The sixth underground floor of Nazarick has a stunning view due to the advanced settings of the landscape layout and the sky simulation. Almost all of the guildmates were firmly convinced that the architect of the Blue Planet area loved nature very much, he literally recreated the wilderness from tattered books of the past, and the clear, completely unpolluted sky. Truly, such a blue and beautiful sky that you could admire it with your friends forever, but only during the day. In the evening, the simulation paints it in dark colors with the illusion of the presence of celestial bodies.
The golden time when we all gathered together on the sixth floor to talk about the upcoming raids on difficult bosses. Due to the limited capabilities of the game servers, you could only watch, but now... Breathing in the amazing, real, fresh air, carrying only the smell of grass and wood, it seemed...
As if after a long prison sentence a criminal suddenly had a unique chance to gain freedom. To enjoy what was once natural for him. As I enjoyed the memories of the very first life, undefiled by anything, especially by the dirty corporants who had milked nature dry.
My palms moved up to the helmet to take it off. A couple of tests showed that I could easily control my own equipment with the power of thought, but my actions were involuntarily determined by a reflex. I wanted to remove the barrier on my face so that nothing would prevent the smells from penetrating into the semblance of a respiratory system. True, in order to breathe normally, I had to expose the monster in place of my face to the world.
As far as I remember, my avatar's appearance was not distinguished by beauty - external or internal, but rather was created solely to carry fear. Heteromorphic creatures are by nature represented by disgusting monsters, so only vampires were allowed to make handsome men.
The other races went wild with ugliness, not only because of racial restrictions, but also by their own free will. I was one of them, so the uglier the body, the faster the transformation into the second form occurred. It is true, the humanoid-like form is only needed to divert attention, it is powerful, but not the strongest.
"Triple Ultimate Metamorphosis"
Modifying your own body is the foundation of any chimera, especially at the Chimera Lord level. Further racial upgrades grant access to specific game classes rather than specific racial enhancements. So I had the maximum level of control over my body, bloodstream, and flesh.
A rather quickly mutilated head with five eyes from an acromantula, a mouth from a reptile and pointed ears from snow elves - was replaced by a familiar human appearance. With willpower, I overcame the desire to leave the wolf's senses as a basis, wanting to try to enjoy the surrounding smells in a familiar manner to evoke nostalgia. I also wanted to see the world with eyes that do not divide the landscape into parts. And I also wanted to hear the sounds of wild nature with swaying branches, the very sounds lost by humanity long ago.
"Amazing," I praised my comrade's work, but I didn't even notice how a cold breeze blew, causing the artificially created dark hair on my head to disturb the nerve endings. It is quite difficult to simulate a person externally, it will take a long time before I can set up a new kind of template adapted to old sensations.
- Mr. Bondrewd! - Aura's joyful response brought me out of my slight stupor. I wonder how much my consciousness has delved into aesthetics. Perhaps it's all about the contrast from my long stay in the lab.
After the meeting ended, I had to personally ensure that Demiurge received the necessary individuals for reconnaissance. Constant surveillance of my own employees was also stressful. I didn't really want to limit their will with orders, they are not animals in a zoo. However, without my personal presence, they are capable of going into wild research, even for me.
- Ha, young lady, - a light laugh surprised the tomboy, but what surprised her more was my friendly attitude without a helmet on my face. - It was wrong of me not to warn you about my sudden visit, - maintaining a cheerful smile, I approached the cute elf in a man's suit. My palm gently, carefully fell on the top of her head to ruffle her light hair.
- No, what are you saying! - the little girl objected, embarrassed. - All this belongs to you, and you are free to appear here, as in any other place, without warning, - to my surprise, the darkish skin on her cheeks turned red, and her voice faltered a little. I got a little carried away with stroking her, but she is like a cute kitten, I just want to explore... pat her on the head.
"I was delayed in the lab for a few hours. Tell me how you and your brother spent your time?" A polite inquiry while setting traps around Nazarick would be better than a rude order to tell everything right now.
Of course, time is running out.
We are ready to start a crusade at any moment if there are several guilds in the world at once. Among the advantages, it is worth noting my third section of the laboratory, as well as the largest number of world items at our disposal. Among all the guilds, we have the most PMCs, even with the loss of one to Momonga.
During the passage of mass and individual PvP - world items decide the most. They are so strong that they break the balance of the game.
