Chapter 872 (1/2)

Randidly was frustrated. A two-week time limit was more than he had expected. Which meant that he both wished that the fight would occur more quickly and that he had more time to prepare. It was a time limit that tantalized him with two separate series of benefits while providing him wholly with neither.

Which was its own sort of benefit, but… Two weeks meant that it was more than possible for Randidly to begin and likely finish an iteration of his replacement left arm.

Which made him upset because refining his other images into patterns worthy of Engraving on the arm would take far longer than the two weeks he had. And the mastering of the growing Engraving was an even larger task.

Should he just use Mana Engraving to add to add flat Skills to the arm…?

Sighing, he produced several valuable metals and set them on the table of his forge and considered his options. What he wanted was to be able to fight with his full strength with two arms for this challenge. But he needed to both have the capacity to perfectly control it with Aether engravings and design a functioning metal appendage in those two weeks.

And if he couldn’t rely on the arm and it failed him during the challenge against Donnyton’s Squads…

So Randidly decided to outsource it. Or rather insource it. After closing his eyes, Randidly concentrated and fell into the world of his Soulskill.

With a pop, he appeared on a low ridge above the capital, where the first Class Lighthouse was located. Humming a spritely tune to himself, Randidly traveled through the different groups in search of the remnants of the Spriggits.

It was somewhat reassuring that there was a great deal more talking and laughing out on the streets than there had been during Randidly’s previous visits. Much of the fear of that strange sickness that had overtaken a significant percentage of the population had passed when no new cases arose. In its wake, there was only the nervous fear of wild beasts and the bartering of commerce as natural resources flowed back toward the capital.

Thank god, because Randidly didn’t think he was ready for another political disaster like had previously occurred within his Soulskill.

He found the Spriggits in a hill to the South of the capital. They had cleared out some sort of enlarged rodent monster and claimed the animal’s burrow for their own uses. As it was, the rather cramped and twisting passages suited the slender and deft bodies of the Spriggits well.

Of all of the groups within his Soulskill, they were the only ones that were content to remain where they were without sending out very many groups to explore. Their focus turned inward, instead. Already they were experimenting with the effects of the System and what sort of Skills could be learned.

Luckily, Randidly was known by his look and stature and was swiftly brought before the head engineer that had seized control of this small colony after the transfer to this new world to explore. Only by this engineer’s leadership were the Spriggits able to form a cohesive whole to face the other developing factions with the united front.

“You want what?” The woman asked, wrinkling her nose in confusion.

Randidly was surprised to find that the head engineer was a woman, then chided himself inwardly for being so surprised. But part of that surprise was also that she was young. Probably only a year or two older than himself. Maybe even his own age.

It was honestly hard to tell how old he was these days, however.

There was a moment where Randidly thought it was somewhat strange for such a young woman to be placed in charge, but then he admitted to himself that this was rather hypocritical. After all, he was likely younger and the maker of such a world.

Putting his closed-minded reaction to the side, Randidly slowly explained once more. “A fully functioning arm. I’ll use runes to mobilize it, but I would like it designed with sophisticated joints and joints so that there is almost complete articulation. As capable and limited as a biological arm would be.”

The Engineer considered that. “...so the challenge is not really developing a unique design, but of faithful construction? Ah, not worth our time. I apologize, but we have other avenues that we need to pursue.”

Randidly blinked, then he laughed. He was surprised to be so flatly rejected, but it was somewhat refreshing. “I can make sure you are fairly compensated.”

The Engineer appeared to consider this. She eyed him critically. “What, do you think riches will change my mind? We are founding this world’s first research institute. We will pull apart the strange rules that govern the world. In the face of all-illuminating research, you wish to tempt with physical possessions?”

Randidly simply smiled. The Engineer’s frown deepened. But Randidly could see that behind her eyes the gears and cogs continued to click and whirr.

“... fine, but there is only one compensation I’ll accept.” The Engineer announced. “You must provide us with a Class Lighthouse. Unused, so that we may experiment on it prior to activating it ourselves.”

“Is there any meaning to obtaining access to a Class if you didn’t earn it?” Randidly asked with a small smile.

The Engineer raised her eyebrows. “Do you feel clever, spouting shit like that?”

“There are benefits to having touched upon godhood,” Randidly responded cheerily. For whatever reason, Randidly liked the Engineer. And it was amusing to respond so flippantly.

This set the Engineer’s teeth on edge but Randidly could tell she was calculating how far she could push him without him responding by forcing her hand more aggressively. LIkely she was also calculating what he could really do to force her hand.

Apparently, she didn’t trust his self-control very much at all, because she eventually hissed through her teeth and bought some time by looking down at the stacks of papers that were scattered haphazardly across her desk.

“I don’t dislike the arrogant types,” the Engineer suddenly stated. “But this is simply too basic of a problem to dedicate any resources toward.”

“Then think of it as a challenge,” Randidly responded easily. “Complete it quickly. If i is as simple as you seem to believe and the end product is flawless… I’ll owe you a favor. And trust me, I pay back all the interest owed on my favors.”

For a split second, Randidly recalled Alta’s face, twisted and burnt as it was before her fire’s consumed her entire body.

In contrast to that hideous visage, Randidly looked at the woman in front of him now. The Engineer’s eyes were light brown, like warm honey. It was somewhat strange that the two Spriggit women, united by their genius and leadership abilities, could meet such different ends. The Engineer considered Randidly for fully five minutes. The two sat silently in her office, locked in a contest of stubbornness.

However, at the end of five minutes, Randidly smiled.

“Fine,”The Engineer extended a hand. “The name’s Wendy Vuss. Don’t forget about that favor, Mr. Ghosthound.”