IDLE Database - Chapter 108

Still clueless. No unusual reports and everything went on as business for the Energy Refiners staying in the camp or inside the Dimension.

That’s what Aldrin first thought upon noticing the lack of activity among the various organizations and Energy Refiners stationed there. Even the patrolling Metadomes operated by soldiers on land and air of the Plainsteed Base Camp were clearly acting normally.

‘… This is alarming but I also cannot baselessly claim that I know something when it’s the first time I set foot in here.’

After gathering once more where they finally met the trainees from the other two cities, the gate of the Base Camp opened, letting them in temporarily.

The camp was wide enough to have hangars for Metadomes, huge spaces for various establishments and even lodgings for the Energy Refiners resting from venturing out to the still partially explored Dimension.

The normal Energy Refiners who were making a living inside the Dimension all eyed them like little lambs up for slaughter.

Some of them even hollered that only half of them would be able to come back alive in fifteen days.

Janet and the other Instructors told them not to believe them as they always tried to scare fledgelings like them. As long as there were no accidents or carelessness done on their part, they’re all bound to survive.

Before sending them out to the wilds where they’re going to start the first part of their training in the Dimension, they were commanded by the soldiers of the Base Camp to leave their Metadomes for inspection first.

Due to that, all 150+ trainees from three cities got their six hours of free time where they could explore the Base Camp or do whatever they wanted as long as they returned to the hangar six hours later for their departure.

Irina tried inviting Aldrin for a walk along with the others from the group but he refused, instead, he told her that he’ll catch up to them an hour later.

Without uttering any other excuses, he slipped away from the trainees as he tried to find someplace in the camp where he could sit down and do nothing.

Naturally, he wouldn’t let himself appear suspicious. The Base Camp might be lacking in surveillance but he’s positive that he couldn’t just act suspiciously inside.

It’s considered the bastion of humanity in this Dimension. If someone stupid wanted to make trouble, they’d definitely be kicked out.

Fortunately, after passing by various business establishments that catered towards the Energy Refiners staying in the Dimension, he found a quiet café that offered private rooms to any customers that wanted a quiet place to relax. It’s not a hotel since it’s just a place for resting while drinking a nice brew of coffee or tea.

After entering it, despite being his first time there, the woman at the counter that was undoubtedly another Energy Refiner welcomed him, complete with the amiable smile that’s common for any other employee working in a service industry.

“Welcome to Serenitea. A room for one?”

“Yes, please. But, how can one pay for services here”

Aldrin couldn’t help but ask. Since it’s in another Dimension, he doubted whether dimnet was available inside.

“You’re a trainee, am I right? You can use the Federation Bank just fine. They have a branch here that regularly syncs their database outside the Dimension.”

“I see. Then an hour, please.” Aldrin nodded to her question and used his card to pay. The amount of Federation Credits he has in it is constantly rising due to how there’s always a few hundred or thousand credits left whenever he’s renewing his IDLE Points generators.

Although he was surprised at the 10,000 credits charged to him for an hour of stay, he soon accepted that. As an establishment in this otherworldly dimension, it’s expected for comfort commodities to be expensive.

After being led to a private room where the employee assured him that he would be undisturbed for an hour except for when his ordered tea would be brought, Aldrin pulled out his phone and started analyzing the changed features of Idle Adventure.

Because of the changes in the Dimension that the IDLE Database warned him about, he pushed down checking out those prominent Trainees from the other cities on his list of priorities.

[IDLE Points: 14780/100000]

[Essence Storage: 1436/5500]

First, Aldrin looked at the minimap provided by the mysterious program. He could definitely pinpoint his location but the revealed area was only the places he’d walk into. Unless he got the current drawn map of the Dimension, it’s only useful for not losing his way.

He then moved to the Dimensional Clones and everything that changed with it.

‘1000 IDLE Points per Dimensional Clone. And there’s no indicated increment for it. The only time an Increment will be added is when it dies and I resummon it.’

‘Then for the initial cost, 4000+3000+660. For only 7660 IDLE Points, I’ll be as strong as an early or perhaps middle Stage 2 Energy Refiner and have four Dimensional Clones with the same strength as well. They also didn’t need a Shadow Clone in here. IDLE Database will create their bodies.’

‘Fortunately, I can summon them remotely as long as the place was brightened on the minimap. I have to get my hands on a map. Janet said that they’ll provide us that before leaving so… I can postpone summoning them.’

After finalizing what his approach will be when it comes to IDLE Database, his mind was then geared towards his plan of action as himself.

Because of the multiplier that could elevate his strength, the challenge for himself which involved that middle-aged man Carlos somehow lost its meaning.

His original plan was to expose himself as the one who sent the audio recording and create an opportunity for that middle-aged man to attack him. That’s the only reason why he infiltrated the fortress after all.

Aldrin wanted to test his limit as a Metadome operator and an Energy Refiner against him.

Naturally, he knew he wouldn’t win against the man and dying wasn’t in his plan.

Janet would actually save the day for him along with other Instructors and Energy Refiners she informed.

His elder sister already notified him about that this morning before they left the camp. Along with it, he was also informed of Carlos’ affiliation.

A member of the Three Axe Gang, a gray organization operating in the eastern region of the Planet Dualmoon. It was spilled by the spies caught by Commander Yun’s people before they could escape. One of those was the very same spy that allowed Carlos to become a guest Energy Refiner and abandoned him that night when his Dimensional Clone eavesdropped on their conversation.

Since he exposed himself, he was given the privilege to know some confidential information, such as that man’s affiliation, who they were working for and their connection to what happened in the western region where a Primary City was destroyed.

Aldrin was surprised by the scale of things. But he was somewhat thankful to know that the recording he sent became somewhat useful in pinpointing the culprits.

Anyway, although being saved was kind of shameful for most, Aldrin only wanted to at least get back at the fright he felt for his life during that disaster.

It’s a challenge to overcome his fear.

In the case that Carlos escaped after being surrounded by Janet and the others, only then would Aldrin let his Dimensional Clones pursue the middle-aged man. Capturing him or killing him were his two options. Since his Dimensional Clones would pursue without using a Metadome, he had to be meticulous about it.

‘With the changes in this Dimension and the multiplier that could lift my strength to his level, I… I don’t feel like doing it anymore. That’s unless I enact the plan as soon as possible… I better talk to elder sister about this. That way I only have to prepare on how the changes in this Dimension will affect the Training Camp. Less headache.’

–

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After sorting out his mind and everything he needed to sort out, Aldrin left the café and met up with Janet.

“What changed your mind?” Janet folded her arms and creased her eyebrows.

“Like I said, I’m having a bad feeling in this Dimension, elder sister. I can’t explain it well but I feel like something big is going to happen.”

“Huh. Are you sure you’re not just scared of being in a foreign Dimension?”

“I have no proof but I’m sure it’s not me being scared.”

“… Alright, I’ll inform them. You go back to your group.”

Janet stared at Aldrin, checking his current state. She recalled that just last night, Aldrin was full of confidence in himself while presenting that absurd plan of his to fight against a Stage 2 Energy Refiner.

That’s why she also couldn’t wrap her head around that sudden change.

While staring at Aldrin’s back that’s slowly disappearing from her sight, she remembered her brother, her lost brother.. “It can’t be the same, right? This Rift is well-maintained, unlike the one my brother entered in. However, what happened back then was also a sudden change that locked them in that Dimension… What should I do?”