{I understand the burden the Zeniths represent over our bodies. Although that extreme tiredness could be related to establishing the Beacon, even with the trade-off we did, exchanging our immediate stay for future visits. But…}.
"What do the Minions have to do with our time delving into this Enclosed Amalgam?".
My question puzzles Farlette, though Seinnissia replies to me. "The Minions in our Embryons stay for 20 to 55 minutes based on their randomized strength".
"That doesn't seem correct, Nissi. I used Dollzerka's Minion for hours, just like Ines did with her Doberman".
The Barking Bitch sighs. "We were inside the Relativistic Portal".
"Oh!. So their span of existence is unlimited because in there, it counts as «Relative»?".
"Indeed, Vuir". Acknowledges Seinnissia, as she opens the trapdoor, jumping into the Enclosed Amalgam while evoking Lettushia's Minion, a cute short lettuce knightess with bread armor and a cookie buckler.
[ Lettuce Vegeoid ]
[ Mutated - Breaded ]
[ Rank - F ]
[ Female At Arms - Tier 0 ]
[ 24 Minutes left of 25 ]
[ Forced Dissipation In 35 Minutes ]
Below us, Seinnissia Summons two wine crystalized structures, floating above her with a fluctuating layer of coral energy.
Ines descends after, with her Doberman and three Gaseous Summons.
[ Doberman Canoid ]
[ Enlightened ]
[ Rank - F ]
[ Combat Tracker - Tier 0 ]
[ 14 Minutes left of 15 ]
[ Forced Dissipation In 21 Minutes ]
Farllette has a small wingless dragon with red and black scales, along the Ignited Summon.
[ Small Dragonoid ]
[ Enlightened ]
[ Rank - F ]
[ Armored Artillery - Tier 0 ]
[ 29 Minutes left of 30 ]
[ Forced Dissipation In 54 Minutes ]
For my part, my Minion is a faceless, somehow feminine, black latex Mannequin.
[ Prototype Cekx'Appealer ]
[ Corrupted ]
[ Rank - F ]
[ Dron - Tier 0 ]
[ 19 Minutes left of 20 ]
[ Forced Dissipation In 28 Minutes ]
"Nissi. What is the difference between the Countdown Timer, and the Forced Dissipation?".
"The countdown is the minimum time the Minions must exist to grant Experience, hence Proficiency, to the Embryon. The Forced Dissipation is what happens when a Minion's stay culminates. Since it is not possible to determine the first one without the help of…". Seinnissia turns to face me, her stupefied inquisitive gaze is piercing and seductive. "How do you even know about any of the two?!".
"I'm seeing them".
"On your Minion?". Doubtfully inquires Ines, hinting is not a normal occurrence.
"Not just in mine". I blurt, dragging their attention.
"How?!". Demands to know the Barking Bitch, reducing the distance abruptly, just to be blocked by the Cekx'Appealer Dron. It's odd protective behavior puzzling my three companions.
{If they are unaware, «How am i supposed to reply?»}.
"Maybe it's the Gift «Instinctual Analysis»".
"Vuir. That Gift is only obtained through a Mentality Zenith".
"Which is what i went through…".
"Do you have Three Zeniths already?!". Ines screams aloud, not hiding her jealousy, envy, and a fleeting reverence.
Though Farllette yawns. "Can we move on. I'm bored, and i will not sleep in the wilderness of this infested world".
We agree on advancing forward, crossing the vast tunnels of the Enclosed Amalgam, resembling an abandoned mine, except for the constant sound of pickaxes striking stone, quartz, and metal.
The noise becomes more intense as we walk deeper, where Mole Men Miners resolutely extracting quartzits, along a light milky grey metal.
"Mithril". Whispers my Fiancée, while the Summons and the little Dragonoid open fire against the Mole Men. Lasers, Fire and Plasma Bolts injuring the creature's legs, allowing the makeshift squad of Minions to execute our weakened enemies.
I sigh.
{This isn't what i was expecting. They over-rely on magic, and the Evoked Entities. Lacking personal prowess and development. A colossal mistake from my perspective, since eliminating any of them would neutralize the entire threat. In fact, this is not a Fight, they just Supervise the event, not even coordinating the attacks. Perhaps there is a reason why?. If so. I don't see it}.
"Let's wait for their abilities cool downs to be back, before continuing". Says Farllette, satisfied with sending her Dragonoid to collect the Crystalized Stats, the tiny gems in the brains of the Mole Men.
The Lettuce Knightess creates a bread basket on her back, separating it from her armor, storing the Mithril Pickaxes and the pieces of raw metal with the assistance of my Cekx'Appealer, even the Doberman helps, slowly carrying the materials with it's snout.
So i can't stand it. "Why neither of you three are doing anything on your own?!".
"It's dangerous, dirty, and we must give birth to the next generation of our powerful, Renown Houses". Ines answers, who is clearly lying, since her fighting style in the Relativistic Portal, was pretty much melee with outstanding sword techniques, slashing the mutated vegetables with ease, cleaning her stained body and clothes with the Emts square.
"Aha. Let's say i believe you…". I pause shortly to change the topic, as it's obvious they don't want to say the truth. "Barking Bitch. When will i be able to evoke Dollzerka?. Until she reaches Level 1?".
"Not necessarily Lustful Beast. You can do it half way through. With 250 Proficiency of 500. Or obtaining Maximum Level 3, which is equivalent to 300 Proficiency".
{Or thirty thousand Experience. Perhaps less than that if the gathering provides Proficiency along the way…}.
I nod. Still bothered by the dependency they show towards their magical abilities.
{Perhaps my thought is biased because i'm not accustomed to it's usage, seeing it as a tool, rather than another sense. One that i barely employ myself… , Heck, putting it like that, is not different than complaining about being able to see, not wanting to use my eyes, and refusing to do it, because it looks like an unfair advantage against blind people…}.
With my new mental insight. I focus on drawing the glyphs in the air, obtaining decent but incomplete results, needing to balance the output of wine Emts, without causing a shortage, or an overflow.
This step is difficult, because the lube doesn't need this precision. I use it, or not, whereas Emts depend on more than just emitting, or retracting them. Personal intent, emotions in the candor of the moment, and visualization itself, can influence the outcome too.
Two hours pass, and we left the Enclosed Amalgam with the gathered loot, returning to the Guild of Delvers, selling the Mithril for a hefty sum.
Even after paying for a room with four individual beds, which is one of the services provided by the Guild's building.
Like a brothel, tavern, and a board with plenty of announcements. Including Search and arrest warrants, Requests for materials, Hiring proposals for specific Subclasses or Ranks, along other missions involving Enclosed Amalgams…