The capability of the Crabs of Dim Waters to adapt, which was led by Crab Subject #33, or named as Krabs progressed smoothly and also terrifyingly to the point that Rahk and the other trusted adventurers became conspicuously wary.
At the back of their heads, the light of irresistible curiosity about Grey's true identity resurfaced since the first time they unexpectedly met him.
It was warranted, after all, what their very eyes had witnessed so far was too peculiar in this world's norms where magical beings exist. However, through Princess Quintella's assurance, as someone who was silently overseeing them while doing her scheduled training and studies—physically and academically—Rahk and the other six adventurers began to get used to interacting with the holistically developing black crabs, which were gradually turning humanoid in terms of cognition ability.
What's more, apart from getting used to these peculiar creatures which seemed to have been blessed by their perceived creator, allowing them to continuously evolve, the development of the [Alien Village] had been multiplicatively hastened.
The manpower of a mere seven (7) increased to three hundred thirty-seven (337). It didn't matter if Grey had provided the former with both raw and recycled equipment, it's due to the sudden rise in quantity that the [Alien Village] finished its construction in just two weeks—all of which were according to the revised blueprint.
Solitary and thriving, the current [Alien Village] was composed of the centrally positioned Chief Headquarters, a hundred neatly positioned and built general houses, which included the ones for the Crabs of Dim Waters; agricultural and livestock areas, where the Lake Stonia belonged to, and also the genetically modified and fortified walls that spanned around a kilometer encircling every newly constructed place.
It was the beginning of a monster utopia.
***
"Thank you for your hard work." Grey descended from the Anon Oriken spacecraft to express his gratitude to the hardworking adventurers and black crabs—which were now eloquent in terms of their communication capability.
Rahk, Winter, Khan, and the others lined up, while the Crabs of Dim Waters lowered their heads with each of their right pincer overlapped on their chest. It was the expression of gratitude they had learned from the proctor adventurer, who told them that it meant to acknowledge someone who deserved respect.
Grey was not surprised at this seemingly unprecedented action because he had been observing them from above since their arrival. Instead, he continued in fulfilling his words, "Just as I said before the village development started, you will be rewarded after the completion of your work..."
Ding!
[ET Store has been opened.]
[You have used ET Points.]
When the [Manifestation] of the Extraterrestrial System reached 25% because of the Alien Archive Core, which relentlessly absorbed information from anyone and anywhere in close proximity, the ET Point System was introduced by Krishnaya.
Unlike the cheat code function of the system that Grey was somewhat familiar with, those that exist in some webnovels in his previous world, where the system possessor could purchase criminal-like items that could flip the world upside-down, the ET Point System was devised and introduced with the intention of the underlying nature of both [Anoboids] and [Oriforce] in mind.
The Anoboids based on what Grey had learned was an alien technology that could become anything but had a few limitations. On the other hand, the Oriforce was the mysterious natural force of this world, which could also become anything.
However, if there was one thing that the Anoboids could not transform into... It was to become any form of this world's spell or magic.
This subtle yet significant difference led Krishnaya to do thorough tests and calculations an uncountable number of times within the Alien Archive: Operational Dimension, which then resulted in the production of products stored within the ET Store that Grey possessed.
[You have bought Count Gildeus' Light Observer (Rare).]
[ET Points have been spent.]
With the combination of Anoboids and Oriforce, Krishnaya replicated to perfection some of this world's items that were recorded in the memories of the dead holy warriors that Grey had encountered in the dread battlefield around two months ago.
The Anoboids became the raw object, and what powered the so-called Light Observer was the absorbed Oriforce. It was two–in–one dependency.
Moving on, the ET Points were just the informal term for the exponentially quantified Oriforce that governed everything and everyone's life—body and soul—in the world of Magica. This meant that whenever ET Points were spent, the surrounding amount of Oriforce would be mixed with the utilized Anoboids.
Mathematically, it should be like this:
Anoboids (An) + Oriforce (Ori) = (Pr) possibility of recreation of any objects in this world, given that the right blueprint known as memories existed.
***
"Wh–what are these weapons?!"
"T–that's a Unique Armor!"
"H–holy hell!"
The replicated items that could be said to be better than the originals in terms of proficiency and durability were presented in front of the adventurers and the soon-to-be aquatic warriors.
"Choose your weapon of choice. Aside from that, each adventurer will receive a Light Observer—a Rare Artifact."
[You have bought Count Gildeus' Light Observer (Rare).]
[You have bought Count Gildeus' Light Observer (Rare).]
