Chapter 249 - Harker's Wager
The Exoskeletons crashed down at such an impact that the steel suit began to crack. There was also a small palm-shaped dent on top of the helmet of the Exoskeleton. This was where the force pushed them down.
All in all, four Exoskeletons immediately acted and dashed off to attack Seeker.
The four struggled to get up and utilized various boosters and strange means to escape the downward force but were unable to.
"Now, where are the other two?" Seeker was bemused and looked around. He then saw an Exoskeleton at the back who did not act suspiciously but retreated when the group rushed forward. It was aiming at Seeker.
And then it attacked.
BANG!
The moment the trigger exploded, Seeker was able to hear the sound as he could hear across the dimensions.
But now, things were changing. Even his vision could see things differently. It was too fast before, but now, he could see it.
The largest contributing factor to this was that Seeker met Rai and took a small amount of blood from him. The other factor was that when they were attacking Crostfree, Seeker looked at the ship found something ridiculous that it almost made him vomit in dizziness.
Right inside the fourth-dimensional Realm, was a large three-dimensional object that existed. The contrast was so strange and so bizarre that no one could understand what it was or how it was even possible. It looked like the entire 3-dimensional ship of Crostfree, which had shiny metals, and complex architecture, was poorly pasted into an artwork that employed abstract and surrealistic styles.
Seeker had a hard time retaining that memory and even had a hard time remembering it.
But he was finally able to do so when he left his extra thought process to stay within the realms of the four dimensions. And so, while Seeker's physical body would see within the three dimensions, his additional thought process would see on the fourth.
Time was changing because Seeker could see in it. It was almost as if Seeker could see seconds into the future. He could tell the specific route of the bullet and where it would hit him.
"Time is malleable. So being able to see past the three dimensions can allow me to see the future, huh? Is that how Arthur did it?" Seeker began to wonder if this resulted from finally being able to tread on Arthur's path.
The bullet that was launched utilized Australia's finest weaponry. Enigmatic magnetic pulse was combined with foundational magnetism technology that created a powerful snipping rifle. Its ability to move because of the technologies applied to it allowed it to move unhindered and unaffected by various external forces, including gravity and wind.
The sheer power of this rifle was also strong enough to kill Exoskeletons and even the pilots of Armors.
Seeker sneered.
"This looks like a good time to experiment. It's about time for me to use that Skill."
As the threat level that Seeker was facing was laughable to an Overcomer like himself, this battle was a time to experiment.
The centiseconds that passed were slowly moving slower.
"Finally. His Skill is finally taking root!" Seeker smiled as he recalled the figure of one of the exciting hitman he met and fought. Although Seeker could not emulate everything and stop time, his perception of time was so enhanced that things were a hundred times slower than it seems.
With the slow movement of the bullets, Seeker could conduct different experiments on his attacks. His Realm began to form, and a telekinetic force began to appear.
After the attack on the Kraken, Seeker had his casual swim and stroll in the deep ocean. By using the ocean tides to swim faster, Seeker began to reflect on his memories of how the Realm King would attack in his memories.
Seeker knew that there would be no way of looking into his memories and analyzing it to observe the fourth dimensions that occurred within his memories.
Still, Seeker had to try. And when he tried, he realized he was greatly mistaken.
Although it wasn't clear, he could peer into parts of that dimension in his memories. After much contemplation, he realized that it had something to do with Cliff.
And so, with this ability, Seeker was very excited to try it in battle. And now, a perfect opportunity presented itself. He was facing strong Unlocked individuals who were a notch higher than most Unlocked. They would even have the potential to be as great as the Covenant of the Strongest.
The speed of the bullet was becoming slower and slower.
When a certain level of slowness was achieved, Seeker could literally see how the mathematical equations of physics and how it interacts in these dimensions as their reflections were also being manifested in the fourth. His other thought process was looking in the fourth dimension and could see how the laws of physics were happening. It was similar to how a programmer would use their tools to look at the occurring equations when any movement or interaction is happening on a website or an application.
