Tak~ Tak~ Tak~

A melody was constantly being played as the harsh winds filled with small, sharp shards crashed against his armor as he made his way through the treacherous terrain of the mountain. Everything was covered with a thick layer of ice that perpetually existed, never to thaw. The ground was uneven, jagged rocks and sharp edges lurked at every step, a single misstep, and he would be thrown down to a bottomless hole.

A web of shimmering lines intricately weaved together to form holographic mesh depicting the surrounding terrain, capturing the essence of the landscape as well as the pitfall that existed at every step. The area in his close proximity was highly detailed, but the further away it got, the lesser the details there were on the holograph.

Following the coordinates lead him to the base of a mountain, stepping toward a seemingly empty space. A step, a change.

Surprised, he stepped back and everything was again enveloped by the familiar darkness so this time he consciously controlled the threads and stepped forward, the world brightened, not bright like in the capital but still bright enough to see clearly.

‘A formation? But how?’

He could not find any indication of its presence despite the threads surveying his surrounding. Again he stepped back returning to that familiar darkness and slowly started circling around the formation but he could not detect the nodes that should have allowed this formation to exist.

'Hum?'

Slowly drawing closer were multiple armor suits, their number something that he had never seen despite taking on guard missions every time whenever he returned after the long expeditions. The number of rifles currently aiming at him were greater than the biggest contingent of guards he remembered being present in a guarding mission.

'Is it because a princess is here?'

He stepped inside the formation even though he was still curious how it was deployed acting on that curiosity would only further agitate the guards.

The holographic mesh was still unable to spot the armor suits that still surrounded him and if not for the threads, he would have considered this place like any other structure constructed outside the habitable zone.

Nestled at the base of the mountain, seamlessly blending with the icy surroundings, lay the dome-shaped building. Frozen ice clung to its surface adding an additional layer of camouflage to its concealed existence and if not for the coordinates leading him straight to the building, he would have found it difficult to find it in his current state, especially because its construction fooled the holographic mesh into melding it to be the part of the surroundings.

Visible around the building were a few guards, blades, and rifles attached directly to the metallic hands of their armor suits to allow for the quickest response in time of need. Their presence was imposing but it only served to further hide the numerous other guards that concealed themselves.

[ Halt. ]

Inero-ie came to a stop and before the guard could even ask, he had already shared his harvester ID.

[ Confirmed. ]

Though it seemed he was communicating with him, at that exact moment the nozzles pointing at him were suddenly without any target and the guards slowly backed away, returning to their positions.

[ Entrance authorized. Please enter. ]

As he stepped inside, he faced familiar clean walls and uncluttered spaces that blended together to create a utilitarian building. It seemed to hold nothing special.

***

Suspended within a transparent cylindrical container, the harvested parts of the Isoluid were meticulously arranged, seemingly untouched by the passage of time. The rhythmic beat of the heart emanated a pulsating vitality, a testament to the immense power coursing through the colossal body it once belonged to. Positioned below the heart, the nearly transparent sac revealed a mesmerizing display of swirling, destructive Qi, trapped yet radiating an aura of formidable energy. Within the container, numerous other harvested organs and parts were stored, creating a synergistic effect that heightened the overall vitality of the collection.

Sline's smile widened as she turned her gaze towards Inero-ie, impressed by his accomplishment.

"Excellent work, particularly with the sac. How did you manage to fill it to such a capacity? It's a rarity I haven't encountered before. Frankly, I didn't have high expectations for you, not even regarding the successful defeat of the Isoluid, considering your ongoing recovery. But you've pleasantly surprised me. So, how did you accomplish it? The only way to retain such a substantial amount of Qi within the sac is to dispatch the Isoluid swiftly."

Sline questioned Inero-ie, her curiosity piqued.

[ A formation, ] Inero-ie replied, a mechanical voice echoing from the necklace-shaped device around his neck, alongside the temperature harmonization necklace he wore. Sline arched an eyebrow at the response, intrigued by his answer.

"Really? Could I witness the formation that possesses enough power to vanquish an Isoluid?"

[ For an equivalent price, ] the mechanical voice replied.

Sline tilted her head, scrutinizing him. ‘Is it because he hails from a small place and lacks an understanding? Or maybe because he is far away from human contact for cycles at a time?’ she pondered silently.

Before she could address the absurdity of the situation, the mechanical voice chimed in once again, uttering broken, irritating sentences.

[ Compensation for resources used during journey, ] it stated matter-of-factly.

Inero-ie remained motionless, his eyes closed, his face devoid of any reaction. It was expected that he would be reimbursed for the expenses incurred during the mission, but Sline had never encountered someone who, despite being aware of her status, spoke in such a manner.

Sline's gaze returned to the floating materials inside the containers, materials that would undoubtedly facilitate her lady's experiments. If her lady had requested these resources from the family, it would have caused a significant dent in her personal budget. Yet, now, a single person had made things much more convenient.

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"Provide me with a list of expenses you wish to be reimbursed, and you will receive compensation in any manner you desire. Now, is there anything else you need to report?" Sline inquired.

[ Yes, ] the mechanical voice responded.

"Please proceed," she urged.

And so, in fragmented sentences, the harvester standing before her described the condition of the Isoluid he had encountered, as well as the sense of being surveilled that arose after its demise.

"Could the outburst of anger simply stem from its inability to return to the Frozen Sea? And the feeling of being spied upon... could it be the work of another group seeking to slay the Isoluid? Anyone who successfully eliminates it would amass considerable wealth, enough to secure a foothold in the lower layers," Sline contemplated.

"I have repeatedly observed this sudden burst of anger, especially when fatigued. It kept destroying everything for months without rest as though searching for something," the mechanical voice relayed.

"Hmm... Alright. I will report it to the princess. You may go and rest," Sline concluded, acknowledging the harvester's account.

