Chapter 1584: Chapter 1584

As the banter continued, I gazed at the city, encircled by massive, thick black walls crafted from hard stone, crystal, and metal alloy, reinforced with the same metal as the Hive Bugs, rendering it highly resistant to their acid.

The interior was a vibrant, futuristic robotic city filled with towering skyscrapers, all infused with ancient Chinese architecture and aesthetics, adorned with the twelve zodiac beasts at every turn.

At the center stood three pillars: the left bore a tiger, the right an ox, and the central one a coiling dragon, all sculpted from gold.

"Oh, interested in that? That's the Three Families Temple. Tigers, Oxen, and Dragons are always born as our strongest members! Our current leader, the Dragon Zodiacron, Drakogon, is our mightiest fighter and a great veteran. Having lived for centuries, he keeps the city safe alongside his right hand, the Tiger Zodiacron Stryphex, and his left hand, the Ox Zodiacron, Gravox," Quick Hare explained. "Whenever I see them, I wish I was born blessed by another animal!"

"I see…" I nodded. "You shouldn't wish for that, Quick Hare. You're strong in your own right. You just need to discover your unique talents. Being a massive robot who can leap hundreds of meters in a split second is impressive. You need to learn how to harness your powers."

"What's good about that when I was born without claws or sharp fangs?" Quick Hare sighed. "Adding them to my body costs too much money."

"This world has a System, and you can level up and gain skills. The sky's the limit," I said. "There's even the possibility of evolution."

"E-Evolution?! Wait, what? Really? How?" she asked. "I had no idea that was possible! Don't we all stop growing once we reach Level 100?"

"Who said that?" I asked. "Everyone can evolve, I think, even humans. Right, Jonathan?"

"Though it's different for us, I've evolved through various levels of divinity," Jonathan confirmed. "Classes also play a significant role here."

Quick Hare fell silent, as if reevaluating her entire existence.

Apparently, none of the Zodiacrons had deeply explored the System, perhaps because they were born inherently strong and durable.

Or maybe for another reason…

"So, who's the god that governs this world? Who owns the Divine Throne?" I asked.

"Ah! Lord Drakogon!" Quick Hare replied. "The Ancient Dragon Zodiacron King, Drakega, granted him the Divine Throne almost a thousand years ago."

"What happened to him?" I asked.

"He fell in battle against the Hive Queen during the early days of the Hive's invasion…" Quick Hare said. "Statues of him and other heroes who died that day stand inside the Temple."

"That's remarkable," I nodded. "Well, let's see what these people are all about."

We ascended into the sky as I used my Ability to let Quick Hare levitate. We attempted to cross the wall, only for an electromagnetic barrier to halt us.

"Maria, we can't just leap over the walls. Flying Drones would have invaded us easily if that were possible. There's an electromagnetic barrier!" Quick Hare warned.

"No matter," I said, enveloping us in void energy. "{Void Shifting Spatial Movement}!"

With that, we effortlessly bypassed the barrier. I could have destroyed it, but that would have caused too much chaos, and I preferred to avoid unnecessary trouble. Check latest chapters at novel•fire.net

"We got through! Wow!" Quick Hare exclaimed in awe. "Look at this! So amazing! I've never seen the city from above!"

"You can't fly?" Lucifer asked. "Why not equip propulsors or something?"

"Well, those aren't free!" Quick Hare said. "I've jumped really high, but I've never seen the city from this altitude… Only Dragon Zodiacrons are born with the ability to fly, making them the Rulers of the Sky."

"I see," I nodded. "Additional parts and upgrades should be more affordable so everyone can access them. Why are they so expensive? Shouldn't you all support each other? You're defending your world from giant alien bugs."

"I don't know… Only a few bother to learn engineering. It's not an art easily transferred through data," Quick Hare explained. "It requires extensive practice, like fighting. I can load countless techniques into my head, but I can't replicate them with full accuracy. I still need years of practice."

"I suppose it's fair if independent engineers craft these parts and charge for them, as it's their livelihood…" I nodded, crossing my arms. "How do you earn money here?"

"By working—transporting goods, constructing, repairing, mining, hunting, forging, and so on. There are many jobs! And… I'm unemployed. I just gather stuff whenever I can… haha…" she muttered. "Oh, right! I should take you to the Temple. That's where most Players meet Drakogon and receive a task."

