Just before leaving, Prometheus glanced at the surroundings inside the walls, as he couldn't do so during the battle. Honestly, this place sucked. Small tents and campfires occupied the majority of the space, as well as training dummies. He spotted a guitar near one of the campfires, interestingly enough. At the center of the outpost was a singular wooden hut, the best structure he had seen in this place. He assumed it was the Leader's residence.
He couldn't help but search inside, and the sight surprised him. Just after the door, on the side of the room, lay a finely crafted wooden bed with a similarly crafted desk opposite of it. On the desk, a book, or a diary, on closer inspection, looked like it had been opened recently.
The diary looked like it had been used for a long time, with its pages yellowed. Each page had a corresponding day associated with it on the top, and the oldest one was precisely five years ago. Prometheus quickly skimmed through the diary's contents, noticing that most were related to the Leader's everyday activities. Throughout the pages, she talked about a certain "Grace," who sounded like she was Lucilla's wife or girlfriend. He took out his necklace and finally understood its meaning. He pocketed the diary as well as the necklace. He searched the hut for valuables but found none, except for some weird glowing blue juices in glass bottles. He decided to grab those.
He decided to leave the hut and noticed Zilch waiting for him. He realized he couldn't communicate with the worm unless it started the spell.
He waited for the worm to start the 'spell' and asked, "Zilch, speak in your language and simultaneously speak to me through the spell, so I can learn your language."
The small monster seemed surprised, but soon agreed and went through a basic conversation which got progressively more complicated. In just under 20 minutes, Prometheus had a good grasp of Zilch's language. He also needed to replicate a special organ that vibrated in certain frequencies,
He replicated that organ and 'spoke',
"Zlich, can you hear me?"
The scout looked taken aback, and after a while, it replied, "Sir? Is that you?"
"Yes, I replicated your vibrating organ and translated your language. Doing this should be more convenient than "magic" or whatever." He said with a hint of pride.
He continued, "Now, I think you deserve a gift for your loyalty, Zilch."
He removed the Gem from his inventory and presented it to the scout. It almost recoiled from the shock, and it thought, 'What? Why is he giving me a tier 4 gem for no reason? That's highly suspicious. I'm glad he hasn't killed me, but what guarantees he won't when I stop being useful?'
Zilch shuddered at that last thought and slowly approached the Gem. Of course, if it were a natural and normal monster Gem, it would be beneficial, as it would bring Zilch closer to evolving himself to tier 2!
But it wasn't dealing with a standard monster here. The worm had seen Prometheus fight. It had seen his Boss effortlessly taking down a whole squad of warriors and crossbowmen, multiple tier 2 Technicians, and possibly a tier 3 warrior! Obviously, on the grand scheme of things, tier 3 was on the lowest end of the spectrum, but for Zilch, a tier 1 monster, it was akin to a god!
After seeing the scout's hesitation, Prometheus asked, "What's bothering you? Do you dislike the color brown?" He pushed the Gem near the worm. "Usually, I hate parting with things I collect, but this is a reward for your usefulness toward me. Take it."
Zilch would have sweated buckets if it had sweat glands. The underlying message was clear. The little scout considered itself adept at reading between the lines. Prometheus was practically saying, 'If you don't accept my gift, I'll kill you.' It couldn't understand why he wouldn't use that Gem for himself! Was he strong enough that a tier 4 Gem was garbage to him?! That thought made Zilch shudder. It truthfully didn't have a choice.
It approached the Gem and started absorbing it. It could feel the Anima coursing around its body and settling in its core. After absorbing the Gem, Zilch fell into a deep slumber as it began tiering up.
From the side, Prometheus was dumbfounded. His loyal companion ate the Gem and immediately lost consciousness! He didn't know Zilch would just drink it! He immediately ran to the scout's side and checked for its vitals. Heartbeat, check. Breathing, check. Brain activity, also check. Looking closely, Prometheus could see Zilch's skin stretching and its body getting larger. Was this some sort of metamorphosis? If that were the case, he definitely wouldn't interrupt it.
