NABC Chapter 668 - Contact
Chapter 668 - Contact
Now that I think about it, I’ve visited plenty of secret bases, underground bunkers, floating cathedrals, fallen floating islands, and more. I even went to a base not all that dissimilar to this one back on the 4th floor during the hunt for The First One. Even though this one doesn’t come with a view of an Earth-like planet, the occasional sights I catch through the windows every now and then is nice in its own way.The planet we’ve been passing by or orbiting appears to be completely red, giving off a dry, desolate vibe. But as I strengthen my sight, I start thinking I might have been wrong. Rather than being a desert planet covered in reddish clouds, it’s more like the planet itself is on fire. The clouds seem to glow with the light of fires below, stretching across almost the entire surface. The few areas they don’t cover appear to be drowning in molten lava.
Maybe it isn’t even a planet. Perhaps it’s a dying star? A gas giant or something else? Maybe I should have paid more attention in school. Then again, Mrs. Smith spent more time telling us to “be realistic” than teaching us anything about orbital mechanics. She always rolled her eyes when anyone said they wanted to be an astronaut.
I wonder what she’d say now, if she could see what I’m seeing. She’d probably complain about the lack of seatbelts or something.
Also, the halls of the evil base have been changing as we head deeper into it. We still move slowly, and no one runs, flies, or teleports. Along the way, we do our best to avoid traps and detection mechanisms. But the deeper we go, the more it feels like we’re walking through something constructed, not just natural tunnels carved into the gray stone around us by water.
There is some broken machinery. Piles of materials like wood and heaps of something like iron. There are even entire trees, and huge tanks filled with oddly colored liquids. Along with monster bodies, in various stages of dissection.
I try to sell some, but I don’t seem to have been acknowledged as their owner. Oh, and also, the system shop doesn’t seem to be working here, so that might be why.
At this point, it seems mostly confirmed that the shop doesn’t work outside of the tutorial, or at least not the variation I have access to. If that’s the case, just having it is a huge advantage for the First Generations.
I also take the time to observe the teammates I’m stuck with for the week.
Io continues to lead, and the others don’t seem to mind it much for now.
Then there’s the demoness, almost fully recovered from her wound and moving around confidently. And I think I caught her staring at my ass a few minutes ago.urns against each other, let's group up. I don't care about hoarding all the rewards for myself."
With that offer of alliance, he turns around and leaves to work on the door we are trying to unlock without triggering alarms.
I decide to examine the door later and reach towards the halo over my head with my mind. I find the part that connected it to the wolf and temporarily bridge it, which causes it to activate and slowly spin around my head.
In the window nearby, I see a faint reflection of my face, my eyes with my Mana Wavelength Iris activated, forming a golden circle like the one over my head.
Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to make my crown in the shape of a halo when I finally learn how to make it. Something about that sentence probably doesn't make sense, but I don't let it bother me.
I send.
The voice says, calm and clear.
The voice doesn't laugh, and I might be imagining things, but I could swear I hear amusement in it as it answers,
There’s a short pause that obscures the replica’s reaction.
When the voice returns, it sounds even more amused.
With that, the conversation cuts off, and I send a wave of thermal energy at the halo, melting it down in response to a sneaky attempt to activate some of the protocols.
I take a long look at the small pool of molten golden metal at my feet. Then, just to be safe, I burn it further along with a chunk of the floor, making sure to get rid of everything.
Only then do I stand up, dust off my hands, and head towards the door that the item guy is trying to open.