Chapter 279: Technological Revolution (1)

Howard, the avatar that was born through the medium of Jaonic's treasured pickaxe, 'Elinne.'

There was one thing he realized anew while devoting himself to production with that other species' body.

'Indeed. With this much talent, it would be hard for other races to not feel a sense of deprivation.'

That was the fraudulence of the existence known as 'Dwarves'.

In the first place, technology was a culmination of experience and theory that was born from the blood and sweat of countless artisans, technicians, and engineers over many generations. And also, it was a golden tower of knowledge that was built up by their endless agonizing and research.

As such, it was only natural that there were limits on acquiring it in a short period of time, as well as on developing it.

'That's common sense.'

But the race that completely ignored that system was the dwarves.

Everything about them, from their way of thinking to their sensory functions, was different from other races.

They had unique creative logic that was not even sufficient to be described by the word "creativity". It was basic for them to instinctively perform precise processes that surpassed precision machinery, and they even understood processes that required complex calculations with only their feelings.

It was no exaggeration to say that they were a race that was specialized for creating something from birth.

'Maybe if they didn't have flaws in other aspects, dwarves would have become the dominant race in the world.'

Fortunately, or unfortunately, they had a disastrously low level of common sense in other areas, unlike their unreasonable genius in production.

It was to the point that it wouldn't be strange if they had become extinct or fallen into slavery if they didn't have such talent.

"Ooooh— this is… indeed!"

And, that overwhelming talent of the dwarves was completely passed down to the avatar, Howard.

A secret base that had been prepared near Incheon, South Korea.

Howard's eyes, which had been remotely summoned inside the warehouse there, twinkled.

Before him, who was overwhelmed with emotion as if he had faced a treasure, were the magic tools from various worlds that he had been collecting one by one.

'It's really different when you see it in person! And all the functions are working properly!'

A vividness that was different from what he had experienced indirectly stimulated his five senses relentlessly.

It was a completely different sensation from when he had handled the otherworldly objects that had lost their individuality after being transferred through shared senses, or by being brought over to Auterica.

"Huh, this is also interesting. What on earth was this made of?"

He picked up a metallic trinket in the shape of an animal's tooth and sniffed at it as he looked at it carefully.

Lick—

Not stopping there, he even licked it with his tongue.

"Smack, smack. Calcium phosphate? It seems closer to bone than a tooth. Indeed, it's metallic but also organic. Did they put a curse on it here? The heat treatment is too rough to even look at, but it's not bad that they focused on bringing out the characteristics of the material."

Howard, a learned dwarf who had also gained insight into the scientific knowledge of Earth through his continuous systematic education.

He raised his specially made glasses with one hand and nodded seriously.

The shining lenses and the baggy pure white lab gown that was worn on the outside made him look particularly intellectual.

'Even though I look like this, I'm already someone that Jaonic has acknowledged as a master.'

For him, items that had originated from another world and contained unique systems were like a well-prepared feast.

Like when Hans had encountered techniques from another world.

And also like when he finally awakened "The Path of Magic" at the end of it.

And such a feeling reached its peak at the moment when he had touched the prosthetic eye, surpassing the reinforced exoskeleton that had been recovered from Yullyeongja.

"Huh!"

The moment he saw it, lava, called inspiration, erupted like a volcano, breaking the frame that had been confining him.

Was this what a breakthrough was like?

'This…'

Seeing, hearing, touching, hammering, smelling, and biting.

After going through such a series of processes while being completely out of his mind, Howard was able to be certain of one thing.

'…This is definitely something that a dwarf made.'

A dwarf from another dimension, not where he was from.

Of course, that race would not be completely identical to the dwarves of Auterica, where Howard belonged.

Maybe their race name, as well as their appearance and other detailed characteristics, would be completely different.

'But…'

The basic framework that was the root of it was definitely that of his own kind.

"Dwarvish Creative Logic," which had deeply permeated Howard, was vehemently insisting on it.

'This is amazing. Is there some sort of open source for creating intelligent beings that's being shared among the gods?'

