News of ‘The Clockwork’ resurfacing sent small waves, since seven months ago they had slowly been forgotten due to the lack of activity but that didn’t mean they weren’t known. As soon as the world man was updated the size of the wave it sent was huge enough to grant them a title everyone thought fitting, ‘The pioneers’. Both technological and adventurous they were the pioneer because they travelled and didn’t remain where they were.
Not long after a video came in from the new continent and it showed the birth of the first pure Dryad and soon after the reappearance of Sakura, the Titan of Nature. This birthed the second name for the crew as, Titan finder. Menthol was well known for being found by Techno and his crew so him suddenly locating a second one make it even more fitting.
Some people didn’t like it, O’Clock was one of them. After gaining core tech he had tried to make them but even when Delta tried to tell them how to make the cores, they couldn’t succeed because of the simple fact that they didn’t possess the most vital ingredient, Crystallized mana. Its different from mana crystals as such the result is much different and makes it that only Techno can produce more core technology.
This enraged him and once Techno appeared and showed off his control of the elementals and how they easily extracted oil from the environment he couldn’t help be even more pissed off.
His space at the center of the scrapyard had some good technology but as he found out, everything is incompatible with his core. Even when he made a robot body that would fit his core inside, the core rejected and he could use it only as a Robot. It was then that he discovered it needed magical ingredients made by his core through the Molecular crafting but what was magical, monster parts but where would he get such powerful parts. The cyborgs didn’t really listen to him, they hated clockwork and he came from them. As such he was eventually forced to leave with his robot body and return to the outer edge. When he arrived his core was momentarily scrambled before he found out that his connecting to Delta was cut.
“Seems there is a virus code passing through every Clockwork working to block Delta. Heh, the idiot pissed off someone good this time.” Alpha said through their uninterrupted connection.
He obviously understood that Techno was the cause and was pissed because of this but Delta had more or less lost his use to O’Clock so he let it pass and then left the Clockwork nation to start his own powerful crew. But only after obtaining the knowledge Techno had from each town.
Techno PoV
As i finish directing my crew i hear a cough behind me and turning. I found the Construct chief awkwardly standing behind me.
I try to connect to him and found no connection, of course he is a magical doll not a robot.
“Is there someway we may help you?” He asked.
Understanding what he wanted i looked at the cores on their chest, it would allow them minimal amount of mana that they have stored up. I turn my head and see Jeopardy learning from Marina so i point at her.
The chief sighs, “Sadly we don’t possess elemental cores for that.” after saying that he seemed to remember something. “You said you had a method to upgrade the Constructs right?” The chief asked.
“That’s only when he gets a blueprint of the construction manual for constructs.” A voice called. Everyone looked at Brock who answered for me. “He doesn’t know the placement of the wiring that makes up your bodies but if he knew he could build you the upgrade that comes from synthoids, probably.” Brock explained.
I had passed him what to say.
“So that’s it, well we don’t have any blueprints, the best we can do is supple intact constructs.” The chief said.
“Techno says that the upgrade is simple, it’s similar to just wrapping the wires but he will make it eventually.” Brock replied.
The chief sighed, most of the upgrades were pretty much stuck in our hands, we had military power they couldn’t match for sure and it would take a while before the elementals reach a sufficient number to make inactive cores so chances they will be able to help was small.
“Hey chief, if you want to help then have all the that followed chop the smaller burnt trees. It would help open space for new trees that will grow in. Even just cutting them off the ground or pushing them down to act as fertilizer later.” Brock said.
Being given something to do made the chief chuckle but sigh as well since they could only do less important stuff. Artificial races need upgrades and there simply wasn’t anyone talented enough to make it. Although several upgrade types were discovered there is a fatal flaw to the construct design and that is the lack of elemental cores. The others don’t start up even when mana is pushed into the core and looking inside there were several rings hooked up to the wires that focused on the core but no one found out how to use it.
Constructs also can’t easily transfer themselves from one body to the other, they have machine brains like the Clockwork but they don’t work like them they ‘are’ a magical race just like all the other creatures in this continent. That meant the body would need to be upgraded while the construct’s mind wasn’t moved.
