Chapter 290
Chapter 290
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 290
Chapter Title: Same Time, Different Place (1)
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Aouterica, where most of his avatars were active.
The Kanghwan Realm, a dimension he'd only recently set foot in.
And Earth, the central hub where his main body resided.
Living simultaneously across multiple worlds with various bodies had given him countless insights.
But if he had to pick just one standout realization from all those experiences...
...it would without a doubt be the 'time lag'.
'Well, it's only natural in a way. I've been focusing a lot on Earth lately...'
A whopping tenfold time difference.
The gap between dimensions was no small matter.
Spending just three days on Earth equated to about a month in the other worlds—it was unavoidable.
Because of that, the events on Earth might seem grand relative to the short time passed, but when factoring in the other worlds, it wasn't quite the case.
The holy site at the heart of the Ion Continent in Aouterica.
"You've returned, Saint. A bit earlier than expected this time."
"Ah, Lady Lyrin. Thank you for your service today as well."
Heinz turned to the blue-haired woman greeting him as he passed through the main gate into the Roselia Cathedral.
She was once a member of the Glory Guardian Holy Knight Order, to which he had belonged, and among the Church of the Main God's many knight orders, she was an elite Holy Knight dedicated to guarding the cathedral's interior.
She happened to be nearby and approached with precise steps, bowing formally before continuing.
"The Saintess asked several times just moments ago if you'd returned. It seemed she had some business with you..."
"Ah, looks like I timed it perfectly. Thank you for letting me know, Lady Lyrin."
"Not at all, Saint. I'll be on my way then."
"Yes, take care."
Having delivered her message, she bowed once more and turned with crisp movements.
She had been his instructor when he was first assigned to the cathedral interior, and because of that connection, he still interacted with her more casually than others.
After all, his meteoric rise relative to his position meant he didn't have many close acquaintances.
'Come to think of it, she was the one who first told me about the Fragment of the Immortal King inside the cathedral.'
Of course, it was part of her guard duties, but it had undeniably aided his subsequent actions.
Chuckling softly, Heinz shrugged and continued into the cathedral.
'Anyway, Riesta was looking for me. Probably wants to ask about Earth again? Well, after going back and forth so many times, she might have guessed I'd show up around now.'
Naturally, he hadn't slipped off to Earth without a word to the Church of the Main God.
No matter how much leeway the recent White Giant incident's resolution had created, the Saint and Hero—symbols of the church's military might—couldn't just vanish at will.
'So I was upfront about it.'
That he'd be stepping away briefly from time to time to visit the other world.
'Of course, I framed it as the grace of the Main God.'
His audience were all zealots; even crossing dimensions was trivial before divine glory.
With the Saintess already investigating other worlds out of curiosity after learning Hesferon and Isea were otherworlders...
'I should bring it up with Isea soon too.'
Her return date was approaching.
She probably thought it would be right after the final battle with the Immortal King.
Learning the truth after returning to Earth might breed resentment, so preemptively giving her a heads-up seemed wise.
'That way, we can maintain cooperation on Earth afterward.'
She had poured all her karma for return into ties left in Aouterica.
For someone so sentimental, Heinz as a channel between dimensions would be like rain in a drought.
'Isea seems ready to break through with just the right trigger. More power at that level is always welcome.'
While here, he could relay messages to her Earth family, and post-return, indirect communication via Riley would benefit her too.
But he wasn't without inner concerns.
'I have to hide that Hahoe Mask and the Immortal King are the same person somehow.'
An otherworld demon lord turning out to be a dark hero on Earth upon return?
To avoid awkward encounters on both sides, Hans's operations needed to be fixed entirely overseas.
'Korea's stable now anyway, no need for Hans there. Just avoid direct clashes...'
Photos or videos could be dismissed as lookalikes.
Their vibes were polar opposites, the drab black robe unremarkable, and the Hahoe Mask a Korean cultural icon anyway.
'After learning Isea was Korean, I stuck to the broken mask in Aouterica on purpose.'
But he lacked confidence in deceiving opponents he'd already clashed with face-to-face.
It wouldn't be catastrophic if exposed now that the home theater arc was done, but nipping potential issues early was best.
'Then I'll stay a few more days before heading to Earth—handle the backlog... Ah, Riesta first.'
The Otherworld Teleportation Circle's cooldown was once every 12 hours Earth time.
Earth activity amounted to mere hours daily—easily manageable.
Running the circle this tightly might reduce other avatars' flexibility, but...
