Chapter 689 Back to Civilization
Erik emerged from the plane's wreckage, carrying the three black metal suitcases he and Kael had found.
Upon the arrival of the remaining members of the convoy, their speechlessness was palpable as they laid eyes on the wreckage of the aircraft. The questions that swirled in their heads, like a tornado, were the same ones that occupied Erik's mind.
<What the fuck is that cut on the plane? >
"Listen up, everyone."
Erik placed the three suitcases inside his and Kael's armored vehicle. "I want you to collect everything you can from the plane. But be careful, the structure is unstable. We want no more casualties."
In unison, every single person present nodded their heads in agreement. Erik's gaze lingered on them for a moment before he redirected his attention towards Kael, who was engrossed in checking the progress of the AI decryption on the black box.
"Any progress?" Erik asked.
Kael looked up, his eyes meeting Erik's. "It's at 69%. Still working on it."
Nodding, Erik's attention returned to his team, his gaze shifting. As the next three hours unfolded, the vicinity surrounding the aircraft transformed into a bustling hub of activity.
Inside the wreckage, the members of the convoy were busy moving in and out as they hauled out many wooden crates, weapons, and a wide range of other valuable items, all of which were then loaded onto the waiting vehicles. However, it was not without facing its fair share of challenges.
Because of the large number of people, the group was targeted and attacked by multiple Scorpidras. Each time the creatures appeared, Erik would step in and dispatch them with his fists and powers.
At long last, after what felt like an endless wait, the last of the items were loaded onto the vehicles.
Erik gazed at the vehicles that were filled to the brim with a sense of satisfaction on his face. With a sense of deep appreciation, he let his gaze rest upon the faces of those who had aided him in this quest.
Despite their exhaustion and fear, they mustered the bravery to confront a place that was far beyond their capabilities, and in doing so, achieved a remarkable accomplishment that most others were too intimidated to even attempt.
"Alright, everyone," Erik said. "We're done here. Let's head back to the city."
As soon as the statement was made, a collective cheer erupted from the group, releasing the tension that had been weighing on them for days. One after another, they made their way into their vehicles.
The engines of the vehicles roared to life, creating a thunderous sound that filled the air, signaling their imminent departure from the desolate landscape.
As Erik settled into his seat, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. Despite encountering many challenges, ranging from dangerous creatures to a harsh environment, they triumphed.
The mission was deemed a success, and as they drove away, leaving the wreckage and perils of the desert in their wake, Erik was certain they had deserved their reward.
…
…
…
While the convoy was making its way back through the desert, Erik and Kael were together in the same vehicle. Erik choose to go with him, rather than Mira because of the black-box.
The tension that had filled the air during the mission was now replaced by an unsettling feeling of apprehension.
Both of them had a strong desire to find out the cause behind the destruction of the plane.
"So, what do you think we'll find in that black box?" Kael broke the silence, his eyes meeting Erik's.
Erik sighed. "I bet on a Thaid. It's the only explanation that makes sense given the clean cut that halved the aircraft."
Kael raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Yeah. But those altitudes…"
Erik leaned against his seat, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon as he spoke. "Don't get yourself fooled by the altitude point. There is an entire continent on the other side of the planet we know nothing of." His fingers tapped a rhythmic pattern against the armrest, betraying a hint of anxiety.
He turned to his right, his eyes sweeping across the landscape through the car's window.
Outside, the desert stretched, its sand almost as white as snow, creating a surreal scene.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting shadows that danced across the dunes, giving the terrain a dynamic, ever-changing appearance.
The brightness of the sand contrasted with the deep blue of the sky, creating a striking visual tapestry.
As the car moved, small whirlwinds of sand spiraled playfully in their wake, disturbing the serene vastness of the desert. That landscape made him feel better despite the dangers lurking inside.
"As scary as it may be, nothing prevents them from flying here. Maybe they hide in the mountains and the forests and we don't know."
"Shouldn't the Blackguards be tasked to prevent this from happening? That was the whole point why their base is in Hin."
Despite this, Erik's seriousness escalated even further. The young man seemed to perceive the situation as growing increasingly grave.
