Chapter 2 Hextech Flying Gate.
"This…teleportation?!"
Ivankov's face was filled with surprise. He realized that he and Ginny had struck gold. With this thing, their chances of escape would increase exponentially.
"That's right, it's teleportation. This is a model. I don't know if it's good or bad luck, but my ship just happens to have the parts for building this device. Slow-moving airships and ships can't get out, but they can't stop this kind of teleportation."
Oran held a model of the Hextech Flying Gate in his hand. In his dream, Oran had experienced various timelines, but his usual living area was Piltover, where Hextech was fundamental.
Piltover already had Hextech Flying Gates, which worked by using the energy released from the Hextech core to accelerate airships, reducing travel time.
Oran then built upon this foundation for a new round of research and development.
Hextech technology is very special; its energy is limited only by the user's imagination, containing infinite possibilities.
From powering machines to generating beams of light capable of cutting through the hardest steel, Hextech plays a role in countless fields.
And due to the technological differences, even Hextech craftsmen from the same lineage will have variations in their techniques, making each Hextech creation unique.
Compared to the original flying gate, Oran's flying gate aims for direct teleportation, more like the way heroes are teleported to a designated location in a game.
He originally went to Bilgewater to discuss this kind of business, and confident in the technology, he brought along finished parts.
Teleporting goods directly to the warehouse is much faster than transporting them from a ship.
"Great, in that case..."
Ivankov seemed to see a bright future, but Oran immediately poured cold water on his enthusiasm.
"Don't get too excited yet. I haven't finished speaking. Although my research focuses on directly teleporting human bodies and has already achieved experimental success, stable teleportation requires two interfaces. Currently, it seems we don't have a way to send out the other port, so we can only teleport randomly. I can guarantee that the person will be sent to a general area. But which island within that area they will be teleported to is a matter of luck."
Oran shrugged, a hint of helplessness in his voice. After all, the purpose of developing this technology wasn't for emergency escape; without preparation, there would inevitably be limitations.
"It's not a big problem. I don't think any island is worse than this in the current situation," Ginny said, finding it harmless. The mortality rate here was 100%, and anywhere was better than this if they could get out.
Excluding places like the Red Line and Marine Headquarters, the survival rate would be much higher.
"The second problem is that I need time."
This issue worried Oran more than the previous unstable teleportation.
At least regarding unstable teleportation, the horizontal positioning problem had been solved, preventing people from being inexplicably teleported to high altitudes or inside buildings. Unless one was extremely unlucky, they could land safely.
However, Ivankov and the others didn't seem to understand why Oran found this difficult.
"Don't you have spare parts on your ship? We can help with assembly," Ivankov said, raising his arm as if to demonstrate his strength, suggesting he could be a laborer.
"Do you think this technology is as simple as assembling a toy? This device was originally designed for cargo transport; transporting humans requires some modifications. Especially the Hextech Core that powers this device—it's the power source. Its output power must be changed for human transport, and only I can do that."
Oran picked up the model on the table and skillfully disassembled it, revealing a blue crystal the size of a bottle cap floating inside.
"This is the core of the device. Just this small piece is enough to power this incredible technology, and the real thing is much larger."
Oran put away the miniature Hextech Core and gestured for the two to follow him. He quickly led them to the ship's warehouse, where the parts for the Hextech portal were stored.
Dozens of huge crates were neatly arranged inside; even the smallest one was taller than Ivankov.
"Ordinary people can do the parts outside the core, but the two of you alone can't help much."
Oran pulled off a dust cloth and opened one of the crates to show Ivankov and the other the huge metal parts.
The massive contraption connecting the two different city-states was far larger than the Oran model; the components of these flying gates occupied the majority of the ship's space.
Looking at the gear parts that were taller than him, Ivankov fell silent, while Ginny remained optimistic.
"So besides time, you also need some manpower, right?"
"That's right, preferably skilled workers, shipwrights, blacksmiths, carpenters—there should be quite a few on this island. I don't have high requirements, just someone who can read blueprints."
With some basic skills, teaching them to assemble wouldn't be complicated. Oran even missed his other crew members on his ship; if they were here, things would be much easier.
However, last night during rest, Oran had sent them all to the hotel at the dock, leaving him alone on the ship conducting experiments.
"You can continue your plan as well. A two-pronged approach will increase the odds, but no matter what you do, recruiting some manpower is necessary. No one is willing to die here; there should be quite a few willing to take the plunge."
Taking out some potentially useful items, Oran began to further arm himself. He had a slight fear of insufficient firepower, which could be considered a genetic trait.
"Logically, that's how it should be, but those guys are Celestial Dragons. I doubt many have the courage to resist."
Ivankov voiced his concerns. Centuries of rule since the World Government's inception had solidified the Celestial Dragons' position.
Moreover, according to Ivankov's intelligence, the Celestial Dragons would use the lie of granting freedom after three weeks to entice their "prey" to desperately escape, increasing their own amusement.
"The false hope offered by the Celestial Dragons will likely cause many to give up resistance and choose to flee…"
"The lives of those people are none of our concern. What, do you want to save everyone?"
Oran never considered himself a selfless person; he wouldn't sacrifice himself for a group of unrelated people.
Given sufficient ability, Oran wouldn't mind lending a hand, provided the other party shared his thoughts and goals.
For example, Ivankov and Ginny were planning an escape; their goal was to leave this place, and Ginny and others could provide relevant intelligence. Naturally, they could form a temporary alliance.
Subjectively, they would give up resistance, entrust their fate to the enemy, and pray for mercy.
Oran saw this as giving up hope of escape, and he would "respect" this sentiment. As long as they didn't hinder him, Oran wouldn't care about them.
Ivankov understood this as well. Among slaves, there were those like him and Ginny who refused to accept their fate and seized the opportunity to rebel, while others had long resigned themselves to their fate, living like zombies.
The current situation was already dire; the future was practically a countdown to death. They couldn't afford to waste all their time on a group of resigned people.
"If I had the ability, I'd really like to do it, but that's unrealistic. In fact… I think if even one of us could escape, it would be a great victory."
After a slight sigh, Ivankov chose to face reality.
"Then there's no problem. Someone who's unwilling to fight isn't worth saving. But your target is too small; I don't want to slink away like this."
"What do you want?"
"This world has given me, a newcomer, such a special greeting gift, so of course I have to give a substantial return gift."
His blue pupils deepened, and no one could tell what Oran was thinking.
"What do you mean by 'return gift'?"
No matter what, the word "return gift" sounded too strange in this situation.
To Ivankov, "this world" was just some odd quirk; there were many such people on the high seas, and Ivankov himself was an example. But the word "return gift" just didn't fit.
Even Ivankov himself didn't realize that soon, the word "return gift" would have a new definition in his mind: a gift could bring joy, but it could also be deadly.
(End of Chapter)