The question that had come up before while experiencing vampires from various dimensions rose again.

However, what was important to him now was not such a secret of the world.

Howard was enthusiastically and mindlessly indulging in the marvels of the civilization in front of him while huffing through his nose.

"Oooh— it's wonderful. Very wonderful!"

The race that had an absolute advantage in terms of technology, the dwarves.

But despite their existence, the level of science in Auterica was not very high.

There were many reasons for that… but the biggest was one thing.

'It's because of the environment. Or more precisely… the culture.'

It was a world where there were monsters who could fight against armies single-handedly, and where it was not impossible to blow away a castle with a single spell.

In fact, there was even the precedent of an Undead King, a moving disaster, that had ruined half of the continent.

Naturally, the ultimate goals of the dwarves could not help but be affected by that.

By creating the ultimate divine swords that could cut through anything, impregnable armor that was like a moving fortress, and magic tools that contained miraculous powers.

And by contributing to the eradication of the great evil when it was placed in the hands of someone who was qualified for it.

'There would also be a difference in the basic science that was the foundation. Perhaps the "world view" that a dimension had also had an indirect influence on it.'

But now, Howard, who was here on Earth where all sorts of civilizations of other dimensions intersected, was different.

The dwarf in the white coat, wearing glasses, and with the appearance of a researcher, curled his lips and contentedly stroked his beard.

He was not bound by anything.

No one could block his growth, and even the world could not limit the direction of his creations.

"Puhahahaha! My hands are itching!"

Howard moved busily, waiting for the time-acceleration barrier, "Room of Time and Space", which Hans had carefully set up at the Incheon safehouse, to activate.

As spacetime magic was very difficult, and it also had the limitation of having to be deployed secretly, it was just about a day that even Hans could properly maintain it for at a time…

'A time dilation of ten times is not bad. At least it's about the same level as when I was in the other world.'

He had already finished all the necessary preliminary preparations while having Heterosis prepare the safehouse.

Now, all he had to do was just devote himself to his research with all his might.

Furthermore, wasn't he currently also receiving the effects of "Growth Elixir"?

[Hmph— then shall we begin?]

Soon, Hans, who had quietly appeared outside the safehouse, not knowing when he had gotten there, activated the barrier, and the time inside began to flow in a different flow than the outside world.

"Oho, this prosthetic eye is really amazing, the more I look at it!"

"Hmm, come to think of it, this reinforced exoskeleton was also given to Yullyeongja by that guy called Dr. It's definitely a bit different from the others. Is it a handmade item using materials from another world?"

"There's no reason why I can't do it if someone else can! Let's see what I can do!"

Howard, who was passionately moving while constantly muttering to himself.

And as time passed.

Around when the clock's hands had made almost a complete circle.

"The individual has gained an insight through repeated training. Skill 「Magical Engineering」 is acquired."

It was as if the fruits of his diligent training, while continuously consuming the growth elixir, had sprouted. Howard was able to understand more about magic engineering in less than 5 days since he had begun his secluded training.

And when only a little bit more than a day had passed in outside time, but 10 days had passed in inside time, and the barrier was about to lose its power—.

'…I see. I think I understand something now?'

"The individual has fulfilled a condition and awakened potential. Special skill 「Technological Revolution」 is acquired."

He was finally able to achieve the desired results that he had initially set as his goal.

At an earlier time than he had expected.

-Individual Name: Howard

-Race: Dwarf

-Common Characteristics: 「Mind Hub」, 「Persona」, 「Super Recovery」, 「Clear Mind」, 「Herculean Strength」, 「Hypersensitivity」, 「Insight」, 「Xenoglossy」

-Individual Characteristics: 「Artisan Spirit」, 「Dwarvish Creative Logic」, 「Song of Fire and Metal」, 「Artisan's Soul」, 「Technological Revolution」, 「Metallurgy」, 「Precision Fabrication」, 「Magical Engineering」

-Special Notes: Due to the influence of the "Growth Elixir", additional growth bonuses are given to all actions. He has explored magical engineering with consistent effort and has understood its essence. He has become able to intervene with items created with technology from other worlds and modify a part of it using "Technological Revolution".

