The Last Dainv-Chapter 178

The Last Dainv-Chapter 178

"Got it!" Ollie shouted, interrupting everyone's conversations. "I figured out how the control panel works."
Everyone turned toward him as Ollie held up the device like a reward. When he tapped the screen, blue symbols scrolled across its surface.
"So basically, you tap an orb onto the back," Ollie said, pointing to a slight circular depression at the rear of the tablet. "When you do that, the orb gets cached inside. Like a memory card."
Kyle stood up, leaving his half-eaten nutrition paste. "You're telling me those floating balls are like flash drives?"
"More like fully immersive VR recordings," Ollie flipped the tablet over, showing them the depression. "The tablet works as a screen to watch whatever's stored in the orb without diving into the full experience."
"How'd you figure that out?" Rachel also got up.
Ollie glanced at Lily's boots. "Lily accidentally bumped the golden orb we picked up against the back while we were examining it. Screen lit up with what looked like functions, and I just pressed a couple of them. Turns out, it was a playback interface."
Gale got up and got closer to look over Ollie's shoulders. "So we can watch whatever's in these orbs without being trapped in the simulations?"
"Exactly," Ollie said. "And here's the interesting part: users can edit what happens in the memory by inputting commands. Change outcomes, modify events, even add or remove elements."
"You saying someone messed with the recording?" Clyde asked.
"Bingo," Ollie said. "Something hijacked our experience. Turned a normal memory into a death trap."
"That's not creepy at all," Rachel said.
"One problem though," Ollie pointed to a small indicator on the screen. "Battery's almost dead. Maybe 10% left. We should use it sparingly."
Looking around the whole library, each column contained dozens of spheres, all glowing with different colours. Gale wanted to suggest Astrography, but that'd be selfish. Probably. Medical was probably more important.
Ollie reached up, plucking a golden orb from the Medical section. The sphere had a soft white-gold glow, unlike the bright entertainment orb's harsh colours. He touched it to the back of the tablet, and the orb seemed to melt into the device.
The screen flashed, displaying text that inscribed its knowledge into their minds directly.
"Day of Awakening Procedures - Medical Protocol 447"
"Medical Protocol 447?" Rachel read over Ollie's shoulder.
"Something about 'Awakening,'" Ollie said, continuing the playback. "Could be relevant to dust corruption."
"If the battery's almost dead, we should be checking the historical data first on the fully immersive one," Lily stepped forward suddenly, pointing to the history section.
"She's right," Clyde said. "Medical info is great, but knowing what wiped out this place might keep us alive longer."
"We should find out what happened," Kyle said. "Like, did they all die from those Guardian things turning on them? Or was it something worse?"
"I don't think that's a good idea," Gale said. If any of the watchers were still around and he couldn't see them unless he went above 50% integration, then it was bad news all around.
"Why not?" Lily asked.
"If the watcher did that to the memory we were just in, who's to say they won't do it again when we're inside another one? We barely survived the Guardians."
"Gale's got a point," Rachel said. "Whatever hijacked that memory could do it again. Turn any of those dives into another death trap."
Lily opened her mouth to argue, then closed it. She glanced at the floating orbs, then back at Gale. "Fine. Logic checks out. But we need to know what happened here."
"Better alive now than dead in the memory," Kyle said.
Rachel looked toward the double metal front doors of the building. "Most likely we'll just face those spider robot things again if we leave. The strongest enemies here were probably those giant Guardians, and they were definitely stronger than any of the spider mechs. Maybe even stronger than that giant spider robot we saw earlier."
"I'd take that slow-moving giant spider over Hellbringer any day," Kyle said with a shudder. "At least you can outrun the spider."
Gale turned to Ollie. "Shouldn't we find somewhere safer to rest? Set up camp before moving on?"
Ollie took out the storage box Gale gave him. With a few quick gestures, the tablet dematerialized and put into the inventory in a flash of blue light. "We're moving out. The elevator map showed is our best bet for leaving this level. We'll head there, rest before going up, then get the hell out of this place."
