1381 Thief

Varian entered [Archives X4] without any hurdle. There wasn't even a guard in the facility.

The inside of the block resembled a huge library. There were a total of a hundred columns, containing many, many materials.

Each of this material represented a great amount of resources and human hours poured in.

Humanity also had a lab like this. His best friend Kyle was one of the researchers working there, studying the cutting-edge concepts.

Despite not being a very studious guy and definitely not a research-type person, Varian toured the lab facilities, including the critical areas were the most secretive materials were stored.

That's why, he was dumbfounded after noticing the sheer size of the library as well as the amount of materials stored in it.

He quickly walked to a bookshelf.

Without authorization, he, of course, couldn't take anything.

Even though it looked like a plain old bookshelf in a library, there's a very powerful formation etched on every single shelf. The moment he tried to touch something, it'd activate and ring the bells.

Varian paused for a moment and checked the map again.

"Without opening it, I can still check it out, huh."

So, he made the prescribed movement with his finger in front of a book. It glowed slightly before a screen popped up in front of him.

[Reversing All Mortal Diseases: The Perfect Immune System

Introduction:

While we chose the term 'Mortal', it applies for all the awakeners in pre-celestial ranks.

While diseases aren't common for powerful awakeners, any big change in aura weakens the mortals' immunity and makes them susceptible to diseases, ranging from weak and temporary to dangerous and chronic.

We discuss the methods that could be used on an embryo, a child and an adult to overcome this problem.

The first sol…]

It went on for another page, still introducing a lot of stuff but without any actual substance.

Varian took a few steps back and exhaled deeply. Looking around in the library, where at least 100,000 such materials were faced, a complicated emotion flashed in his eyes.

Only this one library had 1000x more material than humanity's best lab. Funnily, this was just one of the many archives of the lab.

The total differential might be a million? Or maybe even a billion?

Varian was able to feel just how vast a kingdom actually was. Its foundations were on a different level compared to his 'Empire'.

"But one day, we'll get there. And we'll crush you." Instead of being discouraged, Varian muttered with a small smile.

And then, he quickly walked to the area where the materials regarding [Prime World] was kept.

[Prime World] was an important topic.

Technically, it shouldn't be stored here in the midst of so many other materials. That's true. But the particular piece he was seraching for was only a part of the whole thing.

Varian didn't want to imitiate the process followed by the kingdoms to create his Prime World.

He just wanted to know how they were doing it so that he could create his own way for the same end result.

"Let's see…"

[Prime World: Creation Principles, Challenges and Tactics

Info:

A Prime World is not a planet. It does not revolve around a star. It's its own world, its own realm…]

After confirming that this was indeed the material he was looking for, Varian took a deep breath.

His hand reached towards the book.

As he slowly inched closer, ripples began to appear on the barrier covering the shelf. It was transparent so far, so only now was Varian able to watch it properly.

This barrier could kill even rank 9s, much less someone like him.

That's why the lab leaders didn't even bother to have guards here. They were confident of the security system.

Even in the worst case that a rank 9 attacked, the barrier would stop the enemy for a few seconds and that would give the rank 9 security guards of the lab enough time to respond.

Despite their complacency, the leaders managed to create a double-layered security system.

"Even if powerful rank 9s can quickly destroy the barrier, they couldn't stop it from alarming others. So, it's not a proper theft."

Varian smiled to himself and got down to work. It wouldn't have worked if others tried their hardest but he had a simple solution to this apparently unsolvable problem.

'I'll use the slivers to drill a hole but before doing that, I'll use the sliver powers to substitute themselves in the barrier so that it doesn't detect any changes.

It wouldn't go on forever. But there should be no problem for a few days. By then, I'd already be light years away from this place.'

[…Are you seriously using this System for a theft, Host?]

Like a noble young lady who gifted her prized 'kerchief' to a commoner warrior only to see him use it to blow his nose, the System spoke in equal measures of contempt and astonishment.

'After everything I've done so far, don't you think you're speaking up a little too late for these morals?'

A black and white light poured out of Varian's fingertips, attacking a small section of the barrier relentlessly.

[It's not about morals. It's about using the slivers for such a cheap thing.] The System argued.

'Cheap? If you think it's cheap, then give me the material directly. I will also call it cheap.'

[…]

'Got it?'

[…]

The System sighed in resignation and fell silent.

The book flew into Varian's hand and disappeared into his storage ring without any problem.

Due to the conversation, Varian wasn't fully focused on the job. So, it took a second more than it should have.

And instead of being lost in the work, he was also more aware of his surroundings.

So, he followed his body's sudden signals and bent down.

A lound bang shook the silent librarly and a spear grazed his neck.

Following his instincts, Varian tried to roll away and almost did, but a kick to his back crashed him into the wall, breaking half of his bones with that little contact.

No doubt, the kick would've killed him otherwise.

Space distorted and Zara Woz, clad in a translucent coak, which seemed to be her natal treasure, stepped out with cold eyes.