Defiance of the Fall

Chapter 601 : Next Step

Zac estimated it would take up to a day before they would reach the glasshouse since his flying treasure wouldn't work inside Mystic Realms . This wasn't a failing of his leaf , but rather how E-Grade flying treasures were created . They generally were dependant on the energy in the ground , which was why Zac's could fly no higher than a few hundred meters into the air .

These methods rarely worked in Mystic Realms because they didn't have World Cores to rely on , and only D-Grade flying treasures who were completely powered by themselves or the user could fly freely . There were apparently specially made E-Grade flying treasures that would work in Mystic Realms as well , but that wasn't something Zac had access to right now .

Moving through an empty forest at least allowed him to learn more about the Research Base , so he walked next to Leviala most of the time exchanging information about Earth or the latest situation in the Zecia sector for intelligence on the Mystic Realm . He quickly gained a better understanding of the factions and their locations , and he found that the Cartava clan was surprisingly close to his own entrance .

However , their domiciles were on the other side of the Outer Band , making it almost impossible to travel between their bases . The natives split the base into four sectors , each formed like a ring around the core of the base . First was the Outer Rim where Zac's people appeared , and the next ring was called the Living Layer .

All the factions lived in this layer since the energy density there was better than the outer rim , while simultaneously not being actively controlled by the Administrator . These settlements sprawled out over Biospheres like those Zac had set up his base in , to Laboratories and emptied warehouses .

Next was the inner layer , where a lot of the core structures of the Research base were located , including the lab that Zac needed to reach for his quest . This layer was only accessible during the specific windows Leviala mentioned before . Finally , there was the core . Leviala wasn't actually sure what went on there , though she might have been holding back .

She said that most natives believed the core to be the residential areas of the Builders , and perhaps where the computers housing The Administrator was located . There were also rumors of peak resources being kept there for the most precious experiments , resources that not even the Tsarun Clan had managed to get their hands on . Of course , now it was also the home of the Dimensional Seed .

The newfound knowledge made Zac a bit hesitant about whether he had done the right thing to not pass through the wasteland . In the opposite direction of the Wasteland was the True Sky Faction and the New World Government , with the government’s starting position being very similar to his own .

Zac guessed that either the Dominators or the Church of Everlasting Dao should be somewhere close to the Lunar Clan , with the other faction being close to the Gemlings . Such a spread definitely didn’t feel random , but rather something the System had orchestrated when integrating this Mystic Realm . Perhaps that was even the reason Leandra’s Clan abandoned this place ; it had been discovered by the System , and continuing to perform experiments would bring that terrifying lightning down on their heads .

He also started to get a better understanding of the Tsarun-clan’s goals . They had captured Leviala’s clan for their ancestor’s ability to harness Time . The Tsarun Patriarch still hadn’t reached the end of his lifespan from what Zac had heard , but he wasn’t exactly young either . If he could extract time out of the Cartava Clan’s eyes he might be able to increase his lifespan a few times over , allowing him to keep making breakthroughs .

The gemlings on the opposite sides were probably brought in for their ability to make money . They were a weird golemlike clan from Leviala’s explanations , and their bloodline was pretty odd . They were able to cut off parts of their souls and imbue it into gems they grew on their bodies , and then use those gems as cores for Spirit Tools .

This practice almost guaranteed that the Spirit Tool would have a great spirituality , which increased their value more than tenfold . The only issue was the bloodline among these gemlings was extremely weak , and they needed a lot of assistance to activate their heritage . But as long as the Tsarun Clan managed to purify their bloodlines , then they would be able to essentially farm those precious crystals and make a fortune .

The Titans were probably brought for their prowess , and cultivating warriors with that bloodline would bolster their armies . As for the Lunar Clan , he wasn’t as sure , but perhaps it was because of their lunar ability . Their Leader , Cervantes , was almost immortal according to Leviala , and he could freely swap back and forth between moonlight and flesh . Not even imbuing attacks with Dao had helped bring him down during the wars over the past two thousand years , and he was generally considered the most powerful warrior in the Mystic Realm .

As for the True Sky Faction , it wasn’t actually a unique race at all . The Tsarun clan had apparently captured thousands of people with various bloodlines , probably in search of something valuable . These people banded together after the Cataclysm , led by a few cultivators who all carried unique powerful bloodlines .

But the fact that the faction had so many different backgrounds had resulted in the dilution of any inherent bloodlines . On the flip-side that had resulted in them having by far the most Datamancers of the four factions , and they were usually the ones who hosted the various trade meetings when the barriers were lifted .

That was partly because they were the most populous faction though . Thanks to the large number of Datamancers they had managed to secure and take control of dozens of habitable sections in the second layer , essentially turning one side of the base into a small kingdom with a capital and multiple towns .

Even some people from the other three clans had decided to join the True Sky Factions over the years , though generally these people were outcasts of their factions for one reason or another .

The hours passed in this manner until Leviala suddenly stopped . Zac looked around in confusion , first thinking that some Lunar Wolves had appeared . However , Leviala rather walked toward the wall . The section looked the same as the sections that they had passed until now , but Zac understood that there probably was a hidden gate in this area .

Is this the path to your clan? - Zac asked .

One of them , - Leviala said . - I mentioned it before , but a bit further there is a proper gate , not a hidden service entrance like the ones we have used . That gate leads straight toward the inner sector , but our clan can be found within a few hours' travel . This place is a hidden gate that we haven't managed to unlock yet , but you seem to be able to walk unhindered in this base . I thought it was better to take an unknown route back in case more werewolves are lurking around . -

I'll see what I can do , - Zac said as he started placing disks where Leviala indicated .

He had been struggling a bit about what to do with Leviala , but he eventually decided to send her back to allow her people to start preparations . There was a small risk that she would bring home intelligence on him that would be used to betray Port Atwood , but Zac felt that to be a slim risk . She had seen first-hand how he had dealt with the Werewolves and the Collector , and how freely his people could move through the base .

The Cartava Clan didn't stand to gain anything by going against him , but they could benefit greatly by allying themselves with Port Atwood .

What’s your next step? - Leviala finally asked as Zac's preparations were nearing completion .

I’m heading to the Inner Circle , following one of the maps I got , - Zac eventually said . - I need to find a way to the Core . -

You would need a guide even if you have a map . The inner section presents its own challenges , - Leviala slowly said .

What do you have in mind? - Zac asked with a small smile .

How about we set a time and place to meet up? Perhaps at the edge of the Living Layer . The way there shouldn't be too dangerous , but after that things might get complicated depending on what security measures we'll encounter , - Leviala said .

Zac thought about it for a few seconds , but he eventually agreed . He was already planning on bringing Kenzie since his instincts told him he would need Jeeves' assistance to get to the core , but bringing a native would bring a lot of knowledge to the table . They decided on a location to meet , and the time would be in two days . That would give Zac enough time to deal with everything back at the base and return .

Be careful on your return . You never told me exactly how you got captured , but it seems a bit odd to me . Can you be sure that no one in your clan is working against you? - Zac said as he connected his tablet to the disks on the wall . - If things get out of hand you can always come to our side . We’re always happy to welcome new talent to our ranks . -

No clan members would do something like working with the Lunar Clan at such an integral time , - Leviala muttered , though it sounded like she was trying to convince herself as much as she was Zac .

Step back , - Zac said as he turned to the scouts as he took out his axe .

What are you- - Leviala said with confusion , but she quickly realized what was going on .

Zac only shrugged in response before he activated the tablet . His axe might be useless in case the wall came alive , but it would work just fine in case there was an army of hostile combatants on the other side , no matter if it was Cartava clan members or werewolves . Thankfully only empty halls met his eyes as the gates slid open .

I’ll see you in a few days then , - Leviala said . - I’ll bring a talented Datamancer to help out as well . Don’t worry , it’s my first-degree uncle and he’s our family’s chief technician . -

Zac nodded in understanding . When she talked about family in this case she wasn’t talking about the whole Cartava Clan that was comprised of almost 40 000 members . It was rather her actual family in the same sense that he would use the word . Having someone like her uncle there would no doubt help a lot , and the Datamancers seemed more akin to a crafting class than a combat-class , so Zac wasn’t worried even if he was E-Grade .

Leviala entered the next moment , her steps still a bit unsteady . However , Zac had gifted her a set of various pills , partly to help her get home in one piece , and partly as some sort of display of the good things that he could provide in return for the natives' cooperation .

There was no point in dawdling around , and the six remaining people of the group immediately set out as the gate merged into the wall behind them .

They were almost half-way to the glass-house by this point , but only one hour passed before Zac sensed something . Zac instantly flashed in front of his group as Verun’s Bite] appeared in his hands , but he relaxed when he saw Thea stepping out from behind a tree a hundred meters away . She turned into a gust the next moment , immediately appearing in front of them .

Cousin! - Jonas shouted with excitement , but Thea only gave him a small nod of acknowledgment before she turned to Zac .

You’ve been busy it looks like , - she said with a smile .

Well , one thing led to another , - Zac sighed . - Are you here alone? -

No , I went ahead of the group when one of your demonkin geomancers sensed some vibrations in the ground , - she explained . - We thought it was a wolf pack that had strayed from the center of the forest . -

Well , let’s go back . I have made some discoveries , - Zac said .

We still haven't mapped out the whole area . We have found a gate , but it actually attacked us the moment we got close , - Thea said .

Zac frowned when he heard that the gate was actively attacking people . Didn't Leviala know about it , or did she hide it?

That's okay . I've found everything we need for the next step of the plan , - Zac said .

Just like that? - Thea asked before she looked him up and down with a wry smile . - It really seems that the demon is right about one thing . Let you run off for just one day and you’ll come back with massive gains . -

I'd be more than happy to be the one staying behind next time , - Zac said with a shudder , thinking back to just how close it was for him to be turned into a part of a Void Creature's bodysuit .

They started walking in the direction of the glasshouse , and Zac helped catch Thea up to speed .

So we’re going to those labs next? - Thea asked .

I’m thinking that’s the move , - Zac nodded . - We might find useful things there , and it’s close to the Core sector where the treasure is . If the barriers really disappear when the Dimensional Seed matures we’ll be in a good starting position . -

We’ll need to make some preparations then , - Thea mused before she added with a low voice . - By the way , I met with your friend , Ogras . Something seems to be wrong with him . He didn’t come with us to this place , he's holed up in your compound . He hid his face in a big robe as well . -

Zac frowned at that , and the image of shadows repairing the hole in Ogras' chest resurged . The demon had seemed fine until now , but were there complications from his familiar fusing with him after all?

Chapter 602 : Crowdfunding

Zac wasn't particularly worried if the demon's fusion somehow altered his constitution . Danger was always present on the road of cultivation , and getting fused with a shadow creature couldn't be as bad as getting stuck with two remnants in his head . But the demon's reaction was a cause for concern and something that he needed to investigate .

I need to go back anyway to prepare a few things , - Zac said after some thought . - I’ll check in on him . If everything goes according to plan we’ll set out from the glasshouse in a day or so . -

If you’re going back you might want to speak with the Anointed as well , - Thea said . - They’re getting impatient , and they are already planning to force their way through the base . I tried to stop them but they don't listen to me . -

Zac’s eyes at the idea of thousands of war-crazy Zhix attacking the gates and the walls of the Mystic Realm . He had already seen how the base acted from small-scale infractions , and he also knew that it had far more deadly methods available after seeing how it dealt with the Collector . The Zhix might bring a calamity down on their heads if he didn't stop them .

I’ll talk with them , - Zac said . - Can you help prepare this place for the arrival of a proper army? -

What about the wolves? - Thea asked .

Let’s hope they’re smart enough to stay away from the Zhix , - Zac muttered . - Otherwise I think they'll be used as therapeutic punching bags . -

Zac's group soon rejoined Thea's squad of vanguard scouts who all seemed extremely surprised to see the group emerge from the forest . Zac moved forward alone from there on out since there were others who could help the rescued scouts get back . He just took one last look at the group with a sense of accomplishment before he disappeared among the trees .

He knew that he couldn’t save everyone and that there would inevitably be losses . But it still felt great to actually succeed in saving his people . So it was with newfound vigor he started to cover as much distance as he could with the help of Loamwalker] . The quest told him to enter the Inner Laboratory before the Dimensional Seed matured , which was around 4 days from now . He didn’t want to cut it too close either , so there was no time to waste .

He arrived at the hidden glasshouse and only briefly greeted the researchers there before he set out again . Having been given some reassurance from his travels with Leviala he no longer felt the need to go slow in the stable section of the Outer Ring , and he kept a rapid pace as he flashed forward over and over with the help of his movement skill .

That way it only took him two hours before he stood in front of the gate leading into the inner section . This time there was actually a group waiting on the other side when he opened it , standing behind two nasty-looking cannons that could only come from the Ishiate Tinkerers . Even Zac felt some pressure staring into the two half-meter wide barrels that were no doubt loaded with some energy-dense concoction .

Most of the guards clearly recognized him and quickly moved to push the cannons out of the way , but one of them stepped forward with his sword at the ready .

Eat this , - the guard gruffly said as he threw over a small package , drawing shocked glances from his colleagues .

What? - Zac asked with confusion as he looked down at the bag .

It’s policy , stupid , - the guard said as the other guards slowly started to inch away from him . - Don’t want any of those lizard bastards to sneak inside . -

Keep up the good work , - Zac said with a small smile as he ate the minty root .

Zac looked at the other guards next as he stepped past the cannons , and left some short parting words before he disappeared .

Learn from this guy . No one is exempt , not even me . -

A shudder in Zac's soul reminded him of a pressing issue , but he still hurried over to Biosphere 4 instead of his own compound . It was the place where most of the Zhix stayed , including the Zhix War Council . His arrival was met with bubbling excitement as the Zhix had long associated him with war . He was immediately led to a gathering hall , and one Anointed after another hurried inside .

Zac saw the eagerness in their eyes , and he didn’t waste any time with small talk when everyone was gathered .

I think I have an idea where the Dominators are , - Zac said as he took out a crude map of the Research base .

He quickly started adding details to the mostly blank map , such as the Living Layer , the Inner Ring , and the Core . He then added the wasteland cutting through half of the base and the four major forces , completing the map .

We are situated close to Clan Cartava , and we’re the only natives they have encountered . To the east is the wasteland , and no one can live there for weeks , let alone months . Beyond that is the Lunar tribe , beastkin warriors who have been responsible for ambushing our people . The True Sky Faction is to the northwest of Clan Cartava , and they have been in contact with the Human Government .

That leaves this place , - Zac continued and pointed at the spot on the opposite side of the base compared with their own . - There is a golem-race living here . This should be the most likely location of the Dominators and their armies considering the werewolves have time to send scouting parties all the way here . If they're not there , they are somewhere close to the Lunar Clan . -

How do we get to this side , Warmaster? - Rhubat rumbled with a frown . - This place is confusing . It looks like a hive at first glance , but it is built following a completely different logic and philosophy . Our instincts have been proven wrong time and time again . -

There are two paths , - Zac said . - Either passing the wasteland and making your way through the outer rim . But I’ll tell you right now ; if 100 sets out , only 5 will make it to the other side . I only reached the edge of that place when I set out to rescue our missing scouts , and I almost got killed many times over . -

The Zhix are not afraid of death , but we cannot take such losses . We would be too weakened to complete the crusade , - another Anointed said with a shake of its head .

The other option is to cut straight through the base , - Zac said . - But that’s currently impossible , but we might get our opportunity in four days . There will still be dangers though . -

We are ready . What can we do now? - Rhubat said .

You should have heard about us discovering the large forest half a day from here , right? - Zac said . - That place is our entrance to the inner sectors . From there we can take our armies past the Domestic Zone and enter the inner base .

I think the core will be too dangerous for the general armies to enter because of the spatial rifts , but if we go along the inner band we can essentially walk a full circle around the base , visiting each faction starting with the True Sky Faction and ending with the Lunar Tribe . That way we’ll find the Dominators sooner or later . -

What if these natives bar our path? - Rhubat rumbled .

Nothing is more important than taking down the Dominators , - Zac said without hesitation . - I’ve already told the Cartava Clan of the threat the Dominators represent . If these natives can help us against our common enemy , then great . If they move against us , we’ll take them down . -

So the Final Crusade starts in four days , - Rhubat said as he closed his eyes , and a dense aura of bloodthirst spread across the hall .

Will you walk with us , Warmaster? - Vanexis asked next .

…No , not immediately at least , - Zac said . - I think Void’s Disciple will head for the treasure in the Core , and I can’t let him snatch it . He’s already proven he’s talented with the Dao of Space . Who knows how powerful he will become if he gets his hands on that thing? I’ve seen the destruction the Dimensional Seed has wrought on this base , no one can withstand it . -

Worry flashed in Rhubhat’s eyes and he quickly nodded in agreement .

I’m thinking that a small elite unit will head for the core sector as soon as we find a way to get inside there , and we’ll meet up on the other side of the base after the army has made its way around . I’m heading out tomorrow in hopes of finding out more , - Zac said .

Do you need our assistance? - Rhubat asked .

It’s impossible , I’m afraid , - Zac said . - I managed to get my hands on a map to the inner laboratories , but the path goes through pipes and air ducts . You guys are to big to squeeze inside . -

The meeting went on for a bit longer , though making any exact plans was hard when so much was in in the air . But the general plan was set . A large part of the army would start the transfer to the Lunar Forest , leaving just a smaller defensive squad in charge of this outer sector . They would be in charge of stopping any attempts of the natives to force their way outside , and if need be trigger the destabilizers that Kenzie had installed .

He left after 20 minutes , heading for Biosphere 1 . However , a familiar figure caught up to Zac just as he was about to leave the Zhix's domiciles .

It was Ibtep , and they threw down an isolation array the moment they arrived next to Zac .

I did it , - Ibtep said as soon as the Array activated . - I have gathered 8 Billion Nexus Coins . Do the offer still stand? -

What? EIGHT BILLION? - Zac sputtered , shocked to hear that the Zhix liaison somehow had become even wealthier than himself . - How is that possible? -

Almost no Zhix has used that currency so far , and they hold it in no regard . Cosmic Energy might not be seen as corruption any longer , but it still isn’t something that the Zhix can embrace in a year or two . When Zhix warriors heard I had a shot at helping the Anointed they immediately donated everything they had accumulated without any further questions , and most Zhix have gathered over a million coins after fighting the unliving and the traitors , - Ibtep explained .

Zac hesitated for a few seconds , but he eventually produced the teleportation token along with the Clan Zethaya VIP Token .

This token will let you meet the Alchemist . Remember , be careful . I don't know what world this token will take you to , but there will definitely be D-Grade beings and perhaps even stronger cultivators . Keep your head down , don’t offend anyone , - Zac said , and he added something after some thought . - You can tell the Zethaya Clan that I’m sorry I couldn’t come in person , I am busy stabilizing my foundation after breaking through . -

Zac hoped that small addition would decrease the chance of Ibtep getting double-crossed . There was no such thing as benevolent forces , and the only thing that kept young elites somewhat safe was the risk of future retaliation . However , those that walked the path of the elite were even more likely than normal cultivators to get stuck in bottlenecks .

