Tribute of Mind .

## Yerevan, Armenia - Eugene's Laboratory, One Week Later

The dimensional portal opened with mathematical precision in the center of Eugene's laboratory. Unlike the chaotic tears that monsters created, this gateway was perfectly stable, its edges crackling with controlled energy that spoke of advanced understanding of spatial mechanics.

Three figures stepped through, their faces obscured by advanced optical distortion fields that made their features impossible to focus on. Even their voices would be modulated to prevent identification. The Council valued anonymity above all else.

Eugene stood waiting, his expression calm and professional. Behind him, Yulshiya sat gracefully in her usual chair, appearing to read poetry while actually monitoring every aspect of the encounter with senses far beyond human capability.

"Eugene," the lead figure said, their voice rendered completely neutral by the modulation technology. "We've come to inspect the delivery."

"Of course," Eugene replied, gesturing toward a section of the laboratory that had been sealed behind additional dimensional barriers. "Your orders are ready."

He approached a complex locking mechanism that required both mathematical calculations and biometric verification. The barriers dissolved, revealing a pristine chamber beyond. Inside, arranged on specialized mounting systems, were dozens of weapons unlike anything the world had seen.

The Council representatives moved forward, their optical distortions shifting as they examined the arsenal Eugene had created.

"These weapons are... different," one of them said, their modulated voice carrying a note of surprise.

Eugene smiled with quiet pride. "Yes, this time the magic guns I made are much better than before. I promise you, they will satisfy you. More than before."

The weapons were indeed extraordinary. Each one was a fusion of advanced technology and captured magical principles, crafted with Eugene's characteristic mathematical precision. Some resembled conventional firearms, but their components incorporated crystallized mana, dimensional focusing arrays, and power cores that pulsed with barely contained energy.

"Specifications?" the lead figure requested.

Eugene moved to the first weapon, lifting it with careful reverence. "This is the MK-VII Dimensional Rifle. It fires concentrated spatial distortions that can penetrate any known magical barrier. Range: fifteen kilometers. Power source: dimensional tap that draws directly from interdimensional energy currents."

He set it down and moved to the next weapon. "The Chaos Cannon. It destabilizes the molecular structure of whatever it hits, causing targets to literally dissolve at the atomic level. Based on entropy manipulation principles I derived from studying various destruction-type hunters."

The Council representatives examined each weapon with professional interest. These weren't crude magical artifacts or simple enhanced firearms. They were precision instruments of war, designed by someone who understood both the theoretical framework of magic and the practical requirements of combat.

"The ammunition?" another figure asked.

"Self-generating," Eugene replied. "Each weapon contains a miniaturized version of my power synthesis technology. They draw ambient mana from the environment and convert it into appropriate projectiles. Effectively unlimited ammunition as long as there's magical energy present."

Yulshiya rose from her chair with fluid grace, moving to a sealed cabinet that hadn't been there moments before. "Eugene," she said sweetly, "shall I bring the demonstration models?"

"Please," Eugene nodded.

Yulshiya returned with a smaller case containing what appeared to be sidearms. But like everything Eugene created, appearances were deceiving. These weapons hummed with contained power that made the air itself seem to vibrate.

"Personal defense variants," Eugene explained. "Designed for close combat situations. They fire concentrated bursts of various magical effects—fire, ice, lightning, force, even temporal distortion on the highest setting."

One of the Council representatives picked up one of the sidearms, examining it with evident expertise. "The craftsmanship is exceptional. How many can you produce?"

"With current resources, approximately fifty per month of the rifle variants, thirty of the cannons, and one hundred of the sidearms," Eugene replied. "However, if you provide additional facilities and raw materials, I can scale production significantly."

"And the special projects?"

Eugene's expression became more serious. "Those require individual attention. The prototype hunter-killer variants aren't ready for mass production yet. Each one needs specific calibration based on the target's power signature."

He moved to a separate section of the chamber, where a single weapon rested in isolation. This one was clearly different—larger, more complex, with components that seemed to shift and reconfigure themselves even while being observed.

"The Apex Neutralizer," Eugene said with quiet pride. "Designed specifically to counter S-Rank threats. It analyzes the target's magical framework in real-time and generates appropriate countermeasures. Field testing has been... exceptionally successful."

The lead Council representative studied the weapon with what might have been admiration. "You've exceeded our expectations, Eugene. These weapons will be invaluable for the coming operations."

