IDLE Database - Chapter 105

Aldrin’s shout was, expectedly, left unanswered.

He was bewildered upon seeing a manifestation of a Concept from Ahab, however, from the known history, it’s the Rift Monsters or Dimensional Creatures who were the only ones able to utilize the Dimensional Energy inside their bodies. It was also theorized that the said Energy allowed the creatures to evolve, thrive and become what they are.

Furthermore, the concept of an Energy Refiner was envisioned from observing and studying the monsters and creatures terrorizing humanity’s settlements. Humanity couldn’t only rely on technology in defending themselves against the unexpected Rifts opening up in every planet or even in the wide cosmos.

That’s why Aldrin’s bewilderment passed quickly after remembering those details.

Humanity or even the strongest Energy Refiners weren’t the strongest in all dimensions, it’s the Dimensional Creatures that had an inherent ability to utilize the everpresent energy.

Besides, Concept was just a way for Energy Refiners to utilize the energy they refined. If they could do it, there’s no reason for the Dimensional Creatures not to.

“I was surprised. And I probably got too complacent after days of massacring the insects in this Dimension. That’s a huge blunder on my part.” Aldrin defeatedly admitted to himself.

He was fairly ecstatic when he managed to kill the first one and that made him err in his judgement. Had he properly commanded the Summoned Units, the Spider Sentinel wouldn’t die that easily. Or so he thought. But the difference in abilities and strength was the biggest factor.

Concepts, Skills and different types of abilities are shown by the ants and spiders. They might sound and appear different but they all came from the same root.

Dimensional Energy or Mana or whatever the other factions call it.

“This is definitely a losing battle right at the start. I also don’t have a spare 60,000 IDLE Points for the next tier of the multiplier. That’s why I can only be real here and gamble with what’s left.” Aldrin exhaled out the tension he was feeling before emptying his head of any unnecessary thoughts.

As he surveyed the surroundings, the Level 39 Sira was the first thing he noticed. His Shadow Clones were still alive but it’s only a matter of seconds before they freed that monster.

Ahab who had just obliterated the Spider Sentinel cast its eerie human-like eyes to the last eight-legged creature.

Gonsu, the scorched black Ant Champion was being held down by the two Guardian Ants but like Ahab, it’s finally showing its capability on utilizing energy. Despite the huge stature of the Guardian Ants, they’re like a dwarf when it comes to the terrorizing ability of it. That one could utilize fire with the same color as its insect carapace.

Lastly, Bogya, the second strongest among the bunch was… having a hard time

“… Oh. They’re doing great on their own.” Aldrin smiled in delight as he watched the three Dimensional Clones working together to take the Ant Champion down. Although they’re still far from it, it’s not impossible.

The Dimensional Clones were as strong as Aldrin. They all possessed his qualities except they’re not as flexible as him. That’s the reason why he was taking the role of a Support to perfectly utilize all of their abilities whenever he’s with them.

This time, however, that one command was enough.

From the countless hours of them diving in the lower dimension, Aldrin finally recognized that even without his supervision, they’re capable of doing wonderful things.

“That’s about right. Otherwise, they wouldn’t earn me that much IDLE points every day.”

After taking in the current situation of the battlefield, Aldrin decided on his next move.

Moments later, he clenched his sword and jumped over to the location of his Dimensional Clones.

Shadow Steps! Shadow Blade!

Killing the first Ant Champion shattered the enemies’ overconfidence so what he had to overcome this time was the difference in strength.

Furthermore, in a group fight where the enemies were superior to his own group, fighting as a group would only lead to one outcome. Loss.

That’s why the current situation where they still held the numerical advantage and the superior enemies couldn’t work with each other, Aldrin just had to make sure that everything would go the way he wanted to.

“I have to kill this one next before Sira could come to its aid. Or if that’s not plausible, I have to at least incapacitate this one and let the clones finish the job. I don’t have a lot of time.”

At that point, Aldrin already lost his shared eyesight with his Shadow Clones.