That’s was why so many factions had the guts to go after the Eveningtide Asura even after he had proven his strength in the Tower of Eternity . They figured that someone that had such a heavy foundation might not even make it to D-Grade . Their bet obviously proved to be a huge loss , but most such gambles ended up okay .

But if Zac could spread the fact that he had already evolved to E-Grade , he might plant the seeds of hesitation in the minds of those who were considering going after his secrets or Earth .

Only the mission matter . I will go straight to the pill store and then return , - Ibtep nodded .

One more thing , - Zac added after some thought . - See if you can find out what’s going on in the Sector , if there are any news about me or The Great Redeemer . Our planet needs to know what to expect . But your safety comes first . -

Understood , - Ibtep said , though he was almost stamping in place out of impatience . - I have to go now before the gate closes . -

Good luck , - Zac smiled . - We’ll deal with the things on this end . -

Ibtep scurried toward Biosphere 1 the next moment , no doubt heading straight for the tunnel leading to the outer world . Zac arrived just a few moments later , instead heading for his cordoned-off sector . The reason he needed to go back from the glasshouse was simple ; he really needed a round in his Soul Strengthening Array .

Utilizing the energy of the remnants always came at a cost , and the weird cracks hidden in his body were only part of it . His soul was unsettled , and he needed to stabilize it before setting course for the Inner Sectors . After all , there was a good chance that his next outing would lead him straight from the Inner Lab to the Core , and he needed to be in peak condition for whatever waited there .

However , he only took a step inside his courtyard before he stopped , immediately sensing a familiar presence .

Where did you run off to? - a dour voice said from a secluded corner of his courtyard . - People were starting to freak out . -

Okay , what’s going on with you? - Zac said with a frown , ignoring the question . - Do we need to be worried? -

His question wasn't without merit , as the demon had undergone an almost shocking transformation since they met just a few days ago .

Chapter 603 : Monochrome

Leviala made her way through the pathways , her mind still in turmoil from the events of the past two days . Of course , the constant pain emanating from her right eye didn’t help . She knew there would be a price to meddle with the past , but she hadn’t expected it to be that great . There were accounts of her ancestor doing even greater things multiple times over without being afflicted with the same curse .

But not only had she been blinded , but she could even feel how her affinities had worsened . It felt like her future had turned bleaker , and she wasn’t even sure if her actions were worth it . The abyssal eyes of Zachary Atwood in his secret form had put such pressure on her that she acted hastily , when 'being captured' by him likely wouldn’t have been the worst of fates .

Seeing how he not only cared for her safety but even risked his life for his people , was all that she needed to know about his character . He might be a ruthless pragmatist , but he was definitely good at heart . But such was the problem with her ability . She had a short window of connecting her mind to the past . If she had waited any longer the backlash would have killed her , and she had needed to make a decision .

Then again , knowledge was power . Her knowing his secret might not hold any value right now , but that would definitely change if she managed to lead her clan out of this place . She could set up a series of safeguards for herself and her people , guaranteeing security in return for her silence . It was a shady course of action , but their Clan was currently like a weak candle in the wind , any small shock could be what toppled them .

Now the question was what she should do next .

Her grandfather might have some ideas on how to lessen the backlash , but that wasn’t the only problem she was facing . The fact that Zachary Atwood wouldn’t let them out would definitely be seen as an act of war by some , but her instincts told her that letting the Second Elder and Yvian assault Port Atwood would result in massive casualties , and most likely end in defeat .

She had seen Zachary’s strength all-too-clear , and what she hadn’t witnessed weighed even heavier on her mind . Try as she might , but she absolutely couldn’t remember what he did against the Collector . But just the thought of trying to peer back at the events with her gaze made her break out in a cold sweat , and all her instincts told her that doing so would cause the collapse of her soul .

The thought of Yvian was also a cause of concern , making her frown as she rounded another corner . The parting words of Zac repeated over and over in her head , and she had to admit they rang true . The beastmen were crafty , but not overly so . They might have realized they could use the vents as points of ingress , but Clan Cartava had done for weeks already . The paths Hevastes took should have triggered newly installed alarms , yet they reached her private gardens without issue .

Not only that , the guard response was a lot slower than what should be expected , allowing the werewolves to leave just like they came . If it wasn’t for the traps and automatic defenses her family had set up , then they would have finished the job unscathed .

So it wasn’t elation that gripped her heart when she encountered a group of clansmen , but rather suspicion and fear . Because it only took one glance to see that the squad of eight all belonged to the faction of the second elder .

Young miss! - the middle-aged man in the lead exclaimed as he took a step forward . - You made it back safe . But , your eye-! -

Velar , how come you’re here? - Leviala smiled , but she wasn’t as calm as she let on .

Looking for you , of course , - Velar sighed . - We’ve turned the whole place upside-down in search of you . Those bastards from the Lunar Clan are truly audacious to do something like this when we’re at the cusp of freedom . -

It was actually the foreigners who saved me in the end , - Leviala said . - They- -

You shouldn’t trust those people , - Velar said with a frown . - We have it on good authority that the foreigners are working with the Lunar Clan to pilfer this place before they escape together . We were about to force open a path to them in hopes of rescuing you , but it looks like that won’t be necessary . Come , let's hurry back . Your fiancé will be elated to hear you are okay . -

My what? -

I don’t know exactly what’s going on either , - Ogras sighed as he touched his horns .

The two horns on his head hadn’t changed shape since they met last , but they no longer looked like liquid fire like the rest of the Torrid Demons . They had turned monochrome , and now rather reminded Zac of dancing shadows . His skin had lost some of its red tint as well , and the scale-like markings almost looked like they were covered in ash .

It looked like the demon was really in the process of turning into a shadow-creature .

Can’t you stop the transformation? - Zac asked with some wariness in his eyes .

I’m slowly losing ground to Asshole , - Ogras muttered , and Zac realized that the demon had renamed his contracted beast once more . - It attacked my mind while I learned the new skills . That’s why I’ve been holed up here for a while , to shore up my defenses and stabilize the situation so to speak . -

It’s attacking your mind? - Zac repeated with a frown .

Yes , but I think I have found a solution , - Ogras said . - I realized it lost some of its control after I ate race-boosting pills . I need to evolve my race within a month . Strengthening my soul would be for the best as well , but your array doesn't seem to work on me for some reason . -

You tried out the array? - Zac said some anger . - You didn't break anything , did you? -

How can I break something by sitting down on a mat? - Ogras spat . - It wouldn't even start up . -

Well , that's fine , then , - Zac sighed . - I think it only works if you have some connection to life and death . In either case , I might have a method to help you improve quickly . -

Really? - Ogras asked , his eyes lighting up . - Or wait , are you talking about pills? I’ve eaten all the pills I had by now over the past few days . I’ve built up immunity by now . -

No , - Zac said with a shake of his head . - It should be something else . I met someone while exploring the forest . -

He then briefly recounted his experiences over the past days .

I leave for a few days and all kinds of exciting things happen . You saved the granddaughter of some Clan Elder? - Ogras muttered , and Zac’s mouth curved slightly upward when he saw the signature jealousy . - You keep encountering powerful beauties at every turn , yet you keep your hands to yourself . What a waste . So , you’re saying that the Clan Cartava has access to these greenhouses full of race-boosting natural treasures? -

You’re lucky we’re close to the faction that has control over the race-boosting stuff , - Zac nodded .

I guess your luck is finally starting to rub off , huh? - Ogras muttered . - Well then , let’s go . -

Wait , - Zac said . - I got a quest to reach the Inner Labs . I’m thinking we should hit that first . If you don’t find anything useful there , we can go to the Cartava Clan . I don’t want to waste time with them unless absolutely necessary . -

What’s in the Inner Labs? - Ogras asked hesitantly .

Apparently the good stuff of this place , but it changes every time , - Zac said .

Okay , new plan . I come with you to mooch off your latest windfall . I’m not going to be stuck in some Technocrat Greenhouse while you’re visiting the treasure vault of this netherblasted place , - Ogras said . - I can fight off Asshole a while longer if it will line my pockets . -

Well , at least your intentions are pure , - Zac snorted . - I need to use the array here before we set off though . -

Fine , - Ogras sighed . - I’ll stay here for now . Need to get used to the new skills anyway . -

Zac couldn’t help but worry as he walked out of his courtyard . The demon seemed to be fighting a losing battle at the moment . If this plan to evolve his Race didn’t pan out , then Zac would have to make some difficult decisions . That shadowcreature was a pretty sinister creature from what they had gathered , making Ogras a ticking time bomb .

He was the second most powerful person of his faction , and Zac couldn't have him running around putting people's lives at risk if he suddenly turned into a murderous beast . The only relief was that they weren't exactly fighting against the clock with this new issue . They had ample time to look for treasures in both the Inner Labs and at Clan Cartava . So Zac threw the issue to the back of his mind as he reached the building housing his Life-Death array .

The building was almost as large as a soccer field , with no windows to show what was going on inside . The interiors were surprisingly similar to his cultivation cave back home though , with three circular chambers . The energy density inside was obviously worse though , as the place was powered by Miasma Crystals and Divine Crystals rather than the natural energies of his Nexus Vein and the weird Array he had taken from the Undead Incursion .

Still , his temporary arrangement for his Soul Strengthening Array was probably better than the cultivation environment of almost anyone on Earth .

Zac sat down on his prayer mat , but he didn’t immediately activate the array . He rather stabilized his mind for a while as he went over the events of the past days . His first takeaway was that the Mystic Realm was a lot more dangerous than he had anticipated . He had only considered the leaders of the respective factions and the two remaining Dominators as threats going in , but dangers were lurking around every corner .

He hadn’t even encountered a single one of his targets , but he had already wasted so many of his hidden aces . Fate’s Obduracy] was used up on the Lunar Wolves , and his arduously accumulated energy from the Splinter of Oblivion was expended to deal with the Collector’s ghastly appendage .

The latter , in particular , was a huge blow to his plans . The Bronze Flashes of before had changed since his pathways were rewritten , and he couldn’t use them as freely as he did in the Tower any longer . In return , he had gained a semblance of control and a huge boost in destructive power , but he probably wouldn’t have time to recharge another blast before the showdown at the core of the Mystic Realm .

The Annihilation Sphere was the ultimate card he had set aside to kill Void’s Disciple in one go , where the chaotic powers of Oblivion hopefully rendered the Dominator’s odd ability of resurrection unusable .

There was still a decent chunk of Creation energy that had accumulated in his body by now , but he had only used the - pink flash’ once ; when tainting the energy source of Little Bean . He still had no idea what effect it would have when used on a cultivator . It might even heal his enemy for all Zac knew .

But as one door closed another door opened . He had lost some things , but he had created new opportunities . Evolving his Fragment of the Axe was a huge and unexpected boost , but it wasn’t enough to give him full confidence in the upcoming battles . Because if he could improve , then so could Void’s Disciple . The next opportunity would hopefully appear in the Inner Lab , but until then he had other things to work on .

He walked over to the death-attuned side next and activated the Life-Death Array after making sure everything was in order . The familiar suction appeared , and his mental energy steadily started to enter the intricate circuitry that made up half the array .

Zac would normally relax or focus on other things while the array did its thing , but this time was different as Zac kept a constant vigil on his soul . This was the first time he used the array since gaining the three apparitions in the center of his mind , and he had to make sure that there wasn’t a clash .

It only took a minute before Zac noticed a very important difference . The deathly energies seeping out from the coffin suddenly split off , with only a thin strand continuing toward his avatar in the middle . The rest joined his mental energy as it entered the array . Zac had no way to tell if this change was good or detrimental , but he decided to keep going for the time being .

The array was going to turn his mental-energy death-attuned before returning it in either case , so adding the energy from the Fragment of the Coffin shouldn’t be a bad thing . Actually , incorporating his Daos into the array was one of the first things he had tried to increase the efficiency of the arrays , but until now it had proven impossible .

There was nothing to 'imbue' with his Dao when using the array , which had made it impossible for Zac to do anything except passively letting the array do its thing . One thing was certain though , adding his Dao to the procedure had increased the difficulty manifold , and Zac started to feel a strain as the minutes passed .

Chapter 604 : Anchor

Completing a cycle was normally just time-consuming rather than exhausting , but adding his Dao had completely changed the pressure he felt . His brows furrowed in concentration , and his hands were even shaking a bit by the time the siphoning of the first cycle finished . The added difficulty was thankfully rewarded when his mental energy came surging back . The mental energy was seeped in death , far beyond what a normal cycle usually accomplished . It was almost like he had completed three of the nine cycles in one go .

That wasn’t the only thing either as his avatar also received a surge of death-attuned energies that burrowed into his Spiritual Void] . The amount was more than twice what Zac would naturally supply during the same duration , and Zac immediately realized the implication . He could actually use the array to charge his Hidden Node , allowing him to use the node to an even greater degree during battles .

Zac couldn't wait to see the effect of completing a whole session with his Dao so it was with great gusto he started the second cycle . However , sweat was already streaming down his face by the point he had reached the end of the cycle , and it was just barely he managed to complete the rotation without falling unconscious .

The gain was similar to the first round though , but Zac had to actively stop any more of his Dao from escaping the coffin as he started the third of the nine revolutions . There was no way he would be able to complete a third Dao-Empowered rotation , and he needed to finish all nine cycles to gain any benefit from the session .

He tried to understand what caused the additional strain to alleviate it , but he couldn't discern anything . Zac could just chalk it up to there being some mental strain from using 'attuned' mental energy compared to just empty energy like normal . The next cycles were very much the same as normal , allowing Zac to revert to his autopilot cultivation while focusing on other things .

The most important point was fixing his pathways after bursting open the node before setting out toward the core of the Mystic Realm .

He had continuously worked on the pathways both while traveling and harvesting plants , but also during every break while waiting for his wounds to heal . But the fight against the werewolf , the collector , and the subsequent escape had caused his patchwork repairs to worsen a bit , and he couldn’t keep it like that if he wanted to go all out in the future .

Zac’s progress was slow as he mended his pathways , especially after having exhausted his mind more than usual when infusing the array with his Dao . The exhaustion resulted in mistake after mistake , forcing him to redraw the same fractals over and over before it was correct . Primal Polyglot] did help a bit though , giving him an instinctual sense of how fractals should look to work .

But a sudden spark of inspiration made him think of another skill that he hadn’t found a reason to use just yet , one of the E-Grade Ancillary skills he had learned in the Dao Repository . It was called Spiritual Anchor] , and it could tentatively be considered a defensive skill .

However , the skill didn’t actually protect against attacks , but it rather allowed you to create an anchor-point for yourself . The anchor was pretty much a back-up point that made an image of your body , your soul , your skill fractals , and pathways . The main use of the skill was to discover if you had been marked , possessed , or otherwise tampered with in some unknown way .

For example , the brands that his lava bath exposed had most likely been hidden as nondescript fractals attached somewhere on his body , and it was hard to spot something like that among the millions of fractals that constituted his pathways . With Spiritual Anchor] he could create an anchor point every time before going off-world in the future , making sure he wasn't inadvertently bringing trouble back home to Earth .

Zac had unhesitantly learned the skill when he saw its use , eager to gain some protection after having seen six different marks getting expelled from his body just minutes earlier . Of course , he had proceeded to make his first anchor-point the moment his body was back in good condition , creating a baseline before he properly set out into the Mystic Realm .

The skill had a weakness though ; if Zac already carried hidden threats when making the anchor-point , then he would pretty much never notice it since it would be part of the stored image in his mind . Still , it was an extremely valuable tool for someone like Zac who didn't have elders who could scan him with their superior mental acuity .

The current situation with his broken pathways made him think of another use for the skill though ; it was a proper reference-map for his whole pathway system . His pathways were branded in his mind already , which was what allowed him to redraw them after breaking open a node , but Spiritual Anchor] would perhaps make things even easier for him .

Zac quickly activated the skill , and his eyes lit up when he saw the result . It worked just as he hoped , with the anchor superimposing itself over his pathways , including the broken parts . His progress suddenly sped up significantly as he started redrawing the pathways , and the number of mistakes lessened drastically as well .

Using his new skill significantly decreased the difficulty of his work . It was like he was tracing a series of lines rather than drawing something from memory . He wasn’t improving his understanding of fractals when doing things this way , but this wasn't the time to worry about that ; he had bigger fish to fry .

The following hours passed without anything else surprising taking place , with one cycle after another being completed as Zac made rapid progress on his pathways . Zac stopped working on the pathways during the ninth cycle though , instead turning his sight to his mind to see the end-result of the first half of his improved Soul Cultivation-method .

There were no two ways about it ; the result was far superior . The deathly energies in his mind were extremely dense , and if he quantified it the result was somewhere between 40 to 50% greater compared to before , all thanks to the first two rotations being infused with the Fragment of the Coffin .

Zac’s mind was still throbbing even hours later though , but he could only bear with it , knowing he had to do the same thing on his life-attuned side . He would have to empower two revolutions again to bring his soul back to equilibrium after all . So he quickly swapped over to his Draugr side and started the process once more , preparing himself to push through the first two revolutions by hook or crook .

He could quickly confirm that the shimmering golden energies from the bodhi tree joined the mental stream , but the enormous strain he had anticipated never arrived . Certainly , the difficulty was much harder than normal , but it wasn't any worse compared to the first cycle on the Death-attuned side .

Was this a limitation of his Dao-Apparitions , perhaps? Each apparition was limited in the amount of energy it could exude , causing the strain to steadily increase as the drain continued . However , swapping to a different Dao would reset the difficulty since the other Apparition was still full of vigor .

This was great news to Zac since it meant that he would be able to go all out with both the arrays in the future without worrying that he would overextend himself during the first half . A great surge returned half an hour later , causing a series of frantic collisions as life fought with death in his mind .

Zac felt his vision double for a second from the shocks to his soul , but he breathed out in relief after confirming that the increased intensity was still manageable . The second cycle started up a few seconds later , and Zac let the shimmering golden haze join in that time as well . An even greater series of clashes followed when the cycle ended , causing small cracks to spread across his soul .

Blood started running down Zac's nose as his eyes were completely bloodshot , but he ate a soul-mending pill as he kept going , this time stopping any more Dao from entering . He was only able to resume work on his pathways on the fifth revolution because of nausea from the collisions .

The session finally ended after roughly ten hours , confirming that Dao infusion improved the gains of the array , but not how quickly it ran . Still , the results were impressive , especially considering he had only infused two out of the nine revolutions . He felt that a lot more impurities had been expelled from the Life-Death explosions in his mind than normal , almost exactly matching the additional attunement he had measured .

That meant the efficiency of his Soul Strengthening-array had increased almost 40% simply from forming his Dao-Apparitions .

