For a few moments, no one spoke.
The silence that followed was far heavier than before, no longer filled with awe or excitement, but with a suffocating weight that pressed down on every individual present.
Then, slowly, whispers began to rise.
"W-What does that mean… Tier 0…?"
"Does that mean if I don't fight, I will be treated like nothing…?"
"Is this even fair…?"
"But… she is not wrong… we have been living too comfortably…"
The voices were low at first, uncertain and hesitant, as if people were afraid to speak too loudly, afraid that even their thoughts were being judged.
Some had pale faces, their expressions filled with unease as the reality of her words began to sink in.
"I… I have a family… how am I supposed to go fight…?"
"Then what, you want to stay weak forever…? Didn't you hear her… if we stay like this, we will die anyway…"
"I thought… I thought things would get easier after coming here…"
