“The true purpose of them, you say?” Sliding down and sitting opposite me, Rebecca crossed her legs with a serious expression. “Alright, what theory have you cooked up?”
Mulling over my thoughts for a moment, I tapped my fingers on my knee before nodding slowly. “From the start, the System has been there as a tool for our use. It provides us a path, knowledge and rewards. Our theory so far is that its intended function is to guide those with potential since the better you do, the better the rewards you gain. Those who lack any potential are usually left behind and very quickly, especially since our group and Jupiter’s are marked as Potential Heroes and the two of us are Sovereigns of our respective classes.”
“Mm, I know that much. So you think there is more to it than that?”
“Yes. As we are now, you and I are supposedly the strongest beings in the world. We’ve kept above the expected danger level of this world and while the beginning had been very rocky, we’re now in a position to overcome any future trouble with no problems. So far, things have been very easy, in fact I’m beginning to suspect how over four hundred thousand have failed so far.
“Not only that, but we’re now discovering a lot more now that we’re adapting. Mana World, Dimensions, Monster Cores, Martial Arts and Techniques. It’s also not just mindless Husks in our world either. Ever since arriving in this Dimension, my thoughts have been running wild about our strength and what is opening up to us, about the many ways for us to gain more…about how even with all of this, the previous iterations failed.
“So that’s why the theory I have right now is that previous iterations were all being built up for ours, the supposedly final iteration. Those previous iterations were never planned to ‘save’ the Prime World, but to teach the ‘System’ the best and most optimal way to raise people to save it.”
“So what you’re saying is that…those iterations were solely test subjects, for us?” Rebecca frowned while pursing her lips. “And the reason why we’re getting so strong so fast is because the System has optimised itself? Then what about the Prime World?”
“That’s my second theory. The Prime World isn’t in its true, original, form. The System, depending on how powerful it is, is trying to make the world easier for us, but I feel like something is wrong with this theory…”
“Is it the fact that if the System could truly ‘edit’ the world, then why are we here to save it?”
Looking at Rebecca, I nodded firmly. That’s the only hole in the theory. If the System could change the world, then couldn’t it just save it? Just how powerful is this System? What are the World Shifts, if it’s not the System reverting the world back to its original form then is it something else?
“So all up, the System’s purpose is to give us power and save this world? I thought we knew that already.”
“Hopefully, because my theory relies on the System telling us the truth from the start.” Leaning forward a bit, I looked at Rebecca seriously. “Because it could be that we’re just another loop of people to teach the System for another iteration.”
Rebecca’s eyes waver for a moment as panic flared for a moment before disappearing once more. She bit her lower lip before mumbling. “So it tells us it’s the final loop to have us try as hard as we can, provoking desperation in gaining power? So everything we do now could all be for naught?” Seeing her bite her lip, I moved over quickly and slung an arm over her shoulders.
“Or not and it’s actually true this is the final iteration. Either way, let’s just do what we’ve been doing and kick arse.” Pursing my lips, I hated discussing these topics, but it’s necessary. We needed to keep in mind what our situation is. Seeing Rebecca glance at me and quickly steel herself, she smiled and returned my embrace.
After an hour of just talking to each other about mundane topics, we got up, dusted ourselves off and decided to finish off the Dimension. Checking over our equipment, we finished exploring and looting the rest of the dojo, finding more martial art books and a few unique weapons, like Chakrams and Nunchucks.
The other mystery of this place is that the books were all in English. The Prime World’s language is unknown to us, as expected of another world, yet there are martial arts books written in perfect English in another world. A stroke of luck, or the work of the System? We still had to decode the written research documents from the healing tank room, a project that I had slowly been working on.
As we slowly worked around the ruins, we killed the packs, ensuring the Bird Sentries never got another shot at us by taking care of them from a distance with my sniper. Soon, we reached the total of two hundred and fifty and the only area we hadn’t explored…
“The centre of the city. So both the totem and Chimera are there? Should we just destroy the totem from a distance and call it a day?”
“Mm, I had been considering that. Part of me wants to see what happens to the Chimera when the totem is left up. Remember the Dragon and how its totem started healing it? I’m curious if that happens here.”
“Alright, want me to play decoy while you take potshots?”
“No, we’ll play toss and I’ll snipe from up high. Then we’ll see what happens to it, I don’t want to risk injury to you. Let’s scout the beast.”
Moving towards the centre, we kept to the shadows before slowly advancing. Finding the Chimera, it sat in the middle of what looked to be an old town square, a totem right behind it. The totem wasn’t as big as the one the Dragon had protected, about the size of the average human, but it pulsed every ten seconds with a dark light.
The Chimera on the other hand had two heads…no, three. Two heads stuck out from the body of a dragon, one like a demonic goat and the other like an undead rabbit. The tail resembled a snake, hissing while swinging around. The Chimera seemed to be on guard, both heads looking around, like it knew there was danger approaching it. We weren’t quiet on our approach, what with shooting everything.