"Don't buy everything the blackguards says, or what people says about them. They are hiding a lot of things…"
"Why?" But Erik didn't reply. He knew that excessive disclosure could lead Kael to inadvertently share sensitive information with the wrong people, potentially resulting in significant consequences.
"Ok." Kael looked at him, concern etched on his face, and understanding that was a taboo topic. "Let's say your hunch is correct, and we find evidence pointing to a thaid. What do we do with that information?"
"It depends on what we find. If we can handle the beast, we keep it to ourselves, since such Thaid's body would be valuable. But if outside our possibilities, we might consider selling it. Either way, we need to tread with care."
Kael nodded, his face filled with a solemn understanding of the gravity of the situation. "All right. Let's just hope it is at least something worth a lot of money."
"Yeah."
The two men fell silent, their thoughts consuming them, as the vehicle pressed on through the desolate wasteland.
***
The convoy neared the gates of Testrovsc's Rest, and the sound of relieved sighs echoed through the ranks of the tired mercenaries.
The city's towering buildings and bustling streets offered a welcome respite, easing their frayed nerves after the grueling mission.
The vehicle's interior underwent a noticeable shift as the tension from the previous days dissipated, replaced by a palpable sense of accomplishment. Conversations erupted among the mercenaries, filling the air with laughter and animated chatter.
"I can't wait to sink my teeth into a juicy steak," one mercenary said, his eyes practically glowing at the thought.
"Steak? I'm going straight for the strongest ale they've got." A chorus of approving nods and a cheer arose.
"I'm hitting the market first thing. Need to upgrade my gear with the pay from this job," a third said, calculating the best way to spend his earnings.
The sound of cheerful chatter reached Erik's ears, and he couldn't help but feel a warm sense of satisfaction at the uplifted mood of his men and women.
But even as he shared in their relief and anticipation, a lingering heaviness weighed down his shoulders.
There were fallen comrades to account for, families to notify, and funerals to attend. The weight of leadership responsibility hung on his shoulders, reminding him that his duties was far from over.
As they entered the city—a beacon of safety and civilization—he allowed himself a brief respite.
With the city's landscape enveloping them, characterized by towering skyscrapers that seemed to stretch into the sky and flying cars darting through the gaps between them, the team's accomplishment took on an even greater sense of importance amidst the organized chaos of mercenaries prowling the streets.
Mercenaries roamed, their attire a blend of old and new. Some bore leather armor, while others sported advanced gear, laser rifles at the ready.
Erik couldn't tear his eyes away from the mesmerizing sights that surrounded him. Holographic advertisements flickering on the facades of buildings, drones buzzing above like a swarm of bees from the future, and now and then catching a glimpse of swords and shields strapped to the backs of mercenaries passing by.
<I missed this view, > Erik thought. He really did.
Testrovsc's Rest held a special place in his life, a haven he considered his true home. This city, a cradle of opportunity, was where he claimed his freedom.
Here, in this vibrant city, he found respect and comfort, something not possible in New Alexandria.
It was a place of admiration for him, where he could live in comfort, and where people would go to extreme lengths, screaming and kicking, just to have the chance to meet him.
In the same breath, politicians, wielding their influence, exerted every effort to strike a deal with him.
In Testrovsc's Rest, Erik wasn't just another face in the crowd; he was a person of significance, a man who had carved out his place in a world where respect and comfort were hard-earned.
ERIK'S STATUS:
[Host Information]
NAME:Erik Romano
AGE:17
POWER LEVEL:374
SYSTEM LEVEL:46
EXPERIENCE: 92660/115600
DNA POINTS:23850
HEALTH: 3440/3440
MANA: 3370/3370
[Attributes]
STRENGTH:176
INTELLIGENCE:218
DEXTERITY:156
ENERGY:167
Available Attributes points: 0
[Powers]
[Biological Super Computer Powers]
-Brain Crystal Manipulation
-Brain Crystal Power Extraction (Allows the absorbtion of the brain crystal , making the host able to acquire the power contained within. Notice: the DNA must be changed in order to allow the body to use the power. See DNA extraction.)
-Brain Crystal power Merging (Allows to merge two powers birthing a new one. It requires the merging of the DNA to work)
-Brain Crystal Power Analysis (Allows to Analyse the target brain crystal without the need to know the creature.)
