An artificial Specter.
Nick took a while to come to terms with that.
Creating a Specter was only something the Sun could do.
This involved alien technology, not human technology.
The fact that the Enlightened Ones managed to create one meant that they had learned quite a bit about the aliens' technology.
'This was not part of the stuff I learned,' Nick thought. 'Most likely, they wanted to keep that part hidden.'
'If the aliens realize that humanity can create Specters, they might abandon all of Earth and destroy it.'
'If humans can create Specters, they can most likely also mess with the Sun. The aliens won't allow such a risk to exist.'
Nick took a deep breath.
"Affirmative," Assistant answered.
The next moment, a new door appeared on the Containment Unit.
As Nick looked inside, he saw a man.
It was just a regular man with normal clothing.
He had brown hair and was about as tall as Nick.
The man opened his eyes and looked at Nick calmly.
"How much time has passed?" he asked emotionlessly.
"The records are not entirely clear, but I think between 20,000 to 30,000 years," Nick answered as he stepped in.
The Pure One wordlessly nodded.
"Are you the new Emperor?" he asked.
"I am designated as Emperor," Nick answered. "In a way, I am the core of humanity's resistance."
The Pure One looked at Nick for a while.
"A Specter is spearheading humanity's resistance," he commented.
Nick's eyes widened.
"Don't try to deny it," the Pure One answered. "You might fool others, but your flimsy disguise can't fool me."
"If you're here, you know what my specialty is," the Pure One answered.
Nick took a deep breath.
Yes, the Pure One specialized in biology.
"What gave it away?" Nick asked.
"Your disguise is perfect," the Pure One said. "And that's exactly what makes it not-perfect."
"You look too human to be human."
The next moment, Assistant said something. "Emperor, you have been designated as a threat. You have been recognized as a Specter. Deep Core Base wants to activate its defenses to deal with you. Deep Core Base can't activate without the Emperor's permission. Do you give permission?"
"No," Nick answered. "Nullify my status as a threat and make it unalterable."
"Your status as a threat has been removed. You are now designated as safe by the authority of the Emperor. Rising Star Base does not have permission to change your status anymore," Assistant answered.
'Luckily, I told Assistant that no function is allowed to be activated without my permission,' Nick thought.
"Only the Emperor can override these things," the Pure One said. "You really are the new Emperor."
"As I've said, yes, I am the Emperor," Nick answered.
The Pure One remained silent for a while.
"The Empire hasn't foreseen that a Specter would become the new Emperor," he commented.
"I need more information to make a judgment."
Nick nodded. "What do you need to know?" he asked as he sat down in front of the Pure One.
The Pure One looked at Nick.
"Why is a Specter interested in humanity's freedom?" he asked.
"That's a bit difficult to explain without sounding like I'm just making stuff up," Nick said. "Your status as an artificial Specter is just as perilous as my status. Telling you about me should not pose any danger to humanity."
The Pure One just wordlessly nodded.
Then, for the first time in a very long while, Nick exposed his entire life to another being.
The Pure One couldn't possibly work for the Sun, and Nick needed its cooperation to attain the Enlightened Ones' knowledge about biology.
Nick told the Pure One everything except for the sensitive parts about the aliens.
The Pure One didn't interrupt Nick even once.
"The concept of the Consumption is daring yet effective," the Pure One said. "It is primitive,but it yields greater results."
"The Empire implants artificial Specter Cores without a will on them to create Extractors you call Specialists. The procedure is safe."
Nick was interested. "Can you teach me about that?"
"Your path is superior," the Pure One answered.
"Superior?" Nick asked.
"Yes. Our path might be safer, but yours is superior. An artificial Specter Core can't compare to a real one."
Nick furrowed his brows. "The Consumption is too risky and costs too many Specters."
"The Consumption should not be changed," the Pure One answered. "Instead, you need to change the materials."
One of Nick's brows rose.
"An artificial Specter is still a real Specter," the Pure One explained. "I will teach you how to create an Artificial Specter without a will to live. By consuming such a Specter Core, any person can consume a Peak Elder without many issues."
"As long as you have enough Zephyx, you can create as many Elders as you want."
Nick took a deep breath.
If everyone could consume a Peak Elder…
Then, everyone would basically shoot through the levels!
These Extractors would be superior to every other Extractor!
"You are willing to teach me?" Nick asked.
"I partially know how to create an artificial Specter," the Pure One answered. "You need to learn about the different kinds of energies from the other knowledge repository first if you actually want to create one."
"No," Nick answered. "I meant, you are willing to teach me? As in, you trust me?"
"I don't doubt your story," the Pure One answered. "You turning into a Specter makes biological and logical sense. We have never had such an incident since we have never used real Specter Cores, but it makes sense if you implant a real one."
"The Sun controls the Specters. A real Specter Core is made by the Sun. A real Specter Core will create a Specter."
Then, the Pure One looked deep into Nick's eyes.
"I can also see humanity in you."
"Your eyes are very similar to the old Emperor's eyes."
"You might be a Specter, but you are human in spirit."
Then, the Pure One stood up. "I'm willing to teach you everything I know. It will be easier if I show you some examples with the machines."
Then, the Pure One walked over to the employee entrance…
And just walked through.
The Containment Unit didn't even react to him!
Nick looked with shock at the Pure One.
The Containment Unit hadn't reacted!
That meant its defenses also wouldn't have reacted!
So, if the Pure One wanted to kill Nick…
He would already be dead!
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