The most fundamental energy sources—firewood, coal, and oil—had taken humanity thousands of years to transition through. In peacetime, monopolistic giants tightly controlled any research into new energy, withholding it until every last profit could be squeezed from old sources. They even suppressed developers of alternative energy to protect their dominance.
However, the invasion by alien races shattered this stagnation. Oil, the old staple, was no longer accessible, forcing humanity to urgently seek alternatives. That's when they discovered the existence of energy crystals. These crystals, colloquially called "magic cores," came from mutated beasts or "magical beasts." Undead yielded "corpse cores," while insectoid invaders bore "insect crystals." Each contained immense energy, enabling the monstrous strength of their respective creatures.
Humans classified these crystals into nine grades, from the weakest F-grade to the legendary SSS-grade. Even the lowest F-grade crystal, like the ones Qin Cong recently scavenged, could fetch a substantial amount of food in Black Star City. To understand their power, a magical beast or undead with an F-grade crystal could effortlessly overpower a modern special forces soldier from peacetime—and might even take down two or three if those soldiers weren't armed with advanced weaponry.
Qin Cong's nine magic cores were pure opportunistic finds. Hunting such treasures was the primary activity of mercenary groups, who roamed the wilds for prey while eliminating threats along the way. No mercenary would scoff at even an F-grade core, as it could fund a night of indulgence. The Siberian wolf pack Qin Cong had encountered earlier had already been targeted by mercenaries, with their alpha yielding at least an F-grade magic core, possibly an E-grade. The cores Qin Cong scavenged were of far lower quality, likely from weaker wolves, which explained why they'd been left behind.
These energy crystals became humanity's salvation, powering weapons and defenses. Energy guns, electromagnetic rifles, and energy shields became the most sought-after tools. Energy guns harnessed the crystals to fire destructive blasts, while electromagnetic rifles used their power to launch projectiles, particularly effective against enemies immune to energy-based attacks. Energy shields provided protection against elemental assaults—fire, water, wind, and lightning.
For lower-tier mercenary groups lacking evolved members, these weapons and shields were vital. They relied on technology to hunt, forming the backbone of humanity's resistance. Beneath them in the social hierarchy, however, lay the powerless masses—orphans like Qin Cong, the elderly, and the infirm. These people had no access to genetic enhancements, no means to purchase weapons, and no resources to better their circumstances. They survived only thanks to government-distributed rations, which were so unpalatable that few would consider stealing them. This was the only saving grace for these downtrodden souls, as even local thugs found no value in exploiting them.
The iron shack where Qin Cong lived housed a group of such orphans. They had been cared for by a kind-hearted disabled mercenary who passed away two years prior, leaving them to fend for themselves. The rations, though barely edible, kept them alive. Their destitution confined them to the lowest strata of Black Star City, far from the affluent zones where the elite dwelled.
From the moment he reincarnated into this world, Qin Cong began preparing for his awakening. His goal was clear: to walk the path to godhood once more. The first step was to restore his magical power. Fortunately, the invasive energies from other planes had altered the physiology of all humans, granting Qin Cong a unique opportunity to begin anew.
What excited him even more was the presence of Zero, who had reincarnated with him. In his previous world, Qin Cong had built extensive knowledge databases within Zero. Though this new world was vastly different, those resources allowed him to draw comparisons and rapidly construct a new system of knowledge.
Among Zero's archives were numerous training methods, including those for wizards and knights. Knight cultivation methods were particularly appealing because of their simplicity and speed, enabling swift combat readiness. One such method was the "Blood Mark Knight" technique, which involved using magical beast blood to inscribe energy-infused marks on the knight's body, granting them a portion of the beast's strength. The power of a Blood Mark Knight depended on the quality of the beast's blood and the skill of the practitioner.
With his expertise, Qin Cong was confident in his ability to craft these marks. The challenge lay in acquiring magical beast blood. Fortunately, Qin Cong had scavenged extensively from battlefields, collecting blood from low-grade beasts abandoned by others. To preserve the blood's potency, he added herbs to prevent coagulation and energy dissipation. The red liquid he used earlier during his ritual was precisely this mixture. At any moment, Qin Cong could create several Blood Mark Knights.
After setting his plans in motion, Qin Cong left the area without unnecessary entanglements. Centuries of experience had made him pragmatic and calculating, his heart hardened by the cold rationality of a wizard. Concepts like morality and compassion held no sway over him; he cared only for self-interest and gains. Had this been his first reincarnation, he might have perished long ago, unable to stomach the meager existence.
But now, his years as a wizard enabled him to endure even the most wretched conditions. He could rationally eat the unpalatable rations, sometimes even analyzing their bizarre flavors and marveling at the creativity—or cruelty—of their creators.
Starting today, such days of subsistence were numbered. Qin Cong was determined to rise again, not just for himself but also to improve the lives of the orphans around him. He had absolute confidence in his ability to succeed.