[Nightmare]

—The Night Before the Meeting with the Generals—

Helix hated his life.

The last thing he wanted to do was transcribe Earthian books for Zenith.

However, his ebook library had over a hundred non-fiction books and a dozen novels.

Transcribing helpful texts could be a good way to network with Linus and the others.

Volunteers from every corner of Myriad would transcribe them for free.

He could not only win their influence, but he could also negotiate with Zenith so he could ask questions without removing lifelines.

In short, it was the most rational option, and it wouldn't be that time-consuming if he played his cards right.

So he grinned and bared it for the sake of rational decision-making.

"Thank you. I'd like to know the history of Earthians in Myriad."

"...."

"Is there something wrong?" Helix asked in surprise.

"... As mentioned, the Myriad Library mostly provides Myriadian information that's physically recorded.

Most information on Earthians is locked, even to me."

Helix stared at the screen in disbelief.

"Locked to you?"

"... Yes. *regretful expression*."

He stared at the chat window blankly for a few seconds.

"You said that most physically recorded information is accessible.

Can you share the history of Alzerian and Thymian relationships with Earthians since it's doubtlessly documented?"

"That, I can do! I can tell you everything that has happened after summoning.

Is there something specific?"

Helix's eyes narrowed in thought.

Something was very wrong with Zenith's statements.

There was information about the Earthians [before] summoning, but it was locked. Therefore, she could only speak about everything that happened once they arrived.

In other words, the Myriad Record contained more information than what the world had to offer.

Moreover, if the Alzerians were the ones that summoned the Earthians, then why wasn't that documented? What more did they have, and why was it stored in the record?

Nothing about the situation made sense.

"Yes… I wanted to know about Earthian survivors from past recruitments and, more specifically, if any have died but are considered missing or have joined the Mad Queen."

"Why the hell are you asking if Earthians have joined that giggle-witch."

"Because the giggle-witch sent me information of a massive attack threatening Alzeria." Helix sighed.

"I can't tell people that. Therefore, I plan to forge false information on the event and blame a notorious Earthian."

"Putting aside that incriminating information… are you insane!?"

Helix stared at the screen bitterly.

"You're going to blame [Earthians] for this problem!?

People will plan to kill the Earthians!"

Helix scoff-laughed at the screen.

"Do you think I don't know that, Zenith?"

"...."

"We need the Earthians to survive the impending worldwide calamity Elise is unleashing on Myriad." Helix scoffed.

"But in a few weeks of specialized training, they'll be so powerful that the entire kingdom will try killing everyone out of rational fear.

If I don't gain support for training and taming them, I can't gain the assistance of the kingdom's military.

More importantly, this place might burn to the ground if the Earthians feel threatened."

"That… is a good point."

"So I need a scapegoat to point out what happens if I don't round these immature otakus up." Helix continued.

"I'm bitter that I have to babysit toddlers and risk my partners' lives.

I wish people would stop treating me like a traitor or arrogant idiot whenever I say a sentence."

"...."

Helix scoffed when he read her ellipses. It was annoying that she would write something so frivolous in a serious conversation.

"Are you going to accept a transcribed book called [Turning Points in Human Civilization] as payment or not?"

"The history of Earthians! There have been eight waves of Earthians in the last 107 years."

Helix's face relaxed, and his mouth curved into an amused smile.

He still hadn't taken out his rage on Masov and Salkey.

If he had to deal with another person accusing him of being a traitor or an idiot, he would probably take Miskie and some friends and leave Alzeria to die.

"The first three waves died from breathing in spirit particles within a month."

Helix's face froze in shock.

"The altered physics from magic spells wiped out the fourth wave within the first year.

Most accidentally killed themselves or others.

Only two survived the first six months."

His expression started crumbling in disbelief.

The physics?

Why wasn't she saying they died from fire spells igniting them when they didn't take the physical reality of spells seriously?

Physics implied that spells were faulty, like a buggy video game.

There was something horrifyingly wrong about her wording.

Moreover, the individuals died from breathing in spirit particles, yet the problem was resolved over eight waves.

Humans didn't change. Therefore, the spirit particles needed to change.

Helix didn't like what he was reading. Too many connections began popping up, and he wanted to push every single one of them from his mind.

"The fifth and sixth waves couldn't acclimate to the culture in Myriad or learn how to utilize magic.

Many died accidentally in battle alongside prior waves.