He picked it up with his dinosaur arms and thought about his next move.
'I have no idea where to go now. With Zilch unconscious, I should trash the idea of looking for a monster settlement on my own. I think finding a suitable location to build a shelter should be a decent start, and so, he went in the opposite direction which he came from.
Prometheus loved his new dinosaur form, it was fast, agile, and strong! He was sure he could effortlessly run through a stone wall! He decided to pick up his pace, as his surroundings were too dull and repetitive to focus on. The giant trees lost their charm after a while.
Other than those, the only 'slightly' exciting things were the weird animals scattered around the jungle, which he couldn't analyze due to time constraints. He accelerated even more, reaching speeds of 90km/h.
After more than an hour and a couple of breaks to drink and eat, Prometheus could notice the trees becoming more sparse and the vegetation becoming less present.
Looking at the sky, the ever-present black hole was there, almost judging him. He noticed the lack of high radiation levels, which he assumed was only present in that purple desert for some reason.
Fortunately, he noticed the trees finally parting away to reveal a massive swathe of plains dotted with a couple of rivers and small hills. The vast expanse of the plains stretched out as far as the eye could see. Golden grasses swayed gently in the breeze, creating a rippling sea of green and gold. In the distance, low hills dotted the horizon, their shapes softened by the hazy glow from the celestial object. The ground was primarily flat, with occasional shallow dips and rises that marked the paths of small streams and brooks. The air was dry and dusty, carrying the scent of earth and grass, and the only sounds were the rustling of the wind and the occasional chirp of something. Despite the peacefulness of the scene, one could sense an underlying sense of wildness and danger in this untamed land.
'This will do,' He thought.
Prometheus decided to situate his new shelter on the tallest hill. Why? Because he wanted the biggest one, simple as that. After reaching the said hill, he started climbing it. The ground was soft and yielding underfoot, and as he ascended, he felt the coolness of the earth seeping through his soles. Small rocks and boulders dotted the hill, providing a welcome break for the massive dinosaur. Looking back, he could see the lush golden valley spread out below him.
Just as Prometheus was gazing upon nature's beauty, Zilch started stirring. He could see that the worm had changed in various ways. First, it had grown larger, weighing almost double what it did before. It was now the size of a big Earth dog! Then, its skin felt tougher, in contrast with the slimy exterior of earlier. Zilch might become helpful in combat at this rate! Prometheus could imagine a Deathworm-sized Zilch eating his enemies while he watched from the sidelines! He couldn't help but chuckle at this thought. He always heard the scientist make this sound at the laboratory, and he liked it a lot.
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He gently put down his worm companion and patiently waited for it to fully awake. After a few minutes, the medium-sized scout looked around (despite having no eyes) and glanced at Prometheus. Instead of the usual shock, it was only slightly surprised. It then spoke, "Boss, where are we?"
After replicating the organ to talk with Zilch, he replied, "I decided we needed a place to settle down and recover our strengths. Running around aimlessly isn't a good idea, regardless of the time constraints. We'll build a small base and hunt for food. Primarily for you, because I can gain biomass and energy from any organic source."
Zilch was dumbfounded. Would its Master help it gather food? He had never seemed like the type to offer Zilch anything. That made it remember the giant tier 4 Gem and how it had lost its senses upon absorbing it. The worm analyzed itself and noticed differences between now and earlier: First, it grew to around 2 meters in length, its skin got tougher, and it could feel its Soul capacity double.
'I...I actually tiered up?! I didn't think I would ever get the chance, YES!'
Usually, monsters in the army, especially those on the bottom of the pyramid, only got access to valuable monster cores as a reward for incredible feats. Obviously, Zilch had never obtained a decent one, only absorbing a couple of tier 1's that its army mates had left behind, calling them "too useless."
It immediately bowed to its Boss and gave genuine words of gratitude for the first time, "Thank you, Sir. I will do my best to be useful to you!"
