Muscle Cultivation - I Will Destroy Reality

The room grew silent, except for the rattling of the gremlin's cage.

The mustached body sorcerer turned to Gore, his mustache twitching with irritation. "Mr. Gore, I'm on a tight schedule. This Ged person clearly doesn't follow instructions. Let's move on and find someone else."

Gore's voice remained cold. "How many years has your organization been at this, Vernom? How many failures have you had trying to get inside that place?"

Vernom's eyes narrowed. "Your point?"

"My point," Gore continued firmly, "is that when it comes to Blue Water tolerance, Ged is unmatched. Replacing him would be a grave mistake."

Vernom's lips curled in distaste as he glanced at Ged. "If you're so certain," he said, his tone dripping with skepticism, "I'll defer... for now."

Turning to Ged, Vernom added, "Do you want to stay in the dark? Fine. Shall I explain the role we're offering you?"

Ged's eyes hardened as he looked past Gore, seeing only a shadow of the man he once admired. "And if I refuse?"

Vernom's scowl deepened. "Refuse?" His voice dropped to a venomous growl. "Do you even understand who you're dealing with? The Blue Company doesn't tolerate disobedience. Don't think you'll ever work again in this world if you go against us."

The name alone sent a faint chill through Ged. The Blue Company was a name whispered with equal parts awe and fear. That Gore was tied to them surprised him, but considering Ged had never relied on jobs outside the underground, Vernom's threats barely fazed him.

Without a word, Ged turned to leave.

Vernom harrumphed loudly. "Useless bastard. Go on, then. We don't need you."

"Wait!" Gore's voice cracked, uncharacteristically urgent. "Trust me, Ged. I'll make it worth your time."

Ged kept walking, his muscular back radiating silent rejection. Vernom sighed audibly, smoothing his mustache with a sharp flick. "You're desperate, Gore. This guy's no good. Perhaps I overestimated you as an ally."

Ignoring the jab, Gore raised his voice again, a hint of desperation breaking through his composed demeanor. "Vernom here is the Head Design Lead for the Blue Company. He's willing to offer you 300 stacks of Blue Water."

Ged paused mid-step, raising an eyebrow. He didn't trust Gore or Vernom, but the offer piqued his curiosity. If the price was good enough, it might be worth considering. Slowly, he turned his head. "What kind of job?" His voice was sharp as his glare locked onto Vernom.

Gore, noticing Ged's renewed interest, settled down and began to explain the job in full.

"During the Blue Rain that surged over one hundred years ago, there was a cosmic river of Blue Water that flowed unstoppably through the void of the universe," Gore began.

"Even the Olympians, whose mass spans 99% of the universe, were unable to stop such a destructive force. The stream consumed entire galaxies and solar systems. Its might seemed destined to be a permanent fixture in the cosmos."

"But one day, it disappeared," Vernom interjected, taking over seamlessly. "For nearly two centuries, we've been searching for the reason it vanished. And on this backwater planet, we believe we might have found a clue."

Ged's gaze narrowed, skepticism flickering across his face.

Gore continued, his tone measured. "Ged, remember when I told you I started scavenging for collapsed houses after leaving the underground? That wasn't a lie. It was during one of those trips that I found something unusual. It looked like a standard Eagle Paint bunker home, but curiously, it had no entrance. Digging deeper into the planet, I discovered a sphere of flowing Blue Water."

"Thinking I had stumbled upon a fortuitous Blue Water mine, I contacted Vernom, who allowed me to understand the full story," Gore explained, a hint of excitement breaking through his otherwise steady demeanor. "I don't know exactly what's inside, but whatever it is, it's believed to be unfathomable."

Ged raised an eyebrow, skepticism giving way to cautious curiosity. "And you think I can crack it?"

Gore's expression softened. "How many stacks of Blue Water did you crush last night?"

Ged's response was blunt. "Fifteen."

Vernom's expression shifted at the number. Fifteen? That was unheard of, even for the largest underground body sorcerers. Consuming such an amount would surely drive anyone mad. Yet Ged appeared composed, his calm demeanor forcing Vernom to reevaluate him, thinking slightly more highly of the young man.

"Interesting…" Vernom muttered. "I'll have to see if you're true to your word. But it sounds like you at least know how to manage yourself."

Ged shook his head. "Three hundred stacks aren't enough. This job sounds risky. And while I did take fifteen yesterday, it took a toll on me. I'm not invincible to Blue Water."

