SL: Chapter 730 – Day 5,926 – Return To Purgatory

“Any progress?” I asked Young Michael as we approached Purgatory.

“Some. Less blur, but it is still blurry. I can make out distinct shapes and colors, but it all blends togeather,” he replied with a sigh.

“Well, you are making improvements,” I replied. The people Clarissa had sent with me had been dropped off in the wilderness outside the city of Purgatory in a level 2 zone. That way they could blend into the local population and wouldn’t be immediately spotted. The airship had been quite packed the last two days, with all those people.

“I get it, but it is frustrating to be injured without being able to do anything,” he complained.

“Better than dying. Countless people die without even a single glance. Surviving has given you an experience you won’t forget. Next time you will be better prepared,” I replied.

“If I can see again,” he said.

“You will see again. The changes you need to make are quite minute, but the fact you are still able to make improvements, shows that you haven’t reached the end. A little bit more and you will be able to fight. Maybe not well, but you can pick up crystals and increase your stats,” I said.

“If I can see them. With my vision the way it is, it won’t be easy,” he replied.

“Well, we will be staying in Purgatory for a couple of days. More than enough time for you to make some improvements.”

“Why are we even bothering to go here again?” Young Michael asked.

“Call it nostalgia if you want. But the Earth nation of America is the primary location people come from, for this city. Unless we want to get swept away by another Divine Empress or another sword, then we need to cultivate an ally,” I explained.

“So, you are taking on more work,” Young Michael said.

“Investing. I am investing in the future. Setting these people on the path to success, will make things much easier in the future. Once they grow large enough, I can demand a share of their tax revenue as compensation,” I explained.

“Ah, the deal you had with Clarissa,” he said.

“Exactly. I can outsource all the troublesome nation building to someone else. That is the true secret to leadership,” I explained.

“And you are outsourcing crystal picking upping to me,” he said.

“I need someone. And the list of capable people is quite small. You will earn more, helping me than you would earn yourself. Also, we can get you upgraded skills as well, before the zones are all claimed. Now would be the perfect time to sweep through and get you some good upgraded skills,” I explained.

“You would do that?” Young Michael asked with excitement.

“Of course. We are a team. Crystal picking up won’t happen forever and it is better to get you those skills upgraded now, before we forget,” I replied. “We are almost there. I can see the city just ahead.”

“A shame that the entire capital was lost. It was a great city. Even after it had sunk into the ground, it was still majestic,” Young Michael said. He had only seen cities in the Systemic Lands, but he idolized me, so of course he would love my capital. Also, it was his home city.

I waved my hand and took out the flying monsters chasing us as we flew over the outer wall. I kept slowing the airship down and lowered its altitude slightly so no more flying monsters attacked us. We cruised to a stop over the plaza. There were people pulling carts. That brought back memories. I was no longer a cart puller, but an airship flyer.

A much more refined and faster method of traveling. “You fine staying up here?” I asked.

“Just get me some food and water, but I should be fine. Nothing for me to do here,” Young Michael replied. I hoped he fixed his eyes soon, or I would have to look for other people to assist me, which would greatly strain our relationship. I would prefer to avoid that, since I liked Young Michael.

I leapt over the side of the airship and landed in the Plaza. That was when I saw a familiar face. “Potato, three, green, two,” I said.

“You and your nonsense codes. Cake, five, red,” Doctor Katz replied.

“You lived,” I said with a smile.

“I lived, but everyone else died,” he muttered.

“Clarissa, Michelle, Young Michael, and a couple of other people made it. And now you. Have you seen anyone else?” I asked.

“No. It was horrible. I barely kept myself alive. I had to push the energy from the sphere into my limbs, which liquidated to save my body and brain. Once the disaster passed, I had to rebuild everything. It was…unpleasant,” he replied.

“Ouch. But you managed,” I said while still smiling.

“I managed. I didn’t think you would be back for hundreds of days,” Doctor Katz said.

“I cam back to Purgatory to get these people on the right track and possibly look for someone to act as a crstyal picker upper. But now that you are here, you can help Young Michael. We ran into trouble,” I said.

“You trouble? Doctor Katz said. I explained the memetic monsters and the vote.

“This place is hell. At least with those monsters you would die. But this place…it gives you a bit of hope to snatch it away,” he said heavily after I was done explaining things to him.

