screens and slipping the device neatly into his pocket. Karian, on the other hand, fumbled with the small interface, his large thumbs clearly not suited for delicate screens. Edrik watched with visible amusement but didn’t offer any assistance.

Atlas noticed Lyrassa holding her device, just staring at it, unsure of what to do. He stepped over and gently took her hand, guiding her thumb to the screen. The moment she touched it, the device lit up green.

He said with a smile. "Feel free to explore it. Let me know if you run into anything confusing."

Lyrassa gave a small nod, then slowly began poking at the screen with her index finger.

Atlas’s attention shifted to Morganna. She too was quietly staring at her device. He approached and offered, "Hey, need a hand?"

She didn’t reply. But she didn’t pull away, either.

Taking that as a silent yes, he stepped beside her, their shoulders lightly brushing as he pointed at the screen.

"Here. Place your thumb right there."

Morganna followed his instruction without a word. Her device flickered to life with a soft glow. She studied it briefly, then began tapping through the interface on her own.

Had any of them worked with advanced tech before?

It became clear as he watched her, Morganna wasn’t as hesitant as Lyrassa. She adapted quickly, like someone who had seen similar systems before. Perhaps in her previous world, technology existed too. Though likely with a different form and purpose.

After wrapping up the explanation of the Awakener Devices and confirming everyone was now connected to him, Atlas turned his attention to a batch of messages from the Awakener Association.

They had sent over the final list of supplies he had requested. He took a sharp breath as he skimmed through it.

The total cost would strip away about 300 gold from his remaining funds. Painful, yes, but with that, he’d be able to build four Flame Beacons as soon as he returned to Gacha Haven.

Surprisingly, Fire Crystals weren’t as pricey as he’d expected. Sure, he could try hunting for more, but after a full day’s effort, he’d only managed to collect thirty. He needed one hundred just to construct a single Flame Beacon.

Still, the Flame Beacons were worth it. They’d provide essential defense. Four should be more than enough for the first stage of his stronghold.

But one item on the list instantly seized his attention: the World Shard.

He needed three of them to build a Gateway Altar—an essential structure that would allow him to summon Awakeners more efficiently. Unfortunately, the price was brutal: typically between 150 to 200 gold per shard. And now, the Association had offered him all three... for 480 gold.

Should he take the deal?

Four hundred eighty gold coins, that was a massive investment. With that kind of money, he could fund the contracts of over a hundred mercenaries. Buying those shards now would nearly empty his entire treasury.

Without the Gateway Altar, though, he’d be forced to keep returning to the lower lands every time he needed new recruits. That would be a logistical nightmare. Eating up time, energy, and resources.

Sure, it might be pleasant if every city he visited was like Veylamar: advanced, friendly, cooperative. But that was wishful thinking. Many other regions could be dangerous, primitive, or outright hostile. Depending on them for recruitment would be an unstable strategy at best.

The 480 gold was precious, possibly too precious to part with just yet.

He made his decision: he’d wait. Give it a week. If he could gather more funds through other means, he could reconsider the offer then.

Besides, even a single Rank-A item pulled from the Gacha could fetch a high price if sold. The Epic-grade greatsword he’d drawn for Karian, for example, would likely be worth a small fortune on the market.

But he wasn’t about to part with that weapon. It was too valuable.

No, he’d find another way to gather the gold he needed. He had to.

**

Atlas had secured all the essentials he needed. Food supplies, key tools, seeds, extra weapons, and a fresh stock of clothing. Now, all that remained was to gather thirty capable Awakeners and make his way back to Gacha Haven.

While he had genuinely enjoyed his time in this city, a place that truly felt like paradise for anyone with enough coin. He knew better than to grow too comfortable. Every moment here had to count.

That evening, he returned to the Awakener Association for a formal presentation, followed by interviews and selection rounds with those interested in joining him.

The event was held in a spacious chamber lined with rows of chairs, all facing a modest stage prepared for Atlas and his team.

He stood at the front, surveying the crowd. Even now, he and his subordinates wore masks to conceal their identities. That much, they couldn’t compromise on.

Still, this was the moment. He had to recruit as many capable candidates as possible. People he could bring back to serve as the backbone of his new forces.

Once everyone had gathered, a final count came in: around seventy people had shown up. A respectable turnout. But no, he couldn’t afford to take nearly half of them. His standards were firm, and he doubted all would meet the criteria.

He had already laid out his requirements: a minimum level of 35, and a spread of combatants, support, and workers to cover his immediate needs. Judging from the crowd, the range of experience and specialties looked promising.

His first step now was to win their trust. To present himself with confidence and clarity, so that only those truly ready to follow him would step forward.

Well... speaking wasn’t his weakness.

With a calm breath and a confident smile, Atlas stepped to the front of the stage and began.

This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