- (LOCKED)
- Brain Crystal Power Strengthening(Allows the gaining of the energy attribute points)
-(LOCKED)
-DNA Manipulation
-DNA Extraction (Allows the absorbtion of foreign DNA, making the host able to replicate it inside his own body. Notice: Changing the DNA is a slow process and it is required to use new brain crystal powers.)
-DNA Merging (Allows to merge two DNAs, birthing a new one. Required to accomodate merged powers.)
-DNA Analysis (Allows to Analyse the enemy DNA from the distance for a better understanding of the target's stats.)
-(LOCKED)
-DNA Strengthening (Allows the gaining of the Strength, Intelligence, and Dexterity attribute points)
-(LOCKED)
-Analysis(Gives the host information about his surroundings, plants, creatures, and ores.)
-Brain Information Injector(It allows the injection of information directly to the brain. Based on touch)
-Device Manipulation(Allows the Host to manipulate electrical and mana-driven devices. Based on touch)
[Host's Powers]
-POISONOUS MANA DARTS: Cσ3D-RANKED(Conjure poisonous mana darts whose lethality depends on the mana injected)
-POISONOUS ASTRAL WOLF BITE: Cσ2D-RANKED(Conjure an astral but solid projection of a Leylarhad's head whose only aim is to bite at whatever target the host is aiming. Its teeth have a poisonous element whose Toxicity depends on the mana used. Notice: the target must be close to the projection)
-FORCE MANIPULATION: Cν1B-RANKED(Manipulate a mana-
driven force to produce powerful shockwaves that can change in intensity, radius, speed, and power. It is also possible to use the power differently as to generate force shields.)
-PARALLEL WILLS: Cν1C-RANKED(Allows the user to passively increase Intelligence based on the number of neural links. It also allows the construction of a mana brain that allows independent thoughts and can be used for multiple purposes)
-ICE SWORD: Cσ1E-RANKED(Allows the creation of a powerful ice blade, but needs a real weapon to be used as a base)
-STRENGTH ENHANCER: Cρ2D-RANKED(Depending on the amount of mana used, the amount of strength increases)
-PLANT MASTER: Cπ1B-RANKED(Allows to grow and control plant based organism. The usage depends on the plant and the user's will.)
-CHAMELEON VEIL: Cρ1C-RANKED(Allows to turn totally transparent and to project what is behind you, making it almost impossible to be seen. The user can move while using this Brain Crystal power. However, notice that the ripples in light the power creates while moving decrease the power's hiding abilities increasing the chance of being seen.)
-BESTIAL ROAR: Cσ2C-RANKED(Allows to emit a roar that can instill fear into the surrounding creatures. It does affect all but the user.)
-TARGET LOCK: Cσ3D-RANKED(Allows the user to lock onto the mana signature of a target in order to always find it.)
-CHIMERIC BIOMETAL SOLDIER: Cο2A-RANKED(This power allows the user to create a human-worms hybrid with 50% of the user's physical stats. The clones are permanent, but to make them, a lot of mana is necessary; moreover, they can't use brain crystal powers. The clone is born from an egg, and it takes a month for them to reach maturity after having hatched two weeks after the eggs were made. Before that, their physical stats are lower than 50% of the original's body. The clones are half as intelligent as the main body but know everything the main body knows when he created them. They also have several biological abilities.)
-THELEPATHY: Cρ1C-RANKED(It allows Telepathic talk with creatures of the same species or similar DNA)
-SOLIDIFYING SLIME: Cσ1D-RANKED(It allows to produce a slimy substance whose viscosity, stickiness and quantity depends on the amount of mana used. The Slime can solidify and its hardness depends again on the mana used)
-AEROKYNESIS: Cσ1A-RANKED(This innate ability grants the wielder precise control over wind generation and manipulation. The potential of this power is intricately linked to the proficiency of the user, affording them the capacity for both offensive and defensive maneuvers, as well as the versatility to engage targets both near and far.)
[Skills]
-Kyokar hand-to-hand style (ADVANCED)(A military fighting style developed in Frant)
-Crypt of the Desert Style (ADVANCED)(Flyssa fighting style developed by Master Nieminen)
-Etrium's sword style (INTERMEDIATE)(Basic Sword Style developed in Etrium.)
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