-Thorn's P.O.V-
"So ever since I saw this I've been curious… why'd you let that silver haired brat man handle your bald head?" I asked Robert -the bald guy- as we searched for traces of the cult in the forest
"Because he's basically a slave" The blonde haired one - Eugene - spoke as us 3 walked deeper into the forest
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"It means my freedom is restricted"
Robert replied with a cold expression, which deepened my confusion
"Many years ago prior to my birth my family and the star systems under our control were ruthlessly subdued and annexed by Maxwell Emert… the Founder of Miss Emert's clan" He revealed coldly
Hearing this I resisted my urge to laugh
"What does that have to do with getting your head gripped?" I asked, getting back to my original question while looking around the forest
"Im getting there" Robert muttered before continuing
"After we were annexed our original family name was erased and forcibly changed to Max, hence we became the Max household to reflect the glory of the Founder's first conquest"
"Then our family members became subject to genetic modification, leaving behind strong hairless bodies but a fatal weakness in the head. Over the years members of the true Emert Dynasty would take hold of this weakness" Robert finished, then Eugene chimed in
"Basically those Emerts induced a biological weakness in his people and forced them to present their heads as a sign of full subservience."
"In the current Emert Dynasty the Max House doesn't even qualify as a branch family - but rather a vassal totally obedient to the Emerts Branch and Main Families"
Hearing this I let out a sharp laughter, causing a few birds in the trees to fly away in fright
Clutching my stomach I let out the laughter for a few more seconds before taking a deep breath, calming down
"Wow… so you guys used to be some super advanced society spread out between star systems only to get conquered by a bigger fish going out into different waters for the first time.
"Then to become slaves… How embarrassing" I commented with a grin
Robert frowned
"You don't know what you're talking about… against that man becoming a vassal house instead of outright elimination is more than a mercy In the face of that talent… all becomes useless"
He said with a grim expression
"That talent? What are you talking about?" I asked, Robert stayed silent in response so I turned to Eugene
"A talent of legend, named Technological Genesis Acquiring it allows a person to birth advanced technology on a level not even thought of in fantasy" Eugene told me, and I sighed
"A mere technology talent? What could that possibly do against strong realm travelers" I countered
"Without seeing it in person it's understandable to not know the true power of that monstrous talent."
"Only two people in existence have ever awakened it, the Founder and the cousin of Miss Emert - the strongest contender for the Head of the Emert Dynasty" Robert interjected
'Cousin?'
Hearing his words, I was about to reply - however my body instantly stiffened
'Danger'
Suddenly, our surroundings blurred and the forest we were in vanished, in its place a beach area with palm trees and red water as far as the eye could see took its place
"What the hell" Eugene muttered… echoing my current thoughts
[Alert! Alert! Alert!
An Enclosed Territory Native To This Planet -Known As A Gate- Has Formed Around You Realm Travelers!
The Formation Of A Gate Symbolizes The Natural Birth Of A Monster! Killing The Monster Or Group Of Monsters Within The Gate Will Result In Freedom!
The Gates Rating Is 1 Star!
Some Gates May Hold An Item Or Group Of Items!]
The mechanical voice of the System echoed in my head, taking a moment to look around I noticed the expressions of Eugene and Robert quickly changing
'They heard the message too… SHIT!' I cursed in my head.
Prior to us three separating from Victoria, Grey and Jacob I had mixed in their current knowledge at the time with lies - convincing them that Heavens Staircase was some treasure and to avoid killing monsters
The reason I had done this was because previously the blue haired flute man -Lyre- had mentioned that killing a monster could give someone access to Heavens Staircase.
To keep this power system to myself I had deceived the group
"Wait! Now that I think about it… back then Lyre had also mentioned Gates… to think one would appear now, how unlucky"
I muttered, then I remembered I still had 3 items from the system
"Lets see... I got that lucky dice thing, the status clearing pill and the brief future sight item."
"If things go wrong I can at least guarantee my own survival... but that all depends on if the opposition is weak or strong enough"
'If possible I have to figure out a way to be the one to kill the monster or group of monsters in here… but how?' I questioned in my head
"Guys… look over there! There's some type of object lying on a pedestal!" Eugene shouted, breaking me out of my thoughts
Following the direction his finger was pointing towards, I noticed that a glimmering pedestal jutted out of the sand, four trees surrounding it in a box shape
Floating atop the pedestal laid a bead necklace with faint symbols etched into it, it was then that I noticed something strange
"Those trees…" It seemed Robert had noticed it too
A large stone monkey was sitting in a crossed legged position, its arms spread horizontally and its hands opened flat - resembling a pushing motion
The strange thing was its fingers were somehow moving, and with each twitch of its fingers somehow resulting in movement in the trees
That statue… was controlling the trees, but not only that! The statue... no... that monkey! That monkey seemed to be alive!