Chapter 412: On Borg

"Before Wor was united under one banner and one Prime Minister, before it joined the Intergalactic Union, it was divided into multiple countries, multiple powers which competed against one another, and there was no greater edge in that competition than to dominate the space around and over Wor."

’Sounds familiar.’ Cero thought with a nod.

"Eventually, those powers realized that they weren’t the only beings in the universe and, humbled by that fact, put their differences aside and pooled their resources and talents together, allowing them after a long while to reach other civilizations and to, eventually, be invited to join the Intergalactic Union of the Living."

"How did Borg do it, then?"

"Borg developed space travel, but they didn’t exactly do it together."

"How, then?"

"One," Nolan started with a raised index finger. "One group, one city, enslaved the entirety of the people on Borg, took control of all the resources, and developed their own city into the future while the rest of Borg was left in the past."

"Huh." Cero rubbed his chin. "It’s as impressive as it is evil."

"Well," Nolan shrugged. "This was all a long time ago. Other places on Borg have developed since then, and that group, that elite which enslaved and took over the planet, is long gone. Though the sequelae of that event in their history can still be felt to this day."

"Hm..."

"Basically, what I’m trying to say is that part of Borg is quite... Strange. Archaic. Unique culturally."

"How unique?" Cero asked, tilting his head.

"Too unique for my taste," Nolan said with a frown.

"Well..." Cero stared at the air. "I’m not here to meet the people or learn about their culture anyway."

"That’s why we’re not landing in the most developed areas." Nolan nodded. "Should be easier to sneak into wherever you want to sneak into from here."

"Mmh." Cero nodded. ’I’ll finally get to work on this.’

A System message that had appeared a long while ago, when he had first heard of the Borgians, the so-called Reptilians, living on Borg.

[Quest: "Borgian Regeneration, The Final Piece".]

[Objective: Devour Borgians.]

[Reward: Regeneration Lv.MAX.]

’With this, I won’t have to fear having my organs injured. I’ll be able to regenerate any part of my body.’

Not only that, but once Regeneration Lv.MAX is acquired, the only thing remaining is solving the Skill Share issue.

’Once that is solved, Lith, Liz, Rea, Raya, and Roka... Every one of them...’

Will basically become unkillable.

"We’re landing." Nolan gave him a thumbs-up. "Have fun, or whatever you’re planning on having down there."

"Yeah."

"How long do you think it will take? I’ll wait however long it takes but..."

"A couple of hours," Cero answered before rubbing his chin. "I’d like to be back before Roka wakes up... So maybe 12 hours?"

"Okay." Nolan nodded. ’Why does she need to sleep that long?’

Cero hopped off the ship a minute later.

"Fuck," Cero cursed right away, bringing a hand over his face to protect his eyes from the intense sunlight. "I might really get a tan."

***

The city was quite different from any Cero had previously experienced.

The buildings, unlike VTX’s, which were mostly painted with dark colors, were either red or clay-colored.

The buildings were rarely more than three stories tall, and the streets separating them were narrow and many.

"Come, my friend! Come!"

Street vendors called from the right and from the left and occupied every available corner.

Their shouting and that of the passersby mixed and intertwined as they cursed one another and haggled.

’They all look similar to that guy,’ Cero thought to himself, thinking back to Remi, the Reptilian he had met working security for Wor’s banquet. ’Too bad I couldn’t see him do that.’

The Borgians’ natural ability to shed their skin.

The final piece necessary for Regeneration Lv.MAX.

"YOU! Come here!" A Reptilian shouted as he ran over and grabbed Cero by the elbow. "Come, my friend!"

"I’m not interested in-"

"Come on, my friend! See what I offer before saying you aren’t interested. Come!"

Cero pursed his lips. ’Well, why not, I guess.’

"This!" The merchant shouted after sifting through his stall for a bit. "This, you need!" He pulled out a large piece of fabric and immediately started wrapping it around Cero’s head and shoulders. "Ah! You look like true Borgian now!"

"Really?"

"Yes! Incredible! You don’t look so out of place now!"

"Huh..."

Cero didn’t dislike the design. The fabric was also very thin and allowed his skin to breathe.

"How much?" Cero asked.

"Oh, my friend, this is best quality on the east side of Biorna! You will not find better material in all the seven realms of Kurna! The best of the best!"

Cero closed his eyes and held back his laughter. ’You know you’re cooked when the guy starts yapping instead of just giving the price.’

"For you, my friend, 500!"

Cero had no idea whether 500 was an appropriate price or not.

"I can do 100," Cero countered, taking out some money from his pocket.

"One hundred? My friend, you are killing me! I am losing money at that price!"

"So you won’t do 100?"

"Argh..." The merchant tried his best to act like it was a difficult decision. "Only for you, my friend! I lose money, but only because I like you, my friend!"

"Yeah, alright." Cero paid and started walking away. ’Even at 100, he probably fucked me in the ass.’

Around fifteen minutes later, Cero ran into a different merchant, selling a similar item to a Borgian for 23.

’It is what it is.’ Cero repeated to himself as his eyebrow twitched with anger and frustration. ’What can you do? I’m the one who gave him that price too. Shouldn’t have bought from the first one that came over...’

Either way, Cero felt more comfortable with that new garment under the hot sun.

Plus, it really did help him stand out less, as Cero noticed that he was getting fewer glances and looks, with the fabric hiding his head and part of his face.

"Alright," Cero whispered as he arrived at a wide, open area. "Where the fuck am I?"

"Oh!" A Borgian in the crowd noticed him. "Did you come to see Kurna’s Offering?"

"Hm?"

Only then did Cero notice that all eyes in that open area were on a gigantic screen posted on top of a building.

’What the... What the fuck?’