"Do you know what happened?"
"I don't know. Just like you, I was called here without any information."
"Maybe there's been a change of plans."
A group of people talked in murmurs as they waited for Maximus.
They had no idea what was in store for them, whether it was good or bad news.
Soon, Maximus emerged with Silas and Andrew.
Behind them was a massive container carried by robots.
"I won't waste time with nonsense, as our time is limited," Maximus stated.
"This is an Aether Link Crown," Maximus said as he revealed an exquisite headgear.
"Aether Link Crown?" They repeated having no idea what is it.
"This Aether Link Crown can control these..." Maximus didn't explain as he put on the Aether Link Crown.
Soon, the dark sand within the container floated around.
The group below was astounded to see the dark sand suddenly floating.
Maximus manipulated it into various shapes, forming precise pieces.
"Could it be?" They suddenly thought of something.
"Yes, that's right. These are nanobots," Maximus clarified.
"The Aether Link Crown can control these nanobots just like you control mana," Maximus smiled.
"Won't our work be a hundred times easier!"
"I don't know how effective it is,"
The people below murmured as they listened to Maximus' introduction.
"Unfortunately, time is limited and there isn't enough for everyone," Maximus continued.
"So we will list this item on the guild exchange list."
"Those with enough contribution points can obtain it."
There are only about a hundred of them, so the quantity is limited.
It's not that there aren't enough Aether Link Crowns.
But, these nanobots are difficult to manufacture.
"What, it's limited?!"
"I hope it's not too expensive."
"Hahaha, I have saved up points. It should be enough."
They eagerly waited for Maximus to put the product on the guild exchange list.
After all, with these Aether Link Crowns and nanobots, they could transform from mere cats to a tiger with wings.
"The listing will start now," Maximus announced.
Soon, the people scrambled, opening their mechanical watches and tapping on the exchange list.
Seeing the prices, most of them were disheartened that they didn't have enough points.
While others were excited as they could afford one.
"Damn, I tapped a little slowly. I didn't get one!"
"Hahaha, I the fast-hand god, sealed the deal."
"Tsk, I don't even have enough points."
"Hey, I should spend less and save points."
The people below chattered, envious of those who managed to snag one.
"Don't worry, the production of these things will be expanded."
"We will ensure that each one of you can get one within a year," Maximus promised.
"Leader, we love you!"
"Long live the leader!"
"Alright, alright, those who bought the item can collect them immediately and get to work."
"I expect faster and more efficient work from you."
"We've only had 10 years. If we don't finish by then, we'll all fail."
In one of the workshops:
[Your Aether Link Crown and the accompanying nanobots, Arrived] the delivery robot announced.
"Finally delivered," Cereb grinned.
"You got one?!" Blane exclaimed.
"Hehe, I happened to have a lot of points, so I didn't bother to look at the price and just tapped on one."
"Oh, why didn't I think of that?"
"That's because you don't have enough money."
"Uh," Blane didn't know what to say.
He had spent the rest of his points on various entertainment because he was too tired.
With the solution that Maximus had created, they didn't really require sleep.
So, during their 4-5 hours of free time, he indulged in various extravagant activities.
All kinds of crazy activities were open as long as one had enough points.
"Go, try it immediately," Blane persuaded.
As Cereb put on the Aether Link Crown, a sensation he had felt before appeared.
He felt that every piece of nanobot was his eyes and arms.
As he moved his mind, each individual piece moved perfectly according to his will.
He felt that these nanobots were like mana that he could control as he desired.
Normal people wouldn't have enough brain capacity to do this.
But since he was proficient in controlling mana, manipulating these nanobots was like moving his arms.
"It's really easy to control."
Cereb muttered as he saw the unfinished parts on the table.
Soon, the dark sand-like nanobots moved like a liquid, encapsulating various materials.
After a few minutes, a finished device landed on the table.
"You finished it so quickly?" Blane couldn't believe his eyes.
After all, Cereb would normally take a few hours just to finish one item.
But just now, it only took a few minutes.
"Hahaha, this is truly amazing!" Cereb laughed loudly.
"Now, let's start rolling!"
Due to the emergence of the nanobots, the progress in creating the world-destroying bomb accelerated.
It has reached a point where the materials collected by collection drones from all over the world are insufficient.
Despite this, the progress is still remarkable, as they have managed to complete a third of the device.
Only 2 to 3 years are needed to complete the rest.
Additionally, due to this development, the diligent workers no longer need to exert themselves as much.
