---

“More than that, there’s no time. The time my thoughts can possess my descendants is only 10 minutes.”

My friend, who had embraced me and unleashed a barrage of resentful words, suddenly declared that there was no time left and got up.

While doing this, he rushed me to a certain location, saying five minutes had already passed.

“This is my last gift prepared for the day you return. I’ve left my power itself behind.”

The ability known as “power” that can only be used by players who have possessed this world.

According to my friend’s explanation, “power” is a “quantity of likelihood” that ignores the physical laws of this world.

In other words, just like the nonsensical scenario where “a child who has never learned to wield a sword suddenly becomes a sword master,” it is “power”—the involvement of likelihood making it possible.

“You were the one among us with the highest power. But now… you’ve likely lost a considerable amount of it. It takes a significant amount of power to be sealed away with a Grand Duke for hundreds of years.”

As he spoke, my friend shattered the glass tube storing the power.

He then grabbed the power floating in the air and pushed it into my chest as he spoke.

“So you must think carefully about how to use it. You should use the power for the ability you need the most. Unfortunately, it won’t be a large amount.”

With that, my friend smiled.

He asked if I had any questions as only one minute remained.

“I’m sorry, but what was your… name again?”

And so, I asked for his name.

After he prepared such a space for me, it wouldn’t be too much to remember his name.

“…In time, you’ll remember on your own. Just think of me as a friend who owes you a lot.”

However, my friend didn’t reveal his name.

He added that since I’d eventually remember, I shouldn’t unnecessarily disturb the locked memories.

“…If you’re sorry, then succeed in this world line. I have no doubt you can make it.”

As he read the apologetic expression on my face, my friend said that with a smile.

And with that smile, the thoughts enveloping Christine began to slowly disperse.

The time of those thoughts had run out.

“Thank you.”

I offered my last farewell as I watched my friend dissolve away.

Once the thoughts had completely scattered and vanished, Christine, returned to her original self, asked how things were.

Looking at the system window floating in the air, I said, “I owe you a lot. I’ve really gained what I needed.”

The last power my friend left behind for me.

As I looked at the choices this power offered, I spoke those words.

Every path leading to the salvation of this world was open to me.

[You have secured 73,600 power!]

[Displays all issues that can be opened with the total amount of power.]

『

▶Skill [Decomposition/Synthesis]

: Decomposes completed artifacts to obtain materials or synthesizes two materials to create new materials.

▶Satellite

: Launches a satellite to observe this world.

▶Armored Mechanic Design Blueprint

: Obtains a blueprint to create the ‘Doom Buster.’

▶Transmutation

: Transforms into a body that can use ancient spells.

』

***

“Hmm…”

In the early evening, I was resting in my private room, lying on the bed and looking at the hologram.

I was contemplating how to use the power I received from my friend.

“This isn’t easy.”

However, every choice was so attractive that deciding wasn’t straightforward.

New skills, a satellite, the Doomsday Buster, and transmutation all had their own merits.

Especially the ‘Doom Buster’ had a magic so thrilling that I wanted to rush into it immediately.

It truly embodied a man’s dream, right?

Just thinking about an armored mechanic with the strength to punch even dragons into submission was enough to make my heart race.

“But the satellite is also a good choice.”

However, the satellite was the option that would currently provide the most benefit.

Since preventing the rise of the Demon Church was the top priority right now.

A satellite that could monitor the entire planet was quite an enticing option.

Using GPS technology would allow for automatic flight or long-range missile launches.

“…No, I still don’t have the proper infrastructure to effectively use a satellite.”

However, there was a problem.

Having just a satellite wouldn’t allow me to use its functions 100%.

After all, I didn’t have a proper computer or radio yet.

Of course, after considerable effort, I had developed an initial model of a computer, but it’s not even close to modern computers.

It would be impossible for me to single-handedly replicate the technology of Intel or Samsung, which allegedly tortures aliens.

“What about transmutation…?”

Now, what about transmutation?

In fact, transmutation was also quite an attractive option.

I, who couldn’t use spells at all, could learn ancient spells.

With my ‘Engineering Thinking’ skill, which was quite overpowered, understanding the forms and dynamics of the spells would only be a matter of time.

This could lead me to the pinnacle of ‘Mage Engineering.’

“But that becomes ambiguous.”

However, if that happened, it would turn into a mix of everything.

Currently, I was enhancing destructive power and defense based on modern mechanical engineering knowledge, such as materials science, dynamics, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics.

In other words, the mechanic I was developing was fundamentally based on physics.

Thus, Mage Engineering should only serve to assist or complement that.

