The Diary and the Treasure Vault

"Journal"

On March 6, the new alchemical doll was successfully developed.

I used my flesh and blood to create a completely new version of myself. Although I have basic human life signs, due to the nature of my head organs, I cannot become a true human. I am an excellent material for making dolls.

On March 9th, the efficiency of knowledge transfer on the new doll was very high, but the upper limit of those who could truly master this knowledge was not high, only reaching the leader level at best, which was far from the development potential of mechanical life.

On March 18th, voices opposing me grew louder in the city. Everyone believed that we should take a positive attitude and make contact with extraterrestrial civilizations, as there was no future in staying on this barren planet.

On June 11th, for the time being, alchemical dolls are indeed inferior to mechanical life forms, but I have a new Dianzi.

If it could be achieved, perhaps humanity could also achieve immortality.

But this idea... never mind...

On November 2nd, the Alchemy Technology City (City of Alchemy Equipment) began to listen to the life forms that had visited from the "Galactic Federation" and was in contact with the Galactic Federation.

Preliminary assessment suggests that the civilization of the "Galactic Federation" is indeed superior to our Alchemy Civilization.

It's no wonder that most people in the city have reservations about me, thinking I'm too conservative and fearing that the royal city will be replaced by the Alchemy Technology City in the future.

On April 9th, I heard that the Technology City has contacted the "Galactic Federation". The Federation has sent people to investigate within our civilization and needs to be rated and registered.

On April 11th, the residents of the royal city no longer trust me and will soon begin a new round of referendums. I should no longer be able to be the leader of the royal city.

On April 19th, due to the existence of alchemical mechanical lifeforms in the Royal City, the Galactic Federation prohibited mechanical lifeforms with independent consciousness.

The expedition has now departed, the acceptance of the Alchemy Civilization and the registration have been cancelled, and war is imminent.

April 20th, so... I... am I really a "sinner" of the Alchemy Civilization?

April 22nd, I never expected the blow to come so quickly! The gap in civilization is truly enormous!

Fortunately, I am still the leader of the royal city and haven't been deposed yet. I have already activated the energy shield and initiated emergency defense measures, hoping to escape unscathed.

On April 23rd, a single slash cleaved a canyon in two, proving that every path, when pushed to its limit, possesses power far beyond imagination! The Galactic Federation's powerhouses have already reached another dimension!

Fortunately, with the help of the powerful beings of the Leviathan Civilization, as long as the surviving humans in our royal city stay underground and don't come out, we will not be subjected to further attacks from the Galactic Federation.

On July 7th, I was dismissed. Most of the surviving residents of the ruined city decided to go into hibernation, believing that they would no longer suffer attacks from the "Galactic Federation" after a thousand years.

Of course, there are also a few residents who want to go out and don't want to stay underground forever.

On July 19th, according to the will of the Leviathan powerhouse, the Alchemy Civilization has no future.

New civilizations on this planet will be permitted, as long as they do not come into contact with Alchemy Civilizations.

I have accepted the invitation from the Leviathan Civilization, and before I leave, I want to complete my experiment with alchemical dolls.

On December 9th, as expected, human life forms themselves are the best material for alchemical dolls.

I plan to turn my own body into a doll and leave it behind, as long as... (content torn out)

The diary entries end here.

He finally found the information he had been searching for about the relationship between the Galactic Federation and the Alchemy Civilization.

This was an unexpected outcome; the Alchemy Civilization had actually attempted to register with the Galactic Federation long ago.

It was only because of the alchemical mechanical lifeforms that the civilization of mechanical lifeforms with independent consciousness was not accepted by the Galactic Federation, or rather, was completely prohibited from being hostile. Therefore, the Alchemy Civilization was ultimately attacked Destruction by the Galactic Federation.

It's no wonder that in the fifth act, which follows the fourth, the main plot that Lister remembers is about resisting the combined attack of the Galactic Federation.

It is likely that after players have completed exploring the fourth act, the Alchemy Ruined City are fully exposed and come under investigation and attack by the Galactic Federation army.

So, is this because of revenge?

Wang Yue, who was beside her, asked softly.

Wang Yue had initially thought Hoffman was a heartless alchemical madman, but after reading the contents of his diary, she seemed to understand him much better.

Lister also recalled the seventh district, the refuge, which he had explored.

All the cryogenic chambers were destroyed from the outside. He thought they were damaged along with the bodies during the defense against an external crisis, and that everyone inside had been dried out to nothing.

It now appears that they were controlled by Hoffman, ultimately turned into alchemical dolls, and finally thrown to either side of the Third District passageway.

After reading the entire diary, Lister turned back again to look at the alchemical puppet that was following the two of them, its hands supporting its head.

Even when its health is almost depleted, the puppet's most basic actions are not restricted.

It must have been Hoffman, who was being controlled by the arrival, who gave the order, and that's why he kept following the two of them.

