Chapter 264: Internal meeting room
Hana stood tall at the entrance, her face adorned with a warm, professional smile. She was used to welcoming guests from outside the alliance, and her friendly demeanor made anyone who came feel comfortable. Every gesture, every smile, all seemed natural to her.
"Welcome... please, come in," said Hana, nodding slightly to the alliance delegation that had just arrived. Her voice was soft yet clearly audible among the crowd.
The leader of the delegation smiled back at her, "Thank you, Miss Hana. See you soon." He stepped past her, followed by his members in an orderly manner.
After they passed through the door, Hana glanced at her watch. The long hand pointed to 10, and the short hand was at 9. "Fifteen more minutes… looks like I need to get ready as well," she murmured quietly, her gaze sweeping around the lobby.
Not far from where she stood, another woman in a guard's uniform stood at attention, observing the surroundings calmly.
"You, come here," Hana called, her tone calm yet clear.
The woman turned quickly and, with agility, walked over to Hana. "Yes, Miss Hana. I am ready to serve," she replied in a firm tone.
"Take over my position. If anything happens, contact me immediately," Hana instructed in a professional tone.
"Yes, Miss."
The woman instantly stood in a relaxed yet alert posture, imitating Hana's earlier stance without hesitation. She gave a slight nod, accepting the responsibility with full sincerity.
Hana smiled faintly, pleased to see the readiness and firmness on the woman's face.
"Good... good, I leave it to you," she said. Then she turned and started walking into the building to prepare for the internal meeting room.
Walking down the alliance building's corridor, Hana moved with steady steps. She observed every room she passed, watching the staff busy with their respective tasks. The corridor was bustling with activity; an atmosphere of cooperation and busyness filled the air around her.
"Good afternoon, Miss Hana!" called out a male staff member who was pushing a cart full of logistics boxes, waving warmly as she passed.
"Good afternoon, Miss Hana!" echoed a woman with her hands full of books and a small bag on her back, smiling warmly.
Hana only gave a slight smile and a nod in response. She was used to the warm greetings from the building's staff. Her presence was highly respected among them, not only because of her position as a core member but also because of her dedication, which made her well-known. Every task, from the smallest to the most complex, she always carried out with excellence.
"I wonder how many people have arrived by now," Hana murmured to herself, pondering as she continued walking.
Her steps now led her down a long corridor adorned with gleaming silver walls. Along the walls, soft blue neon lights glowed like connecting lines, lending a futuristic impression.
Several metal columns protruding slightly from the walls made the corridor look both sturdy and elegant. The lights created a modern atmosphere, slightly cold, yet highly professional.
After passing a few turns, Hana arrived in front of a towering door with the words "Meeting Room" engraved on a black metal plaque mounted beside it.
As she approached, the door opened automatically, but it wasn't the room beyond that she saw. Instead, Hana was greeted by a layer of white light that enveloped the doorway, like a protective curtain. The light glowed softly, creating a clear boundary between the outside and inside of the room.
From the outside, no one could see in, even when the door was fully open. Only those who stepped through this light could see what lay within.
Aside from this light curtain, the door was also equipped with a strict security system that screened everyone who entered. Fingerprint scans, retina scans, and even full-body checks were conducted automatically every time staff entered, whether for work or merely cleaning duties. For most people, entering this room required patience.
However, as a core member, Hana didn't need to go through these checks. She could come and go with ease, without having to stop for lengthy inspections.
With confident steps, Hana passed through the protective layer of light, and as she emerged on the other side, the internal meeting room finally came into view.
Hana was immediately greeted by a scene of grandeur and elegance. The black floor beneath her feet shone like a perfectly polished obsidian mirror, reflecting every object in the room.
The vast walls surrounding her were filled with artistic ornaments; among them stood statues of human warriors in proud stances, and floating holograms displaying abstract paintings that glowed softly in blue light. White pillars stood firmly along the room's sides, exuding a blend of grace and strength.
On the ceiling, large lamps with symmetrical patterns adorned the room, illuminating every corner with a blue neon glow that enhanced the futuristic feel. Small crystals twinkled above like stars, specially arranged to add a magical atmosphere to the room.
As Hana stepped further in, her gaze settled on the long table in the center of the room, surrounded by elegant chairs upholstered in thick red fabric that looked incredibly comfortable.
At the end of the table, two larger chairs were placed side by side, indicating a special position for those leading the meeting. Hana observed the chairs around the table and smiled slightly.
"I'm the first to arrive, it seems," she murmured, taking a seat on one of the chairs on the left side of the table.
In a comfortable position, she pulled out her phone from her pocket. A quick touch on the screen made a small hologram appear, displaying several features and applications that she could access instantly.
She opened her social media and began scrolling, glancing at a few trending posts. However, only a few seconds passed before her attention was drawn elsewhere. Hana sensed the presence of someone approaching—not just one, but more than one. She looked up and turned towards the entrance.
Sure enough, two men were approaching her, each walking with a calm yet energetic demeanor. Arya, the younger man, nodded respectfully upon seeing Hana, while the other man, Bagus, carried a large hammer in his right hand as if it were an inseparable part of him.