Chapter 41: Extraction and Creation

[Battle Iron Shop: Interior]

Arlo followed Grimar deeper into the shop, his curiosity piqued as the young dwarf led him to an enormous metallic contraption in the back. The machine gleamed under the workshop's warm lighting, its surface dotted with glowing blue panels and intricate rune

"What is this thing?" Arlo asked, squinting at the strange device.

Grimar slapped the side of the machine with a sense of pride. "This, my friend, is the General Item Extractor. State-of-the-art. It's going to break down your creepy glove and siphon whatever mystical power it's holding."

Arlo crossed his arms, looking skeptical. "State-of-the-art, huh? Looks like something Doc Brown would have cobbled together."

Grimar shot him a deadpan look. "You want the essence or not?"

"Fair point," Arlo muttered. He watched as Grimar opened a compartment on the machine, revealing a small chamber lined with shimmering crystals.

Grimar took the Freddy leather bladed glove from Arlo, holding it between two fingers like it was radioactive. "This thing is cursed. Not figuratively, either."

"Yeah, I got that vibe," Arlo replied, wrinkling his nose. "But the power inside it is too good to pass up."

Placing the glove carefully inside the chamber, Grimar shut the compartment and began pressing a series of buttons. The machine roared to life, its panels pulsing with energy. A low hum filled the air, growing louder as the chamber glowed brighter.

"Stand back," Grimar warned, stepping away.

A blinding flash filled the room, and the glove disintegrated into a fine dust. The glowing particles swirled inside the chamber before being funneled into a separate compartment.

Arlo saw the holographic screen:

[Extraction Progress: 12%]

Caution: Residual Oneiromantic Resonance Detected

Moments later, a metallic box slid out, its surface etched with containment runes.

[Dream Demon's Essence Acquired!]

Grimar retrieved the box and handed it to Arlo. "Here you go. Whatever nightmare fuel was in that glove is now neatly packed in here."

[Dream Demon's Essence]

Consumable, Material

Used: 10/10

Description: Allows sleep inducement, entry into dreams, and weaving dreamscapes.

Arlo's eyes lit up. "Ten units? That's... a lot."

Grimar shrugged. "Guess that glove had more juice than it looked. Creepy things like that usually do."

"This is perfect," Arlo said, a grin spreading across his face. With ten units, he could create multiple charms or experiment with new ideas entirely.

"How much do I owe you?" Arlo asked, pulling up his BrainLink.

"Fifty credits," Grimar replied. "Cheap, considering the nightmares this thing probably caused."

Arlo chuckled, transferring the credits. "You've got a point."

[Credits Transferred: 75]

[Balance: 1982 Credits]

As Grimar returned to his work, Damir entered the room, his booming laughter filling the space. "Everything sorted?"

Grimar handed the box back to Arlo. "All done. He's good to go."

Damir patted Grimar on the back, earning a quiet grunt from the younger dwarf. "This lad might not say much, but he's a genius with this stuff." 

Arlo raised an eyebrow. "Seems like a serious guy."

Damir sighed, a hint of fondness in his voice. "Grimar's not much for socializing. Lost his family young, like a lot of us. I found him wandering outside the mountains and took him in. He's been dedicated to his craft ever since."

Arlo nodded, sensing the weight behind Damir's words. "Thanks for sharing. He's lucky to have someone like you."

Damir waved dismissively, his grin returning. "Bah, don't get sentimental on me. Now go, you've got work to do, don't you?"

Arlo smiled, tucking the metallic box into his inventory. "You're right. Thanks again, both of you."

As Arlo stepped out of the shop and into the bustling street, he couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of purpose. The Dream Demon's Essence was safely in his possession, and his next steps were clearer than ever.

"Alright, Link," Arlo muttered, patting the Luxury Ball at his side.

"We're one step closer to being ready." With determination in his stride, he hailed a taxi, eager to return to his apartment and start his next project.

==================================================

[Quantum Cube Apartment Complex: Arlo's Room]

The package sat outside Arlo's room, an unassuming brown box that could've held anything from groceries to tech parts. He picked it up and carried it inside, the faint weight confirming his expectations. Once inside, he locked the door behind him, placed the box on the table, and pulled out his Luxury Ball. A beam of red light burst forth, forming into the familiar shape of Link. The Rockruff shook his fur and barked excitedly.