I couldn’t afford to flip the roles.

“The same goes for the Doom Buster.”

Following the same logic, the Doom Buster was no different.

At this moment, I hadn’t even completed my suit properly.

So, to create the Doom Buster, I’d need substantial technological groundwork, but I could only make the suit.

The Doom Buster was still ahead of its time.

If I chose the Doom Buster as a reward, it would undoubtedly end up being shoved into a corner.

“In the end, it seems to be option one.”

Therefore, I focused on the first choice: the skill [Decomposition/Synthesis].

I reviewed the skill description once again.

[Decomposes completed artifacts to obtain materials or creates new materials by synthesizing two materials.]

“…Hmm.”

At first glance, the skill seems unremarkable.

But if you think about it a little more, it becomes clear that it’s an incredibly overpowered skill.

It can create entirely new substances.

“Synthesis is amazing!”

A skill that can synthesize any two substances to create a new substance.

If used well, it could lead to the creation of a whole new type of suit.

In terms of developmental potential, it’s the choice with the highest ceiling.

“Alright. I confirm option one.”

There was no further hesitation.

I clicked option one without regret and awaited the result.

As the golden light erupted from within me, there was a sensation of floating, as if freed from gravity.

A peculiar and languid sensation spread throughout my body, and my vision momentarily blurred.

-Ding!

[You have acquired the skill [Decomposition/Synthesis]!]

A moment later, as my senses returned, a message appeared saying that the skill had been obtained.

And I instinctively understood how to use and apply this skill.

It was a strange feeling as if I could control my hair at will.

“Now, shall I test it out?”

Having mastered a new skill, I decided to conduct several tests.

First, I needed to check what byproducts emerged when I used ‘Decomposition.’

“Decomposition.”

So, I decomposed the bolts in my inventory.

Then, a status window appeared before me, displaying the following message.

[Decomposition complete!]

▶Results

: 23g of iron powder, 2g of stainless steel, 20 entropy

“Entropy?”

However, I tilted my head at the message.

While I could understand the iron and stainless steel, which were the raw materials that made up the bolt, the 20 entropy was completely unanticipated.

“The energy used in making the bolt…? Is that accounted as a byproduct of decomposition?”

However, I soon realized that the appearance of entropy as a result did make sense.

After all, to form the chaotic iron ore into the orderly shape of a ‘bolt,’ the degree of ‘disorder’ represented by entropy needed to decrease.

In essence, the raw, irregular iron ore had been processed into the orderly shape of a ‘bolt,’ thus human thermal energy was measured as ‘entropy 20.’

-Ding!

[20 entropy is being recovered. The recovered entropy is stored in ‘Entropy Storage.’]

At that moment, the system displayed a new message.

After checking the contents of the message, I immediately manipulated the status window to enter the ‘Skill Description’ section.

To uncover the role of ‘Entropy Storage.’

[Entropy Storage]

▶Function

: Stores entropy.

▶Use

: Consuming all stored entropy increases the success rate of ‘Synthesis.’

…Increases the success rate of synthesis.

That was a phrase that piqued my interest.

I immediately began breaking down excess equipment and items in my inventory to secure entropy.

I wanted to see just how ludicrous things I could synthesize.

“Could this… actually work?”

So, what I brought were an egg and iron powder.

With the entropy 1030 I secured from breaking down all sorts of excess equipment, I intended to use it to synthesize these two materials.

Of course, while the egg was living material encased, I was simply curious.

I wanted to see if ‘Synthesis’ would differentiate between the shell and yolk during the process.

“Synthesize.”

With that, I immediately attempted the Synthesis.

The two materials were wrapped in light and merged into one.

The synthesis succeeded.

-Ding!

[Successfully synthesized and created ‘Iron Egg.’]

“…Hah.”

And I couldn’t help but chuckle at that.

An iron egg in the shape of a perfect oval had emerged.

However, when I held the iron egg and shook it, I could clearly feel something inside.

The yolk remained intact, while just the shell and iron powder had combined together.

-Bubble bubble bubble…

Late at night.

Curious about what the boiled iron egg would taste like, I decided to boil it.

Since iron has high thermal conductivity, I needed to reduce the boiling time a bit to achieve that perfect soft-boiled state.

Calculating that in my mind, after taking it out for an appropriate amount of time and cooling it in cold water, I brought it back to my room.

-Thud! Thud! Thud!

However, even when slammed on the floor, it didn’t break.

If I tried to crack it with my head, my skull would likely break first.

-Swish!

