Chapter 62

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Translator: ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠True Detective

Chapter: 62

Chapter Title: No Regrets

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I was taken aback that the expected number of hand options didn't appear, but I started examining them one by one anyway.

'This seems like it means I can merge the four hands into one.'

Combining them into one would likely make the Telekinesis power reach 6.4 tons.

'In other words, a single hand outputting 6.4 tons ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of force?'

On top of that, the sub-ability 'One-Strike Blow'.

Not entirely sure, but it felt like an ability to punch with a fist.

'At 6.4 tons, it might even be stronger than the Hero Party here.'

Of course, that wasn't certain either.

But it was definitely a significant amount of power.

'Hand size 20 times bigger...'

This was an option where power increased by making the size larger.

20 times bigger—who knew how huge that would be—but it didn't seem as useful as option 1.

'I thought about using bigger hands to block attacks.'

But in that case, just wielding a big shield might be better.

Each hand could now lift 1.6 tons, so who could pierce a 1-ton shield anyway?

'Skip option 2.'

Next, option 3 was an enhancement on the support side.

The problem was, what was the point of linking the sensation of my real hands and Telekinesis hands...?

"...".

I briefly looked away from the options and glanced at Elisicia and Rubyel's chests nearby.

What if, when all four Telekinesis hands felt exactly like my own hands, I groped both of their chests at the same time?

'And I could grope them much more comfortably than before.'

Until now, I'd had to twist my arms to touch their chests or roll over to one side.

But if Sensory Link worked as I imagined, I could freely fondle both sides without any of that.

"...".

Thinking that far, I almost selected option 3 without realizing it.

Fortunately, I barely held back and managed to shift my gaze to option 4.

'This one's pretty straightforward compared to the others.'

In simple terms, it meant I could create one more form beyond the current hand shape.

Choosing this would let me turn it into wires like the Ice Queen mentioned, but that didn't appeal much.

'Plus, no particular form I'm drawn to.'

A sword? Wouldn't four-channel weapons be more effective?

Wires? Outside of setting them up while camping, where else would I use them?

'All power and effects tripled...'

Temporarily, but that meant my Telekinesis power would total 19.2 tons.

And if my Telekinesis leveled up to 30 or 40, this effect would maximize even further.

'It's 19.2 tons now.'

If I raised Telekinesis to level 30? At least 31.2 tons.

Who knew what the level 30 specialization would bring, but if it was something like double power?

'62.4 tons.'

No joke, that was tank-tossing territory.

'Logically, option 5 makes sense.'

With unknown dangers in the labyrinth, option 5 seemed the best.

It gave a chance to break through even in emergencies.

'Argh, seriously.'

If only option 3 wasn't there, I'd pick 5.

Reason screamed for 5, instinct for 3.

"Castaway?"

Then Elisicia called out to me and approached with a worried look.

"Your face looks serious. Something happen in the Gallery?"

"No, nothing like...".

As I answered no, I suddenly stared at Elisicia's body.

The soft, feminine curves visible even through her leather armor.

"...".

The moment I saw that, my dilemma vanished like ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it was washed away—an incredibly mystical experience.

"It's nothing. I'm fine."

I replied to Elisicia like that and selected the level 20 ability specialization.

'No regrets.'

Unlike my thoughts, if a real emergency hit, I might regret not picking 5.

But picking 5 would mean regretting 3 every night sleeping next to Elisicia and Rubyel.

'Anyway.'

I could feel the hand sensations becoming unbelievably vivid.

Probably thanks to the sub-ability 'Dexterity' from Sensory Link.

'But where can I use this Dexterity?'

In combat, I'd mostly be shooting guns.

With Modern Item Purchase's [Resource Recharge] filling bullets too.

'If it breaks, [Product Repair] fixes it.'

And I wouldn't need ultra-precise shooting, so Dexterity probably wouldn't shine.

Still thinking it'd be useful somewhere, I opened my inventory and counted remaining Bloodstones.

'3,856.'

A lot fewer after leveling to 20.

But enough to raise Elisicia's ability to level 10 at least.

"Hero."

4-channel.

Golden King Diorlen Arcannis finished all preparations and headed directly to the frontline battlefield where the military's supreme commander was.

He could have handled talks and trades via the Gallery, but Diorlen moved personally for certainty.

Wooong—

Arriving in 20 minutes via Aero Drone, Diorlen disembarked as the door opened automatically.

Called the frontline battlefield, this 'Eternal Barrier' stretched about 50,000 km to block bugs at the source.

"Lord Diorlen. You've arrived."

A colonel in a hat approached and greeted him calmly.

