I added a few liters of water to the storage memory, then a few more for good measure. You could never have too much water after all.
I made sure to pack some mundane clothes, just in case I need to dismiss my clothing memory to restore it in my soul sea.
I also made sure to pack all the newly purchased hygiene essentials, such as tooth-brushes, toilet paper, and the usual necessities.
Rain's help was a Godsend, I'm pretty sure I would be lost as soon as I left the block the house resided on.
Speaking of, I hadn't heard her for a while, a day.
While it wouldn't seem much, she has been basically my caretaker for a while now. And it was strange not hearing her on my last day on this continent.
At least I knew she was fine, since I have a communicator now.
Which is actually unnecessarily confusing.
Like, most buttons are useless, literally. Well at least for me.
Since I didn't have a bank account or other such things.
Not like I had any money, normal money at least.
I finally had a check-up of everything I had in my possession. Well, Rain was actually the one who did all the work. But not the point!
From everything i had, Including memories, soul shards, and an unknown citadel.
The approximate worth was astounding! As in, I can retire right now, and have enough money to fund everything I would need for a hundred or so years!
I'm fucking loaded!
Like actually! Around the fifth richest person from a civilian background!
It blew my mind once Rain told me that, her own eyes widened in wonder and awe.
I shook my head, a small smile gracing my lips.
I would need to do something nice for her once I returned. Perhaps a party or something of the sort, I'm sure a girl her age would enjoy such. Especially because of her personality.
I nodded, keeping the thought in a little corner of my mind.
Then I grabbed the backpack-shaped memory, returning it to my soul sea.
It was time to hopefully not get caught on a government ship.
Yes, a government ship.
Sunless had informed me that teleporting to Antarctica wouldn't actually be possible for me.
I would need at least double the reserves, places to rest, and not to mention.
Any sort of flying is a death sentence over the oceans.
Why? No clue, but I wasn't willing to risk it.
So sailing it was.
Hopefully, I wouldn't immediately be noticed by government forces and start getting chased.
I scoffed, I doubt even Morgan would recognize me now.
With my pale hair, ruined face, and growing body.
Not just in weight, but in height as well.
Not to mention I always have at least one part of the [Assassin's Wear] summoned to diminish my presence.
I was almost a mundane.
Which now that I thought about it, might be suspicious.
Why would a seemingly sleeper go to the dreadful and horrifying Antarctica campaign?
I paused, really thinking about it.
Then realized that kinda seems normal.
Not to mention I could easily play it off as a "suicide mission".
And I'm sure it would work, considering my blandness, lack of an arm, and completely ruined face.
I nodded, my hair swaying gently, it was time to stop stalling and time to finally move out.
I walked through the main street, a lollipop in my mouth, hand in a pocket, eyes closed.
Each step was like a wave surging through my nerves.
Was I really ready for such a challenge?
Was I really willing to risk it all?
Was it worth it?
I paused, the flood of people moving around me like a river flowing around a boulder.
I really thought about it again, really thought of the absurdity I was planning to do.
Clearing the second nightmare alone, with minimal preparation.
Sure, there have been greater feats before, the most notable and recent one being by Nephis of the Immortal flame, or I guess, Valor now, clearing her second nightmare while still being a sleeper.
A feat previously thought impossible by humanity.
I shook my head, slowly starting to walk once again.
There was no time to doubt, even if it was scary.
Lives would be saved because of this, that alone, was worth risking my own for.
After all, a single life never outweighs two, no matter the person, no matter the age, no matter the background.
Of course, saving everyone would be ideal, but that's never how the world worked, nor will it ever.
After all, balance was everything, and without balance, there was no world.
***
A figure jumped over a boulder, contorting their body sideways in the process, a blade flashed out in the blink of an eye, cleaving a creature that had jumped after it into two.
The figure landed softly, it's knees bent to absorb the impact, the snow blasting outwards in a wide circle.
The figure stood up as abruptly as they had landed, their charcoal eyes already scanning the battlefield, for the next prey.
***
A feminine figure dashed through a creature, her armor sharp as any blade, easily cleaving through the abomination.
She didn't sputter nor pause, her leg already raised high, her heel connecting with the ground the next moment, shattering into chunks.
Dust and snow covered the area, forming a smoke cloud.
Even still, she moved through it, her arms and legs slashing into creatures, as if mimicking greatswords.
Her head turned side to side once, then she dashed off again. Three figures followed her close behind, and another eight followed from further down.
A crystal-like arrow shot through another creature further down their path, exploding shortly after.
The undoubtedly sharp shards shot through the area, killing a few more, injuring at least a dozen.
*****
I walked aboard the massive battleship, an awakened raising a brow.
He extended a hand, his eyes narrowing.
"I'm awakened Sol, I need to know your name, rank, affiliation, and Aspect type."
The man's gruff voice was almost grating on the nerves, but I didn't hold the man against him.
From the single picture I had gained in my mind, the man looked beyond tired, almost exhausted to the point of keeling over any moment.
I gave the man a small soft smile, extending my only arm forward.
The man paused, then switched his own to meet the handshake.
"Hello, I am awakened Apex, Ascended Aspect, no affiliation, and my aspect is utility-based."
The man smiled a little himself, perhaps happy about the simple and fast answer.
"Welcome aboard, Apex, we shall be setting sail in two hours. Find a room before then, this ship is about to get crowded."
I nodded, shaking the man's hand again before leaving.
He seemed nice, although very exhausted.
Thanks for reading!
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