Damon's Ascension-Chapter 70: Growth Of The Human Race 2

Damon, Felicia, and Xela moved deeper into the Research & Development Zone of the IUAS, where the very boundaries of science were being pushed by the universe’s top minds.

Unlike the structured elegance of the Administration Center, the R&D Zone was chaotic in design yet supreme in function, an ever-shifting labyrinth of floating platforms, data streams, and containment fields that held everything from microscopic quantum experiments to miniature artificial suns.

The space was layered, stretching vertically with floating walkways and transport beams allowing scientists to move freely between levels.

In every direction, there were holographic schematics that floated mid-air, displaying projects in progress from gravitational field stabilizers to dimensional compression engines.

Some rooms were sealed behind translucent energy barriers, within which scientists tested exotic materials capable of rewriting the very laws of physics.

Others held bio-mechanical entities, living organisms fused with technology that existed as hybrid test subjects for cybernetic evolution.

Standing at the heart of this controlled chaos was Lopaz, the Lead Scientist of the IUAS and the smartest man in the universe with the highest Mentality stat after Insect Queen Tatalina.

He was humanoid, though his elongated skull and silvery-blue skin hinted at his racial affiliation, which was with the 18th ranked Cerebraum Race. He wore a sleek neural-interface suit, but what stood out most was the massive helmet encasing his head, a complex device eerily similar to Cerebro from the X-Men series.

As far as Damon knew from his research prior to coming here, the helmet wasn’t just for show. It allowed Lopaz to interface directly with the quantum supercomputers of the lab, channeling his Mentality stat of above 100 to process data in real-time, something no normal scientist could ever hope to match.

When he turned to face them, his piercing violet eyes shimmered with excitement.

"Ah, yes! Yes! Humanity!" Lopaz’s voice crackled with raw enthusiasm, his fingers twitching as if his brain was running too many calculations at once.

"You have no idea how fascinating your species is! The data—the numbers!"

Felicia, who should have been the most excited to see her future boss, rather blinked. "Uh... thanks?"

Xela, caught off guard, took a half-step back. "Is everything alright, sir?"

Lopaz’s helmet hummed with energy, and a dozen holographic screens materialized around him, showing charts and graphs with Mentality-based power scaling.

"I have examined every species that has entered the Galactic Union, and do you know what sets you apart?" Lopaz’s eyes gleamed.

Damon remained calm. "Let me guess... our SSS Mentality stat potential?"

"Bingo!" Lopaz snapped his fingers, and several graphs zoomed in.

"Most civilizations have an average Mentality stat rank between F to D. A few rarely break C. But your species? Your upper limits are unknown!" As he pointed to the trio as if they represented the entirety of humanity... which they did in a way.

Felicia crossed her arms. "We’re still mostly weak compared to EX-rank species."

"Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong!" Lopaz grinned.

"What you lack is application. Your potential is there, but your technology hasn’t caught up! So..."

Lopaz dramatically swiped his hand through the air, and a massive data cube materialized before them, pulsing with energy.

"Consider this a... welcome gift to Civilization Level 2!"

Damon raised an eyebrow as he reached out to grasp the shimmering cube. "And this contains everything we need right?"

Lopaz smirked. "That’s right, the five fundamental technologies required to reach Civilization Level 2, in order of application."

He gestured, and five separate data streams extended from the cube, each containing a different breakthrough technology.

They were the ones Damon had just spoken about: Advanced Fusion Tech, Quantum AI, Alcubierre Warp Drive, Self-Sustaining Terraforming, and finally, Cybernetic and Genetic Enhancement.

"Hmm, thank you Lopaz. My compatriot here wishes to join the R&D department and contribute to the scientific growth of the IUAS." Damon did not forget to seek a position for his ally, Felicia.

Lopaz scanned Felicia from head to toe and shook his head. "She is definitely qualified, but not now. Firstly, you cannot join us during the 20-year grace period, and secondly, you need at least 50 points in Mentality."

Lopaz paused and tapped his helmet with a wry smile. "Of course, given that you have SSS Mentality, that should be the equivalent of 10 points in Mentality for you."

Felicia nodded and did not seem disappointed. "I will achieve the minimum standard necessary."

