Bab 28: Chapter 28 - Impossible Trial
"How did you do it?" Red Queen asked the young man standing near her console. He had managed to react and hold the head of the zombie dog that attacked him, and with sparks coming out of his hand, the dog fell down, dead. It was a mystery, but that wasn't what she was asking. She could calculate and know what he did and how he did it.
What she couldn't calculate was how he managed to bypass all her protocols and traps like they were nothing, "How did you do it?"
Aurum threw away the dog, moving towards Red Queen. He stood on top of the circular blue surface, embedded in the ground, which was its main body, "You want to know. But first, let me send Umbrella a gift."
Blue and red electricity appeared around him, sharply sinking inside the console, and his consciousness moved inside, effortlessly able to see all the networks that Red Queen connected to. Even in the places where her access blocked, his consciousness could easily penetrate.
"How can you come here? Are you not human?"
"I don't know," Aurum glanced towards her, "Doesn't matter if I am not."
Aurum watched as the blasts appeared in every node in the network. Each place formed a small black hole, sucking in all the information in the network, destroying it so utterly that it became unretrievable.
Red Queen emotionlessly watched as the securest of her systems crumbled under the unexpected assault. "What are you?"
Aurum's focus remained fixed on his task, his psychic presence extending like tendrils into the digital landscape, each black hole growing stronger and consuming more data. His eyes glinted as he pushed deeper, his psychic energy intertwining with the electronic pathways. There was resistance, people trying to save the network, trying to save information, but it was of no use.
In front of his power, their efforts collapsed in moments and the rest of the information got erased. He sent a massive jolt of psychic electricity that fried the network, and he was sure it would come out at every node and spread destruction all around it, enough to make Umbrella's facilities collapse one after the other.
"Here, now that we don't need to worry about any prying eyes," Aurum reached out towards her, causing numbers to appear from the palm of his hand as they reached Red Queen, who studied the information she received. She waited until she had all the information before replying.
"I will preserve the situation as much as possible," she replied.
"That's good," Aurum left the digital world, seeing everyone still fighting at the door. He caught a glimpse of Alice, making an apologetic look appear in his eyes, "Sorry. Alice."
He turned his back towards her, walking towards the wall as a name left his lips, "Euphrox."
Along with that name, a ripple appeared in space, which he stepped inside without hesitation. On the other side was a vast sky, and ruins covered in moss and vines. The grass reached his knees, and the sun was at its peak. He looked towards the mountain range in the distance, hearing a laughter coming from the front.
As he walked closer, the laughter only intensified, until his eyes landed on the three- or four-year-old boy. He had blue hair with pink highlights, which shook as he laughed, and rolled, "To think I would lose! This is the most fun I have had in a long time! And one of the very rare losses. Hahahahah!! Yeahhh! I can't stop laughing! That was so good!"
The boy clapped as he laughed, and Aurum silently watched him, letting out a breath. He raised his head, staring at the blue sky, 'I did it…I really beat the Floor Master. This all started because I picked a fight I wasn't ready for.'
??? Time Ago,
"Woah, I really am seeking death," Aurum stood on the roof, seeing the crowd of people running forward, leaving all the cars and luggage around. Even from here he could see the swarm of zombies and they were in no way only a hundred of them. If he had to guess, they were easily in thousands, "Even if I take all the magazines, and guns…no, even if I had a machine gun, then I wouldn't be able to kill half of them."
He sat down on top of the car, watching the zombies march at a leisure, "if I could make a wave from the river water and make it crash. Or a pit to appear under their feet. Or maybe drop a missile on them. I might have a chance."
He lay down on the car, emptily staring at the sky, watching the clouds swim in that vast ocean of blue. He took out his status card, "Let's see what we are working with."
[Name – Aurelius V. Aurum]
[Level 19 – 12/280]
Strength (SS) – 25 (+25)
Agility (S) – 22 (+25)
Endurance (S) – 22 (+25)
Dexterity (S) – 20 (+25)
Intelligence (S) – 20 (+25)
Genetic Power (SS) – 15 (+25)
Psychic Power (S) – 15 (+25)
Willpower (S) – 30 (+25)
[???]
#@^$#& - Unknown
[Genetic Abilities]
Super Soldier Physique (SS Rank) – Enhanced Physical Powers. Your Aptitude has increased. Currently provides 25 Points in all parameters.
[Psychic Abilities]
Mind Reading (G Rank) – Allows you to read the mind. At the current level, you need a deep connection to read the mind.
Telekinesis (F Rank) – At current level, you can barely hold a few things in place.
[Willpower Abilities]
Accelerated Development – You learn at a fast rate.
Opposition – You can oppose all sorts of attempts to control you.
Increased Survivability – There are increased chances that you will overcome physical issues to reach your goal.
Increase Courage – In front of impossible odds, your WILL with grant you courage.
Resist Pain – You will function through pain.
Power Resistance – Adapt to the effects of any and all powers and abilities.
