Chapter 300 Extraction
Chapter 300 Extraction
Recognizing the object on the alien's wrist, Jake didn't immediately make the connection. After all, jewelry was not the exclusive preserve of Earthlings, and what was the likelihood that this bracelet, although similar to his, was an Oracle Device?
In fact, when Jake squinted his eyes to better distinguish its details, he immediately noticed the differences. The smooth, dark texture of the metal making up the bracelet was similar, but the shape of the object was different. Rather than the width of a connected watch, this bracelet had more the profile of a patch of armor covering the forearm like a vambrace.
This plate covered the right forearm of the Zhorion priest from the wrist to the elbow joint, and at this point it could not be called a bracelet.
Bathed in the soul energy emitted by the crystal altar, this previously invisible accessory had suddenly revealed itself as the metallic liquid oozed from the pores of the priest's skin during its transformation. The scene was very similar to what happened when an Evolver decided to intentionally reveal his own Oracle Device.
"Xi, an explanation? "Jake whispered in disbelief as he was plagued by doubt. Luckily, the priest's yelling in Berserk mode largely covered his inadvertent whispering.
[I, I don't know any more than you do...]
Jake found his AI's tone hesitant, but he didn't insist. If she didn't want to answer, there was no way he could get it out of her.
As he wondered how long this farce would last, the Zhorion priest stopped roaring and turned to stare at the crowd. However, the altar was not deactivated. The invisible energy, so dangerous for the Players without Green Soul Stone, was still emitting.
The fact that this energy was invisible instead of radiating a compelling red light like anything containing Flintium at night indicated that this energy was of a different nature. Without being certain, the kind of formation inscribed on the ground, which emitted an intense scarlet light, must have had a purifying role to play.
Bathed in this energy with a serene expression, the Zhorion priest spread his arms and nodded to one of his fellow countrymen in armor to bring the prisoners. While a Player resembling some kind of interbreeding between a batrachian and a chimpanzee was struggling and howling in fear as he was forcibly dragged to the altar with his chains, this priest flashed an evil and falsely benevolent smile at his worshippers.
"This individual seems pitiful, but by his sacrifice he allows our tribute to flourish. Contemplate this poor creature and offer it all your gratitude. For through it you will live. Its flesh will become your flesh, its blood will become your blood. Its knowledge will become ours and if its ability is good it will even be able to serve the Order of Chaos until the end of time."
As good devotees, the crowd of Zhorions made a pious bow in the direction of the wretched participant, who continued groaning and roaring with helplessness and despair. His body was thin and pale, and it was clear that he had already suffered some abuse before. Taking more blood from him could very well lead to his death.
Despite his apparent terror, this prisoner had not given up his life. In spite of his restlessness, this Player struggled tirelessly with all his strength, as if he had decided that he would fight until his last breath. Jake hoped that his cousin Noemie had shown the same courage before ending up in a broth, but he doubted it.