Although Kaymelin was waging a cyberwar, he was secretly sending invites to those curious little rascals that wanted to mess with his systems. Talented people should be recruited. Especially technologically-talented people in a world with advanced technology.

Originally, Kaymelin had wanted to start with recruiting combatants, either through Hailey's father, or some other avenue. However, he could not reach them now, given Hailey's circumstances with the psychological poison she was affected by.

Kaymelin wanted nothing to do with such a power. He had no way to counter it. Moreover, with how much he used his brain, those kinds of powers would be instantly fatal to him.

"It's a good thing that I wasn't her main target," Kaymelin sighed in relief as he sent the final invite out and switched off the power grid of a city on the other side of the world.

With that, he should be safe... At least until those geniuses broke down his defences again. Kaymelin could already foresee a rivalry in the works.

With his attention freed up, he decided to look at the purchases his little AI army had made.

"...You made more of yourself, I see." Kaymelin muttered, and to which a robotic chorus came in reply.

[ It was the only option, Sir. The bulk of our purchases is scattered across the planet, waiting in a few warehouses under the surveillance of a few unknowing civilians. With how complex your request of us was, we had no choice but to first sharpen the axe. ]

"On that note," Kaymelin blinked, "What is the name of this planet?"

[ Ixscius V, Sir. ]

"Ah, I see."

Kaymelin glanced over all the items he had purchased. To sum it all up, they were all raw materials that could allow him to build a moving laboratory and workshop that he could fit into a Spatially-enchanted suitcase like the one he had right now. He would've preferred to make it out of nanotechnology, but alas, such a task would quadruple the costs. Everything, from ores, sand, gel, chemicals, electronics, explosives, you name it, Kaymelin needed it.

Emphasis on need.

Seeing as how he had all the items he needed, Kaymelin leaned back on his chair and closed his eyes to rest. They were bloodshot and tired from a full 3 hours of immense focus. After all, he had gained more than just physical items. He was able to build quite the expansive database by secretly stealing large amounts of information from the people who had attacked him. Thus, he was now confident of the details of the world he was in. All he had to do was ask his personal AI if he needed help.

Kaymelin couldn't help but thank those internet rascals. If they had not exposed themselves, he would have to spend ages sifting through the digital ocean and counting each grain of sand on the sea shore.

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He would have done so eventually. Unfortunately for him, he did not have the time for it. A certain countdown was nearing its end.

[ 14 Seconds ]

[ 10 Seconds ]

[ 5 Seconds ]

[ 4 ... ]

[ 3 ... ]

[ 2 ... ]

[ 1 ... ]

[ 0 ]

Kaymelin walked out of the internet café from where he had rented out his room from. He looked around with vigilance, nervously anticipating what was to come.

However, there was only peace. The bustling city continued to hustle. Lives continued to live.

There was nothing out of the ordinary.

Until there was.

Suddenly... Like a dream coming into being...

Monsters were emerging out of thin air. Gruesome like mutated beasts, all exuding frightening auras that would make one tremble.

Kaymelin checked his watch.

[ August 12, 8912, 07:00 Hours ]

It was on this day that death loomed before the populace.

***

Kaymelin stared at the behemoth emerging before him. Then, he looked at the panel hovering in his vision.

[=[ Name: Visca Kaymelin ]=]

[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]

ID: Wonderland Mask

LVL: 1 (F-Rank Blank)

Talent: Grimoire of the Collector (Growth-Type | F-Rank), Slaughterer’s Reset (B-Rank)

Profession: None

Titles: (1) Beyond Comprehension

Skills: Countdown of Inevitability, Mana Technology Theory (Level 1), Spatial Pickpocket (Level 1), Appraise (Level 1)

[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]

Looking at all the number ones, Kaymelin felt death wash over him. Was this a hopeless life? Was he going to perish before he even began? The only way to increase his level in the game was through combat. Experience Points that he gained from killing could be poured into his Skills, allowing them to grow. Or, he could pour them into his Level to bring about an all-around change in life status.

Where were the monsters that he was supposed to kill to grow? Where were the Quests he needed to progress? The tutorial that he could abuse to gain power immeasurable from the very start?

For a moment, even Kaymelin couldn't help but lament his misfortune.

However, a thousand years of existence had already allowed him to temper his mind. He wasn't frail despite the powerful influence of human emotion. Swiftly, his expression turned into a deadly tranquil. Despite facing death in the face, Kaymelin began to think of a way out.

With a thought, he began taking action. His bio-masking suit was a powerful tool. After all, its original form could even alter his DNA. Although this one was inferior, he could still do a lot.

"Craaaaaa!" A raspy roar shook the air around him as the monsters fully appeared in reality.

'I have to act before that behemoth fully manifests,' Kaymelin felt a bead of sweat drip down his chin as he ran for his life.

While he was running away from the emerging behemoth, Kaymelin operated his bio-masking suit based on a certain monster.

It was a hobgoblin. Green skin, an ugly face, and body odour that could overpower the smell of sewers. Warts began popping out of his body as his skin began to turn green. His bio-masking suit began to exude a horrifying yet organic stench.

Soon, he was nearly indistinguishable from the monsters who had began a massacre all around him.

Kaymelin found a moment of peace in the chaos.

Despite the screams of dying civilians...

Despite the battle cries of the combatants in the distance...

Despite the cries of the children whose heads were lopped off by crude, rusty weapons...

Despite the river of blood that flowed!

Kaymelin stood against the tide.

In his mind, there was only one thought.

'Tragedies bring about a certain calm,'

Especially in the tranquility of death.