Healing System

Michael stared at the strange pedestal and activated his Eyes of the Great Sage skill to the maximum, once again entering that familiar world.

To his surprise, the pedestal still exuded its strange mana, but this time, he could see how the letters were being written.

A stream, as if from a string—the words were falling down and forming while in the middle of the air, before finally being etched into the pedestal.

He was unable to tell exactly how they were etched in there or by whom, but at least he had a better idea of what was going on now.

The system still refused to give him answers, likely in its monthly phase of "Go do it yourself."

You sure are a comedian, aren't you? Fine. Deal with it on your own this time for real, the system said and immediately fell quiet.

'Yeah? It sounds to me like you don't know what's going on either,' Michael shot back, attempting to provoke the system for an answer.

However, he was completely ignored.

Sighing inwardly, he turned towards Lapis.

"Am I supposed to know what this is?"

"Of course not," Lapis shrugged before continuing. "I just wanted to find out whether you are actually a puppet or not. They seem to react quite... frantically when they see it."

Michael nodded before looking back at the pedestal. "So? What is it?"

"It's a console of sorts. Our ancestors used it for gathering intel about the outer world."

A console, huh? he thought before asking,

"The outside world you speak of—do you mean above the water?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Lapis tilted his head upon hearing that. "Above the water? What do you mean?"

'...Did I not make it clear enough?'

"This city is underwater. Are you seeking information about what is above?" Michael spoke, but with each word, Lapis's expression twisted.

"...What are you talking about?"

As his words fell, Michael began growing more and more wary. "Do you not question the balls of light in the sky, the ones that blink every couple of seconds?"

But Lapis still had the same confused expression on his face. "Are you talking about the eyes of God? They have been there ever since I was born."

Just as Michael was about to reply, a familiar noise resounded in his ears.

-Ding

[Trials of the Golden Dragon | Scenario 2: Find the source of the disruption - Complete]

[Trials of the Golden Dragon | Scenario 2: Find the Puppet Master - Incomplete]

'It changed...' He read through it. The previous objective was marked as complete, and then a new one appeared.

The words Puppet Master did seem very fitting for the situation he found himself in, though. People blind to whatever's around them—the upper city completely overtaken by something he couldn't even understand.

At the very least, the people down here seemed normal, for the most part.

But it was strange. If they were really mind-controlled, how could he not spot it?

His eyes were now even better than before, so no such things could get past him. Yet, they were able to.

It seemed like the only way to find out was to ask even more questions. "Forget what I said earlier. Can you tell me what these puppets you spoke of are?"

"You don't know about them..." Lapis stared at Michael for a moment before letting out a sigh.

"They are quite literally puppets—no flesh and blood. The only thing they have going for them is an artificially implanted mana core, but even then, its capacity is limited."

'They did have flesh and blood, though?' He raised his brow, continuing to listen to Lapis's explanation.

"They are very easy to kill, but even if you do kill them, they just come back the next day. Immortal puppets, created by some madman."

"I see... Do you have any companions with you in the upper city?" Michael questioned, remembering seeing two other distinct dots.

Continue your journey with empire

However, Lapis's answer only made him more confused.

"I am the only one. The rest of my companions all died and were... turned into puppets," he said through gritted teeth, anger clear in his tone.

While Michael did want to find out more, he felt like Lapis was reaching his limit and might snap soon, so he decided to ask one final question.

"Who is the Puppet Master?"

But to his dismay, he only received a shrug. "I don't know. No one does. All we do know, however, is that whoever it is walks amongst us."

'Sounds like a massive fucking problem...' Michael sighed heavily before walking up to the pedestal and touching it.

He was expecting something magical to happen, but it did not. The words and letters merely passed through his hand before landing on the pedestal below.

But still, it really made him think.

'How is this trial in any way related to the so-called Golden Dragon? We are in a city underwater, its inhabitants oblivious to what's happening around them.'

However, the fact remained—he was stuck in here until he finished the trial.

Based on what had transpired so far, this was likely not the final trial, so he had to deal with it quickly and efficiently.

And what better way to do so than going back out and tracking down the other green dots—the same ones who were apparently not a part of Lapis's group.

Michael turned towards him before saying, "Did you bring me down here only to check out whether I am a puppet or not?"

"That's right. You are free to wander around. Free housing is everywhere," Lapis replied with almost no interest present in his tone.

However, Michael merely shook his head. "I don't think that'll work for me. I am a healer, you see. If anything, I can heal the people here, at least until I leave."

Lapis's response was instant. "We have nearly 20 healers. You are free to go."

'...'

"Do the people still get sick?" Michael persisted, trying to convince him.

There were a few things he wanted to try with the so-called pedestal before he left. It would give him the perfect excuse to stay in this church for as long as he wanted.

Lapis looked at him as though he was some sort of idiot. "Of course they get sick. Our healers are good, but not omnipotent."

'Bingo.'

"What if I told you I could cure all ailments and make them never come back ever again? How would that sound? All I ask in return is permission to stay in this church for a little while."

He was met with a sharp glare as the pressure enveloped him from head to toe, rendering him momentarily immobile.

"You are lying." Lapis's cold voice rang out.

"You'd think so. Send over someone who is sick. I will prove myself," Michael stated before finally being released from the pressure.

Lapis suddenly walked up to him and asked, "What is your name?"

"Michael."

"Alright, Michael. If I find you to be lying, I will kill you on the spot. How does that sound?"

"That sounds reasonable," Michael nodded back. It did not matter what kind of conditions Lapis imposed.

After all, his healing was unparalleled by anyone he had met thus far.

"Very well... Stay here," Lapis said with determination before quickly heading out of the church, heading directly into the small town.

He was left alone with only the pedestal beside him.

'Still don't feel like talking, system?'

'...Didn't think so.'