Chapter 90- Gene-Chain Techniques

Finally, Rion hefted the thick slab of iron from the cart, feeling its familiar weight. To any onlooker, it would appear to be nothing more than a simple piece of metal, utterly unremarkable. But he would not be carrying around a slab of useless metal for no reason.

The square plate was, in fact, a foldable shield—a compact, lightweight, and highly durable piece of equipment. Over the past few days, he had poured hours into fine-tuning its design, ensuring that it could withstand the most brutal of assaults. Made with a blend of rare materials he had sourced during past missions, the shield could absorb gunfire, resist energy blasts, and according to his calculations, reliably hold off attacks from Anomaly-class mutated beasts.

He flicked a small switch on the side, and the shield smoothly expanded with a soft hum, extending into its full size—four feet tall, two feet wide. The transformation was seamless. Its high-density alloy frame, though thin, was incredibly sturdy, designed to endure intense force while remaining lightweight. Rion tapped the surface with his knuckles, appreciating the solid sound that resonated from it.

What truly set it apart, however, was its compactness. With a quick press of the edge, the shield could be folded back into its original form, no larger than a notepad. This way, it could easily be stowed away and brought out in the heat of battle without any hassle.

Rion's attention shifted to the Dallakin-coated joints that enabled its seamless folding technology. This artificial primer was the key to the shield's remarkable flexibility and resilience. By applying a thin layer of Dallakin onto the folding components, he had managed to enhance the shield's durability while maintaining its lightweight properties.

Dallakin's unique molecular structure allowed it to maintain the integrity of the alloy joints even under extreme stress, distributing the force evenly across the material and preventing fractures. Without the primer, the shield would have been much bulkier to achieve the same level of strength, making it far less practical in the field.

'How are primers even made?' he muttered to himself, rotating the shield in his hands and checking the hinges and locking mechanisms.

This wasn't the first time Rion had pondered the nature of primers. Ever since he had started working with these materials that defied conventional understanding, he had been fascinated by their almost magical properties.

By definition, they didn't make sense—abnormal substances infused with an energy far greater than anything detectable on the surface. A simple metal plate engineered with a suitable prime material could resist explosions, endure corrosive environments, or, in this case, fold and unfold seamlessly without losing its structural integrity.

Unfortunately, Rion didn't have the time—or the resources—to delve into this field himself. Only material scientists had the necessary background and prerequisite knowledge to study these phenomena. Entire research labs dedicated decades to unraveling the mysteries of primers and creating new artificial primers.

He shook his head, forcing himself back to the task at hand. There was no point in dwelling on the unknown for now. Satisfied with the shield's performance, he collapsed it with a swift motion, watching as it neatly folded into its compact form. He set it on the table alongside some of his smaller gear.

With the day's work behind him, he finally settled into the somewhat comfortable chair in his room, letting his head fall back. The room, lit by the sharp glow of chandelier lights, was cluttered with scattered gadgets, modified weapons, and stacks of materials.

Stretching his arms, he felt the weight of his exhaustion settle in as his muscles began to relax. The mission to the research base had loomed over him, and with less than two weeks to go, and a sizable amount of funds in his account, he'd gone all out in his preparations.

In addition to creating new gear like the foldable shield, Rion had upgraded much of his old equipment. The Sentinel, his mechanical companion, had received the most attention. Its mobility was vastly improved, allowing it to better navigate uneven terrain, and its firepower had been significantly enhanced.

With the Sentinel's upgraded mobility and firepower, Rion had also invested in a high-end drone control program, refining its algorithms to ensure seamless autonomous operation. The improvements allowed the battle bot to react faster in combat, predict enemy movements with greater accuracy, and even execute complex tactical maneuvers without direct input.

His electromagnetic rifle, too, had undergone several key modifications. Rion had fine-tuned its range and stability, ensuring that it could perform at peak efficiency in the chaotic and confined spaces they were likely to encounter at the base. In addition, he improved the energy transmission so each shot would only consume roughly 5% of the nova core's charge, allowing him up to 20 shots before it had to be replaced.

Using rudimentary brain interface technologies he had managed to acquire through an exchange with the Normos Family's store, Rion had significantly upgraded the program that ran his ATVS. The enhanced system was now far better at interpreting the world around him, processing sensory data with greater accuracy and speed.