“Well, I got a second meta-point. So, no more worries regarding my strength at the moment,” I told him.

“Congratulations. So Young Michael, we shouldn’t keep him waiting,” Doctor Katz said.

“True. And your help will be needed with Michelle and my mother,” I told him. Doctor Katz let out a sigh.

“And you will force me?” he asked.

“Isn’t Michelle your friend as well?” I asked.

“She is. Sorry. I am just irritable at the moment,” he replied.

“I know. This place is frustrating, but we can manage,” I said. “Carry or you want to grab my back?” I asked. There were people looking on at a distance, but no one got close to us.

“Just carry me,” he replied and I scooped the good doctor up. I then returned to the airship.

“Trouble?” Young Michael asked.

“Good news. The first bit in a long time. An old friend and survivor, Doctor Katz,” I replied.

“It is good to see you still alive,” Doctor Katz said.

“Doctor! You made it! That is amazing. I was worried, but if anyone could survive the worst of it, it would be you,” Young Michael said.

“Thanks. It wasn’t easy. But I see things have been rough for you as well,” Doctor Katz said.

“A bit. I managed to fix up my eyes, but I can’t get them to work properly,” Young Michael replied with excitement.

“Suppress your energy as much as possible. This is going to hurt,” he said.

“I can handle it,” Young Michael said. Doctor Katz placed his hands over Young Michael’s eyes.

“Imbue Life. Imbue Life. And done,” he said and removed his hands. Young Michael blinked vigorously and kept blinking and squinting.

“Did it work?” he asked nervously.

“Yes. But your eyes need time to readjust. Give it a day and they should be fine. Don’t rub them, and make sure you suppress your energy from them as much as possible. Let them integrate back into your body,” Doctor Katz explained.

“Yes Doctor,” Young Michael replied earnestly.

“Any lingering curse energy?” I asked.

“I couldn’t detect anything. Most of the difficult work was already done. I just had to reshape things slightly. Eyes are tricky. If they aren’t made precisely, all you will get is a blur,” Doctor Katz said.

“Finding you, and Young Michael is healed, today is a good day. Well, there is no need to still be around this city,” I replied.

“What about securing a place to build up and eventually collect their taxes?” Young Michael asked and Doctor Katz shook his head.

“The good doctor here, most likely gave a lot of good advice. Unless I am mistaken?” I asked while looking at the good doctor.

“I put Father John on the right path in regards to best practices. Which I am guessing is what you had planned,” he said.

“Something like that. I was just going to play it by ear. But now that you have returned and Young Michael is healed up, there is no need for all of that. We can head back to Clarissa’s secret base,” I said while taking over the controls.

“I should send you a bill,” Doctor Katz said.

“Ten billion,” I replied without hesitation.

“Ten billion?” Doctor Katz asked with confusion.

“That’s how many points I will give you after my next grinding session as a thank you. Even if you can’t help my mother and Michelle, just helping out Young Michael is enough,” I replied.

“Ten billion, I am surprised you are so free with your earnings…but you can grind faster,” he realized.

“Yes. It is still a lot of work and time but consider it your fee for healing Young Michael and sticking around Clarissa’s base until I return,” I explained.

“I am more surprised you are even willing to give so much away, but I understand. I will do my best, but I make no promises. The cases you want me to deal with aren’t simple,” he replied.

“That’s understandable. But your best is quite good. While I will try to keep my expectations low, if you claimed to be the second best, no one would dare take first,” I replied.

“Saving who you could. Thank you. I don’t know if anyone else has told you that. But thank you for putting your life on the line along with Clarissa and saving everyone,” Doctor Katz said.

“I was saving myself as well, but I understand. You’re welcome,” I replied.

“Can I learn to heal like you?” Young Michael asked.

“It isn’t easy. You need a deep understanding of the human body to reconstruct it and Imbue Life is a critical skill,” Doctor Katz explained.

“I should get that,” Young Michael said.

“It is ultimately your choice. Once we drop the good doctor off, we will rush getting you the upgraded skills you want. After that we need to grind. A lot of grinding,” I replied.

“Don’t worry. I can handle it,” Young Michael said with enthusiasm. That was why I liked him. He didn’t let things get him down. He brought positive vibes to this place, which was something I needed after all the setbacks I had recently faced.