OLD-WORLD EXTRA-Chapter 106: Newcomers

Over time, numerous hunters flocked to the library, diligently scoured its shelves, and depleted its collection of sellable books.

A fortunate few managed to uncover hidden passages that lead to unknown locations where ancient ruins lay hidden.

This discovery only heightened the library's allure and propelled its popularity to greater heights.

Despite the UEF's affiliation with the CCA, they were not granted access to all the classified information and secrets of the old world.

But even if they were privy to such knowledge, the UEF lacked the necessary human resources to effectively utilize it.

Venturing into more ruins and delving into their mysteries would only stretch the UEF's capabilities even thinner.

As their current responsibilities already taxed their capacity to the limit.

So hunters still visited this grand library with hopes of unearthing hidden chambers, undiscovered sections, or forgotten books that may hold lucrative value in the market. In rare instances of extraordinary luck, these hunters might stumble upon invaluable information about a previously unknown ruin.

A rare find that could fetch a substantial sum of Valora, the currency used within the Order, and all the factions under it in the local group.

Similar to their fellow hunters, Kiera, and her gang also held onto the hope of striking it lucky within the depths of the ruin.

However, much like the countless hunters who came before them, their luck had been disappointingly elusive.

Regrettably, the majority of hunters who ventured into this ruin, emerged empty-handed, their efforts yielding no valuable discoveries to compensate for the considerable expenses incurred in combating the menacing creatures or rogue hunters lurking within.

The meager rewards obtained were often insufficient to cover the substantial costs of ammunition, leaving them in the red.

So as Emir observed the gang members meticulously scouring the remains of the ravaged area, a pensive expression crossed his face.

His mind delved into contemplation, acknowledging the reality of their circumstances.

'So, this is the life of the average hunter,' he mused, his thoughts laden with a hint of introspection.

'In the grand scheme of things, we are considered quite expendable, aren't we?' Disregarding the fleeting thought, he kept his focus on the group as his gaze shifted to the towering statue adorned with intricate Aether imbued symbols that surrounded it.

Intrigued, he reached out and gently traced his fingers along the runes, instantly sensing the pulsating energy of Aether emanating from them.

He then pulled his hand back as he asked Lyra:

[You done with your talk?]

[Yes. I mentioned everything regarding our situation, and we signed a contract similar to the one with Arcadia, which he accepted. Since the only reason those runes began emitting Aether again was due to him revealing them, otherwise, this place would have been cleaned up already.]

[Alright. And you know, I've been thinking... Is there any chance of him or Arcadia betraying us?] He asked.

[No, it's highly unlikely. Similar to the factions within the Order and other galactic federations that are a part of the CCA, a contract with the central AI is binding and cannot be broken, especially between AIS.]

[While humans can breach the contract, they'll be swiftly detected by the central AI and their nanobots will self-destruct.]

[Since as soon as someone agrees to the contract, their Aether core becomes linked to this central AI, in turn granting it access to their nanobots.]

The Central AI was the beating heart of the Order, the galactic federation, and was created by the Order themselves.

Its role was to enforce the binding contracts that dictate the actions of all CCA members, ensuring that everyone adhered to the agreed-upon rules and guidelines and never acted against the CCA's interests.

The central AI operated with a complex set of algorithms and machine learning models that enabled it to analyze vast amounts of data in real time.

It utilized this data to manage the operations of the CCA, from maintaining the infrastructure of the organization to monitoring the behavior of individual members.

And it's a solely private entity, as the Order lost all influence over it after it became a celestial.

It was known throughout the universe as the Oracle.

The Oracle was not only an advanced artificial intelligence system but also an Apex-ranked Astral that possessed a profound understanding of the mysteries of the universe.

Not much was known about 'Them', many theories suggest that the Oracle was just a mere machine that evolved itself using Aether and became a living being of immense power and wisdom.

Although much about the Oracle was shrouded in mystery, 'its' position as the protector and supervisor of the CCA was unquestioned, as it was solely neutral.

'Its' impact reached beyond individual galactic federations, and 'Its' choices determined the fates of entire civilizations.

Nonetheless, the Oracle remained an indispensable part of the cosmos's political, economic, and social infrastructures.

'Its' wisdom and counsel were deemed essential for preserving stability and guaranteeing the survival of numerous civilizations both inside and beyond the CCA.

But all that mattered to Emir was that whoever the Oracle was, had predicted his future. And 'They' had involved themselves in the Order's schemes for reasons he wanted to know.

[Hmmm, I see, great work.... Now, do you know who this guy is?] He asked after reviewing what he learned from Lyra.

[Yes, he comes from a family that was known on Earth and still is known in the universe as a faction that pursues the truth.]

[His name is Marcus Aurelius, and he was the one who discovered Aether, unlocking the potential for interstellar travel and revolutionizing the way we understand the universe.]

[The Order is only in control of the galaxies in the Local Group, as some factions left their control and expanded elsewhere.

[This man's family, played a significant role in this expansion and eventually created a faction that went beyond the Local Group.]

[This led to the formation of a new galactic federation dedicated to exploring and colonizing other galaxy groups.]

[However, despite all of this, the Order still maintained its influence and control over the

galaxies within the Local Group.]

Emir nodded.

[...They are still under the CCA, right?]

[Yes, although they are no longer under the Order's control, they originated from them, so

they still abide by its rules, on paper at least.]

He let out a sigh and focused on the runes.

[That's good to know...]

[And what do you think these runes are? Is it safe to interact with them using my Aether? It

wasn't explained much in the novel.]

His question was answered in a heartbeat.

[It's safe. These runes were crafted by Arcanists and could potentially reveal a message

regarding him.]

Emir nodded, his curiosity piqued, and he cautiously approached the enigmatic runes once

again.

With a steady hand, he extended his palm towards the symbols, his fingertips hovering just above the surface.