While most mortals in Najaj were deep in sleep, Ava managed to somewhat restore communications to her other half, the monolith deep within bowels of Alkharm Wadi. However, most of it promptly collapsed due to severe lack of quanta. What remained was a tiny link, barely enough to relay words.

There’s no smoke without fire; her predicament was self-inflicted due her prior circumstances. When the crimson shaitan made a move against Farhan back then, her other half encountered a large fiery being. Large was an understatement as she wasn’t that familiar with sense of scale of this new world.

That titanic lifeform was literally made from fire itself and had attitude to match! It appeared without warning and smacked her mining equipment to smithereens with one of purple pillars submerged in lava pool that her other half found. Of course, she wasn’t willing to back down in face of such disaster!

With nothing else feasible, Ava gambled. She burnt most of her stockpiled quanta at that time and opened a miniscule spatial tunnel between two locations; in front of the fire titan and the crimson shaitan. As it was abrupt both sides were confused but exchange of auras occurred, enraging both!

It was a classic case of piper clam, bird and fisherman. The Post Human was the fisherman. Ava simply channeled the crimson shaitan’s attacks to the titan, solving the problem for her. Nevertheless, her spatial tunnel collapsed next and she was forced to use [Disintegration] to take care of the shaitan.

The result? She can now mine as she wished and gained four new followers! However, there was no gain without pain; her snake avatar now cannot use transcendent Post Humans’ abilities of [Disintegration] and [Molecular Assembly] without harming itself. Only [Gravity Control] was viable as it scaled with desired effect.

At this point, it was good to say she was crippled, using the term borrowed from the so-called immortal cultivators of this world. If only she had more quanta, endless avatars were possible! If only she had more quanta, no foe shall stand in her way! If only she had more quanta, this world will fall overnight!

Whether by divine intervention or luck, fate didn’t allow it be. How laughable. She, a technological singularity, was put to whims of whatever higher powers in this world. It was ironic that she too, was forced to fight like denizens of this world did, to overturn the heavens and claim their rightful spot in the grand dao.

Ava can only deal with the cards she was given and make best use of the situation. The Post Human thus fully sealed her two initial abilities in exchange of creating a metallic sphere as part of her long-term plans. She sent it to the ground below, as the seventh seed to be placed in these harsh lands.

Afterwards, the Post Human actuated her snake avatar as dawn was fast approaching. She simultaneously spoke to all three minds of Farhan and his friends. “Now is the time for your arranged tasks.” Ava was near the opening of the tent assigned to the trio. “Tarry not as time waited for no one.”

“M-master Nour?” Salaman yawned. The day outside was still dark. “N-n-now?” The scholarly man sat upright and slapped his face in order to stay awake. “W…wise words, Master Nour. Can…can I use it?”

“Brother Abbas?” Farhan was wide awake, testament to his extensive training as one of many soldiers of Agrippa Imperium. However, he was still a mortal human as he too, yawned. “...Abbas. Wake up.”

“Leave him be.” Ava gave the two awoke men another mental transmission. She slithered her avatar to perch on Farhan’s shoulder for appearances. “Your works are more important at this initial phase.”

“Psst…” A hushed voice sounded next to the tent assigned to Abbas and his friends. It was Maheer. “Are you awake, Brothers?”

“Ready as ever.” Farhan gave Maheer a curt nod. His spear was nowhere to be seen, presumably he didn’t want to make too much noise as well. Farhan whispered in kind. “Are we going now, Brother?”

“Brother Farhan, did you get any sleep at all?” Maheer was puzzled upon seeing the middle-aged man. Who exactly is this guy? The Najaj militiaman then greeted Salaman. “Brother Salaman, well met.”

“Oh, don’t worry about me, Sir Maheer. I slept well.” Farhan stepped outside of the tent with Salaman in tow. “Likewise, I’m too, a guard.” He gave Maheer a smile that wasn’t a smile and spoke no further.

