In a flash, I concealed myself behind a tree. Fortunately, I had noticed it early enough to hide just in time. I didn't want the dark elves to find out that I had come here. The Tatra Nex, commonly known as Tanex, was fearsome for one main reason. Regardless of the physical abilities of the wearer, the Tanex, as an extraordinary being, possessed terrifying speed and could adapt to various pressures.
From my experience in Paradiso, operating a Tanex required at least one high-grade mana stone a day. In terms of gold coins, that amounted to 1,000 gold daily, akin to spending 1 billion won in my previous life. If one had no mana stones to assist in output, the only alternative was to rely on magic power. The total amount of magic power the Tanex needed for a full charge was a staggering 20,000. With my current magic stats, even after three completions, I would still fall short of what was required.
“Hmm? Is this a trial flight?” Something felt off. The reason I hid the moment I saw the Tanex was to keep my identity hidden. There was a 100% chance that a pilot was inside the Tanex; only then could its combat capabilities be maximized. However, there was nothing in the cockpit that I could see. Normally, one would expect to see the beautiful dark elf pilot sitting inside, yet there was merely empty space.
“Could this be my chance?” Thinking back, the Tanex was officially introduced in Paradiso after the Holy War began. That would mean it appeared nine years from now. At this time, it was likely still in the prototype stage, undergoing operation and testing. The Tanex was a unique creation of the dark elves, and only they possessed knowledge of it. They would never pass on that knowledge easily.
But what if I could take the Tanex for myself and study it? I could improve upon the aspects I had regretted during my past life and modify it into a form that suited me better. “The essence of truth is to seize any opportunity that comes, whether through means fair or foul.” This felt like an incredible opportunity. With the Tanex, I could surpass the limits of the human body and engage in combat beyond imagination. Additionally, even if I didn't use the Tanex myself, I could have my companions take advantage of it.
“Alright then.” With my decision made, I cast a mirroring magic spell to create an illusion and sent it out.
As if on cue, the Tanex turned its weapons toward my illusion. “Run!” I commanded the clone that looked just like me. Immediately, it sprinted away with all its might.
“Moros. Moros.” The voice of the Tanex set to the dark elf's language rang out. Perhaps it was a warning to kill the intruder.
I held my breath as I waited. The Tanex began to move swiftly after my clone. In an instant, it closed the distance between us, and just as it was passing by the tree where I was hiding—
Whoosh! I opened a pocket dimension. Just moments ago, I had spent 10,000 gold coins to expand the space to a size of 10 meters in width, length, and height. If I were to expand to the next level, it would cost 100,000 gold and then the size would increase to 100 meters.
Whoosh! The Tanex had no chance to grasp the nature of the sudden pocket dimension and was sucked inside. The interior was a vacuum space, one where my will and thoughts perfectly connected. I couldn’t see it directly, but I could feel and control the inside.
“Good.” I had successfully secured the Tanex. Simultaneously, a window appeared in the pocket dimension, updating me with information about the artifacts and other items inside, which now included the Tanex.
[Tatra Nex]
[Classification Level: 7 stars]
[Option 1: Enhances the user’s mobility by up to 5 times; any overloads and pressures on the body are handled by the extraordinary being.]
[Option 2: Magic Shell - Fires seven cannons, each with magic energy highly condensed.]
[Option 3: Absolute Vitality - With a full charge at 100%, the Tatra Nex possesses an absolute vitality of 1,000.]
[Option 4: Mana Stone Restoration - Damaged areas can be reinforced with mana stones. However, if the core is broken, a craftsman’s expertise is required.]
[Option 5: Transcend Link - Instantly connects all of the pilot's techniques and skills without any delays or conversion processes.]
[Option 6: Sealed State - Cannot be unsealed. Approval from developer Sabio is required for release.]
[Option 7: Sealed State - Cannot be unsealed. Approval from developer Sabio is required for release.]
“Indeed! It was crafted by Sabio, the renowned dark elf magic engineer.” Everything aligned perfectly with my memories. I had achieved my primary objective of acquiring the Holy Grail, and unexpectedly got my hands on an extraordinary being, making for a fulfillment of my goal by 200%. I quickly decided to leave Tatar Island. The dark elves remained a closed-off and hostile race. Encountering them would only bring trouble. If they realized that one of their extraordinary machines had gone missing, they would undoubtedly be enraged.
Flash! Flash! Flash! I cast a teleportation spell and swiftly exited the forest with movements as quick as lightning.
Thirty seconds later.
Rustle. From what had been an empty space above the tree, a dark elf appeared. He was draped in a cloak that enveloped his entire body, and with each button he pressed, his figure flickered in and out of sight.
“This seems interesting.”
The dark elf licked his lips, watching curiously the spot where Jared had disappeared.
