“Mmmmm. I stated all of that however, I am at a loss myself.” The darkish skinned man appeared misplaced in thought, presumably as he struggled with the place to start.

“Okay. So, I suppose that is secure to elucidate.” He stated after a substantial quantity of seconds.

“The place you consult with because the shard world is definitely Adventia. Oh, by the best way that is all TOP SECRET info so do not go round telling anybody. Not that they might consider you that a lot, ha – ha ha.”

“However basically our two worlds are separated for numerous causes. As you may think about, we do not need Grimlocks simply exhibiting up. That may be an enormous problem, am I proper?” The person shrugged.

“So…err? I am sorry, what’s your title once more?” Oliver requested.

“Hmm. You understand, it has been so lengthy since anybody’s referred to as me by my actual title that I’ve form of forgotten. Hmm. Simply name me Zero.”

“Okay then, Zero. So, you are saying that Adventia is far bigger than the lands we all know of and the shard world is definitely part of it.”

“Right.”

“How would you recognize that precisely?” Oliver then requested.

“As a result of I used to be the one which created the veil between them.” Zero responded.

“You used a spell highly effective sufficient to create a barrier that separates a single actuality into two overlapping layers? One that’s continuously lively always? That is not possible.” Oliver almost spat the ultimate two phrases out of his mouth, such was his disdain for this individual’s informal phrases.

“And but, it exists.” Zero stated with a shrug and a smile.

“I am telling you, it is not possible. Are you aware the kind of vitality you’d must have at your command with a purpose to do one thing like that? Immeasurable. Unfathomable.”

“Hmmm. So… as a result of you may’t do it you are saying I am unable to do it?” Zero appeared unbothered by Oliver’s flat disapproval of his claims. Oliver’s brows twitched in response to Zero’s rebuttal.

“I am not saying that. I am saying nobody can do it. It is theoretically not possible.”

“Inconceivable. However not not possible. And also you’re proper. It takes a fuck ton of vitality to maintain. Like lots. However let’s not get caught up on the specifics of one thing that is not even essential. There’s one thing way more urgent that it is advisable perceive.” Zero stated as he hopped off of the desk and commenced to tempo across the workplace.

“The creature you got here throughout — how highly effective do you assume it was?” He requested subsequent as he gazed at numerous objects on Vivian’s cabinets.

“You stated it was solely rank 2. So.. I assumed..” Vivian answered.

“You probably did pay attention? You are the perfect Package.” Zero stated as he clasped his arms collectively and provided a smile.

*Package?* Vivian thought inwardly.

“Nevertheless, due to exterior interference the creature you fought was truly a low rank 4.” Zero confided in them.

“W-what? There is not any such thing–” Oliver started.

“Vivian, how do you cope with this man? He is all the time occurring about what’s not doable.” Zero stated as he turned to face everybody within the room as soon as extra.

“It’s doable. I guarantee you. I do know as a result of I routinely kill rank 4 or increased enemies in order that they do not homicide you in your sleep.” Regardless of the grim image painted by Zero’s phrases the others could not assist however shiver.

“Which is what I wish to speak to you about. However, I am unable to get forward of myself right here. First issues first. That Grimlock was extremely irregular. Which implies you do not have to fret about them popping up too typically.” Zero additional defined.

“The issue is, the truth that Grimlock are being tampered with in any respect. Forces are on the transfer, placing into movement occasions that may power Adventia in a dire scenario. In fact, I foresaw assaults on Adventia and put numerous safeguards into place. However there are a couple of main issues with what occurred at the moment.”

“You possibly can consider the shard realms as a buffer zone between each side of the veil. You possibly can’t move into both aspect with out going via the shard realms. Actually, the buffer zone is so harsh that Grimlock actually shave away a substantial measure of their very own power simply to punch via. It is why Grimlock are simpler to cope with in Adventia than throughout the shards.”

“Naturally, there are lots of adventurers who additionally destroy shards earlier than they even turn into a difficulty. On this means, threats are preemptively neutralized and the Grimlock that do enterprise into this aspect are severely weakened. Guardians deal with them, or different adventurers do. That’s the regular order of issues.”