I noticed again the other person's yellowed fingers and the grime under their nails.

He had sensed something was off before, but he never imagined it would be a doll made by Hoffman himself.

No wonder so many skills were unusable, including some crafting-related skills like Alchemical Mechanical Bestowal; now everything is clear.

As for the first alchemical doll that Hoffman cultivated with his own flesh and blood mentioned in the diary, it is most likely the doll in the birthing area that looks exactly the same.

Opening the drawer of the table, there were several information crystals that had been sealed for a long time.

Lister glanced briefly at the beginning of the information in each crystal to confirm if it contained the information he needed.

The result, however, was information related to alchemical mechanical life and energy crystals.

"Energy crystals are the energy source of alchemical mechanical life forms, and also the origin of the consciousness of these mechanical life forms..."

"Unlike the alchemical machinery of the old era, the new alchemical machinery can gain consciousness and become a true living entity. The key is to perform a special process of endowment on the basis of the old alchemical machinery..."

"Each cycle of energy crystallization represents the rebirth of the mechanical life form's consciousness..."

"At the same time, each application also carries the possibility of failure. If it fails, the original basic programmed functions cannot be retained, the overall internal information structure will be destroyed, and it will be impossible to restore it to a basic alchemical machine, resulting in unintentional attacks..."

Lister glanced at Tia, who was also following behind him. So, this is the alchemical machinery of the old era?

Just as he guessed, it was a very ordinary programmed machine, not a living being, without self-awareness, and it would not attack humans.

It's no wonder the energy crystals on its forehead are red; from the perspective of the Alchemy Civilization's preferences, it gave this old-fashioned alchemical machine its favorite color.

Even Hoffman used this old-fashioned machine as a butler, probably similar to how wealthy people collect antiques.

But after the crucial Mechanical Life Bestowal, which is the final operation in the reproductive area.

Mechanical life forms that are born with consciousness will have their energy crystals turn green and become independent entities.

If it is born unconsciously, the energy crystal will remain red, becoming a blind, unconscious entity that indiscriminately attacks.

This is also the source of the so-called "contaminated energy crystals".

Therefore, the contaminated alchemical machinery outside the city is actually a failed product of the machinery manufacturing within the city.

Successful alchemy-enhanced mechanical lifeforms can move freely within the city, while those that fail will be teleported outside the city or become stakes in the 20th district's gambling area.

After quickly scanning all the information crystals, Lister and his companions headed to the next room.

He realized that Hoffman's residential area was a linear, corridor-style dwelling.

He walked through the training room, the study...

The final room had two doors; the large door on the left was open, allowing the two to enter directly, and it should be the passage to the first area.

The main gate on the right was locked, and Lister and his companion were warned when they tried to open it.

"Scanning in progress: Facial recognition error!"

Warning: Permission check failed. This is a restricted area for Lord Hoffman and entry is prohibited!

I didn't expect it to still be the old-fashioned facial recognition system?

Lister decided it was more important to get into District 1 and find Kavin Diehl as soon as possible, and prepared to leave.

Unexpectedly, Tia, standing behind them, spoke up to explain.

"Gentlemen, this is Master Hoffman's warehouse."

"This is an important area where the master usually stores precious alchemical materials and equipment. Do not enter without the master's permission."

At that moment, Lister immediately took a liking to the old-fashioned alchemical machinery.

As expected, programmed machines are more likely to reveal information.

Having explored the entire Alchemy Ruined City to this day, he has yet to gain anything substantial, and even his most important family sword has been broken.

Lister had no idea what area this was before, but now that he knew it contained valuable alchemical equipment, Lister certainly couldn't let it pass him by.

The thought of the black arm armor on the alchemical doll's arm made Lister even more excited.

Since access to this door was granted based on Hoffman's biological information, Lister couldn't help but look at the alchemical puppet behind him.

I pulled him to the front of the door and helped him support his drooping head.

"Scanning in progress: Facial recognition passed, iris scan passed,..., consciousness scan failed: unconscious state, identified as an alchemical doll."

Warning: Permission check failed. This is a restricted area for Lord Hoffman and entry is prohibited!

Seeing that even a real alchemical doll couldn't pass the test, Lister couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed.

He had initially thought that this older-style biometric authentication would be relatively easy, but who knew there was also a so-called consciousness scanning assessment? He had underestimated Hoffman.

"Click~ Click~ Click~!"

Just as he was about to give up, Wang Yue suddenly made a strange sound.

Her face Twist for a moment, then transformed into Hoffman's face, and her body suddenly grew taller.

The next moment, Wang Yue, who looked exactly like the Hoffman alchemical doll, was already standing in front of the door, waiting for the test.

At the same time, Tia, who was standing to the side, seemed to have triggered a judgment process and spoke up.

"Welcome home, esteemed Master Hoffman!"