A few months passed once again, and seated in his office, Christian, who had just finished a game of chess with Iris, was quietly reflecting on his current situation.
His Mortal Harmony Physique had already reached level two. His strength was rising steadily, he had successfully built a core inside his body, and even the second mastery stage no longer seemed out of reach.
Everything was progressing in a good direction.
Especially now, as he had already started assigning tasks to Zero, specifically the assassination of a few outlaws, and was beginning to reap the rewards, namely loot.
Loot that came in various forms: techniques stored physically on the body, money, or special items… like the Ice Crystal.
The same Ice Crystal that had caused his house to be attacked multiple times, all because it was rumored to be located somewhere in the nearby area.
But was that all that had happened during this time?
With his Expert-level Mechanic skill advancing more and more, two of his old skills had already been deleted, General Programming and AI Creation.
Both were removed automatically due to their lower levels and the fact that the Mechanic skill was much more comprehensive, effectively having everything they offered.
His Battle Android skill, though still at Intermediate level, had managed to survive for now… but he knew it was only a matter of time before that one, too, disappeared.
So, what did all this mean?
It meant that if he were to claim he was the second-best in terms of technological knowledge on the entire planet… then no one… no individual, no company, could rightfully claim the first place.
Well, that's if anyone even knew the full extent of his capabilities.
But still. With the technology now available to him, Christian had countless ideas and things he could build, innovations that would greatly help in his current situation.
The problem, however, was the place he was in.
His workshop, despite being in a state of constant expansion, was still far from enough.
What he had in mind required more than just a few added rooms or reinforced walls.
It needed proper facilities.
It needed real infrastructure.
And most importantly… he needed to move to the front more.
Because working on these ideas while trying to stay hidden would eventually become too difficult.
Of course, it wasn't completely impossible… but it certainly wouldn't be convenient anymore.
Especially when one of those ideas involved launching satellites.
Satellites built entirely with his own technology.
Satellites far superior to the outdated ones currently used, and are capable of more accurately monitoring world events in real time.
And that was just one of the plans.
He also had thoughts of developing advanced weaponry: guided missiles, long-range strike systems, and other heavy-duty armaments.
But when it came to modern weapons, Christian still considered himself… lacking.
Not in understanding or design, but in power.
Because if someone at the third stage of the power system were to come after him, those weapons wouldn't amount to much.
They lacked sufficient mobility and destructive impact to truly threaten such high-level individuals.
Still, he was getting there.
Slowly but surely, he was bridging that gap… and more importantly, these weapons held immense strategic value.
Caught at a crossroads, Christian chose, for now, to wait a little longer.
There was no reason to rush things yet, and besides, he had other priorities.
He opened his Idle System and glanced at the sixth slot, where the Harmony Physique was being practiced.
After a brief moment of consideration, he made up his mind and changed it.
[You have received 50,000 Experience]
[The skill Mortal Harmony body has become Lv.2 (8%)]
[The Idle Practice in the Sixth Slot, Infernal Spark technique, has started.]
[The skill Infernal Spark has been created.]
[Currently, the skill Infernal Spark is Lv.0 (20%).]
A rare technique where one train in both fire and lightning.
It was the technique, he revieved from Olivia more than four months ago… a technique that, even among techniques capable of reaching the fifth mastery stage, stood at the very top in terms of potential.
Staring at its name now appearing in his system, Christian couldn't help but wonder… how long would it take to truly master it and then upgrading it?
Would a year be enough?
After all, while his Breath of the Shadow Blade technique had already been upgraded three times, and he was currently working toward the fourth upgrade.
That technique was still only meant to guide him to the fourth mastery stage.
And yet… how long had he been training it?
Nearly a year and a half.
And that was with high-level techniques available for reference.
This time, however, he was working with a technique that was already powerful.
So, something to take reference from? A technique at the level of a sixth-stage master?
Naturally, he had nothing of that sort in his possession.
Let alone a sixth-stage technique, he didn't even have a technique on the same level with it.
Still, putting the Infernal Spark technique aside for a moment, there was also the Void Art.
A technique of his own creation.
Up until now, Christian hadn't even finished developing the first chapter.
And it had already been around five months since he began.
But. He estimated that, within the next month or so, he would finally complete it.
And so, he was genuinely looking forward to that moment.
A technique related to space itself… even just thinking about it, made him excited.
But more than anything, Christian was thinking about his sister's reaction, when he finally presented the Void Art to her. And the kind "play" they will do after.
After all… she should reward him for such a gift… right?
Right then, at that exact moment, Christian's gaze change.
The ground beneath him vibrated. And he felt a tremor running through the earth.
A low, resonating sound echoed out, seemingly coming from deep in the ground, then, vibrating through the air.
His first thought was simple.
But the moment he sensed the violent currents of essence churning wildly through the atmosphere, Christian's expression turned grave in an instant.
His voice tore through the silence… loud, sharp, and commanding. "Is this happening only here, or is it affecting the entire planet?"
A short pause followed, filled with nothing but the low rumble that still echoed from deep below.
Then came Iris's voice, calm and detached.
"What I can observe… is just panic. Panic without reason."
Christian's eyes narrowed.
So this was something Iris couldn't perceive?
That could only mean one thing— essence.
Which meant this wasn't just an earthquake… but something more.