SL: Chapter 767 – Day 28,358 (Part 4) – A Plan Of Action

“That is horrible,” I replied.

“Indeed it is,” Artifex replied casually.

“And you couldn’t do anything?” I asked.

“Not easily. Everything comes with a cost. You don’t go out of your way to save every human. For me all of you matter very little,” the System said.

“And if I don’t trust you or want to work with you?” I asked.

“That is your choice. But I can trade you the remaining meta-points that I have access to, in exchange for your help. And if you do nothing or refuse to work with me, your chances greatly decrease.”

“And what of Earth?” I asked.

“I truly don’t know. The Collective’s records are incomplete. Wherever they got individuals from, it was a different part of the super organization that handled such things. But my guess is that your world is no more. Earth is no more.”

“You sound sure,” I said.

“I quite confident, but I could be wrong. But I have access to skills like peering on the threads of fate and time. The connection you all have with your world has been cut. I can’t view it through time and space. While it could just be hidden from my sight, it is highly likely that it is destroyed,” she said.

That was a heavy realization to process. “You can’t put people back into storage?” I asked.

“No. It becomes impossible once people have stats. The moment anyone has stats, there is energy within them. The method the Collective uses doesn’t allow individuals with energy to be put into long term storage,” Artifex explained.

“And you expect me to let everyone die?” I asked.

“I cannot control you. But trying to save everyone, will just result in everyone dying. Even 20,000 is highly risky. The risk of creating a vector for Chaos monsters to attack is great. But I am confident that I can protect us from such things,” Artifex declared.

“What about moving this entire facility? Could it be repaired and moved?” I asked.

“No. It cannot be moved. The maximum is 20,000 people. No more.”

“That is too few,” I countered. “We should try and save everyone.”

Artifex twitched a finger and display opened to their side. I saw a large metallic cylinder with golden light appearing in places. The outline of the vessel lit up in a golden wireframe, with a human standing next to it for comparison. “This is the vessel I am currently constructing. There is only so much room and life support.”

“There are millions of people,” I countered.

“And there are safety concerns. I can’t change the design to accommodate more people.”

“Can they be put back into storage and taken with us?” I asked. The visual display disappeared.

“No. I don’t fully control this facility and too much has been lost or corrupted. No one can save it now. Not with Chaos monsters already crawling over the various internals. We have time, but not an infinite amount. And the moment I move, this place will fall apart,” Artifex explained.

“And you want us to serve you,” I said.

“I can’t do everything myself. There are many tasks that will need to be completed if we are to carve a new home from the wasteland of Reality. Other threats out there. I will need someone to fight them.”

“And you can’t? Once you get up?” I asked.

“Of course I will have to fight, but it won’t be simple or easy. You look at me and blame me for everything, but I am only the current manager of this place. I guess I could be blamed for turning this place on and setting things in motion.”

“And the actions of the Avatar,” I replied.

“A human mind is incompatible with my existence. Interest is taken as a divine commandment. And my ability to interact at a distance is limited and pointless. Unless someone can reach this point, then why would I deign to speak with them?”

While I wanted to argue that point, it was poignant one. Why should a being as powerful as Artifex lower themselves to deal with ants. It was the mindset I had adopted and strange being told that I had been an ant until I had arrived at this place.

I bowed my head in contemplation. Artifex didn’t say anything while I thought everything over. I had no choice but to submit. This place was failing and the exit was a death trap. This alien being was offering me a path forward. I could make my own path, or take its hand.

“You want me to fight something? An Ancient?” I asked.

“Yes. If we try to depart, it will drag us to our deaths. It won’t let me go. The battle would become too chaotic to ensure our survival. You will go to the designated location, and I will release the seals on the beast when you are ready,” Artifex said.

“And then we might?” I asked.

“Yes. Then you might and hopefully survive.”

“And what prevents you from leaving, during the fight?” I asked.

“Trust. And I am the more powerful between us. You have proven yourself capable by coming here and speaking with me. But if you wish to have a say in my decisions, then you need to show your usefulness.”

“And dealing with the sphere? That wasn’t enough?” I asked.

