The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it.
But if someone gets to know they are being observed, their actions change.
Zane was also being observed and the worst part, he didn't know by whom.
The system? The slab, if it could? The Churches? The Halocrats? The Priests? Or someone else entirely?
Zane shivered, staring at the capital letters and stayed like that for a few good minutes until another window popped up.
[ Keep doing what you were doing. Don't stay idle and wait for a far future. ]
The system showed some words and Zane snapped out of it.
The system could only talk to Zane with writing as it doesn't speak. It only made notification sounds.
Reading the words, Zane admitted the system's thoughts as even if he was observed, if he kept his eyes and ears open, he would survive. He would stay alive.
He nodded and read the sections in a new light.
———
[ Sealed Core ]
—
[ Origin: ??? ]
[ Convergence Plane: ??? ]
[ Architect: ??? ]
[ True Function: ??? ]
[ Global Erasure Index: ??? ]
[ Axiomatic Synchronization: ??? ]
[ Causality Interference Level: ??? ]
[ Void Heart-Rate: ??? ]
[ Soul-Debt Accumulation: ??? ]
[ Mortal Anchor Stability: ??? ]
[ Hidden Apex Designation: ??? ]
[ System Version: Final_Iteration_v.??? ]
—
[ Warning: Host Authority Insufficient. Attempting to force decryption of [ ??? ] parameters will result in immediate Neural Erasure. ]
———
There are so many question marks in the sealed core. I don't even know the meaning of some words. How do I unlock them all?
[ Keep Rising In Ranks. ]
Of course.
Zane didn't summon the last sections as he had already finished them with care and he didn't want more paranoia or stress of being observed.
But now that he was done with the interface, he took out the Rusted Lockpick from his pocket.
However, not wanting any heartbreak, before doing anything, he asked:
I can merge it, right? Don't tell me brought products can't be merged.
[ You can merge it. Don't worry. ]
Zane smiled.
Nice.
He carefully placed his feet on the floor, not making a sound to disturb Milo and looked around the house with the lockpick on his hand.
I can only merge objects and objects for now, yes?
[ Yes. But you have one Free Merge right now. You can use anything using that for one time. After that you have to follow the node rules. I will not answer this again. ]
Zane rolled his eyes as he carried on his search.
What will be good for a lockpick though? A lock? Heh. I don't even have a door, where will I find a lock?
He shook his head and thought about other items.
His eyes stopped at some utensils but he rejected the idea.
What could utensils even do?
Beside the utensils, he found something else and for a moment, his eyes lit up.
What if I merge it with the idol of a God?
He didn't know if the idol itself had powers but if it had then the lockpick would surely become exceptional.
He bent down to pick it up but then his face twisted.
He remembered how close he came to death because of religion.
And if someone got to know he played with the idol, he might be in danger again. The coin relic won't help him anymore.
Let's not do this.
Zane deleted the thought and carried on the search.
The amount of time it took to search for a suitable item didn't match with the size of his house.
Nothing was hidden in the house as everything was open to see.
He had no cupboards or anything like that. And to begin with, he didn't even have that many things.
After more looking around, he found nothing of value or interest around the house.
I guess I have to look there.
Zane didn't want to open that but he had no choice.
He hoped he would find something without opening that but if he wanted something valuable to be made out of the lock-pick, he had to go there.
He walked towards the door of the hut and with one last look at sleeping Milo, he stepped out.
He looked left and right, making sure no one was looking at him or around him.
The darkness of night had reached its peak but the two moons showered enough light for Zane to somewhat see. He also trusted his instinct and merged skill that sensed no intent towards him.
The cold winds also raged every second so unless someone had warm clothes, thieves wouldn't be a concern.
But nothing can be of certain in Ashen.
Zane didn't care about the thieves entering and stealing something from his house. He worried about them doing something with Milo and him murdering them because of that.
I'll make it fast.
Zane stepped forward and then turned right.
He didn't walk forward from there as after turning right, he walked behind his hut.
He made no sound, dodging the leaves and excretion of animals and humans lying.
Behind his hut were plants and wild trees but Zane walked with no problem as he had made a clear route for himself.
He didn't venture deep as the moonlight didn't reach there and anything could be waiting for Zane if he went deeper.
He also didn't have to go deeper as he already reached where he wanted.
He cleared a bed of leaves from the ground and then shoved his hands inside the mud.
As soon as he felt what he was looking for, he held it and brought out his hands.
THUP!
He placed it on the ground next to him and sighed.
It was a black horizontal bag, covered in mud and dirt as if being buried for hundreds of years like a dead body.
Zane stared at the bag and couldn't find it in his heart to touch it or open its zip.
But he couldn't leave Milo alone in the hut for long so he had to do it.
He wiped his teary eyes and finally placed his hand on the bag.
He unzipped it little by little, dust trailing off with each move and in a few seconds, the bag was finally open.
And the first thing that welcomed his eyes were a photograph of a smiling couple.
He knew the couple all too well.
"Good evening, mom and dad."