Dungeons, Task Progress

Chapter 26 Dungeons, Task Progress

That night, Ceid had been gone for nearly 4 hours. From tracking down the suspicious group to concluding the initial negotiation, unexpectedly, the process was smooth. He hadn't even needed to confront them directly.

Ceid understood that this smoothness was likely a result of the overwhelming strength he exuded, along with the subtle coercion of his aura. But perhaps most importantly, the scar-faced leader proved to be an intelligent and prudent individual.

As expected, he was an awakener.

When Ceid concluded the initial intention of collaboration, he shook the guy's hand. And he immediately understood the guy's level.

"Even thugs level character is an awakened with strength equivalent to a first-layer junior practitioner," Ceid muttered to himself.

"Wyd, didn't you say that there are even adventurers and awakeners profession here?"

<Yes. Since the appearance of dungeons, awakeners were recruited to explore and conquer dungeons as they describe it.>

<Based on available records, when Ayda's father went missing, he was one of the adventurers tasked to explore a newly found dungeon.>

<However, everyone who entered the dungeon was either killed at entrance by chaotic energy or stranded inside, never to return.>

"Unstable space channel...stranded...unknown dungeon...isn't space crack?" Ceid asked.

<Affirmative, I believe it is highly probable that this was a space crack.>

"As expected," Ceid said in agreement.

"Wait, did I miss something? Why does it sound like other dungeons may not be connected via space crack?"

<Affirmative. Not all recorded dungeons had unstable entrances. There are indications that some a very stable and sustainable space channel.>

<Many of the dungeons could be explored repeatedly.>

"...and why haven't I heard you mention this before?"

<What do you mean, Host? In the initial reports, I've already given a complete summary. It includes mentioning this possibility.>

"And you didn't find anything wrong or suspicious in it?"

<Negative. >

<It is a normal assumption that dungeons and space cracks were interrelated to fragmented worlds secret realms. The channel could practically, randomly connect Blanc Planet any destination one imagine.>

<If enough resources and technologies were given, it was perfectly normal for a space channel to connect with anywhere in the universe.>

"And yet..." he sighed in frustration. "How about if I say this place was Blanc Planet?"

<Affirmative. I know this was Blanc Planet. What's wrong with it?>

"Sigh, this is why I should never rely too much on AI computing. Wyd, how about I remind you that Blanc Planet was located in an uncharted galaxy, supposedly without any prior record in the Sord Network."

<Host, you don't need to remind me. I already knew that this galaxy was an unchart...>

<... >

<Oooh! >

-

Typically, dungeons and space cracks were interrelated.

When phenomena like the world's Aura Qi recovered, space disturbance, and so on occurred, the chaotic Aura Qi caused chaos in the space fabric, or something like that. This caused space cracks to appear.

These space cracks caused space channels to be created, connecting one place to various destinations.

These destinations could be fragments of a destroyed world, a different continent, another planet, random space coordinates, or even legendary secret realms.

Along with it, the dungeons were hailed as veritable treasure troves. It created a plethora of advantages for the local people.

Resources that were found eased the demand for resources. A new supply of energy sources, rare materials, and the carcasses of formidable beasts were among the many advantages of dungeons.

It also spurred technological advancement by discovering various artifacts and unearthing lost technologies.

For many industries, dungeons proved to be indispensable, providing invaluable resources and technological breakthroughs.

Of course, this also brought along whatever danger that may live in these destinations back to the original location.

Based on the information Ceid gathered from Wyd's previous report, he had assumed that the dungeons on Blanc Planet were similar.

For phenomena like dungeons, the destinations were of no consequence as it was not surprising for them to connect to wherever destinations.

The possibilities were endless.

Unlike Ceid, who had low cultivation and rarely went for interstellar travel, space adventurers and those acquainted with space cracks were well aware of the veracity of this statement.

It could be said that part of the thrills and callings for space adventurers is to venture into space cracks and explore the unknown.

This was especially true for dungeons that appeared due to chaos caused by Aura Qi's recovery.

But there's a fundamental difference if one talks about space channels itself.

Space channels that manifest due to space cracks are typically turbulent, unstable, appear briefly, and lead to random destinations. There are many theories for its appearance. And the widely accepted consensus was that all of them could be true.

That was why, despite being as resourceful as he was and his sympathy for Ayda's fate, Ceid didn't offer to help her. He wouldn't know where to start searching without knowing the space coordinates.

Indeed, exceptions exist for everything in the world. Some space cracks could produce stable space channels, but the likelihood of this occurrence was exceedingly low.