Vernom frowned. "Are you serious? Three hundred stacks is a gargantuan amount for anyone. Most people wouldn't see that much in their entire lifetime."

"I'm not asking for more Blue Water," Ged replied calmly. "I need a copy of a Blue Water Mining workout routine."

"Bullshit!" Vernom scoffed, his voice burning with anger. "Like I'd hand over company secrets to some kid off the street. You're far too out of line."

Gore stepped forward. "Vernom! Calm down. He didn't ask for the company's workout. He asked for any copy. The standard Mining workout routine only runs at about 200 kilograms. We can afford to give him that."

Vernom compressed his rage, exhaling his distaste in a sharp harrumph. "Fair enough," he said curtly. "You'll get your workout. Now, come here and let me take your measurements. I've had enough delays."

Pulling out 150 stacks of Blue Water from his suitcase, he handed them over to Ged as a down payment. Then, unfurling his Soul Sprout, he began measuring Ged like a tailor fitting a suit.

"What are these measurements for?" Ged asked quizzically, raising his arm in compliance.

"They're for a suit," Vernom replied, gesturing toward the gremlin that was frantically shaking its cage. "For the operation, you'll be wearing that guy."

Ged narrowed his eyes at the rattling cage. He had never seen anything like the gremlin before, and the idea of 'wearing' it made little sense to him.

Vernom continued, "Don't worry. I'll ensure this gremlin Eagle Spawn is properly reared to fit your bodily dimensions. Its skin is extraordinarily resilient to Blue Water and will be invaluable in breaking through the surface of the blue sphere."

Ged could only nod. Since he had already accepted the 150 stacks of Blue Water, he had little choice but to go along with the process.

Vernom measured every inch of Ged's body with precision before finally retracting his Soul Sprout, allowing Ged to move freely once more.

Next, Vernom retrieved a metal coffin covered in hundreds of adjustable dials. Methodically, he began rotating the dials to adjust the internal mold to Ged's exact specifications. Once satisfied, he opened the gremlin's cage, grabbed the creature, and ruthlessly tossed it into the coffin.

Channeling his core energy, the coffin began to glow with intricate patterns. A blood-curdling scream erupted from within, growing louder as Vernom increased the heat. He stared at the process with cold detachment, showing no reaction to the creature's agony.

Gore turned to Ged with an apologetic look. "Ged, we'll handle the rest from here. Expect my contact within the next few days." He pulled a gun from his abs and handed it to Ged. "Here's one of the gun's I promised you. No need to pay me further. I'll make sure to deliver the rest."

Ged accepted the gun with a nod, storing it in his abs. Without another word, he turned and left the scene, heading back home.

It was still quite early in the day.

Traveling along the jagged, stony path, Ged went over the deal with Gore and Vernom several times in his mind. He felt a measure of satisfaction at securing the Blue Water Mining workout, and with it, he felt more optimistic about his situation should his original plan of mining through Resh fall through.

"I should go and see what that crazy bastard is up to," he muttered.

But as he held his unhealed arm and glanced at the faint glow of the Arrest Tattoo still marring his face, he realized it might be wiser to take things slower. "But first, I need to get some rest."

When Ged arrived at his doorway, he noticed a plain message rock sitting suspiciously on the doorstep.

He examined it warily, but when he saw who had sent it, a frown creased his face.

It was from the agency that employed Stu and Celia, his former foster parents.

Ged played the message, and a kind-looking man in a blazer appeared before him, speaking softly.

"Happy early birthday, dearest Ged," the man began. His voice was old but gentle. "Unfortunately, once you turn 18, we will no longer be able to continue providing our services without proper payment."

Ged's expression hardened at the thought.

The man continued, "For this upcoming birthday, it's up to you to decide whether to have one final send-off with your parents or celebrate it on your own.

"I speak on behalf of every parent involved in your childhood when I say it was an absolute blessing to have you as our son. I hope you have a great 18th birthday. We will respect whatever choice you make for the future."

Ged's hand tightened around the stone, cracks forming as his grip grew stronger. But suddenly, his fingers loosened.

"This fabricated family…" Ged muttered bitterly. "Why can't I put them behind me?"

Something lingered, holding him back, something he couldn't define. A longing that couldn't be satiated, nor could it be erased.

Shaking his head, Ged entered his home and placed the stone message on the island table, resolving to forget about it.