Better yet , Zac was almost certain this wasn’t the limits of his gains . For example ; what if his Dao Fragments evolved to the next stage? The power of the Dao that entered the Array would become greater , which in turn should result in a bigger boost . And his soul would keep getting stronger over time , which would hopefully increase the number of revolutions that he could empower .

As long as he kept working on it the improvements would be huge , potentially saving him centuries of cultivation down the road . After all , Soul Cultivation was powerful for a variety of reasons , but people still didn’t do it because of the huge time investment . But it felt like Zac had found the key to staying ahead of the remnants locked in his mind this time around .

Just like the progress on his soul was great , so was the work on his pathways thanks to Spiritual Anchor] . He couldn't help but curse himself for not thinking of it sooner . To be fair , nothing like this was mentioned in the information missive on the skill , perhaps since Brazla hadn't expected his E-Grade descendants to be mortals .

His pathways were almost completely fixed thanks to the improved speed . Just a few more hours of dedicated redrawing and he would be back to normal . Part of Zac just wanted to stay in this place and swap between sleeping and cultivating , but he knew that was simply impossible .

So he went over his provisions and talismans before he stood up and walked out toward where he left the demon . Ogras was still sitting at the same spot as before , for once in meditation rather than drinking and cajoling .

You’re ready to set out? - Ogras asked as he opened his eyes .

Let’s go , - Zac nodded . - We just need to fetch Kenzie . -

What? Why? - Ogras said with a scrunched-up face .

She’s the best when it comes to Technocrat Technology . I don’t want to completely rely on that Cartava Clan Member , - Zac shrugged . - Besides , there are sometimes opportunities you can’t take away in the labs , I don’t want her to miss out . Billy and Thea are coming as well . -

Ogras grumbled a bit as he got to his feet , and he donned a hooded robe to mask his changing complexion . The two walked over to the buildings that Kenzie controlled , a mix of workshops and warehouses to store everything from gathered Memorysteel to inactive drone swarms .

I’ll wait outside , - Ogras said , and Zac shrugged with some confusion before walking inside by himself .

You’re back! - Kenzie exclaimed with relief before her smile turned into a scowl . - What’s the matter with you men? I had to find out you set out alone from Thea? And that you had returned in one piece , half a day ago , from the guards? Do none of you have communication crystals?! -

Uh , - Zac only said , but his sister was obviously not done .

Also! You told Thea that I couldn’t go visit that forest , and now I’m essentially on house arrest! You need to be careful with what you say . -

Well , I guess that’s my bad? - Zac grimaced .

Well , fine , - Kenzie muttered . - Have you seen Ogras? I can’t contact him either . -

He’s right outside , we’re ready to set out again , - Zac said and hurriedly added when he saw her scowl deepening . - I’m here to see if you are free to go with us to the inner parts of the base . We could use your skill set . -

You mean you need Jeeves? - Kenzie muttered , but her mood had clearly turned for the better as she started packing things .

The two updated each other of what was had happened lately while she prepared , but not much had changed on Kenzie’s side . She had tried all sorts of things to interface with the base , but the systems were highly modular according to Jeeves . Connecting to one terminal only provided access to that area and nothing else , which meant that she wouldn’t be able to assist him remotely .

Zac really didn't want to bring his sister into the depths of the Mystic Realm , especially after seeing just how dangerous the base could be . But he also knew that he couldn't rely on himself pressing random boxes on the Datamancer tablet either . Neither did he feel comfortable with relying too much on Leviala or her Clan .

He could only pray that the dangers of his Man Versus Technology-quest weren't as lethal as what he had encountered thus far .

Chapter 605 : Missive

Bringing Kenzie to the heart of the base filled Zac with trepidation , but she quickly proved her value as she narrated what she had done while Zac was out exploring . She had managed to get quite a few things done even with the high security of the base , mainly increasing the protection of the gates leading to their bases .

Most notably she had constructed a series of defensive lines leading all the way from the biospheres to the fortified door leading to the Outer Rim , where one press of a button would trigger the base to attack everything within hundreds of meters . It was the same sort of arrangement the Werewolf Datamancer had activated as a last resort against him , though Kenzie's method could be used remotely .

Also , she had finished boobytrapping the spatial tunnel , making sure that it would close up if anyone without Port Atwood credentials tried to enter it , making it impassable . It would remain closed even after the spatial turbulence abated until Kenzie fixed it again .

Of course , this trap would be possible to trigger remotely as well .

It was a weight off Zac’s shoulders . Having all the elites of his alliance enter the depths of the Mystic Realm would expose not only their temporary bases but even Earth . This way there would be no risk of either the Cartava Clan or the Werewolves sneaking outside while Zac was busy dealing with the Dimensional Seed .

The other exits were still an issue that Zac couldn't affect , but his remote archipelago should be relatively safe even if some of the natives managed to sneak out while he was occupied .

She , or rather Jeeves , had even figured out a way to add certain modules to the base . Most notably , they had finished a prototype communications relay that could be connected to door terminals . The whole base was under some sort of interference that limited the range of cultivator-based communication crystals , and they could barely reach from one side of the base to another .

But what Kenzie had created would allow Port Atwood's people to use their Earth-based technology to communicate throughout the base , as long as there wasn't too-large a distance between the relays that Kenzie would install . It wouldn't even be a problem to communicate with the Glass-house all the way from their base .

This functionality already existed inside the base according to Leviala , but they didn't have time to hack into that system . This seemed like a quick and easy fix that would allow them to set up a private network within the base , further increasing security . Zac also updated Kenzie about what he had encountered while exploring the base , though he downplayed just how close he got to dying .

It's good that you managed to take our people back . But it looks like those werewolves will be a problem , - Kenzie sighed .

They’re pretty damn strong , - Zac nodded . - I think only a few of our people and the strongest Anointed can deal with their elite soldiers on a one-on-one . But hopefully , we’ll get some help from Clan Cartava after I saved their young miss . -

Oh , that reminds me . I got something for you from Calrin , - Kenzie said . - Why did you spend so much money to look up a force full of nuns? Because of Leyara Lioress? The report says she's quite a beauty . -

Oh , it’s here? - Zac asked with excitement , ignoring the jab at the end .

He had completely forgotten about his most recent order with the Sky Gnome due to the recent events , but this was perfect . Anything that could help him increase his understanding of his Bloodline would be helpful as he set course for the Inner Lab .

I read it , there’s not too much information , - Kenzie said as she handed over a crystal . - They seldom invite outsiders , and they don’t leave their monasteries very often . However , their Strength is pretty amazing . The current Void Priestess is a true powerhouse , and she singlehandedly fought off six Monarchs of similar rank two hundred thousand years ago . Since then , she has probably only grown stronger . -

Zac’s brows rose in shock when he learned about the strength of Leyara’s Master . It was no wonder Leyara could stand next to Pretty Peak and the other elite scions right at the center of the Base Town .

Defeating six people of the same rank wasn’t anything special for him , but it was a completely different story at the C-Grade . Out of trillions of people only one C-Grade warrior might appear , and who among these elites didn’t have their own slew of unique encounters and hidden aces? Everyone was a monster who punched way above their weight class by that point , as even just regular elites had long been weeded out by that point .

Zac quickly scanned the contents of the Crystal , but there was not much else apart from what he had already learned . The only significant clue was that there were rumors of some sort of connection between that reclusive force and the Limitless Empire .

Both the Void Priestess and many of her followers had often been seen trying to acquire remnants of that long-fallen empire , sometimes spending obscene amounts of money on seemingly useless relics . The information suddenly made him remember something he had almost forgotten . Back during the first action of the Base Town an Urn was sold for an extremely exaggerated price .

The buyer , wasn’t it actually Leyara? He had only caught a glimpse of her face when she entered the bidding war on top of the floating platform , but the more he thought about it the more certain he became . He simply hadn’t made the connection back when they actually met as his mind was still occupied with his conversation with Catheya .

The huge battle between the Void Priestess and the other C-Grade Monarchs that had caused waves in the whole Zecia sector 200 000 years ago was apparently over a C-Grade Mystic Realm said to contain remnants of the Limitless Empire as well .

That didn't say too much though , as there were quite a few collectors and enthusiasts when it came to the Limitless Empire . It was once the most powerful force in the multi-verse , and Emperor Limitless was generally considered the most powerful being in history . Some simply found it interesting , while others hoped to strike it rich by finding a supreme treasure among the ancient rubble .

But it was also possible that the Void Monastery had some actual relation to that ancient faction? Did that have some implications to his Void Emperor Constitution? He couldn’t stop his mind from wandering , and one possibility made his heart beat like a drum .

What if his mother had implanted him with the bloodline of Emperor Limitless?

If you want to reach that Lab we should get going . We only have a bit over three days , - Kenzie reminded . - It will take almost two days even if we keep a high pace based on the maps you gave me , and that's provided we don't run into any issues on the way . -

Do you think you will be able to use these tablets like the native Datamancers? - Zac asked .

Probably , at least with the help of my clearance . Jeeves might be able to force open some things , but he isn't really built for these kinds of tasks . So if we encounter someplace where neither of our credentials works there might be trouble , - Kenzie said after some thought .

That’s good enough . Better than completely relying on outsiders , - Zac nodded , knowing that Jeeves was mainly a cultivation tool aimed to make Kenzie stronger . - Do you have an exact estimate of when the Dimensional Seed will mature? -

Hard to say , - Kenzie said hesitantly . - Our estimates are based on when the spatial turbulence reaches a critical level and the portal naturally closes . But the Dimensional Seed might mature sooner or later as well . But it should be close . It's like the treasure is gathering Spatial energies to make a final push . -

Well , better safe than sorry . I want to reach the Lab with one day to spare . Let's go , - Zac nodded .

The idea of him having such a vaunted bloodline felt extremely alluring , but he knew it was a long shot . He couldn’t be certain , but he didn’t believe that the man in his visions was Emperor Limitless at least . The man soaring through the cosmos on a meteor was extremely powerful , but he wasn’t anywhere near the godlike being that crushed the Heart of Oblivion or the Spark of Creation . Zac wasn't even sure if he was at the same level as the ancient protector was the source of his Draugr's Dao Vision .

But that didn’t mean there wasn’t a connection . Perhaps the Void Bloodline came from some other powerful person from the Limitless Empire . After all , the Limitless Emperor didn’t create the System alone . He had the assistance of millions of unbelievably powerful warriors , many of them probably even at the A-Grade .

Perhaps the remnants of one of these powerhouses were located in the Zecia sector , which was both the source of his Bloodline and the heritage that the Void Monastery was built upon .

No matter what the truth was , it was worth looking into . The Void Monastery was hard to visit according to the missive , but it wasn’t impossible . As a powerful faction they controlled thousands of worlds , and some of them were popular trade hubs the Monastery used to gather cultivation resources . If went there he would probably be able to contact Leyara one way or another .

Kenzie had soon prepared everything she needed , which was apparently half a workshop including a series of technocrat 3D-printers she had cobbled together . The demon was still waiting outside , giving Kenzie a sunny smile as they exited her house .

So you are in the mystic realm , after all? I guess your communication crystal broke , - Kenzie said cooly .

Enough , - Zac sighed , knowing that Ogras had been lying low due to his condition . - No time to lose . -

Zac maintained a rapid pace this trip on his way out of the base , but neither his sister nor Orgas had any problems keeping up . Ogras had his shadows and Kenzie utilized some sort of wind-based movement skill to run , each step making her look like she was weightless .

They arrived at the glasshouse just a few hours later , having been only been half an hour delayed by Kenzie installing her new communications modules . Kenzie opened the gate this time to confirm that their different clearance titles didn’t mean different access . Zac wasn’t very interested in the interiors , but Ogras curiously glanced toward the stalls .

What is this place - ? Ogras muttered as he looked around .

I think it’s for them , - Zac said as he pointed to the caged Lunar Wolves . - Thea said it might be a field lab to study the Lunar Wolves , and I’m inclined to believe . To take a bloodline of a beast and infusing it into a cultivator . Have you heard of anything like it? -

Anything’s possible , - Ogras shrugged . - Some beasts can even gain a humanoid form at certain stages , allowing them to essentially become cultivators themselves . The humanoid descendants of such cultivators would carry their bloodline . Of course , this seems to be something else , like a shortcut . -

We’ll find out what’s going on here sooner or later , - Zac said as he started walking , but he stopped when he noticed that his sister hadn’t followed them inside . - What are you doing? -

He saw that Kenzie was still standing by the terminal , but she had connected the tablet to it . The screen was rapidly flashing with the language of the base , and Kenzie was seemingly trying to take it all in .

I’m just checking this thing out , - Kenzie said without moving her eyes away from the screen . - I want to see how these main gates work , if you can change the clearance levels required to pass through . I mean , if the natives don’t have any clearance levels , then we might be able to lower the clearance to level 1 or something . -

Don’t fiddle with that door though , - Zac quickly said . - The walls will try to kill us if you trigger the security protocols , and this one has already been triggered once . -

Don’t worry , I’m just reading , - Kenzie smiled . - Give me a few minutes . There’s so much information to go through . This one has ten times the number of protocols compared to the normal doors . -

Fine , I need to talk with Thea anyway . But be careful with that thing , - Zac said as he walked out through the barn door .

He had already spotted Thea standing outside , overseeing the transformation in the area . Two large walls had appeared in the short while Zac had been cultivating , with massive brass cannons mounted at regular intervals . Hundreds of Zhix warriors scurried back and forth working on the defensive perimeter , and groups of human cultivators seemed to be readying themselves for war as well .

Thick barriers rose toward the sky as well , blocking any potential attacks coming from the forest , and Zac could even spot squads of Tal-Eladar roving outside , maintaining an outer perimeter . Zac hadn’t given any explicit orders on how to deal with moving the armies forward , but it seemed like they had everything in hand .

He had been worried about leaving these people alone as they traveled toward the inner reaches of the Mystic Realm , but seeing the strength and ingenuity of the elites of Earth filled him with confidence , allowing him to solely focus on his own mission .

Chapter 606 : Inner Layer

You’re back , - Thea said as spotted Zac walking over . - You’re looking better . -

Finally had some time to rest up a bit , - Zac smiled . - Have there been any problems with the wolves? -

Not really , a few of them appeared in the distance , but a bunch of Anointed scared them away . I think the Zhix were actually a bit disappointed , - Thea said with a shake of her head .

Wouldn’t be surprised , - Zac snorted . - Are you ready to set out? -

I’m ready , but Billy will be sitting this one out , - Thea said .

Oh , why? - Zac asked with confusion . - Is he hurt? -

He had already asked about Emily and Joanna from Kenzie , and while neither of them was in critical condition , they weren't ready to set out again either . Emily was still unconscious after overdrafting her Cosmic Energy , but she was being continuously fed healing pills and nurtured by healers . Not having those two available to join the army was already a big loss , and losing an elite lite Billy would definitely weaken his army .

It was a shame for Billy as well , considering where they were . If anyone could find something suitable in a place like this , it would probably be Billy , considering he was a descendant of one of the races brought here .

No , nothing like that . He suddenly fell asleep and a lot of energy is entering his body . I think he has some sort of epiphany , - Thea said as he nodded over at a tent . - I had some people drag him over there . -

Oh , guess he found an opportunity of his own . Well , he can catch up with the real armies later , - Zac said .

The two headed over to a command tent where the Anointed had already gathered , and they shored up their plans over the next twenty minutes . It wasn’t really anything too complicated . The Zhix would set out the moment the treasure matured no matter whether Zac had come back by that point or not , heading for the inner area .

They could technically set out earlier than that , but there were simply too many barriers security checks in the way right now . They were severely lacking in understanding of this place compared to the natives , and Kenzie couldn't be everywhere putting out fires . However , a C-Grade treasure maturing had huge ramifications according to what he had learned , to the point that they could transform whole planets .

This was a risk , but also their chance . Everything pointed to the Dimensional Seed being somehow integrated with the base itself , and the terrifying outburst of power should knock out most security systems . It would both remove the advantage of the natives while simultaneously giving them free passage toward the Inner Layer .

Hopefully , Zac's group would be able to meet up with them there , but if not , then a small group of elite Anointed would enter the core while the rest would start looking for the Dominator’s armies . They would be assisted by all the different factions of the Atwood Alliance , but the goal was for them to only deal with the followers of the Dominators , with Zac’s group dealing with Inevitability and Void’s Disciple themselves .

It was a risk for their army to travel without any real powerhouses to shore up their ranks , but both Zac and Rhubat saw no choice but to take the gamble that at least Void’s Disciple wouldn’t waste his time in the outer reaches , rather rushing for the treasure in the core . It was most likely the same with all factions that chose to head for the riches in the core , like the cultists and the Lunar Tribe .

That left the natives , but Zac felt that the Anointed with their War Arrays and great ferocity would be able to protect themselves . The natives should be smarter than to enter an all-out war against their armies considering their main goal should be escaping .

But for now , the army would finish setting up this defensive perimeter before creating a final one at the main gate leading toward the inner reaches . It was the gate that the Cartava Clan wanted them to open , making Zac a bit reluctant to use it , but there were no alternatives . It was the only path leading inside that they had found except the Lunar Tribe's maps . But those backdoor pathways were simply too narrow for both an army and the hulking anointed .

The two returned to Ogras and Kenzie who had finished her readings , and just the four of them set out accompanied by a squad of a hundred elites that would set up the initial perimeter by the gate . These elites were the cream of the crop , and they had no problem keeping up with Zac's small group even when he exerted some effort .

Their breakneck pace allowed them to reach the inner gate in just six hours , and even the group of Anointed were panting a bit by that point . The larger Anointed were fine though , as were Ogras and Thea .

This is the place , - Zac said as he nodded at the gate . - We will keep going for a bit longer . -

How about you let me try modifying this door? - Kenzie interjected . - We don't actually know what will happen when the treasure wakes up . What if the door stays the same? Isn't Tier-4 clearance required to enter? Only we have that -

Zac looked up at the towering wall with hesitation for a few seconds until he eventually nodded in agreement .

You guys stay here , - Zac said to to the scout . - I’ll protect her if the wall goes crazy . -

The two walked up to the gate , but neither tried to open it . He felt he had reached an accord with Leviala by this point , but he still didn’t want to bet that there was a trap waiting on the other side . Kenzie infused a bit more Base Power into the tablet as she hooked it up to the gate itself rather than the terminal that was a few meters up in the air . Zac looked at his sister inquisitively , wondering if she really knew what she was doing .

The frame is directly connected to the terminal , - Kenzie shrugged . - It’s all the same to Jeeves whether he gains access to the gate or the terminal itself . -

Is… Jeeves actually entering these things , or is it just telling you what to do? - Zac asked hesitantly .

It’s connected to them like this tablet is connected to the wall . He doesn’t actually enter the wall or whatever . Why? What’s wrong? - Kenzie asked with a slightly distracted voice as most of her focus was reserved for the screen .

The administrator , - Zac said . - It might be a problem if the Base AI consider Jeeves a threat . Jeeves is probably higher-quality tech , but it’s still just F-Grade . Meanwhile , I saw the Administrator fight with what I think was a C-Grade monstrosity on even footing . -

I considered that , but these gates are completely isolated from the looks of it . Besides , Jeeves is essentially masquerading as the tablet itself , we shouldn’t be exposed even if that AI was directly looking at what we are doing , - Kenzie said .

Fine , - Zac slowly nodded . - But you can’t do things like this in the core . The Administrator is actively controlling those parts according to Leviala . No point in risking it unless absolutely necessary . -

Leviala? - Kenzie said with an impish smile . - First-name basis? -

Just focus , - Zac said with a roll of his eyes .

It’s already done , - Kenzie giggled as she retrieved the tablet , leaving one of her communication dongles behind . - This gate will only require Class-3 clearance to open now , while still having the same security protocols as before . Jeeves even activated a dormant anti-tampering protocol to make hacking harder . If the Cartava Clan couldn’t get through before , they definitely shouldn’t be able to now . -

Good job , - Zac nodded . - I think you might be our biggest ace in this place . -

It’s good that you finally understand , - Kenzie said with a wink . - Not everything can be solved with an axe . -

Well , not everything , more than one would expect , - Zac smiled .

Zac's group left the scouts behind after confirming no wolves were lurking nearby , heading straight for their next target ; a nondescript grate almost twenty meters into the air , barely visible on the wall from the ground . It took them almost two hours to get there , even after increasing their pace . The grate was a - swarm pipe’ according to Leviala , a small outlet that released swarms of microscopic machines whose job was to kill any unwanted flora and pollinate the wanted species .

However , these gardener-machines had either stopped working or they had been blocked by structural damage further inside the base , as those machines hadn’t been seen for centuries . And now , with the spatial expansion , the pipe was wide enough to allow people to squeeze through , albeit barely .

Is it really necessary to take this circuitous path? - Kenzie asked as she looked down on the mapper with some hesitation . - I’m sure we could find a path without squeezing through claustrophobic pipes and run-off grates . -

Might as well , it should only add a few hours’ travel time compared to a more direct route . And the path doesn’t only take into account these kinds of hidden paths , but also spatial anomalies . There should be some reason as to why the werewolves chose these paths rather than the normal corridors , - Zac said . - I want to avoid any spatial tears for as long as we can . I don’t know if that thing in the Void is still angry . -

Fine , - Kenzie shrugged .

Zac quickly took out a series of daggers with flat handles and quickly infused each of them with a smidgeon of Base Power before he threw them into the wall . As expected , the knives embedded themselves into the Memorysteel without issue , forming a set of steps all the way up to the gate .

Kenzie was about to jump up to open it , but she was stopped by Zac who went up himself with his tablet . His sister seemed to be confident in Jeeves’ abilities , but he wasn’t so certain . Leandra had warned him of the Mystic Realm in their short talk after he evolved , and Zac was worried that his mother’s warning was based on her desire to keep Jeeves rather than her children safe .

Perhaps there were things in this place that could harm Jeeves , and doing so harm Kenzie as well . He had witnessed the power this base still possessed after all these years , and connecting Jeeves to the wrong terminal might cause the AI to overload .

However , Zac quickly realized that opening the lid to a grate was very different from opening a hidden gate with the help of Leviala . A series of weird boxes appeared , but none of them looked like the one he had pressed before . Touching the token against the tablet didn’t help either , so Zac could only jump down in defeat and let his sister deal with it .

The following hours passed without any surprises as they followed the detailed map left behind by the Werewolf scouts . They quickly realized just how much larger the Living Layer was compared to the Outer Ring . They weren’t able to move very quickly due to moving through uncharted pathways , but they had still walked a depth that was twice that of the Outer Ring with most of the map still remaining .

It wasn’t solely due to how the base was constructed either . Part of it definitely came from the spatial expansion that only seemed to be increasing in severity on their way in . When they entered the pipe they were forced to walk hunched-over , but after a few hours the pipes were wide enough for them to walk upright without issue .

The pipe took a circuitous path on its way to the Inner Layer , and with the lack of natural lighting , it quickly became extremely claustrophobic . Ogras repeatedly muttered about blasting a hole in the wall and walking through the normal corridors , and Thea stopped reprimanding him after an hour .

That’s enough whining , - Kenzie eventually said , the tablet in her hands illuminating her face . - We’ll be exiting this pipe soon . It seems the werewolves created an exit that leads to a warehouse . From there we will take the normal paths for a while . -

Kenzie was the whose mood hadn't been dampened by the pitch-black and cramped tunnels , probably since she had spent most time holed up in her workshops lately . She was also constantly using the tablet in her hands , and one box after another flashed in an endless cycle . They had stopped now and then as well , allowing Kenzie to keep installing her communication modules in the walls .

They finally reached the marked spot Kenzie mentioned and found clear signs of outside interference . What had once been a small vent had been expanded into a proper grate with hinges and everything . Zac opened it up and peered inside , and found that the warehouse was even bigger than the place where the Lunar Tribe had set up their Relay Station .

The room was almost impossibly large , and their point of ingress was almost fifty meters in the air . This place was different from what they were used to for another reason as well ; there were thousands of metallic boxes neatly arranged across the wall and in aisles across the room . The boxes were each almost thirty meters tall , though that likely meant they were about two meters before the spatial expansion took place .

Zac’s eyes lit up with excitement , and he jumped down after getting a go-ahead from his sister . Ogras was right on his heels , and he looked at the massive craters with greed . Thea and Kenzie quickly made their way down as well , and they all walked over to the closest box .

Do you think it contains those big controllable robots? - Ogras asked before he looked at Kenzie askance . - Someone destroyed the ones we had . -

Well , someone had to keep the Undead at bay while you were off having fun in the Tower of Eternity , - Kenzie shot right back .

Zac didn't mind their bickering as he looked down the aisle that was so long that it almost looked like an illusion . He didn't care if the boxes contained mechas or raw materials . As long as they contained anything of even a little bit of value on the outside , then they had just struck a motherlode .

Chapter 607 : Unmarked Boxes

I wouldn’t say the Tower of Eternity was all fun and games , - Zac muttered as his eyes turned back to the box in front of him . - Do complex machines like mechas and drones grow in this place? -

I am not sure , but I don’t think so? - Kenzie said . - I have been keeping watch on my drones , and they are exactly the same as before . I think it’s because they have an active energy source and a steady current , and the energy is dense enough to inhibit whatever the Dimensional Seed is doing to this place . -

So the Core Sector might actually be normal-sized? - Thea ventured . - I imagine that the Core if any place would have a lot of this Base Power running through the walls . -

Perhaps , - Kenzie said . - But it’s also possible that the spatial energies of the Dimensional Seed would just overpower everything around it in such close proximity . I guess we’ll find out as we get closer . -

So , can we open these things? - Ogras asked with gleaming eyes . - Or is there a reason the beastmen left them behind? -

I- Don’t think there’s a problem? - Kenzie said , but she didn’t seem sure as she looked down at her tablet . - I can’t see anything out of the norm . It’s just a storage box with some environmental maintenance protocols . Is it really worth looting this place now though? We have time , but . . . -

Treasures are meant to be taken , girl . Your brother is a walking opportunity-magnet , we need to make use of it . Knowing his luck these boxes might contain exactly what we need to deal with the insect bastards , - Ogras said as he turned to Zac . - Go ahead . Conjure something useful . -

I'm not some magician , - Zac snorted , but he was tempted .

It felt like a waste to leave these boxes behind . Who knew what would happen in the future? The whole base might start falling apart after the Dimensional Seed was taken away considering how integrated it seemed to be with the base . Anything left behind might be lost forever . Zac had over ten empty top-quality Cosmos Sacks on him , meant to be stuffed with everything from raw materials to spaceships , and now was as good a time as any to start looting .

So Zac jumped up to press the only button on the box , a small smile spreading across his face .

Wait stop! - Kenzie shouted with urgency , prompting Zac to immediately push away from the box without opening it , and he landed right behind the group .

What? What’s going on? - Zac asked .

There’s something weird going on . Everything is fine according to the readings , but I sensed some sort of energies in the air . I think- - she muttered , but she didn’t get any further as a series of previously hidden vents suddenly appeared on the closest boxes .

A dense cloud of some unknown gas blasted out the next moment , forcing the group to scramble out of the way . They quickly realized that it was just normal steam released to depressurize the containers , but the fact they suddenly woke up without Zac touching them clearly wasn’t good news .

Some luck . Forgot you're a trouble magnet as well , - Ogras muttered as shadows swallowed their group , and they reappeared half across the vast storeroom a second later .

Zac could only roll his eyes in response as they rushed for the only door in the warehouse , an exit on the opposite side where they came from . A barrier had already appeared to block their escape and Zac frowned when he saw how thick it was . It looked like a beefed-up version of the ones they had encountered before , or perhaps it was simply being fed a lot more Base Power compared to the shields in the Outer Ring .

Worse yet , more and more boxes were releasing steam , and the whole room echoed with clanking sounds as they opened by the hundreds .

The ground cracked beneath Zac’s feet as he shot toward the red barrier while a halo appeared behind his back . Inside it was the avatar of the axe-man’s axe , and it caused Zac’s aura to grow deeper as he slammed Verun's Bite] into the shield .

Popping sounds echoed out across the area as the air exploded from the force generated by Conformation of Supremacy] . A series of crashes quickly followed as both Ogras and Thea appeared to his left and right , each of them releasing an all-out strike at the barrier . But the shield was beyond sturdy . It didn’t even shudder even though the air itself had been ripped apart , forming a series of chaotic spatial tears that were quickly swallowed by the barrier itself .

Watch out! - Kenzie screamed , but Zac was already moving by that point as his Danger Sense had warned him of an impending attack .

Two bronze blades stabbed into the ground where he just stood a moment ago , both of them attached to thin mechanical arms that stretched over fifty meters into the haze . Zac looked toward the source , spotting a spherical object that was slowly emerging from the steam . It was about three meters across , making the massive container it came out of look almost comically oversized .

Zac's first guess was that Kenzie was right . The boxes had grown while the contents had not . That by itself felt like a huge lucky break as the force contained in that stab just now had been a bit troubling , powerful enough to leave marks on the sturdy Memorysteel floor . But Kenzie's theory was quickly proven imperfect at best as more spherical objects came rolling out of the nearby crates , each of them of a different size .

The smallest ones were just about Zac's height , with the largest ones being tower monstrosities reaching almost fifteen meters in the air . The steam quickly dissipated as well , giving the group a better look at what they were dealing with . Zac wasn't surprised to see that they were all some sort of landbound drones that looked like enormous brass balls .

The bladed weapons from before were actually a part of the ball’s surface , like hidden mantis scythes that were normally protected inside the ball itself . A dozen smaller such appendages suddenly split out from the bottom of the ball as well , creating a series of nimble appendages that allowed the closest machines to rush toward them .

Can you control it? Or them? - Zac said as he looked across the warehouse with trepidation .

Did all these containers contain a killing machine like this?

The question quickly became apparent as more and more machines scurried out , quickly forming an army inside the warehouse . Thankfully it looked like less than a third of the boxes actually conjured a spider ball . The rest still housed similar machines , but they failed to activate for some reason or another .

There were also quite a few machines that seemed to move about like they were drunk , perhaps lacking some integral parts due to lack of service over the past millennia . Zac quickly realized what was going on . The smaller machines seemed to work flawlessly as they arranged themselves before moving toward his group . The mid-sized ones had various problems affecting their mobility , and the largest balls didn't even seem able to activate .

The Spatial Expansion had worked on these machines , but to varying degrees . The more they had expanded the worse condition they were left in . That wasn't surprising considering they no doubt contained extremely precise technology , like all kinds of chipsets that might have broken down from being forcibly expanded by the Dao of Space .

Still , the functional ones were more than enough to make Zac feel some pressure , and he was quickly beset by a flurry of scythes coming at him from every direction . Each swing contained a fierce momentum , and the blades themselves were barely damaged after Zac blocked them with Chop] . Whatever alloy they were made of was even sturdier than the Memorysteel in the walls .

The one saving grace was that some of the machines were so massive that they blocked out their smaller brethren , making it so they only needed to face a few dozen at a time . Still , Zac knew it would take a huge effort to take them all out , so he looked over at his sister who frantically was typing away at her tablet .

Nothing I do works! - she said with panic in her eyes . - I- I- can’t… -

Stay calm , - Zac said as his arms turned into a blur while keeping the continuous waves of attacks at bay . - If you can’t control the robots , work on the shield instead . -

Right! - Kenzie exclaimed as she quickly found her bearing , and she hurried to the wall and directly connected it to her tablet with a cable .

Ogras immediately threw out a series of array disks before he covered her in shadows , but it didn't seem to work as five of the robots immediately targeted Kenzie's position . Their attacks only made it half-way before a blue streak rippled through the air though , and the mantis-like blades fell to the ground cleanly cut off . It was Thea who had targeted the thin arms of the robots rather than the blades themselves , and Zac noticed that scars appeared out of nowhere on a lot of the battlebots .

It was likely Thea's invisible Spirit Tool , which Zac thought she had discarded in favor of the graceful blue sword in her hands . But it looked like Thea had rather added another weapon to her repertoire , with one focusing on large-scale battle and the other one on direct confrontation .

Ogras wasn't to be outdone either , and he melded with the shadows on the ground before he appeared in the middle among the machines , causing chaos among their ranks . It was hard to tell what was real and what was shadows as he flitted around , but every time his new spear struck a battlebot was destroyed . He was using the machines' weaknesses against them ; the openings created in their outer shell every time they extended their weapons .

Zac wanted to join in as well , but he found himself in a passive state where he was forced to stay close to Kenzie , blocking an endless series of attacks . It even felt like the machines understood what Kenzie was trying to do , and more and more of the battlebots seemed to be targeting his sister . This wasn’t like when they assaulted the Undead Incursion either ; there were no Valkyries to erect a defensive War Array around his sister , and Ogras’ array disks were just illusion arrays to hide her .

Part of him wanted to just drop a mountain on these machines , but he was afraid that the commotion would just cause even more trouble . The further they went into the base , the higher the risk was that they would attract attention from the Administrator . Besides , using Nature's Punishment] might actually cause the whole roof to blow off again , providing the Collector with another point of ingress .

What should we do? - Ogras shouted as he dragged out his spear from a 4-meter battlebot .

The machine tried to swing down one of its massive blades on the demon , but it suddenly shuddered before a storm of shadows emerged from every small crack in its plating . Everything inside was no doubt ripped apart from the demon's shadows .

Keep destroying these things , but no attacks that might harm the base itself , - Zac said as his eyes turned pitch-black . - I’ll keep Kenzie safe as she works on the barrier . -

A huge Miasmic Bulwark emerged the next second , effortlessly blocking the barrage of strikes coming Kenzie’s way . Zac positioned himself right between the machines , readying himself for a protracted defense . His body grew as he activated Vanguard of Undeath] . He didn't believe that the skill's taunting effect would work on the machines , but his increased size gave him a better reach .

How does it look? - Zac asked as he cut off a scythe that tried to pass around his bulwark to strike Kenzie .

It's working , but I need a few minutes , - Kenzy said she frantically tapped away at her tablet .

Zac only grunted in response as he kept blocking . The defensive capabilities of his undead class were far beyond what he could manage in his human form , but his Draugr class wasn't all that effective in dealing with machines . Deathwish] didn't seem able to copy the battlebots , perhaps because of the lack of spirituality . Furthermore , both Fields of Despair] and Winds of Decay] would probably harm his own people more than they would the robots .

Thea and Ogras were thankfully doing the work of half an army by themselves . It looked like the two were competing with each other for kills , with the Marshall Scion desperately trying to keep up with Ogras' large-scale destruction . Unfortunately for her , Ogras had already evolved and he had gained almost ten levels since doing so . That was the equivalent of over 80 F-Grade levels in terms of attributes , and Thea simply couldn't compete with that , try as she might .

Still , she showed amazing expertise as she moved back and forth between the machines . The smaller spider balls were extremely nimble and they could send out up to five scythes at a time . They created whole spheres of death around them , with bronze streaks filling the air . If these machines were dropped into his army they would have singlehandedly caused mass casualties before they were brought down .

But Thea somehow managed to walk right into those zones of death , quickly delivering a single strike with pinpoint precision , destroying the machine in one go . Zac himself had only turned into a glorified guardian , or more like a mobile fortress as he expanded Immutable Bulwark] to its maximum proportions .

He was also being assisted by the small mountain of broken machines that created a half-circle around them , making it harder and harder for the larger machines to get close . The big ones barely worked , but their scythes were simply humongous and they carried a tremendous force that managed to stab some ways into Zac's shield before he managed to shrug them off .

Zac wasn't really comfortable just staying on the passive , but he really had nothing to counter with at a time like this . It was one limitation of Love's Bond] ; it was unable to send out any chains while it was in its defensive form . That made it impossible for Zac to start destroying the battlebots with Blighted Cut] , even though he was pretty certain he would be able to puncture even these sturdy things with the help of the extremely potent corrosion .

It's done! - Kenzie finally shouted , and the shield blocking the exit disappeared a second later . - Hurry , it will activate soon again! -

Zac quickly shrunk his bulwark just enough for Thea and Ogras to slip past him , and he brought up the rear as the others fled through the door . Zac was about to deactivate his fractal shield and exit as well , but he changed his mind at the last second as his Danger Sense had suddenly woken up again . A huge explosion rocked whole the area the next moment , causing massive cracks in Zac's fractal bulwark before the force threw him out of the gate .

Ogras was last to exit before Zac , and the demon yelped in surprised as he barely managed to avoid Zac's hulking form as he hurtled through the air . Zac slammed into the wall with enough force to cause a dent in the memory steel , but he just groaned as he got back on his feet , ready for another attack .

However , he was relieved to see that the gate had closed again .

I just blocked the barrier for a few seconds , it's active again . Those robots shouldn't be able to get out , - Kenzie said . - That last blast was the closest ones self-destructing . -

Okay , that might have been my bad . No more messing with unmarked boxes , - Ogras muttered with a wry smile .

Chapter 608 : Divine Guidance

We never even touched the thing . I think it sensed us standing around and activated , causing a chain reaction , - Kenzie said as she sighed . - The Werewolves must have known and simply ran straight through . -

Well , they were thankfully not too powerful , - Zac said as he turned back to human . - But there might be more powerful machines further in if these things were just left behind here . -

You're full of surprises . . . - Thea muttered as she gave him Zac an inscrutable look .

Zac could only shrug his shoulders in response , not really in the mood to explain exactly how things worked with his undead side . She already knew some parts of it from back during the hunt though , so him using two new skills shouldn't come as too big a shock .

We should go in case they can sense us through the wall , - Kenzie said as she took out her mapper , seemingly trying to help her brother change the subject . - Let them calm down by themselves . We are just an hour away from where we’re supposed to meet your new friend . -

Right , let’s go , - Zac nodded as he shot one last look at the gate before he started walking again .