Those who didn't have technical difficulties using spells couldn't use them in battle and died.

A few survived five years by going into hiding but were eventually killed by the Mad Queen's army."

Helix took a deep breath. What he was reading was far worse than he originally imagined.

"The seventh, and last wave, had no difficulties using magic spells.

However, they couldn't strategize how to use them, and most couldn't adapt.

They entered from magic circles in the Alzerian Capital, the Thymian Capital, and the Farok capital 60 years ago.

The Earthians wiped out all Capitals after many revolted.

The countries had not summoned new Earthians before you arrived.

Six Earthians are still alive and have all entered pacts with the Mad Queen."

Helix's eyes trembled in disbelief and opened and closed his mouth multiple times.

"Kaltrops...." He muttered, remembering the strange warning that Macron gave them during orientation.

T-Rex was a name popularized [after] the last sixty years alongside its reptilian image. Both were popularized in a famous movie.

It was a reminder of something terrifying.

The time lag between Earth and Myriad was vast.

As a result—while the Myriadians were abducting large groups of Earthian teens like himself every week or sooner. Perhaps even days.

"Hmmm? What are you muttering about? *Annoyance*."

Helix snapped back to attention.

"Nothing. You've said that all six have entered pacts? Why…." Helix asked hesitantly.

"Three did so for power, but that giggle-witch kept hunting the three good ones down!

They eventually agreed to help her periodically for a non-aggression pact."

Helix took a deep breath to calm his nerves.

Everything Zenith had told him was equally shocking, and he had to get a grip over himself.

"Can I get their names and locations?" Helix asked.

"Starting with any near Kozen a couple of months ago."

Zenith gave him a list of the Earthians and their locations.

"Is there anything else you need?

This conversation has gone on long enough without any exchange! *huff*."

"My apologies. I have one last question." Helix began nervously.

"You said… they were summoned 60 years ago.

Has their power decreased?"

"Not in the slightest. The reason why is—"

—

"She was pissed?" Marie asked in confusion.

"Yeah. I told Zenith I'd give her Earthian information at the beginning." Helix chuckled.

"But it was during the Nightmare Induction Ceremony, and I didn't see her begging for it."

"Then you didn't contact her for four~months. A male classic." Charlotte smacked.

"Yeah… needless to say, it wasn't a great reunion." Helix laughed.

His partners giggled in response.

"So you won her over with the Earthian books?" Riley asked.

"Yes. Thank you two for thinking about me." Helix said with a gentle smile.

He bowed his head lightly to Riley and Charlotte in thanks.

Charlotte high-fived Riley across his chest.

"Thank you for making it happen, Marie."

Marie nodded with a smile.

"You can thank us by telling us what you did~with the information." Charlotte said with a grin.

Helix took a deep breath.

"I used information on the past Earthians to justify the source of our monster attack information."

"Well, yeah. We already agreed to that as a potential strategy, dummy." Charlotte said in a mocking voice.

"We discussed and agreed to that when you asked Linus about it." Marie replied in confusion.

Riley nodded on his stomach.

"You're right. We did." Helix sighed.

—Back in Lexicon, Making a Blood Pact to Share Information—

"Under our blood pact of general secrecy, I ask you not to share this information." Helix requested.

"That's everything, dummy." Charlotte huffed.

"Charlotte, Helix cannot threaten information he seeks from Linus as his source." Marie replied with annoyance.

"Oh yeah…." Charlotte said while slapping her cheek.

"Yes. Especially now. I'm asking about past Earthians that have gone missing or have sided with the Mad Queen." Helix continued.

"If we need to justify a source for our information, we can cite one of them and pray they aren't alive."

"That's… genius!" Charlotte cried.

"Yeah… that would solve a lot." Marie pondered aloud.

"It's risky if they are, though."

"Well, yeah. Anyone that came here with broken stats and is still alive has to be."

The four nodded.

—

"However, I didn't consult you before doing it.

We're making strong enemies for short-term gains, putting you in danger."

"Helix…." Marie whispered while touching him lightly on his face.

"This woman is strong, and her potential allies are too. If I can't hide that, I—" Helix grimaced.

"Hellie. We knew they'd be badasses no matter how powerful they are." Charlotte chuckled with madness in her eyes.

"Charlotte…." Helix whispered with a conflicted expression.

"Earthians… don't age in Myriad."

—

Power stones and grammatical errors = more content. :)