BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM

Another week had drifted by since Erik took on the quest to hunt the Grythoks, a time filled with momentous progress and transformative achievements.

He now stood in the new building, a space he'd bought through Lysa at the cost of 4 million Eurems. Despite its smaller size compared to the guild's main headquarters, it was classier and filled with an air of quiet elegance.

The past week had been eventful for Erik. One of the most significant accomplishments had been getting the telepathic power from the Grythoks' brain crystal.

This newfound ability allowed Erik to converse with other humans and his clones through a mental link forged by mana. It had a seven-kilometer range and the added benefit of complete privacy.

Erik appreciated the immediacy of it, knowing he could use this telepathy during battles without delay.

But there was more. His experiment with Luke absorbing human blood had yielded astounding results.

With the shapeshifting ability the clones got when Erik merged the Mirror's Centipede's brain crystal power with Conal's, Luke could now shapeshift into other creatures by ingesting their blood, though it was permanent unless Luke or the other clones decided to shapeshift again.

The transformation was nothing short of miraculous. Luke, who had once been an unassuming presence, had morphed into a human form that was both striking and commanding.

He now stood tall, his physique well-proportioned and radiating a sense of strength that was hard to ignore. His features were finely chiseled, lending him an air of quiet authority.

There was a certain allure to the idea of having an army of such beings at his disposal. The possibilities seemed endless; he could have an infinite supply of manpower, each individual as capable and reliable as Luke.

More than the physical prowess, it was the certainty of their abilities that appealed to Erik. With Luke and others like him, he wouldn't have to worry about incompetence or betrayal. He could trust them to execute their tasks with precision and dedication.

The new building had become home to Noah, Luke, and the five eggs that he made two weeks prior. Small but highly intelligent, the clones hatched and quickly adapted to their human form after drinking human blood.

They appeared as children, but their sharp minds held promise, and Erik knew they would grow both in stature and strength.

Erik walked through the new building's corridors, taking in the layout and the various facilities it offered. Training rooms, kitchens, and accommodations - everything had been well thought out.

His mind was abuzz with things to do, visions of what this place could become after he filled it with more clones.

His clones, too, were settling in. They followed his commands without question, their loyalty absolute.

As he stood there, reflecting on all that had been achieved and all that lay ahead, Erik felt a sense of contentment. But there was much more to do, as he had a clear goal in mind.

Noah, a figure of mystery and intrigue, tiptoed through the expansive hall of the newly erected building. His features were artfully concealed behind a mask, a piece of craftsmanship that served both as a shield and an enigma.

Enshrouding his figure was a voluminous hooded coat, its dark fabric swallowing the light. The coat, tailored from a rich, heavy material, billowed around him as he moved, adding to his cryptic presence. It was both a cloak of concealment and a statement of his unique style.

His destination was clear - he was approaching Erik, his master. Despite his concealed appearance, there was an air of deference about him that spoke volumes about their relationship.

Erik stood at the far end of the hall, his figure bathed in the soft glow of the overhead lights. His gaze was focused on Noah as he approached, his expression unreadable.

"Master," Noah began, his voice tinged with a respectful urgency, "You should start heading to the guild; the test to increase your rank is scheduled to start soon."

Erik paused, his gaze meeting Noah's masked eyes. The corners of his mouth twitched into a slight smile as he replied, "I know that. Don't worry. The quest is not that hard, though, as the guild informed me of the quest's details; I'll have to hunt a Crombo. Even if, for average people, it could be considered a powerful and rare creature, I believe I won't have problems defeating it."

A hush fell over the room in the wake of Erik's words, the silence as profound as the revelation he'd just shared. The only sound to break the stillness was the soft rustle of Noah's coat, a whisper of movement in the otherwise silent hall.

Erik had spoken of a Crombo - a creature of power, a rarity in their world. The young man hadn't encountered one in a long time, and the mere mention of it now brought forth a flurry of memories and emotions.

Noah remained silent, his concealed features giving away nothing of his thoughts. He stood there, a silent sentinel in his master's presence, awaiting Erik's next words.

