Chapter 99: Hook

The air within the warehouse seemed to still as Keon focused his undivided attention on the three jagged crystals resting in his synthetic palm. He activated his material recognition sub-talent, and instantly, his vision fractured into streams of cascading data. The world around him dimmed, replaced by a template of structural blueprints hovering in the air.

Elemental Wind Crystal. Elemental Flame Crystal. Elemental Lightning Crystal.

The names were written clearly above the visual projection. Below them, a detailed breakdown of their properties unfurled,

Properties: Elemental crystals capable of storing specific attribute elemental energies matching their unique properties. His gaze dropped further, and a line of text caught his focus, causing his processor’s logic cycles to spike.

Unique Properties: Elemental crystals capable of compressing and enriching the specific elemental energies upon stress.

Keon’s pupil flickered with an intense light. ‘It appears my material recognition talent is enhancing alongside my level,’ he mused, the thought resonating through his nexus. ‘My analysis of the previous luminous crystals never yielded such a detailed description.’

He scrutinized the energy signatures again, his cold logic dismissing the previous assertions of the candidate from Universe 339. ‘Anyway, as I suspected, these are simply elemental catalysts. It looks like the Universe 339 candidate has misunderstood them entirely. All of these crystals possess equal utility; there is no hierarchy of strong or weak among them as she described.’

An idea surged through Keon's mind, bright and electric, illuminating the dark corners of his strategic planning. If these crystals are truly capable of storing and compressing specific elemental energy under stress, then I am sure they will allow me to build the perfect fleet... one characterized by absolute defense, sustained speed, and overwhelming power.

He didn't waste a millisecond. While his physical form merged back with the floor of the warehouse, he projected his consciousness instantly back to his southern base on UHS1. His research facilities, dormant moments ago, roared to life at his silent command. He began the experimentation process, pushing the crystal samples through a rigorous sequence of stress tests and energy integration simulations.

After a brief, intense period of processing, three massive panels materialized in his vision, displaying the complete properties, operational limits, and physical parameters of all three crystal types. Simultaneously, a secondary array of panels bloomed beside him, populated by a flood of new technological blueprints, each fundamentally empowered by the interplay of these elemental forces.

Keon glanced around at these blueprints, his mind already weaving them into his grand design. ‘First, I will apply these crystals to this reactor technology to improve energy generation and, at the same time, create a loop,’ he thought, focusing his attention on the central projection.

It was a blueprint for a reactor: the Elemental Array Fusion Reactor. He researched this blueprint just now based on the properties of elemental crystals and hybrid fission and fusion technology.

This elemental reactor utilizes all four... light, flame, lightning, and wind elemental energies, coupled with advanced technology like field generators, sonic emitters, and energy transformers. The system was designed to interchange energy from one form to another, creating a cycle loop capable of generating massive amounts of energy with very minor loss. Practically, if this experiment was successful, this reactor would surpass the current hybrid reactors in total energy generation by a wide margin.

He turned his focus to the other blueprints. They unfolded one by one, a cascade of military and logistical dominance: elemental array cannons based on the reactor’s output, specialized element gathering machines, element compression machines, lightning-based armors, flame laser guns, light compression thrusters, perpetual solar matrices, overcharged railguns, photon beam cannons, and plasma thermal weapons. Finally, his eyes lingered on the magnetic shield generator, a defensive necessity he had finally optimized.

After reviewing the full scope of these blueprints, a sharp, predatory glint flashed through Keon’s pupil. An extreme, calculated excitement surged through his core.

‘I can now definitely create a perfect probe, one which will be easily able to spy on even a Type Two civilization,’ he realized, the plan solidifying in his processors. ‘I don't think I will encounter a Type Three civilization on the Kardashev Scale; if there was really such a civilization nearby, it wouldn't have allowed me to develop until now.’

He considered the cold, silent vastness of the cosmos he was preparing to claim. He was well-versed in the dark theory of the universe: either become prey or become the hunter.

‘I definitely will become the hunter,’ Keon decided, his resolve hardening into an unwavering directive. ‘And it is only possible because of utmost carefulness and preparation to face any unknown.’

After empowering his resolve, he opened the communication channel.

‘Anyway, I should complete the trade, then deal with the experiment and manufacturing of these elemental technologies.’

Keon’s thought flickered, his decision crystallizing with the speed of a machine cycle. He bypassed his secondary research queues, consolidating his focus on the immediate resource acquisition. He moved toward the central storage bay of this southern base, his movements fluid and precise, the floor beneath him squirming and moving, transferring him from one place to another with utmost efficiency.

He immediately gathered the magic crystals: one hundred thousand First Tier magic crystals, one thousand Second Tier, and one hundred and ten Third Tier. It was a substantial shipment, a significant portion of his current reserve, but the potential utility of the elemental crystals outweighed the temporary loss of stored magic energy. He did not hesitate. He initiated the exchange request with Universe 339, attaching a message that was as direct as it was detached.

[Universe 8888888888] "Hello, I am willing to exchange. Upon analyzing, I found out that these elemental crystals are of some use to me. Here are the magic crystals you requested; send me the elemental crystals. The transaction is based on the ratio you suggested."

He sent the request, his thoughts instantly calculating the projected efficiency gains of the new reactor designs. He braced for a delay... the standard negotiation lag inherent in cross-dimensional trade. But Gemma did not allow him that luxury. Almost the instant the message pinged into the void, the system alert flashed bright in his visual field.

[Exchange Successful]

[Note: You have received one hundred thousand tons of light crystals, one thousand tons each of wind, flame, and lightning crystals.]

Space inside the storage bay rippled. Reality distorted momentarily as the dimensional tether engaged, and suddenly, a mountain heap of luminous and other, wind, flame and lightning elemental crystals materialized, the sheer mass of raw material filling the expansive chamber. The luminescence was blinding, a chaotic spectrum of white, cyan, crimson, and violet that cast long, dancing shadows against the metallic bulkheads.

At the same moment, a reply from Universe 339 flickered into his vision.

[Universe 339] "Thank you... Also, if you change your mind about Tier 4 magic crystal, then contact me anytime. I will soon be able to provide new kinds of elemental crystals."

Keon glanced at the message thoughtfully, his analytical core dissecting the phrasing. Able to provide new kinds of crystals. The suspicion he had harbored since their second contact sharpened into a certainty. It looked like his guess was correct; her talent was inextricably tied to crystal… on top of that elemental crystals, no less.

‘New kinds of elemental crystals, it's definitely a hook for Tier 4 crystal. Looks like I will have to be careful while striking any kind of transaction with it in the future.’

After thinking cautiously, he immediately shook his head and dismissed the thoughts.

'No, I must observe first. If it truly yields a new kind of elemental crystals, it could become a vital strategic partner. Being prematurely suspicious of others will only hinder my long-term growth. I will analyze its capabilities during next few exchanges before deciding on my next steps.'

He thought, dismissing her message silently. He had the resources, elemental crystals and the blueprints. Her secrets were now merely a matter of time and leverage.

He closed the communication channel, the connection severing with a digital snap. The storage bay returned to a functional silence, save for the hum of his own internal systems. Keon then turned around and returned to the experiment floor, his gaze fixed on the heavy, reinforced doors of the room in front of him.

The air within the corridor felt charged, heavy with the weight of impending evolution. He stepped forward, his posture radiating a singular, focused intensity. 'It’s time to build a probe; anyway, there is still some time before the analysis of resources on UHS2 will complete. I won't waste it.'

…