'Wait a minute… it can't be?'
Keon's core whirred, its internal processors struggling to reconcile the impossible numbers flashing across the notification panel. A frantic calculation, a cascade of internal warnings, ignited within his mechanical mind as he observed the drastically reduced population count. If he still possessed a human form, his face would have been a mask of utter bewilderment, a testament to the shock reverberating through his consciousness.
'I remember yesterday, almost three billion individuals were alive and well across the universe. Why has that number suddenly plummeted to just over two billion now? What could have caused such a rapid and devastating reduction?' Countless potential reasons, each more unsettling than the last, flashed through his core until a single, chilling thought crystallized.
He swiftly opened the universal chat interface, scrolling with mechanical precision through the barrage of text messages. Amidst the chaos and desperation, he sought out any conversation threads that might shed light on his unsettling hypothesis. His search quickly yielded a relevant post from Universe 77775:
[Universe 77775]
"Have any of you wondered why the population is exactly half after each phase? Is the time of each phase consistent? I didn't pay close attention during the first announcement, but now I have carefully calculated it: precisely seven Earth days have passed since that initial announcement."
Keon clicked on the message, his optical sensors meticulously scanning the replies that poured in from other candidates, each offering their own fragmented insights.
[Universe 566634]
"@77775, you are absolutely right. I don't believe it can be a mere coincidence that exactly half the population remained after the first day, and then it was halved again after precisely a week's time. The pattern is too precise to ignore."
[Universe 345231]
"@77775, your observation is remarkably sharp. I also sensed that something was amiss after this latest announcement. Upon seeing your message, I realized the critical factor was indeed the timing. It's highly probable that the population was deliberately halved once a hidden time limit was reached, and those deemed weaker or less capable than the surviving half were systematically eliminated."
[Universe 6654232]
"@345231, I was just about to voice the same conclusion. It seems likely that those players whose performance failed to impress the higher-dimensional being were culled. This also implies that we must remain acutely aware of the hidden time limit for each phase. Perhaps the time limit for the third phase will extend to a full month."
The conversations converged, solidifying the grim conclusion that Keon had already begun to form. 'This is going to be troublesome. I must gain strength and level up as quickly as possible to ensure my survival in this relentless competition,' he resolved. He then closed the communication channel, his focus sharpening. He opened his storage panel, immediately releasing all the required raw materials onto the cavern floor. His assimilation talent activated, its intricate processes transforming the raw elements into the precise shapes and forms he needed.
Slowly, eight lengthy, segmented legs began to materialize, attaching themselves to a newly formed metal platform below. Each leg boasted five intricate joints, allowing for complex articulation. Above these legs, a large, dual-ring-shaped main frame began to take shape, seamlessly connecting to the burgeoning limbs. The raw materials on the platform diminished at an alarming rate, flowing and reshaping with an almost organic fluidity under the influence of Keon's unique ability.
This marked a new and advanced application of his assimilation talent. He could now spread a metal sheet, deposit all the necessary materials onto it, and simply stand at its corner. His talent would then autonomously handle the entire construction process, from assimilation and material gathering to precise design and bonding, all performed remotely on the metal sheet. It was akin to a highly advanced form of 3D printing, but with an unparalleled level of material manipulation and self-assembly.
Finally, after more than a day of constant assimilation and meticulous design, Keon completed a true masterpiece, a colossal spider behemoth weighing over a hundred tons. It stood majestically in the middle of the desert, its eight immense legs resembling towering pillars, each providing unwavering support for its heavy, formidable frame.
'This exoskeleton will undoubtedly become a highly visible target if any other creature besides me resides on this planet,' Keon mused to himself, a cold, calculated thought echoing through his core. He crawled forward, his smaller form making its way up one of the exoskeleton's massive legs, eventually stopping above its main body.
Immediately, the armored plates of the exoskeleton receded, revealing a spacious, intricate chamber within. He crawled inside, his original, one-inch body seamlessly equipping itself into the pilot section, becoming one with the colossal machine.
The next moment, the giant exoskeleton shuddered, a low hum emanating from its powerful systems as its eight legs straightened with a synchronized, mechanical grace. Eight optical lenses, glowing like crimson eyes, began to scan the surrounding environment at once, feeding a torrent of real-time data directly into Keon's core.