- Oh, that's right! - It's very unusual to hear something like that from elves with high matters. Well, at least I got such ideas about the elven race from Tolkien. - The traps are set, and the tunnel is dug. We even made a self-destruct system for the passage to the above-ground floor! Really, - tapping her index fingers against each other, Aura continued.
"We got a little help," she admitted awkwardly to the extra help.
Self-destruct system...
I see, so this is where one of the members of the Hands of Umbra went.
I wouldn't be surprised if he helped in some way: "I heard that a secret passage is being built here. I have an offer that can't be refused! Huh? What? There is no room for a self-destruct system here? You are wrong, there is always room for a red button, let me show you."
"We planted explosive mushrooms, created self-governing mud pits with magic, placed rock and soil chimeras in a circle, and also limited the teleportation zone, and there we planted plants that secrete highly toxic poison..." moving her fingers for the third time, the dark elf continued to list a long and complex list of all the traps that were set up around Nazarick.
She did it so cutely that I briefly imagined how great an idol costume would look on her. Well, from my failed Kurumi collection. Many of the outfits didn't fit her size because the cunning developers didn't always indicate the size of the clothes, especially underwear, in the donation shop.
Aura also mentioned the achievements of Demiurge, who decided to create a powerful intelligence network based on my order. Of course, it is stupid to talk about someone's achievements without using your own senses, but the guards would not dare to lie. In addition, I provided him with chimeras with stealth, camouflage, and flight skills. It is not difficult to imagine how he will use them even without additional help.
He conditionally divided all the chimeras into two teams: large and small.
The larger one is further divided into equal parts, after which it statically monitors the area under its control, searching it for enemies and any suspicious activity. Then part of the team waits for the intelligence collector, and shares intelligence data with him.
Data transmission artifacts are excluded, as are messages that can be forged. An important factor, especially considering the weakness of many chimeras to high-level players.
For the most part, scouts are living traps.
Flying chimeras constantly monitor the numbers of the first team. As soon as someone disappears or dies, the full defense system of Nazarick is activated, and a special squad is sent to the place of the chimera's death. For example, stronger chimeras, who are not a pity, but are able to give a minimal assessment of the enemy's strength.
A good addition to the plan, I like it.
Helpful additions, like well-executed orders, should be rewarded, but with what? Not a bonus. Many NPCs consider higher beings to be deities beyond their comprehension. If they receive simple praise, they will be happy.
- You and your brother did a great job, just like Cocytus and Demiurge did a great job. I am very pleased with you, and also admire your loyalty. It is amazing, - finishing petting the girl, I tried to smile the most caring smile I could. It is much easier to do this without crooked and sharpened teeth, but for some reason my jaw still clench. Still, I am more accustomed to being in the form of a frightening chimera, and the defects of appearance can be hidden under a helmet. And it is not that I have any complexes about this.
"Thank you, Mr. Bondrewd," I hugged the girl for a moment in a fatherly manner, feeling her tenderness and joy.
Nothing vulgar, just spending time with the kids without supervision. Since I had some free time and the training on the sixth floor could wait, I even put the helmet back on my head and grabbed the girl by the armpits to spin the elf around in one place, enjoying her pleasant laughter.
Still, I need to give the guards something useful and practical.
A gift must benefit all parties if you are a ruler.
I have many world-class items without owners. Keeping them under lock and key is useless, any item or living being is a tool. Everything should be useful, work for the common good, and so on. It is possible to distribute world items as needed, but then it may be too late. During an enemy attack, cooperation breaks down, for example, communication can be blocked by magic, and I will not be able to summon all subordinates to issue PMC.
Let's think about it...
We now have a protected command center, as well as rivers of various chimeras and undead. I don't have to worry about the safety of the latter. The only living thing is the one who thinks and has flesh. Skeletons are skeletons, and the fate of embittered and bloodthirsty chimeras is of no concern to me. In short, the disappearance of consumables does not bother me. As for the guards, their lives are a priority, and nothing prevents them from being strengthened after my sortie with Shalltear.
I'll get information about the approximate level of forces in the nearest region and based on the information I'll strengthen each NPC, closing gaps in defense and covering up weaknesses. Okay, I've figured out the strengthening. Hmm... but I'm missing something. That's right, the problematic movement inside Nazarick.
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