Strength – In the depths of despair. You will gain strength.
[Abilities]
Sharp Shooting – Gain an increase of 10% in accuracy and perception when attacking from long range. (G Rank)
[Combat Skills]
Marksmanship (S Rank), Swordsmanship (A Rank), Hand-to-Hand (A Rank), Karate (B Rank), Archery (B Rank), Spearmanship (B Rank), Taekwondo (C Rank), Krav-Maga (C Rank), Judo (D Rank), Boxing (D Rank)
[Additional Skills]
Poison Crafting, Concealed Weapons Master, Simulated Strategy, Tactical Planning, Stealth and Infiltration, Enhanced Perception, Combat Adaptation,
Emergency First Aid, Quick Reflexes, Mental Resilience, Survival Skills, Negotiation and Persuasion, Resourceful Problem-Solving, Information Gathering, Assassination.
"Wait, I have 50 Points in my strength and an SS Rank Aptitude. I wonder how much my strength is right now?" Aurum slapped his hand on the car's roof, only to see it slam through the room, creating a hole in it. He parted his lips in surprise, slowly pulling it out to make sure not to get any scratches before he jumped down from the car, "fascinating."
He bent down, grabbing the car from the side. He grit his teeth, pulling all the force to lift the car when he noticed that he had flipped it to the side, effortlessly to boot, "Umu…I am a monster. Still, they only need one scratch to kill me. Can't go anywhere near them."
"Wow, I was racking my brain for nothing. This is freaking easy," Aurum rubbed his chin, "Let's see if I can make it easier."
He held the card, "Yo, temple dude. Where is my Loot Box? The one that I could get any weapon from?"
The card glowed, and a holographic box appeared in front of him. When the temples appeared, they granted everyone a box so they could gain a weapon. Since their groups had weapons provided by him, they didn't use this. He had been saving it. He planned to use it when he really needed it.
"How about a suit of armour made from nano-technology that can shoot beams and missiles," Aurum curiously asked.
[Unavailable.]
"Unavailable…would it be in the future," Aurum narrowed his eyes, but he didn't get a reply.
"What about an android that possesses supernatural powers?"
[Unavailable.]
"Then. I can do with a Nine-Tailed Fox or something."
[Unavailable.]
"How about a supernatural sword that awakens an ability when you shout its name?"
[Unavailable.]
"That too, huh," Aurum tilted his head to the side. He keenly narrowed his eyes, "Then, give me a cure that can make zombies better, hence killing them. That is a weapon."
[…Unavailable.]
"Hey, Mr God. You promised when you gave this box. To choose any weapon we like. Don't tell me you are going back on your word. Not very godly when we consider Let there be Light," Aurum mockingly rubbed his chin.
Seeing how he didn't get any reply, "Alright then. I want to be armed with knowledge. Meet me and impart that knowledge on me so I can fight these zombies."
Aurum wasn't expecting anything when a flash appeared in front of his eyes, leaving him blind for the next minute. When he could finally see, he heard a laugh, that of a child, enjoying itself in his misery. He strained his eyes, looking at the blue hair child in a suit, rolling on the grass as he laughed, "You are nothing like the statue."
"Wah, so calm. You sure are different. If you didn't keep trying, then I wouldn't have noticed you," the child sat up, grinning, "Now I see why others tell me to pay more attention to the outside."
"I don't think we are on the same wavelength. How about you tell me who you are? And then we can talk."
"Haha, Euphrox. I am the Floor Manager," the child placed his palm on his chest, casually giving away an absurd amount of information.
"Floor Manager," Aurum held his head, "So troublesome."
He sat down in front of the boy, looking him in the eyes, "Then why did you call me?"
"Because you don't belong on my floor. You must have already guessed it…seeing how sharp you are. The moment I said something like Floor manager," Euphrox softly smiled, "You must have made a deal with a Floor Master on Higher Levels, and they smuggled you to my floor knowing I don't check my outsides."
"Oh," Aurum nonchalantly tilted his head, "Makes sense. Then, what?"
"Nothing really," Euphrox curiously smiled, "it has happened before. For one, it is not allowed to travel between the floors! But, not only have you travelled, there are peculiar things about you. Like…"
"My body, that is not mine," Aurum casually smiled at Euphrox, who wanted to pretend to be mysterious and not tell him.
"You know," Euphrox skulkingly looked away, "Ah, whatever. Since you know, then you know. Now, who did you make a deal with?"
"Don't remember," Aurum scratched his cheek, "No memories. I got a full reborn package…no, I think I was about 3 years old when I first had a thought, so might not be full reborn package."
"Fufufu," Euphrox curiously looked at him, "Don't remember. Alright. Then…"
"You have some kind of lie detector here? Don't tell me this place is like your domain where nothings escape you," Aurum curiously asked.