[ET Points have been spent.]
[ET Points have been spent.]
"W–wait, Boss!" Khan stuttered at the sudden appearance of multiple cube-like artifacts, where an attached lone eye was in slumber.
Khan involuntary gulped before continuing, "T–this is too much! I am not sure if you're aware of the prices of these, but the [Spatial Ring] you've given us before is more than enough."
Princess Quintella on the sidelines just chuckled at this spectacle, quite aware of the underlying circumstances behind the production of these Anoboid-made artifacts and objects of necessity.
Seeing this, she couldn't help but to abruptly interject, "I may not hold authority anymore considering my circumstances, but these rewards are some things you deserve. It will be useless at our hands, so take it."
"B–but Princess..." The other adventurers were all silent, but if there was one thing that Humans could instinctively express through their own gaze, it was the eye of greed.
"Khan, whether you like it or not, I am just a nine-year-old girl right now—not a Princess, not a royal blood, but a wretched yet contented existence. However, if you still perceive me that way, someone worth revering for, then heed my order to accept what's for you."
Her demeanor caused everyone to fall silent. Even the listening black crabs some distance away stopped their instinctive pincers gentle clacking.
"T–that... I–I apologize."
After that, the seven adventurers began choosing a set of weapons and armor—a complete and desired adventurer gear, which provided them enough power to take over an Orc Village of their own.
Moreover, they had received Light Observers that began clumsily floating on their shoulders with the minute injection of a light-related spell—Ball of Light, a Tier-1 Spell that anyone could easily learn, which was mostly used for exploring uncharted territory, especially at night.
Then, at this moment, when the group of Human workers received what they had desired, Grey faced the Crabs of Dim Waters.
He then casually asked the chosen leader, "What do you want? I don't want an answer that suggests leaving everything to me but rather, I want to hear it from you."
Observing the gradual development of these creatures from above since their arrival, Grey had learned one interesting fact... It was the way they had chosen Krabs as their leader because "he" was the first to evolve among them all.
With that said, if Grey decided to turn them into an aquatic army, it would be easy to divide them into several squads.
"Spear... M–master, I want spear!"
Hearing this, and unlike how Grey was adamant in giving the adventurers their respective rewards, he couldn't help but ask, "Why spear, specifically?"
"Fishing... I–I want to spearfishing!"
Grey instinctively smiled, amusingly so.
On the other hand, when the other black crabs were asked...
"I want what Leader Krabs want!"
"We want what Leader Krabs wants!"
"Spearfishing! Spearfishing!"
"I see... It's settled then." Grey said.
[You have bought Wind–blessed Alloy Spear (Rare) (300x).]
[ET Points have been spent.]
Simultaneously, numerous plain alloys spears, all of which were exuding an aura of serene wind, manifested through Grey's chest, where a door of infinite void appeared.
'There's no need to officially declare them as an army, at least not yet.' He thought to himself, witnessing the organized passing of these weapons from the front to the rear, which prompted the crimson-eyed black crabs to curiously scrutinize the sturdy and dangerously pointy object.
After an unknown amount of time had passed, Grey then officially announced the viable plans moving forward, which included but were not limited to food production, agriculture nurturing, and monster hunting.
It was then that before he dismissed the current informal convention, Grey suddenly addressed the faithful evolved creatures.
"Krabs. Protect Lake Stonia."
***
Anon Oriken, Host's Headquarters.
"I thought you liked sleeping there? Why'd you ask to come here?" Grey looked at Princess Quintella, who was sitting in one of the dark green metallic chairs.
"Why, Mister? You don't want me here anymore?" Princess Quintella puffed her cheeks.
"You know that's not the case." Grey casually said before his gaze landed on multiple holographic screens.
"Tsk. Well, I want to sleep at my lodgings here, too. By the way, on a serious note, I have something to say..."
This time around, her voice caught his attention.
With an inquisitive gaze coming from him, the little Princess operated her modified Extraterrestrial System and shared something...
Ding!
[You have received an Anon Folder: Biological Weapon Experimentation.]
Upon reading this, Grey's eyes widened in terror, prompting him to look at her with darkened eyes. Thankfully, Krishnaya's voice echoed in his mind.
[It's different from what you are thinking, Master. Do not worry.]
'Sigh, what's with that chilling Anon Folder title? This brat's going to stress me out!' He inwardly grumbled before he asked Krishnaya to show him the file.
[Opening the Anon Folder: Biological Weapon Experimentation...]
Reading everything thoroughly, a wide grin of fascination found itself on his lips.