Prometheus could hear the conviction in the worm's tone, cowardice and fear not being present in the slightest.
"Good," he replied, "I expect many things from you. Don't disappoint me!" he concluded with a tone of authority. I love taking the role of a king. I should move in a more regal way from now on.
"YES, SIR! I'LL DO MY BEST!" Zilch decided it would follow its Master from now on, even if it ever got the chance to escape. His old captain wouldn't blink if he ever got the news of Zilch's death. Here, at least, its value was appreciated.
"Now, we need to build a shelter first. I thought of an underground base, which would be much stealthier, and easier to build with our capabilities. We'll start with a simple hatch, a ladder to get down and a cubical room, 6 meters on every side. Got it?"
"Yes, sir." Replied Zilch. "I have a question if I can," said the worm uncertainly.
"Go on."
"What's a meter?"
"This much," showed Prometheus while holding his two forelegs one meter apart.
"Got it," Immediately afterward, Zilch started burrowing and expelling the dirt on the surface. Its Earth-softening Trait made the whole job much more straightforward. It only took the scout about one hour, and it was done.
The hatch was a simple wooden slab that Prometheus had provided, secured to the top of the underground hole by two rusted hinges. The ladder, also made of wood, leaned against the wall of the hole leading up to the hatch. The walls of the pit were rough and unrefined, the dirt packed tightly against them. At the bottom of the room, there was a small pile of debris, consisting of rocks and chunks of soil that had fallen from the walls over time. The hole was six meters long on each side, forming a perfect cube shape. Despite its simplicity, the hole served its purpose, providing a hidden space for Prometheus and his companion to hide and plan their next move.
Meanwhile, Prometheus bore his ant form, as it was more suitable for digging, and set out to create an alternate entrance on the base of the hill.
He surveyed the area around the base of the hill, looking for a suitable spot to dig. He found a relatively flat area and began to dig with his sharp claws, removing chunks of dirt and rock with ease. As he dug deeper, he carefully planned the dimensions of the entrance and the size of the room he wanted to create.
Once he had dug out a space large enough, he began to sculpt the walls and ceiling with his powerful mandibles, shaping the dirt and rock into a simple, cubic room. The space was vast, easily able to accommodate forms much larger than his baryonix one, as Prometheus had planned. He continued to work tirelessly, shaping and smoothing the walls until they were relatively even and sturdy.
Finally, after hours of digging and sculpting, Prometheus stepped back to admire his work. The room was simple and unadorned, but it would serve its purpose well. He placed a simple wooden door that he had made earlier at the entrance and added a narrow shaft to link with the room on top of the hill created by Zilch. This narrow tunnel was 50 meters deep, allowing Zilch and Prometheus to move between the rooms.
Congratulations! For having built an underground base, you obtained a new skill!
Skill: Low-rank Digging
Nice, he thought to himself. That skill would be extremely useful once he started adding more rooms and digging through tougher dirt.
First, he unloaded his current inventory, which included the bandit's leader greatsword and diary, Grace's necklace, and the glowing liquids inside glass bottles. He brought that stuff to a corner to analyze later.
He climbed the shaft to find Zilch sleeping on the upper room's floor. The monster ant felt it deserved some rest, so he left the small scout alone.
Now that he was in a somewhat safe environment, he assessed his situation. He was transported to this world while he was near his owner and his children. His first priority would be to find them and protect them, regardless of the cost. This world was extremely dangerous for humans, with beasts like the death worm roaming the deserts. He couldn't understand many things, such as how creatures here could grow to such sizes or how humans could exert so much strength without cybernetic enhancements. His first step was to understand this world as best as he could and make it safer for his owner. He decided that creating a laboratory to contain and study the things he didn't understand was a fantastic idea! He would actually start experimenting right now, using the greatsword, since during the fight, it had cleanly decapitated him. A sword responsible for such a massive feat wouldn't be made of ordinary materials!
