BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM-Chapter 1244: Dangerous Idea

Later, Erik trudged back to the underground shelter, his muscles aching from the morning's hunt.

<You're getting slower with your reports,> Erik said to the system as he collapsed onto his bed.

[Says the one who cleared the area twice as fast as yesterday,] the biological supercomputer said. [Though I noticed you relied more on wind attacks this time.]

<Easier that way. Less running around.>

[Laziness doesn't suit you, Erik.]

Erik snorted. <Not laziness. Strategy. Why waste energy chasing them down when I can hit them from afar?>

[Fair point. Though I remember when you used to enjoy eviscerating the enemy with your Flyssa.]

<Yeah. I miss the flyssa a lot, if I have to be honest, but it's not efficient based on how things are now. We're not here for fun.>

[No, we're not,] the system said. [Still, you should not be lazy just because the monsters in the area suck.]

Erik stretched on the bed. <You sound like a proud parent.>

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[More like a concerned observer. One whose life depends on yours.]

<Didn't you say that when I die, you search for a new host, and I turn into… well… you?>

[Yes, and we will probably be stuck inside some thaid for god knows how long… Without the chance to talk to anyone and the monster rushing from battle to battle, mating nonstop, and being ugly.]

<I don't remember you saying nothing when I 'mated'.> The system fell silent. Since it always was with Erik, it was clear that every time Erik was with one of the three girls, when he took a shower or a dump, the system was there.

Honestly speaking, when the system started talking like a human, Erik was a little freaked out. It was one thing for the biological supercomputer to be a cold, cynical machine; it was another if it reasoned like a human and was one before the Silver Line Corporation turned the unfortunate soul's brain into it.

Erik then stood up and went to eat some of the previous day's leftovers. The meat wasn't particularly tasty, but it provided the energy he needed.

<You don't understand what I would give for a bit of seasonings.>

[Grow them.]

<I wish. I didn't bring any seeds - they weren't as nutritious as other supplies, and I wouldn't know how to process them into seasonings, let alone have the time for it.>

Then the sound of footsteps drew Erik's and the biological supercomputer's attention. The clone went through the entrance, his clothes torn and stained with blood—some of it was likely his own, though Erik had no way to know since the clone's healing brain crystal power would have already sealed any wounds. Fatigue was deeply etched into the clone's every movement.

<I guess it must have been a rough morning.>

"You look exhausted, Rick," Erik said.

The clone gave Erik a tired smile and then sank onto his bed. "The hunts are not getting any easier, master."

Erik offered him some of the meat. "Tell me how it's going out there."

"Most of the weaker thaids are cleared out now. At least in the area surrounding the base," Rick said between bites.

"But there are some troublesome ones giving me problems, a pair of large thaids about three kilometers north. They hunt together and are unusually smart. They are all smart in this cursed place!"

The clone would have shouted if it wasn't for the risk of thaids hearing him.

"Calm down," Erik said. "Getting angry will bring you nothing but wasted energy and poor decisions, and it won't make you rest properly."

"Yeah, sorry, master. It's just that it is frustrating."

Though, it was weird. While it was true that thaids here were also smarter than those of Mannard, Erik didn't see that much of a difference.

<Can there be different kinds of thaids in the northeast? Maybe they are smarter but weaker.>

[It can be, but we can't say it for certain unless we go see by ourselves.]

<God, no. I already have my plate full just dealing with the west.>

The system mentally nodded.

"Anyway, what were you saying about the thaids?"

"Ah, yes, master. I'm trying to hunt this pair down, but I'm failing. Besides, their brain crystal powers seem complementary, and their intelligence is preventing me from dealing with them easily but safely. I would need to take them on directly, but based on how strong I am right now, taking them head-on would be suicide."

The Chimaeric Demon shifted on the wooden bed.

"All the more reason to make more neural links. Remember, they will increase your physical attributes too, aside from the mana pool available for each power. You clones have an advantage against humans; take advantage of it."

