Gestation by John Gold (love books to read .txt) 📗

“All right, we’ll think of something.”

∞ ∞ ∞

They approved my complaint, so the psychologist won’t be annoying me with her monologues any more. I found out that she was violating my rights back after the first punishment. If I hadn’t used my ace now, though, I’d have no idea where I’d be in a month. The ship sails on, after all.

The conversation with my “friend,” on the other hand, left me with a mixed impression. At least, he gave me a bunch of hints: he was from Lunar, and they were paying for my treatment where the insurance wouldn’t cover it. I kind of agree with his recommendation. I need to be able to manage my abilities, though I’m not going to curtail or limit them. There have been other instances where people got so deep into their thoughts that it led to their nervous system overheating. They were told to do anything that required complex calculations, so I chose to develop space ships that operate autonomously for long periods of time, the kind they use to explore the frontiers. The goal for that method is to create an area in the brain where all calculations are carried out. For instance, you can design a hydroponics or reactor compartment unit. Really, you just have to work within your brain to unload the streams of consciousness that interact with your sensory organs. It turns out that only one stream works with your external environment; the rest don’t have anything to do with it. Obviously, that’s much easier said than done. I’m going to have to pick up the information I need, too, which will take even me at least a year. And I still have to figure out the issue with my guardian before I really get to work. Fun! It’s time to distract myself with some real problems.

Anyway, Lunar won’t be bothering me, and they’ll do as much as they can to keep me healthy. I can’t overload my head, otherwise I’ll start living at the hospital. But I have a plan for my future in the real world and a way to execute it. I need to put it into effect while the doctors are keeping an eye on me in the med capsule. I couldn’t ask for a better situation.

Over the next four hours, I collect everything I can find on space ship building, the legal issues that involves, and training manuals. I put together all the books I need and a plan for how to learn what I need to know. Next, I need to absorb as much as I can.

I log into the game and start dumping everything I have back into my bag. We’re less than an hour away from Sural, and I can already see the city’s towers.

Today is the beginning of everything I’ve planned for. I don’t want to just be a child or a dark mage and swordsman. I know how to push past my limits and strength, though it’s going to take a lot of work.

Sural is part of the Manay Caliphate, which runs along the entire coastline. On the other side, it’s bordered by the Hashan Desert, home to a spot where I’m going to be spending some time leveling myself up.

The locals consider the desert a rotten place, and all kinds of monsters come crawling out to confirm their suspicions. There aren’t any normal monsters, though the desert itself does continual mental and fire damage. Somewhere in the center is a dead area. People who have gotten too close say that the most terrifying creatures and spirits they’ve ever seen live there: banshees, basilisks, gigantic snakes, monsters that defy description. There’s also an endless river of souls that flows out of the sky into the very center of the area. Of particular interest are the legends about a sand person and a hole into the underworld that opens out of the very center of the desert. I’d like to see what that’s about.

My enemies are strong! I remember how helpless I felt on the altar, my gullibility, my stupidity, my weakness. I need to fix my mistakes before I meet my first serious opponent in this world. Being weak…sensing your helplessness and limitations is revolting. It’s much better to be a monster than to be helpless and a nobody.

There’s no logic to my thoughts, and my emotions are getting in the way of my thinking. At times like this, I do everything I can to find my way out of the situation. Ah, there we go!

The local monster-hunting guild clears the surrounding lands of the most dangerous beasts. They don’t just take out bunnies and foxes; they’re the best of the players in the area. Judging by the description, any monster that makes it onto their list has advanced intelligence and immense strength.

There are all kinds of associations in the world: killers, thieves, marauders, couriers, blacksmiths, warriors, and all the rest. The monster-hunting guilt is the most profitable and dangerous.

The enemy is always varied and unpredictable, strong and intriguing. It’s a path chosen by loners who want to test their strength, and also adrenaline junkies. For me, it will be my main source of income for the near future.

I get through customs without any problems, even though I was worried they’d search me and find my ring of omnipotence. Technically, I’m clean. They don’t have any suspicions about me, and they don’t have the right to search my possessions. There’s nothing dark on me. And I’m certainly not about to show anyone my attribute window, not even on my deathbed. Time to figure out where I’ll be sleeping. I know who will advise me of a good place to crash.

“Geriont, before you leave, could you tell me of a place where I could live or just spend the night?”

“The funniest part is that those places are in the slums. They’re managed by former bandits and convicts.”

“Yeah, that sounds lovely. Is there anything better?”

“Anji, you’re in a port city. Where