Earthling in Uncharted Dimensions

Chapter 145: Radioactivity

"Tubians sure are powerful and mighty existences. But we have an irrevocable restraint on us. We are unable to do anything that can alter the course of this dimension, even in the slightest manner."

Even for D, this was new information. Lee frowned with curiosity and the ladies cluelessly glanced at each other, as they leaned on the table.

"The birth as a Tubian is like manifesting out of thin air. In a wink of an eye, our bodies grow and instantly acquire the optimum form suitable for our essence. The place of birth is always an isolated area. The rules and regulations that we are to follow are directly fed into our soul.

The process through which our consciousnesses are transferred, introduces us to our limitations and limitlessness. The second chance to live, in a different place, as yourself, is only available if one attains enlightenment. Thus, we are stationed here to nurture and prosper the minds of the indigenous people.

But with the responsibility, comes a leash. If we commit an act that can interfere with the future of the Dimension, then the Tubian will be exterminated. It is an irreversible action, where that soul gets deported back to its home dimension. What happens after, is unknown to us.

At the end of every century, we encounter a sort of inspection. It is a direct communication between our soul and the consciousness of the dimension. An evaluation is taking place in us, and we can continue to live unless we don't have the tiniest idea of messing with the future. If the Tubian that is being inspected, is found to be a variable that can affect the dimension's trajectory, then that is the end of the soul. Many have thus painfully disintegrated from existence, and had served as an example for those left."

D was swiftly recording these information in the system directory, which essentially is his soul. From Gauthama's revelation, he now is aware of the reason why no Tubian supported the war waged against the four ancient continents.

'D, can you pull the consciousness of someone in EsGen, to the chamber?'

[It is possible. Why?]

Lee was contemplating on something, and like always, D was blankly staring at his amorphous thoughts.

'D, use the Skill Token to buy Telepathy.'

[Done.]

=====

Merge 'Information Transfer' and 'Telepathy'?

=====

The instant Telepathy was brought from the Shop, the notification for merging it with Information Transfer came up. Lee gave a positive reply and the merging was already complete.

=====

Skill 'Telepathy' obtained.

=====

'D, what is the difference between this Telepathy and the Telepathy we bought?'

[The Telepathy that has been obtained after merging is an upgraded version of the Telepathy we brought from the Shop.]

Lee activated the skill and focused his sight onto Gauthama's face, while uttering inside-

"Tubians consume Essence for survival, right?"

The Tubian instantly turned his head at Lee. The skill was a success at the first trial itself. Lee nodded at Gauthama, and assured him that the question was raised by him.

Gauthama gave a faint gesture at him, meaning 'afterwards'. The ladies saw the action, but did not pry. A veil of silence had overshadowed them, as they digested the unexpected information. The Tubian memorised and acknowledged what Lee shared.

It was then D came up with a hazardous notification.

[High level of radiation detected from the depths of fissures. Imminent action needed!]

'What?!'

Lee sprang up and the force pushed the chair backward by a meter or two. Others were dumbfounded as they saw him immediately storming out through the backdoor. Before anyone could raise a question, he had shot upwards.

Flight skill took Lee to the roof. As he turned to the direction where the fissures had appeared, the visual assist interface displayed a large red exclamation mark over the fissures. As he glanced at the full length of the fissure, the presence of other similar beacons alarmed him.

'Brief me what is happening.'

Lee turned translucent and then invisible, as the Light affinity Mana surrounded him. Omnidirectional jetstreams of air originated from the unseeable Mana spheres which covered his palms and feets. As Flight lifted him, the boost of air quadrupled the speed!

[The ocean water is rushing into the inwards of the fissures, and that is the source of radiation. Something was exposed as the fissures formed, and it began to radiate as the slightly saline water came in contact with it. We have barely a minute before the radiation escapes above the ground.]

As D spoke halfway, Lee had already reached over the fissures. Like the report, the ocean water was flooding the insides of the fissures. A faint green hue was filling the depths and was slowly rising up like smoke.

