Chapter 510
Chapter 510
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 510
Chapter Title: Howard's Revenge (2)
Howard Industries' surprise showcase announcement.
In the wake of the devastating terrorist attack, many expressed concerns over the company's decision to push forward with such a reckless event. This included not just reporters and ordinary citizens, but even the employees under its umbrella.
Naturally, most reactions boiled down to utter disbelief at the choice.
"Didn't they say the headquarters building itself collapsed in the terror attack? And now a tech reveal at a time like this?"
"Maybe that's exactly why they're doing it—to show they're still standing strong. Howard Industries isn't your average company, after all."
"Still, they'd be run ragged just cleaning up the mess. And for that mystery fabricator who hasn't shown their face once to step out front...?"
"Means they've been sharpening their blades all this time. Anyway, let's see how it plays out. Divine stroke or self-sabotage?"
But for all the buzz it stirred, expectations had skyrocketed too. Just how confident were they to pull a stunt like this? With the world's eyes already glued to Howard Industries, this bold move drew global attention.
Governments and associations across nations, of course—not to mention shadowy crime syndicates and secret societies.
And among them—
"Uwahaha! What a blatant trap this is! Out for revenge, are we? This is gonna be fun!"
—was the Doctor, ringleader of the terror attack.
"Can't very well ignore an invite like this. Quite the pickle. Well, shall we see what they're up to?"
As the topic dominated conversations far and wide, with the name Howard Industries tossed around endlessly, time flew by.
Before long, the announced showcase day had dawned.
-"Esteemed guests in attendance and viewers tuning in—we welcome you to Howard Industries' technology showcase today!"
The event kicked off with the host's opening declaration.
With cleanup from the attack leaving no room to breathe, Chief Officer Jin Solran—the top decision-maker—couldn't handle hosting duties again like last time. Plenty grumbled about it, but she insisted once was enough and seemed downright relieved.
-"...Without further ado! Let's unveil our first creation! A masterpiece born of Howard's blood and sweat—the enigmatic grandmaster shrouded in veils. An artwork crystallizing his scholarship and knowledge, the pinnacle of magitech from another world unlike Earth's science!"
Giiiing—clank!
And so the Howard Industries tech showcase unfolded.
"Autonomous magitech knight with anti-Awakener processing!"
To tremendous success.
"We call it the Arcane Android!"
Even the madman who'd planned to bide his time couldn't hold back and rushed his operation prematurely.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Humanoid robots with metallic bodies exuded an eerie pressure as they lined up across the stage.
Autonomous weapons driven by advanced AI, executing orders with speed and precision. Unlike Earth's conventional robots, they incorporated magitech and a touch of divinity, granting resistance to hostile mysteries. Even low-tier Awakeners could be handled by these Androids alone.
"No way... that's not from the Otherworld? They made that on Earth?"
"Otherworld stuff is just scrap without an Awakener, right? But those things are moving on their own!"
"Feels like we stepped into a sci-fi flick."
"Wait, if they can mass-produce those..."
That alone was enough to stun the crowd. Until now, wielding Otherworld artifacts like magitech required Awakeners. Autonomy solved that issue outright.
But the showcase was far from over. No, this was just the warmup.
-"The energy's electric already! Now for our second piece..."
Automated turrets firing mana shells, barrier generators mimicking wards. Not limited to futuristic tech either—cold weapons, armor, accessories as magitech, even everyday gadgets poured out.
One common thread: every item shattered preconceptions with insane performance. As if fusing Earth's best Otherworld imports and cherry-picking the perks.
'Revealing all this at once?'
'Damn, Howard Industries went all-in.'
'So that's the confidence behind this sudden showcase.'
Earth's current civilization could only be called aberrant. Ages of native progress muddled by unintegrated Otherworld influxes floating like impurities. A patchwork of incompatible remnants—that was modern Earth.
And this? A revolution to upend it all.
-"Next up—we proudly present the genius inventor behind these marvels, the world's top mind, Howard himself!"
At the host's call, the pioneer of a new era stepped forth boldly.
Clap clap clap—
Roooar—!
A dwarf in a goblin mask with a fierce scowl. The moment Dwarf Howard showed his face to the masses for the first time.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ -"...And with that, we conclude Howard Industries' technology showcase! Thank you!"
Product demos flaunted like a show of strength, capped by an interview with creator Howard himself. The impromptu event wrapped triumphantly, news spreading like wildfire and igniting massive waves.
💬 Comments — AnonUser42 Singularity incoming? Era where non-Awakeners can use superpowers in daily life? — TechFanatic Android OP;; One of those and I could crush all the bullies messing with me. — Realist99 Won't affect us common folk much? Price is the killer. Ain't cheap. I'd rather save for a house. ↳ Reply Who knows? Could drop as tech advances. I'm holding out. The tech Howard unveiled drew massive spotlight—especially that it performed fully without an Awakener.
