Chapter 77 - Lurking in the Gallery Before Shutdown
*Huff huff huff huff. Huff huff huff huff huff huff.*
"Sora, you feeling okay anywhere? This is my first time trying this too."
I'm comfortable, Rain. The mana recharge efficiency is high too, so please keep me in this position during the shutdown.
"Haha, got it. Looks like we're pretty much all set with this."
Another peaceful day in the bunker. I was making preparations right on schedule for the upcoming Ark Gallery upgrade.
The most crucial one was Sora's mana issue while disconnected from her physical body. She said she could last 36 hours, but with barely any mana left over.
So this was my solution.
You called this a baby sling? It's truly wonderful. I had no idea it could be this comfortable.
A baby sling. Mana running low? Just plug her into a charger and carry on. Crude method, but that's what you do when brute force works—prep the gear to stick on your body, and you're golden.
And just like that, Sora and I became one.
"Haha, glad you like it. Anything I missed?"
Nothing beat this, but yeah, hard to shake the baby carrier vibe. To clear my head of dumb thoughts, I asked Sora to double-check our prep.
Perfect. You haven't forgotten anything.
Maybe from all the past upgrades? She used to miss a thing or two, but now she nails it every time.
Prep done nice and slow for the shutdown ahead. Nothing left to do.
And we still had time before upgrade.
Time to face reality.
I turned to the Ark Gallery screen I'd been avoiding.
The walkie-talkie I'd sent BookEater last night. She'd apparently dissected it overnight, and by morning, posts were up.
Praising me, no less.
How the hell did she reverse-engineer it in a day? Sure, medieval folks are smart, but this? No way I saw that coming.
Archmages are on another level, huh?
Anyway, I was great Moderator again.
"The gallery shaking off its jitters is nice, but..."
A simple "thanks for the awesome item" wouldn't have cut it? Did she have to go full praise mode?
I calmed my awkwardness and clicked back into that post I'd skimmed.
Super fucking grateful for the item Moderator gave us—huge research breakthrough!
Pic below is the item (disassembled military walkie-talkie and intact one)
Had a go at it like he said—bit, tore, tested.
But holy shit, it's insane. Everything we've been theorizing is condensed here.
And why our attempts failed? Crystal clear now.
If we adapt this tech to crystal comms, boom—long-range comms device in hand.
Then you'll say: "Moderator did it all? What'd you do?"
Pretty much lol.
But not saying our research was wasted.
Moderator showed the answer, let us see it and finish with our tech.
Not "ditch yours, use this."
Matches his MO perfectly.
Honestly, from his view, we'd look pathetic af.
Magic wands, god-tier food—obvious.
But he hands 'em over one by one, lets us grow ourselves.
Dunno how to describe this feeling.
Maybe 'cause I've always been the pioneer.
Now someone's leading the way?
Shows the answer, then lets followers achieve it themselves?
First time feeling this.
A super epic being helping me.
Ain't this happiness?
So from now on, I'm one with Moderator.
Anyone throws stones? I'll waterboard the fucker.
A Archmage's praise post overflowing with awe.
Didn't care who she fangirled over—problem was, it was me.
I didn't make the walkie-talkie, just bought and handed it over.
Knew it was advanced for this era, sure.
But full-on worship? Nah.
"Can't she just say thanks and done? Way too much pressure."
If I understand right, that item's value is immense. To her, it must feel like a gift from the gods.
That big a deal? Sounded like their research was already far along.
Just showed the successful end result during trial-and-error?
Suddenly, I'm the Archmage's devotee magnet.
Gotta be more careful handing out items from now on.
Or they'll think I'm some untouchable god.
I swallowed a wry smile and clicked another eye-catching post.
Two tower mages try to escape, get nabbed whoa
They were always off, suddenly went nuts trying to bolt, caught.
Left letters in rooms, got snagged leaving lol
Heard they were ones Tower Lord saved.
From blood festival days—said innocents, sheltered a ton?
Most are good hardworking kids, but these two tanking image? Worried ;;
Tower Lord was pumped saying they'd get free outings soon.
These idiots gonna headache her for no reason yea
Tower escape ninja... er, mages. Felt like traitors' kids vibe.
BookEater sheltered and protected them all, apparently.
These kids cause trouble? Must be stressing her out.
Hoping my walkie-talkie helped a bit.
A light prayer in my heart, then checked the gallery clock.
Shutdown time crept up fast.
I glanced at Sora in the sling.
Looked comfy as hell, about to nod off all snug.
Hoping she only wants the sling during upgrade, I said goodbye.
"See you in two days, Sora."
See you in two days, Rain. Please take care while I'm away.
A bit different pose than usual, but same farewell.
Sora bid me goodbye, closed her eyes, and relaxed.
Her prep for shutdown, I guess.
Seeing that, I planned my two days offline.
Short break—gonna make it count more than anyone.