SL: Chapter 768 – Day 28,360 – Simmering Dislike

“That’s what happened,” I explained to Clarissa. She had listened carefully as I recounted my entire interaction with the alien known as Artifex.

“So, this Artifex isn’t really controlling this place. That seems convenient, a little too convenient,” Clarissa said.

“But it does explain a lot of oddities. As for waiting for someone to show up to even talk and the Avatar, I am less sure. But this alien is incredibly powerful,” I replied.

“It countered you instantly?” Clarissa asked me.

“Yes.”

“It could be that throne. Sitting on it, giving them administrative rights. And looking like a human is a good way to put us at ease,” Clarissa said what I had been thinking.

“But do we have any other choice? This place is having more issues. Meta-points haven’t shown up for a while. We thought it was just the zones being over saturated with people, but if they are running out, then there will be no one stronger than me,” I replied heavily.

“This entire situation is one of power. We can’t beat this Artifex and we don’t know any real information about what is outside this place. Sure we got the Guidebook, but it mostly involves this Collective, which no longer exists. It isn’t surprising they didn’t share more information. Like the location of their spaceship.”

“So, you don’t want to meet them?” I asked.

“I will have to. But 20,000 people only? That is a small number. Enough to save the most competent, but we would lose the entire population. The entire structure that has been built up over time here,” she explained.

“This place is like a ship. We are taking on water, but we aren’t the captain, merely the passengers. The captain says they are planning to run away,” I said.

“And how do we know the captain didn’t cause the problems in the first place?”

“Do we even have the power to ask such a question?” I asked.

“No. No we don’t. We have to accept what we are being told,” Clarissa said with a sigh.

“That leaves this fight against this Ancient or dragon,” I said with a shake of my head.

“It is most likely intelligent, like the sphere. Not some mindless beast. Our best bet is overwhelming it right away rather than trying to drag the fight out,” Clarissa said.

“So, you are willing to help?” I asked.

“Yes. We are going to need the best crafting crystals and you are the only one who can get them. Then we are going to prepare several airships with cannons and a large bomb. Once we get everything in place, you can unseal the monster and take it out,” Clarissa said.

“Maybe.”

“Maybe?” she asked me.

“I am concerned about how powerful it is. The sphere was no joke. I know I am stronger, but if it can counter what I can do, then the fight could turn bad very fast. And Artifex could leave us high and dry, running away,” I said.

“We have to find out where this vessel is. Probably inside or under that super structure you found that Artifex is in. Most likely under that throne,” Clarissa said.

“That was my guess as well. But it is so obvious, it might be somewhere else. I have no doubt that Artifex will be controlling access up until the last moment. There may be fail safes and traps,” I said.

“That is why we have no choice but to cooperate until shown otherwise,” Clarissa said.

“I know. I just don’t like being on the backfoot.”

“Well at least they were willing to talk. As long as we can communicate, we can work things out. That is the most important part. So, a thousand days?” Clarissa asked me.

“That would be the timeframe I would like to move everyone over to that structure that we are going to save and set up everything we need to set up for the battle,” I said.

“Moving all those high level people, will cause issues and disruptions across the Systemic Lands. Are you thinking we depart at the end of the battle?” Clariss asked me.

“Artifex was unclear about that. They seemed like they wanted to wait until the last moment if they could. But they were unsure when that moment would occur exactly,” I said.

“If we fit 200 people on the largest airship, it would take 100 of them, or 100 trips to move 20,000 people. And we would need your help to clear the path of monsters,” Clarissa said.

“No one else can fight level 8 monsters?” I asked.

“No. Only you. That means you would have to clear the zones before we moved. So right before the fight,” Clarissa explained.

“Once things kick off, they will move quickly.”

“We have no leverage on Artifex except your combat ability. And we have to select 20,000 individuals. I will have to speak to this…alien and try and get more detailed information. They clearly have limits of some kind. Understanding those limitations will be the first step in balancing out our relationship,” Clarissa explained.

“I will be there for that,” I said.

“Really?” Clarissa asked me.

“Yes. I want to see how this Artifex asks when dealing with you. Is there a change? Does this alien look down on you? Their attitude will determine how worried we should be about our partnership,” I explained.

“We will go together. Can I survive the energy?” Clarissa asked me.

“It is incredibly high, but you shouldn’t have too much trouble. Oh.”

“Oh, is right. Most people are weaker than me. It isn’t simple getting enough people with points to catch up, let alone 20,000 people. That is something we will have to talk to Artifex about. As for no supplies, we need a timeframe on when we could get more to know how many points we need to save up. Also more portable stores,” she said heavily.

“Getting one takes even around 100 days. How many do you think we need?” I asked.

“At least five more to be on the safe side,” Clarissa said.

“Five?” I asked in shock, and she nodded.

“Yes. That way they can be divided up as needed. I have two, you have one. Five more would put us at eight total, six not counting ours. I doubt you want to pass it around so others can buy food and supplies,” Clarissa said.

“That is true, but five? That is five trillion points,” I countered.

“I know. But once we leave we can’t get any more. Our population will grow, hopefully. Then we will be wishing we purchased some more. Unless this Artifex thinks it can create something similar?” Clarissa asked.

“I don’t think so, but that would be a question you would have to ask yourself,” I replied.

“I will. What do you think of all of this?” Clarissa asked me.

“At least we have answers and a way forward. I don’t think there could be another answer. This place was clearly alien and built with a purpose. What about you?” I asked.

“This Artifex is not what I was expecting. Partial control…it is a nice explanation, but it is hard to say the exact level of their control. The details are important in this case. We are faced with an uneven level of information and power,” Clarissa said.

“I will leave the scheming to you. So, five portable stores. I guess I should stockpile on points, another five trillion,” I said.

“If we allocate 100 points per person per day for all their expenses, that extra five trillion will see us through 2,500,000 days. More than enough,” Clarissa said.

“Another thousand days of grinding,” I replied heavily.

“Yes. If we can’t get points after we leave, then things will be rough. I will encourage my people to make preparations for day 29,400. That will be our target date. When you fight that Ancient,” Clarissa said.

“We will have to alert our friends. Young Michael, Michelle, Doctor Katz,” I said.

“I will handle that. You focus on getting points for those portable stores and our eventual escape. I will handle getting the necessary airships and weapons,” Clarissa said.

“You also wanted me to get crafting crystals?” I asked.

“Yes. As many level 9 crafting crystals as you can. I will prepare a bomb and other things,” Clarissa said.

“Should we stop new arrivals?” I asked Clarissa.

“I will need to talk to Artifex first to get a better understanding of our position and the timing. While they might not like hard deadlines, we should set some and plan around those. A thousand days to prepare for this battle. Then see how much more time would be useful to save as many people as possible,” Clarissa said.

“I have another idea to even the odds.”

“What idea?” she asked.

“The sword. It is self-aware, I am hoping to be able to deal with it. Come to some sort of agreement,” I said.

“You think it will increase your chances?” Clarissa asked me and I knew she wasn’t asking about this upcoming fight. But about my chances against this Artifex.

“Maybe. It will helpfully reduce the power imbalance. But there upper limit would have to be quite high.”

“And their comments about Earth?”

“There is no way to verify anything. I just think that if the sphere could counter them so much, that I am questioning their godliness. Are you listening?” I asked and I wasn’t attacked.

“Or they might not want to waste their power targeting you remotely. I will prepare an airship and crew to go to this place. I will need you to clear out the monsters on the way,” Clarissa said and I nodded at this.

“Of course. Hopefully you can understand this alien better than I can,” I replied.

“We will just have to wait and see,” Clarissa replied.