Chapter 63

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The next destination for the three was the blacksmith alley in Munnae-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu.

Although it was only one subway station away from Sinjeong Station, the subway was currently out of operation.

Given that there was no place as challenging as the underground tunnels for monster extermination, it seemed it would be closed for a few weeks.

They eventually moved on foot and were almost there when...

"Hey, look over there, it seems there are still some monsters."

Park Junmo pointed somewhere and said.

In front of a shop, fully armed AMT troops were lined up.

They seemed to be a detachment sent from elsewhere for the Seoul extermination, and the traces of a recent battle were evident.

Bloodstains were splattered throughout the alley, and bodies presumed to be zombies were scattered.

"Damn, the underground passage is too narrow to enter!"

"Hey, let's throw a few fire spells in there!"

"I've tried a few times, but it doesn't seem to work!"

They were still busy, seemingly continuing the clearance operation.

This showed that Seoul was still in a dangerous state.

"Even after thousands of people have been fighting monsters for three days, it still hasn't ended."

"Maybe it's because so many gates have opened. I heard over a hundred."

"Hmm... I wonder if it's really safe to allow traffic with the situation still like this."

While Park Junmo and Kim Sehee were having this conversation, Lee Hyunwook couldn't join in.

'What a nightmare...'

He was being crushed by an immense pain, making it hard to breathe.

- An 'Aether Engine' is forming in your heart. (42%)

* Severe pain may accompany this!

He felt as if his breath was being cut off, as if his heart would stop at any moment.

However, the good news was that the formation speed was faster than expected.

'Now that it's about half complete, I just need to hold on for another 30 minutes.'

While enduring the pain, they had already entered the blacksmith alley and soon arrived in front of the most dilapidated building, the workshop of Master Kang Jeongdu.

"Sir, I'm here."

"—Oh, the hero has arrived!"

Kang Jeongdu took off his magnifying glasses and hurried out.

"Even though you have to prepare for the move, you must be very busy because of my request."

"Haha—since my household is so modest, there's not much to pack."

"You can now move to a better place and furnish it with nice items."

Lee Hyunwook had hired Kang Jeongdu and Kang Hyesul as the exclusive blacksmiths of the Hope Guild and promised to provide them with a new residence and workshop nearby.

Kang Jeongdu, though feeling burdened, did not refuse.

He wouldn't want his granddaughter to grow up in a narrow and old workshop.

"Of course, it's all thanks to you, General. I will never forget this kindness."

Lee Hyunwook forced a smile despite the pain.

"How is the item I asked for coming along?"

"Of course! I'm not an expert in magic engineering, but the item is coming out well!"

Although he said that, Kang Jeongdu had been learning magic engineering skills for quite some time.

"Hehe—thanks to your efforts, a mysterious island appeared in the sky over Seoul. It's called Laputa or Rapyuta, and it provides all sorts of buffs, making the work flow smoothly."

"Ah, that's good to hear."

"Then, please wait a moment, and I'll bring the item out."

Thanks to Laputa, the area had received numerous buffs related to production capabilities.

As a result, the blacksmith alley was experiencing unprecedented productivity.

In a few years, this place could become the center of the world's item manufacturing industry.

A short while later, Kang Jeongdu pulled a cart out of the warehouse.

"Here it is."

On top of the cart was a large square object—a black steel box.

Its surface was engraved with circuit-like patterns, giving it a distinctly engineering feel.

When Kang Jeongdu flipped the activation switch—

Whirr—!

The circuits on its surface glowed blue, and the heavy body lifted into the air.

However, there were no visible physical propulsion devices like propellers or air nozzles.

"This thing has a 'flight core' inside, so it can float when supplied with mana."

Indeed, it was flying purely by magical power.

The magic engineering aircraft, 'Feikongji,' was floating thanks to the power of the flight core.

"Wow, what is this?"

"What are you going to use it for?"

Park Junmo and Kim Sehee asked simultaneously.

Lee Hyunwook replied.

