Here's the bonus chapter for all the stones! I also want to thank the new Patreon members! 🎉🥳
I see that people love more this story than the Reality Quest one, it's comprehensible since Solo levelling is more known.
Now imma return to work on Reality Quest.
Since the ranking has reset, drop stones!!!!
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The tension in the room spiked. Whispers turned into barely audible gasps, and I could feel the stares of everyone present burning into me.
"No one says no to Mattia Falcone." I heard someone whisper.
Mattia's gaze bore into mine, his aura flaring ever so slightly, like the flick of a blade. It wasn't a threat, it didn't need to be. His power alone was enough to make even the strongest hunters think twice.
For a moment, neither of us moved. My heart pounded in my chest, but I didn't let it show. I met his stare with calm defiance, refusing to back down.
Then, just as quickly as the tension had risen, Mattia's demeanor shifted. His crimson aura faded, receding like a wave pulling back to the ocean. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips, and he nodded, his posture relaxing.
"That's fine." he said, his tone polite and surprisingly amiable. "I admire someone who knows what they want. I wish you the best on your journey, Leonardo."
With that, he turned and walked away, his steps deliberate but unhurried. The crowd parted for him like waves before a ship, and within moments, he disappeared from view.
The room remained silent for several long seconds before the whispers began again.
"He just let it go?"
"No way… That guy refused Mattia Falcone and lived to tell the tale?"
I ignored them, letting out a slow breath to calm my nerves. Angela and the others from my old squad were looking at me with a mix of awe and concern.
"Leo, what the hell was that?" Marco asked, his voice hushed. "Do you realize who you just said no to?"
"I do." I said simply. "And I'm not joining anyone, not yet."
Angela's sharp gaze softened, and she nodded slightly, as though she understood. "It's your choice." she said. "But be careful. People like Mattia don't come around without a reason."
I didn't respond, instead glancing at the others. "Looks like this is where we part ways." I said.
Angela smiled faintly. "Take care of yourself, Leo."
"You too." I replied.
One by one, the group dispersed, each heading off in their own direction. I watched them go, a small part of me feeling the weight of separation. We'd been through so much together, but things were different now.
After a moment, I turned and began my journey back to Alessandria. The streets of the city buzzed with life, but my mind was elsewhere. The S-Rank hunter's presence lingered like a shadow, a reminder of how far I still had to go.
I tightened my grip on the license in my pocket and kept walking, the faint glimmer of resolve burning brighter with each step.
....
The room buzzed with energy as I stood before the towering printer, its smooth metallic surface gleaming faintly under the overhead lights. It was a masterpiece, every wire, bolt, and circuit crafted to perfection. This wasn't just a printer. It was a gateway to creation, a tool that could redefine what was possible.
I activated the printer with a thought. Awà, as always, responded immediately.
[System online. Awaiting instructions.]
"Alright, let's put this to the test." I muttered. I focused, the AR holograms flaring to life before my eyes. Only I could see them, a sprawling virtual interface hovering mid-air. It was connected directly to the printer, synchronized seamlessly with the nano machines and Awà's processing power.
I pulled up the previous design of the mana bombs I had created in the dungeon. The holographic model spun slowly, its structure clear and detailed. 'Let's make this better, Awà. We've got stronger materials, more precision, and time to refine everything.'
[Understood, Host.] she replied. [Analyzing the previous design. Incorporating data from the current inventory. Proposing new alloy compositions for optimized durability and mana containment.]
The hologram shifted as Awà adjusted the blueprint, replacing crude components with intricate parts made from new alloys. These alloys were engineered on the spot, created from a mix of my memories and Awà's calculations. They were lighter, stronger, and designed to channel mana more efficiently.
I reached over to the table where I had neatly organized the raw materials. Goblin bones, jagged and uneven, were set aside in a pile. Their structure was dense but brittle, perfect for reinforcing the bomb casings once treated. Mana crystals and essence stones shimmered under the light, their energy palpable. Alongside them were scraps of metals, wires, and polymers, remnants of earlier use.
Grabbing a handful of goblin bones, I threw them into the printer's material compartment. They clattered against the metal surface before disappearing into the machine. Next, I added a few mana crystals, their deep blue hues glowing faintly, and two E-rank essence stones for raw energy. Finally, I tossed in scraps of metals, knowing they would be vital for the internal mechanisms.
"Let's see what you can do." I said, stepping back.
The printer whirred to life, its internal mechanisms humming with precision. A small compartment opened, revealing a glowing cavity where the materials were being processed. The goblin bones were the first to break down. The machine's mechanisms, guided by Awà, pulverized them into a fine, chalky dust at the molecular level.
The mana crystals followed next. Awà's precision was astounding. Instead of simply grinding the crystals, the printer's inner mechanisms dissolved them into a shimmering, liquid state. Using advanced molecular reconstruction, Awà restructured the liquid into countless cubic micro-crystals, each one perfectly uniform.
[Host, the process preserves 100% of the mana while increasing surface area efficiency by 230%. The cubic structure allows for more stable energy dispersion within the final product.]
I nodded, impressed. 'So, we're making more from less. Good.'
The essence stones underwent a similar transformation. Their cloudy, swirling energy was extracted and condensed into small, pulsating cores, each one no larger than a marble. Awà ensured that not a single trace of mana was lost during the process, maximizing their potential.
Meanwhile, the metals and scraps were melted and fused with trace amounts of mana crystal dust. This created a new alloy, lightweight yet incredibly strong, capable of withstanding both high pressure and intense mana bursts. The alloy was cooled and molded into thin, precise sheets and delicate internal components.
All of these materials converged inside the printer's core. The nozzles, controlled by Awà, worked with surgical precision, layering each piece with micron-level accuracy. The reconstructed materials were compressed, shaped, and fused into the new mana bomb design.
One by one, the bombs emerged from the printer's output tray. Each was the size of an apple, sleek and polished, their surfaces engraved with intricate mana-conductive patterns. These patterns weren't just for show; they enhanced the bombs' energy flow, ensuring that the mana was released in a controlled and devastating burst.
By the time the process ended, there were ten finished mana bombs sitting neatly in the tray. The printer powered down with a soft hum, and I stepped forward to inspect the results.
I picked one up, turning it over in my hand. It was far more advanced than the crude bombs I had made in the dungeon. The casing was durable yet lightweight, the internal components perfectly balanced. I could feel the latent energy thrumming beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed.
"And we still have materials left." I said aloud, noting the untouched scraps in the input compartment. 'Awà, give me the stats.'
[Completed mana bombs meet all specified requirements. Estimated explosive yield is 400% higher than the previous design, with enhanced shrapnel distribution and a more stable mana core. Material efficiency increased by 57%, allowing for additional production with existing resources.]
I couldn't help but laugh, the sound echoing in the room. This was beyond anything I'd imagined. With just a fraction of the materials, I'd created ten bombs that were not only superior in design but also incredibly resource-efficient.
"These…" I said, holding the bomb up to the light, "are going to change everything."
[Affirmative.] Awà said. [The current design is optimized for combat scenarios. Would you like to proceed with further refinements or begin testing?]
I set the bomb back into the tray, my mind already racing with possibilities. This printer wasn't just a tool; it was a revolution. And I was only scratching the surface of what it could do.
"Let's move on to the next project." I said, a determined edge in my voice. There was no time to waste.
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This is the last day to like the OC of your choice!
Go on chapter 17 and propose your own or go to like the one you like! Bob does not count since it's a meme.
Since the ranking has reset, drop stones!!!!
On Patreon you might find a free advanced chapter... Who knows..
Patreon: Mr_Graythorn