"Uh…hahah. Yeah, something like that," Euphrox chuckled, "Not only did to come to the First Floor, you even brought that girl here. Your little sister is a source of calamity. Even Floor Masters might not be able to restrain themselves. Even I had to take this physical form to not act on the impulses she drew out."
"Heh, aren't you a good guy," Aurum raised his eyebrows.
"I am, I know!"
"Then give me the cure for the apocalypse."
"Don't have it," Euphrox proudly puffed his chest out, making Aurum's eye twitch, 'what is there to be proud about?'
"Why?"
"Hah, how should put it? The Dungeon constantly keeps changing. By constantly not your human constant like in a year or two. It takes certain conditions. Recently the Dungeon went through a big change, and this universe landed on the First Floor. It must have been during that change when you smuggled here. Either way, this is the beginning. There isn't a cure yet, so there is no cure. Changing cause and effects to the degree where there is a cure before the cure is a sure-fire way to get fired from this job," Euphrox swayed from side to side, "can't get you one."
"Oh, I see. Then the Unavailable Part…alright. I know what weapon to get and how to take care of the zombies. Send me back for now."
"Eh, so soon? Don't you want the cure?"
"Didn't you say you don't have it," Aurum narrowed his eyes.
"Hehe, I don't have it. Luckily for you. Second Floor also has a zombie apocalypse," Euphrox grinned, "there is even a cure there."
"What are you trying to do?" Aurum cautiously asked. He had a feeling he was getting dragged into some kind of scheme.
"Yes, there is a cure there. Yes, I can send you. No, your memories blocked. Yes, those cheating voices gone. All you have to do is collect the cure when you don't know that you have to collect it, and say my name on the Second Floor. If you can do the impossible, you can bring the cure back," Euphrox laughed, as if proud with his conditions, "What do you say? Do you dare?"
Aurum rested his palm on his knee, looking down as a laugh escaped his lips, "hahaha, hahahahah!! Hahahahahahahahaahaa! Ohhhhhh! My stomach hurts!"
"Haha, just that? Something as simple as that will get me the cure?"
"You think it is simple," Euphrox pulled away, taken aback, seeing the sharp glow appear in Aurum's eyes as he tilted his head, "Then, for talking what is precious to me. Give me two things. And I'll play your game."
"Depends on what you are going to ask."
"One, I want Eve's ability. I know she can sense deaths in some way. I want to know what she is going through. Give me that. I will live that life with her eyes."
"Oh, I can do that. Second?"
"Give me the ability that Saya Takagi will awaken."
"Uh," Euphrox blankly looked at him, "Are you sure? You don't even know what it is?"
"I am sure," Aurum confidently smiled, "I already see myself winning this game."
"Heh…ahaha! So cool! I look forward to your work! Do surprise me! As a courtesy. I will slow down the time on this floor so you don't miss much," Euphrox excitedly grinned.
"Oh, lastly. I want to take care of those zombies. I have already decided on the weapon. It isn't anything broken, so you shouldn't have any problem giving me one."
"What do you want?"
"A Drill on the Spear. I need it to run on my energy rather than batteries."
Present,
Euphrox wiped his tears from the corner of his eyes, "To think you would go as far as forming a symbiotic with an AI, risking losing yourself, and your mind. Strand at the edge of death. All to remember her. Congratulations, you did the impossible. You have a cure, but it won't work on the zombies here. What are you going to do now?"
"I already thought about that," Aurum exhaled, "I told you. I see myself winning this game. That included the zombie apocalypse."
"I see. I look forward to what you do. And what are you going to do about the ones you left behind on the Second Floor? Want to go back to them?"
"You really want me to rely on you and beg you, don't you," Aurum mockingly looked towards Euphrox, "Why don't you go and see what is going on the Second Floor. Don't be a sore loser, kid. I won the game, and all the hidden sub-quests in this little sideshow. For now, I am going to go back and solve the zombie apocalypse, and then you are going to open the path for me to enter the second floor as a reward."
"Heh, who said you can go to the second floor," Euphrox mischievously blinked.
"You said it yourself, Climb the Dungeon," Aurum shrugged, turning around to leave, "Give up kid."
"Tsk, you really are ruthless. Let me have a small win," Euphrox cutely pouted when a solemn look crossed his eyes, "Hey, kiddo. How did you know that you'd remember her?"
Aurum stopped. He had a feeling that there won't be an exit until he answered. And he was too proud to turn back and look dumb, "you can take away my memories, my body, my heart and soul, and I'd still love her. Because I am Aurum, and she is Eve. It's that simple."
Euphrox stared at Aurum's back when a gate appeared which Aurum passed through at the boy sighed, "Utter defeat at the hands of a human."
He lay back down on the grass, staring at the wondrous sky, "Hahahahahahahaha!! Aurum and Eve. Eve and Aurum. Ah, the two of you are so marvellous! God's Favourite Human and that Monster. I wonder how far they can climb. Uwa! I can't wait! Hurry and climb the Dungeon!! But first…can you really fulfil the condition of Floor Completion?"
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone