The Oracle Paths

[Dungeon Digestor Nexus: The Nexus of a freshly captured Rank 15 Dungeon Digestor. Cost: 3010 credits.]

Jake seethed with anger and disbelief at the description of the first item. 3010 credits? Who was the Oracle kidding?

Not a single credit less, nor a single credit more. it was the exact amount he had before he started squandering them away.

A Dungeon Digestor Nexus was a hot potato that not all Evolvers could hold onto for long without burning their fingers. However, for those with a strong enough backbone, it was a veritable treasure trove and an unending fountain of riches.

Hosting a Dungeon Digestor on one's territory, even without its consciousness, did not remove its Corruption and nature. It was a living, breathing entity that refused to be tamed or controlled.

But the allure of these Dungeons was a siren's call that no faction or nation of Evolvers could resist. In addition to providing a controlled environment for honing their troops, it was also a source of Aether Artefacts, Aether Skills, materials, ingredients, and even bloodlines.

All adventurers dying inside would become food for the Dungeon Digestor, but would also enrich its database. An almost extinct bloodline could become a commodity again thanks to these Dungeons which birthed new Digestors in their image from the flesh and blood of their victims.

Unlike a wild Digestor Dungeon, the Nexus could be parameterized and influenced to some extent. For example, the Dungeon Digestor could be set to absorb only the bodies and a tiny portion of the spiritual energy and memories of its victims, thus ensuring the survival of dungeon explorers.

The Nexus could even be completely enslaved by a powerful enough Evolver and become the equivalent of an Oracle Pet or Slave. In this context, the troops produced by the dungeon could even be mobilized to fight other Digestors if their owner's territory were invaded.

Of course, this was still a Rank 15 Digestor. Even with its mind obliterated, its theoretical stats remained monstrous. Sooner or later, the Nexus would generate a new hybrid consciousness generated from adventurers exploring its depths, or one of the created Digestors would eventually take control of the Nexus and merge with it.

Therefore, only a powerful and cautious Evolver could assume the responsibility of such a time bomb. However, if these risks were managed and the resulting Corruption carefully monitored, it was possible to reap considerable profits from a Dungeon Digestor for at least a few thousand years without notable consequences on the surrounding population.

Unfortunately, all these promises of wealth that the VIP Ordeal Store was dangling in front of Jake had already slipped through his fingers. In the end, Jake didn't buy anything else.

Except for this Nexus, there were other remarkable items at more affordable prices that he could actually afford to buy, such as:

[Oracle Guardian (android) Model TX138: An android designed by Ancient Designer Eona-12 to compensate for the exponential decline in Oracle Guardians of the Mirror Universe over the past few million years. Powered by a Grade 6 Aether Core and a mini black hole, this android has the combat power of an average 8th-Ordeal Evolver. Cost: 580 credits.]

Coincidentally, the cost of the robot was the exact sum of credits Jake had left in his pocket, and that was precisely why he had decided not to buy anything after careful consideration. On the surface, such a robot seemed incredible, but it was subject to the condition that he could quickly find a use for it.

B842's diplomatic immunity was not over, his Floating Island was not under attack or invasion, and Jake was almost certain that he could buy these special troops in the Oracle Store now that he had the privileges of an Oracle Knight.

[I confirm. The Oracle Store also has a dedicated section for Oracle Nobles.]Xi murmured approvingly in his mind. [It's much more expensive in the Oracle Store than here, but it's still within your means.]

"So that's settled." Jake declared with a determined tone, officially ending their shopping session.

Jake closed the Ordeal Store interface for good and waited patiently in the darkness for the Red Cube's mercy to release him. It wasn't his first time, and chatting with Xi and occasionally Jeanie made the time pass quickly.

Trash was almost silent out of shyness, but he seemed to get along with the little fairy. He spent most of his time in Jake's Spirit Dimension when he couldn't wander outside.

A few hours later, light appeared in his field of vision, and he was finally able to make his way to the exit. With the poise and grace of a triumphant hero, he emerged from the Red Cube's chamber, his expression as calm as still waters and his gaze cold.

