Genetic Ascension

Chapter 1269: Maintenance

The planet rumbled and shook before stabilizing.

It was quite curious to Sylas. The size of the ship was enormous, but it definitely wasn’t big enough to cause such a disturbance if it could be parked on the planet itself—especially since, while this was a mostly barren and forgotten world, it certainly wasn’t a weak one.

There were only two explanations that Sylas could think of. Either the ship was incredibly dense. Or...

’There’s something particularly interesting about its Runes...’

If a star ship wasn’t going to be using hyper highways, but could still make it across a galaxy in about a month’s time, there had to be something special about it. Clearly, that had to be in its Runes.

’A combination of both... fascinating...’

Sylas had been in this world for a while now, but it was the first time he was actually interacting with it in a real, meaningful sense. Usually, he was on a strict timeline or trying to save his life in some way or another.

Though that was still true in a macro sense right now, he felt far more relaxed than he had at any point in the last year. That allowed him to ”smell the roses,” so to speak.

Old Brama had offered to teach him his path, but honestly Sylas hadn’t been all that interested. The mech Rune Master Path seemed only useful for the one mode that Sylas couldn’t use it for. Well, at least that was how Old Brama used it the most.

If Sylas tried to use a mech in battle, the Scorned Wraps would burn it to ash.

However, what of vessels like this or the UniForge like Andromeda? It was a path that had its own potential.

”What do you think?” Sylas asked, turning to Old Brama.

The old man seemed confused for a moment before he realized that Sylas was talking about the descending ship.

”Oh. It’s a star ship forged from Dwarf Iron, forged from the core of dwarf stars. It’s incredibly dense, so though it’s not very large, that ship is probably heavier than the entire planet. It takes advantage of that density to propel itself through the world, but that makes docking it particularly tricky. It not only requires an expert’s touch, but if you’re not careful you could destroy a world on launch.”

”Mm...” Sylas continued to look up and observe.

The series of handlers were all notifying their geniuses.

”Also, judging by the number of babysitters here, it is indeed near a recruitment cycle.”

Sylas nodded somewhat indifferently, far more interested in the ship above him.

”In case you’re interested, the antlered people are known as the Cervidons. They’re a D-Grade Race and are quite well known for their strong Aether manipulation and mental abilities. They create some pretty strong Rune Masters in general, and once in a blue moon they might birth a C-Grade version of their Race based on a unique mutation trait they have related to their antlers.

”The others are the Skarzok. They’re known less for their Rune Mastery and more for their heavy bones and oppressive strength. But they too can undergo random mutation that gives their signature defenses to their minds and Wills as well, giving them the best of both worlds.

”If they’re here, I would assume that their tag-alongs have these mutations.”

”Hey, old man,” Alex cleared his throat. ”I don’t think he’s listening.”

Old Brama ignored Alex, and Jala seemed to get a kick out of that. It was just unfortunate that Alex probably didn’t even know how to spell shame, let alone feel it.

”Mutations...”

Sylas mumbled out the word several minutes later, looking over to Old Brama with narrowed eyes.

That could happen to Races? Random mutations that allowed them to be a step beyond their ancestors? Interesting.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The star ship slowly touched down, a quaking might spreading in all directions as the entire planet rumbled. Not long later, the hull opened up and the beautifully polished, almost pill-shaped vessel cracked open like an egg.

A figure stepped out with a chest as hairy as its own personal forest. This wasn’t just a method of illustrating the thickness, but also a reflection of its color—a mossy green that rippled in the wind.

The man had skin tanned to a dark brown and eyes as black as night, without the slightest hint of sclera. The bestial aura he radiated was oppressive, and he too was certainly in the C-tier. It was just that, with the bloodlust he was radiating... he had almost certainly had to use that bestial aura not long ago.

’A big cat.’

These were the only three words Sylas thought to himself when seeing this man. Despite his appearance, Sylas was certain that this man followed the path of a big cat.

He didn’t know all the divided paths of the Beast Warlord Sanctum or if there was even a limit to them. But he could pick out an aura when he sensed one.

The man had been about to speak when he sensed something pass over him. His gaze flickered, feeling like someone was scanning him in a way that was very unfamiliar.

His eyes narrowed and soon they landed on Sylas.

’Scorpion? Serpent?’

Confusion colored the man’s face for a moment until he saw the badge.

His pupils constricted into pinholes and a rumbling might came out of him for a moment that suffocated almost all those around but Old Brama himself.

However, the man quickly restrained himself, especially as several auras flashed over from a distance. There was no doubt that it was those geniuses that had been called forward by their handlers.

Sylas met the man’s eyes calmly and without a single word. After another flicker, the man looked away.

”The ship will undergo three hours of maintenance and restocking before launching again. Payment will only be taken in the form of C-Grade Aetherstones. No negotiating. Payment will be by the head.”

BANG! BANG!

Two more echoing bangs—a Skarzok and a Cervidon landed heavily on the ground, their gazes scanning the crowd like a pair of rabid animals.