"Please ensure their physical states are fine and order others to monitor these women closely."
Elara's voice was firm. If anything went wrong now—if a single life was lost due to carelessness—she'd be furious. She couldn't afford to inherit a disaster of her subordinates' making, especially not when the victims were already suffering.
She watched as Natasha and Mary hurried off to gather the requested information, likely scrambling to compile notes since no proper ledger existed. Of course there wasn't one. Criminals didn't keep records of their crimes unless they were idiots. She gave them time to organize their thoughts, knowing an oral report wouldn't suffice. She needed details.
As she waited, Elara closed her eyes and turned her attention inward, focusing on her quantum space. She had expected chaos—an ongoing battle for dominance between Lily and Gaia. Instead, she found... peace.
"Huh," she muttered, caught off guard. Shouldn't they still be clashing, each trying to assert control?
The two existences immediately sensed Elara's presence and rushed toward her. Without needing to ask, the always ever talking chirp answered first.
[Yes, Master Elara,] Lily chimed in, her tone almost smug. [Cooperation means better strength, so why not? We both serve the same master.]
Elara raised an eyebrow. Where was Gaia's usual opposition? The silence was deafening.
It turned out, the two systems had come to a truce. Neither could suppress the other, so they had chosen the next best thing: alliance. They had exchanged capabilities, combining Lily's military manpower and weaponry with Gaia's technological expertise. A partnership forged out of necessity, but one that could work brilliantly in Elara's favor.
[Gaia will assist with modernizing Lily's summoned forces,] Lily explained. [And in return, my soldiers will aid in your missions across dimensions. One provides the manpower and firepower, the other enhances it with science and strategy.]
Elara's eyes lit up. She had already been forming a rough plan in her mind, but this? This was better. A solid foundation, a synergy she hadn't dared to hope for.
A slow smile spread across her face. If her initial idea was implemented alongside, everything would become a force multiplier.
[A question about my subordinates when we serve as crisis responders, Gaia. You promised before we would be immortal. How are you going to prove it to me?]
Immortality wasn't just a luxury—it was a necessity for her plans. She knew she was safe, bound to Gaia as she was, but her soldiers? That was another matter entirely.
[Of course, Administrator,] Gaia replied, her voice steady and fervent. [I can guarantee with my existence that nothing will be affected.]
Seeing her goal getting closer, her excitement peaked. Her address to Elara didn't change. Unlike the flatterer, she had her inner pride.
Lily, ever the dramatic one, scoffed. [Tsk… Consuming Master's energy and occupying Master's house, how can Gaia be so cheeky?] She blinked at Elara—literally blinked, in a way Elara could somehow sense—as if trying to play the innocent card.
Elara ignored the attempt to sow discord. "In that case, can you elaborate how you intend to achieve immortality?"
Gaia shot Lily an icy glare before turning her full attention back to Elara. [Administrator, we still have the nano-printing machine, capable of directly printing bio-substances like cells. It can easily produce bodies. Of course, the printing could also be used to manufacture other essential tools and for repairs as well, both biological and non-biological substances.]
Elara's mind conjured the image: a conveyor belt of naked, freshly printed human bodies, rolling out like products in a factory. She nearly laughed at the absurdity of it.
[Fret not, Administrator,] Gaia continued, [the only consumption is pure energy, which can be easily sought from anywhere. Not to mention, the infinite pulse from your existence is enough to sustain the consumption, provided not too much replacement is required at the moment. However, with great plans to increase efficiency and preparation for future energy, we reckon participation of operators around hundreds—or a little more—is feasible.]
Elara arched a brow. Hundreds? That number seemed ridiculously low, especially given how voracious her two systems were for her energy. She could feel their hunger, their constant desire to draw from her. If Gaia claimed hundreds were feasible, the real number was likely in the thousands. The Crisis System was being conservative—strategically so.
The number given should be the lowest estimate by the clever Crisis System—Gaia. She had recognized the characters of her systems—Gaia and Lily—very clearly.
But the idea itself? Perfect.
A clone army, printed on demand. Bodies ready to house the minds of her soldiers, ensuring they could be revived, repaired, or replaced as needed. Avatar should be a better term to define them.
It aligned perfectly with her original vision—one she hadn't dared to fully flesh out until now, not knowing the true extent of Gaia's capabilities.
She pressed further, digging into the mechanics, the limits, the risks. Gaia answered without hesitation, and Lily, though initially sulky, chimed in with her own insights. Elara listened, weighed their words, and then—finally—shared her plan with them.