I can’t believe you set a time and location , - Ogras muttered as he stowed away his spear . - It’s like you want to be ambushed . -

Thea didn’t say anything , but she seemed to be in agreement with the demon's sentiment .

We could really use their expertise . Kenzie can’t be expected to find out every hidden danger in this place , and we might walk into a real deathtrap sooner or later if we keep going like this , - Zac said . - Besides , they’re a clan with an Ocular Bloodline , how strong can they be? -

Famous last words , - Thea muttered , but she didn’t offer any alternative course of action .

The group kept a high pace through the oversized corridors , and the map held true , keeping them out of the way of any barriers or spatial tears . They were forced to pass through a second warehouse , but they had learned their lesson already and relied on Ogras to teleport them through the enormous room with three rapid jumps .

They finally reached their destination 80 minutes later , a nondescript crossing looking like any other . Zac and Leviala had chosen this place since Leviala was certain that she’d be able to get here from Clan Cartava’s headquarters . However , no one was there awaiting their arrival , and neither were there any clues left behind .

Well , the labs are further down this way , though the map becomes incomplete at the end . The werewolves either ran out of time or encountered some difficulties , - Kenzie said as she pointed down the path right ahead . - What do you want to do? Wait here or keep going? -

We’re already a bit late , but she’s still not here , - Zac muttered as he looked around another time . - Something might have changed on their side . -

Well , we should be able to figure it out without her , - Ogras said , clearly unwilling on giving up on a chance at the treasure . - We have the map , right? We can just go to the end , and Kenzie should be able to gather clues from there , leading us to this Inner Lab . The Cartava Clan might have become greedy , heading there before us to loot the riches . -

Maybe we should go find those natives instead? - Thea hesitantly said . - Their base is only half a day from here , right? We can head over there and form an alliance , paving the way for our people . Then we can go to the Inner Labs after the seed has matured . Isn’t the whole plan that the defenses will be lowered then? -

… I can’t wait that long , - Zac sighed .

What? - Thea asked with confusion . - Is there something you haven’t told us? -

Zac hesitated for a bit before he set up an isolation array , and both Ogras and Kenzie added their own methods to obscure the area even further .

I have a quest telling me I have to get there before the Dimensional Seed matures . It might fail if we take a detour to Clan Cartava . I didn’t find a mapper on the Werewolf squad responsible for heading there , so we don’t have any safe paths in that direction . -

It specifically said you had to get there before the Seed Matures? - Ogras asked to confirm , a thoughtful look donning his face . - What else did it say? -

Zac deliberated for a second before he shared the quest screen , including the note at the end .

What the hell? - Thea muttered , her eyes wide in disbelief . - What kind of quest is this? You’ve already completed 3 quests and there are 6 more? And there are punishments? Why are there punishments? -

Just the System being an asshole again , - Zac shrugged . - The punishment was a lot worse in the beginning , but I still don’t want to risk losing one of my core skills . -

Divine guidance… It has to be , - Ogras said with wide eyes .

Divine guidance? What? - Kenzie said , looking at Ogras skeptically . - Isn’t it just a special quest Zac got because he’s strong? -

All those things you described before , were they part of this quest chain? - Ogras asked .

Yes , starting with rescuing Leviala Cartava , - Zac nodded , feeling the demon might be on to something .

After all , he only got this chain of quests after he got the Pathstrider]-title , marking him a candidate for training . Divine Guidance sounded like something the demon might call a chain of training quests .

So , the reason we managed to reach this place was that the System led you to the only native carrying a set of maps? - Ogras asked to confirm .

I… guess? - Zac asked hesitantly , his suspicions only growing when he saw Ogras’ reaction . - You think that the System is leading me to the Core? -

My grandfather once told me a story , a rumor he heard from his captain on the battlefield . About Lord Lucifer’s younger days , - Ogras said .

Lucifer? The Devil? - Thea blurted .

A C-Grade Demon Monarch , - Ogras said with a roll of his eyes . - In either case , my grandpa saved the life of his captain during a war . That's how grandpa gained an opportunity to reach D-Grade . His captain turned out to be a descendant of Lord Lucifer himself , out to gain experience and battle merit as an unnamed soldier of the Horde . -

Larok , the captain , told grandpa some stories about his ancestor after they became friends , tales of bravery and such . It turns out , Lord Lucifer was accidentally sucked into a newly emerged C-Grade Mystic Realm when he was a peak E-Grade warrior , a death sentence if there ever was one . But not only did he survive , but he even emerged with one of the core treasures of that place . -

What was it? - Kenzie asked curiously .

Some sort of Natural Treasure that helped him form a supreme Cultivator's Core . He used his newfound power to wage a 1000-year campaign , utterly stomping out various threats to the Azh’Kir’Khat Horde , - Ogras said . - The contribution points he accumulated from that war set him up for life , and he’s now standing tall as one of the supreme Warchiefs of the Horde . -

What’s this got to do with us? - Thea asked with an exasperated tone .

Patience , girl , - Ogras snorted . - Apparently , Lord Lucifer was surrounded by terrifying beasts in that Mystic Realm , but he refused to give up . So he hid beneath the ground and cultivated , planning to form a Cultivation Core prematurely before making a mad dash to escape . But he was suddenly given a task by The Ruthless Heavens and he saw a chance at survival even without breaking through with shaky foundations . One task followed another , unknowingly leading him to the treasure , and then to a hidden exit of the realm . -

The System guided him through a chain of quests , not only to become stronger but also to help him achieve his goals . You think the same is happening here? - Zac muttered .

Exactly . The Ruthless Heavens put its fingers on the scales for its chosen few . We already know you are blessed with monstrous Luck , drawing the attention of The Ruthless Heavens over and over . It knows what you need , and the threats you face . If we don’t kill the Dominators , the Great Redeemer will track you down and harvest your soul . It is creating a path of survival for you , a way to beat the odds , - Ogras said .

We can still do all that even without completing some quests though , - Thea countered .

Can we? Can we guarantee it? - Ogras said with a sharp glance . - We believe the Dimensional Treasure to be C-Grade Treasure for it to attract the zealots and the Dominators to this extent . A treasure of that level has a spirituality , a sense of self-perseverance . It might knock out the security of this place , but it might also bolster it . What if our only way to reach the Core or the other side is to reach the Inner Lab before it’s too late? And if we stay outside , we’ll be locked out forever? -

Divine Guidance , - Zac muttered . - And you’re not just saying all this because you want the treasures inside? -

There are no conflicts of interest here , - Ogras smiled . - We all win if we head for the Inner Lab . This was our plan from the start . Why question it now? -

Alright let’s just go , - Zac agreed , and the group set out again .

However , they only kept going for another hour before they encountered a bloody sight ; Leviala , lying on the ground in a pool of dried blood , her face haggard and pale . Judging by the trail of blood on the walls she had come here through an air duct , but she had stopped moving after falling down the fifty meters to the ground .

I'm sorry , - Leviala weakly said as she looked up at Zac . - I meant to go to our meeting point , but I guess I dozed off . -

What’s the matter with you? - Zac sighed as he threw a set of healing pills at the girl . - How do you keep ending up in a state like this? -

Do you think I enjoy this? - Leviala said with a glare as she ate the healing pills . - You were right . Things are bad back home . -

Bad how? - Zac said , but there was no time to hear an explanation as he suddenly sensed people to his left .

He quickly swirled as his axe appeared in his hand , and the others quickly prepared themselves as well as over fifty people had appeared out of nowhere a hundred meters away . There was no way for so many people to sneak up on a group like theirs that easily , making Zac believe they had some high-tiered cloaking technology from this base .

They were definitely humans , but their appearance gave Zac some pause . They looked a lot like the Technocrats Zac had fought when closing the incursion as they all carried various energy-weapons while having shields formed from the same red barriers as the base .

There were also hundreds of flying machines that looked a bit like Kenzie’s drones , though their design was fundamentally different . They rather looked like small airplanes , with barrels attached to the wings . They definitely were tools of war rather than scouting judging by the attachments , and even Zac felt some pressure from being the target of that many weapons .

Technocrats? - Ogras muttered with hesitation .

Interesting designs , - Kenzie whispered as she looked at the drones with gleaming eyes , and Zac inwardly groaned when he realized that his sister’s Drone Swarm was about to grow in size once more .

Ogras only snickered , clearly having realized what was about to happen as well . He didn’t know about Jeeves , but he did know that this base was built by Zac’s and Kenzie’s ancestors , and their unique advantages had been put on ample display over the past weeks . Trying to use this base’s weaponry against them was foolhardy at best .

Traitors of my family , - Leviala sighed , sadness written all over her face . - I’m sorry , I thought I shook them off . -

Zac was a bit surprised that the soldiers of the Cartava Clan had gone in this direction , but on further thought , it was perhaps to be expected . Technology had become an integrated part of their lives over the past millennia , and their bloodlines weren’t that useful for battle from what Leviala had explained .

Meanwhile , there was the Lunar Tribe with their superior constitutions and the gemlings who could create powerful weapons and armor . The Cartava Clan was at a clear disadvantage there , and it looked like they had turned to technology to bridge that gap and secure their place in the Mystic Realm .

This is proof . Leviala Cartava has betrayed her clan , consorting with outsiders to bring doom upon our clan , - a middle-aged man said . - Capture her and leave at least one of the outsiders alive . They know the composition of their armies and the means of escaping this wretched place . -

Wait! Please don’t hurt them! - Leviala said , causing the man to sneer disdainfully . However , his face froze when he heard her next sentence . - They’re still people from my clan . Please don’t kill them! -

Attack! - the man immediately shouted as he reached for his gun , clearly having understood that his numerical advantage was just for show .

The whole corridor lit up in red as the soldiers fired their weapons , but a storm of leaves appeared to block out the first barrage . Zac sighed and turned to his sister .

Don't ruin my new toys , - she only said , confirming Zac's suspicions .

Men make plans and the Heavens laugh , - Ogras snickered to the side with a bloodthirsty gleam in his eyes . - I guess it's war . -

Chapter 609 : Conflicting Truths

The group in front of them didn't exactly cause Zac’s Danger Sense to go haywire , but he still didn’t want to risk his sister getting hurt . So he pushed aside any reluctance over this no-win situation as he stomped down on the ground , pushing himself forward with enough force to cause a dent in the Memorysteel on the ground .

The next moment the whole shielded frontline of the Cartava Clansmen was sent flying as Zac slammed straight into their ranks while using Love’s Bond] as a wallbreaker , the sturdy coffin easily deflecting the beams shooting out from the handheld energy weapons . He had intentionally not used Loamwalker] for that very purpose , to draw the enemies' attention toward himself .

A few projectiles still shot toward the others as well , but they were all capable of dealing with it . Only Leviala helplessly scrambled into a side corridor after realizing her attempts at reconciliation were futile . Kenzie had instead conjured what looked like a raincloud , and the beams actually dispersed as they entered it .

Something’s wrong with the swarm! - a man in the back of the Cartava platoon suddenly shouted .

Fix it , NOW! - the middle-aged captain roared as he rushed to block Zac along with a group of cultivators .

The man was somewhere between middle and high E-Grade judging by his aura , but Zac still wouldn’t look down on the enemy even if he didn't emit the aura of an elite like Void's Disciple . He just barely avoided the restraining tool of the werewolves in his first battle with the natives , and who knew what kind of hidden means the Cartava Clan possessed?

After all , Leviala had never given him any real details of the strength and means of her clan , to the point that he didn't even know they fought like Technocrats .

However , it was clear that not everyone in the clan leaned toward the 'Dao of Technology' as over half the squad emitted the condensed auras of traditional warriors . The captain and his squad of elites were definitely part of this group as they rushed toward Zac with killing intent seeping out of their bodies .

A massive pressure enveloped Zac as he prepared to meet the incoming cultivators , and it felt like he was ensconced in quicksand . He glanced down at his body and noticed he was covered in blue fractals , their glow mirrored in the eyes of three of the cultivators . The eyes of a few more lit up next , and Zac felt the world turning upside down and bend and distort .

He was initially worried that these cultivators were throwing him into another space-time or something with the help of their bloodlines , but he quickly realized that his warped surroundings were simply illusions . A few of the members of the Cartava elite squad were apparently the same sort of cultivators as Janos , mental support mages .

Those kinds of people were a bit troublesome , but it was a lot better than time-cultivators as far as Zac was concerned , and it somewhat confirmed what Leviala had said before . Only a select few had that ability in her clan , with the rest having a lower-quality version of the bloodline .

Zac's soul was thankfully a lot more powerful than the average Strength-based cultivator's thanks to the Nine Reincarnations Manual] and his lucky encounters . Furthermore , while Mental Fortress] was just an average mental defensive skill , it was enough to help him minimize the effect to the point that he could at least tell fake from real .

The first thing to welcome his escape from the illusions was two sets of shimmering grey eyes and the realization that some sort of stones had started to grow across his body . Two of the cultivators actually had Medusa eyes from the looks of it , their gaze slowly petrifying him .

Zac quickly understood what was going on ; the Cartava Cultivators who didn't rely on Technology all seemed to have classes or at least skills that took advantage of their eyes . He guessed that most eye-related skills would have an increased effect for cultivators with an Ocular Bloodline , even if the actual usage of the Bloodline might be related to something different .

The cultivators seemed to somewhat relax after seeing Zac getting entrapped in layer after layer of restrictions , but they still maintained their gazes on him as they stopped twenty meters away . Only the captain rushed forward , wielding an exquisite sword in his hands . It wasn't a technocrat energy weapon , but Zac rather assumed it to be a Spirit Tool made from some reddish metal .

There was also a large red gem embedded in the hilt , making it possible for Zac to guess its origins ; the gemlings on the other side of the base . A sharp aura that was all too similar to Zac radiated from the sword as the captain suddenly disappeared . The captain possessed a Late-Stage Seed of Sharpness . The swordsman appeared right next to Zac a moment later , the edge already ripping through the air on its way toward Zac's throat .

But the air around Zac suddenly started crackling as he unleashed his aura in full , further empowering it with his Spiritual Void] . The stones on his body crumbled to dust and the blue restraining fractals shattered as Zac finally fought back in earnest . His body turned into a blur next as a coffin lid appeared to intercept the sword-strike .

A series of groans echoed out from the cultivator squad after Zac had forcibly broken their skills , and chaos erupted among the soldiers as Zac's immense aura slammed into them like a hammer . The captain's eyes widened in horror when he realized Zac had been going easy on them until now , and he quickly tried to flash away the moment he realized his execution had failed .

But there was no way Zac would allow that , and Love's Bond] slammed into the captain with the full force of someone with over five thousand effective Strength . A deep thud was followed by the sound of bones breaking . The leader of the Cartava Clan's platoon was shot through his own ranks like a projectile , slamming into the Memorysteel wall with enough force to cause the whole corridor to vibrate .

The captain was still someone well into the E-Grade though , so Zac immediately caught up to him with the help of Loamwalker] and punched him in the side of his head the moment the captain ricocheted off the wall . He slammed down into the ground causing another shudder to spread out across the area , and a mute silence spread among the Clan Cartava warriors as they looked at Zac with mute incomprehension .

Getting trapped earlier wasn't Zac simply getting caught unaware . On the contrary , he could have instantly broken the blue fractals covering his body just by using his superior attributes to force it , and one attack of Rapturous Divide] would have instantly killed the ocular cultivators along with half the platoon . However , he had quickly decided against that , allowing the elite squad to keep going to display more of what kind of classes and tactics they used .

He still held a small hope that things could be salvaged peacefully even after all this , which was why he didn't just cut the captain in two , but he felt there was a real risk that his own army would be embroiled in a large-scale battle with these people in a few days . Any intelligence he gathered right now could be sent back , which hopefully would save some lives .

The momentum of the Cartava Clan had completely been quashed by the combination of their drones failing them and Zac using their leader like a punching bag . A few warriors in the back reacted the quickest , immediately starting running for their lives . However , they only got a few meters before the whole area turned into a hazy gray , like a dense fog late at night .

It was Ogras who had appeared out of nowhere and flooded the whole area with his shadows . The fleeing cultivators immediately found themselves caught by an endless number of shadow tendrils , and they actually sank into the shadows like half their bodies had been sent to another dimension . The Cartava warriors reacted instantaneously as they took out energy-knives that were able to cut straight through the shadows , and they desperately flailed about in an attempt to free themselves .

But shadows were intangible , and cutting them with a blade didn’t really do much . They simply reformed and bound the warriors again . A few of the more powerful warriors did manage to free themselves one way or another , but they didn't even get a taste of freedom before they found themselves gored by a black spear hiding among the shadows .

Zac looked at the display with gleaming eyes . It felt like the Cartava warriors were shipwrecked sailors on a sea of shadows , and Ogras was a shark in the depths , striking from the darkness before immediately disappearing again . Zac felt that it was worth learning from the demon in this regard , especially for his second class . Fetters of Desolation was a class focusing on restraining and whittling down the enemy , just like Ogras was doing right now .

It wasn't too surprising that Ogras could so easily capture over a dozen people in an instant . Most of the warriors in the back of the platoon seemed to be responsible for the drones , and their 'weapons' had just been tablets and some weird helmets . Then again , the frontlines weren't doing any better even though they were manned by soldiers armed with proper energy weapons .

Thea had made her move as well , turning into a whirlwind that destroyed every piece of equipment in her path . The floor was already littered with broken components from everything from tablets to guns and even clothes . Everything that could be used as a weapon was either cut by the invisible blades or Thea herself , and any resistance resulted in streaks turning into bleeding wounds .

Less than half a minute had passed , but the Cartava squadron was already utterly crushed . The drones that had been silently hovering in the air until now suddenly started moving , forming an orderly line as they flew toward Kenzie . She simply took out a Cosmos Sack with a wide grin , and the machines flew straight into it one by one while Leviala stared at her with a flabbergasted look .

Lay down your weapons , or we’ll start killing , - Zac roared when he saw the battle was over , and everyone immediately followed suit .

The soldiers were seated against the wall a minute later , unarmed and with a dozen of Kenzie's own Drones keeping watch . The others had already gathered again , with Leviala hesitantly standing between Zac's group and her clan members . She already looked a lot better compared to before , and it seemed she had overextended herself , running out of Cosmic Energy in her escape .

Girl , how is your faction still standing? - Ogras asked with bemusement as he glanced at Leviala . - You better pledge allegiance to this guy fast , otherwise you’ll just get eradicated even if you get out of this realm alive . -

These people are not our strongest warriors , - Leviala muttered , though she looked a bit shamefaced at the result of the battle even if her clansmen were technically her enemies in this scenario . - We have a lot of powerhouses . -

More importantly , - Zac said as he lifted the still-unconscious middle-aged man by his neck . - What’s up with the bullshit this guy was spewing? I told you we were looking for an alliance . -

Leviala sighed as she started explaining the situation back in her clan . It turned out that the werewolves hadn't just kidnapped Leviala , but also destroyed a few key buildings along with the corridors leading toward the Lunar Forest . The chaos had allowed the werewolves to slink away . Clan Cartava wasn't about to give up Leviala though , and they immediately decided to set out toward the Wasteland . But just as the first groups were about to set out a damning video emerged .

