Chapter 406: Custom Order (2)

The three immediately descended from the rooftop and headed to the workshop where the bike was being built.

“Most of the options you ordered have actually been installed for a long time,” Victor said, guiding Lennok amidst the clangor of machines echoing from all directions.

“However, according to the requirements you provided beforehand, I thought we could push the bike’s performance to its absolute limit, so I deliberately postponed the remaining work.”

“You mean there are still more options to install?”

“Normally, for the rider’s safety, we put internal brakes on to limit some functions, but Adamant Thunder wouldn’t need such safety features, would he?”

Hwoooong!!

Standing there, emitting a quiet engine hum, was the magnificent presence of the bike.

Its solid, thick tires, dozens of pipes emerging from beneath the wheels, sharp exterior, and saddle painted with jet-black armor.

Vivid mana light seeped from its seams, and a hot shimmer rose from the bike’s chassis.

In terms of size alone, it had an overwhelming physique, comparable to a typical 4x4.

As Lennok admired its imposing appearance once more, Victor, approaching the bike without hesitation, spoke.

“Ten types of appearance changes. Six-fold injection cylinder added. A 10-speed thruster, an alloy outer shell of the highest strength. And even a foundational power source made from a Magical Fusion Engine.”

Picking up a tool that was a complex combination of a wrench, screwdriver, and hammer from a nearby workbench, he began to meticulously examine the bike.

“But once we remove the brakes on each option, there are a few interesting parts that can be connected to the extra circuits.”

“Victor, what about the vehicle safety regulations?” Sebastian, who had been watching him yawn from behind, asked.

“If you put even one of those things you were talking about with me earlier, it won’t be the traffic management bureau, but the defense force that comes looking for you.”

“What does it matter? It’s not like I’m mass-producing it to sell,” Victor retorted with a grin.

“I have no intention of bothering with regulations for something I’m personally gifting to Van.”

“Aren’t you just doing this because you want to?”

Victor did not reply to Sebastian’s words.

Clank!!

He unhesitatingly pried open the bike’s seams and, holding the tool in his hand, began to freely manipulate its internal structure.

Every time he inserted and moved the tool, the external armor twitched, revealing bright lights, and hidden internal functions popped out one after another, presenting a display before Lennok’s eyes.

Charrr-lak!!

His hands moved with such agility that it was hard to believe he was the same person who had just been chatting and drinking with Sebastian.

In response, various mechanical arms suspended from all sides of the workshop ceiling gathered around Victor, directly handing him countless components.

He reassembled the received parts onto the bike without even looking away.

He even disassembled and reassembled already completed sections, naturally inserting new components.

Lennok used his mana sense to identify the parts in Victor’s hands and let out a chuckle.

Among the ceaselessly moving parts above the mechanical arms, some particularly familiar items were visible.

“A super-vibration blade, an 88-round autocannon, integrated ammunition shells, and a rear-mounted shotgun. All of these would be hard to find on the market, yet you’ve managed to smuggle them in.”

“I knew Van would recognize them. They’re expensive items, only recognized by certain folks in the underworld as equipment.”

Victor replied, constantly adjusting the equipment.

“That’s not all. I’ve left space to load about two heat-seeking missiles, and it’s even equipped with an automatic firing system.”

“…Missiles?” Victor continued to move his hands, unfazed by Lennok’s bewildered question.

“If we cram a heat source thruster into the remaining space, and finally install an internal force field glider… it’ll even be able to fly for a short while.”

Clank, clank!!

He completely disassembled tens of thousands of parts that went into the monster bike, hung them on mechanical arms, and reassembled them without a single error, completing the work.

A series of masterful techniques to directly check and review any errors or problems occurring in the manufacturing process right before the client’s eyes.

It was as if he not only had a perfect blueprint of the bike in his mind but also possessed the skill that could only come from having done similar work hundreds, if not thousands, of times before attempting it.

Victor’s face, drenched in sweat and grinning, seemed less about Lennok and more about his own self-satisfaction.

“Ever since the City Council established the Air Force, very strict regulations on flying vehicles have been relaxed. You probably won’t leave any traces if you use it in the outer districts.”