Instead of working for 20 hours, they now only need to work a minimum of 15 hours.
In Maximus' private workshop:
Maximus was busy calculating and deducing the effectiveness of the world-destroying bomb.
With the approaching deadline, Maximus wanted to ensure that nothing would go wrong, so he had to double-check everything.
[Wanderer: Host, Beast tide has emerged from the sea and is attacking our location.]
Maximus was aware that this world had been targeting him, so this attack wasn't much of a surprise.
"It's probably because the bomb is nearly complete..." Maximus pondered.
"What's the extent of the damage?"
[Wanderer: There is no significant damage at the moment, but based on analysis, these waves of beasts will breach the first layer of defense in 6 months to a year.]
"Oh? These beasts are truly persistent."
Consider that the first layer of defense is densely packed with tier 6 defense and attack weapons.
Yet, the wave of beasts could potentially breach it within a year.
Of course, this is a theoretical estimate assuming no interference.
"Notify some people to be stationed in the first layer of defense."
"These monsters should serve as a good energy supplement..."
Monster corpses are the main components required for the energy crystals.
The world-destroying bomb requires an enormous amount of energy crystal to complete.
Initially, they had been collecting these monsters on land.
However, with the arrival of the beast tide, sourcing these materials has become more convenient and straightforward.
[Wanderer: As Ordered, Host.]
Ten thousand people cheered with all their might.
After countless sleepless nights and hair-burning efforts, the world-destroying bomb was finally finished.
As they looked at the enormous bomb presented before them, they couldn't help but feel their hearts racing.
"Ahem." Maximus cleared his throat to get their attention.
The crowd fell silent, their gaze fixed on their leader who had led them to this pivotal moment.
"Thanks to all of you, we've completed the world-destroying bomb ahead of schedule."
"With this accomplishment, passing this trial is no longer a dream but a reality!" Maximus smile.
He was also elated that they finally completed this monumental task.
"Finally, we'll pass the trial!"
"The trial is ours!!!"
"Long live the leader!!!"
They celebrated, thinking that they would really pass the trial.
"Now, now, there is still more to do."
"Look at our spacecraft; it's quite rudimentary."
"Could you live in it for over 70 years?"
"Now, I want all of you to unleash your wildest imaginations and make our 70 years in space as comfortable as possible."
"Yes, leader, leave it to us!"
They said with excitement.
This type of work was their favorite, as it was about ensuring their comfortable future.
Moreover, there was no need to rush.
They only needed to modify the ship before the Tier 7 monster mutation occurred, which is still 2 years away.
"Then give it your best shot," Maximus smiled.
Soon, they got back to work, but this time their mindset was different.
Various ideas flooded in, transforming the ship into their vision of paradise for the years to come.
Meanwhile, Maximus had Wanderer bury the bomb at the core of the world.
This task wasn't particularly delicate
It only involved digging and placing the bomb in the designated location.
With that done, Maximus helped with upgrading the spaceship.
After all, he would be living on it for a very long time, so he needed to ensure its utmost comfort.
2 years later, a few months before the Tier 7 mutation.
Maximus controlled a swarm of nanobots to remodel the ship's interior when a warning sound emanated from Wanderer.
[Wanderer: Host, the monster mutation has suddenly accelerated. Based on analysis, we have only about 3 hours left.]
"Fortunately, everything is prepared," Maximus sighed in relief.
The spaceship's frame had already been completed.
Only the finishing touches in the interior were needed.
All the supplies were also stowed away, leaving behind only miscellaneous items outside.
"Tell everyone outside to board the space ship; they have a quarter of an hour to get on."
Maximus was concerned that the mutation might accelerate further, leaving them no time to escape.
After all, the world-destroying bomb was not to be taken lightly.
Although it couldn't harm any Tier 7 creatures, those below would turn to dust within its range.
[Wanderer: Understood, Host.]
Soon, panic ensued among the people outside as they desperately rushed to their vehicles to return to the base.
Due to this urgency, they managed to return in less than 10 minutes instead of the expected 15 minutes.
"Are they all on board, Wanderer?"
[Wanderer: All of them have boarded the spacecraft, Host.]
"Then initiate Plan EX."
The spacecraft soon lifted off, piercing through the atmosphere.
After a few minutes of travel...
The spaceship accelerated to speeds close to that of light.
Back on the planet, the mutation accelerated once again, reducing the previously estimated hours to mere minutes.
Fortunately, Wanderer had already activated the bomb.
The bomb began to tick, signaling the impending doom of the world.