Innovation struck Frost. An epiphany was reached when she realized that she was not limited to her stolen Scarlet Logic Abilities. Other Abilities derived from technologies could be infused into the Genesis Stones.
She experimented in the following days, creating items such as a monocle able to see the strings of those attached to the Fate Mechanism. The object was tiny and tinted blue and was based off her String Theory Ability. ‘String Viewer’ was the name it was given.
This was only one of the many items the two conjured over the span of weeks.
Nex Accumulation was integrated into the Replication Anchors, which took the appearance of a black obelisk. Its dimensions were two meters in height, and fifty centimeters across. Its shape was like that of a drill more than obelisk. When fed with her blood, the Anchor roared awake as steam gushed from its seams.
Thick layers of its body opened like the petals of a flower, revealing a thin, crimson rod that turned blue as red lines ran across the object. Blue indicated that it was active. A flash of green meant that it was full; yellow warned of depletion; blinking red of depleting blood; and a solid red for damage. Black simply meant that it was destroyed.
A small detachable slate within was the most important part to Frost, for it was where the Nex was accumulated. Depending on how Oboros Infinitas wanted to handle them, adding a Nex quota would determine their level of suffering.
As much as she despised them, she knew how despicable it was to even conceive of such a diabolical plan. But then again, these were the types of people that deliberately planned their attacks on healers of all people.
Knowing this, she was able to rationalize her sin.
The Oblivion Lock also received love from her. The Bloody Herring reminded her that things out of her control were the most frustrating to deal with. Namely, the ability to pull infuriating trump cards from one’s Dimensional Storage.
Had he not possessed the coin to enable this ability, then she would have wiped him out much sooner.
A black padlock that radiated a white, dull halo dangled beside her still broken Badge of Fragmented Aspirations. It was tiny enough to be worn like a pin, but it could also be upscaled to increase its range at the cost of Nex.
In this form it did not require Nex to function. That was only after its first use, however. Additional uses required Nex to prevent the use of Dimensional Storage within a 10-meter radius with this tiny configuration and the limit. It could then last for up to 15 minutes. 20 minutes was possible, but it inevitably resulted in the destruction of the object appraisal named the D.S.D (Dimensional Storage Disabler).
Nex Accumulation was also infused with this to help it replenish on the field. It was one of the few items that the Moons will wear as part of their kit in their upcoming graduation. Most especially the Candidate Moons. A shame that there were still so few.
Spatial Distortion I – another Ability – saw valuable use. It allowed one to create a portal into the Derma Layer, but it firstly required an anchor so to speak at the other end. Entering the Derma Layer without visiting it in the first place was a paradoxical problem solved by two methods.
The first was to ride a Spatial Distortion down there as usual. The second and more favorable option was to send scouts through the main passage through her own Spatial Distortion. The item in her hand was a volatile one that allowed a portal to exist for only an hour at most no matter the size.
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Because Caldera Industries’ major tech was manufactured in Dwarhelven, Frost was unable to devour something of considerable size. She’d have to venture there personally to get a taste of a more powerful Spatial Distortion.
This sufficed for now and would allow multiple invasions into the Derma Layer when used correctly. The only downside was to set the anchor up beforehand, or to get lucky and have someone randomly sent down there to end up near a Complex Heart.
It was a spherical device that floated in midair. When activated, four segments would be shot out to create the corners of the portal. If Knalzark didn’t influence his Aspects by his mere presence alone, then they could have had an answer to the Derma Layer much sooner.
Frost was an answer to their problems once again, and she couldn’t help but wonder if someone made Knalzark to be the way he is now. Or maybe even the rest of the Beholders. Divine intervention in the form of the Fate Mechanism made her question if everything was built up like the acts of a tale.
If that was the case, then she promised to burn that book to cinders.
* * *
Jury’s items also came along just fine. Aside from the Isolation Spheres, her Talons – which were made in partnership with Justica Arms, and the Healing Bullets that used Turn Back the Clock; she had other goodies in store to showcase to Frost.
Where exactly did she want to show off her new goodies? In a bathhouse of course! The Floor of the Head was ambitiously made both as a professional suite and where bushiness was to be conducted, so installations like a bathhouse were not permitted within the Floor of the Head.
Annoyed that she couldn’t see Frost as often as she wanted to despite working on the same floor, she often took Frost into the bathhouse in the lowest floor where they could take off their shoes and dip their bodies into the warm, cozy water.
A room of steam surrounded Frost as she promptly removed her clothing. There were no mirrors in this place made from vibrant wood, with the floor made from a greenish thatch-like material.
It felt more of a sauna, and she had no doubts that any normal person that dared to venture a meter into the steam would either suffocate, or worse, burn like an evil spirit walking into a holy site.
At least that was how she felt. In reality, she wasn’t alone. Surrounding her were healers that tidily undressed themselves and stowed their belongings into open cabinets.
“It’s so warm in here~” A healer hummed, stretching elegantly as steam conveniently masked their exposed womanly parts.
“Don’t forget a cup for the drinks! I’m bringing juice my pa sent over!” One carrying a hilariously oversized bottle exclaimed. She had to hold it like a giant club, and she dragged it wherever she went as a group followed gleefully with cups in hand.
Dozens of healers cheerfully joined in at the changing rooms. The sight of delicate flesh filled her vision no matter where she looked. It felt odd as usual to be stuck in the women’s side of things, but she felt comfortable amongst her healer friends.
“Miss Amalgam! You’re here today as well.” A healer walked up to her, greeting her with a deep nod as she timidly held her hands behind her back. She was short. Tiny even, but knowing how this world worked, she was probably older than everyone here combined.
“Yep. Even the big scary me needs to wash off once in a while.” Frost placed her hands on her hips, causing several healers to gaze at her spotless body.
“Cleanse doesn’t cut it, hahaha.” The small healer laughed, another joining as they passed:
“You still feel icky no matter how clean you really are.”
“Totally! I can’t even use Cleanse yet, so I have to rely on cleaning Serums or a Moon to help me wash off.” Yet another healer joined in, demonstrating her inability to reach her back. “I can’t even touch my toes. So these bathhouses are a miracle for us!”
“I agree.” Frost pleasantly hummed. “Oh, quick question. Are your baths scheduled?”
They walked towards the main area which was an open-air bath. Night sky shone above them as healers politely rushed over to the many differing pools. The bathhouse outside was designed like a geothermal hot spring, with natural rocks surrounding each pool and large boulders overlooking them.
“It’s us first, then the Moons. But sometimes we mix it up and all join at once.”
“Like tonight!”
“Mm. Mm. Moons are mostly women too. Did you know that Hora Therapeutics are all women!?”
“The men went off to Minu and Seci. I can’t blame them either since Hora focuses on healing.” The healers answered.