(Well, shit...) I thought. I had just gotten done explaining the whole Xenomorph reproduction thing and, well...
(This could have gone better.) I sighed, rubbing the top of my head awkwardly as I glanced over my companions.
I had just gotten done laying out the long and gruesome explanation about the Xenomorph reproduction. I also explained the overall life cycle of the Xenomorph species as well on top of that. Of course, some of my friends already knew this information, but those that didn't had varying reactions, to say the least.
"So yeah, that's how Xenomorph reproduction works," I muttered after a long moment of silence.
"That's disgusting on several different levels..." Anna blinked with a somewhat perplexed expression.
"Brutal." Lucius mused, not really knowing what else to say.
His words were then followed by Sapphire's, her cyan-coloured scales turning slightly green. "I feel sick..."
(Yep, definitely could have gone better.)
Overall, the mentors didn't seem all that bothered, probably because they had more than likely heard and seen far worse. In fact, the only one to have much of a reaction was Anna; however, she quickly got over it.
As for my fellow apprentices, well, their reactions were far more varied to say the least. Iris had already known, so she didn't react much, and Brain simply looked more curious than anything else. Lucius and Gringus looked rather unnerved, while Sapphire had the most disturbed reaction out of everyone.
"I apologize, but... ermm..." Gringus tried to compose himself a little but trailed off.
It was Lucius who finished the sentence for him. "The way you described it was a little too descriptive."
"In my old life, when I was still human, I specialized in working with and understanding animals as well as plants. Describing them in detail is just second nature to me at this point." I shrugged as my tail scraped against the ground.
"Also, if you're this grossed out with me just explaining it, then imagine how traumatizing it was to actually experience it firsthand." I chuckled darkly.
(I still remember their muffled screams as they ripped their way out.) I thought before shaking away the memory.
Focusing my attention back on those in front of me, I noticed they were now looking at me with a mixture of pity and concern. (I probably shouldn't have mentioned that...)
"Honestly, I find the whole process rather fascinating," ED72 mused after a second, breaking the silence.
"At least someone does," I muttered.
"Brain brain, brain?" ( ╹ -╹)?
Not knowing what Brain was asking, I glanced at Gringus, who was kind enough to translate for me. "The undead brute is asking if these 'Facehuggers,' as you call them, would have any effect on him."
"I... I honestly don't know, but probably not," I admitted, not really having a concrete answer.
"Can we hurry this along? I'd rather not just stand here all day," my mentor eventually said, sounding rather impatient.
"Right..." Yennora coughed as she began motioning for everyone to follow her. "Come on, let's get going."
We did indeed get moving again after a moment, although I was persuaded to answer a few more questions as we walked. Anyway, as we moved, I continued to keep a lookout for anything of note worth buying, and I eventually did spot two things that caught my eye.
The first was several magical notepads that would automatically write down any vital information the user wished to document. They would be useful not just for myself but also for those within my sanctuary. After all, these things would apparently even record information that the user themselves hadn't noticed but most definitely would have wanted to note down if they had.
Secondly, there was a somewhat circular device segmented into multiple parts, coloured mostly silver with some green mixed in. The most notable thing about it, however, was the glowing white hexagon in the centre of the device's main segment. This contraption was something I recognized almost immediately when I first saw it. It took a moment to verify if it was what I believed it to be, but I soon confirmed it. It was a personal energy shield, the kind you'd find in the Borderlands series. Admittedly however, it was a relatively weak shield, but it would still be very useful overall.
(It will take some time for my followers to figure out how to improve and make more of these...) I thought as I opened up a portal to my sanctuary and tossed my newly purchased items into my storage space. (However, it will be worth the wait. The shields will not only help me personally but will also improve the survivability of my followers as well.)
(Imagining something like a Ravager or a Charger with an energy shield is terrifying,) I thought as I pictured the sight in my head.
(In fact, Alpha, Beta and Gamma each having an energy shield is probably even worse,) I added with a chuckle.
"We're here, brat," Decker said, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"We are?" I asked before noticing the large structure we were currently standing outside of. "Oh..."
On the outside, the structure looked like a mix between a modern mall and a medieval-looking fortress, so to speak anyway. It wasn't as big as some of the landmarks I had seen before, but it was still massive in its own right. Despite this, it was relatively normal-looking compared to some of the physics-defying things I had seen so far.
Walking inside, however, the place was anything but normal. In fact, it looked like something straight out of a gamer's wet dreams. There were layers upon layers of platforms filled with gaming machines of all kinds. Some looked like things from my old world, while others looked so alien to me I couldn't even begin to understand what they were for.
"Badass!" Lucius yelled as he glanced around. The guy was practically vibrating with excitement.
"I'll admit it, this place is pretty amazing," Iris nodded in agreement.
"Brain brain brain!" (⟡ᗜ⟡) !!
"You can say that again," Gringus said. It was rare to see him agree with anything Brain said.
(I don't even know where to start with this place...) I thought to myself.
"Been a while since we were last here..." Merciless mused behind me, her ethereal voice echoing out into the surroundings.
"Indeed." Basil grinned.
"Well then, this is where we part ways," ED72 suddenly said, catching everyone's attention.
"Aww, it's a shame you can't stay, buddy," Anna said with a pout.
"Unfortunately, business waits for no one. I will return soon," he simply responded without much care. "So please, enjoy yourselves while I go."
(Time to cut loose, I guess...) I thought, as ED72 left after everyone said their goodbyes.
"Welp, where should we start first?" Iris asked, and I could only shake my head.
"I have no idea..."