Alien Evolution System

Chapter 161 - Cavern Investigation

"Five…five hours?" came some protests from the goblin champions.

The Collector peered at them and saw as the champions hunched over, some falling down to their knees. Many of them clutched at their chests, some of their deep blue eyes became even darker, the blue blood vessels lining them becoming more prominent as blood flow accelerated dangerously.

This was not due to the effects of the Collector's rapid airborne travel. Rather, this was because the champions did not possess adequately strong enough bodies to handle the very air they breathed. The environment here was heavily charged with magical energy, and the density of primal energy was such that it manifested harmful effects.

Some of the champions began to cough blood due to internal bleeding, and two passed out. This was also one of the reasons why the Collector had not decided to bring the elder specimen with it here, for the elder with its uniquely weak constitution would have fared drastically worse in this environment.

"The five hours includes the continued mana I must expend in order to fuel your bodies' regenerative properties, reducing the bodily discomfort you suffer as you adapt to this new biome," said the Collector.

"No complaints, all of you," said Goromir. "The Sovnar sacrifices much to keep us alive. And have you no pride as peoples of the blood of Gob? We will adapt to this just as our kind has adapted to forests and deserts alike.

And when we have adapted, we will come out of this much, much stronger."

"For the first two recharge stops," said the Collector. "I will maintain a minor Sapian shielding field in a small area within the platform. Here, you will not be exposed as drastically to the environment. Utilize this area if you believe your condition too deteriorated, but utilize it sparingly, for I have calculated that the more direct exposure you face, the faster your blood will evolve and adapt."

Some of the champions eyed the circular room of shielded purple energy on the platform with temptation.

"We are strong, no?!" shouted Thokk as he saw their eyes. "Then why surrender so soon?" Thokk raised one finger. "One hour. Hold for one hour. Goromir, Kandak, and I will hunt for food and bring it back. You can have most of it. If you hold out for one hour."

The Collector noted that the three elites were not adversely affected by this biome nearly at all. They certainly strained to some degree, their blood vessels building under their skin, but they were maintaining themselves incomparably better than their lesser champion brethren.

They would adapt sooner and better. In one day, the Collector estimated. The champions between two to three days.

"Within ten hours, you champion specimens should have adapted enough to function at fifty five percent efficiency. Five percent margin of error. Above fifty percent efficiency, you will not suffer direct bodily harm, merely some level of mental and physical discomfort."

"See that? Twelve hours. All it takes," said Thokk as he beat his chest, rousing some confidence into the goblins. "We suffered cold and hurt for days and days back when we were smaller and weaker. When the storm came and we got lost.

And we can't take some hurt now? Come on, I will hunt with the twins, and the meat will make us all feel better."

"Huh? When did we get roped into this hunting mission?" said Goromir.

"I do not mind." Kandak spoke. "Eager to test my new powers. I want to kill something."

"Oh, brother, sometimes you do worry me with your murderous tendencies," said Goromir. He turned to the Alpha Amorak. "Will you join us, Amorak?"

The Alpha grunted. "My name is Loktal."

"Then, Loktal, my invitation still stands," said Goromir. "Of course, you may stay here as you wish."

"I will go," said Loktal. "Make myself useful for the Alpha. But be careful. I smell some of the Old Kin here."

"Old Kin?" queried Goromir.

"My kind descends from these mountains," said Loktal as his white nostrils flared, taking in scent around him. "We were larger and stronger but did not have packs. Alone. I have much of the Old Kin blood in me, so I know their scent.

An Old Kin is as strong as I am. The greater ones much more so."

"Then now you have to come with us. That nose of yours will lead the way for us," said Goromir. "These are strange lands for us. It will be good to have one that knows of its ways by us."

"This 'Old Kin' of yours are also known as Primal Amoraks," said the Collector. "So classified due to an abundance of primal energy infusing their bodies. They are wilder, more savage, and more attuned to a solitary, bestial nature as the Amorak known as 'Loktal' states.

Their threat level is considerably high, but with your purifying light blades, you will be capable of defeating one. This, I have assessed from a calculation derived by slaughtering one of them."

"You…you killed one of the Old Kin? With no wounds upon yourself?" said the Alpha in visible surprise, his fanged jaws slightly agape.

"Do not be surprised by the Sovnar," said Thokk. "He is strong, knows much, and does much. You will get tired of being surprised soon enough like this."

"That, I agree with," said Goromir. "Now then, Loktal, let us go hunting!"

Loktal grunted out an agreement.

The Collector clicked its mandibles and drew their attention. "The cavern that lies beside the water basin before us. Hunt in there so that you may investigate its depths. I have identified that all of these caverns lead into the depths of these mountains, and each individual mountain held a dungeon within it.

Yet, all but two of these dungeons, including this one, has been cleared of their magical energy. Investigate this.

If there are any specimens, objects, or environmental markers that are also of note worth, relay them to me immediately.

For this specific mission, I will be utilizing a greater degree of mental access to the Carrier Unit, linking my ocular systems with his own vision."

"Got it, Sovnar," said Thokk. "Anything I see, you will also see." 

"Agreeable, then," said the Collector. "As I will be monitoring you directly, you need not signal for assistance unless you determine it absolutely necessary. If it is such that I observe that enough threat faces you, then I will move of my own accord.

Now go."