"There's more," Eugene said, activating another section of the chamber. "I've also completed the requested modifications to existing hunter equipment. Enhancement arrays that can temporarily boost a C-Rank hunter's capabilities to A-Rank levels, defensive systems that can deflect even dragon-class attacks, and reconnaissance gear that operates across multiple dimensions simultaneously."

The Council representatives spent the next hour examining Eugene's creations, testing various functions, and discussing technical specifications. Their satisfaction was evident even through their anonymity measures.

"Payment has been transferred to your designated accounts," the lead figure finally announced. "Along with the resources for the next phase of development."

"And the research materials I requested?" Eugene asked.

"Already en route. You'll have access to three more S-Rank power samples by the end of the week, plus the dimensional stabilizer technology you wanted."

Eugene nodded, filing this information away for future planning. Each transaction with the Council expanded his capabilities and brought him closer to his ultimate objectives.

"There is one additional request," another Council representative said. "We need specialized ammunition for an upcoming operation. Anti-regeneration rounds that can permanently disable healing abilities."

"Interesting challenge," Eugene mused. "I assume you're dealing with someone who has supernatural recovery capabilities?"

"Multiple someones. High-priority targets who have proven resistant to conventional assassination attempts."

Eugene's mind immediately began calculating the mathematical requirements for such ammunition. Disrupting magical healing would require understanding the fundamental principles underlying regenerative abilities, then creating projectiles that could sever those connections permanently.

"Two weeks," he said confidently. "I'll need samples from targets with similar abilities for testing purposes."

"Already arranged. Yulshiya will receive the delivery coordinates."

Yulshiya smiled pleasantly, but Eugene caught the subtle predatory gleam in her eyes. She enjoyed their collection missions, particularly when they involved acquiring research materials from unwilling subjects.

"Excellent," Eugene replied. "Is there anything else?"

The Council representatives exchanged glances—at least, their optical distortions shifted in ways that suggested communication. Finally, the lead figure spoke again.

"Your optimization project. How close are you to completion?"

Eugene considered his response carefully. The Council supported his research because it aligned with their objectives, but he suspected they would have conflicting interests once his project reached completion.

"Significant progress," he said diplomatically. "The recent acquisitions have accelerated development considerably. I estimate another twelve months for full implementation."

"Good. The timeline for global operations has been moved up. We'll need both your weapons and your... personal capabilities... ready for deployment within eighteen months."

After the Council representatives departed through their dimensional portal, Eugene and Yulshiya stood alone in the laboratory once again.

"They're planning something major," Yulshiya observed, her voice returning to its normal gentle tone now that they were alone.

"Obviously," Eugene replied, already beginning mental calculations about the implications. "The acceleration of timelines, the request for anti-regeneration ammunition, the emphasis on hunter-killer weapons—they're preparing for large-scale conflict."

"Does that concern you?"

Eugene considered the question. "Not particularly. Their conflicts serve my purposes by providing testing opportunities and resource acquisition targets. As long as they continue supporting my research, their broader objectives are irrelevant."

Yulshiya moved closer, her expression becoming more serious. "And if their objectives stop aligning with yours?"

"Then we'll reconsider the relationship," Eugene said simply. "But for now, they provide valuable resources and eliminate potential obstacles to my work."

He looked back at the remaining weapons in the chamber—prototypes and experimental models that he hadn't shared with the Council. These were his insurance policies, designed specifically to counter the types of technology and magic that his current allies employed.

Eugene trusted no one completely except Yulshiya. And even then, his trust was backed by mathematical certainty rather than emotional attachment.

"Shall we begin work on the anti-regeneration rounds?" Yulshiya asked.

"Tomorrow," Eugene replied. "Tonight, I want to review the power synthesis data from our recent acquisitions. The Council's timeline acceleration means I need to prioritize my own optimization project."

As they walked back toward the main laboratory, Eugene's mind was already calculating probabilities and outcomes. The Council was useful, but they were also temporary allies at best. When the time came to choose between their objectives and his own evolution, there would be no hesitation.

The weapons he'd created for them were impressive, but the weapons he was creating for himself would be revolutionary.

**[WEAPONS DELIVERY: COMPLETE]**

**[COUNCIL SATISFACTION: CONFIRMED]**

**[RESOURCES ACQUIRED: SUBSTANTIAL UPGRADE]**

**[TIMELINE PRESSURE: ACKNOWLEDGED]**

**[CONTINGENCY PLANNING: INITIATED]**

Eugene's optimization project continued, now with the full backing of shadowy allies who had no idea they were merely providing resources for their own eventual obsolescence.