There wasn't any System notification. I suppose the "God" of this world assigns tasks to every Player? That sounds exhausting. Poor guy.

With Quick Hare's guidance, we reached the massive Temple, dodging various flying vehicles used by wealthier Zodiacrons to navigate the sprawling city.

It was truly enormous, rivaling New York or even twice its size.

The city was a stunning blend of futuristic design and ancient Chinese aesthetics, with neon lights everywhere and Chinese characters adorning the structures.

"Coming! P-Please get out of the way!"

Quick Hare panicked as we descended onto the Temple's terrace. A dozen Zodiacrons of various shapes, sizes, and colors stared at us in surprise, stepping back.

I spotted a few Rat Zodiacrons, half Quick Hare's size at five meters tall, the smallest of the group. With gray and black metal plates, they had long tails even in humanoid form and appeared slender and less robust.

Rooster Zodiacrons, adorned with steel feathers on their arms and backs, exuded dignity and authority. Pig and Goat Zodiacrons were larger, with Pig ones resembling wild boars rather than the typical pink pigs we know.

"Sorry! Sorry about that, haha…"

As Quick Hare apologized, we leapt off her back. She transformed into her humanoid form, apologizing to the annoyed Zodiacrons who eyed us with surprise and irritation.

"Quick Hare! Since when could you afford flying propulsors? Hahaha!"

Two Zodiacrons descended—a Serpent and a Horse Zodiacron—landing with large wings and purchased propulsors.

"You guys! Hi! These are the new friends I made outside while I was scavenging—I mean, mining for valuable resources!" Quick Hare said. "Maria, everyone, these are my friends and seniors, Vyperion and Gallotron."

"Hello, little ones. Welcome to the Halls of the Three Guardians," Gallotron said with a gentle smile. He was the tallest, with crown, black, and yellow metal plates, his legs resembling powerful horse limbs made of mechanical parts. "Quick Hare brought you here. You're quite lucky. Hive Drones are roaming the outskirts more frequently than ever."

"Hmm, you're strange, though. How did you get here from the sky? Did you bypass the barrier?" Vyperion asked, hissing at us.

"Of course not… W-We walked through the door. Maria has levitation magic, that's all," Quick Hare lied for us.

"I sseee…" Vyperion nodded, inspecting us with a glare. "Hmm, okay. Drakogon is inside. He'll assign you a small task. Once you're done, feel free to leave."

"Vyperion! Do you have to be so mean to them?" Quick Hare asked. "They came to help!"

"Hmph! Helping? The only thing little people want is to steal our resources and leave as quickly as possible!" Vyperion said. "They're just passing through our world, nothing more. You shouldn't bother befriending them. They'll leave soon."

"Huh?! You really think of us like that, snake face?" I asked. "You're seriously underestimating us."

"Snake face?!" Vyperion snapped angrily. "You damn…! If you weren't a small, delicate, squeezable bug, I'd have already knocked your teeth out! But I won't bother. You pathetic vermin die too easily. I hate that I must watch my steps to avoid killing one of you, or Drakogon will get angry at me."

The snake stormed off, ranting.

"I'm so sorry about him," Gallotron apologized. "He's been stressed lately, assigned to the frontlines with me."

"Wait, what?!" Quick Hare exclaimed. "You were?! Damn! I wish I could join!"

"Haha… it's not the pleasant place you think, Quick Hare," Gallotron sighed. "If only this war could end… we've been fighting for centuries. The Hive Colony is simply indestructible. Some have lost hope, and Drakogon insists we must adapt to this constant war."

"That's not reassuring," I said. "Alright, let's talk with this guy. Maybe we can knock some sense into him?"

"Some sense?" Quick Hare asked. "Maria, please be nice…"

"Yeah!" Alma insisted. "Don't be rude… We don't want another incident like with Shuten Doji. He almost reported you to the Thebes people!"

"I know, I'll be nice," I said with a smile. "Quick Hare, can you guide us? This place is massive."

"Sure…" Quick Hare nodded. "Please, mind your language in these sacred halls. This is where our history has been written and recorded, and where the entire city was built around."