Before long, Sira’s killing intent once again radiated towards him, putting him under immense pressure.

But ignoring that point, Aldrin marched on to deal an incapacitating blow to the only Champion with hair as he coordinated with his Dimensional Clones.

His Shadow Steps immediately brought him near them and the Shadow Blade that could be ejected just by simply swinging his sword swiftly approached Bogya.

–

–

10 minutes later…

[You died]

[Dungeon clearing failed]

[As it is the Royal Ant Queen’s Lair, the Dungeon will not reset and no Idle Adventure runs will be deducted]

[50% of IDLE Points earned during the run will be lost]

Aldrin’s consciousness was ejected and returned to his body. As he looked at the notification covering the phone screen, he bitterly smiled.

“In the end, I still lost.”

He followed through with his plan. The Level 36 Ant Champion was incapacitated as he intended.

However, the strongest Ant Champion was just too strong for him. Despite the multipliers, equipment and any clever tricks he prepared, they’re all proven useless

“Is it its strongest ability or just its raw strength? I couldn’t see it clearly. I got cut down helplessly.”

As he recalled the details of the fight, Aldrin tried to analyze what the Ant Champion did that made him lose.

He was about to face it along with Tank and Hitter. His Essence Grenade ready to be thrown, his Shadow Clones ready to deter it for a second time.

However, the armored Ant Champion blasted them all away with one swing.

His vision blackened and before he knew it, his consciousness returned to his body.

“I still have four chances but I doubt I can win against that one yet. Not without any Summoned Units. I used up the Essences I stored by summoning those four and even if I set the Idle Adventure there, there are not enough insects to kill… Then, there’s no other choice. I have to postpone this goal of clearing it until we return from the Rift.”

Aldrin accessed the IDLE Database once more and changed the Idle Adventure’s target Dimension.

Drawyz Domain #5.

The name of the maintained-type Dimensional Rift that they’re also going to dive in tomorrow.

“I will be stronger when I return as long as nothing goes wrong in this expedition. Or the challenge I planned to face. By then… Ant Champion or Spider Champion will just become another challenge for me that I can certainly overcome.”

Aldrin muttered at the same time as he started the 2nd run. The monsters there were definitely stronger than the ones in the Small Insect Colony but compared to the trial run he did once, he had grown even stronger than before.

That’s why he’s fairly confident that they could now properly hunt there.

Unless, they got mistaken for another type of creature by the Energy Refiners inside.

–

–

As the morning arrives, Aldrin was once again waited by Irina at his door. Taking the route towards the cafeteria, he noticed that everyone they passed by was on edge. Including the woman hugging his arm.

“What’s wrong, nervous for what’s about to come?”

“Uh. Obviously. You’re the weird one, Aldrin. Why do you look so calm?”

“… It’s not that I’m calm. I just prepared myself mentally last night.”

Aldrin lied. He’s calm because he knew what to expect inside it. Not that he could tell her that.

Moreover, since everyone was on edge and nervous, he decided to just create an excuse for his behavior.

“No wonder you’re the best trainee.” Irina sighed defeatedly before also copying Aldrin’s calm demeanor.

After their quick breakfast, the supposed leader of the Training Camp once again gathered every trainee on the wide field. Next to them, their Metadomes were all lined up.

“It’s time for the next stage of this Training Camp! We gave you Concepts, trained your physical capabilities and taught you how to operate your Metadome. This time, however, we’re going to send you to a real battlefield. A battlefield that every Energy Refiner would have to go through.”

“Now, I know a lot of you are nervous. That’s normal. But never let it be the reason why you die. That’s just too disgraceful, you know? If you have the time to be nervous, first look at your comrades. We grouped you up so that you could depend on each other. You could trust each other’s backs. And together, you could pass this part of the Training.”

With his voice reverberating on the field, the gloomy faces of the other trainees slowly lit up as the nervousness turned to excitement.

However, none of them knew that what awaited them would be a week of a nightmare.