[ I don’t know about you guys but I think this body is pretty cool. I was sickly before anyway so I’m fine even with this uh, weird heat mitts thing. ]

[ Weren’t you told to not send to everyone. As the Knight has said, feel the connection of everyone here and target the person you’re meaning to talk to. You’re doing the equivalent of shouting to everyone.

[ Got it! ]

Izo heard a string of thank you as they cry in joy.

A group of 20 who were calm and rational enough were allowed to move their body. The other 137 were still thinking about the info given to them.

In any case, he didn’t expect people to accept the situation that their city or even their world they knew was gone. They had now dwelled below for 80 years, surviving on base instinct.

The people who were in front of Izo were the abnormal ones really, carrying an air of calmness. Them being the hunters of the village probably has a big correlation.

[ I don’t have family anymore so I’m doing better than you guys. ]

[ I want to check our home. They’re probably… gone but still. ]

[ What do we even do now? Knight sir? What are you planning on doing? ]

Rosoa hid the fact that Izo came from a different dimension entirely, simply calling him a traveling knight. Powerful, mysterious and had soul power. This place had these types of adventurers who hunt monsters. Izo’s quirks and abilities would fit even if his armor’s look may look alien to them.

[ I’m planning to get out of the city. I have a place that I want to go back to. This place might hold some hidden dangers that may flare up at any moment so I advice everyone to do the same.]

Rosoa added to Izo’s words.

[ The city barrier is up so the four Demigods should be as well. With the city home to undead and us like this, they might have become far from what we used to know them as. Only they can take it down however…]

[ Can’t we just destroy it ourselves? ]

[ Impossible. ]

One of them explained how when the barrier first went up, to avoid confusion and chaos, the Demigods convened the people. There they were shown that it could take continuous trebuchet attacks.

[ Then the Black Marshal stepped up. With his fist that could shatter boulders the size of houses, that turned into moist red mist those who wished to defile our city, he punched continuously. The barrier didn’t even shake. That was the main reason no other nation tried to invade again. ]

Rosoa then informed them of his hypothesis that only the Demigods have the notes to turn off the barrier. He then mentioned that they might have to find one of them as a last resort.

The surroundings grew quiet.

Izo knew that these beings were incredibly powerful but he only considered it to be very hard. The way these people who had lived amongst them reacted however; it might be a suicidal act.

[ I’m planning to follow the knight. Any place is better than here. ]

[ I agree. ]

It seems most of the people here also wanted to leave the city. Rosoa interjected at this point.

[ If we want to escape, let’s deal with the safe method for now. Raise your hands for those who wants to go above? We’ll be scouring for the notes among the mansions and enterprises of the Demigods. We might have to fight enemies there of the fallen city militia and army so think first. ]

[ Are you kidding me? I don’t want to stay in this muddy underground a second longer. ]

[ I actually find it homely here even if I remembered the convenience and luxury of living life above. ]

[ Hmm. I enjoy both here and above. ]

Now that they have unlocked the part of their selves that lived above, they of course would have different opinions on life here. It seems some miss the comfort and luxury of their former lives.

After a short discussion of who wants to do what, Rosoa asked those who were coming to the city to pack food and water. They went home to prepare. The one’s who were left, he addressed with a solemn face while gesturing to Izo.

[ The knight is a servant of the Nature God, wielding the power to take the essence of plants and animals then share them. He used his blessing to allow us our thinking, nay our soul to be complete once more. He can even allow us to regain our original forms.

However, he hasn’t regained his power since falling asleep. To help him, we must plant the grace of the Nature God here. This would earn us favor in the divine’s eyes and will strengthen the knight. ]

‘Wow. Rosoa is going to spin my identity like this.’

Since Rosoa didn’t understand the idea of cells and biology to Izo’s dismay, it stands that the other natives wouldn’t too. They decided to fabricate a fake backstory for Izo.

The People’s Orator proved his words, convincing the others of Izo’s might and mandate. Even calling the floating bioweapon planet destroyer that he innocently called “Little Helper” a pixie from the Gods, sent here to help.

