Two days had passed since Spark Nighthawk observed the Gluttony System crystal. And completed the Garden Globe Set.
Spark and his retinue were making their way out of the labyrinth at present. Their departure was deliberate and unhurried. Spark's huge frame moved with an effortless power. His dark-grey eyes were scanning ahead. For threats. And for the exit of this spatial realm.
He felt no disappointment regarding the Gluttony System. The only treasure he didn't take from the ruins. The iridescent crystal with the dangerous AI remained where it was found.
Spark had no regrets about leaving it. It was a chaotic, unpredictable entity. A sleeping beast that had already devoured its previous handlers. Successful acquisition wasn't always about possession. Sometimes, it was about prudent avoidance.
If he wanted a powerful AI, he would rather forge it himself. His own design. Built on his own terms. With his own rune knowledge.
He had tried to do this actually. As it would be convenient. But his previous attempts had met with consistent, frustrating failure.
The only success he had was with Arrow, his Technomind Navigator Golem. But that was still basic and it could be done with the help of a golem-type gearcore.
Observing the Gluttony System Crystal, however, had provided a crucial, missing piece of the puzzle. An epiphany had struck him. A sudden clarity that illuminated the core problem of his past failures.
The material.
He had always focused on the complexity of rune inscription patterns. The intricate energy pathways. And the core programming.
But the medium was just as vital, if not more so. He needed materials that were strong enough to withstand the great energy fluctuations of advanced rune arrays. But those materials needed to possess extreme conductivity too. To facilitate rapid, seamless information transfer.
Metal bars were strong and robust. But they were often too resistant. Creating significant slow-down in the rune energy flow.
Wood objects were more conductive for certain types of rune energy. But they lacked the structural integrity to handle it.
Other materials he had experimented with had their own inherent limitations. Their specific properties often hindered the very precision and swiftness. Things strongly required for high level AI.
The material of the Gluttony System had been the answer. Iridescent Crystal. It wasn't just a housing for the AI. It was the AI to a significant degree. An integrated system of form and function.
This crystal wasn't just conductive. It was hyper-conductive. A conduit of pure, unadulterated energy flow. Combined with a resilience that seemed to defy physical laws. It was the ideal medium. Perfect for building the AI.
Iridescent Crystal was an extremely rare material. But it existed. He could try to acquire it.
Spark tucked the idea away. Shelving the project of advanced AI creation until he could lay hands on such a material. The pursuit of it would be a long-term strategic objective. A silent directive in the back of his mind.
At present, however, the Garden Globe Set should be the focus. It was a tangible, usable asset. He'd spent a good portion of these two days inside the labyrinth analyzing its properties.
It was, simply speaking, a portable gateway to a self-sustaining Garden Space. A dimension of lush, vibrant garden. Where life thrived with an unnatural vigor.
Any plant, regardless of its usual environmental needs, could flourish there. It was a zone full of fertile soil and perfect conditions. Ready for herbal cultivation.
The truly exceptional characteristic was its temporal adjustment capability. It truly made Spark's strategic mind hum with possibilities.
He could actually manipulate the flow of time within the Garden Space. Accelerating it up to ten times faster than the outside world. A day outside could be ten days inside. A week could be ten weeks. This wasn't just a convenience. It was a revolution in resource generation.
He saw its potential immediately. A dedicated space for cultivating rare and valuable herbs, medicinal plants, alchemical ingredients, or even unique food sources.
Plants that typically took months to mature could be harvested in mere weeks. Spark decided to turn it into a dedicated botanical archive. And production facility for any useful herbs he could acquire.
For now, he'd temporarily assigned the management of this Spatial Garden to Ivy. She had dabbled in Farmcraft. A mystical ability focused on accelerating plant growth and optimizing yields. A skill she learned to provide herself with alchemy materials she needed.
Her knowledge was rudimentary. But sufficient for the initial setup. However, Spark understood Ivy's core value lay in her research capabilities. Her genius talent for alchemy and poison-potion studies.
She was a chief researcher. Not a farmer. He would need to find another subordinate. Someone with a truly high aptitude for Farmcraft. To permanently manage the Garden Globe.
Another objective was added to his mental list. Scout for a dedicated botanist. Someone with green thumb magic. And just as his other slaves... She had to be female and young. And also an evil sinner.
