Joshua was curious how Nexus was able to complete the order in just a few hours.
Enter the [VOID] to see what Nexus can offer.
Standing in the black inky space was Joshua and a test subject, his clone, glancing at the spec and genes used in the test subject in front of him.
A 7.5-foot-tall giant scaly man.
"Nexus, explain the specs of the new Blood Knight Template"
[Sir, introducing BK v2.]
[Uses genes of wild beasts such as the mountain wolf, silver ape, and the salamander]
[Comparison of early versions, they are stronger, bulkier and have light regeneration]
[The silver ape gave them more well-rounded physiques than wolf]
[Because the salamander gene gave them regeneration, they were able to close heavy wounds to connect limbs and some were able to regenerate organs except for the brain and the 'Bio Chip']
[They have new blood that helps close wounds in minutes and better air resources than normal]
[They also have new hearts, organs based on the silver ape and one more lung]
[Side effect, they have scaly skin and are prone to collecting treasures]
Joshua knitted his brow, prone to treasure collecting? Isn't that like a dragon habit? Did they get it from the salamander's gene?
"Nexus, remove all inhuman features and make it more human. As for that habit, find why and try to remove it," said Joshua.
He also wants to make three new types of Blood Knight.
One for fighters and that would be his first unit good at battles. They would be his fast-moving units he could deploy for quick attack and assassination. They will be his sword to kill his enemies.
One for tankers that would be able to stand back up and take a hit, this unit's main roles would be meat shield and defending allies. This unit would serve him as a shield against his foes.
And lastly, there would be a perfect soldier that would have both characteristics of those two types. These units will serve him as the elite.
[Making 'Blood Knight' type Fighter]
[Making 'Blood Knight' type Tank]
[Using BK v2 Template]
[Removing anomilies and improving specifications]
Two more clones were taken into the [VOID] as it quickly underwent changes according to the template.
Nexus offered three types of 'Blood Knight' in front of him.
The first was the fighter, standing 7.5 feet tall with a lean body mix of wolf and the silver ape genes. Fast reflexes, good endurance, and strong senses make them skilled at any battles they will face. They also have slight regeneration and are able to close wounds and heal slowly. They could not be further inputted with more modifications based on Knights.
Joshua took notes on the last sentence Nexus said, but did not interrupt its explanations.
The second was the tanker, slightly bulkier, but still fast for ordinary humans, with a mix of genes from the silver ape and salamander. They stand 8 feet tall with bulky muscles, making them look like a giant wall of flesh. They have strong regeneration as they can stand back up after suffering heavy wounds. They have much greater strength and endurance than your typical fighter type to compensate for their lack of speed. They also could not be further inputted with more modifications based on Knights.
While the third type is the elite and perfection he envisioned.
Having a 9 feet height with a buff but not too bulky physique, they have all the strong suits of both types. If faced against multiple foes like the fighter and tanker, this unit would dominate the battle. But not applicable to people.
After Nexus explained, Joshua asked what the last sentences it reported meant.
Nexus explained.
[For a regular human, the extent of these modifications would be too much to handle. Their soul capacity is limited, and integrating the genes of multiple creatures at this level would likely overwhelm them]
[However, your clones can easily integrate all the modifications that other humans can't. The cloning process allows us to bypass these limitations, connecting the clones directly to your soul and thereby expanding their capacity to accommodate these changes.
Joshua nodded thoughtfully at Nexus's explanation, understanding the implications of pushing the boundaries of human modification.
He knew that his true essence was the [VOID], a mysterious power that he barely knew. This meant that he was not bound by the same limitations as his race. His flesh is just a mere vessel for his will, capable of bearing the brunt of his ambitions without the same risks.
Now that he has got his answer.
Joshua turned to Nexus, curiosity piqued.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
"How were you able to create these new templates so quickly?" he inquired, his thoughts speculating on how Nexus is able to perform outstandingly.
[Distributed Computing, Sir. With each 'Bio Chip' I have installed into the 'Blood Knights', their idle processing power contributes to my knowledge and processing power. The more 'Bio Chips' I have access to, the more I learn and adapt, allowing for faster and more efficient research and development]
Nexus's voice was calm and collected, as it explained the intricacies of its system.
Joshua nodded thoughtfully, understanding the implications of Nexus's explanation.
The more 'Blood Knights' they had, the more powerful Nexus would become, which in turn would allow for even more scientific simulations and data analysis. It was a self-sustaining cycle of growth and improvement, and he liked the scalability and performance it offered.
Joshua turned to Nexus, a new idea forming in his mind.
"Could we make each 'Blood knight' be a scientist as well?" he asked, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Nexus took a moment to process the request, the holographic screens flickering as it calculated the implications.
[Negative, Sir. While bio-chips can directly enhance a normal person's physical abilities and significantly boost their cognitive functions and allow for a more direct interface with my systems]
[The most important aspects of being a scientist are curiosity and a love for learning. This insatiable desire to understand the world and ask "why" drives the scientific process and potentially leads to breakthroughs in our research.
