Chapter 65: Change Me
Chapter 65: Change Me
Fatty Lei and Wangcai walked out of the Military Outpost and went to check the Farm.
“Hmm.” Fatty Lei nodded. “Good growth.”
It had been three days since the Sweet Potatoes were replanted. Unlike the first batch, these new plants didn’t turn into Sweet Potato Trees. Instead, they just sprouted vines and started growing. Within three days, a green field appeared near the outer gate of the Military Outpost, adding a splash of lively green color to this dull, monotonous World.
“Once the fruits ripen this time, we won’t trade with Andrew right away. We’ll keep expanding the planting area, doubling our profits,” Fatty Lei said to Wangcai after walking around his one-acre Sweet Potato Field.
“Yes, Master,” Wangcai committed it to memory.
At that moment, Monica finished tidying up the breakfast things and ran out, following behind Fatty Lei.
Monica, having been taught by the Intelligent Butler Wangcai, now clearly understood a Maid’s duties. The most basic rule was to stick close to her Master and solve any problem or need he had right away.
But right now, the Master didn’t seem to need anything. So she just followed him around.
Humans are so strange, Monica couldn’t help thinking. They actually live inside these cold metal structures.
Seeing Monica approach, Fatty Lei touched the Crystal Core on his forehead.
“Monica?”
“Yes! Master!” Monica responded instantly, out of habit.
Wangcai, seeing Monica’s reaction, nodded to himself with satisfaction.
Looks like my special training paid off, he thought.
Fatty Lei looked at the young girl in front of him, recalling his strange experiences from the previous night.
It had started while Wangcai was teaching Monica about her ‘Maid’ duties. Fatty Lei was lying in bed when something amazing happened.
After closing his eyes, once everything was quiet, he suddenly became aware of the sound of his own blood flowing. He could even see the blood swirling inside his veins through some inner sight.
Startled and confused by this sudden weirdness, Fatty Lei felt a stab of panic.
Then, for some unknown reason, his whole body stiffened. He couldn’t speak. He was just stuck there, lying rigidly on the bed, experiencing these strange sensations.
As time passed, Fatty Lei slowly regained control of his body.
The Crystal Core on his forehead started giving off a golden light, surrounding him completely.
The flood of information that had once overwhelmed him and made his head hurt now started playing inside his mind again. Repeatedly.
It was like it was forcing him to learn. You had to learn whether you wanted to or not.
All this knowledge just kept replaying in his head like a film.
A whole night of this forced him to absorb some knowledge about this World.
He also learned that after Fusing with the Hive’s Crystal Core, his body would go through a small transformation.
What kind of change, though? Fatty Lei had no clue.
Thinking of this, he said to Monica, “Last night, I processed some information from the Crystal Core. I’ve learned more about your Zerg Race too. If I ever get the chance to find enough Energy, I promise I will wake up your sisters who are still sleeping.”
Though he had only learned a tiny fraction last night, the deluge of knowledge gave him the basics. He now understood the benefits this ‘Emperor’ status offered, the types of Energy the Zerg required, and some common terms used across the Universe in this World.
Compared to his clueless existence yesterday, Fatty Lei was slowly changing.
Given a bit more time to learn the knowledge inherited from the Hive inside the Crystal Core, he would understand this World so well that none of the local lifeforms would know he was an outsider.
Learning had been uncomfortable, but the results were clear. At the very least, he now had a rudimentary understanding of this World’s written language.
Hives lived incredibly long lives. Over their vast lifespans, they would interact with and learn from other species.
So, after Fusing with the Crystal Core Monica passed on, containing the knowledge from her mother, Fatty Lei only needed to study daily to become wise in no time.
Fatty Lei’s words felt like a promise to Monica. It meant he truly cared and was committed. Find the right Energy, and her sisters would wake up.
At that thought, Monica felt overcome with excitement. Her body trembled slightly.