"Well, to put it simply, it's an 'automated aerial deployment device.'"

"Deploy what from the air?"

"It will supply the weapons I use."

"Ah!"

Kim Sehee and Park Junmo finally understood and clapped their hands simultaneously.

Lee Hyunwook's combat power increases exponentially with the number of metal weapons he can handle.

This was evident from his ultimate move, 'Steel Rain.'

However, he couldn't carry all of them, and he couldn't open portals at every moment.

'Opening a portal in the sky is actually very inefficient.'

Considering that over thirty mages are required for a single portal, it was a significant loss.

In this regard, such an aerial deployment device, if properly developed, would be extremely useful.

The method of creating dozens of these devices, storing them in a hangar, and calling them when needed—this was a technique Lee Hyunwook had used in his previous life, and it was time to implement it.

Of course, since this was just a prototype, it would take some time before it could be deployed in actual combat.

"But, it doesn't look more than 2 meters in length and width, so it can't hold many weapons, right?"

When Kim Sehee asked, Kang Jeongdu chuckled.

"This thing may look small, but it has a mini-subspace installed, allowing it to store up to 30 items."

"Ah—"

"Hehe, it's more substantial than it looks."

Lee Hyunwook examined the surface of the device. It was indeed clean and efficient.

"But, sir, how long can it operate?"

At this question, Kang Jeongdu showed a hesitant expression for the first time.

"To be honest, I couldn't solve that problem. There's no mana battery that can keep this thing running for long."

Indeed, as with all cutting-edge technologies, the battery was the issue.

At that moment, Lee Hyunwook took something out of his pocket.

"Then, how much longer do you think it will last if I install this?"

It was a small red mechanical device.

When Kang Jeongdu held it and read the system message that appeared before his eyes, his mouth dropped open.

"No, this is...?"

"Is it a good item?"

"Heh, it's not just good, this... there's no one in the country with this level of skill."

It was the 'mana heart' embedded in the chest of the Black Oaks, the advanced technology that was currently difficult to estimate in value.

It was likely a custom-made item from the Chad Republic's magic engineering research institute.

"About... if I install two of these, it should fly for about 50 minutes on a full charge. And since it can produce mana on its own, it can land to recharge and fly again."

However, Lee Hyunwook couldn't help but feel disappointed.

'Fifty minutes... it's still far from the equipment I used before.'

It couldn't be helped. The aerial deployment device he used was a future technology.

As disappointment showed on Lee Hyunwook's face, Kang Jeongdu began to show other items.

"Oh, look at me, here, look at these little guys too."

Kang Jeongdu took out some beads from a box, and they all flew up and glowed.

Whirr— Whirr— Whirr— Whirr—

"They have similar abilities to mana drones but are much smaller."

Indeed, they seemed to be tiny reconnaissance drones powered by a 'flight core.'

"I made these with the leftover flight cores. They are small and quiet, making them good for covert surveillance. And they can even self-destruct remotely."

"Self-destruct, that's pretty good."

"Yes, I think they could be helpful for the Steel Company's special operations. Haha..."

However, Kang Jeongdu's explanation didn't register with Lee Hyunwook.

- An 'Aether Engine' is forming in your heart. (62%)

* Severe pain may accompany this!

"—Gah."

The pain in his heart intensified.

Lee Hyunwook finally collapsed.

"Hey! Captain Lee Hyunwook—!"

Park Junmo supported him, but he couldn't stand up.

'Damn, is my heart really stopping?'

He felt his heart twisting.

And he could sense a powerful energy surging from within.

'Mana...'

Yes, his heart began to produce an enormous amount of mana.

At that moment, something strange began to happen.

Whirr— Whirr— Whirr— Whirr—

Inside the workshop, the magic engineering items that were previously inactive suddenly started operating.

"But, how... they don't even have batteries installed..."

With that, Kang Jeongdu's voice faded, and Lee Hyunwook lost consciousness.

***

- This morning, a briefing stated that the Seoul extermination operation is entering its final stages, but many monsters are still being found in various parts of Seoul...