He needed a loyal slave. But he had a bottom line. Enslaving evil person didn't bother his morality. Enslaving an innocent... was out of question.
...
Near the exit of the labyrinth, they encountered a pair of Venomous Tigers. They blocked the gate to the outside world. So, they had to face them.
They were Tier-3 monsters, however. Spark saw it simply as a minor exercise. He gestured to his women. "Hold back. Lilith, handle one of them."
Lilith simply nodded. Her hand was already holding her Tri-Element Handgun.
Spark, without hesitation, channeled his Draconic Werelion Framepath. His muscles swelled. Transforming. Leonine face. Thick mane. Tough horns. Black scales and fur. He was now a humanoid beast of raw power. Towering and fearsome. Yet, extremely agile in his monstrous form.
He met the charge of the lead Venomous Tiger head-on.
The creature's claws were dripping with venom. They raked at his chest.
Spark roared. Letting out an intimidating sound that vibrated through the area. He swatted the tiger aside with a clawed, scaled hand. Sending it tumbling.
It lunged again.
Spark moved with a primal, brutal grace. Dodging its lunges. Then closing the distance to deliver bone-shattering blows.
The Draconic Werelion form was not subtle. But it was incredibly effective. He tore into the tiger with savage precision. Ignoring its venomous attacks as mere inconveniences. He possessed [Poison Immunity] talent after all.
Meanwhile, Lilith engaged the second beast. Unlike Spark, she didn't meet her opponent's charge. Instead, she was a whirl of motion.
After she casted [Light Speed], her Soulcraft spell buff, she seemed to become a phantom. Zipping around the enraged tiger.
The beast was unable to track her incredible velocity. It swiped wildly at empty air.
Lilith didn't waste motion. Her Tri-Element Handgun barked. Spitting concentrated bursts of energy. She cycled through its elemental modes.
A flash of fire bullet that seared the tiger's flank. A crackle of frost round that numbed a leg. Then a jolt of lightning ammunition that spasmed its muscles.
She exploited its disorientation. Landing precise shots. Wearing it down until it collapsed. Twitching. Unable to regain its footing.
Spark had already dispatched his opponent with a final, crushing blow. He glanced at Lilith's work. Efficient. Clean. Just as he liked it.
The two beasts were impressive for many. But ultimately, they were just another obstacle overcome. He reverted to his human form. The transformation was swift and silent. His powerful muscles were rippling under his tanned skin.
Finally, the exited the spatial gate. They emerged into the humid, fragrant air of the Kranecurry jungle. The change was immediate. The oppressive silence of the stone ruins was replaced by the exotic bird calls and rustling leaves.
The rest of the journey was uneventful. They crossed the remaining jungle. The air gradually growing fresher as they approached Gourmeville.
The familiar scent of exotic spices and roasting meats drifted on the breeze. A welcome change from the venomous stink of the ruins. And the raw, untamed jungle.
They spent several days in Gourmeville Town. Allowing themselves a period of genuine relaxation. Spark understood the value of rest and recuperation. Both for himself and for his subordinates.
They indulged in their intimate night activities. And the culinary delights for which the town was famed.
But even in relaxation, Spark's mind was at work. His public persona. The jolly, amiable nobleman, with intimidating body size, was excellent for gathering information.
Over meals, through casual conversations with merchants, innkeepers, and local adventurers, he subtly guided discussions. He listened intently. Extracting snippets of lore, rumors, and facts.
He acquired some general news. The war between the dragons and Avianest Kingdom resulted in several skirmishes. But nothing major yet.
However, his primary inquiries didn't actually emphasize the general news of the war. Instead they revolved around two subjects. Iridescent Crystal. And a potential recruit to handle [Garden Globe Set].
For the first, he casually asked about rare materials. Unusual geological formations. And ancient mining sites. He learned that while indeed rare. There were whispers of such crystals appearing in certain deep-earth fissures.
He noted three possible locations. Volcanic sky island, Magmamare. The mining zone in the New World Continent, known as the Deepcanyon Zone. And the undersea labyrinth, Mermaiden Labyrinth.
All of them were quite far away. It seemed that his road to an advanced AI wouldn't be completed in short time.
As for the second inquiry,...