Chapter 88 - An Old Cult

[Used 1100 Essences]

[Summoning Guardian Ant…]

Before Aldrin's eyes, the Guardian Ant Core that's supposed to be in the Idle Storage or rather, supposed to have already disappeared upon using it at the Unit tab, reappeared before him.

It floated in front of him before multi-colored energy, most likely the Essence pouring out from the Essence Storage, seemed to gather around it, recreating the 3-meter-tall winged ant's body.

In less than a minute, the Guardian Ant's wings flapped excitedly before kneeling before Aldrin.

As he observed the summoned Guardian Ant that's supposed to be something comparable to a Stage 2 Energy Refiner, Aldrin noticed that even its curved sword and round shield were recreated.

Furthermore, its whole carapace was now in a darker hue compared to the normal reddish-brown Royal Ants populating the Lower Dimension.

As soon as the little whirlpool of colorful energy subsided, a new status flickered at the corner of Aldrin's vision.

[Level 21 Summoned Guardian Ant

Core Experience: 0/10000]

There's no mention of its durability or even its health points that usually could be seen in normal summoning skills in most RPG games.

Inside the Dungeon, most of the Ants there that had a 'Royal' prefix was like an enhanced version of the ants he's facing outside of it. The Guardian Ant not having that prefix meant that there might be a Royal Guardian Ant somewhere.

With that line of thought, Aldrin took a note in his mind to prepare for that just in case.

"I remembered the note that mentioned its Essence withering away as time passed. I guess I just have to check how long it will last today. It costs 1100 Essences. It shouldn't be like my Shadow Clone or the summoned Dimensional Clone, right?"

As soon as he finished checking the Guardian Ant, Aldrin set off towards another Dungeon.

He already marked them so it's just a matter of traversing the distance from where he landed towards its location.

This time, he'd go for a Broodmother's Cradle.

That's the equivalent of the Ant Queen's Nest for the Black Spiders.

With his Guardian Ant taking the vanguard position from Tank, he reinstated that Dimensional Clone into another offensive manpower. Still, he maintained its equipment of hammer and shield.

To not destroy the balance in the Small Insect Colony, Aldrin decided not to target only one side. Otherwise, one side could subdue the other side without his interference. That would mean a loss of IDLE Points income for him.

With a Royal Ant species as strong as the Guardian Ant, the groups of Black Spiders blocking Aldrin's way were easily decimated.

As long as no Spider Champion appeared, it was invincible. Making it easy for Aldrin at the back. And with the assistance of the Dimensional Clones, until they reached the nearest Broodmother's Cradle, Aldrin didn't even need to swing the Winterthorn.

[Broodmother's Cradle #3]

[Type: Restricted Dungeon]

[Difficulty: Very Hard(Easy)]

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Back at the Lonewind City, Qi Yun or most commonly known as Commander Yun was woken up by an urgent call from his subordinate.

Yesterday, he visited the Branch Head of the Refiner's Association in the city and got quite a revelation about what kind of enemy the planet was currently facing.

This time, the call from his subordinate concerned the information of that matter.

After dressing himself in his maroon military uniform, Qi Yun stepped out of his bedchamber to hear the full report.

"Commander, according to our contacts inside the Paradigm Sector, the same kind of Energy Refiners has already been recorded. Two thousand Earth years ago, Energy Refiners who could seemingly exercise control over the Rift Monsters were part of a cult named 'The Risen'. The founders of the cult were supposed to be survivors of a closed maintained-type Dimensional Rift."

"According to the history of their cult, as soon as the founders got rescued after an instance-type Dimensional Rift, they began propagating revelations about some godlike-being they're calling Lord of the Dimensions."

"Lord of the Dimensions? That's a grand name!" Qi Yun snorted.

Although he got interrupted, the subordinate continued with his report.

"Yes! Lord of the Dimensions. However, no one took them seriously. Not until the members of their cult successfully occupied one planet near the Paradigm Sector."

"Huh? If they're that good. Why are they not known until now? Paradigm Sector is the collection of World Zones where the Federation's Capital is located."

Qi Yun put a hand on his chin as he began to contemplate the words of the man he swore loyalty to. 'Times are changing and things are not what they seem to be. Go to the place I tell you to and wait for the changes to show themselves.'

"It couldn't be it, right? I need more information!"

Startled by the sudden shout of Qi Yun, the subordinate who got slightly confused continued.

"That… According to what's recorded. After the cult has been identified as a subversive element. The Federation stomped them out in less than a year."

"Less than a year… How powerful. But if that's the case, who are those Energy Refiners? How are they connected to the Council?"

"… That, there's no answer regarding it yet."

'So, it's only happening here, huh? The Association should've been notified as well. I wonder what they're going to do. There are also the titan-class Companies that have branches on this planet. Will they let the young Overseer alone to solve everything?' He murmured.

With this new information, Qi Yun felt a slight sense of urgency.

The question of whether he has to stay in this Secondary City or not surfaced in his mind. However, in the end, Qi Yun erased that thought.

By the time the subordinate finished his report and excused himself, Qi Yun sat down before his window that's also overlooking the whole Lonewind City as well as the two bright moons above.

"Times are changing… Perhaps, the peaceful era of humanity's continued expansion will reach its end. The Rift's are problematic enough but if the three universal superpowers butt their heads in a full scale war, no planet will be spared." Qi Yun heavily sighed.. Following that, he took out something from his military uniform's chest pocket, a flawless golden cube.