A man's voice was heard from somewhere.

- ...As a result, there are increasing calls from the player community for the blessing of the Holy Maiden. The Holy Maiden, as the leader of the , can cast a wide-range blessing spell, but she has been extremely cautious about exposing her identity since facing an assassination threat two years ago. Will the Holy Maiden move for Seoul...?

It sounded like a TV news report.

Lee Hyunwook opened his eyes.

He was drenched in cold sweat.

'Here, oh, this is Kang Jeongdu's room...'

And a system message appeared before his eyes.

- Congratulations! You have obtained a new 'Skill' by meeting special conditions.

- Name: Aether Engine

- Level: D

- Effects:

1) Mana Heart: Increases total mana (+50,000) and mana regeneration rate (+500%).

2) Mana Transfer: Can provide 'mana' to players or 'controllable objects'.

3) Mana Link: Can 'synchronize' with the magic circuits of mana transfer targets.

* The skill level can improve if hidden conditions are met.

Lee Hyunwook slowly examined the content.

His heart had been modified to absorb infinite power, similar to a nuclear power plant.

And given the legendary level of the absorbed technology, its capabilities were truly remarkable.

'Even after significantly increasing my total mana by consuming the mana hearts from the Black Oaks a few days ago, this... I won't have to worry about mana anymore, it seems.'

- Mana: 59,441/59,441

In simple terms, it might now be possible to infinitely crush and deform metal.

'If I had been in this state when I encountered the Ironclad Beetles, I could have destroyed them one by one...'

However, the most important part wasn't the total mana.

The 2nd and 3rd skills were the core.

'Producing mana from my heart and supplying it to controllable objects...'

Lee Hyunwook recalled the strange scene just before he fainted.

The magic engineering items that suddenly activated...

At that moment, he felt a 'connection' with them.

'So, I can charge the mana batteries of magic engineering equipment? Moreover, as magic engineering advances and various items are developed, if I can use them freely...'

This was insane.

He thought this as he abruptly sat up.

"Ah! Master, you're awake?"

'Master'... Only Kang Hyesul would use such an absurd term.

She poked her head out from behind the sliding door.

"How long was I out?"

"About 15 or 16 minutes, I think."

It didn't seem like he was out for that long.

"Would you like some water? I also have yogurt."

"...Yogurt?"

"Yes, would you like some yogurt?"

"No, that's a bit strange..."

Offering yogurt to someone who just woke up from fainting—Kang Hyesul was indeed not normal.

Anyway, Kang Jeongdu, Kim Sehee, and Park Junmo were nowhere to be seen.

"Hyesul, where did everyone go?"

"After you fainted, they went to get a healer. But, it doesn't seem necessary, does it?"

"Ah..."

The workshop was right outside the room.

In the center, the aerial deployment device was placed.

Lee Hyunwook raised his left hand toward it.

Whirr— It really works.

And it slowly lifted into the air.

- 'Aerial Deployment Device (Prototype)' is starting 'Mana Transfer'.

* Mana decrease per second: 50

Just keeping it afloat consumes 50 mana per second.

However, a greater amount of mana is being restored in real-time.

'So, it's infinite power.'

Originally, he thought it would take several months of developing mana batteries to use this properly... but it seemed that was no longer necessary.

At that moment, someone rushed into the workshop.

"What... are you okay?"

It was Kim Sehee, holding health potions in both hands.

"Ha... I went to the AMT troops to get a healer, but they were in chaos. So, I borrowed these health potions. Here—drink this."

"Thanks, but I'm fine."

"Fine? Why did you suddenly collapse! I'm counting on you for the future, and if you suddenly die, what am I supposed to do!"

"Ha..."

"Do you have any serious illness? You fainted last time too."

Indeed, he had fainted when absorbing the 'Devil's Medal (Legion).'

He realized that eating random things could lead to serious consequences at critical moments.

"I'm fine. I won't die."

"Ha..."

At that moment—

Bang— Bang— Bang—