He'd also restocked his ammunition cache, ensuring that each custom-made bullet was optimized.

But his most significant upgrade was integrating electromagnetic systems into his handguns and gloves. Now fully operational electromagnetic, the handguns boasted increased firing speed, range, and armor-piercing capabilities, while the gloves now had better force control, giving him a lethal edge in close-quarters combat.

He had also enhanced the gloves with an integrated grappling hook mechanism, inspired by insights gained while crafting a magnetic Rosa some time ago. The compact system allowed him to launch a reinforced cable capable of securing to distant surfaces, giving him vertical mobility that complemented the gloves' capability to stick to metallic surfaces.

Of course, it wasn't just gadgets he'd focused on—he'd also invested in improving his origin cultivation. Three new Mid-grade techniques had caught his attention, and he had managed to acquire them with careful budgeting. The first technique was the familiar Energy Absorption Technique, but compared to the one he was using before, the effectiveness of this new technique was by at least 40%.

Before he bought the technique, his Early-stage cultivation required him to spend at least an hour actively practicing the Low-grade [Energy Absorption Technique I] to bring his origin-energy reserves back to full after being emptied out, or close to four-and-half hours if he left his body to recover passively.

But since he switched to the [Energy Absorption Technique IV] Mid-grade technique, he still required roughly the same time to refill his Mid-stage energy reserves.

Of course, that wasn't to say there had been no improvement. The amount of energy he commanded at the Early-stage paled in comparison to what he now had at the Mid-stage.

During a visit to the Normos Family's cultivator testing chambers—where they housed an Energy Measuring Device—he had taken the opportunity to gauge his exact reserves.

At the Early-stage, his maximum energy level had been capped at 89 nits. Now, at the Mid-stage, he was holding a whopping 125 nits.

The difference was staggering.

Not only did he recover origin energy faster thanks to the [Energy Absorption Technique IV], but the sheer increase in reserves meant he could use his ability more frequently and for longer durations in battle. He wouldn't have to ration his energy as strictly as before, which translated into greater adaptability in combat situations

The second technique, [Abstract Thinking], was an attribute enhancing technique that increased his thinking speed and mental faculties each time it was practiced.

The third technique however, [Tier-1 Gene Chain-Endurance Enhancement], was less immediately useful but a vital investment in the long run. It was a part of a category of origin techniques titled Gene-Chain techniques which were aimed at improving a cultivator's energy. As for the technique he had chosen, while it wasn't immediately useful in battle, it promised to smooth his eventual breakthrough to the 2nd tier by enhancing the potency of his origin energy.

His greatest limitation to breaking to the Mid-stage had been the quality of his energy, forcing him to rely on shortcuts like the Wild Energy potion which he ultimately had to use two of. If his calculations were correct, then he'd need at least nine to breakthrough to the Late-stage and probably thirty to breakthrough to the Peak-stage.

Apart from the fact that this would rack up an unimaginable financial cost, there was an even bigger problem with using Wild Energy potions. Much like gene solutions, these potions couldn't just be taken at will. The potent energy they contained came with severe risks if consumed recklessly. The general rule was clear: take no more than three at once, and then wait at least two months before considering another dose.

Ignoring this rule was a death sentence. As he experienced when he used it, the Wild Energy potions had earned their name for a reason. Untamed, the energy they introduced into the body was like a wild storm, amplifying one's power in a surge of chaotic force. But it came with a price.

If a cultivator tried to take more before their body had fully processed the previous dose, the energy would reach a peak—unstoppable and uncontrollable. It would tear through the cultivator's body from the inside, shredding their internal organs, and eventually leading to their death. Even if they survived, the damage could be irreversible.

But there was another hidden catch, one that frustrated Rion the most. Any progress gained from the potions would begin to decay during the two months of rest. Essentially, the body would start to "forget" the boost it had received, and a significant portion of the advancement would be lost.

This was where the [Tier-1 Gene Chain-Endurance Enhancement] came into play. Unlike the potion, this technique worked from the inside out, enhancing the quality of his origin energy naturally and steadily. By cultivating his energy to be closer in quality to that of a 2nd-tier cultivator, he would have an easier time breaking through the stages while limiting his resort to extreme measures. The progress would be slower, yes, but it would be steady, reliable, and most importantly—safe.