So, I put on my gauntlet and used a laser cutter to slice the iron egg in half.

Inside the iron egg shell was a hard-boiled egg, cut in half.

“Hmm.”

With that, I popped it into my mouth.

Cautious of biting into any iron powder, I carefully chewed to taste the egg.

It tasted exactly like the one I already knew.

“Hmm…”

As I savored the egg, I began to think about potential uses for ‘Synthesis.’

If I could create something as versatile as an iron egg, then I wanted to see if more entropy would yield even more creative materials.

For example, creating a hybrid from titanium alloys mixed with adamantite and mithril.

Or perhaps synthesizing the shell of a transparent monster to create an invisibility suit.

Depending on the application, I could obtain all sorts of bizarre materials.

“Wait a minute…”

At that moment, a chilling thought crossed my mind.

That was ‘Decomposition.’

When I decomposed any equipment, wouldn’t it calculate and return the entropy that was put into the equipment as materials?

Then if I decomposed the great sword I wielded in the past, wouldn’t I receive back the ‘power’ that was invested in making that sword?

“If that happens… it’s a jackpot!”

After all, I couldn’t handle a great sword properly anymore.

Swinging a great sword while suited up would be a ridiculous sight.

The past me was just that—the past me—but the current me was better suited for more advanced weapons than a one-dimensional one like a great sword.

“Good luck with that.”

So, I took out the great sword from my inventory.

Given that I can barely swing the great sword by pulling 50% of the entire power of the suit, the decomposition results were likely to be beyond imagination.

With such expectations, I initiated ‘Decomposition’ on the great sword.

-Phwaaa────────────!

A dazzling light began to burst forth.

***

“Thank you for everything.”

Three weeks later, we bid farewell to Harris and Christine.

It was about time for the Dreadnought Ship to arrive, and we needed to return to the underground bunker to prepare for our return.

“Please understand that we cannot disclose our circumstances to our comrades. This place must remain a secret from everyone.”

We decided to keep the existence of this place a secret from anyone.

Especially since agents from the Egerton family were monitoring the movements of the demons all over the world.

To protect their security and the safety of the agents, it was crucial to keep the existence of the city hidden.

“Then may fortune favor you.”

With that, we stepped outside the city walls, greeted by the Egerton family and the townspeople.

During our stay, the wall had once again been rebuilt, allowing us to exit easily and quickly through the ‘back road.’

“Now, let’s go secure our alibi.”

“Right.”

Once outside, we went to the underground bunker and made a complete mess.

We decorated the bunker so it looked like we had been living there for the last three weeks.

How much time passed by?

“Ed!?”

Enya peeked her head out as she opened the bunker door.

Following her, Isabella, Charlotte, Claire, Lucas, and my other peers rushed in to check on me.

“What happened to the Sea Wall…?”

“It failed. The reverse spell didn’t work.”

I lied about the Sea Wall.

Elena’s dramatic acting as she exaggeratedly sighed and frowned was quite a sight, but miraculously, I had no trouble fooling everyone.

“…Hmm. So did we gain nothing from this expedition?”

But the princess looked a bit disappointed.

Given the enormous funding we had poured into the expedition, visible results were necessary.

“No, it wasn’t a total bust. We discovered an entirely new type of mineral zone.”

“What!?”

However, I hadn’t just been idle for the past three weeks.

Having belonged to the Egerton family, which had lived in the middle of the sea for centuries, I had been educated on ‘marine minerals.’

And I had already filtered out the most commercially viable minerals.

Specifically, I was referring to ‘Mana Sea Stone,’ which can only be extracted from deep-sea magical mineral zones.

“Do you have samples?”

“Here they are.”

As I handed over the samples of the Mana Sea Stone, I explained their uses.

Crushing and consuming them would accelerate the body’s mana circulation and enhance the performance of water-based spells.

“If so, this is completely…”

“Yes. A blockbuster product. If someone continuously consumes mana sea stones, the rate of mana absorption in water will increase.”

It was genuinely a crazy product that nobles would go crazy for.

The princess smiled broadly and praised both me and Elena for our contributions.

She said that with the situation at this level, it would be enough to return to the homeland and urged us to hasten our return.

-Whoosh…

Thus, the Dreadnought Ship, carrying everyone, set sail.

Yet, once I returned to the captain’s room, I couldn’t contain my excitement.

The reason was that when I had decomposed the great sword I once used, I had acquired a significant amount of ‘power’ and rare byproducts.

“Fix, there’s so much to do when we go back.”

“Wiuuhhh~!”

I would have to bury myself in the lab for the foreseeable future.

 

---