The clone sighed. "I know, master. But making neural links isn't as simple as it sounds, and with all the hunting and constant threats, finding the right mindset is not simple."

Erik patted the clone on the shoulder. "You'll get there, eventually." The clone nodded.

"So, I guess you didn't kill them."

"No, master." The clone nodded. "I killed many thaids during these days. But the two fuckers are beyond me. Since I can't fight them head-on, I had to resort to tactics."

Erik smiled.

"Small ambushes, hit-and-run tactics. I've injured them several times, but they won't simply die, and now they are more cautious than ever. They've started hunting in more open areas where it's harder to surprise them, but they can't heal like I can. Each encounter leaves them with new wounds. It's just a matter of time before they fall."

"That's good to hear then…" Erik remained silent for some time.

"What about the path northwest?" The clone asked. Since he had Erik's memories, he cherished June, Mira, Amber, and Emily as much as him. He was hoping his master found a clue about them and that the area Erik decided to clear was getting purged faster than what he was currently doing. "How is the mission going?"

"There is less activity than I expected, which worries me, but I'm doing well. I have killed most of the stronger thaids in the area and wiped out the weaker ones, but new ones constantly migrate into the area."

For a second, the clone envied Erik's mana reserves. If he had them too, hunting would be much easier. Yet, he was also happy and proud of his master.

"You should start peeing everywhere to mark your territory," the clone said, and both of them chuckled.

"No, but on a serious note, it's getting frustrating," Erik sighed. "I can't rest a single second, and the more thaids I kill, the more end up migrating here because of the power vacuum."

"I'm sorry, master."

"Don't worry. It's not like I didn't know it."

"Anyway," he said. "I was thinking maybe I should just focus on eliminating the most dangerous thaids and push further west to look for the others?" His voice carried a note of uncertainty. "But I'm not sure if that's the right call."

The clone got up and stretched. "If you go west, Master, you'll need to be careful," he said. "Don't fight every monster you see. Just look for clues that the others were there—like footprints, places where they fought, or any other signs that humans passed through."

"Agreed. It's impossible to kill everything, anyway."

The clone paused.

"I think it isn't such a bad idea," he added. "When were you thinking of leaving?"

"As I said, I'm uncertain about this. It depends on how the situation unfolds."

"Yes," the clone said. "But the fact they hadn't found the tree yet is worrying me. If they are alive, maybe they can't come here because of some thaid."

"That was what I was thinking."

"Do you want me to go with you?"

"No, it's better if you stay here. You're not as strong as I am yet, and I need you to keep working on clearing out the eastern area. I'll go alone—it'll be quicker that way. If I can't find them, I'll come back and help you deal with those tough monsters in the east."

"All right then," Rick said. There was something he wanted to say, but he hesitated. "Master... I know we already talked about this, but they might not have survived. Are you sure you are not just wasting time?"

Erik's expression hardened. "They survived. Amber would have warped the others away if push came to shove. Emily's future sight would have warned them of dangers, and Mira knows how to survive in hostile territory." His voice carried absolute conviction. "They're alive. We just need to find them."

"Of course," the clone said. "I shouldn't have suggested otherwise."

Erik softened. "No, it is good that you're thinking of all possibilities. We need to be realistic about the dangers here. But I know they're alive. I can feel it."

Of course, Erik had no certainty. He just wanted to believe that the others were alive; otherwise, he wouldn't have the strength to carry on his quest.

The shelter fell quiet except for the distant sounds of the forest. Erik pulled out some dried meat from their supplies, offering some to his clone. They ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

Finally, the clone spoke again. "You should mark your path as you go. If you find signs of them, you'll need to be able to guide them back here quickly."

"Good thinking. I can use Verdant Architect to do so. I will also leave some for the others. Mira is smart and knows what to look for."

The conversation drifted into tactical planning—what supplies to carry, how to communicate, and what the clone had to do in the meantime.