"So… fridge, flatscreen, AC—got 'em all installed. Let's show these Infinite Dimensions natives what modern luxury really means."
Madman barked orders as workers unloaded a semi-truck, hauling sleek appliances into local shops. A few curious Infinite Dimensions NPCs peeked out, wide-eyed at these strange new devices.
Veijander wandered up and pressed a hand against the humming air conditioner. "This... doesn't rely on a magic formation to work?"
"Ha! Caught you, old-timer. Without magic, you so-called natives wouldn't even have a civilization," Madman crowed.
"Give it a rest," Ruby rolled her eyes. "Without electricity, we're no different than them."
Across the country, monsters still roamed. Power restrictions had hit hard, plunging many areas into blackout. Just world relied on mana, Earth was helpless without electricity.
"Electricity? Never heard of it," Veijander frowned, then poked a curious finger straight into the wall socket.
"Whoa, what the hell? You trying to get yourself killed—"
Madman lunged, only to freeze. Right. This was a King-tier powerhouse. Getting shocked by a wall socket might tickle at most.
Veijander paused, his white hair standing on end as a faint crackle passed through him. He barely reacted, just muttered, "So that's what electrical energy feels like."
Madman and Ruby stared, dumbfounded.
"Is this... the true power of an old electrician?" Ruby whispered.
Veijander rummaged in his pockets and pulled out a fist-sized mana crystal. Then, with a single fingernail, he scratched a tiny magic formation into the AC's casing.
Next, he jammed the power cord violently into the crystal. The rune lit up bright blue.
The AC whined, then erupted with a gust so cold it felt like a polar vortex.
Madman's jaw dropped as frost bloomed across his skin. The display on the AC plummeted past its limit, dropping to -1°C—then kept falling.
Health bars began to tick down. People scrambled, ice already crusting over their hands.
The compressor exploded, spewing black smoke.
"This actually worked?!"
Madman squawked, gawking at the scorched mana crystal.
Veijander stood up, pleased. "I'll have to think on this. I like these devices. I'm keeping them."
Then he hefted two refrigerators—one under each arm—and strolled off.
Every adventurer just stood there, slack-jawed.
If the Dwarven Demon God wanted your stuff, who'd dare argue? Being robbed , you'd still have to grin and say, "Magnificent style, my lord!"
"…I think I get it now."
A merchant from the Glory Seekers guild stared into the distance.
Madman felt the hairs on his neck rise. He instantly understood.
Mana crystals held colossal energy. Celestial Fortresses were powered by them. Combining a crystal, a magic formation, and human tech… wasn't this humanity's ultimate dream?
Fresh out of military academy, Madman knew exactly what this meant. Humanity's wars over dwindling fuel might finally end.
Better yet, mana crystals could be mined—or ripped right out of high-tier monsters, which respawned endlessly.
"…Think a little deeper."
Madman whispered, eyes lifting to the sky.
An image burned itself into his mind—vast fleets of ships powered by magic and technology alike, piercing the atmosphere to sail across the Bright Galaxy.
"I've gotta talk to Nightshade about this."
His eyes sparkled. Ruby blinked in surprise. "Hey, where you running off to? Forever City's about to open up to the public!"
Madman grabbed her by the waist. "I've got big plans!"
He kissed her hard, leaving Ruby flustered and breathless. Then he cackled, jumped onto Quarla, and took off like a shot toward Nightshade's city to start laying groundwork for humanity's future.
Meanwhile, inside the city lord's hall—
"Ahem… yeah, I'm stepping down. This 'guild master' gig ain't for me. Orson, your turn."
Bradley looked embarrassed as he turned to Orson.
"Don't even think about it. I've got enough on my plate."
Orson flatly turned away.
God of Iron Cavalry cleared his throat. "Then I nominate myself. As knight commander, it only makes sense I take over for a bit."
Dynasty Old Yin snorted. "Yeah, right. I give it a week before everything falls apart. I still remember when you ran off to 'save civilians' and ended up getting swarmed by monsters. Had to drag my fortress over to bail your ass out."
"That was a feint, you idiot! I was baiting Usher to make a move so I could crush him on the spot," Iron Cavalry snapped, face going red.
Orson scowled. "I told you not to start shit with him. Things are unstable enough without a full-on civil war—and I promised to help him clear out the Dark Dragon Empire."
"I just couldn't stomach it! Why the hell does he get to refuse national oversight?" Iron Cavalry growled.
Orson didn't even look surprised. Usher had always dreamed of being a sovereign. A proud bastard like that would never bow to anyone.
"Vance was never cut out for big-picture leadership anyway," Blank said softly, standing beside Orson. "Plus Vanessa's pregnant. Of course he'd want to step down."
"Blank! You're a lifesaver!" Bradley nearly cried with relief.
Sienna sat nearby, kicking her feet and winking. "Ooh, look at you getting all queenly. I'm jealous."
"Can't you be serious for once?" Blank flushed and scolded her.
"You're so pretty when you smile," Sienna teased.
Blank blushed even harder, completely helpless. Orson just sighed. These past few days, every time he was out on rescue runs, Sienna tagged along with Blank right to the front lines.
The little troublemaker used her status as Orgod's sister to boss around entire military units, leading them from city to city clearing monsters.
"I propose Sienna as the new guild master."
Blank's calm suggestion made every Godslayer core member freeze.
"Wait, what?" Sienna's eyes went wide, like someone had just shoved her off a cliff.
"Her? Are you sure…" Iron Cavalry started, looking incredulous. He was about to remind them how much blood and sweat he'd poured into Godslayer, how it was surely his turn to lead.
"I think it's a good idea."
Raven, who'd been silent the whole time, cut him off with a casual wave.