Seeker could somehow see the math and the physics manifesting on the fourth dimension.
Not even Crostfree, with his technologies, could look simultaneously in both dimensions. And therefore he couldn't do this.
"Is this how my Master could redirect light-speed energy attacks?" Seeker was surprised. And so, he used his telekinetic abilities to interact with the bullets.
Several layers of telekinetic energies were created at the path of the bullet. Because time was slower, Seeker could also create a counter spin around the bullet to slow its movements.
The sniper attack didn't even last a second, and yet Seeker expended such a great amount of energy that it nearly consumed half of what he consumed in the entire battle in the Kraken. If this were the Seeker who fought in China, he would have died. But thankfully, the cancerous cells that he now improved on could store a vastly greater amount of energy.
Seeker caught the bullet.
"Cool. I'm like Superman!" Seeker laughed.
In that extremely quick period where Seeker admired what he did, the Exoskeletons that were pinned down managed to move.
"Impressive! Even without our guidance, you got this far. Well, you did have a leader who defeated Arthur. You guys should be stronger than Harker's Trio or the Small Time Drug Dealers. As expected of Git Godlike."
"Dantes. Keep shooting. Alexa, you can't Tank this one alone. Twister, we three attack together. Misty, Shanna, you two stay mid-ranged." The Exoskeleton that revealed a large blade gave his orders.
A sniper was positioned from afar. Two mid-ranged fighters with diverse skills and three melees classed Exoskeletons charged against Seeker. This team had not lost a single battle when they began fighting. And their current formation we one that had shocked the gaming world. They were the only e-sport team that has seized the championship from the dominant win streak of the Covenant of the Strongest. The Australian Piercing team, Git Godlike began to attack Seeker with all that they have.
"Fine… I'll humor you kids. Matthew, call the Twelve Disciples. This should benefit them, as well." Seeker laughed and didn't even use his telekinetic powers and waited for the Exoskeletons to attack.
Back in the Phil-Pangea, Lara's expression turned weird as she heard the next condition.
"That- That's the condition?" Charm was also confused.
"Why is this the condition?" Lara asked.
"Seeker is valuable to me. The truth is, I was supposed to hand over Seeker Carlean to them as a gift. I know that to them, he is important. I had placed Seeker Carlean for sale up the market."
"For-For sale?!" Charm shouted.
Lara also had a strange look of great anger and disgust. Her fingers twitched as if she wanted to rip the head of Harker immediately.
"I will not deny it. You two come from prestigious families. You should have heard about the rumors about me being in the Underworld. And while it can't be proven and many who do know I am within the Underworld think that I am a middle man of various organizations and families in Pangea, the fact is, I am my own master. I used this illusion to cover my presence and make it appear that I am but a soldier and a pawn that is placed by a more notorious organization or person in the Underworld."
"So, it was true. You chose not to hide from the Underworld but made it look like that your just somebody's pawn. And because no one knew who owned you, they would hesitate in attacking you. So that's how you survived in the Underworld. Then tell me, have you sold Seeker Carlean?" Lara didn't hide the extreme anger and courage that she had.
Even Charm felt an unusual change in the air that moved her attention to Lara.
"As I said… the Lost Primordial wanted this Seeker. This Seeker Carlean was so important that instead of just canceling that bid, they made me go through it, but everyone who participated in these bids, whether male or female, was either killed or implanted by this Programmed Slave technology. It was almost as if there was jealousy behind this act. Seeker was not sold, nor was he touched. I guess you'd have to thank the Lost Primordial for that on. After all, seeing your real anger proves that you aren't one of these Lost Primordial." Harker laughed.
Lara's expression remained the same as he looked at Harker's eyes.
"You were testing me."
