Chapitre 9: What Happens When You Have River Whales and Shoe Fishes?

Passing through the semi-dark tunnels was a metro train. It was travelling through the Lower Strata. And, seated in one of the seats was Jyorta, looking through the window as he was bored, unable to see anything outside.

But, now that he had gone through the Induction Ceremony, obtained a Wisdom Parasite, and had graduated from the military academy, he was able to notice some things that he hadn't noticed before. Rather, it seemed like his senses had evolved to pick up these things that anyone without a Wisdom Parasite wouldn't be able to perceive.

Jyorta looked at a man seated at the end of the compartment, gazing out the window in a daze. And, when Jyorta focused on his eyes, he noticed that some images seemed to be flashing through them. It was odd, as he was unable to determine just how he was able to perceive something like that.

"It's because he's on the verge of losing control. This is the most obvious sign relating to that." Jyovic Bone whispered, motioning for Jyorta to stop staring at the man for too long, "Most people are more sensitive than you think once they reach Tier 3. The slightest of actions would act as the catalyst to make them lose control. That's why, Elites that have reached Tier 4 have such a tremendous value. Do you understand it now?"

Upon seeing Jyorta nod in response and divert his gaze away from the man, Jyovic Bone nodded in support, "Thankfully, it seems he has come to terms with his fate and is on the way to obtain a Cleansement Fruit. Even though he would lose a greater portion of his powers as a result, he'll be freed from the mental plague."

Once their discussion had been completed, Jyovic Bone called forth the Bone Family members living in the 10th Ring and relayed to them his needs. As they began to prepare, Jyovic Bone motioned for Jyorta to follow him as they arrived at the Lower Strata and boarded a metro train.

Their destination was Sector 9 of the 10th Ring. After all, creating Sector 9 of the 11th Ring was their task. And subsequently, they also had to create Sector 9 of the 12th Ring, the final Ring of Marble City based on the plans relayed by Rhachis Ancestor Light.

And to do that, the militarised Sector 9 of the 10th ring was used as their base. They obtained part of the Sector for all their needs. It was also where they kept the Frenzy Beasts locked up to be used in the creation of their Unranked Skill, Bone Devour.

Most of their research-related stuff was in Sector 9, 10th Ring. After all, it wasn't a civilian area. So, only those part of the workforce travelled there.

It was a relatively long Journey since they had to travel from Sector 12, 7th Ring that was positioned in the north all the way to Sector 9, 10th Ring which was positioned in the west. And as they had to move about in circle due to the shape of the Rings, the travel distance was longer, causing a lot of time to be spent on the Journey.

It was afternoon when they arrived at Sector 9,10th Ring, entering the Bone Family's research institution. Jyovic Bone pointed at an entryway to the side upon entering the lobby, "You still don't have the clearance to access inside. So, I prepared everything you need in a side room."

"Do I have to be Tier 3 to obtain the Clearance?" Jyorta asked.

"That is just one of the requirements. You should also have enough Contribution Points and some degree of acclaim in the fields desired here. There is heavy competition within our family for the select few spots that open up every year." Jyovic Bone said, "And, everything's fair game here. Your personal achievements are the only merit valued here."

"That's…impressive," Jyorta nodded, liking the concept. After all, if someone with lacking skill made way into any organisation through connections alone, he was the type to look down on them like they were dirt. In his past life, he had attained what he wished to obtain through sheer merit every single time. So, he pretty much despised the less talented that made it into prestigious places through bribery and useless pedigree.

As for the opportunities he had missed due to lacking results, he always let them go, even though a single word from his parents would have been enough to get him into the institution he had applied for. His ego prevented him from doing that, wishing to achieve things through his effort. And, he used this sense of ego to weigh everything.

So, upon hearing that everything at the place was merit-based, he smiled, following Jyovic Bone as they arrived inside a massive room that seemed like a garage of sorts. Looking at it, Jyovic Bone said, "We have just transported all the items here to a different facility. It would take a week before new items would be brought here. So, I thought you could use this free space until then."

In the circular room with a radius of 40 metres lay eleven large glass tanks filled with water. And, present within the first ten, each was a Tier 3 River Whale, currently unconscious. In the final tank were the Shoe Fishes, innumerous, but invisible to the eye.

"Hmm, can the eleven water tanks be connected?" Jyorta asked.

"Of course, there are pipes to do so," Jyovic Bone said, pointing to the pipe outlets at the side of the tanks that were each a metre in diameter. Upon Jyorta's request, Jyovic Bone connected all eleven tanks to one another. He then took a step back, crossing his arms as he gazed at them with a smile.

Taking in a deep breath, Jyorta focused, sensing the tinge of psychic energy remaining within him. He had already consumed quite the amount of Healing Salve, so his psychic energy reserves continued to slowly but surely be replenished.

Taking advantage of the fact that all the Frenzy Beasts in the place had been placed at a state of unconsciousness, Jyorta slowly riled up his aura, focusing on the first water tank.

Aura Personification—Hallucination!