Constructs are considered an unpopular race due to this fact and how it was extremely difficult to train except for when stat points are used. They can’t get much boosted power and mana is limited with them having to meditate for long periods of time just to keep running. As such the constructs present are those hardcore players who liked the race and NPC.
“Come let’s help them!” The chief shouted and lead the constructs. The constructs have weak bodies but they don’t break like clockwork did at the start, they were in better condition due to running on mana. As such with the furnace they obtained instead of making more constructs besides replacing the bone structure they made basic hand weapons and tools. Most of them had an axe or two and working in groups they began to clear the ground of much of the rotten small vegetation while living the huge trees that were the elder treant.
The chief’s rare emerald core came in handy since Techno got a basic rundown of how the constructs work and was passed to the elves to help them channel more Nature mana. With crystalized mana in hand he helped them make it the mana they needed.
All other races were with the remaining constructs and helped chop the burning foliage and soon most of the burnt trees were chopped and left on the ground.
When the first burst of mana entered the titan a sharp lightning like flash passed through all the burnt area. The ground shook a bit with it and chopped wood rot faster breaking down.
The wind seem to blow stronger through the area lifting ash and when they looked the titan had grown to ten meters high and her leaves had turned into green leaves.
“Ah! So much relief reviving these old roots.” She said.
“How much until area is revived?” I asked.
“Not much more, one more burst of mana and i will be able to begin recovering on my own. Then instead of me the entire area can receive energy in small packets like before while i can supply large quantities every few hours.” Sakura said.
I nod and look at the tired Elves, the leaders nodded at me as he understood that it was just one more. Turning around i found the space wider as the tree and foliage had been cleared a great deal and was not a more barren wasteland. The Golems were still gathering filth near the water's edge and in the soil under the water. Pulling my mind back i return to the ship.
“All Golems are to descend and aid in cleaning duty of a region, this is top priority, Undine prepare to descend when the scout report comes on, find all springs and begin cleansing. Sylph descend and clear the air around the burnt forest where my two bodies are currently located. Clear ash and polluted air with magic.” Sending the message out soon enough the ship’s began to get filled with golem and soon flew off towards the location of the burnt forest. Brock himself put his whale body to move towards this location to aid the lifting process of the oil gathered.
All in all it went well.
I then control a Strato to descend and as it flew low I had Yasha jump on it. “I will be going to examine the constructs build, Asura will remain and Yasha will be going to the scrapyard.” I warned them
Confirmation came from them as i flew away but left a sliver of my attention on Asura as i sit him down and put him on standby.
Flying quickly covered the space back to the scrapyard, what took several hours only took several minutes by air. The sun was already descending so night time would soon follow but it didn’t affect me much, to survive over the ocean we needed patrols all day long so obviously night vision and thermo vision were things that were developed but it took quite a great deal of pain in the ass programming and quite a number of points i used in my virtual house to purchase the college level books that contained some references to this. Together with Brock and any other people that knew half anything about programming as a pro we were able to make a prototype program that allowed us to gain some visibility.
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Flying into the scrapyard i landed about 1 kilometer into the scrapyard and released my scouts. My left vision split into twelve different screens and i put them on auto scout to find a fully intact construct while giving priority to any ‘unique’ models.
“Let’s see if we can’t find something better than common constructs.” I mutter and activate my night vision and put my upgraded scanner to work. After a bit i was able to find several mostly intact constructs that would fit the build that clockwork suffered from, one functioning arm and no legs. Since i was curious i opened them up what i found were some a bone structure hooked to a spring system on all joints that were all connected to the wires at the ends. After analyzing the state of the body i looked around and found parts to repair it to functioning condition and found the tool gear. It made some nostalgia from when i started but that lasted only a short moment.
After a moment i stored the body in my inventory since i wanted to remove the armor under good lights so there was no use starting it up now.
Suddenly my scouts picked up on something under a small pile 200 meters south of me. I ran over and began to move the bodies out of the way and soon found a large bulky doll that would look good in armor. The head had the same doll model but this had a helmet attachment to the head that was orange brown. The color of the ‘skin’ was brown and most of it seemed intact though old. I move the arms and find the joints were still good. As it was standing upright i made it easy when i removed the chest piece and found a familiar sight.
A Green tourmaline gemstone carved into a cylinder shape that fit exposed on the chest was over six brown rings that were attached to the wires.