Damon smiled and bid farewell to the jittery scientist before leading his group out of the R&D section and into the Virtual World Hallway.

To the surprise of Felicia and Xela, he did not take them back to the lobby, but rather deeper down the hallway until they stopped in front of a certain name.

’Vritu Enterprises Marketplace’.

As Damon led the group through the threshold of Vritu Enterprises Marketplace, the world around them dissolved into shimmering digital code, reforming into a vast, open-air cityscape unlike anything found in reality.

They now stood in a bustling metropolis, suspended within a glowing virtual sky filled with cascading data streams and massive floating advertisement banners in a script that auto-translated to every visitor’s native tongue.

The architecture was a harmonious blend of nature and technology, as towering crystalline spires pulsed with energy while massive trees with bio-luminescent leaves stretched through walkways, their branches integrating seamlessly with the city’s infrastructure.

The atmosphere was alive with the holographic silhouettes of merchants and buyers, which represented billions of users across the known galaxy, each one a real entity that was plugged into this digital marketplace from their home planets, space stations, or even personal ships.

A group of elegantly dressed elven avatars oversaw the bustling marketplace from a grand floating pavilion above.

The Vritu Enterprises owned and operated this marketplace as the central hub for general trade across species, providing a regulated and tax-free zone where civilizations of all levels could exchange common goods without political interference.

One of the elven administrators, a regal woman clad in flowing silver robes with data glyphs orbiting her hands, floated down toward them.

"Welcome, travelers, to Vritu Enterprises Marketplace, the largest inter-species trade network in the known universe." Her voice was soothing yet authoritative, like that of a seasoned diplomat.

"What goods do you seek today?" She eyed their group one by one and her eyes soon narrowed as she recognized Damon, the most popular person in the universe of today.

Damon took a glance around, noting the distinct trading districts, each serving a specific function.

"A tour, first of all." He requested with a smile.

The elven administrator, clearly intrigued by Damon’s presence, gave a slight nod. "Of course. Vritu Enterprises prides itself on efficiency, so allow me to guide you through the primary districts of our marketplace."

With a wave of her hand, a shimmering map materialized before them, detailing the different regions of the virtual trading hub.

She gestured toward the grand avenues stretching before them, where holographic signs and floating markers directed the endless flow of traders. "The marketplace is divided into six primary districts, each catering to specific forms of trade."

Felicia crossed her arms, already scanning the digital environment with interest. "I assume there’s some level of segregation to prevent conflicts?"

"Precisely, trade disputes and political tensions are left at the gateway. This is a neutral zone, and all transactions are monitored for fairness." The elf confirmed with a look of pride.

"Now, let’s begin."

She led them forward, her silver robes flowing as though caught in a nonexistent breeze. As they walked, she pointed toward a vast, open-air plaza where goods from countless civilizations were displayed in virtual stalls.

"This is the Common Goods District," she explained. freewёbnoνel.com

"It serves as the heart of the marketplace. Here, traders exchange everyday necessities, which can be foodstuffs, textiles, tools, or cultural artifacts. While the goods may be ordinary, their origins are anything but. You will find your human coffee beans beside Jorge silks, or Insect crystalware next to handcrafted Dwarven metallurgy." She added with a hint of amusement.

Damon observed a merchant negotiating with a group of insectoid beings over a shipment of what looked like golden-hued grain.

"Wow, so like, it’s essentially the intergalactic version of a farmer’s market?" Xela inquired with wide eyes.

The elf smiled. "A crude yet accurate analogy."

They moved past the plaza, arriving at a section where shimmering data screens displayed endless rows of numbers, resources, and stock movements. Traders, some appearing as digital avatars, others as AI constructs, made rapid calculations and deals in real-time.

"This is the Resource Exchange District," she continued.

"Raw materials such as metals, minerals, and energy sources are traded here. Unlike the Common Goods District, where transactions are physical, this zone operates on large-scale logistics. Purchases are logged, shipments are sent across the galaxy, and entire economies shift with a single transaction." The elven avatar explained succinctly.

Felicia narrowed her eyes at the fluctuating energy values. "So this is where civilizations secure rare resources for industry and expansion."

The elven avatar nodded. "Exactly. From basic iron to exotic elements like Dark Matter Shards, if it exists, it can be acquired here... for the right price."