It was without audio , but it clearly displayed two werewolves talking with an unknown human and two demonkin in an abandoned warehouse .

The clan had already learned of Ogras' appearance somehow , and they quickly put two and two together . They believed Port Atwood and the Lunar Clan were working together , targeting Clan Cartava at this critical time .

What , there's a video of our people conversing with Werewolves? - Zac said with confusion all over his face , and he turned to Ogras .

Impossible , - Ogras said with a shake of his head . - No one would be that stupid . -

It's true , - Leviala said , her eyes flickering . - I saw the video myself after I returned . -

There's one simple explanation of how that's possible , apart from betrayal , - Thea interjected as she took an all-too-familiar root , holding it so the captives couldn't see it .

Impossible , our people have been rigorously tested , - Zac said with a shake of his head .

I know , but theirs haven't , - Thea said as she looked at the captives .

Chapter 610 : Looming Threat

What are you talking about? - Leviala asked with confusion .

Nothing , continue . What happened next? - Zac said , not wanting to make any decisions before hearing the whole story .

Seeing the outsiders conspiring with their old enemies the Lunar Clan had , unsurprisingly , agitated the people of Clan Cartava , especially after they had extended an olive branch through the plaque . It was at moment time a man named Yvian stepped out , saying that he and Leviala were betrothed , but had kept it secret as to not distract from the more important matters at hand . He vowed to get his fiancé back , even if he had to battle both the - insidious outsiders - and the Lunar Tribe .

Apparently , Yvian was the heir of the second branch of the Clan and the second-best candidate for future Clan Leader after Leviala herself . He and his faction quickly turned the clan against Zac's people and immediately rerouted the scouting parties to search in the direction of the Lunar Forest instead . The explosions together with the video made it look like the werewolves kidnapped Leviala before escaping toward the outer world .

As for the fake engagement , it was a way to bridge the gap between the two main branches of the clan now that Leviala was gone . With Leviala gone and the Grand elder being quite old , the Second Branch would eventually become the main branch . Of course , their plans went awry the moment Leviala was accidentally found by one of the scouting parties .

Leviala had returned to her clan with the second-branch scouts even if she had misgivings , but the news she brought back were mostly discarded . They called the news of the Dominators and the Great Redeemer a fabrication meant to trick the clan into staying behind while their enemies got themselves to safety .

Some even insinuated that Leviala had been brainwashed by the enemies .

Even her own grandfather seemed hesitant about what she said , so Leviala eventually saw no other option but to turn to Zac for help . There was no way that she would be able to convince her Datamancer uncle to come along in a situation like this , so she set out alone . She was quickly discovered and she was forced to fight her way out of an encirclement .

The only reason she was still alive was that most of the clan members were in the dark about the coup , simply thinking that Leviala was under some sort of hypnosis or compulsion . So they were afraid to actually attack her too ruthlessly , which allowed her to 'escape' . Of course , that escape might just have been a ploy , a gambit by the second branch to find a secret pathway to the Lunar Forest .

Frowns adorned Zac and his group as they digested the new information . They didn't really care about the coup , even if Zac felt a bit bad for Leviala , but the implications were clear . Clan Cartava were gearing up for a war against Port Atwood at this very moment , both to get back at their old enemies and to seize a chance to escape .

The second branch already had wide support for the attack even before Leviala returned , and it sounded like that support had only increased when Leviala admitted that Zac wouldn't let them out before the Dimensional Seed matured .

Please , come with me to Clan Cartava , - Leviala entreated . - I couldn't convince the elders , but if you display your might , I'm sure they will understand that there is no point for you to play those games . We can avoid an unnecessary war , and set our sights on our true enemies instead . -

Zac didn't immediately respond , but he rather went over his options in his mind .

One thing at a time , - Zac eventually said , neither agreeing nor disagreeing with Leviala's idea . Instead , he threw out a large bag of Springroot on the ground . - Everyone . Eat a piece of this root . Anyone who does will be allowed to return to your clan . Everyone else . . . -

Hesitation and skepticism were written all over the faces of the cartava soldiers , and many turned their eyes to Leviala who somewhat had taken on the role of an intermediary .

Please . It's not that I don't trust you , but can you explain what's going on? What's the effect of this Springroot? - Leviala hesitantly asked as she looked down at the bag .

The outside world is full of dangers , - Ogras said loudly enough so that all the captives could hear . - One of those dangers is a race of shapeshifters , cultivators who can make themselves look like any race , masquerading as either a friend or a foe . Those you saw in the videos were not our people . We are already at war with the Lunar Tribe , even having killed off all those scouting units who caused trouble for you . -

Ogras gave Zac a look next , but Zac blankly looked back , not sure what the demon wanted him to do .

Throw out some of the bodies , - Ogras voice whispered in his ear , projected by a small shadow .

Zac understood what the demon was looking for , and he threw out a handful of the werewolf corpses he had collected during his fights .

That's Hevastes! - one of the ocular cultivators exclaimed , drawing a round of murmurs .

These shapeshifters have caused a lot of trouble on the outside , and we know they entered this realm long before we did , - Ogras said as he glanced at Leviala . - These roots are our weapon against them . For most people , including you humans , they are harmless . A tasty snack . For those damn shapeshifters , they are deadly poison . -

Zac bent down and ate a root to prove Ogras' words before he turned to the soldiers . Leviala soon followed suit , though a sheen of nervous perspiration covered her face . She was obviously not taking Ogras' words at face value , but rather stepping forward for her clan members .

Now , your turn . Come forward , one at a time , - Zac said after confirming that Leviala wasn't a shapeshifter .

The soldiers looked at each other hesitantly , until one of the stronger warriors grit his teeth and stepped forward . However , just as he was about to pick a root up , another one stood up with a fierce look .

This is a trap! - he shouted . - We saw the young miss returning with all kinds of delusions . Fighting the Collector? The Base actively protecting them? I bet the source are these poisonous roots! -

Force-feed him , - Zac said without hesitation , and a storm of shadows immediately trapped the raging man .

He didn’t even have a chance to take his life before Ogras appeared right in front of him , cramming a handful of roots down his throat . He struggled for a few seconds before the life left his eyes . His body started to transform a second later , turning into the all-too-familiar lizard-like humanoids . The soldiers around him scrambled out of the way , looking at the transformation with horror .

Vatos! - one of the soldiers exclaimed with horror .

Sorry , Vatos is long dead , most likely . Replaced by the shapeshifters . Now eat or you can all join Vatos in the netherworld , - Ogras snorted as his and Zac’s killing intent drenched the squad .

Soon enough everyone had eaten a piece of Springroot , even the unconscious soldiers had some stuffed down their throat . There weren't any more shapeshifters though , which was a relief to Zac . It hopefully meant that Clan Cartava wasn't too infiltrated already . But it also meant that their gearing for war was an idea mostly of their own making , as Zac doubted the cultists were strong enough to take out all the elders without causing a ruckus .

Who are these aliens? - a soldier muttered as he looked down at the lizardman corpse .

Members of the Church of Everlasting Dao . They’re an extremely powerful faction , their presence in the Zecia sector is just a small branch . They are religious fanatics , purging planets of all life to appease the Heavens . Their goal was to do that to my home planet , but their goal changed when they learned about the Dimensional Treasure in this place , - Zac explained .

We've really been infiltrated , - Leviala sighed . - You were right . -

I'm afraid so , - Zac nodded . - You people have nothing to gain from fighting our faction , but our enemy is fanning the flames . After all , I have already agreed to letting your clan out as soon as we’ve dealt with the threats to our world . The only thing that would happen if you attack us is our guards closing the spatial tunnel permanently , locking us both inside . -

But how haven’t we noticed anything? - Leviala muttered . - We’re clansmen , we know each other . How can someone just blend in without arousing suspicion? And we haven’t seen any other outsiders apart from you . Our neighbors are dealing with Humans as well . -

The werewolves , - Ogras said without hesitation . - They must be infiltrated . Shapeshifters came with the scouting parties , some stayed behind to infiltrate you as well . -

Zac felt a headache coming on as he tried to figure out what to do . There were thousands of elite Zhix rearing for war just outside the gate leading to Clan Cartava , and disaster was just around the corner if the Chuch of Everlasting Dao was manipulating things behind the scene . This battle had almost been a joke , but the Zhix wouldn’t have his strength nor Kenzie’s ability to disable their strongest offensive tools , the Technocrat weaponry .

There was a decent chance both sides would suffer massive casualties , and the only winners would be the Dominators and the cultists .

I’ve already sent a warning back to our people , - Kenzie said , clearly understanding what was going through Zac’s head .

What do you want to do? - Ogras asked .

Zac's eyes flickered between Leviala and the soldiers , who all shied away from his gaze .

You've proved that your words are true , - Leviala added from the side . - Let's go back to the clan and bring the body . We have fifty clan members to testify the veracity of your claims , all of them of the Second Elder's faction . So if we both have our factions take a step back , then we'll- -

Our people came to this place for an important mission , - Zac interjected . - Besides , you clearly don't have the ability to make your clan take a step back . A few infiltrators shouldn’t be able to completely turn your clan against us in just a few days . There should already have been some plans on dealing with us , with the cultists simply silencing dissent and urging on the warmongers . -

That’s- - Leviala muttered , looking down with shame . - Still , if we go back . . . -

How much time left? - Zac asked , turning to Kenzie .

A bit over two days? - Kenzie said after some thought . - We should reach the Inner Lab in around five hours . We can’t return the same way we came from , but we should be able to make it back to our people well over a day before the treasure matures . It depends on how long the Cartava Clan is willing to wait if they're aiming to break out . -

Zac understood what Kenzie meant . Zac’s plans were based on waiting for the seed to mature , but the Cartava Clan was the opposite . They needed to escape before the time was up , and it took around between eight and twelve hours to get from the gate in the Lunar Forest to the Spatial Tunnel for an F-Grade warrior who knew the path .

Add to that civilians and some extra time for safe measure , and Clan Cartava would probably not want to wait until the last minute if they really decided to attack . They might already be ready for battle as they were standing there . Kenzie’s defensive measures at the gate could probably buy them some time , but there was no way that a native clan didn’t have some last-ditch methods to force their way through the base .

The only consolation was that large-scale destruction seemed to attract the active attention of the defensive AI , and the Cartava Clan probably didn't want to use those last-ditch methods unless everything else had failed already .

The inner Lab? Are you still talking about that? - Leviala exclaimed incredulously as she stared at Kenzie . - Our people are about to be tricked into a war , who knows how many casualties that would result in? Let me be clear . This fight was lopsided , but our armies aren’t any pushovers , especially not inside this Mystic Realm . We need to turn back right now . -

However , no one in Zac’s group cared about Leviala’s opinions , all instead turning toward Zac . He turned toward the subdued captain who had already woken up by now with the help of a few zaps from Kenzie's drones . His eyes were a bit glazed over after Zac's punch , but he seemed to have been able to follow what was going on .

You can all return to your clan . Take that body and these roots with you , it's the proof of what I've said is true . But tell your elders this ; We didn't come to this godforsaken place for fun . We came here to save our planet , and we are willing to lay our lives on the line to do so . Force our hands , and we will walk over the ruins of your clan to get the job done , - Zac said , his killing intent almost dense enough to become corporeal . - I know the allure of the outside world is strong , but don't lose it all by acting hastily . I'm coming back to get our people soon enough . -

The soldiers looked extremely unwilling , but no one offered any rebuttal , instead looking down with their fists clenched . Zac could only pray that his threat would cause make the elders hesitate about their plans , slowing any plans to break out . He couldn't turn back now . His instincts told him to push forward , and Ogras' words of warning about Divine Guidance were the last push he needed to make his decision .

We’ll keep going , - Zac said as he turned to his group .

What . . . What about me? - Leviala hesitantly asked .

You're coming with us , - Zac said as he formed the same chair made out of chains as before . - I know that you're not happy with how things turned out . But the quicker you help us get where we need to go , the quicker we'll be able to return and prevent any bloodshed . -

Fine , - Leviala sighed as she dragged herself onto the chair , the links quickly turning red from a few wounds reopening .

Let's hurry , - Zac said as he left the soldiers where they were , the other three silently following in tow . - We'll speed up . I'll deal with any spatial tears . -

Spatial Tears are the least of our worries where we're going . If it was just that we'd long have looted the Inner Layer . There are alarms , sentries , mechanized guards , traps , and who knows what else , - Leviala warned .

Good thing we brought you then , girl , - Ogras grinned .

The last stretch is through a long stretch of tubing according to the maps . Surely the base wouldn't have any alarms there , - Kenzie added .

You . . . How did you do that before? You simply took all our drones like they were yours , - Leviala asked with a slightly fearful look .

Well , they are mine now , - Kenzie smiled , ignoring the question . - Spoils of war and all that . -

Chapter 611 : Lab 16

The group immediately set out , keeping a rapid pace on their way toward Inner Lab 16 . They were making good time thanks to the complementary competencies of Kenzie and Laviala , but Zac was still filled with anxiety . The only thing giving him some peace of mind was Kenzie's ability to almost freely contact their forces back at the forest , allowing him to stay up to date on the situation .

The army had finished preparations for the outermost layer of defense around the base , but they doubled down on their preparations after hearing about a possible attack . They also increased the number of scouts keeping watch in all sectors under their control in case the Cartava Clan appeared somewhere other than through the gate .

An evacuation was already underway as well , with almost all non-essential personnel already having been transferred out of the Mystic Realm . Only some non-combat cultivators would stay inside the Research Base after the Dimensional Seed matured , with a skeleton crew to maintain the base while the rest set out to assist the Zhix on their crusade .

Eventually , Zac didn't have time to worry about his people though , as just passing through the corridors on the way to the Inner Layer demanded all his attention . Just as Leviala had warned , the increasingly common Spatial tears was just one of the problems facing them .

Wait , - Kenzie suddenly said , and the group hid against a wall as they activated a series of cloaking methods .

No one still dared as much as breathe loudly as they waited steeped in silence . Half a minute later clattering sounds echoed out through the corridors as a patrol unit consisting of two spider balls and six drones moved past them . This was the sixth squad they had to hide from in just 20 minutes , a stark contrast to the abandoned outer reaches .

It wasn't that Zac didn't want to simply force his way through , and the small squads weren't a threat to his group . But getting discovered or destroying the sentries resulted in a lockdown , which would cause way more of a headache than it was worth .

Okay , we're good , - Kenzie eventually nodded and the group set out again .

Just how are you discovering these sentries? - Leviala asked with a frown . - We have tried for centuries to discover their signals . -

I told you , we got our hands on some Technocrat technology on the outside . We didn't enter this place blindly , - Zac snorted from ahead , getting a bit annoyed at Leviala's attempts to delve into his sister's secrets .

Of course , he knew that his go-to excuse was pretty weak , but Kenzie was forced to display her abilities if they wanted to get back in time . Thea was clearly also curious about what was going on , but she had never asked about it over the past weeks even after Kenzie displayed an uncharacteristic level of competence for a 20-year old without a science background .

They finally reached the spot the Werewolves had marked after slowly and methodically making progress through the minefield of guards and traps . They were getting close to the Inner Layer now , and the Spatial Expansion was getting more and more pronounced . Zac guessed the surroundings had increased around 25 times in size , making him feel like a citizen of Lilliput .

This massive transformation was what provided Zac's group with a new route . The section they had just reached was designed remarkably different compared to the much simpler corridors in the Outer Ring . The walls were still made from Memorysteel , but the design was of a lot higher quality and there were a lot of windows to the rooms inside .

Leviala explained that this section had once been the place of residence of the middle-tier workers of the base . The corridor itself reminded Zac of the living quarters of Little Bean , as it was roughly twice as wide compared to the outer hallways , and filled with lounge areas and what looked like zen gardens . There were a lot more doors as well , each of them leading to an apartment ranging from 50 to hundreds of square meters in size .

Clan Cartava had long looted these quarters of everything that wasn't destroyed during the spatial storms of the Cataclysm , with only the stronger people continuing into the Inner Layers when the base shut down for maintenance . Their group still headed into one of the larger apartments though , a living quarter that probably once had belonged to some chief scientist .

What set this place apart compared to most other rooms was that it had its own small-scale laboratory , which unsurprisingly had grown enormous along with everything else . This was what provided them with a route to the inner lab , and they reached a wall socket hidden behind a table . The socket was covered by a lid , and a gust of stale air hit their group when Zac pushed it open .

On the other side was a metallic tubing around 180 centimeters in height , just a bit too low to walk upright . Not even Leviala was sure , but they guessed it was a special tube meant to transport some sort of gas or plasma to this home lab , which was why none of the other apartments had something like this .

And we are sure this pipe won't suddenly be filled with some Technocrat poison? - Thea hesitantly muttered as she looked into the vent .

Uh . . . No? - Kenzie hesitantly said . - But I think we should at least have noticed some remnants having leaked into this room if that was the case? That lid wasn't exactly a perfect fit after the expansion . -

I'll go first and block up the tunnel as long as I can in case something comes crashing down on us . But hopefully it won't come to that , - Zac said before he turned to Leviala . - Can you walk on your own from here? -

I'll make do . My wounds are a bit better by now , - Leviala said . - I should be able to walk the last stretch . -

Zac nodded as he entered the pipe , and the group kept walking for another hour until Kenzie told them to stop . The Werewolf maps stopped soon after the pipe entrance , but Leviala had provided them with a complimentary map . The spot Kenzie they had reached should be just a few meters from the gate leading to the Lab , and they had decided to cut their way out of the wall instead of trying to break into the Lab .

There were all kinds of alarms in the laboratories according to Leviala , so if they had to cut their way out , it was better if it was here . A few minutes later they were out , with Zac having done most of the work to get them out . Their activities had drawn the ire of the base though , and they were forced to back away for another twenty minutes before they could approach the gate .

Let me , - Kenzie said as she floated up to the terminal in the gate , and they all breathed out in relief when the door opened without issue .

They walked inside after confirming no guards were waiting for them , but Zac quickly stopped as the world lurched for an instant . The insides had looked normal before , but Zac was shocked to realize that everything was normal-sized .

How is this possible? - Ogras muttered as he looked around with wide eyes , confirming that Zac wasn't the only one whose perception had shifted .

The space is normal here? - Leviala exclaimed with surprise . - How weird . Even our outer labs have grown a bit over the past months . -

It has to be an effect of the Dao of Space , - Thea said with gleaming eyes . - Space has become relative . -

Well , it should be a good thing . It means the lab is fully functional , right? Our chances of finding something useful has increased , - Zac said as he looked around the beautifully crafted work areas as he walked into the Laboratory , if it could even be called that .

It rather felt like he had entered the headquarters of some IT start-up that had way too much money to spend , with everything from manicured miniature gardens to what looked like an extremely high-end restaurant where every table was placed on a small moat in an indoor lake . It almost made Zac wonder if they had come to the right place .

