We spent the rest of the day in World Seed, each of us getting a new monster companion. Since none of us took the tutorial, we didn’t get the ‘free’ pet that it offered, and instead had to make do with finding our own. For instance, the one that I received first was a bird capable of firing wind blades with a flap of its wings. After combining it with a fire-attribute lizard, it became larger, able to wrap its body in flames as well as shoot them out like its basic ability.

However, we weren’t able to find any powerful elemental seeds. Out of the simple need to have something, each of us acquired either a Flowing Water, Strong Wood, or Solid Stone seed. If we wanted something better, we would need to rely on luck to find it.

On the bright side, our tree had fully grown after an entire day of waiting, and it was spreading its influence to reshape the meadow where we spawned into a dense forest. This also meant that we could begin work on the research projects that the tree offered. Looking at those research options, there were a few things that caught my eyes.

First, I could choose to go down the ‘mutation’ tree, which would grant new abilities to the players. Alternatively, there was the option to create natural weapons such as spears or swords. Then, there were the monster-related options, letting players bind monsters to the tree to automatically protect it or even have more monster slots.

The final research path that really attracted my interest was the ability to set up shops in the trees, where players could sell the items that their tree created to players from different areas. That was likely to be the basis of the game’s community-driven content. The first thing that I was interested in was the ‘mutation’ path, as it would enhance the strength of the players both in the short term and down the road.

When I selected the option to research ‘mutation’, I was surprised to find a text field appearing in front of me, asking to define the goal of the mutation. Blinking, I looked over at Aurivy, who had the most experience playing this game in the beta. Aurivy grinned, seeming to realize what I wanted before I had the chance to say anything. “You picked a mutation to research, right? I think it’s because of how Ash set up the system, so it’s more freeform rather than strict choices.”

“Just type in the mutation goal, and it will process the request. First, it identifies if any other mutations are needed to make it work, creates a list of everything required, and then displays it for you. There’s something sort of similar with weapons, as it asks you to design the weapon you want, and then goes through material research and all of that. To have an itemized list, you need to choose one of the options that interacts more directly with other systems.”

I gave a small nod of my head, thinking that over. Out of curiosity, I began writing in the text field, telling the tree to create a mutation to allow natural flight. Upon confirming my choice, I waited to see the list of research options that it created.

Research: Body Modification - No Extra Resources Required. 4 hours

Research: Additional Limbs - No Extra Resources Required. 4 hours

Research: Wings - No Extra Resources Required. 4 hours

I couldn’t help but arch a brow at that. Twelve hours wasn’t that bad. Still, I canceled that research project, as it was only a test to begin with. We can already use natural energy to fly with a bit of effort. If I want something useful to us…

After writing in the new entry to the system, I nodded my head. The ability to sense Elemental Seeds at a long distance would ensure that we were able to find the most fitting seed for each individual, as long as it was close enough. The list of researches for that, though… enhanced senses, enhanced natural affinity, natural energy distortion detection, mana detection… in total, it would take a week to get through the entire list.

That timeframe might go down as more ‘research units’ are spawned, but that’s still quite a big difference. Regardless, I nodded my head and let the tree get to work. “We’ll need to find five elemental seeds of different types if we want to finish this batch of research.”

When I explained that to everyone, they blinked, quickly looking at the tree’s user interface. While they were doing so, I began thinking to myself. It’s already been one day of the month. Even if the game is fun, there’s no way that I can keep doing this the entire time. And if I fast forward, not only will our progress be lost here, but the company we’ve worked on in Fragments of Acidia will likely fall apart.

My fist clenched at the thought, knowing that the safety of the world was far more important than having a bit of fun in a game. If I fast forwarded, then my Virtual self would be frozen. “Dana, I want to give you a mission.”

“You want me to go out and find the seeds?” Dana tilted her head, blinking. However, I shook my head.

“Not for this. In Fragments, I want you to set the company up so that it can operate without us for an extended period. How long would you need for that?”

Dana’s eyes briefly widened, but she gave a nod of her head. “I should be able to have it done in a few hours. We don’t have any named NPCs, so all I have to do is set up an automated system for trades that would let us maintain our current status. I can’t guarantee growth, or that we won’t be bought out in the time that we are gone, though.”

“That’s fine.” I nodded my head. “If the company is lost, I’ll just give up on getting the technology of that game through a player’s means. I plan to do a ten year skip, to give time for the current void defenses to be upgraded to the next level. After that, I’ll probably put my Virtual self in this game, since it has more potential for training.”

I looked over at Aurivy, Ryone, and the others. “I’ll leave it up to you to keep this tree going until then as a side project. If Tsubaki or the others wish to go to the Admin Room to join me for the skip, they can. Same with you, Julia, of course. You can be with Aurivy there or here, whichever you prefer.”

Julia smiled, reaching down to hold Aurivy’s hand in her own. “I’ll remain here. I’m the God of Wood, right? Who better is there to manage this tree? Do you have any requirements for how you want it to be when you come back?”

I thought about that, before shaking my head. “If it’s possible, I’d like the tree to be able to generate elemental seeds itself. Ten years is a lot of time for a game, and I expect there will be many people that manage to achieve interstellar travel either by reproducing our technology through natural means, or unlocking special abilities.”