Seeing Farhan wasn’t willing to dwell on the topic, Maheer said to both of them in low voice. “Then, let’s have some breakfast before we depart.”

“Breakfast? Great Sir, you don’t have to go so far for us.” Salaman had regained his mental faculties.

“It would be rude to our guests if we don’t. Please understand, Brothers.” Maheer smiled, seemingly telling them that he would be troubled if they rejected his offer.

Farhan mulled for a moment and then answered for his good friend Salaman. “Then, please excuse us for our excess.” He tailed Maheer with light steps. “Is the breakfast being held at the usual place?”

“In Salazar’s tent for us.” The valiant guard led the duo among half-cleaned ruins of Najaj. There were some men on patrol, giving him wordless salutes. Maheer responded in kind and then looked at Farhan. “Our other brothers had taken their breakfast ahead of us.”

“So, we need to reconfirm the details with Brother Salazar?” Salaman asked. He suspected the other seven men assigned to the alchemist’s task were tying their stomach but he didn’t point it out to Maheer. He wouldn’t want to be seen as a brown-nosed fella. “I hope we don’t encounter any issues.”

“Eh, that’s part of life.” Maheer was philosophical, contrasting his image of experienced Sand Komodo rider. They passed near some tents with weird markings. He cautioned the duo. “Be silent, Brothers.”

There were three kinds of tents in their path. Papyrus-coloured, indicative of Najaj inhabitants or what left of it. The second type had sandstone palette and peculiar pillar-like insignias. Last type was reminiscent of the rude guest that barged into Salazar’s residence, flowing waves coloured with gold.

As they finally passed the northern quarter of Najaj, Salaman spoke to Maheer. “Are those tents with seven pillars are men from Kazar?”

“Yes, they’re.” Maheer nodded at Salaman. “It’s their trademark, the seven guardian pillars ringing the City.” The guard scrunched his eyebrows next. “But I don’t know about the flowing waves ones.”

“From what I heard from your captain; Jasur-” Farhan contributed to their ongoing conversation. “-said it might be men from the Khanassat Sultanate. Have you seen them in action, Great Sir?”

Maheer stopped as they had arrived at their destination. “Strangely, I don’t, Brother Farhan. But it made sense if they’re from Khanassat. What happened in Najaj…could happen elsewhere.” The guard then rubbed his eyes. There was already someone in front of their meeting place, an unfamiliar man.

That man differed little than Jasur’s physique except his facial features and pair of war hammers at his back. He wore a desert robe emblazoned with distinct pillar-like symbol of Kazar City. Ava took a secret look at this man. What were the odds! “I’m Muzaid, one of hired hands to keep Master Salazar safe.”

“Well met, Brother Muzaid.” Maheer returned his greetings. Do…Kazarian men know of our plan? He asked to make sure. “What brings you here, Brother? At this dark time to your patron’s lodgings?”

Muzaid wasn’t offended at his inquiry as it was natural Maheer would ask so, as one of authorities currently managing Najaj. “I was asked by Master Alchemist to come and substitute one of your men.”

“Hmm, really?” Maheer wasn’t convinced. This guy looked he can swing those hammers easily. He spoke some of his conjectures. “Perhaps your strength is needed in the coming task, Brother Muzaid?”

“That’s right, Maheer.” Salazar showed up with his disciple Dawub to his side. The old man’s eyes were bright as Farhan’s. His disciple was half-asleep. Salazar thus whispered to the young boy. “Disciple, no need to stand here.” Dawub complied without a word while Salazar gestured his guests to come in.

Farhan was perceptive enough that he saw Ava briefly stared at Muzaid. Does Master Nour know him? He wanted to ask but this wasn’t the proper time or place. The middle-aged man instead played along with current flow of events. “Master Salazar, you don’t have to trouble yourself to prepare us coffee!”

