After pondering for a moment about what to do, Karl decided to proceed with the system change.
"Ding! Processing... Updating system…"
The screen shifted, lines of code scrolling down in rapid succession. It seemed to be a computer language he had never encountered before! As a computer technology student, and since it was one of his greatest passions, he tried to find any similarity to the languages he knew well. But alas, he couldn't find any.
"The Host has selected Conqueror Class." An azure-colored notification panel materialized in front of him. "Welcome to the path of a conqueror! The system wishes you good luck."
This was something new—the system had never shown any goodwill toward him until now! Karl felt as though the system itself, usually emotionless, acknowledged the difficulty of his choice, hinting at the countless risks and rewards ahead.
Just as he steadied himself with a deep breath, another notification appeared.
"Recommended Subclass Option: Techno Wizard."
The words lingered, challenging him to grasp their meaning. Karl's brows furrowed as he focused on the term.
"Techno Wizard?" he muttered aloud.
He turned to see Marina Throwart, his divine servant and the librarian of the Universal Library—a vast archive containing knowledge from countless worlds across the universe. Earlier, she had answered every one of Karl's questions with perfect emphasis and detail. Yet now, even she looked... puzzled.
"This 'Techno Wizard'… I've never come across it," Marina said, her voice tinged with uncharacteristic uncertainty. "The Universal Library holds records of the rarest subclasses known across the planetary realms, but… even I have found no information on such a title. It must be incredibly obscure."
It was the first time Karl felt both apprehension and excitement. The idea of a path so obscure that even Marina had no knowledge of it was exhilarating. Coming from a technologically advanced world, unlike this one, he could only imagine the kind of power a Techno Wizard might wield—unique, mysterious, and with untold potential.
"Techno Wizard: A rare subclass under the Conqueror Class, granting the user the ability to harness magical energy to fuel high-tech machinery, weaponry, and advanced suits. Despite being one of the hardest subclasses under Conqueror Class, this subclass has the highest potential for a person like the host, if mastered correctly."
Once again, Karl felt as if the system had become more attentive to him after the recent upgrade. He had a sense that the latest function, "System change," had transformed the previously unreliable system into something more user-friendly and attentive.
"Wow, this is really new! I never thought this crappy system would start acting like a caring mom!"
After a moment of thought, Karl's eyes lit up as he realized the potential. "So… I could power machinery, even weapons, with magic alone?"
"Affirmative. Being a Techno Wizard will enable you to channel magical energy, available in any environment, into a range of high-tech devices. However, this subclass requires skill and adaptability, as the potential has no limits and there is always room for developing new ideas. Innovation is the key to success on this path."
"Well, that's not a thing to be surprised," Karl murmured, his mind racing with possibilities.
Marina observed his expression with a flicker of concern. "Karl, I must warn you… paths like these are often hidden for a reason, you know."
Karl smirked. "Marina, have you ever seen me back down from something I wanted to do? I chose the Conqueror Class knowing the risk. This Techno Wizard subclass—it's my advantage. After all, what I love most is developing something new. You know where I'm from, don't you? You have to admit—this suits me perfectly! Finally, a way to break free from these boring cultivation techniques!"
"The system acknowledges and appreciates the host's decision!" Another system notification popped up in front of him. "Proceed with the subclass binding?"
"Shit! I still can't get used to this affectionate behavior of yours! Wait—do you have a gender or something?"
"Prefer not to say."
"Shit! I really don't like this! I don't like it at all!" Karl exclaimed, his mind racing with the possibilities hinted at by the system's answer.
'Whatever! Right now isn't the time for such thoughts!' Karl decided, mentally noting the system's mystery and marking it as a potential concern.
Then he nodded firmly, absolute determination shining in his eyes. "Proceed."
A blinding blue light engulfed the room as he felt a surge of mysterious energy course through his veins. It was like nothing he'd ever experienced before—intense and powerful. His entire existence began to transform, adapting to contain the boundless, hidden evolutionary potential within the magical energy flow.
The light faded, and Karl looked down at his hands. Small sparks of magical energy flickered around his fingertips, almost as if they were begging to be controlled by him. This energy brought a deep sense of comfort and satisfaction, as though his body had longed to be engulfed by this mysterious power.