Recalling a new spell, I focused my eyes on the Chimera and with a tiny bit of magic, I used Hunter’s Mark on it. The spell is effective immediately, my mind knowing which direction it was easily. Avoiding using the Mark, as I wasn’t sure how it’d feel seeing from three different points of views, I didn’t want to become disorientated.
Rebecca and I nod to each other before stealthily making our way back, setting ourselves about four hundred metres from the town centre.
“Can you make the shot?”
Looking towards the centre, I nodded slightly. I felt confident, but this would be the first time doing something like this. Rebecca squats, her hands interlocked and I step onto them with both feet, breath in and nod to her.
With ease, she throws me up and I fly up…fast, way too fast. I kept going into the air, realising that we really did need to start training our physical strength. Trusting in Rebecca to catch me, I wait until the feeling of the apex of the toss nears. Scoping, I twist my body and lock onto the Chimera, but a quick estimate is that it’s about 3 kilometres from my position.
Slowing my breathing, ignoring the feeling of the air rushing around me. Breathing in once more, I steadily aim and breathing out, I fire. I watch as the ground next to the Chimera explodes, signifying that I missed my shot. Quickly reloading as I started falling, I steadied myself once more and fired as I started turning upside down.
Not able to see anymore as my body twists, I allowed my body to relax, the rushing of the wind heavy. My mind felt oddly tranquil in this moment, my body completely relaxed as I felt a strange sense of peace. The image of two women appeared in my mind, the same person. A young woman with silver, blonde hair and sharp, piercing blue eyes and one with silky smooth blue hair with purple streaks and an elven body.
Rebecca. Both her original body and her new one, both one and the same person. An urge like no other surfaced, an urge to always be with her, an urge to always protect her and an urge to survive this world, to ensure we can be together in peace for the remainder of our lives. This urge took over every other thought, like it became a part of my very core. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to be standing by her side, to be with her.
Suddenly the rushing of air stopped, my feet steady on the ground, as if I’d been standing the entire time. Opening my eyes, I heard the surprising voice of Rebecca.
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“Eh?!” Looking around, I turned to look at Rebecca as I blink. Did she catch me and put me down already? Our eyes met, but her eyes reflected only surprise.
“Eh? H-how…w-what…?” As she spoke, I blinked as I realised something. I never felt myself being caught. Looking around before looking down, I felt my mind start spinning before turning my attention to a flashing notification on the System.
The link between Entity Winter and Entity Midnight has become more stable. As long as you're safe and in no danger, you can teleport to Entity Winter's side. Unlimited Range.
Progress of Link with Entity Winter: 15%
“R-Rebecca, what happened?”
“You tell me! All I saw was you falling then suddenly you disappeared with a blue flash then next thing I know you’re right next to me.”
Speaking with disbelief, she cupped her hands around my face while looking me over. Smiling at her concern, I raised a hand and held one of hers while explaining what the System said. She looked stunned at my words before nodding slowly.
“Well I don’t have such a message. That’s wild, so you can like, come to my side at any time? Don’t use it during fights, you’re squishy compared to me!” Rebecca smiled before we both realised our current situation. “Oh, right! The Chimera. Want me to toss you again?”
“Yes, but a bit less strength this time.” Both of us chuckle. Rebecca throws me up in the air, this time the apex is only about four hundred metres in the air, but it’s enough. Using Hawkeye, I locked onto the Chimera. My last shot had hit its mark, its entire backside, tail included, had exploded, half of its body missed.
I could see a light shining from the totem towards the Chimera. The backside of it slowly healed, but the damage seemed to be too much. Falling and being caught by Rebecca, I explained what I had seen. Deciding to quickly finish it, we moved towards the centre.
Rebecca took the lead and moved towards the remains. The Chimera’s heads snapped onto Rebecca the moment she emerged. The goat’s head opened its mouth and let out bleat. The sound was deafening, causing Rebecca to stumble for a moment and in that second the rabbit’s head snapped forward, chomping down on Rebecca without hesitation.
Feeling my heart skip a beat, I raised my bow and fired two shots in quick succession at the goat’s head, gaining its attention very quickly. Shifting quickly behind cover, I turned and fired at the rabbit’s head, causing it to also snap its attention to me. Grinning, I kicked a piece of debris which flew and smashed into the head of the goat, smashing into pieces as it looked at me in rage.
Just as it opened its mouth, a figure appeared on the rabbit's head. I pulled a fragmentation grenade off my belt, pulled the pin and flung it into the goats mouth. The figure pushed two shotguns down onto the rabbits head and fired, Repeater triggering as four shots rang out. At the same time, the grenade goes off in the goat’s throat, both heads exploding at the same time.
You have killed a Demonic Chimera.
+50 Class Points.
This is your first kill on an enemy of this type!