This is a recreational area for the scientists , - Leviala said with a dour expression as she looked at the opulent surroundings . - I guess they needed to relax a bit after experimenting on us like we were beasts . -

Nevermind that , - Ogras muttered . - Where are the good things stored , girl? We need to get back before your family does something stupid . -

This way , - the Cartava scion sighed as she led the group through the series of gardens .

Zac was wordlessly following along , but he did shoot an imperceptible glance at his sister who nodded in return as she summoned a couple of drones . They still needed Leviala to save time , but it was undeniable that a divide had been erected between them after learning what her clan was up to . So Zac had his sister and Ogras keeping constant watch over Leviala to make sure she didn't try something .

After all , no matter what her personal belief about who was right and wrong , there was no way that Leviala would side with Port Atwood if it came down to it , especially if the Zhix started killing her clansmen . They needed to double-check and triple-check everything she said and did , to make sure she wasn’t leading them into a trap of some sort .

Hopefully , Kenzie would be able to spot anything of technological nature , while Ogras was perennially suspicious of everything around him . Any odd movement from the native would immediately be caught by him .

They soon reached a sliding door made from the same reinforced glass as the glasshouse , and it automatically opened up when they approached , letting them enter a small containment chamber . A second sliding door opened a minute later , and the group entered a spotless laboratory . There were around thirty tables in the main hall , a room of about 300 square meters , and each of them was connected to a series of expensive-looking machines .

Most of the tables were empty , but the remaining ones quickly drew their attention . A number of different items were hovering in the air , some of them looking complete and a few others seemingly mid-production with the help of several mechanical arms . More importantly , spatial tears were either hovering next to the machines like they were locked in place , or fused into the machines themselves .

There seemed to be a few adjoining labs as well , the layout reminiscent of the glasshouse's side-rooms . While the others looked around with curiosity Zac's attention was drawn by something else ; the fact that his old quest had been completed .

It felt like he had caught a lucky break this time as the only threat turned out to be the sentry robots , as the Cartava troupe couldn’t really be considered a formidable enemy . Now the question was why the System wanted to bring him here .

There were no natural treasures in sight , and nothing else that Zac felt was of immediate value . There were these weird machines hovering above the table , but Zac wasn't so confident that the System wanted him to take a bunch of Technocrat items considering its disdain for the Dao of Technology .

What is this room? - Zac asked Leviala , hoping to find some clues .

It seems this place has been turned into a mechanical lab , - Leviala sighed . - It is honestly one of the worse ones . -

Oh? - Ogras asked , his eyes thinning . - How so? -

These kinds of labs usually house various sorts of advanced machinery , which isn't really useful to cultivators . Sometimes we've found things that are valuable to Datamancers and our mechanical troops , but neither of those professions will remain in the outer world , - Leviala sighed .

So there's nothing? - Ogras muttered as they walked among the tables .

The side chambers usually contain raw materials and natural treasures stockpiled for experiments . One can still find good items there . Valuable metals , race boosting treasures , pure ener- - Leviala said but stopped in surprise when Ogras turned into a gust of shadows , appearing in front of the closest door leading to a side chamber .

Zac glanced over and wryly smiled , but the smile froze on his face when he was blasted away by a shockwave of tremendous force without warning . He slammed into a table , but his momentum kept him going until he knocked into a wall on the other side of the lab . The shockwave also contained some sort of high-pitch sound that made him nauseated , but he quickly got up to his feet to reorient himself .

Only to see Leviala speeding toward the exit with one of the Spatial Machines in her arms .

Chapter 612 : Betrayal

Ogras was the one who had reacted quickest thanks to being outside the direct blast zone of the shockwave , and half the room was already drenched in shadows by the time that Zac got back to his feet . However , the laboratory was only so big , and Leviala was already at the door after having released the tremendous pulse .

The ground cracked beneath Zac's feet as he pushed Loamwalker] to its limits , but he had to desperately force himself to take a sharp turn at the last moment when an enormous spatial tear appeared right in front of the gate . It completely covered the exit and a few meters next to it , and one more step would have ended with Zac lost in the void .

Zac looked on with a mix of helplessness and fury , but he had no way to make the tear close early . But the base quickly suppressed the tear , and Zac hurriedly rushed toward the closed door on the other side . The containment door didn't activate by itself this time so Zac immediately reached for the console , but nothing happened even after pushing his mother's token against it .

Only then did Zac realize that Leviala wasn't actually gone , but she had rather stopped on the other side of the two doors , looking back at them .

There was no joy or derision on her face , just exhaustion . More importantly , Zac saw how her one good eye was rapidly clouding over , her pupil and iris being replaced by another ominous fractal . It was similar to the one on her other eye , but there were also clear differences . Something told Zac that the two were still connected like they each were a half of a whole . Blood was running down her eyes and nose , and she even swayed while standing still .

Zac's instincts screamed at him that whatever Leviala had taken was a huge threat to his people , so he grabbed a groove in the sliding door in an attempt to force it open . The door was stuck , but Zac’s Strength was a match for most peak E-Grade warriors by this point , and even the reinforced glass started to crack from his efforts .

Leviala's eyes widened in surprise when she saw how even the door frames started to bend , and she flashed away in a frantic escape across the recreational area . She was shockingly quick , using some sort of footwork that she had never displayed in front of Zac before , and she was through the exit in less than a second .

He wasn't too worried though as Zac knew that Leviala wouldn't be able to maintain that pace for long , especially not with the sentries lurking outside . As long as he could force this door open they would be able to catch up .

However , red lights suddenly flooded the Laboratory as previously unseen safety-shutters sprung up to reinforce the sliding doors . Zac barely had the time to witness a shocking transformation take place in the rec area before his vision was blocked by decimeter-thick plating . It looked like the whole lounge had been filled with some sort of liquid electricity or plasma , turning it into a deathly gauntlet .

The exit was blocked as well by a shield even thicker than the one that had kept them at bay with the spider balls , and there were even two series of rings that appeared . They looked just like miniature versions of the terrifying energy turrets the Administrator used to combat the Collector in the void , and Zac's hairs stood on end when he saw that they were trained right at him .

Stop , stop! She has done something to the security system! - Kenzie screamed as she frantically typed away on the tablet .

The blaring alarm stopped a few seconds later , and the shutters slid back into the floor . Zac could only sheepishly smile in response to the glares he got from his companions before he looked out again . The recreational area had turned back to normal , but it had been eye-opening to see just how many security-measures were hidden among the gardens and restaurants .

It was obvious ; even if Zac managed to break down the door with one of his more powerful moves , that was still the least of their problems . And as for Leviala , she was long gone .

Look at the terminal inside the containment room , - Kenzie said after exhaling in relief . - She's left something there , but I can't connect to it . -

Zac’s eyes turned to the terminal Kenzie pointed at . A dongle Zac hadn't noticed before was attached to it , obviously something left by Leviala on her way out while the spatial tear blocked their vision .

Good eye , - Leviala's voice reached them through the dongle . - I’ve booby-trapped this exit . Force it open and you’ll trigger a series of algorithms that will alert the Administrator , so you'll have to stay put for the time being . I’m sorry things turned out this way . I can’t turn my back on my clan , not after how much my people have suffered . Even if I have to marry that bastard and go along with their schemes . Such is the burden of responsibility . -

We can still solve this peacefully , - Zac said with grit teeth . - Undo what you've done here , and we'll come with you to your clan to sort everything out . -

I am sorry , I really am , - Leviala sighed on the other side before the connection cut off .

A vibration rippled across the door the next moment , making Zac look over at his sister who kept typing away .

I activated a sound-proofing function , - Kenzie said as she looked down at her tablet . - She shouldn't be able to hear us any longer . But she's proven me wrong before , so who knows . I can't do anything from here . I can open this door , but it will activate the security measures just like when you force it open . -

Zac growled in annoyance , and he contemplated whether he should try forcing the doors open again .

I'm not sure brute force is the solution this time around , - Ogras sighed , clearly knowing what Zac was thinking . - I don’t think even you would make it out of that gauntlet in one piece . That lass fooled us . She fooled us all . She wouldn't have acted if she didn't have some confidence in keeping us here . After all , she's seen both your and your sister's means . -

He turned into a puff of shadows that shot toward the door’s hinges next , but he soon appeared again .

It’s completely sealed . Not even a speck of dust can get through , - the demon added with annoyance .

I'm sorry , - Kenzie said as she wiped some blood running down her nose . - I scanned her for hidden weapons , but I didn't find anything . I don't understand how she accomplished all this . -

Leviala's sudden shockwave had hit them all without notice , and Kenzie had been thrown into a wall as well . The same went for Thea , except she looked unscathed . She had probably managed to control her body in time thanks to her high Dexterity .

Don't blame yourself . We were all on guard for her , but she hid her means too deeply . She never displayed any strength during all the time since I met her , to the point I almost thought she was a non-combat class . My Danger Sense didn't give me a warning either , like the attack came out of nowhere , - Zac sighed .

What did she take? - Thea asked with a frown as she looked away from the exit , turning toward the empty table . - I honestly don’t think she planned this until she saw that item . That machine must have been something extremely important if it made her ready to risk her life to betray us all . -

They hurried over to the table where Kenzie plugged her tablet into a control panel as the rest looked for clues . They couldn't find anything though , forcing them to wait for Kenzie's findings .

It’s actually some sort of spatial drill , - Kenzie said with surprise . - Researching its technology was commissioned by some Head Researcher twenty years ago , but it was just finished two weeks ago . It can drill a tunnel through chaotic space , and it seems even better than the array we used to force open the path to the mystic realm . -

Head Researcher? - Thea repeated with confusion . - Who's that? The Cartava Clan? -

I don't know? - Kenzie said as she hesitantly turned toward Zac . - Did she say anything like that? -

It's hard to trust anything she's said until now , but I doubt it , - Zac said . - If they had the means to order the base to this degree , then they would probably have been able to escape long ago . -

Then who? -

Perhaps the base itself? - Ogras muttered . - Didn't you mention some Administrator before? -

That's just the name of the computer system controlling this base . Would it really order itself to research something? - Zac hesitantly said . - If it was able to do that , it could just have done it , right? -

More importantly , can the natives use that item to force their way outside? - Thea interjected .

Possibly , - Kenzie nodded . - But I'm not sure how well it would work , it's an experimental technology . And they would have to use it at least close to our portal . Drilling anywhere else won't do them any good . They would probably just end up in outer space . -

So , she has the key to escape this prison? - Ogras spat . - No wonder the lass took the risk . With all of us stuck in this place , our force is severely weakened . If they figure out some way to ambush our people , we're screwed . -

Can you warn them? - Zac asked as he turned to Kenzie .

It looks like we are jammed , we can only pray that they are prepared . I don’t get it… Just how did she figure out how to take this thing? - Kenzie muttered . - If they had any knowledge of an item like this , wouldn't they have fought harder to come here themselves? Long before we arrived? -

Her eyes… Time , - Zac muttered , finally putting two and two together . - Her ability doesn’t allow her to peer into the future . It allows her to go back in time . We were probably the ones to tell her in an alternate future . Shit , she’s been misdirecting me with half-truths since the start . -

That’s heaven-defying if true , - Ogras exclaimed with shock . - The backlash has to be immense . -

You saw her eyes . Her second eye got a curse as well , - Zac said . - I think she crippled herself to bring that item to her clan . If she can even make it back alive . -

I don't think she would have taken the risk if she believed she wouldn't make it , - Thea said . - She would have had a better chance of saving her people by staying with us if that was the case . She might just have been playing weak , or she has some special method to at least temporarily withstand the backlash . -

Are there any other exits to this place? - Zac asked .

I can’t see from this terminal , - Kenzie said with a shake of her head .

Quickly , look around , - Zac sighed .

The group immediately spread out , entering the side chambers one by one . But it only took them a minute to confirm that they really were trapped . The only exit was the way they came from , and attacking any surface of the lab seemed to trigger the massive security response .

Well , it looks like we're stuck . What do we do? - Thea eventually sighed . - Leviala Cartava will be back with her clan in a few hours , and I think they will immediately set out afterward . There's no way they won't seize this opportunity . Our people might be attacked in less than ten hours . -

Can you see if any of these machines can help us out? - Zac asked as he turned to Kenzie . - They were made by the base , so they might not trigger the alarms? -

I'll try to figure out some way to escape this place , - Kenzie nodded and immediately walked over to the closest item and started tapping away on her tablet .

Well , that's my cue , - Ogras muttered and disappeared , leaving a confused Zac behind .

If it comes down to it I'll use my escape skill . I'll only lose a few levels , - Thea said as she walked over to him .

Doesn't it send you in a completely random direction? - Zac asked hesitantly .

Well , yes , - Thea admitted with a grimace .

Let's see what Kenzie can come up with first . No point in you risking your life if there's a better solution out there , - Zac said . - You'd probably end up in the void around us or some random section where you couldn't get back . And teleportation in this environment . . . -

I guess there's not much I can change even if I manage to get out of here by myself , - Thea said with a helpless expression .

I'm sorry about all this , - Zac said with a sigh . - I underestimated her too much . Now both our people might be hurt because of me . -

It's not your fault . No one is working harder than you to protect our planet . You simply can't control everything , - Thea said . - It's an important lesson for us all . Besides , we all knew that the stakes were high going in . Let's just see if we can turn things around . -

I'll see what Ogras is up to . The look in his eyes made me a bit worried , - Zac wryly smiled before he gave Thea one last look . - Thank you . -

He walked over to the storeroom he saw Ogras slink toward before and a frown spread across his face when he saw what the demon was up to . Ogras was trying to snatch the stored treasure , a vial containing some unknown liquid . The only problem was that it was behind a containment field that looked a lot like the liquid electricity that had flooded the area outside just a minute ago .

What are you doing? - Zac frowned . - We have bigger fish to fry , and you might trigger the alarms . -

I’m no help when it comes to taboo technology , I’ll leave that to your sister , - Ogras shrugged without taking his eyes off the vial on the other side of the electricity wall . - I figure that if we’re stuck here for the moment we might as well take the good things left behind . Isn’t that why we came anyway? Besides , I've already confirmed that these things aren't connected to whatever that lass did . -

A dozen shadow spears slammed into the barrier the next moment to prove his point , and Zac only breathed out a few seconds later when there was no retaliation from the Administrator . He was about to retort , but he stopped in his track when a new prompt appeared ; the fifth quest in his training chain had been doled out .

The Benevolent Ruler (Training (5/9)) : Seize at least 2 opportunities for your followers . Reward : Reward based on performance at the end of training regimen . (0/2)]

NOTE : Failure to comply with training regimen will result in loss of 4 levels

Chapter 613 : Helping Hand

Zac couldn’t help but give the demon an appreciative look when he saw the objective of his new quest . As far as quests go , this had to be one of the easier ones . The containment field was still keeping Ogras at bay , but with his help it should just be a matter of time before they breached it .

Better yet , the punishment for failure had reduced once more , and it was a huge relief to see that his skills were finally safe . Losing four levels would still be a kick to the groin , but he could always regain them later if he needed to abruptly end his training regimen early . For example , he knew he needed to get back to his people immediately after dealing with this place , even if it meant giving up on his quest .

Thankfully it didn’t look like that would be necessary , at least not for the next quest . After all , it was like Ogras said ; why were they here if not to seize a couple of opportunities? Furthermore , Zac’s instincts told him that the System would point him toward Clan Cartava for his sixth quest .

The System liked war and struggle , and that was the only option left after Leviala’s final betrayal . She had chosen to give her clan a shot at escaping , even if it meant trapping Zac here and killing her way out . There was no way he could let that go unanswered . Besides , she had the Spatial Drill now , and something like that might be needed later to drill through spatial storms at the Core .

Ogras' words about Divine Guidance also echoed in the back of Zac's mind . The drill might be exactly what the System was leading him toward , but Leviala messing with the timelines might have pushed its plans out of whack .

Zac eventually gave up on trying to figure out the purpose of what the system was doing , instead turning his attention to the task at hand . He needed to seize the first opportunity for his follower . It was a transparent vial containing just a deciliter of some unknown liquid . The liquid was red like blood , but small golden sparks swirled around inside it even though the vial was completely immobile .

It looked a bit like a health potion from a video game to Zac , but it definitely was something more valuable since it was the only thing in the room . Out of all the side rooms it was the item most likely to be something that could boost one's race , as the three rooms he had visited only housed various metals . Unfortunately for Ogras , the containment field that protected the vial was extremely sturdy .

Come on , - Ogras growled as extremely condensed shadows glommed onto the energy field .

Zac immediately understood what the demon was trying to do . He was trying to exhaust a small section of the field to create an opening . However , the shadows were being destroyed far too quickly , only slightly weakening the electric field . He sighed and stepped up next to Ogras , his arm suddenly covered in thick layers of leaves as his arm started emitting an aura of death .

Oh? - Ogras exclaimed , but he quickly understood Zac’s plan and redoubled his efforts .

Searing pain ripped through Zac’s arm as he forcibly pushed it through the opening Ogras had created . Leaves were rapidly being disintegrated even though they were infused with the Fragment of the Bodhi , and the Fragment of the Coffin only helped block some of the damage to his arm as he reached for the vial .

Pushing forward was extremely arduous as well , reminiscent of how it felt to activate Deforestation] before his Strength had reached its current state . Sweat ran down his forehead from pain and exertion , but he refused to back down as he desperately pushed forward centimeter by centimeter , finally grasping the vial .

He immediately stashed the thing in his Spatial Ring and dragged his arm back , plumes of smoke rising from his scorched skin . But Zac was still beset by shocking amounts of lightning even after having retracted his arm , and the supercharged power rampaged through his body . Zac actually hoped for his Void Heart] to deal with the mess , but it was too slow .

Organs were lacerated and burned , and even his veins had turned to conduits that allowed the lightning to course all through his body . But the electricity was thankfully an attack without source , and every wound caused it to exhaust some of its energy . Void Heart] finally woke up as well , releasing a deep beat that could be heard even outside his body , but it barely managed to swallow any of the lightning . It had already been used up on torturing Zac .

The wounds weren’t too bad at least , and Zac quickly healed it up with the help of a pill and Surging Vitality] . Ogras expectantly looked at Zac as he stood up and took out the vial , the liquid inside illuminating the surroundings in vibrant gold as it sloshed around . Both were surprised at the change , but the vial quickly turned red again when the liquid stopped moving . Zac knew the Ogras wanted it , but he didn’t immediately hand it over .

He first wanted to get a sense of the liquid it contained . It didn’t give off a strong sense of spirituality , but Zac’s cells were still screaming with hunger as he looked at the contents . Zac guessed it had to be made from natural materials before being processed by some unknown Technocrat technique , an alternative method to the pill-making of Alchemists .

This . . . - Ogras hesitantly said .