Without a second thought, Lee descended like a meteor and his palms were thrusted into the ground.

'Activate Rock affinity.'

30000 Essence vanished from the reservoir and got accumulated to Mana. Before the numbers could stabilize, Lee had released his Mana reserve. The invisible energy spread deep into the crevices and enveloped the entire fissures.

The ground began to shake violently and the mouth through which the marine water came in, began to narrow down. The struggle was visible on his face, because Lee was up against nature itself. He was reversing the very deed nature had done!

But unfortunate was he. The green radioactive ash rose up like a cloud and was accumulating above the fissures. Like a sentient being, Lee was engulfed by the ash.

[This deadly ash is actually a variant of the Death element. That means, there is something at the depths of these fissures, that can emit Death aura at large quantities. If it is a sentient being, it is troublesome.]

'Activate Air element.'

Gusts of air began to blow into the fissures and the green ash was unyielding at first. But time made the resistance futile, and the ash obediently was inside the cracks. Not a speck was left free.

Peeking at the Map, Lee found the next step to be done.

'Activate Ice affinity.'

Seconds later, ice began to form at the entrance of the fissures. The salinity of the ocean was not too much, but the sheer quantity that had to be iced made the Mana guzzle like a glutton!

The depths felt the cold, and foundations shook. Something in the depths began to show desire to go rampage.

*trembling*

Despite all the struggles Lee put forward, the ground began to shake vigorously. Nature acted against Mana and the tug of war was evidently visible.

"Need a hand?"

A familiar voice came from his behind and Lee turned his head to glance over the shoulders.

"...."

With hands behind his back, Gauthama stood there with a smile. A vertical halo decorated the background of his head and added glory. The serenity of his face gave a refreshing sensation to Lee.

"I would appreciate some help."

Lee smiled hesitantly and Gauthama did not need anything more to know. He extended his right arm forward and the palm opened. The next second, a white circular ring manifested in front of the palm and it shot towards the fissure. The ring became smoke midway and descended into the depths.

A few seconds later, the trembling began to pacify. It gradually became nothing more than a shiver, and died down. Gauthama slowly walked towards the other two fissures and repeated the same. He did not forget to calm the stressed mind of Lee. The sweat drops soon disappeared from his forehead and his mind relaxed.

The events that followed Gauthama's intervention were in a good direction. The fissures closed up much quicker than when Lee gave his all. After exhausting more than 49000 Mana, the radioactive depths were closed temporarily.

Rock affinity filled the mouth of the fissure. Sand was extensively used to create a bed of insulation at the depths. Ice was compulsory to stop the sea water from flooding in. Although a great quantity of water was already inside, the ice prevented any further emission of radiation.

"I hope you don't get deported."

Lee stood up and wiped his sweat. The tug of war had made him tired a lot.

"Don't worry. This does not count as an action large enough to affect the procession of dimension."

---

=====

1 P.M.

83004 Essence harvested.

=====

Lee and Gauthama swiftly reached the inn. The ladies were eagerly waiting for the duo to come back. Gauthama had asked them to stay put at the inn.

When they came back, Lee gave a short account of his findings and the following incident. He expressed his gratitude to Gauthama. It was then, a noise caught their attention.

*growling*

Mia pressed her stomach as soon as the sound was produced. Seconds later, Ruella and An followed her lead and a much louder chorus was produced.

Lee decided to buy the usual Honey Bread loaves and Horned-Mow milk. Gauthama went and bought a few plates of vegetable soup to the table. The chairs became occupied with hungry stomachs. 52 Essence was the cost of 12 bottles of milk and 16 loaves of bread.

---

Half an hour was necessary to satisfy the hunger. Lee was curious for D's silence. His enquiry received a panel notification in return.

===

The apparition is awake and I am holding a conversation with it. Do not disturb. I will promptly inform you when the conversation is over. Till then, do not enter the chamber.

===