+100 Class Points.
“Well, that was easier than it should’ve been.”
“I did kinda blow up half its body before we rushed in here. Plus the amount of Class Points we got means it’s likely only just stronger than the Dragon.”
“That felt stronger…then again, we are crazy strong.” Rebecca shrugs before looking at the totem. “You can have the honours.”
Slinging my bow over my shoulder and raising my sniper, I aimed at the totem and fired. As it explodes into thousands of pieces, a final message from the System comes up.
Dimension: Ruined City of Delict completed. All objectives completed, inheritance claimed.
Dimension is now closing. Rewards are available.
A strange feeling surrounded us as the area around us warped and in the next moment we found ourselves back out where we had entered the Dimension, except this time there was no crack in the air.
“Huh…that’s it? Well, we learnt a lot but I would’ve thought there would be more to it…” As Rebecca spoke, I looked around before tilting my head in thought.
“Hang on. The Dimension said before we went that it would ‘break’ in three months, right? Would that mean it would ‘break open’? So does that mean we need to clear these Dimensions before they break? If we fail to and they break open, then that’ll mean…”
“Potentially powerful enemies? I assume this is a weaker Dimension all things considered. Maybe there are Dimensions that need Lvl 4s or even Lvl 5s? We should seriously scout everything around us.”
“Already on it, I sent Geralt and Cass to do that after the World Shift. We’ll know soon enough, for now…” Stretching, I look towards the base. “Let’s worry about the rewards for later. We’ll head back, check in with Sheep and then figure out what’s next. I really want to start figuring out our strength…” Holding Rebecca’s hand, we both made our way back towards the base, making small talk and both making plans for a long, hot shower before relaxing.
The trip back was rather uneventful and after passing the half built wall, we made our way to the office building. We had been in the Dimension for three days in total, and looking around it seemed that there had been some progress to the base though not much.
Stopping by the mana refiners, I dropped off a dozen monster cores to Juliana, who looked extremely excited at the prospect of researching a new item, I checked on their progress and found that they had started using some of the mana crystals as an energy source, though it’s limited to using a drill for a total of five seconds.
“We believe that as we go further into the Job of Mana Refiner we will learn more runes to make more pure and dense crystals. We gain Job Points per mana crystal we create, and those crystals can then be absorbed by us to provide additional Job Points. At first we didn’t understand why, but then we started to realise our sensitivity to mana became stronger.”
“So you started to sense mana?”
“No. At least, not to the extent of those shows and anime. It’s more like we can feel the process of mana becoming crystals. We’ll get a bundle of crystals organised for you to experiment with if you wish, Madam.”
Thinking for a moment, I nod. “Sounds good. How is the recruitment?”
“Steady, we have two new people. We’re looking to add a few more, but for now we’re taking it slow.” After a bit more discussion with Juliana, Rebecca and I parted ways and headed towards Sheep’s office. Knocking on the door, I waited for a moment before the door opened, revealing Diana who smiled upon seeing us.
“Ah, you’re back! Oh, Rebeeca, what happened to your shirt?! Is that blood?” With a concerned voice, Diana looked over where the hole had been from the Bird Sentry. Pulling us in we found Sheep to be sitting down looking rather bored.
“Doing nothing, Sheep?”
“More like there isn’t much to do. So how’d your little trip into the Dimension go?”
Rebecca and I sat down at the table before telling Sheep everything about our trip. Diana left and returned with a pot of coffee and some biscuits. With a rather happy atmosphere, we explained everything that happened including our theories on the System, Prime World and physical training.
Both Diana and Sheep reacted similarly to how Rebecca had, both slightly panicked at first before steeling themselves.
“It’s a rather scary thought, but we’ve just gotta do what we gotta do. So what’s next for you two?” Sheep leans back, finishing his second cup of coffee.
“A shower and some rest. Then claim the rewards from Dimension. With Aerith leading most of the work around the base there isn’t much for us to do in the way of leadership. I’ll call a meeting tomorrow or the next day to discuss our next moves before the Nexus event.”
“The most we need is more weapons and ammo to cover for five hundred people. We’re going at a good pace to get people their Job and Class unlocked, but it’ll take at least two more months to have everyone at Lvl 1. While the quests are easy, the Husks aren’t. Ever since the Nexus event, they have become a lot more dangerous, making it difficult for small teams to safely kill ten each person.”
“Then there is getting to Lvl 2. Let’s just keep going at the current pace, try and focus on those close enough to Lvl 2, the power gap is high before Lvl 1 and 2. We should have the others who killed the Butterfly at Lvl 3 before the Nexus event and going based off the first one, we should have an easy time of it if we have a few Lvl 2s and 3s.”
“No being overconfident, Midnight.” Dodging a crumpled ball of paper from Sheep, we both laughed before Rebecca and I left the room, heading towards my office on the third level, with the intent of a nice shower and perhaps a long sleep.