Chapter 112 : Chapter 112
Chapter 112 : Detection
Sal unfolded the blueprint and placed it on the workbench.
From the pile of Dr. Ameier's notes, he picked up a sheet with a breastplate rune drawn on it.
Sal pondered whether he should follow Dr. Ameier's design from the start or trust his own.
‘Considering the Captain described him as a Legendary-class Crafter, there must be a lot to learn from him.’
Sal had many facets, but at least arrogance wasn't one of them.
He picked up the entire folio filled with runes and information, scanning through them thoroughly and organizing them into a grid arrangement.
Once everything was laid out before him, Sal looked down at his own blueprint with a fresh perspective.
The Mythos Crafter ability didn't activate with just a simple diagram.
He had to implement the entire design presented by Dr. Ameier himself.
Sal smiled bitterly, wondering if this was perhaps Dr. Ameier's true intention.
"Is all of this to test me?"
Sal looked at Chatfield, who was reading materials on a tablet across the table.
Chatfield nodded without even lifting his head.
Unable to take his eyes off the materials, he muttered in a low voice, deeply engrossed.
"Yes, it's a test. You restored an existing Core to Epic rank and elevated an existing sniper rifle to Legendary rank. There's also the Rare rank sword you tweaked. But as far as crafting ability from scratch goes, the only reference we have is the equipment you crafted during the mounted combat. Dr. Ameier handed you a few puzzle pieces and said let's watch what you create. The Cores in there will provide you with more than enough Essence. Ultimately, this depends on you. How well you perform is the key."
Chatfield flipped the tablet over so the screen faced the table.
He looked at Sal and met his gaze.
"I will use my concept ability to replicate the result you complete. Then I'll submit it to the Guild Association and the Hunter Bureau for evaluation. With the materials here, you can attempt it a few times. So take your time and do your best."
Sal exhaled, whistled in admiration, and looked down at the materials on the table again.
The Cores on the tray all seemed brimming with Essence.
He immediately recalled the process of making Hannah's gauntlet.
That was the last time he had crafted solely with brute force, without technique.
Remembering that night in the dorm and realizing how much he had grown, a smile spread across Sal's face.
However, he had no intention of diving blindly into crafting without any preparation.
Sal silently took a fresh sheet of blueprint paper and laid it over the existing blueprint based on Quest's Tracker design.
Since he didn't know the attributes of Scarlet Screen or Moonsilver, he had no way to integrate them into the design.
It was the same as applying attributes to equipment.
To use them in a design, he had to understand their power first.
Sal regretted not having appraised these two materials in the past; if he had, he could have reflected that knowledge in the abilities.
He began to sketch a rough outline of a new Tracker by combining Dr. Ameier's design with his own.
At that moment, an idea suddenly struck him.
Sal stepped back from the blueprint and moved quickly around the table to face Chatfield.
He picked up the smallest piece of Scarlet Screen and set it aside.
Chatfield looked at him with raised eyebrows, but Sal paid no mind and activated his glove.
He forced the glove to activate by channeling explosive power into his body.
Then, the glove on his hand transformed into a mechanical form.
Like a reflex, Sal hurriedly withdrew his Essence, suppressing its output.
A brief moment was enough, but Sal shot his Essence into a Core on the table to bind himself and create a moment to catch his breath.
He knew his plan clearly, and based on the memory of crafting the gauntlet, an idea formed.
The sniper rifle scope he had made with Martin had already been appraised, so the rune engraved on the lens still remained in his head.
Wanting to use minimal materials, Sal picked up a Moonsilver plate and cut off a thin strip.
His index finger, transformed like a bird's claw, glowed in response to his thought, slicing the Moonsilver in a perfect line.
Sal's left hand whirred into action, refining the Scarlet Screen fragment into a more manageable state.
The sensation was like kneading soft marble.
The combination of his Essence and the mechanical arm processed it in an instant.
Sal picked up a coin-sized disk and held it up to the light.
‘It's still a bit rough, but I can refine it enough with Essence in the finishing stage.’
Sal sent a mental signal to his right arm, which instantly transformed into an engraving tool and began carving the rune he had engraved on the sniper rifle scope.
Each line was microscopic but perfectly carved.
Sal checked it three times from every angle, adding fine adjustments until he was satisfied.
Using his Essence, he stretched the Moonsilver strip, originally the length of his palm, to nearly double its length.
While it changed shape, still glowing and cooling down, Sal pressed it around the edge of the circular Scarlet Screen lens.
‘There will be time to smooth the surface later. Right now, fusing the two is the priority.’
Since he didn't need the entire Moonsilver strip to wrap around the coin, Sal broke off the remaining part and set it aside.
Sal's mechanical arm moved immediately, injecting Essence to refine the combination of materials.
The surface area wasn't large, so there was no room to engrave analysis runes.
He wasn't even sure if all of this would work properly, but his curiosity to see it through to the end was immense.
Once the coin was successfully refined, Sal turned his attention to the spare Moonsilver strip he had rolled up and stored.
He envisioned a small but elaborate chain to connect to his creation.
Though it seemed like an absurd design on the surface, there was logic to it in his head.
Since the chain had to be made by linking dozens of small loops, it was actually the most difficult part of the entire process.
Due to its microscopic size, it would have been a terribly tricky task without the mechanical gloves.
But fortunately, thanks to the mechanical gloves, he could process it in an instant.
He couldn't tell how much time had passed.
Such things didn't matter.
When his Mythos Crafter ability sensed the design and suggested improvements, a bright smile spread across Sal's face.
This was just like when he made Hannah's gauntlet.
Once he proved the concept, the ability would handle the rest.
Sal tried to suppress his expectations, but excitement grew larger and larger in his chest.
