A month passed in such a fashion. The army led by the Invader System was still travelling at an efficient pace. But by this point, signs of exhaustion had become evident in their expressions.
The Invader System was baffled by this point, 'This serpent's body is way longer than I had expected. Just how massive was the universe Compass refined? Also,'
It looked around, observing traces of sweat on the faces of its subordinates, placing a hand on its chest to see that even its own heart was thumping in response, 'My body is an entire universe. It shouldn't feel something like a human body.'
"Something is strange about this entire setup." It furrowed its brows, looking around to see the desolate expansive plains stretching endlessly before it.
The ground resembled the normal topsoil of a world at first glance, but the depth of the soil only reached a kilometre. Below that was the spatial barrier of the universe that also formed the serpent's body in this case.
There was a gradual incline towards the sides, until the halfway point of the serpent's height. By that point, the ground's width reduced to just a couple of metres in depth and faded out, now resembling the sky.
The soil exhibited differences depending on the region. It was sandy at the throat, wet black soil around the stomach, and somewhat marshy beyond that. There were countless other variations too, but it was just in terms of the soil.
The environment majorly remained the same, albeit with minor differences from time to time. It didn't matter, for the environment was weak enough to never be an influence on the war.
But now that the Invader System observed, it noticed its mistake, 'It seems the effect is very subtle to the extent I didn't bother with it. But over time, we have been affected.'
The fact that it was panting slightly was a testament to this fact. The body it gained was a perfect host, allowing it to function as long as it was supplied with energy. It wasn't like a flesh and blood body that would tire out over time.
But now, the Invader System was experiencing bouts of exhaustion gradually creeping up its senses. The Invader System though, was rather glad, "If this is their plan, then it's better."
From the start, it didn't underestimate Compass Carburettor. So, when it brought its army, it had expected to lose around half the numbers by the time it reached the tail from his schemes. '
But until now, the sole effect was in turning them into somewhat humane. It was well within the damage it had expected.
"It's still within our expectations." The Invader System snapped its finger upon setting up the portal, watching a group of experts exit as it commanded them, "You guys take charge for the next couple of days. We'll be resting until then."
"Once we recover, we'll use the gates to come to the front."
"Yes, Lord." The experts bowed in response before boarding a gigantic spacecraft that travelled at the speed of light, soon warping its way across a major distance across the space.
"While they continue to set up the gates, we need to acclimate to this universe." The Invader System said and entered one of the rooms in the base to take a seat on the bed, soon falling asleep.
It only woke up after an entire day had passed, still feeling exhausted, "It seems functioning for a month nonstop has piled up exhaustion under the rules of this place."
The Invader System then closed its eyes and focused on the army stationed at the serpent's mouth, observing billions of natives building structures there to gradually influence the region. It messaged them, "Good, keep up with the effort."
It stopped focusing on them beyond that, letting out a smirk, "A Grade 3 System's primary capability is to alter the laws of a universe it targeted. You've set up a remarkable defence, Compass. But I'll gradually take control of this serpent."
It was apparent that the serpent had been refined using the power of the Tell-Tale System. Compass Carburettor refined and arranged the laws in such a way that the resulting formation resisted external influence to a great extent.
The only one that could realistically alter them in the future was Arnark alone. So, if the Invader System wished to take control of the serpent, it would have to do something beyond its capabilities.
"But, that is the essence of being an Invader." Smiling in response, the Invader System closed its eyes, hearing the report from its subordinates, "It seems we've reached the halfway point of the serpent."
"Good, that means we only need a month more to reach the tail." It grinned, "And if they were expanding their influence too, then our clash would happen well in advance."
…
"I…should get into this?" A dragon plushie asked upon staring at the tree that reached a kilometre in height.
"Yes," Gehera nodded, "This is an entity I refined to be similar to a world."
She pointed at the forest region, "You can consider this region to be a world, since this serpent is actually a universe. The lizards in this region are the natives. Therefore…"
"I can take the position of being their world's collective consciousness." The dragon plushie completed her statement, staring at her in surprise, "How do you understand our powers so well?"
"Well…" Gehera scratched her cheek and smiled wryly, "Whenever I fought against Stencil, I dedicatedly stole her powers. So, I have a complete understanding of the inner workings of her power."
"How…much of our power have you stolen?" The dragon plushie asked in surprise, "Was it during the chaotic times?"
"Yes," Gehera nodded and continued, "You won't notice the difference since Stencil is growing in power rapidly with the passing of every day. But, if you were to make an estimate…"
She tilted her head, "Something like three to four decades of her development?"
"That much?" The dragon plushie was shocked.
"Well, it was also thanks to my actions that Stencil managed to gain an upper hand against her enemies among the collective consciousness so quickly. While stealing their powers, I primarily absorbed the essence that conceptualised them." Gehera then gently patted the massive tree.
"Now, come on. Fuse with it. I created them in such a way that each dragon plushie can become the collective consciousness of a region."