'No urgent matters for now, so it should be fine.'
Aouterica's major event left was wrapping up the home theater.
The calm before the storm had arrived.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A private workshop in Tarac.
"Ooh! Finally!"
After the prototype test caused a recent uproar, Howard left his freeloading days at Zaonic's workshop for his newly prepared personal studio.
Zaonic had said he could stay, but backed by the Hubert Merchant Association, Howard saw no need to impose further.
Their neighboring locations ensured daily interactions unchanged.
"Finally complete!"
Still, having his own secret lair stirred something thrilling.
Thus, from moving day, he dove into work obsessively, yielding fruit weeks later.
"The left arm of the All-Purpose Combat Full-Body Suit Mk.2!"
Just one arm, but progress.
Holding it high triumphantly, he admired his masterpiece with ecstatic eyes.
A mechanical arm radiating extraordinary menace at first glance.
A single part, yet no ordinary item.
Its materials, techniques, and embedded power source were all exceptional.
'As expected, capital is the ultimate virtue in crafting, beyond even skill!'
Highest-grade magic stone.
A treasure just below the special-grade Dragon Heart.
Even the imperial palace used them as barrier cores outside emergencies—their value spoke for itself.
'Lost one saving Diana from those revolutionaries last time.'
Using such an item as a consumable let unpowered Hubert escape that monster.
Now, that treasure powered a mere arm...
'Without Kanghwan Realm's millennial cold iron alloyed with Demon Realm adamantium, impossible.'
Both renowned for durability and energy resistance.
Alloying them was arduous, but Howard succeeded via Song of Fire and Metal, Metallurgy, and Technological Revolution.
The golden-ratio alloy lined the internals as circuits, enduring such power.
A fantasy dwarf's powered exoskeleton blending wuxia and demon materials with future tech!
"Kekekeke~ This is like strapping a small spaceship to my arm! Can't wait to see the full suit!"
Dancing gleefully with the arm, Howard suddenly froze.
Staring intently, he stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"Hmm— It needs a proper name now."
Couldn't keep calling this gem 'All-Purpose Combat Full-Body Suit' forever.
Time for a catchy, stylish proper noun.
"Hmm, maybe 'Iron Guy'... No, too knockoff. 'Captain Aouterica'... Same issue. Hm."
After agonizing over naming...
Sighing deeply, everything felt futile.
"Eh, 'Titan' it is! Like a little giant. As a dwarf, naming after a god isn't bad for something this grand..."
Muttering to himself...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Titan gazes upon you. The entity has met the conditions and grows. Special Skill Song of Fire and Metal evolves to Tuner of Fire and Metal. He'd experienced this before.
"This is... the forge's blessing?"
The sign of growth when crafting something meaningful or pleasing the gods before a forge.
'Meaning even the gods approve...'
Of this new invention named after him, nonexistent before.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Swaaah—
Waves crashed gently.
The salty sea breeze added exotic charm to this idyllic beachside cliff hideaway.
"Ugh!"
A straining grunt echoed softly from within.
"How ta do dis..."
The lisping child with an adorably immature voice matched his seven-ish appearance.
Golden locks swaying, glistening golden eyes, soft smooth skin, chubby cheeks—a charming boy.
Horus, Aouterica's last gold dragon hatchling.
Perched on a lab chair amid magical gear, he wrestled with something on the table...
"Done!"
Satisfied, he thrust his hands up in cheer.
And—
"Hoh, what's that?"
"Eek?!"
Startled by the drawling voice, he spun around beaming, hands still raised.
Shrihartgen, the Gold Clan's elder dragon, loomed with half-lidded eyes.
"Hehehe..."
"...Hah, no ordinary item. Where'd you get it?"
The ancient dragon, barely clinging to life in hibernation, eyed the object emanate unusual aura even then.
"This... dwarven craftsmanship. Impressive—no, excellent. Designed for enchanting from the start?"
Examining it, surprise crept over his weary face.
"Hah, this requires more than magic knowledge—great mage-level insight at minimum."
Quite remarkable.
Dwarves prided themselves on raw crafting surpassing magitech; collaborating with enchanters from design phase was rare.
Let alone great mage foundations?
'Did this child enchant it? ...Masterful. Perfect harmony, like one creator from the outset.'
Glancing anew at Horus, he savored the item slowly.
Sleek curves of subtle black metal.
An armor style unfamiliar even to him after eons—the left arm part.