Once completed, he would be able to discover the value of the two materials and the synergy exerted between them through appraisal.
‘Doesn't the fact that the Mythos Crafter ability is giving advice on product improvement mean it's already a success?’
Trying to suppress such expectations, he followed the Mythos Crafter's instructions.
The Mythos Crafter ability engraved embossed patterns onto the Moonsilver and suggested another rune variation in the center of the Scarlet Screen.
Also, a loop to connect the chain at the top and a small fixing device for anchoring at the bottom were added.
Those small improvements were reflected exquisitely, and Sal could clearly see that the overall design had improved.
Sal engraved 'Mythos' under the anchor with the engraving tool.
Because he knew Upgrade would be furious if he didn't.
‘Time will tell if this signature remains a regret later. Especially if the result isn't good.’
After finishing the refining work, Sal flowed Essence into the creation to fill the small gaps created during the work process.
Sal took a step back, deactivated the gloves, and stared intently at the finished product glowing dazzlingly on the table.
In Sal's view, the chance of it being a valuable result was fifty-fifty, and nothing was certain.
Sal swept back his hair, let out a sigh, and waited with his lips pressed tight.
He couldn't remember how long it took for the sniper rifle to be completed, and recalled the Rare rank sword vibrating during its completion process.
As he leaned in to check if it worked, a subtle anxiety crept into Sal's mind.
When Sal turned his head at a sudden presence beside him, he saw Chatfield looking at him, engulfed in shock.
Startled, Sal blinked.
He had completely forgotten that Chatfield was in the room.
Just as he was about to apologize for diving into crafting without explaining his plan, the glowing suddenly stopped.
The two turned their gaze to the finished product simultaneously and activated their respective abilities.
Sal's tension washed away, and a smile spread across his lips.
Name: Mythos's Moonsilver Monocle
Origin: Crafted
Age: New
Rank: Unique (Low)
Specs: 40mm diameter monocle | 16-inch chain length
Materials: Moonsilver | Scarlet Screen | Refined Mythos Craft Essence
Attributes:
-Composure: The wearer enters a state of calm immersion upon activation.
-Insight: The wearer can analyze patterns and predict outcomes.
-Reasoning: The wearer can rapidly process real-time information.
-Perception: The wearer becomes extremely sensitive to the surrounding environment, able to identify threats.
Abilities: Composure | Insight | Reasoning | Perception
Power Source: External Essence
Evolution: None
Quality: Perfect
Status: 100%
Value: Estimated $95,000.00 - $140,000.00
After the appraisal ended, Sal exhaled slowly.
The result was truly beyond expectations.
For something made rather impulsively, it was an incredibly excellent result.
The key factors that made this result different from when he made Hannah's gauntlet in the past were accessibility to an Essence reservoir, newly acquired gloves and equipment, and premium materials.
Sal instinctively knew the probability of success was higher.
He realized anew just how tremendous the Mythos Crafter ability was.
Somewhere in his heart, he knew Upgrade would be furious if she found out he started without following formal procedures or blueprints, but Sal didn't care.
He had created entirely new equipment from a single impromptu thought that flashed in his mind.
Using extremely few materials, he produced a result far exceeding his expectations.
Turning his head, Sal was surprised to see Chatfield wearing a replica of the monocle.
Seeing Chatfield's expression of disbelief, pride surged in Sal's heart like waves, and his smile brightened further.
Sal couldn't hold back and opened his mouth.
"Ha..."
Sal let out a deliberately exaggerated sigh and pointed to the untouched blueprint lying across the table.
"I apologize. I will resume work on the Tracker. I made a simple one to test how the materials fit together."
"Don't lie. This Insight ability is pinpointing exactly that you're lying. By the looks of it, you must be just as surprised as I am."
Sal eventually burst into laughter and played along.
"It was worth a try. I confirmed it has the Insight ability, but the description didn't seem very helpful. Is this a lie detector?"
Sal picked up the monocle from the table and noticed its lens still held a blood-red hue.
The Moonsilver wrapping around it was still emitting a mist-like effect, shimmering very subtly.
From any angle, it was undeniably premium equipment.
Moreover, the appraisal value was frighteningly high for something made as a test.
He couldn't shake the thought that it might be better to abandon the Tracker concept and just mass-produce and sell off this monocle design instead.
Staring intently at the materials before him, Sal calculated how many monocles he could produce if he devoted the entire weekend to it.
"I don't know what you're planning, but you'd better stop."
Chatfield scolded him, pointing at the monocle again as if that statement was explanation enough.
He held a smile the entire time.
"This isn't just a simple lie detector. It stands comparison with various hero equipment I've seen so far, and especially doesn't differ much from equipment provided to Controllers. It would be useful on the battlefield, but the true strength of this equipment lies in negotiation. The Insight ability allows reading people's behaviors, body language, tone of voice, and even predicting their next moves. The Perception ability basically lets you read the atmosphere and detect hidden threats. Add Reasoning ability to this, and you can process all information obtained from other abilities at tremendous speed while maintaining composure. And you already have the Composure ability. This is the perfect tool for critical negotiations. Besides, since you said you just made it as an experiment, sell it to me."
Chatfield's face was terrifyingly serious, and Sal conflicted inwardly about what to do.
He wanted to maintain a good relationship with Chatfield, but he didn't want to give up this monocle either.
If what he said was true, as a Crafter constantly thrown into negotiations, this equipment would be a very precious tool for Sal.
However, since the time spent on it was also very short, selling it to Chatfield didn't seem so bad.
After pondering for a moment, Sal approached the blueprint on the table and voiced his thoughts.
"How much do you think this is worth, Captain?"
Sal grinned and placed the monocle over his right eye.