Still, it had been an eye opener to see just how many techniques the Normos Family has in display.

The chance to get a glimpse at the origin technique list that was provided once again showed him the difference between a small player like him and large factions like the Normos Family. Despite his running around since he arrived in this world, he had only one Mid-grade technique in his possession, the [Energy Strengthing-Magnetism] technique which Malik had obtained by luck. But on the list the supplier provided to him, he saw a lot of Mid-grade techniques and even some High-grade ones.

While he could have splurged on more techniques, he had ultimately decided to manage his funds and remain practical. The high-end origin techniques were tempting, but he simply couldn't afford them right now. As much as it rankled him, the resources needed to obtain them vastly outstripped his current means.

Still, he wasn't entirely powerless. To make up for the expenses, Rion had fallen back on an old skill: enhancing his teammates' gear for extra cash. His reputation as a talented engineer had spread through his squad, and it didn't take long for his new comrades to start bringing him their weapons and armor, asking for modifications. It wasn't glamorous work, but it was lucrative, and it kept his supply of materials steady.

His gaze drifted to the scattered equipment all around him. He knew he had done everything he could to prepare for the mission, yet a nagging thought crept into his mind:

Was it enough?

The mission to the secret base wasn't just going to be just another battleground. They were all running in blind, unaware of whatever traps they would face within, and the rival factions would be on the prowl, all after the same prize. Rion knew his team was walking into a storm of violence and chaos.

"I wonder how many players are taking part in this elaborate game."

Rion guessed it shouldn't be more than five to seven main groups. Any more, and the risk of exposure became unacceptably large. None of the people in the know wanted to share the bounty. However, the current competition for the Area 69 and all its bounty would eventually come to an end.

Once a faction became a winner, the incentive to keep the news about the hidden pinaccle research city a secret disappeared. If nobody took any precautions, the entire populace might learn the truth.

He shook his head. "It probably won't come to that. Something explosive as this news is just too impactful to be revealed to the public. I don't believe those powerhouses at the top forgot to take precautions."

At least he was in a position to benefit from the excursion. If he hadn't accepted the mission, he might have never gotten an opportunity to gain classified information. As for preparations for the mission, he had done all he could to safeguard his interests, no doubt.

His fingers drummed against the armrest as his mind wandered back to the job at hand. "No use overthinking it," he muttered. He just needed to do his job when the time came.

Rion's gaze shifted to the small stack of books he had acquired sometime during the week. Among them were rare volumes containing proprietary knowledge on fields that piqued his interest. As advanced as his understanding was—thanks to his past life experiences with technology far beyond this world—there were still things he could learn.

The discovered mechanics of origin energy, bio-engineering principles, and how this world integrated physics into technological designs all held valuable insights.

He picked up the first book, the start of a series on Artificial Musculature: Principles of Actuation Mechanisms. One of his long-term goals was to build an exo-suit for himself, a suit of armor that would incorporate a lot of his technological expertise.

While he had seen a lot of them in his previous life and had even managed to snag one to pilot at some point, he had never created one from the ground up

For that, he needed to better understand the delicate balance between converting energy to mechanical motion. The exo-suit would have to be more than just heavy armor; it needed to be agile, responsive, and capable of enhancing his movements without restricting him.

As he thumbed through the pages, skimming dense schematics and theoretical explanations, he nodded appreciatively. The authors had clearly put years of work into creating this foundation of knowledge, and while it wasn't on par with his existing knowledge base, it offered a new perspective. The challenge, as always, was to adapt what he knew to this world's resources.

Just as he settled deeper into the mechatronics book, eager to dive into the chapter on design considerations, there was a sudden, loud knock on the door. Rion frowned, glancing up from the page as the knocking grew more insistent.

With a sigh, he got up, first checking if his mask was on properly before moving toward the door. When he opened it, Vance stood on the other side, grinning ear to ear.

"Forger! You gotta come to the arena!" he said, barely able to contain his excitement. "There's a pair of 1st-tier peak-stage strykers that are going to duel each other tonight at the Crimson Crown! Gather up your kilas and let's go bet!"