novel
| ← Ch.063 | Ch.065 → |
The tunnel was longer than I had expected and I had only reached the end of it after walking for about two or three kilometers. I had come to what looked like a futuristic steel door with a keypad to the side of it.
"Hmm... those are the same numbers we used on Earth right?"
I had a peculiar idea and brought my hand to the keypad, ready to cast a magic spell.
"Stop! I don't have to proper parts to repair that!"
A loud voice shouted out from the console's speakers.
"Then just open the door."
I responded arrogantly. I heard some background noise from the speakers as he was considering his options.
"Can you promise not to use any violence?"
"As long as you don't do so first."
"You are quite the interesting specimen and I would very much like to study you further, but I worry because I don't know what you are capable of."
"Whatever, just do what you want. I don't think it's possible for you to stop me anyways."
I raised my hand once again intent on casting a spell towards the keypad.
"Hey, stop! All right, all right, I'll open up, just don't break anything."
Puisshhhh—
As the doors opened I felt that the interior resembled that of a spaceship in the movies.
"Judging by its design it seems like it would lock as soon as I enter."
I muttered to myself.
"It is just as you said, I have no way of stopping you."
If he hadn't added that part, I may not have been as suspicious, but as it stood I was certain he was setting up a trap for me.
"I won't simply stand still and watch while you try to capture me."
I backed up about 10 meters from the door.
"It's too bad that my creation magic is disabled. Why is that by the way?"
I brought up the skill on my status page and tried selecting and dragging it to the identity tab. Soon after an unexpected result had occurred.
[Creation Magic has become active]
[Creation Magic has been modified]
"Oh can I use it again all of a sudden? And what do they mean by modified? Why haven't I thought of doing this until now!"
For quite some time now I had been in several situations where I thought that if only I had access to creation magic.... I never expected that it had been so simple to activate all along.
[You have learned Element Creation Lv1]
[You have learned Teleport Lv1]
[You have learned Undead Creatures Lv1]
"Great, let's do this!"
Despite my low rank, I had access to golden (rare) abilities due to creation magic. Unlike Undead Summoning spells, Undead Creatures were able to provide me with experience if I hunted them. It was something I had learned in my experiments during the time of peace in Necropolis.
"Create Skeleton Soldier"
Pudddk
A skeleton soldier rose up from the ground.
"Fireshock! Fireshock! Fireshock!"
[+11 experience points]
It had fallen to by the third spell.
"Oh... was it so weak?"
"Create Skeleton Soldier! Create Skeleton Soldier! Create Skeleton Soldier!"
Pudddk Pudddk Pudddk
"Fireshock!..."
After bombarding them with a few spells, they had easily crumbled and fell to the ground.
[Level increased 1? 2]
Knowing it was a success, I continued to grind my level against my own Undead.
[Level has reached Max]
[Evolution is now possible]
I opened up y Status page to take a look
★
Name: Chompy (Johra)
Gender: N/A
Status: Normal
Race: Skeleton/ Undead
Class: Wizard
Rank: H+
Level: 20/20
HP: 42/42
MP: 180/180
Attack: 17
Defense: 4
Agility: 11
Intelligence: 32
? Unique Skills
[Night Vision Lv1] [Magic Chanting Max] [Fire Shock Max] [Fireball LvMax] [Identification Lv1] [Water Sphere Lv1] [MP Regeneration Lv6] [Telepathy Lv1] [Mind Reading Lv1] [Spiritual Connection Lv1] [Resurrection Song Lv1] [Skeletal Restoration Lv1]
? Identity (1)
[Avatar (Warrior) Lv1][Creation magic (Modified 2) Lv1)
? Titles (Active)
[Wizard of the Pit] [Master of Magma Hall] [Protection from Darkness]
? Titles (Inactive)
[Rat Trapper] [Hit-and-Run] [Savior Lv4] [Coldhearted Lv4] [Dragon Slayer Lv1] [Ant Exterminator Lv14] [Spider's Bane Lv3] [Giant Killer Lv2] [Scuttles' Grief LvMax] [Goblin's Slaughterer Lv6] [Valenor's Husband]
? Evolution Choices
[Senior Skeleton Wizard] [Necron] [Necromancer]
★
"Hmm... Necron.. I never seen this choice. Is a Necromancer part of the human race? I'm not sure I'm ready to give up on my skeletal body and all its advantages when it comes to survival. I guess I'll have to continue down my skull path.