'…Wait, if I use this well…'

Maybe it would be an even greater achievement than what he had expected.

The imperial hospital, located in a corner of the Azelion Empire's imperial palace.

After the attack by the masked figures, including Stav, who had become a dark knight, Hesperon had once again been hospitalized for a long-term stay.

"Uh, is it really not possible?"

"It's not possible. You must take complete rest and watch the situation further. Please don't worry. We have prepared divine barriers from the order for mental stability, as well as aromatherapy, massages, and even the bards of the imperial palace. In addition to that, we can bring in various books as well as a mage who will help you with training at any time. So please rest comfortably here."

Even though some time had passed after the treatment for the side effects of that time, no matter how much he argued that he was fine now, the medical staff, who had received direct orders from the Crown Princess, would not budge.

In the first place, wasn't their obligation to show their loyalty to her and not to him?

-Riley, I'm really fine now.

-…I'm sorry. I'm almost finished with the work on this side, so please bear with me a little longer. I will quickly sort out everything when I go back.

Riley, who was connected via the "Chain of the Oath", replied with an apologetic voice.

In fact, he knew why she was being so cautious.

The atmosphere throughout the entire imperial palace was extremely ominous, to the point where he could even feel it while being at the hospital.

After the previous attack on the Crown Princess, the commotion that even involved the captain of the Imperial Guard was settled. But it had not even been a few months since the security of the entire capital had been tightened even further.

Naturally, this attempt to kidnap Hesperon was also something that would have never been able to happen, if it had been normal.

After all, wasn't it an empire that was said to be the strongest on the continent, and the capital, which was at its center, no matter what anyone said?

'And yet, it actually happened.'

Even though they set a trap in the outermost slums, where security gaps were inevitable, and someone disguised as a driver lured him to that side… that was not an excuse.

One way or another, the result was already clear.

Someone high up who was involved with security had deliberately created a gap in the defenses, and the criminal was captured at the scene, where the stage had been set up.

With the former captain of the Imperial Guard, who had been said to be dead, falling to dark magic.

'The imperial family has lost a lot of face.'

It did not change the fact even if the goal of that operation was a mere house guest, and not a member of the imperial family.

Just how great was the wound to their pride from this event that the emperor, who had previously taken a step back and only supported the Crown Princess while she took the lead, had directly stepped forward?

It meant that he had crossed the line that he had been overlooking because it was his in-law's family.

-It's because she was in a hurry that she made a blunder. But you don't know what kind of crazy things they'll do now that they're cornered, so that's the safest place for you right now. The head of the hospital is completely neutral, but he will never sit back and do nothing if something happens in his hospital. In fact, he's the strongest in the imperial palace other than the head of the Imperial Guard.

-Oh, is that so?

-I heard that he was Marquis Lawrence's senior. I was told that he changed his path due to personal matters.

-I see….

Although he agreed with her, Hesperon could not help but click his tongue in regret inwardly.

Anyway, if he had to give the conclusion in short, it meant that he had to stay still because it was dangerous now.

'I am grateful that they are worried about me, but…'

For him, who had been planning to quickly go to Earth for a bit, the current situation could not help but feel frustrating.

Of course, if he set his mind to it, he could easily go and come back using unsummoning. But the moment he did that, chaos on an even more tremendous scale would occur.

'Things like life signatures within the imperial palace will be checked in real time.'

Furthermore, wasn't the hospital director also a grand mage, who was on par with the head of the magic tower?

Perhaps if he disappeared, an emergency situation would be declared immediately after they detected the anomaly. And if he were to appear in the imperial palace again after that… perhaps it wouldn't end in an awkward situation.

'Tsk, I wanted to try it right away, should I just put it off until next time? …No, wait. Come to think of it, I don't have to go all the way to Earth.'

Hesperon, who had been thinking for a while, got up from his spot with shining eyes.

In his hand, which was striding forward, was a pearly-white orb.

A bead that was like a simple ornament, with no energy felt from it.