Chapter 179: [Bonus Chapter] A Blacksmith’s First Love (1)
Shinon sat in his workshop. His mind was clouded with doubt and uncertainty. The encounter with Marcus had left him wondering whether his decision to spare the conniving bastard’s life was the right one.
However, the decision to spare Marcus wasn’t his own. In the end, it was the cryptic words of the System. It had urged him to spare Marcus, implying that there was a purpose behind his actions.
Soon his attention shifted to the soft glow of the forge illuminating the room as he placed the ability negator on his worktable. It was a peculiar device, one that had intrigued him from the moment he laid eyes on it.
"Marcus or someone else tried to pull a stunt again. This device would prove crucial to subdue them." Shinon mumbled as he carefully analysed the object before him.
As a blacksmith, he was accustomed to working with metals and crafting intricate weapons, but the inner workings of this contraption were shrouded in mystery.
"I’ve seen some remarkable and weird things in this world, but this... this takes the cake," Shinon mused, running his fingers over the smooth surface of the Negator. "How did Alex even come across something like this? Or maybe I should ask how Aric found something like this."
He picked up a small metallic shard and turned it in his hands, searching for clues. The Negator appeared seamless, as if each component had been melded together with utmost precision.
Shinon’s sharp eyes scanned the surface, trying to discern any hidden mechanisms that might offer insight into its workings.
"Maybe there’s a catch, a trigger or something..." Shinon’s mind raced with possibilities. "Or perhaps it’s all about the materials used... I need to take a closer look."
Shinon knew that understanding the inner mechanisms of the Negator could prove invaluable in countering such devices in the future.
With a sense of curiosity driving him forward, Shinon reached for his tools, carefully dismantling the negator piece by piece. He laid each component out before him, studying their intricate design.
As he gently pried open the casing, Shinon discovered a series of intricate circuitry interwoven within. Delicate wires and conductive plates formed a complex network, and he marvelled at the craftsmanship that went into its construction.
Gears, circuits, and crystals were skillfully crafted to accomplish a specific purpose. It was a marvel of engineering, unlike anything he had encountered before.
"This is beyond the craftsmanship of our world," Shinon mused, his eyes narrowed in concentration. "These materials, the precision... it’s as if it came from another realm entirely." frёeωebɳovel.com
As he delved deeper into the device, Shinon realised that some of its components were infused with an energy he couldn’t identify.
It was not the kind of energy he had encountered in his world or the one he was in now. The discovery only fueled his determination to understand its origins.
"Looks like there’s some sort of energy source here," Shinon observed, tracing the path of the wires. "And these crystals... they seem to amplify the effect."
He continued disassembling the device, methodically laying out each part as he unravelled its inner workings. His eyes sparkled with fascination and the joy of a craftsman discovering a masterpiece.
"The precision is astounding," he murmured, admiration mixing with the mystery. "Someone put a great deal of thought into creating this. But maybe... I can make it better."
With a meticulous eye, Shinon sketched diagrams and took copious notes, creating a comprehensive study of the Negator’s inner workings.
He knew that the knowledge he gained could give his settlement a crucial advantage in future conflicts should they encounter similar devices.
With each piece removed, Shinon began comprehending the device’s ingenious design. It wasn’t a mere blockage of abilities but an intricate interplay of energy manipulation.
The Negator identified and dampened the specific frequencies of energy that allowed individuals to harness their abilities. Which was why anyone in close proximity couldn’t manifest their powers.
"It’s ingenious, really," Shinon remarked, squinting at a particularly complex mechanism. "The way it disrupts the flow of energy... if I could reverse-engineer this, I might be able to create a countermeasure on top of making a better Negator."
His mind raced with possibilities, envisioning how this newfound knowledge could be applied in forging new weapons and defences. However, there was much more to understand, and he couldn’t afford to miss any crucial details.
As he continued his dissection, Shinon became increasingly convinced that the Negator’s origins lay beyond their world.
It was a product of advanced technology, crafted by beings far more advanced than he believed even the strange world could achieve. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
"Perhaps it was left behind by those who came before us," he pondered aloud. "A relic from an ancient civilisation, no... I’m being absurd. The most likely explanation is that someone found it in a dungeon or something."
As he continued his investigation, Shinon stumbled upon a hidden compartment within the device. Within it lay a small crystal adorned with peculiar markings.
"What is this?" Shinon wondered, his heart racing with anticipation.
He gently removed the crystal and held it up to the light. Shinon felt he had seen the crystal somewhere before but couldn’t quite remember where.
"This crystal must be integral to the negator’s function," Shinon surmised. "But deciphering its purpose will require more time and research."
His work was far from over, but Shinon relished the challenge. As a blacksmith, understanding the mechanics of this advanced technology fascinated him.
As the hours passed, Shinon immersed himself in his task, losing track of time as he pieced together the Negator’s mysteries. In that secluded workshop, he felt connected to the ingenious mind that crafted it, a shared passion for invention and innovation.
Each discovery added to the puzzle, and Shinon’s determination grew with every revelation. He was not just a blacksmith anymore but a man on a mission.
"This will take a while... maybe a day or two," Shinon mumbled, finally setting the Negator aside. "In the meantime, I should focus on using the Lunarisite."