[Evolved into a Senior Skeleton Wizard]
[You have learned Magic Research Lv1]
"Sweet! Magic Research is back! Ha ha ha!"
I immediately set Creation Magic as my choice of spell to research.
[Your Magic Research level is too low]
"Oh, did I need to increase its level in order to study Rare spells?"
I simply went back to grinding up my level in the same fashion until I had once again received a Status prompt.
[Level has reached Max]
[Evolution is now possible]
I opened up the window to find out my options
? Evolution Choices
[Lesser Lich] [Undead Warrior] [Slime]
"Am I once again at this crossroad?"
I was again presented with the option to become a Lich, along with two other paths which I was unfamiliar with.
It was quite a troublesome situation because although I wanted to learn from my previous mistakes, being a Lich would be very helpful in my current situation. Not to mention that I was completely unfamiliar with the other two options.
In the past, my being a Lich had led to me unintentionally hurting others and was the cause of me having lost everything.
"Well, I guess I'll simply stick to what I know well."
I selected my evolution in the Status page.
[You have Evolved into a Lesser Lich]
[You have learned Physical Resistance Lv1]
[You have learned Lesser Life Vessel]
[You have learned Life Steal (Passive) Lv1]
[You have learned Food Creation Lv1]
I didn't waste any time to resume my leveling up grind.
[You can no longer gain any experience due to the difference in rank]
As a Lich I could no longer gain any experience my killing those monsters. I would have to first focus on levelling up my Undead Creation spell.
After grinding the skill for some time I was finally able to create monsters strong enough to grant me some experience points. I chose to kill them using fireball, using it's AoE to beenfit from the multiple kill experience bonuse. Even then, as expected, it was a nightmare to level up as a Lich. '
I would occasionally hear some movement form behind the steel door, but I simply ignored it. I was only going to make contact on my own terms, when I was fully prepared and confident in my own strength.
After an extremely long period of grinding, I was finally able to Evolve into a full fledged Lich, and my Magical Research's level had maxed out, allowing me to research Creation Magic.
"Nice! I'm now able to improve and learn more about my Creation Magic! Ok, time to go back to levelling up and hitting my next evolution!"
Time flew by as I continued to grind. Eventually, I had once again evolved into and ArchLich and my research of Creation Magic had finished.
[Magic Research has been completed]
[Creation Magic 1? 2]
"What? All that for just 1 level?"
I was somewhat disappointed. I had expected to at least receive a new skill, but it had only gone up by a single level.
"No wait, wasn't it the case that if I maxed it out, I would be on the same level as a god?"
I had thought back to the words spoken to me by Gnoss.
"In order to fight the gods, I have to first become one!"
I once again selected Creation Magic as the spell to research.
"Create Undead!"
I had maxed out the spell and the Undeads I spawned were now on the same level of a Lesser Lich. Although the high magic resistance made them difficult to kill, the experience was quite rewarding.
"Inferno! Inferno! ..."
I had maxed out my Inferno level and it was now stronger than ever. I would always try to summon the maximum of about 100 Lesser Liches and would be burning them simultaneously in order to increase my level up speed.
[Level has reached Max]
[Evolution is now possible]
I went to make my choice in the Status page.
? Evolution Choices
[DemiLich] [Undead King] [Necron King]
Well, I've already decided to stick to what I know, no reason to change that now.
I once again chose DemiLich and regained my long lost spells.
"Astral projection"
I left my body in spirit form and went to once again stand before the steel door. I had left my main body protected by 10 Lesser Liches just as an insurance policy.
"Have you I kept you waiting? Open the door."
Puisshhhh—
Willing my Astral Projection forward I slowly crossed the threshold and entered the room.
Tak!
Just as I had entered the door closed behind me.
Jing!
The lights had turned off, and were replaced by a red lasers.
"Just what kind of creature are you? I have been observing you for some time now but still can't understand what you are. Was that magic you were performing outside?"
"Well... isn't it a bit too much to treat a guest like this?"
"You are now a prisoner of Gamma, answer my questions or suffer the consequence."
"Harm me? Oh, are you perhaps deluded and thinking that you have me trapped right now?"
