A powerful cheat in the apocalypse

Omega, Neph and the Dark level

All the awakened were now coming out of the glowing blue portal, just like when they had entered, causing the people outside to cheer.

Just by their expressions when they came out, it was obvious that it was a success. The more they succeeded in passing the floors, the more the population would continue to believe that there was a chance to survive this apocalypse.

While Rin was walking with Key, behind Marc, Richard, and George... Dwayne started approaching him from behind.

Noticing this, Rin looked at Dwayne behind him and murmured:

" I won't say anything. "

before continuing on his way.

"..."

Dwayne suddenly stopped.

Rin was sure that he was behind him only because he wanted to negotiate. If he said that the leader of his squad had thrown him to the Ice Dragon, Dwayne would be in serious trouble.

But when it came to revenge, Rin was just looking for a good way. However, he was already thinking a little about how to deal with Eric's case.

______________________

In a room where there were several machines, and especially a huge machine in the center, Arthur, George, Richard, Dwayne, Rin followed by Key, were standing while watching Eldric place the stone on the surface of the large machine.

Richard turned toward Rin and began explaining.

" This blue stone was named by us "Omega" and appears often when we eliminate a level boss. After intense studies and experiments, we concluded that it has two uses. "

" Two? " asked Rin, surprised.

Richard nodded and said:

" Yes! "

" First, these stones are somehow connected to the higher floors and warn the boss of the next floor about our victory on the current floor, by releasing sound waves. Because of this, the boss of the higher floor becomes aware and prepares itself. This has been proven through several explorations and analyses. "

Damn, so that's it? I didn't know bosses were this intelligent. Rin felt that Zenith was becoming even more mysterious with all these things. He couldn't help but sigh.

" The second... we can use our technology to hack these stones with difficulty and use this connection between them and the higher floor to see what exactly exists on the next floor. "

This time, not only Rin but also Key was surprised by this information.

" Since when has technology reached this level? " asked Key, astonished. For her, this was no longer technology but practically magic.

Eldric laughed lightly before saying:

" The research group created advanced technology using Neph. "

" What is that again? " asked Rin.

" An energy! The energy that we awakened need to use magic. It is the same energy that makes us awakened and that a portal releases. For example, the blue and black energies that allow us to distinguish the type of "level". "

I see... so this is Neph. I always wondered what the source of magic was. Now it's a little clearer, thought Rin.

" If magic is caused by Neph, then what causes Neph? " asked Key, confused.

" We don't know either, but in any case, it's useful for operating machines and can increase our intelligence sometimes if used properly. " said Arthur, shaking his head.

Eldric started tapping the machine where the Omega stone was placed and said:

" Every machine here has been implanted with Neph energy by us, making their uses greater. But of course, if it is misused, it creates damage. That's why our intelligence boosted by Neph is necessary. "

He finished tapping, and a projection appeared on the wall in front of them, coming out of the machine.

They could see a huge forest with the sun shining brightly. It was truly a beautiful view.

" A place on Earth? " asked Rin, surprised.

Richard laughed self-deprecatingly before saying bitterly:

" This is a view of the next floor. Floor 21, this floor with a Dark portal. "

A heavy silence filled the room.

" This... wait, we have never seen a place like this in the lower floors of Zenith... is this a new thing appearing? " asked Dwayne, amazed.

" As I thought, the more we evolve, the more we will see new things... what exactly is Zenith in the end? " asked Richard, frowning.

Hehe! You would be more surprised than me if you had seen that stone tablet over there, thought Rin with amusement.

Unlike the others, he had an intense fear of the higher floors of Zenith and what they contained.

Eldric noticed something and murmured to himself:

" A village? "

with a surprised expression while continuing to tap the machine.

Suddenly, the image zoomed in, and slightly to the side they could see what looked like a village, with men, women, and children with long ears. Some were standing, others sitting, and others talking.

Their hearts skipped a beat as they approached a little closer to look.

It was the first time there were living beings inside a floor, and worse... elves.

" Elves! Swear to me that I'm seeing this right! Elves? " said Eldric, astonished by what he was seeing.

George sighed, overwhelmed by everything, before saying:

" Several scientists concluded that Zenith was filled with portals leading to other space-times and that each floor was only one space-time among countless others... but their opinions were never taken seriously due to a lack of evidence. But now, I think I can believe them. "

" I'm starting to believe it too. The multiverse may exist and might truly be enormous. " concluded Richard, nodding.

Rin and Key remained silent, observing the image, equally astonished.

" Now elves, after this it will be humans, right? And how are we supposed to find the boss if this is a "real world"? Search everywhere? I think this goes beyond what humanity can do. " said Dwayne, not knowing what else to say.

George smiled slightly.

" Actually, if all the lower floors were also real worlds as these scientists say, then I believe we can find the boss. "

They all turned toward George, surprised.

" How? " asked Rin, suddenly excited at the idea of quickly killing the boss and finishing this floor.

Richard continued:

" Every portal takes us directly to the boss's subordinates and then to the boss itself. It's like in a video game where, even though it's difficult, the game sometimes makes the task easier for you. "

"..."

Damn! I might have to reveal Charly and the Chaotic World to them so we can force Charly to talk. That psychopath knows many things, and probably even the creator of Zenith, thought Rin, impatient to sell Charly out.

But he gave up on the idea.

" Those behind all of this are playing with us, aren't they? " wondered Richard, lost in his thoughts.

They were simply sure that there were people or a person behind all of this. Otherwise, Zenith would never appear by itself, and worse, everything was arranged intelligently, like a video game.

Suddenly, a loud roar echoed from the machine, which exploded, releasing a pure black energy that launched everyone backward, causing them to hit the wall behind them.

The image on the wall moved before disappearing.

A single thought crossed all their minds as they coughed up blood.

The boss of this level was extremely powerful and had noticed them despite the distance.