Brutalist architecture passed by as the train sped down a floating highway. It only appeared to be floating because the strings that held it up were imperceivable to the naked eye.
But to Frost, the highways reminded her of the suspension bridges back on Earth. These highways were recessed between two flanking pathways reserved solely for pedestrians. The roads above curled into themselves and were built as though their blueprint was based on the configuration of a scrunched string.
They made loops that required one to walk upside down. Often, they were built at integral points, which required people to either walk around or to precariously walk around the edges. Frost could only feel sorrow for those who were given a Commandnt to make walk through those loops.
“Are these necessary for the predictions?” Her voice didn’t reach anyone.
Everyone at the deck was spread thinly, and were checking their gear before their arrival at Sector String J.
Accompanying them at the top were Acedia, Alcina, Raoul, the twins and the one and only Joy.
“Malgam…” Joy’s expression was noticeably worse compared to when she first saw the City of Hearts and even the underground section of the City of Clubs.
“Can’t run away from the stench of suffering. It slls like fresh blood and rotting corpses. Has a tinge of an industrial scent too. You ok Joy?”
“Gam.” She nodded.
A head pat seed to calm her down.
The sll would have easily knocked regular people out by the intensity alone, and it contributed to half of the reason why Joy wore such a somber expression.
The other half had to do with the state of the City of Strings. It wasn’t as vibrant as the City of Hearts, nor did Frost tell her about the care the Atelier had for their citizens like the City of Clubs. It was comparable to the ruins of the City of Spades, only that the suffering was sanctioned here.
Every so often, as Frost would move along the train to talk to the others, Joy’s eyes would wander to the lights above. The twins were also captivated by the light beyond the mist.
The looming Act X fortress dominated their vision, and they soon reached a junction connecting Sector String 3 to String J. There were no walls, and the brutalist buildings ended abruptly.
From a distance, the entire Sector itself looked like a giant wall. The darkness and the mist soon swallowed it, leaving only the faintest dark outline as the swarm of monsters thinned.
Eventually, they reached a long strip of barren concrete. It was unnaturally flat, and various railway lines could be seen in the distance running parallel to them.
Nothing was visible beyond a few kiloters due to the darkness and the fog that engulfed the City of Strings.
Except of course for the floating fortress ahead.
*Thump* *Thump*
Jury moved to where Frost was standing.
Her tail thumped at the ground rhythmically to signal her approach, and her jaw moved quietly as though she had sothing to say.
“Yeah? What’s up?” Frost greeted. “Finished with your chemical… what was it, synthesis?”
“Nothing too special from them. But I did co across a Puff Puff.” Jury retrieved a still breathing Puff Puff and presented it to Frost. “Give it a nibble? I didn’t season it like how Cer seasoned that Fallen Beholder.”
“It has ‘Jury’ seasoning on it, so it’ll be extra tasty.” Frost smiled and took the ball of fluff from her hands. “A Magicalis. Yeah, they can be feral. But I didn’t they were nocturnal creatures. Weird, since don’t they naturally inhabit colder regions?”
She studied it like how one would inspect a tennis ball. There was little care for this monster, and she tossed it into the air to test its weight. A quick [Analyze Target] revealed information she was already aware of.
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However, she suddenly received a notification.
< Analyze Target Has Gained a Level >
< ACTIVE: (E) Analyze Target I [0/10] >
< EFFECT: Gain 15% more stats from targets analyzed. You will learn their Skills, characteristics and biology >
< COST: Nil >
< PASSIVE: (E) Observation II >
< EFFECT: Only Paged information can be gained through observation >
“There it is. First Milestone for [Analyze Target].” Frost gave herself a silent applause. “Paged cos after Basic Observation. Ties in with how this Skill is helping us fill out the Eternal Library. I’d wager to guess that Chapter cos after. Let’s see what the Puff Puff shows now. [Analyze Target].”
< Target Analyzed >
Puff Puff
< Basic Observation >
< Creatures believed to originate from the cooler Regions across Elysia. Puff Puffs exhibit pack ntality and have been observed expanding a hidden mouth up to 10 tis their size to swallow prey whole. Beware of this Phenom of Contempt >
Puff Puff
< Paged Observation >
< Contains unique magical properties resembling the Magicalis. It is unclear whether they are Magicalis and truly originate from the shavings of the Nexus. Make no mistake, their hunger for blood exceeds that of the top predators in their ecosystem. Despite their bloodlust, they have been linked to the return of missing children for the last 300 years. Thus, it is improbable that they are Magicalis, as they precede the existence of the Nexus >
“Anna and her Bookkeepers are gonna have to and this. But I guess we’re looking at what’s publicly known. I would have liked to see more biological functions and characteristics. But this is also pretty interesting in its own way.” Frost smiled at the part that ntioned the rcy these creatures had for children. “I guess monsters have their limits too.”
“Wrong.” Cer ca along, looking into the air. Nav had sent everyone this prompt, and Cer disagreed with Frost’s optimistic outlook. “Magicalis live for a long ti. It’s the sa reason you don’t kill a lamb for mutton. Don’t forget we’re looking at one that doesn’t originate from inside the Nexus.”
She folded her arms and looked out into the concrete plains, adding:
“Not so concerned about how we’re gonna get up there? Nav doesn’t believe there’s a Hyperlink Relay Site up ahead, so we can’t exactly teleport up. Here’s to hoping they have a magical elevator. Or we can get Res to paint us so wings.”
“That can work.” Jury approved. “But I have a feeling we’ll get in just fine~ Beholder Marionette knows we’re coming.”
“So does Act X. But Frost doesn’t wanna kill anyone.” Cer retorted, right before Res and Alcina ca to join them.
Alcina didn’t say a word. She simply wanted to bathe in their presence. It was in her best interest to remain in good standing with Frost. As much as she wished to open her mouth, she knew her place.
And that was to be beside Cer.
Res dipped her tail into an imaginary bucket of paint and slashed the air to create a pair of brush-stroke wings.
“It can work, but not as well as you think. I can see working once I master [Painted Creation] and [Mixed dia].”
[Painted Creation] and [Mixed dia] were Corrupted Skills that dictated what she could create, and what diums she could mix. Currently, she can create most inanimate objects, but only pieces of living creatures.
The issue was creating sothing that could work in motion. A cup, a bullet, spears, even a house: these were simply Artworks. But animating them required different diums, like how the body was not solely made up of normal muscular tissue.
In Res’ case, she needed a way to combine Oil Painting with Acrylic, Watercolor, Ink, Graphite, etc to truly animate life.
It didn’t have to be a one-to-one replica.
It only needed to be strong enough to not rip itself apart.
“Any backup is nice.” Frost smiled and slowly brought Joy towards those wings. “Wanna wear them?”
“Gam?” She jolted lightly.
She had been hypnotized by the light for so ti now, and she smiled imdiately once she saw Frost’s face.
“… Hey, does the light, that star, have any anomalous properties we don’t know of? Alcina?”
“M-!? Oh yes! Not that I’m aware of. So people don’t see it at all. It’s good that you can see it, cause I sure as hell can’t… I an, sorry. Forgive my conduct.”
“It’s fine.” Frost raised a hand to assure her. “That in itself is an anomalous property. Who else can and can’t see it!?”
The others gathered at the sound of her voice.
“I see it alright.” Raoul murmured.
“We…”
“… Can.”
As did the twins.
Cer, Res, Joy and Jury confird with silent nods. Acedia however, smiled at where the light was and answered with:
“No light. It must know the attendees of Mother.”
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