Lily made a small noise of disappointment, glancing at the historical orbs. "We're just leaving all this knowledge behind?"
"Knowledge won't help us if we're dead," Ollie said flatly. "Anyone need syringe guns before we go?"
Gale mentally checked the syringe guns in his space storage. Still had 2. No need to get another.
"I'm set," he said.
"Same," Rachel said, dusting off her gauntlet from the remaining carbon from the flesh.
"Already used one," Kyle patted his pockets, where the outline of a gun syringe bulged.
"Same here," Clyde said.
Lily took two syringes from Ollie, slipping them into her belt pouches. "If we survive this, I'm coming back with a proper expedition. This place is too valuable to leave unexplored."
"Talkin' my language, scout lady."
"Can I come too?" Gale asked.
"Hell yeah, rookie," Clyde said.
"Shut up, Clyde," Rachel elbowed him.
"Shut your traps." Ollie headed for the doors, which now stood open again. "Let's move. Stay tight, stay alert. If we see any Guardians, we run. No heroics. Our objective is the elevator in the North. We rest up before going up. Any questions?"
No one said anything.
"Alright, let's move."
The group had found a building, 60 stories tall, inside the tower. It offered a sweeping view of the city through its cracked glass windows. Gale could see the spider mechs moving around, having skirmishes all around the streets.
It seemed like only the area around the Memory Chamber was off-limits to the spider mechs, which made sense. It was the only thing functioning. But on the way to the elevator shaft, more spider mechs appeared. The scene much clearer as the high rise gave him a view of what the hell was happening.
Four tents were set up in the corner of the unit they occupied. They were positioned away from the door's line of sight. Kyle and Clyde slept in one, their soft snores occasionally punctuated by Kyle muttering something about "robot bastards." Ollie occupied the second tent, while Lily and Rachel each had their own. The canvas walls gave no hint of movement inside.
Gale had taken the first shift to keep watch. Four hours remained before Rachel would relieve him.
In the distance, flashes from distant muffled explosions lit up the fake night sky. The spider mechs engaged something they didn't know. Whatever those entities were, they were making the spider mechs take a run for their money.
Guide. What do you think those other entities might be? Like the ones fighting the spider mechs?
Gale mouthed.
[Accessing Vianne’s Amazing Ginormous Encyclopedia...]
Gale shook his head as the name came up and displayed information.
[POTENTIAL HOSTILE ENTITY ANALYSIS]
[Based on observed patterns and records, three candidate species identified]
The author's tale has been misappropriated; any instances of this story on Amazon.
[CANDIDATE 1: ZIMARITH]
[Classification: Insectoid technological civilization]
[Characteristics:
Exoskeletal bipedal form
Average height: 2.1 metres
Six-limbed (four manipulator arms, two legs)
Compound visual organs
Silicon-based biology
]
[Cultural/Tactical Notes:
Mercantile society structured around resource acquisition
Specialized in deep-crust mining operations
Technological focus on metallurgy and quantum computation
Non-aggressive except when resource claims threatened
Typically employ automated defense systems rather than direct combat
]
[CANDIDATE 2: OCUN]
[Classification: Spore-based hive consciousness]
[Characteristics:
No fixed physical form
Colonizes and repurposes organic matter
Capable of parasitizing technological systems
Communicates through chemical and electrical signals
Reproduces through spore dispersal
]
[Cultural/Tactical Notes:
Single consciousness distributed across multiple bodies
Conquered 413 known planetary systems
Assimilates indigenous technology into biological matrices
Prefers overwhelming force through numerical superiority
Highly aggressive, values rapid expansion over subtlety
]
[CANDIDATE 3: LILAC]
[Classification: Plant-based techno-symbiotes]
[Characteristics:
Photosynthetic core organisms
Vine-like appendages that interface with technology
Varies in size from microscopic to building-scale
Communicates through light pulses and electrical signals
Reproduces through seed pods containing technological components
]
[Cultural/Tactical Notes:
Collective intelligence with independent units
Parasitizes abandoned technology
Achieved space travel by assimilating spacecraft of other species
Prefers indirect conflict through technological manipulation
Defensive rather than expansionist strategy
]
Gale stared at the information as another explosion lit up a sector three blocks away. The spider mechs moved toward it in formation. From this high up, the view of the conflict was clear.
