“There, that should do it. Only minor curse damage. It doesn’t appear the attacks were cursed,” Doctor Katz said as he looked me over.

“My eye still seems out of focus,” I replied.

“Covering both of them for a couple of days should help. Then gradual light. That should let them both readjust,” he said. I took the offered piece of cloth and tied it around my head and eyes. I wanted to do nothing more than sleep, but we needed to talk and go over everything that had happened.

I dragged myself up and out of the bed I was resting on, and Doctor Katz lead me to the briefing room. It felt nice to rest my eyes, even if it was a bit stressful being blinded. While I could ignore him, I trusted the good doctor.

Taking a seat in the conference room, I narrated everything that had occurred. Notes were taken during my explanation. At the end there were a couple of questions about some specific details, but no one was speculating.

“Jacob, what do you think?” I finally asked once there was a lull in the discussion. I hadn’t shared my thoughts yet either, curious what conclusion other people would reach.

“This sphere, would be like a virus, since it makes no sense why the System couldn’t just swat it down. You skills would be high level, but if the threat is a higher level, let’s say 8, then it would make sense, there is little damage. The timing feels off as well,” he added.

“It could be a level 8 boss,” Doctor Katz said. “We didn’t clear that inky blackness, so something came out.”

“No, those shards were already present. The biggest point of interest is the lack of any kind of regeneration within this block area. Are you sure there was nothing?” Jacob asked me.

“Yes, I am sure, there was no regeneration. If there was, then I could have fought much more aggressively,” I replied.

“That is a very concerning issue. Energy draw is something I have investigated quite a bit. To block it out completely, means that there is something happening at the lower layer. Something beyond our understanding,” he added.

“That rainbow dimension?” I asked.

“Yes. There is energy there, and from what I can tell, energy we regenerate comes from there,” Jacob said.

“Wait, really. When did you work this out?” Doctor Katz asked.

“It hasn’t been fully verified, but ambient energy doesn’t drop due to regeneration. But tapping into that energy regeneration through other means is possible. It is a key aspect of my external flesh power sources. They draw in energy from such a place. Unless I get more information, that is where energy comes from. Otherwise, why would there be no regeneration in the block zone?”

“But energy regeneration scales with zone,” I pointed out and Jacob nodded.

“It is confusing. But that is correlation not causation. Everything I have seen supports this conclusion. The energy from the zones is coming from somewhere. So you pull from this lower layer of reality, filter it, and bam, you have a zone. The more open the filter, the more energy. Also the greater draw one can have. Hence the correlation between zones and regeneration, not causation,” he explained.

“And this filter?” I asked.

“The System energy that is everywhere. We aren’t dealing with three dimensional mechanics, or even physical stuff. I have seen how small the System can manipulate energy. It is overlaid everywhere, but that overlay is being rewritten. The Almighty System, might be weaker than we suspect as well, just having a terrain advantage,” Jacob said.

“And this sphere is somehow changing this base energy in the environment?” I asked.

“Indeed. That conflict between the two, turns stuff to goo. Once the sphere wins, you get block terrain. No idea what it does,” Jacob added.

“Any luck with the energy samples?” I asked.

“They are gestating at the moment. Hopefully there is a viable sample that I can imbue into flesh, but that will take a bit more time before I can reach a conclusion,” Jacob said.

“Can we win?” Clarissa spoke up for the first time.

“Not easily. If I had all the equipment I needed and support, then I would feel confident about coming out on top. But with the terrain advantage, it is too hard to get a victory,” I replied.

“Resonance might work. But doubtful. We can try though. With the lack of energy, alternative summon methods are likely not viable either, or have a high risk of being coopted. Realistically, the best option would be to go through the lower layer, and find out what is going on there, and launch an attack from that direction,” Jacob said.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“You are talking about blinking or teleporting?” I asked and he nodded.

“It isn’t really teleporting, just moving in four dimensions. But yes. That is how blinking works. There is something going on. I suspect those construction blocks play a far greater role than we think. Since the ambient energy that is being pulled through is missing, that begs the question, where is it going? The sphere would be the most likely choice,” he explained.

“But that means that whatever it is doing has disabled the System. I still can’t accept that after everything I have seen. Are they really two separate things?” I asked.

“Most likely, maybe. But it could be an event for all we know. While it appears hostile, it could just be a super high level monster that was disabled in the past. Like if a level 10 decided to wander over. But that brings up the question of what damaged it to start with? Did it cause the calamity, or was the calamity he result of attack hitting and breaking it apart?” Jacob asked.

“Pointless speculation. We need to focus on the practical now. Can it be stopped?” Clarissa asked and there was silence at that question.

