“This looks like a decent ending zombie apocalypse novel.”

Maximillion chuckled. He said, “Thank you. I try.”

The “Ranch” was more of a small town. This full of sentient zombies. Including way-too-fast children zombies. Wonder tried not to focus on these… especially memories of certain blocky worlds.

The Maximillion home was a mansion, of course. But Wonder soon learned that 60% of the Mansion was dedicated to experiments and greenhouses. Maximillion was truly a scientist in that regard.

However, the type of research was probably one of the ones with the nastiest backgrounds: eternal life.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

Wonder looked at the older man. He didn’t know why, but he had a bad feeling about Maximillion. Maybe it was his son. Maybe it was some instinct. Maybe it was how unnecessarily fancy everything here was. Maybe it was the fact that Maximillion alwayssmiled. But something about Maximillion rubbed Wonder off the wrong way and sent bad signals.

Wonder said, “The eternal life shit.”

Maximillion said, “You disapprove?”

Wonder said, “No. I believe in an eternal soul. But you are aware that many who have hunted the same thing… and hunt now… do some terrible things.”

Maximillion’s smile dropped. “Ah yes… I’m glad to say I very much avoid that path, but I do know what you mean.”

For once, Wonder’s instinct cooled. Maybe an honesty detector?

But then Maximillion smiled and Wonder’s alarms were back. He said, “How about we go in for dinner?”

Wonder said, “Sure.”

They went inside. Maximillion led them into a dining hall. The servants had already prepped the table. The Hyde family took one side, and Rex sat on the other. Maximillion took the head, of course.

Wonder looked at him, wondering what the heck was bothering him. There was a trick coming, he just knew it. Problem was, how to find out what before it harmed his loved ones…

Maximillion said, “So what is this threat you came to stop?”

Wonder noticed how he indicated that he’d be the threat. Wonder quickly sent a message to Rose, pointing it out. He had already messaged his lover about his instinct flaring.

But the subject was safe. Wonder explained about Malchon, the portals, and how the Mage was most likely after them. Maximillion listened patiently, though his face scowled once he heard the name.

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Maximillion said, “I was worried he’d become trouble.”

Wonder said, “You know Malchon?”

“Knew. Back when I was still public, he was a young teenager. You know how Forest Spirits and Lightwraith evolve until they’re teenagers and then grow naturally like a human in terms of years? The fastest a normal one grows is 5 months, though usually it’s closer to a year. Malchon was a teenager in a month.”

Wonder said, “Mamma mia…”

Maximillion nodded. “His intense desire for knowledge is what primarily fueled it. But somewhere around the preteen age, he began researching the multiverse and the gods. When he found me, his natural curiousity was in my research. I couldn’t refuse, but I always knew there was more he was looking for. Some key that would grant him… something.”

Sakura said, “The ultimate knowledge.”

Wonder looked at Sakura. “Sweetie?”

Sakura blinked out of it. “…just thinking.”

Maximillion said, “Dear, this is a safe place. Feel free to speak.”

Sakura shook her head, looking at her hands. Rose rubbed her shoulder.

Wonder suddenly got a message: I’ll tell you later, Daddy. But this guy is giving me scared…

Wonder forwarded a copy to Rose, then responded mentally, He’s bothering Daddy too, Sakura. Stay alert.

Wonder said, “You’re playing with life and death, Maximillion. It could be considered the ultimate knowledge. But… something in my gut tells me that isn’t what Malchon wants. He’d be able to figure it out from his studies into the multiverse.”

Maximillion rubbed his chin. “Agreed.”

The food came out. Maximillion perked. “Let us eat!”

Suddenly, Wonder had a million alerts: Poison Immunity Granted. All Status Immunities Granted. Wonderwhattheshitisgoingon granted. DEF upped to MAX, you are now invincible for 20 minutes.

Wonder blinked, and looked at Sakura. She suddenly looked tired, but her ruby eyes indicated the soup.

Good job, baby girl.

Wonder glared at Maximillion. And decided to put Appraisal to the test.

ERROR APPRAISAL FAIL! DECOY IN USE!

Maximillion didn’t even have a chance to call Wonder out.

Wonder had shot a bow through the decoy’s brain.

Rex jumped up. “What the…”

Wonder fired an arrow at Rex. Rex couldn’t dodge it at this close range, and the skull bones symbol jumped up.

Everything flickered…

And they were in a dark cave.

Wonder said, “SOUND-OFF!”

Rose said, “Here!”

Izuku said, “Here!”

Sakura said, “Here…” She yawned.

Crisis shouted, “Somewhere over here!”

“MY-ZUNE!”

Wonder said, “OK, good. Dammit, the whole place was an illusion.”

He brought up his menus. Like they did in the forest with Izuku both so long and not long at all ago, they lit up the most immediate area a little. Rose blinked and tried to poke it, the first time she had seen it.

Izuku helped Sakura walk up. “Think Rex was running it?”

Wonder said, “No, not quite. I think Rex hasn’t been alive or sentient for a long, long time.”

There was the sound of a slow clap. A hearty voice laughed through the cave, “Well done, Wonder Hyde!”

Maximillion.