Is there any real possibility one of these three is actually what we're dealing with?
[Probability analysis suggests Ocun presents the highest match potential at 42%. However, observed behaviour contradicts typical Ocun tactical patterns. Ocun entities typically favour direct, overwhelming assault rather than sustained guerrilla engagement.]
Gale sighed, rubbing his eyes and whispering, "Is there any way to counteract the interference affecting Breath of the Void? Something in Vianne's store?"
[Two viable options identified.]
[Option 1: Essence Optimization Core Part - 5000 points]
[Application to skill enhancement normally inefficient resource allocation. Current tactical situation may justify exception to standard procedures.]
[Option 2: Skill Point Potion - 10000 points]
[Skill potion would elevate Breath of the Void to Level 4, triggering skill evolution. Evolved form would possess enhanced interference resistance.]
"Which one would be more beneficial long-term?" Gale whispered.
[Skill Point Potion offers superior cost-benefit ratio. Core Part Optimization delivers more value when applied to Core attributes rather than individual skills. Recommendation: reserve Core Part purchases for foundational improvements.]
Five thousand versus ten thousand points. Both seemed impossible right now. He'd killed two spider mechs during their journey through the city, yet received no notification about earning points for Vianne's store. Only 10 points from killing whatever that eye was when he first got here.
"Hello? Earth to Gale?"
Gale whipped around. Lily stood behind him, arms crossed over her chest. She wore the same clothes as earlier, though she'd removed her tactical vest. Her Deagles remained holstered at her hips.
"Were you saying anything? I couldn't hear you." she asked as she moved to his side watching the streets.
Gale hesitated. "Just thinking to myself. Nothing important."
"Looked like you were having a full conversation," Lily said. "With yourself."
"Bad habit," Gale said, turning back to the window. "Helps me work through problems."
Lily made a noncommittal sound. "You should've woken me for my watch."
"It's not your turn. Rachel takes over in four hours."
"Yeah, well, couldn't sleep. Might as well get some air." She rested her chin on her hand. "Too much to think about."
"I've been curious for a while," Gale said, glancing at Lily. "Back in that basement under Blue Haven, you looked... thin. Malnourished. Now you're a Resonant. Is it normal to advance that fast in five years?"
Lily leaned her forehead on the window, her breath fogging up the glass. "Nothing about what happened to us was normal. After we got out of the Eclipsed, the Path was waiting for us. Like they knew something was coming out of that blocked area in Lakeshore West Heights."
"They were expecting you?"
"All of us," Lily said. "Fourteen women who survived what should have been a death sentence. And the rest of the encampment too. The Path had files ready, processing papers, housing assignments. Very organized for something they claimed was a surprise."
"What did you do? After?"
"Tried to go back to normal life. Figured I'd been through hell, might as well enjoy what came next," Lily chuckled. "Went back to Yorkville. Working as an escort. Good money, free food every night. Thought I could pretend none of it happened."
She clenched her right hand. "That lasted three weeks. Then my awakening hit while I was in bed with a regular client. A lance went right through his chest. Burned a hole clean through him and into the hotel wall behind."
Gale swallowed.
"Marine had it worse. Killed her husband two weeks after they reunited. Poor bastard tried to surprise her with breakfast in bed. She woke up swinging energy blades," Lily shook her head. "Jeanne torched her apartment building. Thirty-six people evacuated, but the damage was done."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Gale said. When he got back and they gave him that rundown apartment, he'd flinch at any sound. Every creak or step that he heard would give him a rush of adrenaline. Breath of the Void made it all the worse, unable to turn it off.
