Assimilate All Talents

Chapter 270: Blissfully Unaware

In the museum, Rex and Lazuli were discussing the potential use of a magical machine that could irrigate large amounts of land.

Rex examined it and said, "It doesn’t make sense for it to just water the lands normally. Remember, there’s no sky here, not only do they not get rain, but also no sunlight. They must be irrigating with something other than water to accelerate plant growth."

Lazuli partially disagreed. "Have you seen that artificial sun? It clearly simulates day and night cycles and likely gives plants what they need to grow. But it’s possible they added something to the water to help crops grow faster."

"We should get one of the translators here soon."

As they were talking, a female human soldier approached them with something to report.

"Sir Rex, I can’t find Holan. I don’t know where he went."

"What do you mean? Weren’t both of you posted at the entrance? Did you leave your post?"

She shook her head instantly. "No sir! We were both there, but suddenly he disappeared. It’s like he just vanished."

Rex found this extremely suspicious. He had been constantly using his detection skills, which covered the entire building, and only now did he realize someone had disappeared.

"Go back to your post for now. I’ll investigate."

The soldier nodded and returned to her post. When she arrived at the museum entrance, she took her position at the center, keeping a vigilant watch over her surroundings. She suddenly felt something wet on her head. She ran her fingers through her hair and looked at the red liquid on the tip of her finger.

’Blood? No, it smells sweet.’

Initially thinking it was blood, she was taken aback by its incredibly sweet aroma, making it impossible for it to be blood. She wondered what it would taste like but knew better than to put unknown substances in her mouth. Yet, as the smell continued to tempt her senses, she finally gave in and tasted it.

"Mhm! Cherries!"

She didn’t know where the cherry tasting liquid came from but hoped more would fall on her head.

’I wonder where Holan went though...’

The soldier remained blissfully unaware that Holan had never left. He was currently being suspended above her as a large monstrous creature’s unsteady claws slowly ripped him open, carefully removing his heart as if it were the most precious thing in the world, before tossing the rest of his body down the entrance stairs of the museum. The female soldier remained completely oblivious as the body rolled down the stairs right in front of her.

...

"Goddammit! Just when it was about to die, you came here and delivered it a full course meal!"

Torben slammed the table, sending tools flying in a fit of rage. But who could blame him? The creature that had killed all his people, and was on the verge of death itself, had been given a new lease on life thanks to random strangers looting his people’s city.

Sol knew now wasn’t the time for a blame game. "Focus, Torben. We’re both screwed if we don’t do something now. It’s weakened, right? How long do you think it will take to recover?"

"Talents? What talents? It’s all hard work."

"No, not that kind of talent. I mean, you know, the ones in your status page."

Silence overtook the room as they stared at each other, sensing something was clearly off.

After a brief pause, Sol asked, "Have you... not seen your own status page?"

"No?"

Since they were short on time, Sol quickly explained how to access the status page while putting on the mask. But after trying, Torben got no results.

"Nope, nothing."

"Still nothing? Let me try with [Analysis]."

Using the skill, Sol got results, but they didn’t make any sense.

[Name: Torben

Race: ???

Unique

Durability: 1643/3000

Str: 95

Vit: ERROR_UNDEFINED

Agi: 50

Int: 150

Wis: 200

Skills:

[Soul Container] Lv 9, [Compartmentalized Tool Mechanism] Lv 4, [Ethereal Rune Smithing] Lv 7, [Advanced Alchemy] Lv 4, [Metal Shaping] Lv 9, [Living Factory] Lv 4, [Quick Repair] Lv 8, etc.]

[Error detected. Would you like to submit a ticket?]

"What?"