“I would need to prep quite a bit, but even then I am not sure. If only I can act, there is only so much we can do,” I replied while looking at Jacob. He sighed and shook his head.

“We only have so many resources to use. I don’t expect there to be a magic bullet. Also, the expansion rate of the sphere’s energy is not slowing down. Thankfully it isn’t speeding up either. But if you want more, then I need more supplies,” he replied.

“I am thinking we send the Avatar as well next time. She might wake up and give answers,” Clarissa commented.

“It would be a risk to move her,” Doctor Katz added.

“I need more energy and bigger bombs if I want to win the fight. Is there anything that can be done?” I asked looking at Jacob.

“With what I have learned, it would be risky to make flesh batteries. That connection would be a weak point. As for bombs, get me crafting crystals and anyone can make them. But I think we should consider an alternative strategy. We go through the lower layer of the Systemic Lands, and see if the sphere is doing anything and arrive right in the block zone, bypassing the energy turbulence,” he said.

“And that would help, how?” I asked.

“If we upgrade an airship as much as possible, the beam cannons would provide massive support. Especially high level cannons. We can bring a level of firepower to bear on the sphere and destroy the terrain, that we wouldn’t be able to otherwise. Also if it is doing something in another layer, we need to find out what it is,” Jacob said.

“Do we have the resources for such an expedition? I mean the construction facilities and the cannons themselves?” I asked. A level 7 cannon cost a billion points.

“It would take the remaining time we have and you would have to grind for those points to make it happen. Forty days, and we would have enough points if you cleared a level 7 zone per day,” Jacob said.

“It is building something. And that time would be better spent building bombs,” Doctor Katz argued.

“Where would we even set up?” Clarissa asked quietly, she seemed even more defeated than the last time I had seen her.

“It is the best option,” Jacob said.

“Is there any way to regenerate energy while in the block area?” I asked. Jacob pursed his lips and squinted his eyes in thought.

“No. Yes. Maybe. Probably not without defeating the sphere first. Whatever is done, it would counter, and I don’t have enough understanding of the stat mechanics to push boundaries. Even regarding safety standards, it is a question of possibility. Stats are incredibly complex and not easily tampered with,” he explained.

“It is a question of leveraging a large scale attack on the sphere, that can damage or destroy it. We have that super weapon,” Clarissa said and looked at Doctor Katz.

“It is too bulky. But it could be remade. Setting it up against a static location is possible. But making and getting everything out there would be too difficult,” Doctor Katz said.

“You mean the ABS project, that super beam weapon meant to kill the Divine Empress?” I asked.

“Yes. We have a target, it isn’t moving. You clear out the block terrain, we set up the cannons, and then fire them all into the main structure. It will destroy the structure regardless and hopefully damage the sphere, then you can combat it at close range, with airship support,” Clarissa said.

“The points needed will be immense to create the weapons we need and crafting crystals. But it is possible,” Doctor Katz said.

“How much?” Clarissa asked.

“Around two billion points, and all the crafting crystals we can get,” Doctor Katz said.

“We can combine that with Jacob’s plan. We can maneuver an airship into this lower layer safely?” I asked.

“I need to run some tests, but yes. There just isn’t a practical reason to poke this lower layer. No air, chaotic, can’t explore safely. At best it reduces distances. But I can make a physical pathway. I might need to consult with Doctor Katz, if you would be willing?” Jacob asked.

“Yes, I would be happy to help,” the good doctor said.

“That leaves the points to pay for all of this. Bet everything on a final attack,” Clarissa added.

“I can grind for them. Michelle come back yet?” I asked.

“She arrived yesterday to drop off crafting crystals and get points for the airship,” Clarissa said. That was unfortunate. “She should be back in about 10 days.”

“Then I will take a smaller airboat for myself to a level 7 zone. She can work on getting crafting crystals while I get points. We plan to depart on day 5,150 to launch an attack, is that enough time for everyone?” I asked.

“It should be enough. The main time constraint is getting enough points and crafting crystals. If they flow in, then we can get things done quickly, right Jacob?” Doctor Katz asked.

“For the most part. I need to create a device to breach through layers. Review what the Astrologer did in the past and upscale that quite a bit. The biggest issue is air to breathe, once we cross over. That is something we also need to solve. At least enough for an hour, preferably,” Jacob explained.

“Crafting crystals combined with a mask of some kind?” I asked.

“I can assign some of the surviving researchers to such a project. While you focus on transportation and I focus on rebuilding the super weapon,” Doctor Katz said. I felt better now that a plan was coming togeather. As everyone dispersed, I walked with Clarissa to her office so we could chat a bit before I left. She wasn’t doing well and I was worried about her.