“The wire configuration is much more complex than i expected, not to mention that it goes into the spinal bone coleman and rises to the brain.” I mutter then remove the helmet and face. I was surprised to find the brain section was similar to clockwork. “Seems the maker of Clockwork and Constructs were one in the same, one a magical doll, the other a physical machine but it seems the development of both are heavily reliant on elementals.” I mutter as i looked at the rings. I put the face and helmet back on and then open my inventory and pull out three Golem Cores before sticking them into it. I then looked around and as a glow began to spread from them and found no other areas so i just waited and slowly the glowing wires reached the Tourmaline gem and began to spread out. The glow was a slight brown and soon it moved into the spin and moved up and began to light up the brain and the rest of the body soon followed.
A suddenly lurch came from the construct as it fell over. After a while it finally began to move and finally stood up.
“Urg… where…” A weak broken voice came as he looked around. When he saw me the eyebrow piece rose. “Clock… doing….” He froze and touched his throat. He looked around and began to move about and soon removed a voice box and removed his own and inserted the new one.
“Seems they have an easier installation construction.” I thought. Clockwork needed to install wires and all that making it tedious of a voice box broke.
“What is… a clockwork… doing here? And… where is… here?” He asked stopping every few moments.
As expected the constructs had no computer in their brain so i sigh as there was no way and no one to talk for me. “Construct scrapyard. I woke you up.” I said simply.
He looked around and seemed to realize that, “Why?”
“I’m gathering technology, need constructs as well. You are source of knowledge.” I replied.
He started to laugh as he heard me say that. “Just earth… specialized worker… construct. Known… shit about… our technology.” He said but i raise a brow at the word ‘specialized’.
“Earth specialized worker, what is that?” i asked.
He looks at the opened lid of his chest and pointed inside. “Construct with… three earth… elemental core… provides strength… boost and… hardens skin… plates. Perfect… model for… grunt work.” He said and closed the lid and slowly mana began to gather as my scanner read the flow increase. He then grabbed under a pile of constructs and lifted easily. “Strengthening magic.” He said.
I understood with that, “So construct upgrades follow a specialization path, which means air would amount to a scout, Fire would make a some kind of fighter and Water might be healer.” I hypothesized while looking at this happy go lucky guy. I didn’t exactly have use for another worker but considering i ‘do’ need to make blueprints of this guys it would help to have him back at the ship. Size wise he is Asura’s size and lighter due to the lack of armor and weapons making it easy for him to use a Strato as long as i control it.
“For now, return with me.” I said and he nods. Strato is a bit small for two people so calling in another one that arrived after some time we fly back.
Jeopardy PoV
The Undine dance is so comforting, it reminded me of when i did dance classes but at that time i hated it but now it feels so free. I picked it up quickly due to my previous knowledge and it was indeed like a dance. My mana control would follow the flow of the dance and anything to heavy to be water would slowly gather in front of me until i reach the end of the motion were i kick it out of the water.
In the last two years I’ve never felt so comfortable. Still my mana regeneration couldn’t keep up even underwater and after several dozen sets that i danced i had to stop and rest. I swam to the edge but remained with my body underwater.
“You are quite talented in this.” Marina complimented me.
“Um thank you, it felt comfortable and relaxing. Truthfully it’s the most comfortable I’ve felt in years. It gave me a sense of freedom and let me forget my problems that were in my head.” I said with a solemn tone.
She chuckles at my words and i look at her confused. “Do you think i taught you that dance for no reason?” She asked.
I tilted my head but she continues, “The dance you just did is called ‘The Ballad of Gentle Waves’ it is perfect for a water mage suffering from stress, low self esteem, some form of guilt and any other stress. It will allow you some calm time. It will also teach you how gentle waters move. A gentle person will easily pick up how to dance this ballad while those with more headstrong personalities need a different ballad. Each person’s personality can be depicted in a different dance. Undine are the only ones who form ‘dance’ to control our element. It keeps our mind at peace and allows us to control our element at peace. Corrupt Undine can’t dance alone, they don’t know their Ballad but if they learn from other cleaner ones they can purify and remove their corruption. This works for any creature who does these dance. If my captain could use magic i would have long since tried and talked him into learning one or two to allow his mind to slowly come to terms with his past.” Marina said.