"Of course. I can at least ascertain that you like Seeker. Why else would you blush when I asked for that condition? But when I told you that he was sold as a sex slave, you got mad. Of course, everything I did say was true. I just used it to test you. Then do you accept this condition? Doing so would tie your fate to Seeker Carlean. I am betting on this. You might have resources and funds that surpass even my own, and I couldn't imagine what technologies the Diamon family has applied to you, but I am willing to bet that Crazy Carlean will cause you to fall in love."
"That's what you're betting on? Love? I like him, but that's because he's a celebrity. You are willing to wager and risk partnering with a family you are suspecting to be associated to a Lost Primordial and who may betray you, and even cause your downfall because of love?" Lara challenged.
"Seeker has been called many things in his career. Casual Carlean, Cool Carlean, Cancer Carlean by his enemies. Crusader Carlean. Conqueror Carlean and, of course, Crazy Carlean with his recent antics. But you haven't had the chance to really be around that kid. I won't be surprised that he will be called Cupid Carlean. Yes, I am willing to wager that. Because I am confident that you will fall in love with him!" Harker laughed.
"So… I ask you again. Will you marry him?"
"Sounds a bit weird that you are proposing on his behalf. Will he even accept?"
"He has no choice of the matter. But I wouldn't be too bothered. He did make me promise to protect you. This proves he likes you at least just as much as you like him."
Lara couldn't help but blush.
"Whe-Where is he anyway?"
"Will I tell a potential foe the location of one of my most valuable subordinate?"
Lara was silent.
"Lara! This is crazy! Don't agree!" Charm urged.
"I agree with your strange terms," Lara answered.
"Lara! That's insane! You'd be their slave! He's only using Seeker as bait! Seeker isn't worth it!" Charm tried to persuade her friend.
"Charm. My country is finished. One China will soon wage war against them. And my company still has assets, companies, and sub-companies around the world. The reason why I am moving to Pangea is out of survival. New Pangea is prepared to deal with the market collapse and is able to function now that the WGP is gone. I am not doing this out of my personal fandom over Seeker. He is just a nice gift that I will get on the side. I think you don't understand because although you come from a powerful family, you haven't extended your assets, liabilities, and technologies all over the world. My family has. I need someone who can save all those. If the Diamons cannot have those assets and connections, we would soon fall." Lara explained her situation.
"But that's not enough to-"
"Think of it as the great lockdown during the early 2000s. People, society, and even trade had no clue what to do when that virus began to spread. Although history has warned us to prepare for such a thing, we are yet taken aback now. The WGP's void cannot be easily filled." Lara added.
Charm could not refute Lara's words.
"I am desperate. And rather than to ally with this mysterious organization, I choose to put my companies hands on someone who plans to fight it. Even if this Lost Primordial is so powerful, they are hiding and used covert means to attack the WGP and even lure out General Harker. This proves that they are not to be trusted. Why else would they hide? I just want my family to survive this storm. Will you agree now that I have accepted your conditions?" Lara met Harker's eye.
Harker was silent and then immediately nodded.
"Alright." Harker finally agreed.
"General!" The three soldiers nearby reacted.
"It's final." Harker answered firmly.
The three were silent.
"The clauses are already too stringent, and yet she agreed. Even if she is a traitor, it will be very difficult for her to betray us. And if we find the slightest suspicion, we kill them." Harker explained.
"Yes, Sir!" The three soldiers saluted.
"Then what means do you propose to help all the various companies you have around the world?" Harker immediately asked.
"My focus has always been for Pangea and not for anyone else. As such, unless you have any plans in mind that could help Pangea participate in world trade, we would be more willing to partner."
"There happens to be just one. I have gotten word that because of the chaos happening around the world, the Jews are now being gathered. Have you heard of Shark Umberton?"
"Owner of Umberton Enterprise?"
"The very same. Now that the WGP is gone, He now has a chance to relocate to Jerusalem. His shocking decision is currently not supported by Africa because of his empire. But with your help, we could change just that."
"It's not that I am anti-semitic, but what benefit can it pose to me?"
"I believe the Lost Primordial is after the Jew! Which is why we should protect them!"