***

As time flowed incessantly in the perpetual darkness of this world, Inero-ie remained secluded in the room assigned to him. Seated on the freezing ground, where the biting cold transformed even water into solid ice, he absentmindedly toyed with the necklace adorning his neck. This delicate ornament served as his lifeline, shielding him from the deadly temperatures by enveloping his body in an almost undetectable barrier attached to his skin. Though a small device, it significantly reduced the resources required to sustain life in this unforgiving environment.

‘Why am I subjecting myself to all of this? Is there truly a need to go to such extremes, risking my life for a promise to people I can hardly remember?’

Like an overwhelming wave, dark thoughts and emotions threatened to engulf him, to drown him in despair. But he refused to succumb, redirecting his attention to the circulation of Qi within his being. Following the doctor's advice, he had ceased his training in the Law, reducing the intensity of his exercises to alleviate the strain on his core. The results were promising, and despite the slower pace of recovery due to the months spent on this perilous mission, he remained confident that he would soon regain his full strength.

‘Just a few more months, at most…’

‘Should I simply escape?’

If he were to focus solely on healing his core, he was certain he could achieve complete recovery within a few months. However, that was not an option. His objective lay in reaching the Frozen Sea, and to accomplish that, he had no choice but to obey the orders bestowed upon him.

Knock, knock.

On the other side of the door stood another harvester, older and weathered. Though the threads of Qi informed him of the older harvester's gaze that lingered upon him, Inero-ie kept his eyes closed. Eventually, the elder harvester spoke.

"Lady Sline requests your presence."

A stable and deep voice resonated through the door, and Inero-ie nodded in acknowledgment.

Inside the dome-shaped building, every room was as barren as a mine. Though equipped with the necessary facilities to ensure the best possible rest, the ambiance was perpetually bathed in dull blue light. As he traversed the corridors, he sensed nothing but the smooth walls and empty floor, devoid of any signs of life. This place possessed only what was essential, discarding all superfluous elements. Eventually, he arrived at another unremarkable door, identical to the countless others he had encountered.

Knock, knock.

"Lady Sline, Harvester Inero-ie has arrived as you commanded."

"Thank you. You may leave now."

The door closed automatically behind him as he entered the silent room. The only sound that reached his ears was the rustling of pages. Time passed, and he remained silent, his focus turned inward, circulating the Qi within him, while the pages continued their subtle dance.

Abruptly, the flipping of pages ceased, and he was finally addressed, abruptly rousing him from his meditative state.

"Harvester Inero-ie, have you claimed compensation for your expenses?"

Sline turned her head towards him, awaiting his response. Inero-ie simply nodded in reply.

"Good. Now that you are fully rested, you will be assigned new missions. Here is a list of materials you need to harvest this time, along with information about the monsters we have—their habitats, locations, and capabilities. We require them in the order specified."

Once again, he nodded.

"I will eagerly await good news. You may leave."

***

An unpleasant frown etched itself onto Inero-ie's face as he surveyed his surroundings, trying to rely on his instincts to pinpoint the direction from which the unsettling sensation of being spied upon emanated. Beside him lay the dismembered corpse of a monster, its materials already harvested as instructed.

"Got you."

The persistent feeling of being watched had been weighing on him, plaguing him every time he ventured out. Despite his efforts to shake off the invisible pursuer, the sensation would always return after a while, leaving him frustrated and weary. Analyzing the terrain model, he quickly devised a path that would deceive the observer, and he set off, running as if everything was business as usual.

From soaring mountain peaks to treacherous valleys and even deep underground caves, he navigated through challenging terrain. Yet, as always, the observer followed closely, never falling too far behind.

"What kind of technology are they using?"

The question lingered in his mind as he glanced at the holographic lines that wove together to form a map of his surroundings. The immediate vicinity was displayed in crisp detail, but the farther they extended, the more the details faded. Despite his awareness of being spied upon, he couldn't detect the observer's presence nearby.

Upon discovering the tracks of monsters, Inero-ie pursued them, eventually reaching their den. Guided by the trickle of Qi from his core, he manipulated the Qi within the refined core that powered his armor suit, causing himself and the armor to meld seamlessly into the encompassing darkness. Silently, he slipped past the centipede-like monsters, their appendages ending in hardened, razor-sharp points capable of piercing the solid ice that coated everything.

Pausing after successfully bypassing the monsters, Inero-ie contemplated the situation. If the one spying on him intended to continue following, they would have to confront these creatures. However, as had occurred numerous times before, once the observer encountered the monsters, they never pursued any further.

***

"Inero-ie, if you wish, I can assign a few guards to assist you in capturing them. Also, did you take precautions to ensure they couldn't trace you back to this location?"

[ No. Yes. ]

"Nevertheless, try to capture them if possible. I'm curious to examine the technology that enables such extensive surveillance capabilities."

Inero-ie nodded in acknowledgment.

"Good job. Take some rest before embarking on your next trip. How many more expeditions will you need to complete the material collection?"

[ Three. ]

"Humm… okay. Once we return, I will ensure you're included in an expedition to the Frozen Sea."

Inero-ie nodded again.

"Is there anything else to report?"

[ No. ]

"You are dismissed."

With a salute, Inero-ie turned and exited the room.

"Sline, are you ready?" Princess Cile's voice echoed as a wall slid open, revealing her clad in a protective suit that shielded her from the hazards of the experiments.

"Yes, and Harvester Inero-ie reported being spied upon again," Sline informed as they both entered a tunnel, the passage sealing shut behind them.

"Handle it as you see fit. Now, let's begin," Princess Cile said, her tone thawing with anticipation for the upcoming experiment.

"Yes!" Sline replied, her spirits lifted by Cile's renewed enthusiasm.