"Five days to produce seven custom AES units?" Dr. Evren shook his head as the project team discussed the timeline in their morning briefing. "Even with Association resources, that's pushing the boundaries of what's physically possible."
"Specialist Black seems to specialize in pushing boundaries," Commander Frost replied coolly. "His prototype already accomplished what our previous attempts couldn't."
Bron had been considering this challenge since receiving the compressed timeline. Creating seven fully customized environmental systems would indeed be nearly impossible using conventional methods. Each unit required precise calibration to its user's biometrics, careful integration of specialized components, and extensive testing—normally weeks of work per unit.
But Bron wasn't limited to conventional methods.
"I can meet the timeline," he stated with quiet confidence. "But I'll need specific accommodations."
The team turned their attention to him, expressions ranging from skepticism to curiosity.
"What accommodations?" Frost asked.
"Complete privacy in the fabrication lab for extended periods," Bron replied. "My crafting process involves techniques I've developed independently—methods I consider proprietary."
Frost's expression remained neutral, but Bron detected a flicker of interest in her eyes. "Explain."
"The AES prototype succeeded because of how the materials are integrated at the molecular level," Bron explained. "My process requires intense concentration and specific environmental conditions that I can only maintain when working without interruption or observation."
It was a calculated request. Bron needed the privacy to use Sovereign's Grasp and his full range of abilities without detection. The excuse of protecting proprietary techniques would be plausible to most of the team.
Dr. Evren frowned. "Association protocol requires documentation of all crafting processes used in official projects."
"I'll provide complete technical specifications for the finished products," Bron countered. "The materials, the integration patterns, the functionality—everything needed to understand and maintain the equipment. Just not the specific fabrication methods."
Reyna, the female A-rank Hunter, leaned forward. "If his methods produce equipment that keeps us alive in the Sovereign Gate, I don't care if he dances naked under the moonlight to make it happen."
A few chuckles broke the tension. Kaiden, the male Hunter, nodded in agreement. "Results matter more than process. The prototype performed beyond expectations—that's what counts."
Commander Frost considered for a moment before nodding. "Security protocols allow for proprietary crafting methods under specific circumstances. Given the criticality of this mission and the unique nature of the equipment, I'm approving the request." She fixed Bron with her penetrating gaze. "The fabrication lab will be secured for your exclusive use during designated periods. The outer monitoring systems will remain active for security purposes, but the internal cameras will be disabled."
"Thank you, Commander," Bron replied, hiding his relief. The outer monitoring would track his entry and exit, but wouldn't reveal his use of Sovereign's Grasp or his SSS-rank abilities.
"One more thing," Frost added. "You'll need an AES unit yourself, as you're joining the expedition team."
This confirmation that he would personally enter the Sovereign Gate sent a pulse of energy through the shard near Bron's heart. "I've already incorporated my measurements into the production schedule," he assured her.
"What about material collection capabilities?" Dr. Evren asked. "Our primary objective beyond survival is gathering samples from the Gate's unique environment."
Bron had already considered this requirement. "I'll be modifying the AES designs to include specialized collection and containment systems. Each unit will have capabilities aligned with the user's role in the expedition."
With the accommodations approved and requirements clarified, the team dispersed to their various preparations. Bron returned to the fabrication lab to begin organizing materials for the intensive crafting process ahead.
The first privacy window began at 1800 hours, after regular staff had departed for the day. Bron activated the security lockdown on the fabrication lab, confirming that the internal monitoring systems were disabled as promised. Only then did he retrieve Sovereign's Grasp from their secure storage.
The masterwork gauntlets slid onto his hands with familiar comfort. Using their enhanced properties would be critical to completing the seven AES units within the compressed timeline. But first, he needed to make modifications to Sovereign's Grasp itself.
If he was entering the Sovereign Gate personally, the gauntlets would need additional capabilities—specifically, the ability to collect and analyze unknown materials they might encounter. His background as a miner gave him insight into what would be required for effective extraction and preservation of samples.
Bron spent the first two hours modifying Sovereign's Grasp. Using his Material Insight and Forge Dominion skills at full capacity, he reconfigured the fingertips to incorporate retractable micro-drills capable of extracting samples from various material types. The drills were composed of adaptive alloys that could adjust their hardness and rotation speed based on the resistance encountered.
For sample analysis, he integrated specialized sensor nodes in the palms that would work in concert with his Material Insight skill, enhancing its effectiveness with unknown substances. Finally, he added containment chambers in the forearm sections, small but secure spaces that could preserve samples in their original state regardless of environmental conditions.