“Something that can fly for a short while, equipped with autocannons and missiles, and made of superalloy…”

Lennok, deep in thought, chuckled with an incredulous look.

“When you put it that way, it’s less a bike and more a wingless fighter jet.”

“Oh, how did you know? Actually, the engine currently installed in this bike was originally used in fighter jets.”

“…”

The president of Otterble, whose answers increasingly defied common sense.

As Lennok watched him, wondering if he should intervene, Sebastian, who had been quietly observing, interjected.

“Victor is the best among the masters I know when it comes to customization. Even while running a company, his skill surpasses artisans working in the field.”

“…It certainly seems like more than just a job for him.”

Sebastian chuckled at Lennok’s slightly disgruntled reply.

“He’s a bit of a silly talker, but the results will never be disappointing.”

Victor’s clothes, by now drenched in sweat as he worked under the bike, were completely ignored as he focused on tinkering with the internal engine.

“Safety features for user protection removed, full-option upgrade of the default firing system on the monster bike. Even an automatic charging function for consumables used for jamming… Final check complete.”

It was only after tens of minutes, as if time had stopped, that Victor, who had been assembling, disassembling, and checking the bike’s functions, finally stopped his hands.

“Phew…!! Seems there are no particular issues. It’s good enough to ride right now.”

Drenched in sweat, he stuck out his tongue and gave an awkward laugh.

“That took a bit of time, didn’t it? My apologies. As I get older, my body doesn’t move as freely.”

“…No, that was enough. At least it’s clear how well you know your work.”

“That’s good. Truth be told, I was a decent rider back in my day, so I got a bit carried away reminiscing.”

Did Lennok’s calm reply perhaps soothe Victor’s mood a little?

Smiling awkwardly, he subtly turned and gestured towards the bike.

“Behind our headquarters, we have a test-drive course for customers who have purchased our products. Would you like to try it?”

“Hmm…”

Lennok, after a moment of thought, shook his head.

“No, instead, I’d like to see you, Victor, ride the bike.”

“…Pardon?”

“I’d like to see the skills of the rider who was ‘great back in the day.’ It would be very helpful for reference, wouldn’t it?”

“Van. Even if Victor gained some indirect benefits through you, aren’t you being a bit too mischievous?”

At the test-drive course located behind the headquarters, Sebastian burst into laughter at the sight of Victor cautiously riding the monster bike, dripping with sweat.

“Victor’s too old. When he was young, that friend was obsessed with all kinds of vehicles and wandered around for years, but not anymore.”

Victor, wearing full protective gear and a sturdy helmet, was very slowly navigating the test-drive course on the monster he had created.

Even on a course designed for novice riders, both hands gripping the handlebars were trembling.

That was probably because he fully understood how dangerous the bike he had built was.

The new bike, built meticulously to Lennok’s specifications, was adjusted to an extreme degree, making its deceleration, acceleration, and speed control virtually impossible to manage with human senses.

From Lennok’s perspective, entrusting the bike’s operation to Davi’s autonomous driving algorithm meant it needed to be optimized for Davi to perform most comfortably.

The computational, simulation, pathfinding, and variable prediction abilities of a Cyber-Domain spirit are a level that even the most skilled rider or superhuman cannot easily replicate.

If he let his guard down even a little, it wouldn’t be strange for him to fly off and crash headfirst, helmet and all.

“He certainly doesn’t look like a superhuman skilled enough to avoid aging.”

“You know that not all superhumans can escape aging, don’t you?”

A bitter smile formed on Sebastian’s lips.

“Even with chosen talent and a physical body, before time, things become relatively fair. Only monsters like you can transcend that.”

“…”

“I have no feelings about that fact now. So, if you have something to say, won’t you say it before Victor crashes into the corner?”

Lennok gave a faint smile at the sly retort.

“You knew.”

“You wanted to talk separately, didn’t you? Victor knew that too, which is why he didn’t ask further and stepped aside.”

So Victor knew that Lennok had made that remark to get Sebastian alone. Only after hearing that did Lennok no longer hesitate.

“Sorry to trouble you. I needed a way to meet separately without having to visit your office.”