"Alright, buddy," Arlo said, kneeling to ruffle Link's fur. "I've got a lot to do today, so I need you to stay out of trouble."

Link tilted his head, clearly confused, but wagged his tail nonetheless. Arlo stood and walked over to the wall-mounted TV. After flipping through channels for a few minutes, he landed on a kids' show featuring animated show each other in exaggerated, over-the-top sequences. Link's ears perked up, his attention immediately locked onto the screen.

"There you go," Arlo said, smirking. "Enjoy the show, but no getting ideas about blowing up the apartment, alright?"

Link barked and jumped onto the couch, curling into a comfortable position as he watched. Satisfied that his Pokémon was sufficiently distracted, Arlo turned his attention to the package. He pulled open the box and began laying out its contents: clean silver plates, precision carving tools, and a few vials of mercury. From his inventory, he took out the Dream Demon's Essence, the small metallic container humming faintly as it materialized on the table.

"Alright," Arlo muttered to himself, surveying the materials. "Let's do this."

....

He arranged everything meticulously, aligning the silver plates in a neat row and placing the carving tools beside them. Each item had its purpose, and Arlo approached the process with the precision of a craftsman. He held one of the plates in his hand, feeling its cool, smooth surface. This was no ordinary crafting project; it was the first step in creating something tangible, something powerful. 

Arlo began by sketching out the intricate symbols he needed to engrave on the silver plates. The activation incantation, written in the Hermes language, was crucial to stabilizing the power of the Dream Demon's Essence. His hand hovered over the first plate, and he took a deep breath before making the initial incision with the engraving tool. The soft scrape of metal against metal echoed in the room, creating a rhythm that focused his mind. 

"This is like carving a pumpkin," Arlo muttered to himself, "except one wrong move and... boom, nightmare fuel everywhere." He chuckled nervously, trying to ease the tension.

The first charm took over an hour to complete. He infused it with a small amount of the Dream Demon's Essence, watching as the symbols glowed faintly, confirming the power's stabilization. The charm's rectangular shape gleamed in the room's light, the runes pulsating with a faint, crimson hue. Arlo set it aside and moved on to the next.

As he worked, he couldn't help but recall the chapters from Lord of the Mysteries. Klein Moretti had crafted mystical items with similar painstaking effort, though Arlo doubted Klein ever had to worry about distracting a hyperactive Rockruff with kids' shows. The thought brought a smile to his face.

Link occasionally glanced over at Arlo, his attention torn between the chaotic antics on the screen and his trainer's focused work.

Arlo noticed the curious looks but waved him off with a playful grin. "Don't worry, buddy. You'll get your turn to use these once they're done."

By the time he completed the fifth charm, Arlo leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms overhead. His fingers ached from the precise work, but there was a sense of satisfaction in seeing the glowing charms lined up neatly on the table. Each one represented hours of effort and a growing mastery over his skills.

He stood and walked to the couch, glancing at Link, who was now dozing off, his paws twitching slightly in his sleep. Arlo chuckled softly. "Even you couldn't resist the call of nap time, huh?"

Returning to his workstation, Arlo resumed engraving the remaining charms. His strokes became smoother, more confident, as he found a rhythm in his work. By the time he finished the eighth charm, it was evening, and the light outside had dimmed into twilight. He inspected the final piece, ensuring the symbol were flawless and the essence properly infused.

"Well," Arlo said, placing the last charm on the table, "eight out of ten isn't bad. Not bad at all."

Slumber Charm [Unique]

Consumable, Charm

Effect: This charm forcefully put peoples in its area to sleep.

Description: A rectangular piece of silver that contain the essence of a Dream Demon

He surveyed his work, pride swelling in his chest. Each charm glowed faintly, a testament to his growing capabilities.

He glanced at the time and realized it had been hours since he'd started. Shutting off the TV, he gently roused Link from his nap. The Rockruff yawned and stretched, blinking sleepily at his trainer.

Arlo reached down to pet him, smiling. "Good timing, buddy. I think we've earned ourselves some dinner."

Arlo prepared Link's meal with care, adding a few extra treats as a reward for being so patient. As Link devoured his food with gusto, Arlo reflected on the day's progress. The slumber charms were a success, and he was one step closer to being fully prepared for his upcoming quest.