When the modifications were complete, Bron tested the new capabilities by extracting a sample from a block of reinforced concrete. The fingertip drills extended smoothly, adjusting their rotation speed as they encountered different density levels within the material. The extracted sample was automatically transferred to a containment chamber, where it was preserved and analyzed by the integrated sensors.
[Sovereign's Grasp (Masterwork Gauntlets) - Updated]
[Additional Capabilities:
Adaptive Extraction System (Material Collection) Enhanced Analytical Array (Sample Analysis) Dimensional Stabilization Chambers (Sample Preservation)]
[Compatibility with Sovereign Gate Environment: 92%]
Satisfied with the modifications, Bron turned his attention to the primary task—creating the seven AES units for the expedition team. With detailed biometric data for each team member already loaded into the fabrication system, he began with Commander Frost's unit.
Using his full range of abilities enhanced by Sovereign's Grasp, Bron worked at a pace impossible for conventional crafters. His Material Fusion skill, now at Level 3, allowed him to integrate components at the molecular level with unprecedented precision. Material Enhancement pushed the properties of each substance beyond normal limits, creating stronger, more responsive materials. His Forge Mastery passive skill reduced the mana cost of these operations while improving their effectiveness.
The basic template from his prototype provided the foundation, but each unit required significant customization. Frost's unit emphasized command functionality, with enhanced communication systems and strategic analysis capabilities integrated directly into the neural interface. The outer layer incorporated additional stability crystals arranged in a pattern that complemented her natural energy signature.
Throughout the night, Bron maintained a steady workflow, pushing himself to his limits. The Association's advanced fabrication equipment, enhanced by his Forge Dominion skill, operated at maximum efficiency. By dawn, Frost's unit was complete and Kaiden's was well underway.
At 0600 hours, Bron secured his work, concealed Sovereign's Grasp, and ended the privacy protocol. He had accomplished in twelve hours what would normally take days, though the effort had depleted most of his mana reserves.
After a brief rest period and meal, he returned to the lab for regular work hours, focusing on aspects that didn't require his special abilities—component preparation, system programming, and routine assembly. The team members visited periodically to provide input on specific requirements for their units, unaware of how much progress had already been made during the night.
This pattern continued for the next four days—standard work during daylight hours, intensive SSS-rank crafting during his privacy windows. Each AES unit took shape according to its user's specific needs:
Kaiden's emphasized physical resilience and power management, with reinforced structural components to complement his combat-focused abilities.
Reyna's prioritized mobility and sensory enhancement, with additional flexibility in the joint articulation and advanced environmental scanning systems.
Dr. Evren's incorporated extensive analytical capabilities, with specialized sensors designed to document and categorize the Gate's unique phenomena.
Dr. Linh's featured comprehensive medical systems, capable of providing emergency treatment within the hostile environment if team members suffered injuries.
The two remaining S-rank researchers received units focused on data collection and dimensional analysis, with specialized equipment integrated directly into the AES structure.
Bron's own unit was the most complex, combining elements from all the others with additional features unique to his needs as a crafter. Beyond the standard protective systems, his AES incorporated specialized material manipulation capabilities, enhanced tactile sensitivity, and integration points that would allow Sovereign's Grasp to connect directly with the suit's systems.
By the morning of the fifth day—exactly as promised—all seven units were complete and ready for final integration testing. The team gathered in the main laboratory, expressions of amazement evident as they viewed the finished products.
"Impossible," Dr. Evren murmured, examining the intricate details of his unit. "To produce these in five days..."
"As I said, Specialist Black specializes in exceeding expectations," Commander Frost stated, a note of satisfaction in her voice.
The final testing phase began immediately, with each team member donning their customized AES unit under Bron's supervision. The systems activated smoothly, neural interfaces establishing connections, environmental controls adjusting to individual preferences.
"The fit is perfect," Reyna noted with surprise as her unit sealed around her body. "It moves like a second skin."
Kaiden performed a series of combat maneuvers, testing the suit's response to rapid movement. "No restriction at all. Better mobility than our standard field gear."
The technical team ran comprehensive diagnostics, confirming that all systems functioned within optimal parameters. Integration between the various specialized components was seamless, each unit operating as a unified whole rather than a collection of separate systems.
"Final environmental chamber testing will begin this afternoon," Commander Frost announced. "Each unit will undergo individual stress testing, followed by team synchronization evaluation tomorrow morning."
As the team dispersed to prepare for the final tests, Frost approached Bron privately. "Walk with me, Specialist," she directed, leading him away from the main laboratory.
When they were alone in a secured corridor, she turned to face him directly. "Your performance on this project has been exceptional. Beyond exceptional, actually."
