BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM C.1056: Planting seeds and dodging monsters (2)

For so long, Erik focused on enhancing the Chimaeric Demon brain crystal power that he basically forgot to power up everything else. It had been a good choice, yes, but at the same time, it created some setbacks he now had to address.

Making more neural links for it improved the hatching speed and strength of his clones.

While this had been necessary, after the encounter with the Leviathan Serpent, Erik realized he had neglected his own personal growth, which would make the Chimaeric Demons stronger in turn.

Growing stronger was a win win situation for everyone.

The experience that Erik had with the Leviathan Serpent was truly enlightening and opened his eyes to a whole new perspective. If there were many thaids strong like it on the Mur continent, he wouldn't stand a chance in a direct fight.

<Not even in an indirect one.>

Just getting stronger and improving his physical stats wouldn't be enough to beat enemies that had thousands of strength points. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Even if he reached level 1000, nothing assured he would be able to reach those astronomical amounts of stats.

"Leveling up isn't the answer. I need to focus on creating more neural links." That would not only make his brain crystal powers stronger and more efficient, but he would also gain stats, killing two birds with one stone.

June tilted his head to listen as Erik started talking to himself. It was clear to the clone, his creator had many things going on in his mind.

"I wonder," Erik said, "if it would be worthwhile to ask the biological supercomputer to make a new neural link training technique. Or perhaps there's a way to improve the existing one. The system said it was possible when I first asked it to create it, but I'm pretty sure the DNA point cost for such upgrades would be astronomical."

Before the system stopped storing the energy, Erik did not know how much it used to do what it did, but now that he had direct access to the resource, he knew it wasn't a measly amount, instead; it was the opposite.

Costs were relatively low for merging and absorbing, but editing powers was much more pricey, and creating the training technique had to be around that same level.

June slowed his pace, turning his head up to look at Erik, currently seated on his back. <Master, what's on your mind? You seem deep in thought.>

<Nothing... June. It's just that Mur's Thaids are worse than we assumed.>

<Yeah... I didn't expect such a powerful creature to exist. It's no wonder that Solomon Judd died in Mur. But...>

Erik knew what the clone was thinking about.

<Yeah, you are wondering how the Blackguards are surviving there, right?>

<Yes, I mean. Ou-ehm... Your father couldn't look at other people's stats, so what if the Blackguards on the Mur continent are stronger than those on Mannard? I mean, yes, they might be flooding the continent in order to resist the much stronger thaids, but is this really all? Is the strength the Blackguards showed on Frant everything they have to offer?>

<I'm inclined to say no,> Erik told the clone. <They are pretty sure they can capture me, despite me having shown them the opposite for a while. It's weird... I think they are sure they can really deal with me somehow, and that makes me think.>

<The situation is for sure worse now that even they can use multiple brain crystal powers. Be it thanks to Etrium's technology or because of Doran's research. It's just weird that they are focusing on the first rather than the second. During the attack on New Alexandria, there weren't many of them around. They increased in numbers, in recent times,> June said, <But not as much as one would expect from someone having that kind of technology.>

<Maybe it's just costly...> That was a logical explanation, but one that didn't sit well with the

clone.

<Maybe... Master. Regardless, I believe investing in improved neural link-making techniques would be wise. We don't know what awaits us on the Mur continent, and even here in Hin, we might encounter threats as bad as the Leviathan Serpent. Being prepared for such possibilities could make all the difference.>

Erik nodded. "You're right. We can't afford to be caught off guard again. When we return to the outpost, I'll consult with the biological supercomputer about potential upgrades to our training methods."

As Erik and June walked through the jungle, Erik's mind went to all the things they might face. The jungle was full of life, and thaids could be hidden anywhere.

He took care of the few weak ones in the area quickly, using his Plant Master brain crystal powers to make vines and strangle the fuckers. It was efficient, silent, and hard to see.

Aside from getting their mana absorbed, he didn't waste time collecting their blood and brain crystal.

Erik had already decided to focus on a few powerful brain crystal powers and to increase his neural links rather than getting more powers. So he went past the prize and left the bodies behind.

At some point, the two came to a small open area where the trees weren't so thick. From there, they could see far away.

In the distance, they saw mountains with misty tops.

<If I'm not wrong, > Erik said to June, <Sleb Harbour should be at the base of that mountain.>

The mountain range was indeed quite large, although it did not quite match the immense size of the Eldraith mountain range.

Despite being located deep within the giant island and far away from the sea, Sleb Harbour was ironically the name given to Hin's capital city.

But everyone guessed they gave it that name because the entire country was a harbor, or at least the people from Hin considered it as such. A harbor, a ship, a fortress,.

Erik patted June. <Let's go search around. I see some places we could climb that might help us

locate enemy bases.>

<Yes, Master.>