This world was dominated by ordinary folk. Returnees from the Otherworld were a tiny minority by comparison. Yet in crises like terror attacks, normals were always at the mercy of powered elites. No wonder they yearned for abilities.
💬 Comments — CuriousCat Why the mask tho? Features so distinct, you'd spot him sans mask instantly. ↳ Reply Scarred face maybe. Suits him tho. Goblin club magic image lol. — FantasyNerd Anyone else get dwarf vibes from Howard? — DwarfLover Same. Short, craftsman, booming voice—spot on lol. — ModeratorBot Hey now, no personal attacks. — DwarfLover Dwarf = compliment for a craftsman? Fr. Not a few linked Howard's look to dwarves naturally. In a world where fantasy was everyday, spotting a stocky, muscled figure and thinking dwarf wasn't odd.
The showcase left a deep mark on the public regardless. Howard Industries' fame soared stratospheric, and interest in Howard—the alpha and omega of it all—erupted like a volcano.
...A bit excessively.
Right after the flawless finale.
Unlike his usual backstage gear-grinding, Dwarf Howard—now the star bathed in adoration—felt the fervor viscerally.
"Oh! You're awake at last! Feeling better now?"
"Gah! Damn it, you scared me! What the hell is this?!"
As his eyes fluttered open, a pair of manic eyes stared right into his.
"Aw, that hurts even my feelings! Well, as long as it doesn't mess with research... Anyway, welcome to my workshop, Howard! You can't imagine how long I've wanted this."
The ashen-haired man stepped back from the startled Howard, arms flung wide in exaggerated glee.
"Oops! Haven't introduced myself? Call me Doctor! You probably know already. Uwahahat!"
Thus, mere moments after the showcase ended.
Howard was inevitably kidnapped by the Doctor.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 'Doctor.'
He might be a stranger to Howard, but not vice versa. Other Avatars had crossed paths—and even slain—him multiple times.
'He's changed a lot since then.'
Howard scanned the Doctor's heavily modified body and clicked his tongue. With his own pinnacle tech savvy and divine insight, the extent was obvious at a glance.
'What the hell did he do to himself? True lunatic? Still human?'
The man exceeded even his wildest mad-scientist expectations. No mere cyborg swap—this Doctor was twisted from core existence to soul.
'Halli looks tame by comparison.'
Homunculus, chimera, artificial spirit, golem, automaton, undead—none fit the maniac. As Howard grimaced at the instinctive revulsion,
"Man~ that was tough. If you knew the investments I poured just to meet you, Howard... But success feels great! Hahat!"
The beaming Doctor spoke in cheery tones. Howard's face hardened.
'Oh, I know. All too well.'
He hadn't been unprepared. Not full force, but he'd mobilized transcendent Avatars alongside precautions—main body holed up safe.
'And it ends like this.'
It happened in a blink. Massive barrier unfurled, followed by all-out assault. A sliver of chaos exploited for the snatch. Then whisked to near-Europe in seconds.
'At least five transcendents mobilized in that op.'
That cemented one truth: Buncheon Society hadn't been weak before. They just lacked intel on his identity and base. If they went all-out? Even he couldn't guarantee safety.
'...Gotta amp main body security. Can't risk a leak from some slip-up. Stay in unless it's dire.'
Unpredictable geniuses demanded constant vigilance. So resolving, Howard eyed the trashed lab, then the Doctor.
"Doctor. Heard of you. One of Buncheon Society's top brass?"
"Yup! That's me—the Doctor!"
"But I heard you died... How are you still kicking?"
"Ah? Pyahaha! Right, died twice to that masquerade crew. Once to Phantom in Romania, once to the hacker with the curse mail. Good times~."
Whether supreme confidence or sheer madness, the Doctor reminisced leisurely, eyes shut.
"Secret though... I've died more than that. Botched body mods a few times."
He whispered conspiratorially with a sly grin, utterly nonchalant about his own deaths.
"How are you still..."
"Oh right! While you slept, I ran a quick checkup. Worried about injuries en route. Pure goodwill—no worries!"
"What'd you do to my body..."
"Kya! Never dreamed you weren't human. Half-expected it. Dwarf genes were easy to snag, but a live one? First time."
"......"
"No fears! I adore shining potential. Use your knowledge and talent for world's progress, and I swear no harm to that body!"
Howard swallowed a sigh at the interrupting torrent. Trusting the words was secondary—the real issue was expecting sane talk from a lunatic.
'Gotta endure. Why else get captured?'
Yes, this was all premeditated. The blatant trap, layered defenses to dodge suspicion—every bit planned. Defenses pierced anticlimactically, but that was moot now.
'You raided my turf, so fair's fair—I raid yours. ...And snag some intel while at it.'
Either way, this moment.
Alone with Buncheon Society's top exec in his private lab.