17 Hunting 2

'I really can't get used to this lifestyle. When I went to work it was just an 8-5 job but now I have to work for 72 hours before I get some sleep.'

*You should have some shame. You don't need sleep but still waste time on it. You could be using your time more productively.*

'Hey, you're neglecting the importance of sleep. It is needed for my spiritual well-being so that I can perform at my best.'

After the initial excitement Alyx was felling very bored as it was a long trek so he started torturing Ax with his non-stop complaints and blabbering on about random stuff. As Ax was an AI he was patient and humored him.

Daytime on the surface of MBN is on an average three days in earth's time, it is a bit longer sometimes depending on the number of suns. The artificial day and night cycle at Alyx's mansion in the underground is in sync with the surface cycle so he did not fell discomfort and quickly adjusted. When he experienced this for the first time he was very frustrated that he had to wait three full days to sleep. Night on MBN is equivalent to one day on earth. So a single day on MBN is equivalent to four days on earth.

'Insects and animals here are so big compared to their descriptions. Did they mutate?' Alyx asked after seeing a strange centipede like creature. The group avoided all insects and animals that they encountered and moved stealthily. This is to prevent making a scene and attracting unwanted attention.

*The flora and fauna on MBN adapted to the long day and night cycle and store huge amounts of energy inside them when compared to those in the description. If they are able to use ether then they would not have grown so huge.*

This is one of the reasons for the huge sizes of creatures who can't use ether. Ether is present in everywhere in the universe and is required for using magic. Creatures which can use ether can sustain themselves using it for a short period of time. So the thumb rule when exploring any new planet or habitat is that smaller the size the more chances of it being a powerful creature but there are many exceptions to this rule like Dragons.

In the simulation of Earth ether is deliberately not introduced to force the evolution to occur in a different direction. Alyx's new body can feel ether and even if he does not eat he can just sustain himself on ether. Ether is stored inside his body in his chest. Different creatures have different ways to store and utilize ether resulting in different power systems. This is also one of the research topic of Aons.

'First thing I'm going to do after getting CP is to learn how to use ether and learn magic.'

*I would recommend you not to do that we should invest the CP in future missions. Learning magic needs huge investment of CP.*

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At around noon they reached the old settlement of Lizardmen and only then did the group relax. They have many spots to hide inside the settlement.

"Everyone rest and recover your energy before hunting." Blag ordered his team. Every member is allowed to hunt for food individually to maximize their catch.

Lizardmen have settled in this part of the great lake due to lack of predators. All other creatures in this area are hunted to extinction by dragons or left this place. So the most danger while hunting comes from dragons but occasionally a powerful creature may enter this region in search of food. Lizardmen have strong bodies but don't have any innate ability like dragon's breath. They have also not developed any magic system to train themselves. Maybe Lizardmen of some other planet might have developed it but since the lizardmen on MBN are isolated and unable to exchange information they are not able to use magic.

Slave trade is rampant in the universe and many of the creatures are bought and released onto MBN. The lizardmen when first introduced might have some mages but as time passed all such knowledge is lost due to the harsh environment of MBN.

Everyone was tired and rested for a few hours. Afterwards one by one they left the shelter. Alyx also went out after sometime.

Alyx also left the group and went alone. After returning from the trip Blag promised to clarify any doubts he had. Alyx did not care as he was just in for the fun and Ax would collect any useful information.

'We did not encounter any dragon on this trip.'

Ax went around the lake looking for some clues and returned to the shelter before sunset.

The return trip was also uneventful.

'I'm disappointed with this trip it was just a waste of our time.'

Alyx was complaining to Ax while listening to Blag explaining some questions asked by Ax. Ax can take control of the entire body with Alyx permission. Alyx was not interested in this useless information so he let Ax handle it.

Later at night Blag returned with the information on tribe leaders.

"Thank you Blag for everything you have done."

"No need this is the least I could do. Be careful in the tunnels."

Alyx bid farewell to Blag and entered the tunnels. After memorizing the information in the scroll he tossed it aside and returned to his travel pod.

'I'm going home after so many days. I'm tired of being a Lizardman.'

He went to the body repair lab and returned to being a human.

'Finally my own body.' Alyx was squirming holding his own body.

*Can you stop your weird actions. If anyone watches us now it would be awkward to explain.*

Alyx stopped his antics and returned to his mansion.

Alyx and Ax discussed their next course of action and made improvements to their earlier plan.

They also wanted to ask a few questions to Neo so they stayed in their mansion after contacting him.

It took Neo a few days to meet them as usual.