"Alright, Link," Arlo said, leaning back in his chair as he watched his Pokémon happily munch away. "One project down, a million more to go."

==================================================

Morning light filtered into Arlo's room as he stretched and yawned, already mulling over the day's tasks. The faint hum of the Quantum Cube outside his window reminded him of the ever-present bustle of the city. He glanced over to Link, still snugly asleep in his cushioned bed, and smiled.

"Today's the day, buddy," he muttered. "Time to get some serious firepower."

After preparing breakfast, which Link devoured with his usual enthusiasm, Arlo took a quick shower and dressed in his go-to outfit: a simple sweater, jeans, and sneakers. He scooped up Link's Luxury Ball and called him back into it with a flash of red light.

Stepping out of his apartment, Arlo hailed a taxi through his BrainLink.

"Shopping district, Merchant Street," he said as he settled into the back seat.

The city whizzed by as Arlo stared out the window, mentally running through his plan. The need for heavier firepower weighed heavily on his mind. His upcoming quest wasn't just about survival; it was about outsmarting and overpowering his enemies. C-4 explosives seemed like the ideal choice—stable, versatile, and devastating when used correctly.

Arlo smirked as he thought about his earlier research.

"Who knew all those late-night action movies would actually come in handy?" he mused.

The taxi stopped in front of Merchant Street, bustling with merchants hawking their wares and shoppers weaving through the crowd. Arlo paid the driver and stepped out, heading straight for the Hidden Junk, his trusted source for unconventional gear.

Arlo stepped into the dimly lit Hidden Junk, the familiar smell of secondhand goods greeting him. His eyes scanned the shelves filled with mismatched equipment, weapons, and various oddities, all scattered like treasures waiting to be unearthed.

Making his way directly to the weapon section, Arlo moved with purpose, glancing over the racks. Firepower was the order of the day. This upcoming quest would be dangerous—a step up from the challenges he'd faced before. A sense of unease mingled with determination in his chest.

"Looking for something specific, kid?" a gruff voice called out from behind.

Arlo turned to see Mr. Seaworth, the shop's no-nonsense owner. The older man was wiping his hands on a rag, his sharp eyes studying Arlo like a seasoned gambler sizing up a bluff.

"Firepower," Arlo said, straight to the point. "Explosives, to be exact. The next quest's going to be a nasty one, and I need the big guns."

Michael raised an eyebrow, tossing the rag aside. "Bombs, huh? Alright, follow me. You're not the first one to walk in here asking for a little extra 'boom.'"

Arlo smirked at the comment, trailing behind Seaworth toward the back of the weapon section. The shelves became more robust and reinforced, housing equipment that looked far too dangerous for the average Pioneer.

Michael gestured to a metal shelf lined with compact beige blocks.

"This here is C-4," he said. "Stable as a rock and packs a hell of a punch. Won't go off unless you want it to, and even then, you'll need a detonator to set it off. Perfect for traps or, you know, blowing the hell out of whatever's in your way."

"So, is this what you're after?" Michael asked, watching Arlo's reaction closely.

Arlo nodded, his lips curling into a small smile. "Yeah, this will do nicely." Michael grinned. "How much are you thinking?"

"As much as you can give me," Arlo replied, his tone as serious as the glint in his eye.

Seaworth chuckled. "Big plans, huh? Well, I've got hundred blocks in stock. That's 500 credits."

Arlo winced internally at the price but nodded. "Done. And throw in some 9mm ammo while you're at it."

Michael handed him a small box of ammo, and Arlo transferred the credits through his BrainLink. The transaction completed, Arlo stored the explosives and ammunition in his inventory.

"You be careful with that, kid," Michael said as Arlo prepared to leave. "One wrong move, and you're toast."

Arlo laughed lightly. "Don't worry. I've got it covered. Thanks, Mr. Seaworth."

He opened his BrainLInk and after few push the transaction is complete

[Transferred: 500 credits]

[Balance: 1482 Credits]

As he stepped back into the bustling streets of the shopping district, Arlo felt the weight of his preparation starting to lift slightly. There was still more to do, though. His next stop was Maria's shop. With a determined stride, he hailed a taxi, mentally reviewing his growing arsenal.

"Let's finish this," Arlo muttered under his breath, glancing at Link's Luxury Ball clipped to his belt. His partner wouldn't just be watching his back in the coming fight—he'd be fighting right beside him.