Since the war with humans, most of the Zerg Race had been slaughtered. Monstrous weapons designed specifically to kill Bugs had forced the Zerg to flee their home world.
But finding a new home proved impossible, and with Energy running critically low… they had no choice. They sent their children, like Monica, drifting into the Universe to find their own way.
If a child landed on a Planet fit for life, that was luck.
If they found a Planet too hostile or died drifting… that was bad luck. That was Destiny.
Monica knew survivors like her were few now. Most lived just as harshly as she had.
Monica opened her mouth to speak, but Fatty Lei lifted a hand to stop her.
“Don’t thank me. I’m not doing this for you. Remember, you’re still my prisoner, and you have no real power right now. Finding the Energy? That’s so I can wake your sisters to make Warrior Bugs to fight for me.”
Fatty Lei laid out his plan plainly, exposing his true motives.
Monica froze, speechless.
He could say it directly like that? His bluntness shocked her.
It was clear: he intended to use her sisters as tools. Wake them up. Turn them into walking factories churning out Warrior Bugs for his wars.
And he pointed out her status – ‘prisoner’.
Fatty Lei may have appreciated Monica’s appearance, but he knew exactly where he stood.
Nearly thirty years old, he wasn’t some reckless young lad.
Doing something stupid was completely out of the question.
Fatty Lei checked the plants’ growth one last time, satisfied. Then he led Wangcai and Monica back toward the Military Outpost.
“Commander! Good morning!”
The Artificial Human Soldiers were filing out of their dorm.
Though somewhat simple-minded and stiff, they understood basic manners.
Fatty Lei nodded. “Report to your posts. The Military Outpost’s safety depends on you today.”
Snap!
The Soldiers saluted simultaneously. They then walked onto the Metal High Wall to watch the surrounding area.
“Tell me, Wangcai,” Fatty Lei asked quietly after turning back. “Do these Artificial Human Soldiers even need to eat?”
Wangcai hurried closer and whispered back, “They run on Energy alone. The instruction manual mentioned that.”
Fatty Lei quietly turned his head, watching the Artificial Humans take their positions on the vast metal wall.
“That’s actually fine,” he mumbled low. “If they don’t need food or water, it saves me a lot of worry.”
“Monica, return to your room. Wangcai and I have something important to attend to.”
Wangcai had arranged a small room for Monica in the Basement.
Fatty Lei, however, was just sending her away. He really needed to discuss reopening the Trading Space with Wangcai without her present.
Monica nodded and entered the Command Room, heading downstairs to the Basement.
Seeing Monica leave, Fatty Lei told Wangcai, “I might start changing soon, effects from Fusing with that Crystal Core. Don’t freak out when you see it. Giving you a heads-up now.” Last night’s knowledge had prepared him – Fusion meant changes to his body.
What exactly, though? That was uncertain.
According to the Crystal Core’s information, only five ‘Emperors’ had appeared in Zerg Race history. None were the same species. Their transformations each were unique. Some grew incredibly strong. Others developed super wisdom. One even gained the incredible power to shatter a Planet with nothing but force.
What change awaited him? Fatty Lei couldn’t guess.
I just hope it changes my Destiny, away from this useless ‘loser’ path. Power is what I crave!
Fatty Lei begged silently in his heart to the God of Wishes.
He could only hope that God deemed him worthy of this simple wish.
“What?” Wangcai looked confused after hearing his Master’s words. “Master, you mean to say… changes are coming for you soon?”
Fatty Lei nodded. “Indeed.”
He then explained to Wangcai about the Fusion with the Crystal Core.
After hearing his Master out, Wangcai looked thoughtful.
After a long pause, he said, “If I understand correctly, Master, I believe this Crystal Core is how the Hives pass down knowledge between each other.”
Fatty Lei agreed. “That’s exactly what this is. It’s a vessel for inherited knowledge. And it’s also an Energy vessel for the Hive, containing mysterious power.”