"I'm rich!" Ezekiel shouted for the umpteenth time.
The two had returned to their base, currently recuperating. Vahn was relatively uninjured, save for his drained mana core. Ezekiel, on the other hand, was kind of a mess.
His body simply wasn't strong enough to handle the Impact Gauntlet. The prototype Model's other equipment helped reduce the stress on his body but not by much. The kinetic energy that would seep into his body as a sort of pressure was still too much. So his bones were fractured and he probably wouldn't be able to move his arm properly for a few more hours even if Vahn was able to fully heal him.
And a wire which originated to a huge cylindrical metal case was connected to his MCR, charging it as he had emptied it during the last fight. This was also because of the Impact Gauntlets which seemed to suck Psionic energy like a whale to operate. Those two moves had been enough to drain almost 80% of the MCR's reserves.
But the mechanic expected this. After all, he was using an incomplete Kinetic Infusion blueprint.
_
Prototype Impact Model Equipment Set
Stabilizer – F- rank
An invention created to stabilize Host's movements and reduce pressure on hips and legs.
Stabilizer Boots – F-rank
Trash boots created to stabilize Host's movements and dispersing pressure towards the surrounding. +1 Agility.
Impact Gauntlet – E- rank
An insightful invention made with an incomplete blueprint and Host's creativity which boasts powerful strength. Though it is too much for Host's body to handle and reduces movement speed.
Attachments:
Balance Mode – Natural state of the Impact Gauntlet which Host's body can handle. +10 Strength. -50% decrease in movement and reaction speed.
Impact Mode – Absorbs the kinetic energy in the surrounding to enforce the power of the Host's attacks. +13 - +17 Strength depending on how much kinetic energy is absorbed. 40% to 100% of Psionic Energy will be drained based on how much kinetic energy is absorbed. Warning: It is advisable that Host does not absorb too much energy or his bones may likely shatter.
_
As for why he was shouting like a maniac? It was because of the profits they had gained.
It seemed the unknown individual who secretly owned the slave market used its hidden and secure vault as his treasury. The amount of Starls they had found alone was 5.7 million! And this was not counting the ores, steel ingots and treasure he/she had kept there.
As for whatever frustration whoever they were felt, he didn't care. The money was his now!
Another gain he had received was the Exp he had gotten from the raid.
_
You have defeated 9 F rank Awakened (1 peak, 1 high, 8 mid), 745 Exp acquired.
Your companion has defeated a high F rank Awakened, 37 Exp acquired.
Level up (3).
Level up (4).
Level: 4 (386/400).
6 attribute points gained.
_
It was kind of nice to finally level up but the mechanic was even more focused on the last pair of 'gifts' he had obtained from the slave market. It was a blueprint!
The blueprint of a weapon called Vulcan Blade, a flame type Magic weapon that could be created by a Forger. But this wasn't what filled him with expectation. It was instead the system's panel that came up.
_
Compatible Blueprint discovered. Would you like to convert for 300 Exp? Y/N
_
When he saw this notification while holding the blueprint, Ezekiel truly almost fainted. The Exp didn't matter to him, he immediately converted it. Even if he didn't get something good, he could just upgrade it later!
_
Converting… 1%... 5%... 20%... 60%...
Error. Too many portions of the blueprint is based on Mana pathways.
Would you like to fuse in parts of known blueprints to fully convert for an additional 80 Exp? Y/N
_
The mechanic felt like crying. 'Goddamn it, and to think I thought the system was already scamming me enough.' Still, he could only agree, willing the conversion to continue.
_
Converting… 60%... 80%... 100%
Conversion complete. Congratulations, Host has gained 3 blueprints and one smelting technique:
Thermal Infusion
Thermal Application
Steel Edge Enhancement Smelting technique
Item and Energy Compression.
_
Ezekiel glanced speechless for a while before erupting in tears of joy while glancing at the nonchalant Laura. 'So you do love me.'
He was actually quite glad that he now possessed the ability to convert blueprints made by normal Forgers. It would help him advance a lot without performing unnecessary research.
The AI's lips twitched. (Stare at me like that one more time and see what happens.)
The mechanic nodded in fright and quickly redirected his gaze while his mind raced, coming up with ideas on how to use the blueprints infused into his mind.
Thermal Infusion was the same as his incomplete Kinetic Infusion, although now that he had it, he could probably complete the latter soon. The blueprint allowed him to create inventions with the capabilities to enhance the thermal properties of his Psionic energy.
Thermal Application was a more practical blueprint, focused on how to properly apply thermal devices into inventions. He could already instantly tell that it would be one of the building blocks of his ambitious idea to build a battle suit.
The smelting method was one that Forgers used to increase the sharpness of their weapons and Ezekiel would of course not be dumb enough to treat it lightly. It would allow his normal Steel Shortswords take a massive step forward.
And the Item and Energy Compression would allow his MCR battery units take a step forward, allowing him to reduce the sizes of the batteries to a more efficient size suited for battle.
All in all, he felt it was a nice deal. The loss of 380 Exp stung a bit, but the profit outweighed the losses he had made. 'More and more work, but this is good. The academy's exam is next year, I have to work hard to create at least the full body Battlesuit for one of the Prototype Models, preferably the Speedster model, and reach the physical standard of an E rank Brawler by then. For that I'll need a lot of money… and a lot of Exp.'
He chuckled as he stared ahead and sighed. "What 'no rest for the wicked' bullshit? I'm only gonna raid bad guys, so I'm a righteous guy." But a smile soon appeared on his lips. "Let's begin the year long grind."