Chapter 130: The Motley Crew

Chapter 130: The Motley Crew

WHAT?! Zac asked, shocked. Thats impossible.

He wasnt saying that without any reason. He had proof in the form of his own titles. He was the first to reach level 25 and attain a class, and it was just impossible that someone not only caught up to him, but even gained another 50 levels.

Can you please show me, I need to verify the truth of it, Zac finally said.

After explaining how to show status screens or other menus of the System, he soon blankly stared at a small hovering box.

[3. Inevitability. Level 98]

The Zhix was unwilling to share the whole list, but that single line was all Zac needed to know the Zhix wasnt lying.

Holy shit Zac could only mutter.

Countless questions whirled in his head suddenly, the foremost one being how the hell this was possible. The only explanation he could come up with was that these Dominators didnt start at level one since they already used Cosmic Energy before the integration. He actually had no idea what happened in that case, and missive didnt really say anything about it either. It did, however, mention that sometimes the invaders encountered extremely strong resistance.

As for the titles they were either split up between the races like the ladder, or old cultivators werent eligible for them. Zac could only hope it was the latter since it was bad enough if the Dominators were level 100 E-Rank powerhouses. If they also had the First-Titles as well with all their big percentage bonuses they might as well pack it up and look for ways to get off this planet.

Level 100 was no joking matter. It was a full 25 levels past the bottleneck at 75. Since they were actually past the bottleneck it meant that they all held Dao seeds and an E-Ranked Class by now. Not only that, the improvements per level after the bottleneck were a lot larger compared to before. They would be in a completely different league compared to beasts like the Fiend Wolf he fought earlier, who barely had passed the threshold.

If you combined that fact together with the extremely strong bodies the leaders seemed to possess, it made a truly terrifying image. He held no illusions that hed be able to defeat something at level 100 even with all his titles, especially not considering their natural endowments.

With that amount of power, they were even a larger threat than the incursions. After all, they didnt just possess monstrous individual power, they also had large Zhix hives full of zealous warriors who were happy to go on a rampage against anything with cosmic energy. He even suspected that many had no idea they were following a so-called Dominator since they clearly were hiding and biding their time for some purpose.

I think you understand my worry, human. I need to gather more information, and hopefully we can warn other hives, Ibtep said.

Though it was like a risk Zac felt he had no choice but to bring Ibtep by this point. The Zhix was right, humans needed to be aware of this fact. And a real walking and talking Zhix would be far more effective than just him saying it without any real proof.

Ok, you can come. Talk to Adran and get a crystal for the language skill [Book of Babel]. Otherwise, the humans wont understand your words. We leave in the morning in two days, so make sure you finish your report home before that, Zac finally relented.

The crystals came from various demons who bought it at the Contribution shop and then traded it for Nexus Crystals or Nexus Coins with Adran. Since Zac felt it was an extremely important skill, and Calrin still wasnt able to buy a batch through the Mercantile System, he offered quite generous prices for them.

Oh, and figure out a way to pass the message to the hives without anyone approaching. There are few humans who are willing to do what I did, and force themselves into a hive to leave a message. We can probably drop a message down from the sky or shoot it at them from a long distance though, Zac added after some thought.

The next day was quite uneventful, as Zac simply trained most of the time except when he went back to his mansion to eat something and perhaps watch some movies. The new building held a proper viewing room almost looking like a luxurious cinema. Except for the fact that there were large soft leather couches placed in groups and a myriad of pelts and pillows created with soft wolf fur. Unfortunately, with the new looming threat it was hard to relax, even with his improved living conditions.

Finally the day of the Auction arrived, and Zac got himself ready. This time he didnt wear any shoes as he didnt know what would happen when a blue Gnome and a Zhix stepped through the teleporter, and he needed to be able to block a potential attack.

Hed already handed the Zhix one of the armors that held a single defensive charge through an inscription, the very same type that hed used in the beginning before he got his upgrade. As for the little Gnome he wasnt as worried since he was quite sure that many of the various items he wore were defensive treasures.

He said goodbye to a brooding Emelie who was angry she wasnt allowed to come with them this time either and headed toward the array. Everyone else was already waiting outside the teleportation building, the Zhix once again donning his huge backpack instead of using the Cosmic Sack.

The man looked surprised but acted quickly as he turned around and shouted a few orders.

Not long after the array flashed again and the party arrived one by one. The first who entered was Mr. Trang, making the greeter throw a confused glance at Zac. However, with every new person emerging after Sap his eyes widened a bit further.

The last to emerge through the teleporter was Ibtep, who curiously glanced around until his eyes landed on Adam, who by now was openly gaping as he stared at the odd party. Any activity had stopped in the lobby as well, as everyone was warily looking at the group, the silence almost palpable.

The Zhix didnt hesitate and resolutely walked up to Adam, making many aim their weapons at Ibtep.

Hello, human leader. Would you like a snack? he said, holding a large wriggling grub up to the startled man.

This is Ibtep, hes a part of Port Atwood and not an enemy, Zac quickly added.

Ah.. uh Well, welcome everyone, Adam managed to say as he hesitantly accepted the large larva. I am sorry, but could you please wait here? I am not sure about the protocols when encountering new species. I need to contact my superiors.

Thats fine, Zac said and ushered the group to a group of sofas closeby.

Whats with all these rules and regulations? Ogras muttered annoyed, but still went with the others. It shouldnt be so complicated. If people make trouble after arriving, kill them. If not, leave them be.

Basic bureaucracy is a cornerstone of a civilized society, Calrin said after casting a scathing glance at the demon. Not like you demons would understand, with your clusters being lawless hellholes.

Ogras didnt seem to mind and only grinned back at the Gnome.

What other laws do you need except the law of the jungle? he retorted.

The two had developed a rapport over the months that made Zac unsure whether they were good friends or bitter enemies. It was clear that the two were gearing up for an argument, but luckily something interrupted them.

The teleportation array flashed into life once again, and not long after a group of people emerged. They all wore high-quality gear that Zac assumed could only be bought through the system as he could spot fractals on various spots.

There were three of them, with the one in the front being an elderly man in at least his sixties. However, he looked to be in good vigor with sharp eyes and a ramrod-straight back. His beard and hair were meticulously cut, and he even radiated a bit of an aura. Everything about him oozed authority, and Zac guessed he was someone in power before the fall. Either a prominent businessman or a politician.

Another man looked like a bodyguard, warily looking around. He also had a large shield fastened to his back, and Zac assumed he was able to equip it at moments notice if needed. When the man saw Zac and the others his brows furrowed, and he slightly repositioned himself toward them.

His movements were ignored by the old man who looked straight ahead, but they were noticed by the last person, a woman somewhere in her twenties. She was quite tall, reaching over 170 cm, and she seemed to possess an almost feline grace. Her movements reminded Zac of the demon scout he fought long ago. She had been slippery as an eel, freely moving through the treetops as easily as walking on the ground. But the woman in front of Zac right now gave even him a distinct sense of danger, far more than any human hed met thus far.

She was beautiful, but not overly so. The most memorable thing about her, however, was her piercingly blue eyes. She looked quite intrigued as she glanced at their odd group, particularly at Ogras and Calrin.

Grandpa, the girl softly said, bringing the old mans attention to Zac and his group.

When he saw the Zacs motley crew his face changed the first time since exiting the teleportation array. The trio was known clearly known to the people of New Washingon, as another representative hurried up to them and wanted to show them the way out.

However, the old man simply ignored the liaison and walked toward the sofa group.