“Hmph, if I want to do it, I’ll do it.” Salazar snorted as he withdrew a small pan out of a compact fire brazier next to him. He crushed the roasted coffee beans in the pan with rhythmic fashion and then put them into a half-filled pot afterwards. “What are you standing all bunched there for? Come here!”

“Then, pardon our intrusion.” Maheer started to distribute cutleries that were prepared in advance.

The robed old man shook his pot and left it on the crackling brazier. He spoke. “Brother Muzaid’s one of my, more, useful labour men.” Salazar’s haughtiness was gone and replaced with respect. “Out of many worked with me before, I’d say he’s the best-” He glanced at Salaman. “but not in talking, haha!”

“Master Salazar, you overestimated me.” Muzaid accepted Salazar’s praise and ignored his remark. It was true that he didn’t get any alchemical stuff said by the old man. The stoic man then glanced at Farhan. “Then, you must be Brother Farhan and Salaman?” He gave Ava’s avatar a snap glance.

“Yes-” Farhan noticed it and, replied in Salaman’s place. “is Brother interested with my guide snake?”

“It wouldn’t be right if I don’t.” Muzaid said after thanking Maheer for handing him some bread. He explained. “In Kazar, we use sand rats as guides. Snake guides are rarer since it’s harder to find one in the first place.”

“The world’s vast. When you go explore the world, you’ll understand.” Salazar interjected after pouring his guests’ coffee in small cups. He drank his cup first. “Things you imagined might be true out there.”

“Brother Salazar’s right.” Salaman swallowed his given bread and then said. “I longed to visit new vistas.” He glanced at the old robed alchemist. “I would like to join one of your future travels, Brother!”

“In due time, Brother Salaman!” Salazar laughed out of cordiality. He then took a bite of his bread. “Now my helper Muzaid’s here, we should bring some camels.” He gazed at Maheer. “Give me some.”

“Camels, Master Alchemist?” Maheer almost spewed his half-chewed bread. The militiaman had gestures of reluctance. “Master Alchemist, please reconsider. We can’t just willy-nilly travel there.”

“Then, are you saying that you want to drag the materials here yourself?” Salazar was slightly unhappy to find his request rejected this time. The alchemist crossed his arms together in response. “Some cannot be carried by mere hands.”

“I’m aware of that, Master Alchemist.” Maheer drank his cup of coffee to clear his throat. “But if we travel in a too large of a group….” He didn’t finish his sentence but the hinted implications were clear.

“Then, how about this, Brother Maheer?” Salaman said after Ava mentally communicated with the scholarly man. “We initially split into two teams. Muzaid will join you while one of your men accompany Master Salazar and Farhan.”

Maheer paused for a second as he thought about it. He nodded as the compromise allowed him to keep watch on Muzaid. “Okay. We can only lend two camels, one for each team, Master Alchemist. But Brother Muzaid will not replace my men. He’ll accompany me.”

“I thought you’ll say that.” Salazar finished his breakfast and moved to back of his tent residence. “Take these crates.” He pointed at the grouped wooden boxes. “The first has the tools. Second, empty.”

The militiaman agreed and began to haul four crates out of Salazar’s tent with help of the rest. Salazar nonchalantly walked without carrying any as he had different roles to fulfill. After they met with the remaining Najaj men assigned by Jasur, the expedition to perimeter of Najaj began in its earnest.

Their excursion was somehow on cue as the day was neither dark or bright. There were no vicious creatures to be seen, not yet. What were present were litters of monster corpses, Red Scorpions making the majority. Others were either too small or unrecognizable due to effects of Agrippan tools.

The six men and two camels exiting Najaj knew that they had limited amount of time; should the sun rose quarter high in the horizon, vicious monsters encircling the town will start their patrols to catch any mortal stragglers from running away or entering Najaj. It was a harrowing period for the six men.

Ava who was on Farhan’s shoulders realized the anomaly; when and how did these monsters banded up and cooperatively siege Najaj? She was sure Najaj militiamen were made aware but unable to do much about it. Their piece de resistance were their human allies and those explosive Agrippan tools.