Similarly, space channels could have appeared when a transmission portal was activated. Such space channels were stable, bidirectional, and sustainable.

More importantly, its destinations were fixed.

This was similar to how Ceid arrived in Blanc Planet initially.

While his appearance here was accidental, the space channel he took was stable and could cross directly to his destination. If not due to the unexpected space disturbance, he would have safely reached his destination.

So, the fact that space channels with these characteristics appeared in Blanc Planet was worth pondering.

That was because transmission channels and portals are classified as Interstellar era technologies. It allowed residents from one world to safely travel to another world across the various planets, star systems, and galaxies.

But the problem was that Blanc Planet was an uncharted territory!

-

"It seemed that this place held more mysteries than met the eye," Ceid mused, intrigued by the depth of the secrets yet to be uncovered.

The existence of a stable space channel with records of repeated explorations by adventurers indicated that these dungeons were highly likely connected through transmission portals.

Why does a planet with no prior record in the Sord Network possess technologies from the Interstellar era?

It should be known that the Sord Network had the most comprehensive database in the universe. Its database was almost infinite.

It may not record civilizations that have not entered the interstellar era. But, any planet that once had a civilization that achieved the interstellar era will be recorded as part of that planet's history.

But there was no record for Blanc Planet or any other planets in this galaxy.

Since there's interstellar technologies trace here, there should be some record initially, right Wyd? I wonder why the records were nonexistent.

Or am I touching some taboo subject, a conspiracy?

<...Given the current limited information, I'm unable to comment.>

<Access to information with a higher level of confidentiality in the Sord Network's database is restricted for us until you've improved your privileged clearance and authority.>

<But, based on the current clue, there was a high probability that original records were redacted and sealed by someone with clearance level other than second-class rank.>

"It's interesting. Even my Chuunibyou instincts are hinting at some grand plot brewing," Ceid murmured.

He continued, "Like the previous spirit crystal incident, the Ayda family's story, and the dungeons' mystery, somehow I could see a grand conspiracy unfolding, possibly even involving the whole galaxies.

As expected of our protagonist."

<...But, Host! It...>

"I know," Ceid immediately cut in when Wyd started to say something. "Look, I'm just saying. It might be related, and it might not. But wouldn't it be interesting to spectate such a great unfolding of grand secrets like that?"

<... >

<Host, while I cannot empathize and share your sentiment in your...fantasy, must remind you that even if a significant conspiracy is at play here, it inconsequential to you.>

<From the perspective of assessment, Draconian Chamber Commerce, and even interstellar community, any conflicts or conspiracies that may exist here are merely a local gang fight.>

<Plus, as a participant in the assessment, you are not permitted to be directly involved such matters.>

<If, on the off chance, that you...>

"Fine, fine. Please stop. It's starting to feel like you're becoming more like my mother," Ceid said, rolling his eyes. "All I did was mention it was interesting.

I know it doesn't affect the reason why I'm here. And I don't plan on getting involved.

So, enough with the nagging. Sheesh."

"Anyway, how is the progress of the task? If I only designate the ground floor as my foothold, would it meet the request?" he changed the subject.

<Negative >

[Ding!]

[Task 1: Establishing foothold!]

[Task Details: To facilitate the candidate to complete your task, you would require a necessary foothold as your base of operation.

Task Objective: Designate a premise as your foothold (0/1).

Task Limit: Three (3) days.]

[Success Reward: Beginner Gift Pack.

Failure Punishment: Failure of Assessment.]

[Task Limit: 32 hours 12 minutes.

Task Designated Area: Ground Floor (Hall - 4000 sqft; Side Hall - 2000 sqft; Warehouse - 1800 sqft)

Task Completion Rate: 92.7%]

"So, based on the task completion rate and the account of Borris's promise, by late evening, the task would be considered complete?"

<Affirmative. >

"In such case, if I were to lower the target only to include the reception hall, wouldn't it be considered complete once the final furniture and sofa were put in place in the morning?"

<Affirmative. But in such a case, the assessment system would only recognize reception hall as premise. Do you want to change designated target?>

"No, I was just exploring the system's mechanism. It would be disadvantageous if the hall was the only one recognized.

The perks elder sister Amanda told me about earlier would greatly be discounted."

<Affirmative. According to records from previous batches of candidates, selecting a broad area as your initial premise is crucial.>

<While you can later designate built areas above and below the original premise to be included in coverage, altering your premise's land area coverage would prove difficult.>