Bron maintained a neutral expression. "The resources provided were substantial. And the team's input was invaluable."
"Resources and input don't explain producing seven masterwork-quality environmental systems in five days," Frost replied. "Especially not by an E-rank crafter working primarily alone."
This was the scrutiny Bron had anticipated from the beginning. Frost was too perceptive, too experienced to accept the discrepancy without question.
"I told you from the start that my methods are unconventional," he said carefully.
"Indeed." Frost studied him for a long moment. "The historical archives show that ancient crafters who worked with Sovereign Gate materials sometimes exhibited accelerated skill development—abilities that didn't conform to standardized ranking parameters."
This was new information, potentially significant for understanding his own unique abilities. "Is that why you specifically recruited me for this project?"
"Partially," Frost admitted. "Your approach to materials—treating them as dynamic systems rather than static components—resembles descriptions in the ancient texts. Most modern crafters are taught to impose order on materials. You seem to work with their inherent properties instead."
The observation was surprisingly accurate. Bron's Material Insight skill didn't just analyze materials—it revealed their natural tendencies and potentials, allowing him to work with rather than against their inherent properties.
"I appreciate your discretion regarding my methods," Bron said, acknowledging her unspoken message that she suspected but wasn't challenging his abilities.
"The Association's ranking system serves an important purpose, but it has limitations," Frost replied. "Especially when dealing with phenomena that predate our modern understanding of Gates and awakenings." She turned to continue down the corridor. "The expedition launches in three days. Your primary responsibility now is ensuring all team members are fully trained on their AES units."
As Bron watched her depart, he realized that his relationship with Commander Frost had evolved beyond simple suspicion or oversight. She had essentially confirmed that she knew he was operating beyond his registered rank but had chosen to utilize his abilities rather than expose him.
Whether this arrangement would continue after the expedition remained to be seen, but for now, their goals were aligned. Both wanted the Sovereign Gate mission to succeed, and both recognized that conventional approaches wouldn't be sufficient for the challenges ahead.
The final two days before the expedition launch were filled with intensive training and preparation. Each team member spent hours in the environmental chamber, learning to operate their AES unit under extreme conditions. Bron supervised these sessions, making minor adjustments and providing guidance on optimal usage patterns.
The AES units performed flawlessly in all testing scenarios, maintaining integrity even under the most extreme combined conditions. Team synchronization exercises confirmed that the units could work together effectively, sharing data and coordinating stability fields to enhance overall protection.
When not overseeing training, Bron spent time in the historical archives, using the special access Frost had granted him to research Sovereign Gates. The information was fragmented and often cryptic, preserved from ancient records that predated modern understanding of the Gate phenomenon.
According to these records, Sovereign Gates were not invasion points like modern Gates, but something more fundamental—nexus points where the fabric of reality could be manipulated or even reshaped. The ancient texts referred to them as "forges of creation," places where the boundaries between different aspects of existence became fluid.
Most intriguing were references to individuals called "Sovereigns"—beings who could interact directly with these Gates, using them to create objects with extraordinary properties. The descriptions were vague, but suggested abilities similar to what Bron experienced with his Material Fusion and Material Enhancement skills.
The connection to his own class title—Sovereign Forge Master—seemed increasingly significant. Was his awakening somehow linked to these ancient Sovereigns? Did the red stone shard in his heart originate from a Sovereign Gate?
On the evening before departure, Bron made final modifications to his own AES unit in the privacy of the secured fabrication lab. Unlike the others, his incorporated special integration points for Sovereign's Grasp, allowing the masterwork gauntlets to connect directly with the suit's systems when needed.
He also made one additional modification that wasn't in the official specifications—a specialized containment chamber near his heart, designed to stabilize the shard if it became active in the Gate environment. Based on his research, proximity to a Sovereign Gate might trigger unpredictable reactions from the fragment embedded in his chest.
As he completed these final adjustments, Bron reflected on how far he had come since his awakening seven months ago. From an unregistered blacksmith operating on the edges of the Buffer Zone to a specialist working with an elite Association team—his path had been unexpected and often dangerous, but had led to unprecedented opportunities to develop his unique abilities.
The Sovereign Gate expedition represented both his greatest challenge and his greatest opportunity yet. Whatever they discovered within that twisted labyrinth of altered reality might provide answers about his own mysterious awakening and the true nature of his SSS-rank class.
Bron secured his equipment and prepared to rest before the morning departure. The shard near his heart pulsed with steady warmth, almost like anticipation. Tomorrow they would venture into the unknown heart of the Northern Wilderness Gate—a place where reality itself became malleable, and where the origin of his powers might finally be revealed.
