LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 53: Butterfly effect
Alpha flew up into the sky, eager to test its new abilities. Jack had used [Chosen of the Status] when granting the butterfly its status screen, which gave Alpha the ability to use the skill as well. The mission given to Alpha was simple. Communicate with the ducol, and grant it a status if discussion proved impossible. Alpha didn't have a voice or hands which were necessary to cast spells, and Jack had been surprised to see that when using the [Status] skill blue hands made of screen had appeared to perform the necessary gestures.
Jack had wanted to stop and experiment with the hands, but Jeler had told him to leave it for later. The dumb cat had actually talked back to Jack, totally unacceptable as far as Alpha was concerned. But Jack, in all of his infinite wisdom and mercy, had relented. So, Alpha was headed into the sky. Alpha could slowly float in any direction and didn't have any limit on height as far as it knew. It flew higher and higher, closer to the storming cloud with every passing minute.
The strong winds had no effect on Alpha, blowing against it uselessly as it ascended. Finally, it made its way up to being level with the cloud, floating in the middle of it. Alpha glanced around, but couldn't see anything resembling a front or back to the cloud. Deciding that this was likely good enough, Alpha engaged the [Point Defense] skill. Jack had added it to Alpha's status screen in an effort to give the butterfly a more reliable form of communication. However, as soon as the skill activated lightning flashed through the cloud.
In an instant, light and sound battered into Alpha intensely. The world seemed to shake and flash around the tiny butterfly. Alpha simply hung there in the air, patiently waiting for the onslaught to end. The lighting had no effect on the butterfly, it was made of power from the High Deity. Something like lightning had no effect on it. Once the lightning subsided, Alpha once again used the [Point Defense] skill.
Once again, lightning and thunder roared against the butterfly, interrupting the skill. Alpha was immune to the lightning and thunder, but its system-created hands were not. They were destroyed instantly by the cloud as soon as they emerged, meaning Alpha could not cast anything. Alpha waited patiently again, letting the cloud batter against it uselessly. Once the cloud had finished its storming, Alpha tried once again.
The cycle continued over and over. Alpha never used any of its tiny amount of magic as none of its skill uses ever actually completed. As long as this pattern continued, Alpha could likely keep this up forever. However, that was not what Jack wanted. Alpha decided to take a different track, using [Status Granting] instead of [Point Defense].
Strangely, no lightning came this time. As Alpha continued the skill, Jack's voice rang out in place of Alpha. The blue system hands moved in accordance with the necessary movements. Alpha only possessed enough mana to use this skill once and was fairly pleased with itself when the skill concluded. Once the ducol had been granted a status screen, Alpha looked around once again. It couldn't see any screens nearby, meaning the ducol's 'head' was likely somewhere else.
Barely having any mana, Alpha decided to try the [Point Defense] skill again. It used the skill, and no lightning came. The small defense screen appeared, and Alpha landed on it.
[Hello?] Alpha typed out. [Is anyone there?] The act of typing out messages did not take mana or effort, it was simply something that the system bugs could do.
A noise emerged from the cloud. It wasn't quite a voice or thunder, but somehow, it was understandable. "What are you, little one?" The voice surrounded the butterfly on all sides, beating against its blue form.
[I'm a system bug. Created by the system administrator to help the system function.]
"The system..." the voice seemed ponderous, as if chewing on the words. "This blue box? This is the system you are referring to?"
Alpha could not see the blue box in question but knew that the ducol was likely looking at the status screen. [Yes. It was made by the High Deity under the instruction of the system administrator.]
The cloud seemed to darken momentarily at the mention of the High Deity. Its already dark form seemed to become blackness for a single moment before returning to normal. "The system administrator, is that the one called Jack?"
[Yes.] Alpha had been told to be direct with the ducol, answering its questions as simply and truthfully as possible. The hope was that the cloud would be appeased and that maybe they could find out why it was here.
"I wish to speak with Jack. Bring him here."
[There is no easy way to bring Jack to you.] Sensing that this answer would displease the ducol, Alpha quickly continued. [That is why we gave you a status screen. Jack can communicate with you through it.]
"Hiding behind a screen? Perhaps he isn't a fool" The arrogance radiating from the cloud rankled Alpha. What did this puff in the sky truly think it could do to Jack, the mighty system administrator?
[It is a matter of convenience, not cowardice.]
"Quiet yourself, you pathetic bug. Your master is wise to fear me."
Alpha felt itself getting riled up. [Who would fear you? You can't even touch me.]
If a cloud was capable of rolling its eyes, the ducol seemed to be doing so. "I'm done speaking with you. Begone."
Alpha was vibrating with rage. It had no outlet to let loose this righteous fury. Insulting Jack, mocking Alpha's perfect form, it was unbearable. Alpha hadn't even known it could dislike someone more than it disliked Jeler. For the first time in its life, the butterfly felt true dislike for another creature. Alpha began flying back down to the surface, promising retribution on the cloud that had scorned it.
Jack waited anxiously for Alpha to return. The cloud had practically exploded with thunder and lightning shortly after Alpha had disappeared from sight. It had been loud and bright enough that everyone in the camp had stopped and stared at the sky. People had run for cover, hiding inside buildings or under trees. Jack himself still hid indoors, waiting for Alpha to finish its work.
When the butterfly did descend, Jack felt a great relief. He didn't truly feel worried that Alpha could be hurt by anything, but this ducol seemed to have powers that Jack didn't understand.
"Alpha! How'd it go? Are you alright?"
The butterfly floated down, and Jack made a defense screen for it to land on. Alpha seemed to be trembling, and Jack grew worried again. [I...am fine. The cloud has been given a status screen. It wants to speak with you.]
His worry subsided, and Jack smiled wide. "Well done!" He tapped the butterfly affectionately. "Now I just have to figure out the best way to communicate. Should I use the butterflies in the sun as a proxy? Or go up there myself?" Jack weighed the options in his mind. Using the butterflies to communicate would be slightly more awkward and time-consuming, but would likely be safer.
Unsure, Jack turned to Alpha again. "Did the ducol seem angry at me? Do you think it will strike me with lightning or anything?"
[No. I believe it wants to speak with you. It asked me to bring you up to it, which I declined.]
Jack nodded. Perhaps it would be safe to go to the sun then, even if the cloud could somehow interact with it. As long as he avoided angering it, then he should be relatively protected. "Good work Alpha. I need to go find Reph and the rest. I'll be returning to the sun for a bit, that will be the easiest and probably safest way to communicate with our cloudy friend."
Alpha seemed to stare at Jack with shock. [That scum is no friend of ours. He insulted you, he insulted me! He called you a coward, and brushed me off like I was trash!]
Jack was a bit taken aback. Alpha could get worked up when teased, but this was a whole new level. "Alpha, I'm sorry that the ducol was mean to you. The truth is, I am a coward. That cloud up there could probably wipe out this whole camp without a second thought. I'm pretty sure you'd be the only survivor. I just want us all to be safe and alive at the end of the day. You are a reliable companion, and I'm very grateful to you."
Jack's words seemed to calm the butterfly slightly, its shaking subsiding a small amount. [Thank you...I don't deserve your praise.]
"Nonsense! You're an amazing little butterfly and I won't let anyone tell you any different." Jack chided gently. Then he stood up straight, determination on his face. "No sense in putting it off. Let's go find Reph." With Alpha flitting to his shoulder, Jack's resolve firmed. It was time to get to the bottom of this cloud business.