As much as we can enhance their physical and cognitive abilities, we cannot replicate the intricate complexity of human emotion and creativity. However, they can serve as valuable assets in data collection and analysis]
[We could potentially use the 'Blood Knight' for menial tasks and basic research, but for true innovation, we would need to find or create individuals with the innate spark of scientific curiosity and ability to think outside the box]
Joshua nodded thoughtfully at Nexus's words, understanding the limitation.
However, he was not deterred. If they couldn't turn 'Blood Knights' into scientists, then they would simply need to find or create those with the necessary traits.
His gaze fell on multiple hidden bases and his recently opened country, as there are rich populations he could use.
Just like Xie Jie, her curiosity and intelligence had been evident from the start. Perhaps, with the right guidance and resources, she could be the key to unlocking the scientific potential within their ranks.
Joshua's thoughts turned to the children they had brought in from the city, their futures unwritten.
He knew that among them were those who had the potential to become great scientists, leaders, and warriors. He would need to identify these individuals and nurture their talents, providing them with the education and resources they needed to flourish.
The construction of the school had begun in earnest, the villagers and knights working tirelessly under the watchful eyes of the Nexus.
Joshua had made a promise to the orphans that he would provide them with a future, and he intended to keep that promise.
With each new 'Blood Knight' that emerged, the power of his burgeoning empire grew. He knew that once he had amassed five hundred of these fearsome warriors, the time would come to expand beyond the Hidden Village.
But for now he needed time to grow, to cultivate the seeds he had sown. His Knights were strong, but they were not yet an unstoppable force.
The orphans that looked up to him were a blank canvas, waiting to be painted with the colors of his vision.
Joshua then commanded Nexus to proceed to transform the 'Blood wolf knigths' into fighters and tankers.
---
The days that followed were a blur of activity.
Training regimens were intensified, lessons on strategy and tactics were taught to the eager minds, and the village grew in preparation for the influx of new inhabitants.
The children, once orphans of the city streets, began to transform before everyone's eyes.
Their malnourished forms were filled out with healthy meals provided by the village's greenhouses, and their eyes lit up with the spark of curiosity and hope as they learned the ways of the world.
Some of the children took to the scientific texts with fervor. They pored over the pages, asking questions and making connections with other knowledge.
Their curiosity was a beacon, drawing in the 'Blood Wolf Knights' who had been designated as teachers. These enhanced soldiers, now with the responsibility of shaping young minds, found themselves enjoying the role, their stern expressions softening as they explained complex concepts in simple terms with the help of their [Bio Chip].
The children listened attentively, their eyes wide with wonder. Among them, a young boy named Leo had shown a particular interest in the mechanics of the 'Noble Knights'. He would spend hours observing them, sketching their armor and weapons, and asking countless questions about their design and capabilities.
---
"Alright, the class is dismissed," said the Blood Knight, who is temporarily working as a teacher.
As kids pack their things and walk out with their friends. One boy decided to stay.
"Teacher! Can I ask a question?" Leo walked up to his teacher.
"Leo, I told you that you can't ask any sensitive questions relative to the soldiers," said the teacher as he sighed.
"But I haven't yet asked my question. How would you know what's in my head?" Leo raised his brow.
The teacher just looked at him and said 'really'.
"I know I asked risky questions and tried to sneak into the barracks, but this time I am just asking if you can help me look at these designs," as Leo handed over a stack of blueprints.
The teacher, intrigued this time, took it upon himself to study this particular kid's blueprint.
As the time took minutes to hours, he looked at the kid who had slept on the desk with a look of shock.
The blueprint was full of niche ideas that could be implemented. It's just that he did not expect it to come from a child.
He reported this to Nexus with the blueprints while he woke up the kid with a smile.
"Ahh did I sleep! Sorry, sorry." Leo wipes the drool from his cheeks.
"Kid, go home, your work will be looked at by the lord." The teacher smiled at the kid.
Leo with his jaw drop, not believing that his work somehow got sent to the lord.
---
In a few minutes.
Joshua noticed this and took Leo under his wing, seeing a kindred spirit in the child's unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Together, they would often tinker with the 'Blood Wolf Knights', making minor adjustments and improvements based on the data collected from their battles.
Joshua had also noticed several individuals from different walks of life who possessed unique insights and talents. These people can be found in his bases in different worlds were hired and gathered, then carefully selected to be implanted with [Bio Chips].
The people with a penchant for strategy and tactics were paired with the 'Blood Wolf Knights', learning the art of war from the very beings they had once feared.
And those with scientific acumen were tasked with studying the technology and magic of the various worlds they encountered.
Each was given a specific task that played to their strengths, whether it was reverse-engineering alien artifacts or deciphering ancient tomes of knowledge.
The adults who had survived the initial onslaught of the 'Blood Wolf Knights' and had shown potential were also given the chance to join them. They were treated as equals, their knowledge and skills valued highly in the pursuit of creating an unstoppable force.
Joshua stood at the edge of the village, watching as the sun set over the horizon, casting long shadows across the mountains.
The Hidden Village had transformed significantly since he first arrived. The once desolate and forgotten place was now a bastion of hope and progress.
Not only is the country of Escalar on the path of progress under his guidance, but the very fabric of the empire is starting to take shape in his mind.
He sees a future where his might will be acknowledged across the worlds he steps in.
Joshua smiled at that thought.