Because as much as she could dictate every decision, she refused to rule like a tyrant. She had been a puppet once, a tool for others' schemes. She wouldn't do the same to those bound to her. Lily and Gaia were her familiars, her partners, bound by contract but also by trust, not much for now.
There was only one real obstacle: energy. The VR gaming method she had considered was energy-intensive, and managing players would be a nightmare. She understood the mindset of those gamers when things like morals and laws were ignored—the dangers behind the freedom.
And honestly? It felt redundant when Lily could summon more soldiers as her prestige grew. The demand for VR gamers wasn't so high.
However, Elara still pushed her opinion, emphasizing the need for diverse expertise—not just soldiers, but people from all walks of life. The crises she was meant to intervene in weren't limited to wars. There were bizarre, illogical disasters, phenomena that defied conventional understanding. Gaia didn't say much, but her silence spoke volumes. She hinted at crises so far beyond scientific comprehension that they could overturn the very laws of physics.
Elara took the warning seriously. Lily's soldiers alone wouldn't be enough. They needed experts—scientists, engineers, doctors, strategists—people who could adapt to the unknown. Lily, ever the observer, listened intently. In her eyes, Elara's plan, if executed properly, had the potential to rival even higher-dimensional beings she had encountered.
After much deliberation, a solid plan was forged. Elara tasked Gaia with two critical missions:
Find a peaceful world where VR technology matched her requirements—not too advanced, but advanced enough to allow Gaia to safely project souls through quantum mediums.
Prepare reserve bodies and equipment—these new players would become her indirect subordinates, guided by calculated oversight and supported by Lily's NPCs.
With contingencies in place, Elara only had to wait for Gaia's progress while she and Lily turned their attention to the world she lived in.
"Gaia, since you can predict crises across dimensions, can you calculate my world's fate?" Elara asked, curiosity tinged with caution. "I mean, my world should be safe from calamity, right?"
[Naturally, Administrator,] Gaia replied. [Predicting fate is a simple equation for me, as long as I consume a small part of my energy. However, with your presence, variables increase exponentially. Even with massive energy consumption, calculations near failure.]
Elara understood. Her existence alone was enough to alter destiny. "Then show me how my world would fare without me."
Gaia fell silent for a long moment before responding in a tone laced with grim amusement.
[Well, Administrator… It looks like you don't even need to go far to intervene in crises to earn income for our ecosystem.]
Elara's stomach dropped. She knew that tone. She knew what it meant.
[Your country will be invaded within six months.]
Elara's expression twisted. What the actual fuck? In the past life, she joined the invasion and now she was on the other side?
That was the best news she'd heard all day. Great. She had hoped for stability, for a chance to live as the original Elara had—just with an improved life while catering to Gaia's demands working hidden as inter-dimensional peacekeeper. But no. Fate had other plans.
And it got worse.
[That isn't the only issue,] Gaia continued, her voice colder. [After the war ends in your country's defeat, the real disaster strikes. One that will lead to global collapse.]
Elara's breath hitched.
[Zombies.]
The word hung in the air like a death sentence. She wasn't too surprised by the zombie outbreak. Heck, she had even transmigrated to another world; what else could stun her.
[They rise. They annihilate civilization. The outbreak is so sudden, so overwhelming, that nations—already weakened by war—are caught completely off guard. Too focused on geopolitical disputes to see the apocalypse coming.]
Elara's mind raced. Six months. That was all the time she had.
[Unfortunately, I can't discern exactly how the crisis begins or where the zombies originate,] Gaia admitted, her voice laced with rare frustration. [They seem to appear out of nowhere. Continuing to investigate further will drain all the resources we currently possess. Even then, the probability of finding an answer is abysmally low.]
Elara's face paled. Out of nowhere? No origin, no pattern, no warning? That wasn't just a crisis—it was a nightmare.
[Administrator,] Gaia continued, [there's no need to despair. With our strength and upgrades after completing missions, we can tackle this head-on. Six months is more than enough. And if the worst comes to pass, we can retreat into the quantum space—you, your loved ones, your friends—until we're strong enough to fight back.]
Elara let out a heavy sigh, rubbing her temples. "Thank you for the comfort." Her voice was dry, her smile bitter. "Retreat into quantum space." It wasn't a solution—it was a last resort. But for now, she had no choice.
"We'll address this later," she said, steeling herself. "When we're stronger."
Just as the weight of the revelation threatened to crush the mood, the door burst open. Elara threw away the perilous thought.