He headed downstairs to the sauna, retrieved another bucket of lava, and sent a quick message to Fitch to inform him of the drug den's collapse.

Without lingering, he left his home and returned to Trevor's.

Trevor was still passed out on the lounge seat when Ged arrived. Stirring from his stupor, Trevor's eyes widened as he noticed Ged's beaten and bruised condition.

"Boss! What happened to you? Don't tell me Fitch got one over on you!" Trevor exclaimed, disbelief written across his face.

Ged sneered at the comment. "The drug den was busted. We're out of work," he said bluntly.

"Out of work?" Trevor's tone turned fearful. "Ged, what am I supposed to do about my expenses?"

"It's only temporary," Ged replied firmly. "Once this war blows over, we can rebuild operations in a different part of the sector. Why don't you find a part-time job in the meantime?"

Trevor visibly recoiled at the idea of working a demanding job. Glancing toward the natural cave, still alive with chittering noises, he stammered, "I-Is our great fortune mature yet?"

"No," Ged replied curtly, already turning to leave the hysterical Trevor behind.

Tears welled in Trevor's eyes as he pleaded, "Ged, please, let me borrow some stones! You've got to help me out here. I don't want to work a real job."

"I'm focusing on healing. Figure it out yourself," Ged said dismissively with a wave, leaving Trevor to wallow in his misery.

Taking the next two days off to heal, Ged focused entirely on maturing his Blue Crystal Mine.

With no weightlifting or work to occupy him, he spent nearly all his free time spelunking caves, completing the entire list of leads in the process. Incorporating bits and pieces from his discoveries, he worked tirelessly to create an absolutely hellish environment for the poor Eagle Spawn he was rearing.

By the morning of the third day, Ged awoke feeling refreshed, the Arrest Tattoo having finally faded from his neck.

Stretching as he got out of bed, he made his way to inspect the Eagle Spawn of the Blue Crystal Mine.

The room was a chaotic spectacle. Shaking Maraca Vine Eagle Spawn dangled from the ceiling, producing an incessant rattling sound. Sticky Bubble Eagle Spawn filled the air with moisture, creating a clammy atmosphere that obscured the Blue Crystals lining the cave walls. The Eagle Spawn that Ged was rearing were trapped in a state of constant, sleepless frenzy. They clawed at the walls, relentlessly destroying their surroundings as they desperately searched for any possible means of escape.

The red hue of the Planetary poison had diminished significantly, a clear indication of progress.

Satisfied with the scene, Ged carefully navigated the many obstacles that now littered the ground, shooing away frenzied Eagle Spawn as he made his way to the door of Trevor's room.

Trevor was fast asleep in his bed, having picked up a part-time job as a sign holder for a merchant. The long days allowed him to sleep much better, even with the increase in noise.

Ged didn't bother waking him. Tiptoeing around the bed, he opened the door and breathed in the crisp outdoor air.

Flexing his previously out-of-commission arm and feeling its strength return in earnest, he smiled.

"It's nice to have some of my freedom back," he muttered, his strides carrying him across the stony earth.

On his way to the Hidden Olympian, Ged decided it was the perfect time to catch up with Resh.

Having contacted the depot the day before for the Hidden Olympian's resonant coordinates, he began searching for traces of the rogue cave.

Digging into the ground, he found himself in a familiar crystalline cavern.

But as he approached the nightclub entrance, he noticed there were no bouncers stationed at the door.

"That's strange," Ged said warily. The usual droning electronic music was still playing, but aside from the absence of people, there were no signs of a struggle.

Having been ambushed by the Cumulus Gang before, Ged entered cautiously.

His gaze swept across the room, and his eyes narrowed in disbelief at the sights before him.

Crab was slumped on the floor, his two protruding crab eyes darting around as if they had minds of their own.

Chim's torso had been replaced with that of a silverback gorilla, and his body lay convulsing on the ground.

Caroline and the other dancers hadn't been spared either. Deer antlers, hooves, duck bills, and many other kinds of animal parts disfigured their bodies.

"This place has turned into a damn zoo!" Ged exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief. Every Golden Suns gang member under Resh's command had undergone a horrific transformation.

As his gaze turned toward Resh's private room, a deep sense of unease gripped him.

"Resh..." he muttered, a solemn look crossing his face. He dreaded discovering what had happened to his longtime boss and friend.