He explained that first, this pixie must “breathe” in the essence of every creature before bestowing it to others.

A fruit plant that had spikes was presented by Rosoa, reminding them of its bitterness and toxic spike that has to be chopped off first. He explained that Izo could make it sweet with its skin soft, ready to bitten into so the zesty juice could feel once mouth.

[ Not only that the nectar from this grown fruit will strengthen you too. ]

Rosoa began naming abilities that they could gain with a religious angle. Strengthening their bones was spun as if Izo was wringing out the poisons the years have cursed them. Turning invisible became blending into the air.

Soon even the person being talked about wasn’t sure if he was still the subject. Izo just had the urge to clap for this genius performance.

[ Sir Knight. ]

One of the natives grabbed Izo’s hands.

[ Please don’t turn me back to my past look. Instead, make me look more handsome. ]

[ Sure. ]

[ Oh I’ll work hard tending to the Nature’s Gods gifts for you so please allow me this vanity. ]

[ I don’t want to go back to my old form. Can you give me four arms instead? I’ll work harder than him sir! ]

Soon everyone of them was swarming Izo even the ones who had just come back from gathering the travel necessities.

Their eyes that were thankful and curious got joined by adulating and reverence. Izo found it nice to be the center of attention even if he knew it was bad to indulge in it.

[ Everyone, all of this request can be granted in the future. It would all depend on you. To those coming with us above, you too. ]

Finally, a semblance of calm came over the crowd. The glimmer in their eyes still hadn’t faded away only sheathed but it was enough.

The group discussed a bit more on the route up, what to do when the others begin regaining their movement later and a messenger system. This initial framework would serve for now and will surely be improved in the future.

What’s most important was Izo had helpers to search now while securing food, water and DNA. He also had plans brewing on how to tackle the obstacles in his way.

*

Three days later, back at the underground village which was now lovingly or hatefully named depending on the person as Mud village.

A new trypophobia fruit plant, that had changed into an orange looking one by Izo’s request, was growing fast. It had only been a seed yesterday. The orb called the normal growth process of other plants as “unnecessary”.

The reasons for the long period of growing for humans were because of not having enough energy to facilitate this kind of growth. The feeding system was also inefficient.

How did the orb bypass this issue? Well, it created bacteria whose specific reason to live was to eat other cells then feed it to the target. It would divert a small amount of energy to itself then continue on its merry life.

Izo was always fascinated about decomposers. This new creation however was more ridiculous than that. The orb asked for a name (Izo was sure this was also to find a basis to choose its name in the future) and he thought hard.

Paradigestors was what he came up in the end. Izo found it fitting for such incredibly powerful thing.

[ Let me try it. ]

Rosoa bit into the thing with a skeptical face only to begin nodding before closing his eyes and savoring the juice inside.

[ Is it good? ]

[ No. ]

That was what he said but his hand was reaching for another one.

[ Just go ahead. Stop trying to pretend you don’t like it. ]

Again, Rosoa made the same expressions as if he was eating the food of the gods. Izo invited the others who were watching to grab more from the plant.

[ This is really good! ]

‘It should be. This was engineered for your taste buds.’

After everyone had their feel, they were all energized to continue planting the seeds of this new staple crop. Other plants and carcasses of animals were placed on top, to become subject to the circle of life albeit in a new way.

[ Izo. The strengthening modification has been completed. ]

As if on cue, one of the natives announced that the volunteer for the test had come out of his hut. Other than the ones tasked with planting, everyone went to see the effects.

[ Sir Knight, look at me! ]

The man who requested to have four hands instead of two finally got his wish. Not only that they have become just like Einheryar’s, four steel claws that could rise to thousands of degrees hot.

Izo was awed and scared. Only now did he realize just how dangerous this little orb that was floating over him.

‘With the combination of the Paradigestors giving the energy and the virus constructing whatever its designed to, miracles could be performed far beyond Earth’s imaginations. This is the power of death, destroyer of worlds.’