Natasha and Mary rushed in, their expressions urgent. Natasha thrust a sheet of paper into Elara's hands. "Commander, we've compiled the information you requested."
Elara scanned the handwritten notes quickly. The victims' backgrounds weren't as complicated as she'd feared. Most were locals, kidnapped for the scumbag's twisted games. Their families weren't powerful or connected—they were ordinary people, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.
A sincere apology, a clear explanation, and financial compensation would go a long way toward mending the damage. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.
She exhaled, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. "Good work." At least this was something she could fix.
"Natasha, Mary—prepare the funds. I want these women compensated today. And arrange a meeting. I'll speak to them myself."
The two women nodded sharply. "Yes, Commander!"
Seeing how much smoother future dealings would become, Elara patted her chest in relief—only to freeze when she caught Natasha's guilty expression.
"What's wrong?" Elara asked.
"Commander… I think you should look at the back of the paper," Natasha stammered, her hands rubbing against each other nervously.
She nearly forgot about the true VIP involved and suddenly realized how naïve she had been to assume the new commander could resolve their crimes so easily.
Natasha's demeanor set off alarms. Elara narrowed her eyes, flipped to the reverse side, and scanned the words. What she read nearly made her hurl the paper across the room.
A surge of fury ripped through her. She wanted to dig up that bastard's corpse, whip it raw, and desecrate it in every imaginable way. Burning his ashes would be far too merciful. How dare he!
Well, that guy's body still stayed cold on the floor, left unattended, rendering her digging plan impossible.
Clutching her head, Elara had to fight the maddening urge to tear out her own hair.
The report revealed the scoundrel hadn't just kidnapped random victims—he had abducted a military general and her adjutant. According to Natasha's notes, the man hadn't recognized their identities at first, but once he did, he twisted his plans—intending to break the women, mold them to his will, and use their privileged backgrounds to infiltrate the nation's upper echelon.
With Lily's system in hand, he might have climbed the ladder even faster—perhaps even become humanity's so-called last hope, the "chosen" protagonist in a zombie apocalypse, as cliché as that sounded.
What insanity. Beyond his debauchery, did the man possess a single worthwhile idea? His entire mind seemed drowned in lust and the pursuit of women.
At least, once he had the right mindset to approach the upper echelon to expand his arm wing.
In truth, with their powerful connections, the disappearance of these two high-ranking women should have plunged the region into chaos—unless, of course, their absence had been shrouded in secrecy, perhaps under the guise of a classified investigation.
Fortunately, beyond physical torment, the man had not yet defiled them. Elara knew why—and it was sheer, bitter luck. She had been the one to replace them, sparing them from a far worse fate.
Her gaze snapped to Natasha and Mary, sharp as a blade. The two women recoiled, enduring her piercing stare for a full, agonizing minute. Only when Elara looked away did they dare exhale in relief.
"Forget about them," she commanded, her voice low and controlled. "Take me to the others. I will speak to them myself."
"As you order."
The women she found were striking—young, mature, diverse in temperament and type, all selected for one criterion alone: beauty, as defined by the bastard's warped standards.
But their spirits were broken. Hollow-eyed and withdrawn, they sat in numb silence, their wills ground down by captivity.
Elara began with the truth—the culprit was dead, his suffering prolonged and brutal. The news kindled a flicker of hope in their dull gazes, but it wasn't enough. So she embellished, painting his end in vivid, vengeful detail, letting them imagine his agony.
Then, she admitted her own role—the uncomfortable truth that she now led the very organization that had ruined their lives. She apologized, not just for herself, but for her subordinates, swearing that this new regime would be purged of crime.
She spun the old tale—soldiers with no other options, forced into desperation. But the women weren't fooled. Their resentment ran deep, and Elara didn't fault them for it.
Still, she offered reparations—a fortune, drawn from the scoundrel's hoarded wealth. Gold had a way of softening edges, and in this case, it worked. The women accepted, their defiance tempered by the weight of coin.
Yet it wasn't just generosity that secured their silence. An unspoken threat lingered beneath her words—a reminder that some debts were better left unsettled. Don't go too far in the demands even if she was willing to cater to sincerely treat them well.
And because she understood their plight—the stigma of survival, the judgment awaiting them—she made one final vow: "If your communities turn against you, I will stand as your shield."
It was the least she could do. In fact, to completely contemplate from the bright side, they obtained the precious connections with Elara.
Especially during in times of emergency, Elara would help them without hesitation—in the coming tragic future, they were safer with Elara than on their own obviously.