The Bloodline System



Author's Note: Unedited Chapters

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"Yes... I did see something," Stark responded with a very troubled look.

"What is it?" At this point Gustav curiosity had peaked.

"It's a bit difficult to explain..." Stark paused briefly as he gathered his words.

Gustav's facial expression was currently both focused and calm as he waited.

"Firstly, the interior looked nothing like being in this plane... it looked like a different dimension of its own," Stark began speaking.

"What do you mean by, it looked like a different dimension of its own?" Gustav questioned. 

"I really don't know how to describe it but that definitely wasn't a room... it was somewhere else," Stark sucked in cold breath as he recalled just how the feeling of seeing that environment gave him shivers. 

"The Indulus Prime members had gathered in a circle and dark mist was flowing from their bodies... the dark mist, was sustaining a projection of sorts. The projection was an item but my mind didn't register its features properly before I lost vision in my left eye..." Stark explained while softly rubbing his brow.

"Hmm that is barely enough to come up with a proper analysis but I really appreciate your help so far," Gustav replied with an expression of suspicion while slightly holding his chin.

"You're welcome... I wish I could have been of more help," Stark heaved a low sigh.

"You can," Gustav stated.

"How?" Stark eyes twinked.

"You said you couldn't properly explain what you saw and even though your mind didn't register it fast enough, its definitely still in your memory since you viewed it," 

"Where are you going with this?"

"I have an ability that let's me explore and witness memories like they are mine. If I use it on you, I will be able to see what you saw,"

The moment Gustav suggested this, visible panic appeared on Stark's face for a brief instant before it was quickly followed by a chuckle.

"Haha I don't think that would be a good idea... I would have allowed but I have quite some embarrassing memories from the last twenty four hours," Stark rubbed his dreadlocks as he spoke.

"I will only target your memory of the night before," Gustav stated with a reassuring tone.

"I can't let you do that... breaching my mind or memories too much of a personal thing for me to let you do," Stark shook his head.

"I need this to help my friend... I don't know what those folks are planning but it definitely isn't anything good," Gustav tried to convince him.

"I'm sorry but I refuse. I would help with anything else, but not this," Stark voiced with a dismissive tone.

At this moment, Gustav considered taking an involuntary action but quickly turned down that notion in his mind.

"Hmm alright then. I understand. You've done plenty already," Gustav stopped pushing it at this point.

"Thank you for understanding. I really wished I could have helped more," Stark said with a tone of regret. 

"No, thank you," Gustav emphasised with a tone of appreciation. 

"So what are you going to do now?" Stark inquired. 

"I have to find a way to figure out exactly what they're doing in there... I am more sure that winning IYSOP was never their goal and their reason for being here must have to do with whatever you saw that was being projected within that space," Gustav voiced lengthily before turning around.

"I have to go now," Gustav added before turning around.

"Wouldn't it be best to inform the organisers and those high rankers in the alliance?" Stark questioned before Gustav could leave.

"I can't do that without enough information and evjdence to back my claims... I don't even know enough to be aware of what to accuse them with so it wouldn't be a good idea," Gustav replied before dashing off.

Swwoosshh~

"Bye," His voice trailed off with the sound of the whooshing wind.

After Gustav left, Stark heaved a sigh of relief. 

"That was close..." He muttered.

shhiii~ shhii~

Two figures appeared beside him in the next instant.

"I told you it was a bad idea to be acquainted with him, family head," Viltru reiterated. 

"It's fine. He doesn't suspect anything," Stark responded.

...

"He's hiding something," Gustav muttered as he arrived in earth's accommodation area.

("Or he just doesn't want you in his head... I think earthlings are pretty sensitive with their memories,") The system voiced. 

"No... this isn't the usual bashfulness that comes from trying to hide the embarrassing moments you wouldn't want anyone else to witness in your head," Gustav muttered with a glint at the corner of his eyes.

"I even offered to pick the specific time last night and he still refused. He is hiding something beyond that... there's something he doesn't want me to see," Gustav added.

("Do you think he is acquainted with them?") The system questioned, hinting at Indulus Prime.

"Nah, this is definitely something unrelated. Stark's personality would prevent him from doing something derogatory but at the same time, whatever he is hiding is not so virtuous as well which is why he doesn't want me to figure it out," Gustav analysed with a slight tone of curiosity. 

"I'll let it slide for now, I have bigger fish to fry,"

("You're able to read people better now, not bad,") The system praised. 

"And you're not... too bad," Gustav ridiculed.

("I am not a creature of emotions,")

"Whatever you say robot," Gustav shruged.

"Ouch," Gustav winced.

("I still live in you,") The system reminded.

"Looks like I hit a nerve... oh wait you don't have emotions right?" 

("Keep yapping, I'll let you go into cardiac arrest next,") The system threatened.

Gustav had more words to hit her with but decided to keep quiet as he tried to bury a chuckle.

[Two Week Quest Has Been Issued]

"Hmm?" Gustav stared at the corner of his eyes as he noticed the notification. 

"You're so petty," Gustav shook his head.

("It's automatic...") The system girly voice had a hint of helplessness.

Gustav decided to check the details of the quest to confirm his thoughts of what it might entail.

[Quest: Uncover What The Indulus Prime Participants Are Up To]

[Rewards]

<+10,500,000 EXP>

<+1 Random Bloodline Upgrade>

<+200 Charm Stats>

[Failure]

<+5 Level Downgrade >

<Full Stats Halved For Three Days>

<Locked Yarki>

"I thought as much," Gustav voiced after scanning through the details. 

("...")

"I was already gonna do this," Gustav mumbled.

("Now you're gonna do it faster,") 

"And you're gonna keep quiet since you're not being any help," 

"Ouch," Gustav winced in pain again.

"Stop doing that," He stated before getting to his feet.

("You're going to meet Miss Aimee?") The system inquired. 

"No not yet. I wouldn't want her approaching the council lords again until I discover something tangible," Gustav shook his head as he walked through a passageway.

He walked past a couple of doors till he arrived at the second to the last. 

He paused after arriving before this one and was just about to knock when a voice rang out from within.

"Its open big brother," 

Sshsshhhh~

The door slid towards the left in the next instant, granting Gustav access.

Endric could be spotted within this room in a cross legged position, floating a few feet above the floor while his forehead emitted a green glow.

"Does big brother need something?" Endric was surprised to see Gustav here but internally excited. 

"I hope being a time candidate or whatever you call yourself comes with perks..." Gustav voiced while stepping forward.

"I need you to join me investigate something..." He added.

"I'm glad you came to me... mention anything and I'll help," Endric stated with a keen expression.

"I've discovered some things recently I'd like to share with you. After I do, the next course of my plan will be split into two. You'll handle one half of the task and I'll take care of the rest," Gustav announced. 

"I'm all ears..."

...

...

...

The night went by very quickly and the next day arrived. The batches continously rolled on and participants moved out after getting challenged or challenging another participant as usual.

Gustav took note of the battles whenever he was not out fighting as usual. His perception was especially on Indulus Prime today as the Battle Challenge continued.

Spectacular fighters appeared on the stages repeatedly, giving the spectators the entertainment they were here for not knowing that a lot of things were brewing underneath the surface besides the ongoing IYSOP.

As the Battle Challenge continued, Gustav made sure his team members evaded some chanllenges so long as he felt something was off. This was the reason Earth had only lost two battles so far out of the many they had been in.

Only a few planets hadn't lost a single battle since the challenge began. However, at this point things were getting more intense as a few planets fell below the fifteen thousand points requirement after losing more than a few battles.

Without a doubt, these planets were automatically disqualified while the battle challenge went on.