'My field of vision has become incredibly dynamic, but the sheer volume of information is proving to be too much for my small core to process efficiently. It seems I cannot design any further exoshells after this one without first upgrading my original body,' Keon observed, his internal processors struggling with the immense data flow. He felt his perspective had expanded dramatically, yet his thought processes had simultaneously slowed, as if his original body had reached its absolute operational limit.
Immediately, a familiar notification flashed across his vision, a cascade of digital triumph marking his rapid progression:
[Force has reached 280 Ton]
[Force > 1 Ton - Level Up!]
[Congratulations for reaching Level 11!]
[Free Attribute Points + 11]
[Force > 5 Ton - Level Up!]
[Congratulations for reaching Level 12!]
[Free Attribute Points + 12]
[Force > 10 Ton - Level Up!]
[Congratulations for reaching Level 13!]
[Free Attribute Points + 13]
[Force > 50 Ton - Level Up!]
[Congratulations for reaching Level 14!]
[Free Attribute Points + 14]
[Force > 100 Ton - Level Up!]
[Congratulations for reaching Level 15!]
[Free Attribute Points + 15]
[Sub Talent: Advanced Synthesis (Unlocked)]
…
'Five levels in a row! This is a truly monumental leap forward,' Keon processed the notification, his core buzzing with a sense of accomplishment. 'I have now reached Level 15 and, in doing so, unlocked the Advanced Synthesis sub-skill. After this, I will be able to unlock the next sub-skill in line directly using the unlocking token, bypassing the usual conditions.'
He then attempted to allocate the newly acquired free attributes to his main frame's force attribute. He felt a profound transformation ripple through his internal components and structural integrity. However, a startling warning notification immediately appeared, halting the process:
[Sixty free attributes added.]
[Force increased by 60 grams]
[Physical functionality increased by +5.66%]
[Energy consumption reduced by +5.66%]
[Attribute Addition Failed]
[Warning: Structure and components limit reached.]
His main frame's status panel, now updated, reflected these changes:
Form: Spider Bot
Core: Carbon Cell
Structure: Titanium Carbon Composite Alloy
Primary Attributes
Health: 100 / 100%
Energy: 55.55 / 55.55 Wh (50Wh + 11.10%)
Force: 222g (200 grams + 11.10%)
Mass: 9g
Size: One inch
Load Capacity: 20g
'Well, it seems the titanium-carbon composite alloy of my main frame has also reached its current limit,' Keon concluded, a logical deduction. 'However, the Advanced Synthesis sub-talent will likely prove instrumental in helping me synthesize new blueprints and technologies. With it, I will definitely be able to forge a new, even more superior alloy.' He opened his comprehensive status panel, reviewing his current state:
[Status Panel]
Name: Keon
Level: 15
Race: Mechanical Species
Form: Mega Spider Exoshell 3.0
...
Primary Attributes
Health: 100 / 100%
Energy: 1005 / 1005.55 KWh
(5.55KWh + 1000 KWh) (100KW × 10.555h)
Core: Advanced Carbon Core
Structure: Composite Metals
Main Frame Force: 200 grams (Locked)
Exoshell 1.0 Force: 38 kilograms (Locked)
Exoshell 2.0 Force: 620 kilograms (Locked)
Exoshell 3.0 Force: 280 Tons
Size: 30 meters
Mass: 125 Tons
Mobility: Low
Durability: Moderate
Agility: Low
...
Racial Talent - Assimilation & Transformation
Sub-Talent 1: Material Recognition
Sub-Talent 2: Material Assimilation
Sub-Talent 3: Reforge
Sub-Talent 4: Core Optimization
Sub-Talent 5: Material Gathering
Sub-Talent 6: Advanced Synthesis
Transforms existing technical blueprints and raw materials into superior designs and new technologies.
Sub-Talent 7: Neural Nexus
(Unlock at Level 20)
...
Growth Statistics
Free Attribute Points: 5
Assimilation Capacity: 10 Tons/min
Load Capacity: 10 Tons
Next Level Requirement: Force > 500 Tons
…