BXBX NOVEL Chapter 170: The Dark Core
"However, when it comes to dividing the spoils, I think it would be best if we each take what we need." he added, emphasizing fairness and practicality.
After making this statement, Jeremy glanced at both Howard and Ella.
Their expressions remained largely unchanged, they were simply waiting for Jeremy to continue speaking.
"I believe that for the Black Dragon Squad, a treasure chest isn't particularly valuable, but a skill book is indeed extremely precious. Therefore, Captain Ella, you should take this rare skill book."
"As for General Howard, I believe that, from an official standpoint, a golden treasure chest holds significantly more value. So, you might as well take this golden chest." Jeremy suggested thoughtfully.
"As for myself, I will claim this final piece of loot." he continued with a hint of anticipation.
"What I have acquired is, in fact, an artifact known as the Dark Core." he disclosed, his voice tinged with a mixture of intrigue and satisfaction.
"This item wouldn't be of much use to either of you. However, I believe I might be able to use the Dark Core to address the issue of the Dark Tree."
Jeremy's arrangement was exceedingly reasonable.
He had made this decision only after meticulously considering everyone's circumstances.
Howard and Ella both wholeheartedly agreed with Jeremy's decision.
Ella promptly picked up the precious skill book, her expression gentle as she addressed Jeremy and Howard, "Since we've already regrouped here, why don't we clear out all the surrounding instances?"
Howard nodded in agreement.
"You're absolutely right. However, we must first ensure Bonnie's safety. Mayor Benjamin is likely very worried at this moment. We should, at the very least, let him know that his daughter is safe."
After dividing the loot, the trio made their way back to the surface.
Once everyone had exited the instance, it completely sealed off. After all, the Spider Queen had been vanquished, and all the monsters within the instance had been eliminated.
With no monsters left, the instance naturally closed down rapidly.
Upon seeing the group's return to the surface, Bonnie finally allowed a smile to spread across her face.
"You've finally returned! I was worried you might encounter numerous dangers in the depths of the instance. But I knew you could defeat the Spider Queen."
Originally, Bonnie wanted to embrace Jeremy, but seeing the others, she settled for a handshake with him.
"We did face some dangers in the depths of the instance. Fortunately, Jeremy's strength is formidable, otherwise, I might have been slain by the Spider Queen."
Howard naturally held Jeremy in high regard.
Thus, he recounted the events of their battle with the Spider Queen. Upon hearing about the many dangers Jeremy faced to save her, Bonnie's face showed a look of guilt.
"I am deeply sorry. My reason for coming here was solely to enhance my own abilities. I know my skills are woefully inadequate.
If I don't improve quickly, I will surely be a burden in our future endeavors. I never anticipated that my reckless actions would subject you all to such peril."
Bonnie directly apologized to Jeremy and the others.
However, Jeremy and the others did not mind.
"Alright, let's not speak any more of such formalities. You are very important to me, so naturally, I would come to rescue you."
Jeremy looked at Bonnie earnestly and said slowly.
"Since we've dealt with this instance and Bonnie is now safe, we should proceed with our next actions. I'll assign a few of my men to escort Bonnie back to the city center.
The rest of us need to cooperate to handle the other surrounding instances. We must clear all the instances around the train station within the remaining half-day."
Howard made a decisive call.
After all, he held the highest authority among everyone present.
No one would oppose his decision.
Although Bonnie wished to join Jeremy and the others in their actions, after the recent dangers, she felt that her presence would only hinder the group's progress.
Once everything was arranged, Bonnie, escorted by two soldiers, boarded a helicopter and returned to the city center.
Meanwhile, Jeremy, Howard, and Ella swiftly began dealing with the other instances around the train station.
The difficulty of the instances surrounding the train station was not particularly high.
With the coordinated efforts of the three, they managed to clear all the instances in less than half a day.
After dealing with the last instance around the train station, the trio divided the rewards they had earned.