"The Path came calling after each incident. Real convenient timing," Lily smirked. "Join us or bad things happen. Your friends will get hurt. Your family. Anyone you care about. Standard protection racket bullshit."
Another explosion illuminated the clouds. This one closer, maybe six blocks away, that made the glass shards by the window's counter rattle slightly.
"That's when Witch Ashen stepped in," Lily said. "She took all fourteen women from Blue Haven under her wing. Taught us how to control what we'd become. How to use the gifts the blue moon had forced on us."
"Gifts?"
"That's what Ashen called them. Said we were chosen, not cursed." Lily turned from the window to face him. "The very moment you told me to take that bone spear, it was the first time I felt like I was living my own life, taking it by my own hands. And then I went back to my old life. Hating the fact that I was warming up a different asshole's bed every fucking night."
Gale's awakening didn't sound anything like hers. It was forced after he was thrust into the Eclipsed. Survival was the only thing in his mind against the constant threat of not waking up the next day.
"Most of the other Blue Witches are Attuned now," Lily said. "A few reached Resonant like me. But I ran more missions than any of them. Felt like I was making a difference. Protecting mundanes from rifts they don't even know exist."
"How do people advance anyway?" Gale asked. "I mean, how do Aurians get stronger?"
Lily chuckled. "Rachel never explained the basics to you?"
"Bits and pieces. Nothing comprehensive."
"You're lucky to have her watching your back, you know. Rachel Ann's a big name in North America. Her family has serious influence." Lily leaned against the wall beside the window. "But to answer your question, each rift run enriches your ether signature. Just entering a rift provides a small boost. The real gains come when you exit."
"How so?"
"When you leave a rift, lingering rift energy clings to you. You have to meditate as soon as possible, capture as much as possible before it dissipates. The better your technique, the more you absorb. This is the most efficient." Lily held up her hand where a blue wisp danced between her fingers. "Eastern countries like China do regular meditations but much slower accumulation because they just take it from the environment."
"What about just being inside a rift? Does that do anything?"
"No. Only the transitions matter. Enter, absorb a little. Exit, meditate hard and absorb a lot. That's the cycle." Lily extinguished the small wisp and lowered her hand. "Takes dozens of runs to advance from Awakened to Attuned. Maybe fifty to a hundred to reach Resonant, depending on the rift's strength and the individual. And it can't be one of the pacified rifts for tourism. Each run comes with a risk of not coming back out."
His own advancement was much different from what she explained. His was preying on whatever was inside the rift. Killing anything that moved, kind of like what Vianne said about Cev. Wait, no. Exactly what Vianne said. Killing anything that moved extracted Origin.
"Hey. You think we're going to make it out of this rift?" Lily asked, "It feels a lot like the Eclipsed. Much more hostile than the other rifts I ran."
Gale laughed. "You're asking the wrong person. You're the expert here, not me. You've got 5 years over me."
"Come on. Give me something."
"Well," Gale said, "I have a one hundred percent success rate getting people out of rifts without casualties. If that helps calm your nerves."
Lily laughed, genuinely this time. "Sample size of one doesn't count as a statistic."
"A perfect record is a perfect record."
"You're an idiot."
"Maybe. But I'm an idiot who got a whole camp of people out the Eclipsed alive." Gale smiled softly. "We'll make it one way or another. Kyle did say this is an all-star team."
"Make sure not to turn into one of them." Lily sighed.
"I won't."
Lily laughed as she pushed off from the wall. "I'm going to try sleeping again. Wake Rachel when your watch ends."
"Will do."
Lily headed toward her tent, then paused. "Gale?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for getting us out of Blue Haven. All of us. Even if the aftermath was messy, at least we got to choose our own messes."

Chapter 178