After his eyes adjusted to the sudden change in brightness, Jake noticed the presence of his many companions. Not just those who had survived with him until the end, but all the Myrtharian Nerds who had participated in the Ordeal on Quanoth with them.

For most, it had only been a few hours since they last saw each other, as the time spent in the Red Cube was roughly the same regardless of when they died or were disqualified during the Ordeal.

Ironically, it was the other finalists who hadn't seen Jake in a long time. When they had parted to train in their respective Buildings, Jake had not left his residence once in the past year.

As Jake appeared before them, his presence was a magnet that pulled the gaze of his peers towards him. The beautiful eyes of some, such as Lucia, Esya, or Aisling, lit up, but others, like Will, Hade, and Asfrid, displayed very professional facades. However, most of the Myrtharian Nerds who had died prematurely displayed shocked expressions, clearly struggling to recognize some of them, including their leader.

Even Asfrid and Hade, who had been eliminated during the final battle, had a hard time recognizing Jake at first glance. Almost everything had changed, from his aura, appearance, to his hair color. The most astonishing thing was the beautiful translucent fairy wings with different shades of blue folded behind his back.

"Jake?" Vincent and Kevin, his two cousins, blurted out at the same time.

Why were they getting goosebumps looking at him? It was as if they were facing their nemesis or some invincible predator.

Vincent had been captured by Lost Divinities and probably killed a few hours or days later, while Kevin had died during the final battle without anyone noticing. The forgettable fate of two minor characters.

"The one and only." Jake replied flatly, looking at his two cousins with a sense of pity, knowing they were not destined for a leading role in this grand drama.

Having confirmed his identity, Hade walked calmly towards him and immediately apologized.

"Sorry I couldn't fight with you until the end. I hope my absence didn't cause you any harm." The former Fluid Grandmaster sighed with a trace of regret in his voice. "It won't happen again."

Jake keenly observed Hade's countenance, noting the telltale signs of self-blame such as the tautness of his jaw and the constriction in his throat. With his experience and age, he had shown an excess of confidence during this Ordeal. If only he had dedicated himself more ardently to training, the result would have surely been different.

"Don't blame yourself too much." Jake comforted him, patting his shoulders. "We won, but believe me, even if you had survived until the end, the result could have been even worse."

Hade raised an intrigued eyebrow towards Asfrid, who put on a stiff smile.

"I'll explain everything later," Will sighed, adjusting his glasses on his nose.

Seeing Asfrid's forced grimace, Enya, who was hugging her sister, suddenly stiffened as she remembered something. Like a guilty puppy with its tail between its legs after making a big mistake, she anxiously walked towards the Eltarian leader and prostrated herself on the ground.

"Asfrid, forgive me! If you want to immolate me alive or demand financial compensation, I'll let you do it!" Enya declared through gritted teeth, her eyes downcast.

Asfrid didn't really hold much of a grudge against the blue-algae-haired Nereid, but seeing this heart-wrenching and embarrassing apology, any lingering resentment instantly dissipated. She lifted the remorseful young woman up with a telekinetic gesture, cleared her throat, and played it down.

"Ahem, I accept your apology. But know that I don't blame you. It wasn't your fault, it was Psykow's. If you really want to take responsibility, then in that case, I also have a share of responsibility for having perished by your hand. Considering the fact that I am the psychic expert of our faction and couldn't do anything to stop Psykow, one could even say that my share of responsibility is greater than yours in this fiasco."

"Asfrid is right," Jake commented coldly. "Have you forgotten that the last time we met, Enya, you subconsciously feared me? Before resurrecting you with Aurum's Oracle Heal, I mutilated several of you. You and Lucia included. I wasn't immune to Psykow's spell either. However, I was strong enough to survive until the end, and so were you. In the next Ordeal, the plain truth is that Asfrid would definitely be dead, but you would be alive."

At that moment, Jake turned to the other Myrtharian Nerds, intensely scrutinizing each of them, and added, "This goes for each and every one of you. You don't know how this Ordeal ended, but I can tell you. Out of the more than 2700 Myrtharian Nerds who joined this Ordeal, we were no more than 20 at the very end. Everyone else died. Meditate on this fact and draw your own lessons and conclusions.

"On that note... Welcome back."