"Yes. Long time no see. I hope you've been well, Lord Galor?"

"If we didn't hear about bugs, maybe."

Exchanging formalities, Diorlen cut straight to the point.

"If it's alright, could you guide me to the supreme commander?"

"Of course. Those behind are escorts?"

Ten androids waited behind Diorlen.

Naturally, fully wrapped in full-body tights to prevent bug infection.

"Escorts. A person of my stature can't go unprotected."

"Be careful not to get infected by bugs."

"Unless the full-body suit is damaged, it should be fine."

Anyway, Diorlen's arrival drew soldiers from afar to watch.

Diorlen rarely showed his face without cause, so curiosity brought them out.

"The mood isn't bad."

"Thanks to the bugs quieting down. Reality's different."

The bugs had once assaulted relentlessly, but not now.

Knowing why, Diorlen nodded in response.

"Here it is."

"Yes."

Galor guided to the door, knocked, and announced Diorlen's arrival.

"Lord Omer. Colonel Galor here. I've brought Lord Diorlen."

"Come in."

Galor carefully opened the door and completed the guidance.

"You can enter now."

"Thank you for guiding me."

Diorlen left all escort androids outside and entered.

Inside was a man appearing 50-60, but his muscular build rivaled a 20-year-old.

"You're here. I received the Awakening Stones you gave well."

He was Omer Walker, the military's supreme commander.

For reference, Diorlen had scattered six inferior Awakening Stones as bait, first received from the Castaway.

"Any good abilities?"

"Stamina amp, shield summon, electric discharge—useless stuff."

"Depends on how you use them, no?"

"Effects were negligible. Barely better than nothing."

Hearing that, Diorlen sensed it was a bust from the start.

Not a single decent ability out of six.

Without showing it, he calmly asked about future needs.

"So, the military has no need for Awakening Stones going forward?"

"No need...".

Omer pondered briefly, then shook his head.

Random abilities meant potential for good ones.

"You brought more Awakening Stones."

Omer deduced extras from Diorlen's words.

"And you want something in return."

"To start, I have two mid-grade Awakening Stones. Rare even in 3-channel."

"Mid-grade give unlimited ammo abilities?"

"Depends on luck."

Omer stared at Diorlen's reply, then spoke again.

"Seeing you now, you seem like a merchant turning this world's crisis into opportunity. Coming here personally, you must want military gear like the Burst Pulverizer."

Diorlen answered honestly, without dodging.

"Yes. I'll add two mid-grade and nine inferior. In exchange, Taihwa 9 rifles."

"The Taihwa 9 you're already using well? Ask for mechs instead."

Mechs were 7-8 meter tall piloted robots.

Now useless scrap due to bug infection.

"You called me a merchant, but I don't see it that way."

Diorlen thought sincere persuasion was needed here and spoke calmly.

"It's closer to barter—we each give what the other needs. Our world needs non-mechanical abilities. Yours needs our weapons against monsters."

"Burst Pulverizer not enough?"

"Its owner isn't the 3-channel guy. Someone else. Even they can't fire it unlimited."

"Loaned to 3-channel, huh. So you want other weapons?"

Diorlen repeated.

"Barter, remember? Or did you plan to get Awakening Stones for free? I'd have misjudged you."

"...".

To Omer's slightly aggressive words, Omer calculated mentally.

Taihwa 9 hurt to give, but the price was 17 ability users total.

'Abilities themselves are meh.'

But breakthroughs possible.

Mid-grade raised odds.

'If no good ones this time either.'

No more trades needed then. He soon accepted Diorlen's offer.

"Fine. Can't give new ones, so used ones."

"Yes. Could you spare four?"

"...Even for you, four crosses the line."

Not just any guns—Taihwa 9 fired fusion energy bullets, piercing steel like paper.

Thriving against bug-infected machines.

"Honestly. Think Awakening Stones will yield better than Taihwa 9? Unless unlimited firing, no."

"The possibility matters."

"Want me to gamble?"

Seeing Omer's attitude, Diorlen realized four was tough.

But after boasting to Castaway, one was pride-hurting.

"How about this: the magnetic shield on Eternal Barrier."

"...".

"Over half funded by our Golden King. Include that merit."

Ultimately, Diorlen pulled the cheat card and got four Taihwa 9s.

Boarding the Aero Drone to return, he irritably messaged someone.

Diorlen had noticed Quick Fix Doctor planned to support the Castaway with 4-channel weapons.

Thus dragging him in to trade directly with 3-channel Awakening Stones, he asked why.

Then Quick Fix Doctor explained.