“Van, rumors are flying that you’ve gotten involved in the power struggle between the mega-corporations. My clients say you’re on the verge of balancing things against a formidable giant.”

“…”

Sebastian glanced at Lennok and spoke.

“Considering what you’ve done so far, Van, I’d guess you’re planning to meet him directly… Am I wrong?”

So the inside story of the power struggle between Achilles and Dyke Corp. was already circulating. But precisely because Sebastian dealt with such distinguished clients, there was something he needed to ask him.

As Lennok slowly chose his words to state his purpose, Sebastian spoke first.

“If you wish to find Madrich Onnion, I will cooperate.”

“…”

“However, there’s a condition.”

Sebastian’s unexpected proposal. His ability to know Madrich Onnion’s name and the details so thoroughly was impressive, but what surprised Lennok more was Sebastian’s proactive attitude itself.

Sebastian had always been friendly with Lennok, suggesting they work together, yet he had consistently maintained a somewhat reserved stance. To see him act so assertively now was unexpected.

“You know something,” Lennok asked, lowering his gaze while fumbling with his phone in his pocket.

“You want a deal?”

“…The very fact that you came to me at this point means you’re holding some direction and looking to review it,” Sebastian replied, his face slightly stern.

“I can help you with that process.”

He wasn’t wrong. If it weren’t for the information obtained from Achilles’ network through Graham Campbell, there would have been no need to seek him out.

Sebastian’s connections, which primarily dealt with legitimate clients, would surely bring Lennok closer to his plans more quickly.

“Alright,” Lennok said, nodding with his arms crossed after a moment of thought.

“First, let’s hear the conditions, then I’ll decide.”

Clank, clank!!

“Hmm…”

A revolver modified by Palmer. A sniper rifle reinforced with plating to adjust recoil and durability. Even a rechargeable shotgun gifted by a craftsman from Machina.

Lennok looked down at the equipment laid out on the workbench, then lowered his head and began to tinker with them again.

Clunk, thud-thud-thud!

“Ah. Missed it.”

It was a frequent occurrence when servicing firearms without magic-assisted aiming.

Lennok’s manual dexterity was, to put it mildly, not good, so despite regularly servicing his firearms, he often dropped and lost magazines or parts.

Of course, like a wizard, he had never bent down to retrieve a lost part before, but instead of using magic, Lennok directly bent his waist and picked up the component.

[I told you not to use mana.] This was because someone watching him from right beside him had just emitted a somewhat chilling telepathic message.

“What are you talking about? I picked it up myself to avoid using it.”

[Hmm… so it wasn’t intentional, then.] Instead of replying, the voice thoughtfully stroked its chin.

Beyond the veil, a complex seven-colored glow shimmered ceaselessly.

[It seems that whenever you move, the surrounding mana reacts and fluctuates with you.]

“So what should I do?”

[From now on, don’t move.]

“…”

Lennok swallowed the sigh that was about to escape and silently raised his head.

The research lab of Olivera Ron Maize, Chairman of the Cartel. The same as when he had visited before, atop a colossal grimoire. A cold armory, where space transitioned as book pages folded.

Lennok was fidgeting with his hands on a workbench in the warehouse, where all kinds of firearms and weapons were displayed.

“I don’t understand why I have to repeat this task without even an explanation in the first place.”

With a casual gesture, Lennok collected the firearms scattered on the floor and asked.

“What’s the point of continuously performing precise actions without using mana?”

The last meeting, where the third executive, Ayoon, revealed he had joined the cult.

At that time, Lennok had made a rather audacious proposal to Olivera: he wanted to investigate The Seven Debts Jewels Mystic Eye.

It was a suggestion he made, thinking that merely transplanting a high-performance Mystic Eye wouldn’t solve the problem, but surprisingly, Olivera didn’t mock his proposal.

Instead, she pondered with an interested expression, and now, she had summoned Lennok back to her research lab.

Since it was the word of one of the continent’s foremost Mystic Eye wielders, he acquiesced, but not entirely willingly.

The very weakness of Lennok not being skilled in physical tasks when he didn’t use mana was something he was very reluctant to expose to Olivera.