Launch day arrived with military precision. The expedition team assembled at the Association's Northern Command Center, a fortified facility near the wilderness area where the Gate had been discovered. Final equipment checks were conducted, communication protocols verified, and mission parameters reviewed one last time.
The AES units had been transported separately in specialized containment cases, protected from external interference until the team was ready to depart. As Bron supervised the final activation sequence, he noted with satisfaction that all systems remained at optimal performance levels despite the transport.
"Team, gather for final briefing," Commander Frost directed, her voice calm and authoritative.
The eight expedition members formed a circle, already dressed in their base layers—specially designed bodysuits that would interface with the AES units. Frost stood at the center, her expression serious but confident.
"This mission represents the deepest exploration of a Sovereign Gate ever attempted," she began. "Based on our previous expeditions and Specialist Black's equipment innovations, we have a realistic chance of reaching the core chamber and documenting what we find there."
She activated a holographic display showing the twisted passageways they would navigate. "Our primary objective is information gathering—understanding the nature of this unique Gate and its relationship to the standard Gates we've been dealing with for decades."
Dr. Evren stepped forward. "Sensor data suggests the core chamber contains an energy signature unlike anything we've encountered before. If our theories are correct, it may represent a fundamental aspect of the Gate phenomenon itself—possibly even its origin point."
"Survival remains priority one," Frost continued. "No data is worth sacrificing team members. If conditions exceed equipment capabilities, we retreat immediately. Questions?"
Kaiden raised a hand. "Combat protocols? Previous expeditions encountered no standard monsters, but reported... anomalies."
"Defensive engagement only," Frost confirmed. "We don't know enough about the entities within the Sovereign Gate to establish effective offensive strategies. The AES units incorporate defensive capabilities, but our primary response to hostility is strategic withdrawal."
After addressing a few more technical questions, Frost concluded the briefing. "Suit up. Departure in thirty minutes."
The team moved to their designated preparation areas, where their AES units awaited. Bron circulated among them, providing assistance as they donned the sophisticated equipment. Each unit activated upon full integration with its user, internal systems humming to life as neural interfaces established connections.
When all team members were fully equipped, they gathered at the transport platform that would convey them to the Gate entrance. The AES units gleamed under the facility lights, their surfaces shifting with subtle patterns that reflected the internal energy flows.
Bron checked his own system one final time, confirming that all specialized components were functioning properly. Sovereign's Grasp was secured in their integrated position within his AES unit, their capabilities enhanced by the connection to the larger system.
Commander Frost stepped onto the platform, her voice amplified through her suit's communication system. "Project Deepdive is now active. Maintain communication protocols at all times. Stay within designated formation patterns. Trust your equipment and your training."
As the transport activated, carrying them toward the Gate entrance, Bron felt the shard near his heart pulse with increasing warmth. Something about this mission felt like destiny—as if every step since his awakening had been leading to this moment.
The Northern Wilderness Gate appeared on the horizon—a massive distortion in reality visible even from a distance. Unlike the geometric precision of standard Gates, this one appeared chaotic, its edges blurring and shifting as if struggling to maintain coherence in normal space-time.
Bron checked the team formation. Eight figures in advanced environmental systems, about to venture into a phenomenon that defied conventional understanding. Each represented the pinnacle of their specialization—elite Hunters, brilliant researchers, and himself, the SSS-rank forge master disguised as an E-rank specialist.
As they approached the Gate entrance, the distortion grew more pronounced. Reality seemed to bend around the threshold, creating visual effects that confused the eye and disoriented the mind. The AES units responded automatically, their stability fields strengthening to protect their wearers from the initial effects.
"Final systems check," Frost commanded. Each team member reported their status in sequence, all systems showing green.
"Specialist Black," Frost said finally. "As our equipment expert, your assessment?"
Bron surveyed the team, his enhanced perception noting the subtle energy patterns flowing through each AES unit. "All systems optimal. Stability fields synchronized. We're as ready as we can be."
Frost nodded, turning to face the Gate entrance. "Then let's make history. Project Deepdive, advance."
As one, the team stepped forward into the swirling distortion. Reality twisted around them, normal physical laws beginning to distort. The AES units activated their full protective capabilities, creating a bubble of relative normalcy within the impossible environment.
Bron felt the shard in his chest respond to the Gate's energy, resonating with the surrounding distortion. This was what it had been waiting for—contact with the environment that had created it. Whatever secrets lay at the heart of this Sovereign Gate, he was finally on the path to discovering them.
The team moved deeper into the twisted passageways, leaving the normal world behind. Their journey into the heart of the Sovereign Gate had begun.