“Not even flustered by seeing the Tatra Nex and took advantage of the opening to store it in a pocket dimension? He’s no ordinary human, especially considering he managed to enter our land.”
Thud! The dark elf, Sabio, leaped down from the tree and stared at the patch of earth Jared had left behind. In the ambiguous area, he couldn't discern what Jared had dug up and taken.
“Well, maybe it was just some hidden treasure? That doesn’t bother me. However, I genuinely want to know how capable he is as a pilot...”
Beep. Beep. Beep. Sabio busily pressed the buttons on a small device he took from his pocket, generating a holographic display. The device then emitted a voice.
- Tatra Nex Model 1.
- At this time, all movement information and patterns of the pilot will be analyzed and transmitted in real time.
“Good. This level is sufficient. There weren’t any suitable candidates among the dark elves, so perhaps there could be some worthy talent among humans? Moreover, this one is above the fifth class in magic!” Sabio recalled the traces left behind by Jared's teleportation magic.
He didn’t know what reason Jared had for secretly appearing here, but it felt like a long-awaited interesting research opportunity had finally arrived.
“Lalalala.” Sabio hummed a tune as he walked away toward his laboratory. His calm and serene demeanor was altogether inappropriate for a developer who had just lost an extraordinary being he had worked years to create.
“Now I can finally relax.”
Retracing my steps across the Strait of Magnum, I focused on the title and messages related to the Holy Grail that I hadn’t checked earlier while hastily escaping Tatar Island.
[Congratulations! You have obtained the Holy Grail, and the stat for Holy Power has been added. From this moment onward, a Holy Power display will be included in your stat window.]
[You have acquired the title ‘The First to Discover the Holy Grail’! As a result, you gain 100 Holy Power!]
My Holy Power surged by 100 in an instant. The utility of Holy Power was straightforward. When used against enemies with evil or dark attributes, it increased damage by a percentage equivalent to the value of the Holy Power applied to spells or sword techniques. If I used exactly 100 Holy Power, it would mean a 100% increase in damage, effectively doubling it.
If I used 900, it meant 900%, resulting in tenfold damage. The continent of Nas was vast, and encounters with the dark cult and evil monsters would be countless. For that reason, the Holy Power stat was incredibly crucial. There were clear reasons and motives for me to raise it.
“I’m truly growing rapidly. Plus, with the Tanex, it feels as though wings are sprouting from my shoulders!” I silently celebrated. It seemed everything was unfolding just as I wished.
The resettlement of the refugees was proceeding smoothly, and the feared unforeseen situations or major crimes had not occurred.
“Up to about level seven.” Based on my experience, I felt confident I could contend with mages of around the seventh class. While technically two levels beneath, there existed transcendental magic. Furthermore, if I utilized the extraordinary being Tanex, I could likely handle a seventh-class mage with ease. Admittedly, it might become unfavorable in prolonged battles.
“If I consider the next target... I have no qualms about taking on the kingdoms of Bonus and Malus.” I envisioned the two kingdoms as the next targets of conquest—two nations ruled by incompetent kings. Even if I didn’t select them as immediate goals, I certainly wished to conquer them someday.
“For now, it’s all about resettling the refugees. I’ll think about the rest later.” I organized my thoughts. Setting goals was good, but wasn’t there a significant issue at hand? Until the Sanare region stabilized, I must avoid provoking other nations.
“Alright. The time to use the holy land trick is drawing near.” I fondly stroked the Platinum Holy Grail of Radius that I held tightly. Its appearance was rough and stained, yet this object held the power to sway a colossal cult's will in one fell swoop, which was truly marvelous.
“The central place for the holy land will be Lake Margarita, located in the center of the Sanare region.” A lake whose crystal clear waters flowed, surrounded by natural beauty more breathtaking than any other. I intended to place the Holy Grail at the bottom center of this lake. From now on, this place would become a great source of healing for weary pilgrims.
That night.
“Lord, Lord, the Grand Chancellor! The Grand Chancellor!” Neod, who was busy summarizing materials related to the Platinum Holy Grail, immediately rose from his seat upon seeing Luna rushing toward him barefoot and in a hurry.
“Could it be…?” Was it really possible that Jared had overcome the impossible and found the holy artifact? Neod’s heart raced as he watched Luna run towards him.
Then, Luna shouted as if she might shake the very temple.
“Lord Duke Jared has finally! Truly! Found the holy artifact of our order! The Holy Grail!”
“Is that true?” Before he could finish speaking, Luna showcased a video device she had just received, using the temple wall as a screen. Then, on the screen that displayed the surface beneath Lake Margarita, the brilliance of the Holy Grail shone brightly, embedded deep within the lake bed.
What had once seemed improbable had now become a reality. Jared had finally found the sacred object that the Radius Order had searched for decades and could not locate.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Neod fainted from sheer excitement.
End of Chapter 89