Chapter 22: Building the Underground Base

Wei stood at the edge of a clearing, watching the tall trees sway in the wind and the sound of nature filling the air. He already knew where he would build his base. From the very beginning, when he still played Minecraft with mods, he had a clear preference: underground bases. They were safer, easier to protect, and offered discretion against any external threat.

"An underground base will work perfectly here," Wei said, looking at the flat, solid ground.

The Ghost, floating beside him, analyzed the area. "Good choice. The terrain is stable, and the surrounding vegetation helps camouflage the entrance. With the materials you brought, we can integrate advanced systems without drawing attention."

Wei opened his HUD, checking the available resources and starting to plan the layout of the new base.

Initial Underground Base Plan

Camouflaged Entrance: A hidden door among roots and stones, with automated access. Main Room: A spacious chamber with reinforced metal panels, housing the energy core and support systems. Research Laboratory: A space dedicated to studying the Enigma Stone and the magical crystals from the world. Resource Storage: A secure location to store materials brought from the ship and items found in the world. Expansion Area: Tunnels for future construction, including dormitories and offices.

Wei activated his T-7 Support Droids, which quickly floated toward the clearing. He marked the location of the entrance and began the work.

The droids started digging with precision, using their integrated tools to create a straight, smooth tunnel that spiraled downward. Meanwhile, Wei organized the materials brought from the ship and began thinking about how to integrate magic and technology into the new base.

"This reminds me of automatic mining mods," Wei said with a smile. "The difference is that this time, it's not a game. It's real life."

As the droids dug, Wei installed the first reinforced metal plates on the tunnel walls. The entrance was camouflaged with stones and local growth, making it invisible to anyone passing by.

Initial Structure Completed

After a few hours of work, the underground base was functional. The main room was equipped with a Portable Fusion Generator to power all the systems. The Research Laboratory was ready, with terminals and tools set up to analyze the magical crystals and the Enigma Stone.

Wei was satisfied. "It's compact, but efficient. I can still expand in the future."

The Enigma Stone: Initial Mysteries

With the base operational, Wei placed the Enigma Stone on an analysis table in the laboratory. The stones glowed with a soft light, and the runic patterns seemed to move on its surface, almost as if they were alive.

"Let's see what you really are," Wei said, as the Ghost activated the scanners.

After a few minutes of analysis, a notification appeared on the HUD.

[Initial Analysis of the Enigma Stone]

Description: A magical artifact with dimensional manipulation properties. Detected Functions: Portal Amplification: Increases the stability and range of interdimensional portals. Magical Energy Core: Can be used as an energy source for spells or hybrid technological artifacts. Data Capacitor: Contains information about the advanced magic of this world.

Wei was intrigued. "So you're more than just a magical artifact. You might be the key to creating something new."

"I recommend we study the local magic," suggested the Ghost. "Integrating the technology you already have with the magical properties of this world could yield unexpected results."

Wei nodded, remembering the magical crystals he had found in the goblin cave. He knew the next step would be to understand more about the world's magic.

Before expanding his base or conducting new experiments, he decided to visit the village again to gather more information. He stored the Enigma Stone in the laboratory, ensuring it was safe, and headed to the surface.

On his way to the village, he observed his surroundings and saw how different this world was from the trash planet. Dense forests, crystal-clear rivers, and bustling villages stretched across the horizon.

Arriving at the village, Wei headed straight to the Adventurers' Guild. He knew this was the place to get information and perhaps even learn something about the local magic.

At the guild, Wei found a group of mages gathered around a table, discussing spells and rituals. He approached and showed one of the magical crystals he had collected.

"Can anyone explain more about this?" he asked.

The mages looked curious, and one of them, an elderly man with a long beard, replied, "This is a runic crystal. It's used to amplify magic or as an energy source in rituals. Where did you get this?"

Wei briefly explained about the goblin cave, omitting details about his technology. The old mage nodded. "You're lucky. These crystals are rare and valuable. But their true potential can only be unlocked by someone with advanced knowledge of magic."

Wei referred to the training, and the mage agreed to teach him the basics of magic in exchange for financial help and missions around the village.

Back at the underground base, Wei began combining what he learned from the local mages with the Ghost's analyses. He tested using the runic crystals as an energy source for small devices, achieving promising results.

"If this works on a larger scale, I can create something unique," Wei said, adjusting one of the terminals in the laboratory.

With the base completed and the first steps toward integrating magic and technology underway, Wei knew this world had much to offer. He looked at the Enigma Stone, still glowing on its stand.

"But first, I need to master this world and understand its magic."

The Ghost floated beside him, emitting a soft glow. "We're on the right track, Wei. But there's still much to explore."

Wei transmitted. "Then let's get started."