I looked at her and smile, it hardly showed on my face but it could still move to expressions like happiness and sadness. “Thank you.” I mutter.
“Come on out, it's already night time and we won’t be staying here, Techno permitted those helping out to stay in his town on Brock for the night.” Marina said and helped pull me out. Then a bubble of water formed and we flew up.
“Why are you nice to me?” I asked conflicted about entering due to the chance of him finding out.
“Someone with conflicted emotions and guilt on their shoulders are repenting for something, treating them like strangers in such a chaotic moment of their life would make me feel bad and may even develop impurities in my core so if I can help you in any small bit you can count on me.” She says.
I remained quiet as we float up and the Undine follow in a similar fashion. On the island whale’s back there was an impressive flat field on top and near the head were some buildings which was where most of the constructs and others were staying but there was a large opening on the back that lead down into the body.
Gloria and the others were already waiting for me and waved at me.
“Jeopardy! Come on come on! We want to check out the clockworks own base of operations! Everyone says it’s the coolest!” Nene shouted.
With permission to enter only after hearing the laws which were that acts of violence would be dealt with deadly violence reinforced by the fact that the guards were all heavily armored Knight class clockwork made it clear this town followed a strict martial law.
Entering we were amazed to find electricity running. Through tunnels in the inside of the body all the way to the widest open area of the stomach space that was hollow for the village everything was bright and it shocked everyone. It was only when they reached the first floor when they saw the heavily guarded back area did they notice the ‘generator’ in the back next to the workshop and city hall.
“He figured out how to make electricity, as expected of the top craftsman.” Storm muttered. All around there were shops that sell by a small token. Asking around these tokens were gained through contribution and was the salary and main currency of the town. A small blue coin was equal to 1 cent, medium blue coin is 10 cents, a large blue coin was 25 cents, a small red coin is 1 dollar, a medium red coin is 5 dollars, a large red coin is 10 dollars and a finally purple one was 50 dollars.
“It’s not even metal it’s just stone painted a different color.” Gloria muttered as the person who explained it showed them.
“There is no need for it to have value, as long as we know the value it's enough since this is only used inside the town.” He explained.
It made sense, why use precious metals to make a currency when a simply system of coins works just as good. In truth it was better than what the constructs had which was pretty much nothing. They developed far less than most other groups and have far less settlements. The merfolk would actually have a better condition then the constructs if put in perspective of living condition and development.
I looked around and noticed that among the creatures there were robotic animals as well. Large bulls were used for pulling large loads but real animals were also present. In a market there were elves who sold vegetables and dwarves who sold mechanical parts and humans who were ranchers selling meat. It gave a feeling of a strange cheerful steampunk fantasy world that we had expected to see when we first heard of this game. This view was the vision everyone dreamed of having in the game but didn’t see it but here it was easily present.
“He sure did a good job.” Momo, Nene’s twin, said.
“It must have been hard to set it up.” Gloria said but then again looking at his history record, he had the construction of six cities under his belt being the main pioneer and builder of all four gate cities for the clockwork. It showed he had real world charisma.
When i turned i noticed the mouth of the whale open and soon Techno’s small body appeared and another big man came in. Looking at it i began to spoke out loud. “Isn’t that a construct?”
They looked and noticed Techno and the other man that jumped off the flying robot.
“Did he go to the scrapyard to get robot's without asking?” Gloria fumed.
“Don’t start Gloria, no one can stop him anyway but… if i remember right those are the constructs that wouldn’t activate no matter what aren’t they?” Storm asked.
“That’s right, i saw that model before and they are used by some people as ornaments.” Nene replied.
We shivered at how easily he was able to make that model work, thinking of how the core worked with my core it was simple for him to supply the elemental cores for starting them up.
“I wonder if he can upgrade constructs like he did the Clockwork?” I asked gloomy.
Gloria pat my arm and showed a smile, “If he can’t or won’t we can just wait until the elementals are giving off more elemental cores and we can just get a few and try and make those old ones work and discover ourselves.” she said in a determined tone.
I smile and thank her for the encouragement and i watch as he passes and walks to the back while he was saluted by the knights and they didn’t dare bar his way.
We return to the top and choose a small hut to rest in for morning. I had a good dream where i was dancing in real life while the water danced with me.