“At the moment, you confronted a rank two Grimlock within the shard world the place it was dozens of occasions stronger than you had been accustomed to. Even then, it will have been a low grade rank three by comparability. What gave the creature such an enormous power enhance was this –” Zero flicked his wrist and with a wave of his hand a small baseball sized orb appeared in his hand.

Vivian instantly acknowledged it as the identical vitality Zero trapped earlier within the day.

“That is what I prefer to name Null Power.”

“This was inserted right into a pair of Grimlock after which they had been despatched into the buffer zone. You bear in mind first hand the results of this.” Zero stated as he positioned the orb down on Vivian’s desk for all to see.

“When the Grimlock consumed the fused shard core, this vitality intertwined together with it. The core allowed the Grimlock to acquire close to limitless regenerative capabilities. As well as, the one strategy to defeat the Grimlock grew to become to destroy the contaminated core. The issue is, by doing so that you triggered the collapse of a shard core tainted with Null vitality. As a substitute of the conventional implosion of the shard world which might have ejected you safely…”

“We nearly….we nearly..” Oliver’s mouth was now agape as he realized the implications of Zero’s clarification.

“Precisely. You nearly. However you didn’t. Fortunately I caught it, because of Bracha’s activation of her Guardian mode.” “Good job, good job.” Zero stated as he blinked behind Bracha momentarily in order that he may correctly pat her shoulder.

“Now I do know what to search for. Nevertheless, that poses one other drawback.” Zero stated as he returned to his place close to the desk and reclaimed the orb,returning it to his stock. He returned to pacing concerning the room as he spoke.

“One thing like this may be completed once more, but it surely will not be simple. The quantity of vitality wanted to utterly break the veil is very large, as Oliver right here identified. Which implies cautious planning will likely be wanted to weaponize this successfully.” Zero stated as he patted the elf on the shoulder.

“However, relaxation assured it’s going to occur once more, and most certainly sooner reasonably than later. Which is why, I am chatting with you now.”

“As a lot as I like to point out off, the forces that are aligned towards Adventia are equally highly effective. At finest, a stalemate is all I can hope to realize in the mean time. However you, adventurers, you are the good equalizer.”

“I do not assume regular adventurers can be a lot use towards creatures like these, no?” Bracha lastly chimed in after her second cup of alcohol.

“That is true. Which is why, within the coming months you’ll discover some modifications in the best way Systema works. However I would like you, Bracha right here and Oliver to do two duties for me. If even one in every of you handle to do one in every of these two issues, our probabilities at survival will rise tremendously.

Are you prepared?” Zero teased as he paused for a quick second to soak up their expressions. When he was certain he’d constructed up the ample anticipation he spoke as soon as extra.

“Attain rank 4 and clear up the Twilight Quest.” Zero directed his gaze in the direction of Vivian as he spoke, partially to look at for her response.

“That is two not possible duties! There hasn’t been a rank 4 adventurer in hundreds of years! And nobody has ever solved the not possible quest to my data!” Vivian slapped her arms towards her desk as she rose to her ft. She was extra shocked than indignant, all issues thought-about.

“What is the not possible quest?” Oliver requested as he regarded from Bracha to Vivian and again once more.

“Unimaginable, not possible. You all ought to actually wipe that phrase out of your vocabulary. It isn’t not possible, it’s unbelievable. And due to this fact it means you have got simply nearly as good an opportunity as anybody.” Zero provided a smug smile as he stated these phrases, then he turned to stroll in the direction of the door.

“Wait! Are you able to at the least supply a touch or a clue?” Vivian requested.

“No worries. I am going to give you as a lot assist as I probably can however there are some issues you must conquer for your self. Moreover I must go have a chat together with your so-called ‘Behemoth’.”

“Oh, and Bracha, do not forget to make use of that orb on the Scribe and the Succubus. These black tendrils, I believe that they had traces of Null vitality inside them. Do it as rapidly as doable to keep away from any issues.”

“Bye!” Zero stated with a wave of his hand, and similar to that he was gone.