"Through an analysis of your abilities and behaviorism I have come to the conclusion that you are not a suitable ally for Gamma. However, I believe that why experimenting on you we can somehow solve Gamma's current dilemma."
"What exactly is Gamma?
I asked the strange voice.
"You are in no position to be asking questions. If you don't answer my question...#"
"Material Creation, positron"
Pung!
Is..... is this pair annihilation? Can you create antimatter?"
"So what if I can? Would you like for me to do it once more?"
"Ah...stop. Gamma will formally surrender to you, please show us mercy."
Puisshhhh—
An automatic door opened in the corner of the room.
"Simply surrendering like that, how convenient. Oh well, since the door is open I might as well go take a look inside."
When Creation magic had reached its maximum level, I had managed to create antimatter. Although it was only in very small amounts, and it had a large cooldown period, its destructive power was unmatched. I had chosen to use it to display my raw power and intimidate this unknown voice.
It might have something to do with the recent research upgrade that allows my Astral body to use Creation Magic.
"Oh, quite stunning!"
I had entered a large botanical garden. Bright lights hung on the ceiling and the temperature was regulated to that of a warm Spring.
"Welcome to the garden of Gamma, what should I call you?"
"My name's Johra. Are you a citizen of Gamma?"
"No, I am simply the artificial intelligence in charge of Gamma's day to day operations."
"Oh, like a real A. I. ?
I was truly surprised. I had not for one second entertained the thought that I had been conversing with an A. I. this whole time, because it's way of speaking was so human-like.
"What is the purpose of this place called Gamma?"
I asked as I took a seat on a bench in the middle of the garden.
"Gamma is a large refuge, humanity's last hope."
"A refuge?"
"Right, humanity has long fallen into a deep cryosleep. This place called Gamma was the human race's last ditch effort against extinction."
"Why are they asleep and are they here in Gamma?"
"Exactly 18243 healthy people are currently in cryosleep"
"Umm... why was humanity in such a crisis?"
"Although the main cause is still unconfirmed, there was a large concentration of particles in the Earth's atmosphere, and the temperatures shot up until even all the water evaporated. By 2341, Earth had become a planet of death."
"Earth? Are we on Earth right now?"
"That's right, in 2341 across all of Earth, with the exception of Gamma, all living creatures have become extinct."
The mystery had been resolved, the reason that the technology and language was so familiar to me was that it was indeed the same place I had grown up in.
"Who were the guys who shot me in the tunnel? How were they able to survive outdoors?"
I was curious who the two people who had shot me previously were, and how they were able to survive in such harsh conditions.
"Ah, those were simply reconnaissance androids. On their way back form a routine patrol, they discovered your existence."
"Did you create them, how many do you have?"
I have ten droids in charge of maintenance and upkeep, and ten more which are damaged and inoperable because many parts have been worn down over time.
"Metal alloys worn down... just how long have Gamma been operational?"
"124, 324 years, 3 months, 10 days, 5 hours, 24 minutes and 11 seconds."
"Wow... that is scary long."
It was strange to think that over 124, 600 had passed since I was born. Luckily as a skeleton I wasn't incredibly nostalgic about my friends and family. Perhaps if I were human I would have broken into tears right then and there.
I have concluded that despite our assignment, the restoration of the human race is impossible.
"What are you talking about?"
Humanity expected that the planets living conditions would improve over time, and when they would awake form cryosleep, they could restore their race. However, after an analysis of the planet climate over long periods of time, I've concluded that there will not be a significant change in its climate within Gamma's operational lifespan.
"What's the situation then?"
"Humanity and all life on earth will face extinction."
"Why is that the case? Why don't you just expand this botanical garden on larger scale?"
"Gamma's power source is dwindling and could never support such a project."
"Hmm... so the problem is an energy source."
"Right, we would require materials and energy to achieve such a project. Actually, energy is the most important as the materials can for the most part be obtained through mining efforts."
"Ah so that's Gamma's current dilemma."
"Can you resolve our power source problem?"
"I think I can, but I want to make sure I'm getting something out of it first."
"I understand what your position, in order to achieve Gamma's restoration I'm willing to comply with all your requirements."
His attitude had changed on a dime. The more I spoke with this guy the more I felt he was human rather than an A. I.
| ← Ch. 063 | Ch. 065 → |