Although he still maintained a positive relationship with the Cartel’s Chairman, no one knew how long this cooperation would last.

As long as he didn’t know Olivera’s intentions regarding the culmination of her research, Lennok needed to be careful with anything related to his secrets.

But Olivera stared at Lennok for a moment, then snorted.

[You came forward saying you wanted to investigate my eye without even properly understanding The Seven Debts Jewels Mystic Eye?]

“As if,” Lennok replied with a sigh. Naturally, he was never one to neglect research on subjects for which information existed.

“Among existing Mystic Eyes, it’s a powerful ability counted on one hand. It’s said to unleash boundless power by freely combining seven types of mana Property Transformation.”

[Oh, is that so?]

“But that’s probably not all. In some way, the Mystic Eye’s ability itself must be deeply connected to your Mind Imprint.”

[It seems you’ve studied quite a bit in a short time.]

Lennok cleanly ignored Olivera’s words, which sounded like she was admonishing a child, and continued.

“The principle of constructing a Domain by projecting one’s own Mind Imprint. Olivera, haven’t you combined this theory with the Mystic Eye, sublimating it into something different from existing abilities?”

“…”

“There’s no precise information on the exact extent of the unique ability an Archmage of 8th level obtains by transcending Hierarchy. But I can roughly guess.”

Lennok chuckled, looking at the silent Olivera.

“Partial unfolding derived from the Mind Imprint of a Domain. There must be a result completely different from existing concepts. Just like your research lab where we are now. I imagine it might have a name, similar to the Ascendant’s ideological domain…”

[What’s important about a name?] Olivera, who had been quietly listening to his words, replied.

[On this star, where tens of billions live, the number of those who have reached that realm throughout history wouldn’t even fill a handful. If meaning can be conveyed and understood, that is enough. What others call it means nothing.]

“I see,” Lennok nodded.

“That must also be related to your motivation for starting this research, Olivera, isn’t it?”

[…Let’s return to the discussion of the Mystic Eye.] She retorted, turning her head sharply.

[There are various ways to awaken an innate ability, but if you’ve already awakened a Mystic Eye in one eye, like you, then extensive adjustment isn’t necessary.]

“…”

[Rather, it’s necessary to confirm your aptitude and qualifications for the ability and undergo appropriate training.]

“In short, it’s a process of checking aptitude for an innate ability rather than magic, is that it…?”

The words were simple, but the task was not so easy.

A Mystic Eye is, after all, a power closer to an innate ability than magic.

Combining and using the Mystic Eye’s abilities with spells is easy, but interfering with the Mystic Eye’s very existence to adjust its direction is not.

If that were possible, Lennok would have awakened a Mystic Eye in his right eye long ago to share the output.

On the contrary, that’s why he had intended to grasp the innate ability by directly observing Olivera’s Mystic Eye and mimicking its flow…

[No more words are needed. If you cannot even pass this process, then this matter will be considered null and void.]

Olivera’s stern voice cut off Lennok’s thoughts.

[Had you not possessed a vessel matching that insolence, I would not have even entertained your audacious request for a deal. If you can’t even meet the basic standard, then it’s meaningless.]

So, the deliberate lack of detailed explanation was also to assess his aptitude for innate abilities.

Olivera must also have something she wants from Lennok, which is why she’s currently entertaining his offer…

The problem, however, was that merely by moving his body, the nearby mana would synchronize and react with him.

Separately from his perfect control over his own mana, his transcendent mana sensitivity was actually hindering the aptitude test for innate abilities.

If he couldn’t pass this process, Olivera wouldn’t even tell Lennok what she wanted in return for him investigating her Mystic Eye.

“Then let’s do this,” Lennok said, clapping his hands after a brief moment of thought.

“I recently learned a pretty good game, you see.”

[A game?]

“It’s not a very difficult game. I haven’t learned it long myself.”

Lennok rummaged inside his coat, pulling something out with a smile.

“Even for the training you mentioned, I’d like you to play a few rounds with me.”

Chess pieces that seemed to be a mix of Othello and Go. What Lennok pulled out was the board game he had played with Jindun alone in the Hanghasa Labyrinth.