The rewards obtained from the other instances were not abundant, Jeremy only received two fairly ordinary skill books and a few energy gemstones.
The majority of the treasure chests were allocated to Howard, while the rewards that Ella's Black Dragon Squad received were quite similar to those Jeremy acquired.
After distributing the rewards, Jeremy bid farewell to the other two.
"We've cleared numerous instances today, and the area around the train station is now completely secure. So, let's call it a day. There are still many instances around Moonlight City, but we don't need to rush to clear them all in one day."
Jeremy was eager to return to his own place.
Because he had resolved to thoroughly examine the Dark Core, despite the fact that The Eye of Omniscience had provided him with some information about it, Jeremy felt that the information was not entirely comprehensive.
Jeremy was eager to swiftly and meticulously inspect the Dark Core.
Neither Howard nor Ella voiced any objections.
They also believed that handling such a large number of instances within a single day was beyond their expectations.
"You're right, the number of instances we've dealt with today is more than sufficient. Besides, I think everyone is exhausted, so let's take a well-deserved rest.
I also need to promptly bring all the loot we've acquired, as well as the information I've gathered from these instances, back to the base. There are specialists at the base who will analyze this data.
If they uncover any crucial findings, I will make sure to share those results with all of you."
After saying this, Howard led his subordinates away.
Ella didn't exchange many words with Jeremy, as their relationship was still somewhat awkward.
After everyone else had left, Jeremy quickly made his way back to his residence.
After returning to his home, Jeremy proceeded to seal all the entrances. He did not wish to be disturbed by anyone while studying the Dark Core.
Upon completing the sealing process, Jeremy placed the Dark Core directly in the center of the room.
The current state of the Dark Core was not significantly different from before. On the surface, it appeared to be merely a black sphere.
However, to Jeremy, the Dark Core was vastly different from an ordinary black sphere.
Jeremy could perceive the presence of anomalous energy fields around the Dark Core. These energy fields seemed to resemble the patterns of High-Dimensional Data.
"Could it be that the Dark Core is also capable of generating High-Dimensional Data?" Jeremy pondered this intriguing possibility.
Acting on this thought, Jeremy immediately employed the [Mechanical Puppet Technique]. He hoped to manipulate the High-Dimensional Data surrounding the Dark Core using this method.
However, to Jeremy's slight bewilderment, the [Mechanical Puppet Technique] failed to control the anomalous energy field surrounding the Dark Core. This indicated that the energy field around the Dark Core was not High-Dimensional Data at all.
After a moment of careful contemplation, Jeremy finally formed a rough hypothesis.
"The anomalous energy field around the Dark Core must be the so-called divine power. High-Dimensional Data itself is also an embodiment of divine power. It is precisely because both are manifestations of divine power that they possess similar forms."
Upon reaching this conclusion, Jeremy suddenly recalled the scene of his first encounter with Janna, the class change goddess.
During their initial meeting, the class change goddess Janna was also surrounded by an anomalous energy field.
Given that Janna is undoubtedly a deity, it is entirely natural for divine power to envelop her presence.
"The Dark Core possesses divine power, and so does the Dark Tree. Perhaps I can indeed use divine power to counteract divine power." Jeremy mused.
When he first obtained the Dark Core, he had mentioned to Howard and Ella that he might be able to use it to deal with the Dark Tree successfully.
However, the words he had spoken at that time were merely an explanation for why he had chosen an unremarkable black sphere in the eyes of others.
It didn't necessarily mean that he genuinely believed the Dark Core could eliminate the Dark Tree.
"It seems I inadvertently made a remarkably accurate prediction at that time. However, if I truly intend to use the Dark Core to destroy the Dark Tree, I need to strategize meticulously." Jeremy contemplated.
"At the very least, I must find the correct method. I cannot afford to act rashly before discovering the right approach."
Although Jeremy hadn't faced significant danger when he first encountered the Dark Tree, he still preferred to err on the side of caution.