“Speaking of… if it is possible, having the tree generate ki and mana would make it easier to operate in the future, since we would be able to use the Digital Conversion system more freely. Aside from that, Aurivy can fill you in on the details of our enemy.”

As I prepared to log out and ascend to the Admin Room, I added on another detail. “I don’t expect that this game will be the key to overcoming our trial, but rather just a supplement to our abilities. Don’t feel too pressured to come up with something powerful. It’s more important to just have fun and enjoy yourself.”

After saying that, I logged out of the game, with Dana and Tsubaki following me. It seemed that Lifre had chosen to stay descended, likely to find her own adventures over the coming years. While I was getting ready to ascend to start the process, I heard Tsubaki speaking to Dana. “Dana, please join my Keeper once you have finished the mission he asked of you.” She said in a soft voice, causing both Dana and myself to look over at her in surprise.

“You’re not going to the Admin Room with us?” Dana asked curiously, actually looking above Tsubaki’s head to see if she had any damage, such as a fever. “I figured you’d stay right next to him the whole way.”

Tsubaki shook her head, smiling towards me. “While I believe that would be nice, I must remain here in order to train. As my Keeper has pointed out, the upcoming invasion is a difficult one to overcome. For that reason, I ask my Keeper’s forgiveness, for I won’t be able to join you this time.”

I hesitated, looking at Tsubaki. “Will you really be alright by yourself here?”

Tsubaki’s smile became wider at my concern. “I am not alone, my Keeper. There are the others of the Greater Pantheon here, though I will be focusing on my own matters. If I truly find my solitude to be overwhelming, I will join you.”

I pursed my lips, before giving a small nod. “I’ll hold you to that, Tsubaki. I’ll see you soon.” After I said that, I ascended to the Admin Room to get things ready.

“I will see you in ten years, my Keeper.” Tsubaki bowed at the sight of the Keeper leaving, Dana looking over at her.

“Are you sure about this..?” Dana asked, knowing just how important it had always been for Tsubaki to serve the Keeper.

Tsubaki merely nodded, her eyes closed. “He will have no need of me in the Admin Room. It is better to spend my time accumulating experience for the coming battle.”

Dana arched a brow. “What if I say I’m going to play all sorts of games with him while you’re gone?” Tsubaki’s ears twitched, lowering slightly. “How is it that your ears are still the most honest part about you… well that and your tails.” She looked back at the drooping tails.

“Take care of him while I’m training.” Tsubaki said in a soft tone, causing Dana to nod her head firmly.

“Don’t worry, Tsuba. If he needs anything, I’ll take care of it.” After she said that, Dana turned to begin carrying out the mission given to her by the Keeper. Although she could simply let her Virtual self settle the matter, it would be handled more quickly if she took part by writing out plans in the real world.

While she was doing that, Tsubaki took a deep breath, walking to the exit of Olympus before tearing open a gate in the void. When she walked through the gate, it took her to the entrance of the Ashtanu Research Foundation. She walked calmly, her hands at her side before opening the door of the building.

Inside the building, she gave a cursory nod to the security cameras, making her way towards the main lab. However, she was intercepted in the hall by Chelsea, who came out with a puzzled look. “What are you here for, Tsubaki? We’ve already started the research that Dale asked us to do.”

“I am not here to trouble you with that. I wish to ask for a favor.” Tsubaki shook her head, going straight to the point. Chelsea’s face immediately turned serious, knowing that a favor for Tsubaki was never a normal procedure. “I wish to undergo the full process of Perfection.”

Chelsea blinked, before her eyes widened. “You obtained the Perfect Self already, you can’t go back and do the soul now. And without that, you can’t do the Perfect Will. You… you know that, right?”

Tsubaki nodded her head calmly, clenching her fists. “I am aware. However, in order to overcome the challenges ahead, I must obtain the Saint Body. For that reason…” Her brows knit together, her body seeming to crack as energy gushed out of her.

Chelsea leapt back, her eyes showing shock. “If you disperse your Perfect Self, you’ll lose some of your foundation. Your ki and mana will be damaged, making the refinement of a Saint Body even harder! You might even die from the dispersal!”

“I am aware. That is why I came to you. A damaged structure may be rebuilt.” After saying that, her body erupted in energy, tightly contained to prevent damaging the building that they were in. Still, the floor shook, Tsubaki’s power gathering back together to form the hazy outline of her figure again. “Long, long ago, I became the first person to achieve the Perfect Self with the resolve to live and die for my Keeper.”

As she spoke, she began walking down the hall again, her energy held tightly in place to prevent it dispersing. “Nothing has changed. Please set up the procedure.”

Chelsea’s eyes shook as she watched Tsubaki, who wasn’t even able to condense a completely solid form at this moment. She knew perfectly well that that wasn’t just because of Tsubaki’s core energy being damaged. Rather, it was because of the pain Tsubaki must be feeling, having her very existence torn apart and loosely clumped back together. Her current state was as if someone had ground a refined diamond into tiny particles, and merely rolled those particles up into a single ball. Her health bar was at the very bottom, barely holding on with just a sliver of life, representing Tsubaki’s willpower and sheer refusal to die.