24 Chapter 24: A Message and a Reminder

"So, how do you think we go about doing this? Ask the GUIDE to transform into a status window, maybe?" Zephyr wondered. He understood the idea of defining their own rules, a system that would give them an idea of where they stood compared to others. But how do you go about implementing such a system? It was like building a game and having to define the game mechanics and logic from scratch. Only much more complicated, because this was real life. They couldn't simply assign stats and levels, expecting things to work that way.

"We could ask the GUIDE to do that. Although I feel like the response is going to be disappointing. Zephyr, you should be the one to ask the GUIDE, as it always seems to listen to you."

Everyone nodded at Asche's comment, as it was true that so far Zephyr had been the one to always get his wishes granted by the GUIDE.

The tech guy could only acquiesce to his friends' wishes and called to his GUIDE. An android robot popped up on his shoulder, as Zephyr asked it to turn into a status window.

|*Resident Zephyr lacks the authority to access the Status window. Please raise your level of authority*|

All the other laughed out, having already expected the response. No way the GUIDE would give it to them so easily. And they finally got to hear the GUIDE refuse him too. But then Kane stopped, as a thought stuck him.

"Don't you think the way it phrased it was strange? It did not deny or state that you couldn't request that because of his authority. But it specifically said that he couldn't access it. Which means that with a higher authority, it is possible to have a status window." His eyes were wide as he finished his sentence. The others also quietened, feeling that he was onto something.

"Hey GUIDE, if hypothetically there were ten ranks of authority, what would be my rank?"

A robot figure popped up on Kane's shoulder as the GUIDE responded to his question.

|*Resident Kane would be rankless in the supposed hypothetical case.*|

The answer was a straightforward one, but it gave the gang an idea. All of them seemed to have had the same thought as they glanced at each other.

"There is definitely more to the GUIDE than we are aware of. Not only might there be a rank system to the authority it speaks of, but there even exists a status window in the future. But why do you think this knowledge is being hidden?" Jay spoke up. He had said it before that he did not trust the GUIDE, and this new revelation made him only firmer in his thoughts.

"I don't think it's actively hiding this. But the knowledge is only meant to be shared with the worthy. Authority can also translate to Worth, and the GUIDE often also mentions how the merger is meant to pick the worthy. Maybe this knowledge is meant to be shared after the personal merger stage." Eli shared. The others all looked at her, wondering where did that had come from.

She glared back at them, knowing what exactly they were thinking, doubting her intellect.

"Don't look at me like that, or I'll bash your heads. I have cleared many more scenarios that you lot. And all of my stages and scenarios so far have had to do with battles and monsters. And every time I manage to win through the scenario, the GUIDE always reminds me that each victory leads me to being one step closer to being worthy. I just thought it made sense."

Kane smiled guiltily and nodded his head in agreement. "What Eli says seems to align with the intentions of the GUIDE. To ensure the survival of the worthy. But it seems to be a hindrance in our plan to create a system of rules that will bind the GUIDE."

And it seemed as if they had arrived back at square one. With no idea how to go forward and do what they wanted to. How do you even attempt something like this?

*TRNGG*

The sound of a notification echoed in the room as four of the heads turned to look at Kane. The little robot floating at his shoulder opened its mouth and announced in its mechanical tone,

|*Resident Kane, you have a message from the ADMINISTRATOR. Please respond as soon as possible.*|

The room turned silent as everyone looked at Kane. Not quite sure what to make of the notification, Kane called out to the GUIDE to read him the message.

"GUIDE, read out the message for me." Soon as he said that, a hologram popped up in front of him, displaying the ADMINISTRATOR seated cross-legged in the void. He stared right into Kane's eyes and addressed him.

|**Resident Kane, your recent query and complaint about the exploits from the members of Neimun Civilization have been well received. I would like to ensure to you that their actions will not destabilize the scales of fairness in this merger in any manner. My words alone might not assure you, but once you take part in a Reality stage, you will understand why I say so. You can also rest assured that they will not invade your reality or any other before the personal merger is over.**|

The alien being was still clad in his three-piece suit. Different from last time, the ADMINISTRATOR seemed more human this time. But Kane attributed that to the fact that he was addressing him directly.

The contents of the message, on the other hand, although surprising, did greatly to help alleviate the gang's worries. But the message was not done yet.

|**I also noticed the discussion you were having currently. Just a suggestion from my end. Do not confuse the merger with the GUIDE. Having a system does not matter, as the GUIDE will not directly help you survive the merger. Only your own efforts will allow you to clear this tribulation. Focus on yourself more than the others.**|

And with that, the hologram message ended in a poof. The five of them did not speak for a moment, trying to figure out what the alien-wearing-a-suit had meant to convey to them. But nothing really seemed to clear the confusion that grew in their mind.

"Uhm, so did he mean that what we were attempting was useless? Since the GUIDE already seems to have some sort of status window which we are yet to unlock, he meant that we should not focus on that, right?" Asche asked to no one in particular. They all had some thoughts about the message from the ADMINISTRATOR and what Asche said seemed to make the most sense.

They turned to Kane, whose idea it had been first to make a system of rules. His eyes were closed, so they weren't sure if he was even with them or he had disappeared into his own mind, shutting down everyone around them. As of late, they had often caught him doing the same.

But Kane opened his eyes the next moment, as if he had read their thoughts. He looked up and then grinned widely.

"We have been going about this very wrongly. The ADMINISTRATOR is right. It's not the GUIDE that we have to create a system of rules for, but the merger itself. We are not trying to survive the GUIDE, are we? We need rules for the merger. But we got side blinded by the existence of the GUIDE, making it our focus. If he did not remind us, we would have continued to waste time on that topic. Haiyaahhhh."

"But we already asked the GUIDE all about the merger on the first day itself. What all there was to learn was mentioned, and the rest was omitted by it using its lame excuse. So I don't see what you are getting at here?" Jay questioned him.

"Yes we did, but a lot has changed since then Jay. Not only do we know magic abilities and spells now, we are even using future gadgets and technologies. We have gone through many experiences and learnt a lot, especially you all, who have experienced complete new worlds in the World stages. We are not the same as yesterday. That means something, you know." Kane stood up on his couch, his palms tightly clenched into fists as he jumped in excitement.

"What does it mean? Give it to us already. I can tell you have managed to figure out something crucial now." Eli pointed her fist at him to not drag it out any longer. The group noticed his change of emotions as he jumped around.

"It means I finally get what the damned authority means. I get it finally, when the answer had been given to me already. I'm just stupid to not have caught on until now. It's our soul, the authority that the GUIDE keeps on spouting about is literally talking about the strength of our souls." He was literally shouting towards the end, having solved a clue to the big puzzle that was weighing on their minds.

Eli, Asche, Zephyr and Jay did not refute or agree with him immediately, as they went over his words. But as much as they would like to point out anything wrong with what he had said, they were not experts in this either. Because all of this was still new and they were still in the learning phase. But the confidence with which Kane said it made it seem like there was no way he could be wrong.

"Let me confirm it for you guys," Kane said, calling out to GUIDE in his mind.