Chapter 288: Day 626 – A Return To Horror

Name:The Systemic Lands Author:
Chapter 288: Day 626 – A Return To Horror

All this running was exhausting. I had gone directly Northwest from Purgatory through the swamp. There were black iris floating eyes, which shot black beams at me. I dodged them and pushed on rapidly with Air Burst. The skill was really getting a workout.

I cleared the swamp and saw a pit and likely dungeon to the Northwest, I would stop there on the way back. I then turned West, kicking off the ground at a quick but leisurely pace. I entered the problem zone, and the ground was still solid. No jelly ground, which was a good sign.

There were purple rabbit monsters that unleashed hums in my direction that cracked the ground where I had been. That was another good sign that the Almighty System had gained back control over the area. I did not want to be caught in a battle between two eldritch powers. The Almighty System on one side and that shard or shards on the other.

The fact that the effects were so widespread was quite concerning. Also, that they were instantly corrected was scary as well. It clearly showcased the overwhelming power the Almighty System had. It truly was a God with a capital ‘G’ in every sense of the word.

First the meta-points and now this correction or response to an anomaly. The Almighty System was aware in some fashion. I didn’t want to ascribe it human traits, but it clearly had some higher level decision making abilities. It wasn’t a dumb weapon or terraforming alien program.

Both things were like signs from God, like the burning bush to Mosses on Mount Sinai when he got the ten commandments. First commandment of the Almighty System, don’t change the Systemic Lands to jelly and disrupt things. I chuckled to myself at that thought. But the fact that the Almighty System intervened directly was a scary thought.The debut release of this chapter happened at Ñøv€l-B1n.

It was one thing to imagine a system just chugging along like a bot. But for it to act in some way, showed that it was not to be trifled with. Poking it could have very serious consequences, beyond not having store access.

I ran across some holes in the ground, with void way down, but the ground was solid. I reached the point where I had taken off with the Astrologer before over the pit of void. I could see the black bubbles floating around, a sheen to their edges making it possible to see them. But the ground was as hard as ever.

The edge was more ragged than the edge to the void zones or the cracks that extended from them, but there was a clearly defined edge, that wasn’t oozing off into nothingness. There was also no floating chunks of matter or people that I could see. My guess, is that whatever that other energy was, was erased, but the terrain was still messed up.

I also wondered if that shard of pure energy was still out there over the void. Without the Astrologer, there was no way I was going to try and fly over the pit of darkness. That was a big no. I only trusted him to an extent, since he clearly knew what he was doing, and I wanted a meta-point.

My feelings for the thing that was the Astrologer I knew were complicated. I chose to ignore my feelings and turn North. I eventually came to the landscape that was flesh. I noted that there were no monsters near this area of the zone.

The division between the flesh landscape with rivulets of blood and the shadowlands I was currently in, was a stark contrast. The flesh slowly moved and twisted. I picked up a stone and threw it on the flesh landscape. The stone instantly disintegrated into dust the moment it touched the flesh. There was nothing left.

One second the stone was there, then nothing. Not even a sound or anything else. “Acid Shot.” I used my skill behind me. There was no reaction. “Air Burst.” I prepped the skill for a quick escape if needed. “Acid Shot.” I used the skill on the flesh.

My acid instantly vaporized into nothingness as it impacted the flesh and blood. There was no reaction. I looked closer at the boundary between the two landscapes, and there was a very small gap between the two. I moved away and looked at the flesh and blood once again contemplating how creepy it was.

The Astrologer had speculated it was the result of the Almighty System bleeding off excess energy into a terraforming process. If that was an example of a higher level zone, it was instant death to the current me. I had no good way to estimate the danger level either. I was really considering negative energy training right now. If I didn’t know a Sense stat was next to be unlocked from the store, I would have definitely trained to sense energy.

I was about to turn away. When I noticed a man racing towards me. He had over 1,000 Body, possibly 1,500 based on his movements. He was dressed in white and black. Black shirt and pants with white trim. His face was thin and in a frown, ready to strike whomever got in his way. His oriental features and outfit made me think of a martial arts master. I noted a small white oriental dragon etched onto the collar of his shirt.

I fully faced the man as he quickly closed the distance to me. “State your name and allegiance under my authority as Envoy of her most esteemed Divine Empress ruler of the West,” the man said loudly and at a distance from me.

Dammit, well, time to put on my game face. “I am Champion Michael representative of the Astrologer, ruler of the East.” I kept my face calm. I had no idea about this man’s power level, but he was probably not weak.

“A dog of that man. What do you make of this thing? A failed weapons test?” the Envoy asked, and he didn’t move from his position.

“Not a weapon’s test, an event much like the calamity. Something outside of the System itself,” I replied. I needed to be on my toes in this conversation. One misstep would be disastrous.

“No Astrologer. Only you, a weak person. Yet dare to speak here.” The Envoy was challenging my authority. I couldn’t afford to back down. Any weakness would see this man press the advantage. I also had no idea of his true combat level. While he slightly outclassed me in Body, I doubted he had my energy reserves.

I would be able to fight for a long time. Time to gamble and force the issue. “A letter from the Astrologer confirming my credentials, penned in his hand, and signed in his name.” I pulled forth the piece of paper the Astrologer had hidden in my bed frame from inside my armor. “Also, if you wish to exchange pointers, then I shall be happy to accommodate you,” I replied.

The Envoy stared at me for a bit and then held out his hand. “I will take this note. Convey this to the divine, I will with great haste.” I walked over, which was a clear power play, and put the letter in his hand. I then stood there close to the Envoy. He was about my height with beady eyes, and a very well-trimmed black beard and mustache that had just the hints of white in it.

He gave me a look for a bit, but I didn’t retreat. He then opened the letter to read it. I had already read it myself.

To Whom It May Concern,

I have appointed Champion Michael to act as one of my representatives as Ruler of the East. This letter is proof of his credentials. For I go to climb a tower and claim the prize at the top. While the calamity may have set me back slightly, I look forward to speaking to the Divine Empress in person once more. She enjoyed my last gift. I look forward to giving her another.

The Astrologer, Master of Meta-Magic

Ruler of the East

Sword of the Stars

First Seat on the Council of United City States