The mention of a Crombo had undoubtedly stirred something within him too as he shared Erik's memories and was aware of how dangerous the creature was.

In that moment, the hall seemed to hold its breath; the silence echoing with the weight of Erik's revelation and the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

Erik's mind drifted back to his past encounters with the beast; memories tinged with adrenaline and challenge. It had been a very scary encounter and a test of his resolve. The memory was as vivid as if it had happened yesterday.

The Crombo was a formidable opponent, capable of going toe to toe with the assassins sent from the Crystal Cross Gang when he was still in Frant. Its strength and agility had once been a significant threat to him.

The Crombo, a colossal beast of raw power and primal rage, had dealt with the 'little pest' that was the assassin. It had used its power to trap him in a slimy substance that hardened almost instantly.

Erik remembered the look on the assassin's face - a fleeting moment of panic that was quickly replaced by his characteristic calm.

With a swift leap, the assassin had disappeared into a shadow, reappearing far from the ensnaring slime.

The Crombo's roar of frustration still echoed in Erik's mind, a thunderous sound that had sent tremors through the earth.

The sight of the beast charging was indeed terrifying. Its charge had been so powerful that it had caused the other Thaids to lose their balance and fall, only to be swiftly dispatched by the other assassins.

But the shadow-hopping one had stood his ground. He had waited calmly for the Crombo to approach, dodging its attack at the last moment and inflicting more wounds on the creature.

Erik could still recall the triumphant smile on the man's face as he faced off against the enraged monster.

Despite his equipment not being sufficient to kill the beast, the assassin had held his own. He had matched the Crombo's strength with his intelligence, using his wits to keep himself alive and keep the beast occupied.

Indeed, times had changed. Erik was no longer the man he once was. His powers had evolved and grown exponentially, transforming him into a formidable force.

The once daunting figure of a Crombo, while still a threat to the unprepared, was no longer the insurmountable challenge it had once been to him.

Erik's abilities had flourished, bolstered by countless battles and experiences. He had pushed his limits, honed his skills, and emerged stronger.

The man who once tread cautiously when fighting Thaids was now a seasoned warrior, capable of facing these creatures.

Even the assassins, who had once seemed like shadows of death, were now within his reach to defeat. They were strong, yes, but Erik had grown, too.

The knowledge of his strength brought with it a sense of calm assurance. Erik's thoughts returned to the present as he continued, his voice steady and confident.

"If the opportunity presents itself, I would gladly take advantage of it and get its brain crystal power. This might be quite useful."

The hour passed quickly, filled with preparation and anticipation. Erik reviewed the details of the quest, but wasn't worried.

Erik turned to Noah, his eyes filled with determination. "Resume your training while I'm gone," he said, his voice firm but not unkind.

"Stay committed to your training regimen. Keep your attention on the current task, and we can go over the next steps of my plans upon my return."

Noah nodded, his own determination reflected in his eyes. "Yes, Master," he replied, his voice filled with respect and a hint of anticipation.

With a last nod, Erik turned and strode toward the exit, the weight of his task settling firmly on his shoulders.

Erik left the room, and the door closed behind him, leaving Noah standing in the quiet room, his thoughts on the training to come and the future that awaited them.

He knew that Erik's success in the quest would mean more than just an increase in rank; it would be a step towards greater things, something that would allow them to gather fame and consequently power.

Erik's footsteps echoed through the empty corridor as he made his way toward the exit of the building. The memory of the Crombo, its raw power, was a vivid image in his mind, a symbol of a past struggle.

Pushing open the door, the young man was met with the hustle and bustle of the city's streets. The city's entrance was his destination, a gateway to the wilderness where the Crombo awaited. The driver arrived with a car, and he quickly jumped in.

The buildings and streets of the city passed by in a blur. The noise of the city faded into the background, replaced by the anticipation of battle.

Soon, the city's entrance loomed ahead. Erik's heartbeat with a steady rhythm, a fusion of excitement and resolve. The test was waiting, and he was ready.