First, visual observation. He carefully examined the greatsword he had just added to his collection, struggling to move the massive blade with his mandibles. He marveled at the unusual dark green color of the metal, and he knew that it was not like any modern metal he had ever seen before.
Despite his lack of swordmaking knowledge, he still recognized the craftsmanship that had gone into the sword's creation. He could tell immediately that it was a masterfully crafted weapon, with a balance and weight that suggested it was not meant for just any warrior to wield.
As he studied the sword further, Prometheus noticed that the hilt was less impressive than he had initially thought. While there were still intricate patterns etched into the metal, they were less detailed and less unique than he had first assumed. The pommel was shaped like a simple knot of wood, which surprised him, given the quality of the rest of the weapon.
Despite his lack of magical knowledge, Prometheus could still sense something unusual about the sword. He could feel an almost palpable energy emanating from the weapon, and he knew that it was not simply a matter of its physical properties.
As he continued to analyze the greatsword, Prometheus couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. He knew that this weapon would be a valuable addition to his collection, and he was eager to unlock its secrets and discover what kind of metal alloy and properties it possessed that could explain the unusual color and energy he was sensing.
He swung the blade experimentally, feeling the weight shift in his mandibles as he adjusted to its balance. He noted the keen edge of the blade and the way it glinted in the light. He took a few more swings, testing its durability and strength, and he was impressed by the way the sword held up under his tests. Despite its intricate design and unusual color, it was clear that this sword was not just a decorative piece, but a true weapon that had been forged with both form and function in mind.
It seemed like it was a bit stronger than Damascus steel, even.
Next, he looked at the necklace. This was the object that he was the least interested in, as it looked like any standard accessory. Looking more closely, he could grasp the delicate details of the metalwork. The interlocking pieces of the chain seemed almost impossibly intricate, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the skill that had gone into its creation. The small gemstones that were set into the metal glimmered in the light, and he could sense the power emanating from them. Despite his small size, he couldn't help but feel drawn to the beauty of the necklace, and he knew that it would be a valuable treasure to any collector lucky enough to possess it. Since he was its current owner, he was ecstatic!
Finally, the object that he had the most hope for. First, he analyzed them closely and peered at them intently. He could see the faint shimmer of light radiating from within each bottle, casting an otherworldly glow on the surrounding surfaces. He reached out with one of his antennae and lightly touched the side of one of the bottles, feeling the smooth, cool surface beneath his sensitive touch. He paused for a moment, taking in the colors and the way the light played across the surface of the liquid. He studied each bottle closely, analyzing the way the different liquids shifted and swirled inside the glass. He had an inkling that each of these glowing liquids held powerful properties and he was eager to unlock their secrets. He felt a sense of excitement building within him as he contemplated the possibilities of what he could discover. He dropped a small amount on the ground and analyzed it.
Prometheus leaned in closely to the tiny drop of liquid, his antennae twitching with anticipation. He focused his senses, feeling the chemical properties of the liquid washing over him as he analyzed it with his cells. He could sense the individual molecules of the liquid as they interacted with one another, forming complex chains and structures. He could feel the way that the different atoms vibrated and shifted within the liquid, and he could detect the presence of various elements and compounds within it. As he continued his analysis, he began to piece together the composition of the liquid, deducing its properties and potential uses. Despite the complexity of the liquid's chemical makeup, he was able to analyze it with ease, his advanced cellular abilities allowing him to unlock the secrets of even the smallest drop.
He could feel the way that the liquid stimulated the cells and invigorated the body, potentially enhancing one's strength and endurance. He also detected the presence of various minerals and compounds that could aid in healing and recovery. He could surmise that the liquid had potent properties that could be utilized by those seeking to enhance their physical abilities or heal from injuries.
After analyzing every object he had collected, Prometheus decided to do something he had wanted to do for quite a while now: Sleep.
Technically, he didn't need to as he could clear the toxins in his Core just by going into a light stand-by mode, but the sensation of drifting into unconsciousness was simply irresistible.
And so, he fell asleep.