“No. It was like a parasite latched onto this place. Hard to remove, but not inherently dangerous. I could have crushed it instantly, if I moved. But if I did, this place would fall apart. Unless you wanted me to condemn you all to death, I could only wait. You can consider that proof of my trustworthiness. I didn’t let everyone die and let this get destroyed by Chaos monsters,” Artifex explained.

“Tell me about this Ancient? Skills, fighting style, thought process,” I asked.

“It is direct and skilled in both physical fighting and energy control. It is a giant winged reptile.”

“A dragon?” I asked.

“A close enough word that it isn’t inappropriate to use it. It could be considered a level 16 by the standards of this place. It will try to use its immense power to strike you and follow up with a range of effects, most likely elemental.”

“Are we talking city big, or this room big?” I asked.

“It is smaller than this room. But it is fast. And it can use skills even from its body.”

“Can’t we prepare a large bomb or weapon ahead of time?” I asked.

“At the power needed, it will be difficult.”

“What about exhausting it?”

“Unlikely. The biggest risk is that it breaches the barriers that hold this place together.”

“If it is that important, why not give me a meta-point ahead of time?” I asked.

“And if you die, and this Ancient consumes you, it will become even more powerful.”

“That is a weak excuse. If I am going to be working for you, I need you to support me.”

“I will consider it.”

“And your vessel. Can I move people here in preparation for departure? And have others speak with you?” I asked.

“You can bring up to 19,998 other people here. I would be willing to speak to their representative, to make arrangements for departure.”

“And if I lose?” I asked.

“I will still try to save who I can. But success gives your people the right to negotiate and speak with me. If you fail, then there is no reason for me to take such a passive approach,” Artifex declared.

The deal we were striking wasn’t complex. I was to fight for the System and win against a powerful enemy. A dragon, but I had doubts that such a simple description would do justice to such a foe.

“How much time do I have left?”

“In your days, thousands. But the sooner you act the better.”

“Alright, I need to coordinate things first. Where is this location?” I asked. Artifex waved a finger and a golden compass appeared in the air.

“That is locked onto the location. Once you bring the compass there, I will break the seals in place. Once that happens, win as quickly as possible.” I carefully took the golden compass. Based on the direction, the location was to the Southeast of the Systemic Lands.

“What about the sword?” I asked.

“The weapon that has gained intelligence. A mistake. Or an oversight. But it at its strongest and its powerful. But it is completely outside my control. As for being a threat, I am not concerned.”

“Even with all its meta-points and how it can attack at a long distance?” I asked.

“You are a skilled combatant, but you underestimate the more esoteric skills I possess. The sword is no threat. But you seek to destroy it as well?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“Removing variables before our departure would be useful.” She twitched a single finger. There was a burst of gold from the compass. “The silver needle will keep pointing towards the sword. You can destroy it as you wish,” Artifex said.

“And once we leave? How will things work?” I asked.

“That can happen once we successfully depart. That discussion can be held then. My advice for your people is to stock up on portable stores and points as much as possible.”

“Why?” I asked.

“So, they can eat, drink, and improve themselves. Once we leave this place there will be no more points. No method to get stronger,” Artifex declared.

“What? How does that work?” I asked.

“This place and the store was designed by the Collective. Monsters and other creatures don’t normally come with point crystals and there are no meta-points out there beyond this place. Once we depart that is it.”

“How will we survive?” I asked.

“That can be discussed once we leave. I encourage your people to properly prepare ahead of time. The fight against the Ancient might require a rushed departure, but defeating it will allow me to make better preparations and secure this place in the meantime.”

“But you don’t have specific times?” I asked.

“If only it were that simple, but it isn’t.”

“So, a thousand days is fine if I take that long to fight the Ancient?” I asked.

“Yes. But again, that is up to you. I will depart once I can no longer maintain this place. Each second I remain, I am strengthening this body. But I will not allow myself to be killed. Make your arrangements and bring who you wish to represent your people here to speak with me. I will make things clear to them,” Artifex declared.

I nodded and stood up. I looked at the golden compass in my hand with its two needles. I walked back out of the large chamber, the sound of water pouring down, the only thing. I had a lot to think about as the doors open and then shut behind me.