Insofar the situation was in a fine equilibrium but after what she witnessed in Najaj, it was a matter of time until the town was overwhelmed despite existence of various human factions in it. What backing, what face? The vicious monsters sieging Najaj seemed to have simpler mindset, more primal and feral.

Too bad that she had sealed her [Molecular Assembly] prior. Otherwise this salvage would been done in a flash! She moved away from Farhan and kept cautious gaze to the vicinity. Meanwhile, Farhan got to work with the old alchemist, tearing a particularly large Red Scorpion corpse and sorting the pieces.

The Najaj militiaman assigned to Salazar was a man of few words and simply loaded whatever valuable pieces that were retrieved into the waiting crate. For a moment there were only silence reigning the surrounding lands except occasional clanks and thunks as the alchemist and middle-aged man worked.

Not every piece of said corpse was salvaged partly due to time shortage and due to limited number of tools brought over by Salazar to Najaj. The stinger was always taken as its poison can be used for many things. The claws weren’t as Salazar didn’t know how to process them. Bits of carapace were taken.

With Salazar’s guidance, Farhan became adept on recognizing which part was worth the effort in regards to condition of the corpse. Ava had learnt as well as she usually took all, not considering how to optimally harvest them in difficult terms. The trio went from two then four carcasses and picked up the pace.

Suddenly, the militiaman assigned to the alchemist spoke. “Grand Master, we shouldn’t venture further than this.”

“Hm?” Salazar was in a good mood due to their bountiful harvest. He was even more happy that he spotted of what could be a Crescent Shark remains in the far horizon. “We’re only to get one more corpse, a Crescent Shark.”

“I concur with Brother-” Farhan felt uneasy and agreed with the Najaj guard. “Master Alchemist I fe-” The middle-aged man retracted his words. He heard something. “We should retreat now, silently.”

Salazar gave Ava a slight glance for confirmation. She verified what Farhan had said. The old man thus accepted their advices. “Okay. I agree.”

As soon as that word was spoken, loud droning sounds were heard in the far distance. From their secluded location, the three men peeked over the sand dune in front of them and saw blackish clouds moving from one spot to another. It was circle of life in action; Javalan Flies were eating the corpses.

Farhan and the militiaman took a survey of their vicinity. More Javalan Flies swarms appeared, seemingly intent of sweeping clean the area. Now, the mystery on why there weren’t many carcasses out here was solved; the flies devoured them. At the moment, the insect clouds haven’t spotted them.

The Najaj militiaman was decisive after seeing how the flies’ swarms moved. “We need to split up, Brother Farhan.” He looked at Salazar. “Grand Master, although my service is short, I’ll do my duty even if it costs my life.”

“What, are you going to charge at them alone? Spare me the morbid talk.” Salazar frowned. He eventually spotted the militiaman putting out some round jars from his pouch. “A couple of those explosives wouldn’t do a thing, nada.”

Ava saw the developing situation and decided to intervene. She spoke to Farhan’s mind. “You need to use the camel as the bait. Outrunning Javalan Flies right now, are impossible. Reduce the swarms first. Boobytrap the camel.”

Farhan stilled on her suggestion. He gave it some thought and slightly nodded at her avatar. The middle-aged man arranged his words and said. “Brother, how about this? We should do it this way…”

The droning became closer, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The three men reached a compromise and acted the plan to escape the vicious flies. Farhan slapped the butt of the camel, sending it directly at one of nearby insect swarms. This immediately caused uproar from the flies!

“Now!” The Najaj militiaman shouted as he threw some rocks to keep the camel running forward and not retreat back to them.

He, Farhan and Salazar ran in three opposite directions as soon the camel was swarmed by some of the flies. With loud bangs, three of seven Javalan Flies’ groups swarming the camel were engulfed in raging fire and turned to dust from the resulting air overpressures. It was now do or die for the three men, to run and escape this disaster!