Just take it , - Zac snorted and handed it over after a second . - Don't drink it before Kenzie figures out what it is . It would be pretty messed up if you died drinking poison after all your near-death experiences . -

Just as Zac expected his quest updated itself the moment he handed the vial to Ogras . It looked like the System really was referring to the items in the side-rooms , and it didn't get marked as half-complete until Zac physically handed it over . Just one more bout of electrotherapy and he would be done .

This is no poison , I can feel it in my bones , - Ogras muttered . - With all the netherblasted misfortune we've encountered until now , we're slated for some stunning gains next . Balance of the Heavens . -

I've found it! - Kenzie's voice suddenly echoed from outside , drawing their attention .

See? Balance of the Heavens , - Ogras grinned and flashed outside , with Zac quickly following in tow .

This thing is our ticket outside! - Kenzie exclaimed as she pointed at one of the tables .

The item hovering on top of it looked like a mirror or a solar cell , a circular disk with a diameter of roughly a meter .

What is it? - Zac asked curiously .

This is an escape pod of sorts , - Kenzie said with excitement . - It makes use the spatial energy that's all over this base , and it can teleport people away . However . . . -

What’s wrong? - Zac asked with a sinking feeling .

The experiment is incomplete , the control feature isn't quite finished . It might spit us out in the Void , inside the Core , or back where we came from . -

Are you able to fix it? - Zac asked .

I can try , but it will take some time . I need to run some calculations , and my . . . computer can only work so fast . It might take up to half a day , and even then I can't promise anything , - Kenzie said .

It's all we got at the moment , - Zac said . - Do it . -

So . . . where do you want it to go? I think I can get it to send us in a certain direction only , but it would take too long to make a proper fix that would allow you to actually steer it , - Kenzie asked .

Take us back where we came from , - Zac said without hesitation . - Get us as close to the Lunar Forest as possible . Overshoot into the outer rim rather than undershoot if that's an option . -

Kenzie nodded and immediately started typing away , while Zac took proper stock of what else there was in the laboratory . There were eight side-rooms altogether , two of them larger stockrooms full of unguarded materials . These metals and minerals all seemed to be very high quality though , so Zac immediately snatched them up .

Three of the rooms contained more valuable metals from the looks of it , each of them no larger than a bowling ball but still protected by the same sort of setup as Ogras’ vial . The seventh room contained something far more interesting though .

It was a fist-sized crystal that hovered on top of a pedestal and miniature spatial fractures kept erupting all around it . It had to be crammed full of energy to look like that , likely Space-Attuned energies thanks to the Dimensional Treasure . It was still just a piece of stone that Zac saw no immediate use for , but he soon thought of another quest of his as he looked at it .

Materials for Karunthel (Unique , Limited) : Acquire 100 Kilograms of Urgarat Flakes] , 1 kilogram of Realm Locus] , 1 living Ferric Worldeater] , 1 Daemonic Manastone] Reward : Upgrade Iliex Shipyard to Early D-Grade . 1 Custom-Designed Early D-Grade Vessel . (0/4)

According to Calrin’s description , he could very well be looking at a ball of Realm Locus] . It was supposed to be a gemstone full of spatial energy , and it was mainly used when making spatial treasures . Like the weird machines outside . The environment in this Mystic Realm should be perfect for those things to spring up as well , and looking for a few crystals if an opportunity arose was already on Zac’s agenda .

He had no pictures of how Realm Locus] was supposed to look , but he figured that he would know if he had the right thing as soon as he held it in his hand , provided that the crystal weighed more than a kilo . He didn’t immediately try to snatch it though , but he rather went over to inspect the last room , where he found Thea standing looking at the protected treasure .

It was another crystal hovering in the air , this one a calm blue rather than the chaotic black of the possible Realm Locus] . It didn’t emit any spatial fluctuations like the other one either , but it rather contained a mysterious shimmer that caused Zac’s vision to double for a second before he quickly activated Mental Fortress] .

Is there something special about this crystal? - Zac asked curiously as he walked up to Thea whose eyes were trained on the item .

My Spirit Tool seems to want to absorb it , - Thea said . - I think it might be one of the crystals of those natives you mentioned? It might actually awaken spirituality in my weapon , just like how you’ve done with your axe . -

Doesn’t that sword already have Spirituality? - Zac asked curiously . - It sounded like that was the Blade Emperor's thing . -

It’s for my other one , Petalstorm] , - Thea explained before it shook her head . - It’s not worth it though . We have more important things to worry about . -

Neither Verun’s Bite] or Love’s Bond] showed any indication of wanting the crystal inside the containment field , which probably meant that Thea was on the money with her guess . The Gemling crystals supposedly contained a part of their soul , and feeding such an item to a treasure with a soul of its own might cause a clash rather than provide any benefits .

It's fine , we're stuck here for a few hours anyway . Let me get it out for you , - Zac said , seeing an opportunity to complete his quest in one fell swoop .

However , he stopped himself before trying something foolhardy , and instead walked out and called Ogras over first . There was no point in getting himself maimed when the demon could weaken the field for him as they did before .

What is it? You really need a third participant? - Ogras grinned as he entered the room . - Fine , but no eye contact . That goes for both of you . -

Stop messing around . Help me get this crystal out , - Zac sighed .

The demon snickered , but he still walked over the electricity barrier and started flooding it with shadows just like the last time . Zac cracked his neck and made sure there were no lingering threats in his body before he got ready again . He pushed his hand into the shield , but alarm bells suddenly went off in his head as he saw a Memorysteel spike shoot straight toward his head .

The whole room was coming alive as liquid electricity started pouring down the walls by the gallons .

What the-! - Zac exclaimed as he tried to back away . - Run! -

Both Ogras and Thea were thankfully Dexterity classes , and they turned into gusts as they sped out . Zac was right on their heels , but a shocking pain made Zac's vision go white for a second as he was stabbed by another spike that shot straight out of the doorframe itself . He pushed down the pain and tried to flash out , but the brief delay had robbed him of his opportunity to get out .

The door was already sealed shut , with another layer of electricity on top of it . Zac's first instinct was to force his way out , but he hesitated , afraid that attacking the door would trigger the alarms outside and put the others in harm's way as well .

What did you do?! - Zac heard a frazzled Thea shout on the other side , but he had no time to worry about that at the moment as the whole room was submerged in a chaotic storm of electricity .

Zac sighed and turned away from the door , wondering why he cursed himself by thinking that the quest would be easy .

Chapter 614 : Gifts and Reciprocation

There was no time to wonder why his second attempt at taking out a guarded item resulted in a far greater response . It felt like the whole room was closing in on him , like he had been caught in the maw of some metallic beast . Add to that the still increasing amounts of liquid electricity , which was probably the Base Power that ran everything here , and he felt like his life was on the line .

A glimmer to his side caught his attention though , and he was surprised to see that the pedestal had fallen apart , and the Gemling gem was falling toward the ground , only guarded by the omnipresent Base Power . Zac swung his axe in an arc , forcing a few Memorysteel spikes out of the way as he lunged for the gem .

Getting his hands the second opportunity was a relief , but he still needed to survive this calamity . He activated Surging Vitality] to heal his rapidly accumulating wounds , but he soon realized that he wasn't able to fight and move around while using the healing skill . It just ended with him getting stabbed by even more spikes , creating an unsustainable loop of healing and getting hurt .

The leaves of Nature's Barriers] were disintegrated almost as soon as they were conjured as well , utterly incapable of blocking either the Base Power or the spikes . Only Love's Bond] was able to block out the spikes , but it only protected part of his front . Zac saw no other option ; he needed to take a risk if he wanted to get through this in one piece .

A wave of miasma spread through his body as he activated his Specialty Core . The world turned blurry as the transformation took place , but his Danger Sense woke him up just in time to desperately yank his head out of the way . A spike shot right past his left cheek , drawing a wound that missed his eye by just a centimeter .

Zac managed to dodge that one even in his weakened state , but he still got stabbed by four other spikes , drenching him in his own blood . However , the blood was incinerated as soon as it left Zac's body by the energy currents rippling all around him . Burns already covered a good deal of his skin by this point too as the Base Power freely burrowed into his body .

He was too weak to keep the attacks at bay with Verun's Bite] , so Zac saw no option but to adapt his turtle stance , curling into a ball on the floor with Love’s Bond] on top of him , trying to protect as much of his body as possible .

Shocking pain assailed his legs since he had to choose between guarding his head and his extremities , and he looked down to see that one of the Memorysteel spikes had completely impaled one of his shins . Even worse , the spikes were starting to get charged by the environment , and Zac felt an unprecedented jolt of electricity coursing through his body the next moment , almost making him throw away his shield in a spasmodic twitch .

The crack in his defenses led to him being impaled three more times before he managed to transform , but he was finally able to conjure a massive fractal bulwark that covered his whole frame as his body was encapsulated by the black armor of Vanguard of Undeath] . He even tried to activate Profane Seal] as a safety measure , but the room was unfortunately much too small for the skill to fit .

Zac immediately moved the fractal shield of Immutable Bulwark] to move to his back , forming a curved wall that protected him from his feet up to his head . It even covered some of his sides , with his actual shield blocking another third . Only his right side was exposed , but he was strong enough to force back most spikes with his pitch-black bardiche .

A few spikes still snuck past his defense , but the armor of Vanguard of Undeath] provided a final layer of protection that stopped the wounds from getting too bloody . The base was unfortunately like a rabid dog , refusing to give up on its prey . Zac was forced to frantically bob and weave as the attacks grew more frantic , but he quickly started to get a hang of the tempo .

The spikes seemed random at first glance , but Zac soon learned they followed patterns that he could use to minimize his damage .

After a minute he had reached a state where he wasn't being gored at all , and Zac felt that he would be able to get out of this in one piece as long as he didn't run out of miasma . His armor protected against most of the Base Power as well , though some continuously snuck past the cracks in his armor and scorched him .

Finally , the dozens of spikes retracted , but Zac didn’t have time to breathe out in relief before the whole room was absolutely flooded with Base Power , even worse than how it looked when he accidentally triggered Leviala's trap . His armor held for just a second before it literally exploded , and Zac found himself utterly exposed to the terrifying currents outside .

It was like the base had an automated process ; first stab the interloper to death , then incinerate the remains with a storm of Base Power .

His shield and fractal bulwark were completely useless against the thousands of currents that swam around in the small room , and Zac screamed in pain as his body was filled with more and more of it . Things were quickly spiraling out of control , but his Hidden Node finally came through for him as it activated .

A deep thud rippled out from his body , and Zac's eyes widened when he saw the impact it had on the Base Power in the room . It was like the heartbeat had imposed symmetry on the chaos , and he felt he could almost discern some fractals among the lightning bolts as they were frozen in the air . Void Heart] beat again , and it drew a huge amount of energy into its odd hidden dimension .

The energy came from the Base Power that had already snuck into his body , which unfortunately meant a vacuum was left behind . A vacuum that was almost instantly filled by more base power entering his body through his pores , causing another wave of damage before the hidden node swallowed another mouthful .

Zac would normally be elated that his hidden node found something to feast on , but he only wished that his body didn’t need to be the conduit . He could only struggle to maintain his consciousness as he cycled the Fragment of the Bodhi to make some patchwork repairs on his body while Void Heart] slowly but steadily gobbled up all the lightning in the room .

The minutes passed , each second feeling like an hour , but his hidden node actually managed to swallow all of it . Zac essentially looked like a lump of coal by that point , but he was at least alive . The door slid up by itself , displaying the three standing outside with worry and horror in their eyes .

Are you okay?! - Thea screamed as she rushed into the room to drag Zac outside .

I’m not sure if we should loot any more of those side rooms , - Zac said with a cracking voice , his exhalation creating a plume of smoke .

Idiot , why couldn’t you just wait? I could have checked if I could break the security measures , - Kenzie said with red-rimmed eyes .

No point of that , - Zac said as he arduously sat up , his body quickly shrinking . - You have your things to do , don’t worry about me . I’ll heal up quickly , go deal with that teleporter . -

I’m multitasking , I am still doing the calculations , - Kenzie muttered , but she still walked back to the escape pod after making sure Zac was okay .

Zac suddenly swung his axe , cutting a large gash in his arms to the shock of the others . A spurt of black ichor dropped onto the floor , and Thea’s eyes widened to saucers when the ichor turned into a pool of lightning that scorched the ground for a few seconds before they fizzled out .

Zac had no time to worry about their reactions as Void Heart] had just released a huge surge of pure energy , and he had just expelled the first round of energy run-off . Most of the energy went into his opened but not yet filled node on his Draugr-side , effortlessly pushing it to the same level as his human side .

But his Hidden Node beat again before Zac had time to figure out his next move , and he could only push it into the next node .

One beat followed another , as more and more energy was released . However , Zac frowned as he made some calculations in his mind . Each subsequent beat released a bit less power into his body , and Zac realized that he would just about manage to break open his next node if he let things continue this way .

He could sense that the others were looking at him from a short distance , but he didn’t have the luxury to split his attention at the moment . Breaking open a node at this juncture was a risk , but Kenzie had already said it would be hours before the teleporter was ready . He would be able to make quite a bit of progress on his Draugr-pathways in that time .

Besides , he would probably deal with the Cartava Clan in his human form , whose pathways were already back to normal by now .

He hesitated for just a second before he ate a mouthful of Node-Breaking pills he had lying around while also gripping a D-Grade Miasma Crystal in each hand . The efficacy of the pills was severely diminished because of his accumulated immunity , but it was enough to tip things over into his favor . A small explosion soon erupted as his right leg turned to a bloody mess .

There was still a thick blob of energy left over , but Zac didn't use it to push his level to 85 . He still had burns covering most of his body , and his organs were badly lacerated . Add to that his exploded leg , and he would need to use a huge amount of energy with Surging Vitality] . He quickly transformed back to his human form before the energy dissipated , and he immediately pushed all the left-over energy into the skill fractal of Surging Vitality] .

Burned skin fell of all around him as the skill started to patch him up , looking like pieces of coal on the ground . Beneath was just more burned skin , but it wasn’t completely destroyed . Zac kept the skill going and the second layer of skin rapidly started mending as well . It felt like he was being bitten by fire ants all over his body , but Zac could only hold on and stop himself from rolling around on the ground .

His body looked a lot better after a few more minutes , but there was still a lot of work to be done on his body . He had unfortunately run out of the left-over energy by that point , but he still had his normal reserves of Cosmic Energy . His leg was quickly patched up next along with the wounds to his insides .

He eventually ran out of Cosmic Energy as well , something that was almost impossible in a fight because of his massive pool of Attributes . But he was in decent shape by that point . A few hours of recuperation along with a couple of healing pills would take him the final stretch . He was lucky that there was no Dao in the Base Power , making the repairs a lot quicker and cheaper than those from a pitched fight .

There were still a lot of lightning impurities dumped into his blood though , so Zac summoned his axe and cut himself open a few times more , each time depositing a stream of electrified blood . He was only content after his sixth cut , where it looked like his blood was completely normal , and he contentedly breathed out in relief as he looked up at the others .

Your healing capabilities are just… Monstrous , - Thea finally spoke up . She had been watching from a distance all this time , making sure he was okay . - And weird . -

Cockroach , a real cockroach , - Ogras muttered as he walked away with a disgusted shake of his head .

I’m sorry , you tried to help and you got yourself hurt again , - Thea sighed .

It’s okay , - Zac smiled as he took out the gem from his Spatial Ring . - Getting zapped actually helped with my cultivation . Here , take it . -

Thea wordlessly took the crystal , her eyes moving back and forth between the gem and Zac . He felt a bit embarrassed by the intense stare , and he could only cough a bit to hide his discomfort .

I still need to recuperate a bit , - he said .

Of course . . . Thank you , - Thea said softly and walked away .

He nodded before he limped over to a corner where he closed his eyes , gripping a D-Grade Nexus Crystal in each hand . He kept working on his constitution over the next hour until the cooldown of his Specialty Core was up , at which point he swapped over again .

A wave of nausea hit him when his working pathways were replaced with the mess leftover from the node-breaking . But he quickly found his bearing and activated Spiritual Anchor] . He had thankfully been able to get the skill for both his classes , and it provided him with immense help as he rapidly started to rewrite his pathways .

The following hours went by arduously slow , with Zac spending most of his time fixing his pathways . He only occasionally stopped to check in on Kenzie's progress . Soon eight hours had passed , and Zac was mostly done with his work . There were still some small details missing in his pathways , but he felt confident he could bring out his full strength for a fight without causing a backlash , especially in his human form .

Doing so repeatedly would probably harm him though , so there was definitely a need to properly fix things later on .

In a perfect world , he would have been able to jump into some little spatial bubble and spend a week getting back to a perfect state , but time waited for no man . Kenzie had finally completed her work , or at least taken it to such a level that it would be usable . Zac cracked his neck as he got up on his feet , turning back to his human form once more .

Ogras had been holding off on taking the liquid , but Kenzie had actually managed to confirm that it was something called a Corporeal Serum] . It would not only give him a huge push in upgrading his Race , but it would even give him some attributes since it contained pieces of E-Grade Attribute fruits .

Unfortunately , there was no mention of where the materials for the serum were sourced , and Zac could only pray he would run into a greenhouse where the fruits were grown after dealing with Void's Disciple . For now , they needed to get out of here , and they quickly got everything in order .

So , how do we use this thing? - Ogras asked hesitantly as they looked down at the disk on the table .

I had to make some sacrifices to make it work , - Kenzie said as her eyes darted around . - It… can only take two of us at the most . If I made it any bigger , I wouldn’t be able to set a direction , and it might not even make it back into proper space . -

You two siblings should use it , - Thea said without hesitation , and even Ogras reluctantly nodded in agreement .

And leave you guys here? - Zac asked with a frown . - What if some security protocol suddenly activates? I don’t think Leviala was lying when she said that this place was dangerous to stay in . -

This place seems safe enough , - Thea said . - You would be the one taking the real risk using that thing . Just come pick us up after you’ve saved our people . -

I’ll go alone , - Zac said after some thought . - No point risking Kenzie’s life as well . -

You’ll go alone? With your sense of direction? - Kenzie snorted . - How are you even going to find your way back in case you’re dropped off at some unknown place? And who's going to deal with all their machines? -

Zac was full of reluctance as he looked down at the small disk , but he had to admit that Kenzie was making a good point . The two walked onto the disk , but Thea spoke up just as they were about to activate the escape pod .

Wait , - she said , making Zac look over with confusion .

The confusion quickly turned to bafflement as Thea walked up to him and grabbed him by his collar . Zac slightly opened his mouth to ask what was going on , but both words and thoughts flew out of his mind as a pair of soft lips pressed against his .

Chapter 615 : A Different Sky

A sense of completion filled her body as she punched the door , causing a massive explosion that launched pieces of the Bloodline Vat in every direction . Rampant energies blasted out of the sealed chambers , her prison for the past month .

But she was finally out .

Inevitability looked around and saw that things were the same . Some of their new serfs had been bloodied by shrapnel , but she wasn’t in the mood to enjoy their pained cries as she turned her attention inward .