BXBX NOVEL Chapter 63: Free
"See, even that semi-sentient armor recognizes talent when it sees one." Lizzie beamed in joy.
Atlan looked down and saw that the rusted chestplate fit him perfectly.
Then, he suddenly felt his green battle suit vibrate and squirm as it suddenly turned into a liquid-like substance that enveloped the rusted chest plate like a new coat of paint.
He looked at the mirror to the side and saw that the chest plate was completely under the battle suit, showing only the edges and the general shape of the armor.
"The armor is now completely integrated into your battle suit…" Custodire explained half-heartedly, still trying to process what happened.
Atlan moved his arms and twisted his body, feeling completely flexible even through his armor. He even jumped up and down to test how it would fare.
The dwarf couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. That rusted iron chestplate was supposed to be at least a thousand kilograms yet Atlan was moving like it was just a simple leather armor.
With everything moving smoothly, Atlan nodded in satisfaction. Even though he had the SSS class Physique LifeSkill to protect his body from most injuries, he knew that he couldn't activate it in front of other people for fear of them finding out about his secret. So, it would be better to have extra protection for his body during times when he's with other people.
"How do I pay for it?"
Lizzie chuckled. "You don't have to pay for anything, silly."
"What?"
"Yeah. Did you forget where you are? This is a God's Territory. We are given food, water, and everything else in abundance for free. We don't have to do anything else. The City gives us everything we need to live in eternity."
"Even this armor?" Atlan could understand getting food, water, and housing for free in a God's Territory. But he didn't think that he would get armor and weapons for free without paying for it at all.
"You're a 2nd stage Student, right?" Custodire then pointed at the rows of swords on display near the entrance. "That means that every weapon, armor, and equipment that is rated in the 2nd stage Student is free for you to take!"
Atlan was stunned. "You just create your works and then somebody could just take your wares for free?"
Custodire nodded. "Yes. That is the magic of God's Territory. Everything is free for everyone to take. Of course, if you want extra, then you could barter other items or other services to them for a fair price."
"But how do you earn anything?"
Custodire smiled. "Since you're a 2nd stage Student, then I presume that you already know about SoulTime, right?
In exchange for giving our services to the City and its people, the Genesis God himself would bless us with rewards. For normal people, they'd get SoulTime. For Saviors like us, we get experience and SoulTime both. And if any of us does the City an incredible service, then the God could give us extra Genus to evolve our bloodline."
So that's how immortality works in a God's Territory. In exchange for their services, the God would give His citizens more SoulTime so that they'd live forever.
"But what if you don't do anything? What if you just laid in bed for the rest of your life?"
Lizzie answered. "Well, you'll eventually run out of SoulTime."
"...and they die?"
"Nobody runs out of SoulTime," Custodire said. "If you just performed even a small thing like watering plants or sweeping the streets, then you can get years of SoulTime. And there's a program in the City that gives odd jobs to those who need SoulTime."
"Remember when we talked about Angels and how they inject SoulTime into a person whenever their SoulTime gets dangerously low? Well, that's not for free. Those that get saved by Angels need to work off those SoulTime that they were given."
Atlan contemplated for a second. "What if after they get saved from death, they don't do anything to pay it back?"
Does the City leave them to die?
Both Custodire and Lizzie went silent for a second, their faces solemn as if they remembered something tragic. They thought of the same person.
"Usually, delinquents who refuse to give service to the City are kicked out. They're given one last blessing of SoulTime, enough to live for 50 years, and sent them out to live in the Unclaimed Lands. However, there was one exception.
Do you remember that old man from before? Quinto Kindle, the First Savior?"
Atlan scratched his chest as remembered that day. He died. And Atlan gained another SSS class LifeSkill and a mysterious thing called 'trait' after he reaped his death.
"Well, he hasn't done anything for the City for a long time now. He's been wandering the streets, refusing to contribute to society and just spouting nonsense.
But since he's the First Savior, the citizens couldn't just kick him out to the Unclaimed Lands. Even though he's just a decrepit old man now, he used to be the symbol of hope and peace in the entire world."
Atlan went silent for a few seconds to process all that information. It turned out that immortality in God's Territory had to be earned through service and work. Everyone worked hard to get blessed with more SoulTime from God. And if they didn't, then they'd get kicked out to the Unclaimed Lands.
Is that what happened to my parents? Were they delinquents who got kicked out of a God's Territory?
Atlan could barely remember anything from his time in the Unclaimed Lands. In that place, he'd have to live day by day, wondering if it would be his last. There were no memories to remember, only suffering.
"Are you alright?" Lizzie walked over to him and put her hand on his shoulders. "Don't worry. You'll get more SoulTime as you perform more missions. You don't have to worry about getting kicked out back to the Unclaimed Lands."
He was very thankful for Lizzie. She was the one who welcomed him into this world.
"Thanks."
Lizzie smiled. "Are you ready to go? We can't bother Miss Custodire any more than this. She has a lot of orders to fulfill."
Atlan faced the dwarf. "Thank you for the time."
Custodire waved it off, but there was a smile on her face. "It's nothing, kid."
After saying his thanks, Atlan and Lizzie walked out of the smithy. And just as he was about to leave the door, he suddenly remembered something. Atlan ran back to Custodire.
"What is it kid? Do you need something else?"
Atlan nodded. "Can I have a gun?"