"Congratulations, Host. You are now a cultivator in the Techno Wizard subclass."
Karl's head spun as a flood of knowledge—blueprints, diagrams, and strange formulas—filled his mind. His intuition guided him to hold out his hand, palm up. Closing his eyes, he focused, soon feeling something taking shape. When he opened his eyes, a golden, glowing device had formed in his right hand. It was a square, solid device about the size of his palm, marked with unfamiliar symbols that looked like an ancient language. Instinctively, he knew what it was.
"Ding... Quest completed. User has made his first module! Module name: Not named yet. Information: This device is a mobile toilet. It allows the owner to carry it easily in a pocket, with no worries about waste disposal, as all waste is incinerated to dust by the device's mechanism. Reward: 5000 universal points."
Marina's eyes widened in shock. "You… created that just now?"
Karl nodded, feeling a sense of pride. "It seems I can create essential tools for a Techno Wizard, as long as I understand their purpose."
"So what is it? What does it do?" Marina asked, her voice filled with intense curiosity.
"A mobile toilet?" Karl examined the module in his hand, his face lighting up with a mix of pride and fascination.
Marina blinked a few times in disbelief, green veins beginning to appear on her forehead, contorting her face in anger. "Bastard! You made a mobile what?"
"Toilet!" Unaware of her current feelings, Karl continued to muse about the potential of various types of portable toilets.
Before Marina could react, another notification from the system popped up, snapping him out of his reverie. "As a Techno Wizard, you have access to a vast array of modules and devices. Each can be crafted and used, as long as you understand its design and purpose. The more you use this ability, the more advanced and effective the devices you can build."
"This… could change everything," he said softly. He could see the potential now: custom suits, weapons, even vehicles powered by magical energy. In the past, weaponry and armor were limited by physical materials, but now he could transcend those limits, using magic to fuel any piece of technology he could imagine.
Marina studied him, anger still simmering. "Bastard, you dare ignore me?"
Karl looked at her, then down at the module in his hand. In a flash, he understood his mistake. "Ah, I guess I just got carried away a little. I apologize!" After weighing the pros and cons, he decided it was best to stay on her good side.
Karl's response took her by surprise, and her anger quickly dissipated, replaced by a warm, gentle look in her eyes.
"Very well, Karl. If this is the path you have chosen, I shall assist you in whatever way I can. But I urge you to tread carefully. The Conqueror Class alone is dangerous, but with this new subclass…"
Karl smiled at her concern. He laughed inwardly, feeling proud of his ability to influence her emotions. "I know, Marina. I've never backed down from a challenge before. Besides, choosing this class was my only option! Since I chose it, there's no way I'll do a half-assed job."
Just as he spoke, a notification flashed across his vision.
"Ding... New Quest: The First Weapon. Objective: Construct your first weapon."
Karl's heart pounded. "Shit! I don't have any experience with weapons! How can I even make one?" he bellowed, frustration lacing his voice. With no prior experience, this would be his first attempt at building something uniquely his—a fusion of magic and technology, powered by his very essence.
"Damn it… whatever!" he muttered to himself.
"'It's okay, just do your best. I believe in your abilities!' Marina encouraged him as she stepped back.
The Supreme Overlord System provided him with blueprints for the weapon—streamlined, adaptive, and flexible. He studied the designs, letting them settle in his mind.
The blueprint was for a rail gun—a massive, formidable weapon, roughly the size of an elephant. At first glance, he felt a flicker of disappointment. Of all the things he could have crafted for his second quest, did it really have to be something this colossal and complex? But backing out? That wasn't Karl's style.
Regardless of its difficulty, he mustered every bit of courage within his unbreakable soul, remembering his father's teachings.
"A man should never back down! That's the whole point of being a man. If you back down before challenges, remember—you're no better than a coward!"
His father's voice echoed in his mind, rekindling an inner fire that had helped him through countless hardships, even in his previous life.
With a steadying breath, he mapped out the steps in his mind, concentrating on the arcane power flowing through him. He knew he was on the verge of something miraculous.