After evaluating the bodies of the demonic beasts, Ethan approached a sealed box. He opened it cautiously and found five spirit stones inside. They were small, about the size of a walnut, but emitted a faint, pulsating glow, as if containing a latent flow of energy. Pure energy compressed into a crystalline structure…
"AION, analyze the composition."
Data lines scrolled through his mental interface as the assistant processed the information.
[Spirit stones contain a high concentration of energy of unknown origin, structured within a stable crystalline matrix. Potential applications: energy conversion, energy storage, possible use in catalysts.]
Ethan frowned. If I can manipulate this energy… this could be a key resource.
He closed the box and tucked it under his arm as he left his laboratory. His mind was already calculating possibilities: rudimentary reactors, weapons, enhancers… Maybe even a way to replicate their synthetic structure.
But before any experimentation, he needed to understand how they were used in this world.
He sought out Zhao Ren and asked, "How valuable are these stones? What do cultivators use them for?"
Zhao Ren raised an eyebrow. "I've heard they can be exchanged for gold, but few do, which makes them even more valuable. As for their use, they say they are the foundation of cultivation. Without them, progress is too slow. Cultivators absorb them to accelerate their advancement."
Ethan nodded. He had to keep investigating.
Days passed. He remained in his laboratory, leaving the rest in the hands of Zhao Ren and Shen Bao. During this time, he discovered that spirit stones were not just simple energy sources; their structure reacted to external stimuli in unexpected ways.
First, he tested applying pressure with different tools. Crushing them was nearly impossible, but when struck with enough force, they emitted a faint glow and a slight vibration. He then tried submerging them in different liquids: water, oils, and distilled alcohol. Curiously, in plain water, there were no notable changes, but when left in alcohol, the stone absorbed some of the liquid, and its glow briefly intensified before stabilizing.
"Interesting…" Ethan murmured, noting his observations.
Next, he decided to test heat. He heated a stone over a small brazier and observed that its luminosity gradually increased. However, when rapidly cooled in cold water, the stone went completely dark for a few seconds before regaining its glow.
"AION, record this. Spirit stones react to heat and seem to absorb certain liquids. I suggest investigating whether this affects their energy storage capacity."
[Recording complete. Further exploration of extraction and energy transfer methods is recommended.]
Ethan rubbed his chin. If the stones reacted to physical and thermal stimuli, perhaps they also had some crystalline structure that facilitated energy conduction. But without the right instruments, confirming this was impossible.
"If we manage to replicate their effect, or even improve it, we could develop our own energy source… And at worst, turn these stones into a deadly trap for those who use them."
AION processed the information.
[Hypothesis: If the internal composition of spirit stones is altered, their energy flow could become erratic. This could result in inefficient use or, in extreme cases, an energy overload harmful to the user.]
Ethan gave a calculating smile. The possibilities were endless.
The next day, Ethan left his laboratory, rubbing his temples and letting out a long sigh. Exhaustion was evident on his face, but his mind kept analyzing the problems that plagued him.
"With our current equipment, continuing this research is impossible…" he muttered to himself, frowning. "I've hit a dead end. There are so many possible routes, but I lack the necessary technology to advance."
As he stepped out of the lab, daylight greeted him in Omega Zero's main plaza. Over the past few days, the base's construction had entered its final stages. The main structures were fully operational; only minor adjustments and security improvements remained. However, for Ethan, the base was still far from reaching its full potential.
As he walked across the plaza, his gaze settled on Shen Bao, who was training with other members of the Vesper Special Forces. The bursts of air displaced by each strike and movement bore witness to the intensity of their preparation. Wasting no time, Ethan approached.
"How many Vesper Special Forces personnel do we currently have available?"
Shen Bao immediately halted his training and turned to him, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"Master, we currently have one hundred active members, not including ourselves. In total, we are one hundred and five."
Ethan nodded, lost in thought for a moment.
"Good. For now, organize reconnaissance missions in the surrounding areas. I want a detailed map of the region and a search for traces of demonic beasts. We need as many samples as possible for our studies."
"Understood." Shen Bao responded with a firm expression, though his eyes betrayed a contained excitement.
The hunt for demonic beasts was no longer just a theory for them. They had tasted the adrenaline of battle and the thrill of taking down creatures once thought invincible. For many, this mission wasn't just a task—it was an opportunity to measure their true strength.
Ethan took his leave and went to find Zhao Ren. When he arrived at the storage area, he found him alongside the Hu brothers, unloading materials.
"Master!" The three greeted him as he approached.
On the other hand, in the middle of a dense and silent forest, a group of five Vespers advanced with calculated precision. The undergrowth barely rustled beneath their boots as they moved in formation, keeping their eyes on the surroundings. Leading them was Ye Han, designated as V-0001, a man of few words and sharp gaze.
Covered in gray cloaks, wearing reinforced scale armor and half-face masks that concealed their expressions, the Vespers looked like shadows among the trees. They carried muskets slung over their shoulders, long knives within easy reach, and an unyielding determination in every movement. They were not there to fight but to observe and report. However, what they found stirred a barely contained fury that was hard to ignore.
Through twisted trunks and thick underbrush, they spotted a clearing ahead. Hiding within the shadows of the foliage, Ye Han raised a hand, and the squad stopped immediately. They crouched, sharpening their senses.
Before them stretched a mine. It was not just a hole in the ground but an organized operation with multiple entrances carved into the dark rock of the mountain. The terrain was dotted with rudimentary structures—wooden huts, piles of tools, and a dusty path marked by the constant movement of workers in chains.
Slaves.
Their bodies were thin, their faces hollow from malnutrition and exhaustion. They wore dirty, tattered rags, their skin marked with wounds and scars. Despite their evident weakness, they kept working, dragging carts filled with a black mineral that shimmered faintly under the sunlight. It was neither coal nor mere stone. Black iron. Though Ye Han and his team did not yet know it, what they saw was of great value.
But it was not just the slaves who were there. Walking among them, issuing orders and punishing those who moved too slowly, were figures dressed in gray robes. The fabric was of high quality, with discreet embroidery, and their posture exuded authority. Their faces were uncovered, displaying expressions of absolute coldness.
The sight of those men leading others with whips and chains ignited a silent, burning hatred in Ye Han's chest. Beneath his mask, his jaw tightened. He was not an impulsive man, but what he saw awakened a deep-seated rage.
One of the Vespers beside him whispered,
"Shall we eliminate them, leader?"
Ye Han did not respond immediately. He knew what they felt. Each of them had been chosen for their character and strength, as well as for their spirit. They were not mere soldiers. They were men of conviction. And what they were witnessing put their resolve to the test.
He observed more closely. He counted at least a dozen of the gray-robed men giving orders. Armed with swords and spears, they did not seem like simple guards but individuals with some level of training. Further beyond, at the mine's entrance, stood a stone structure—more solid and reinforced. Likely a command post or storage facility.
"We're not here to fight," he finally said, his voice firm but low. "We observe. We analyze. We report."
The other Vespers nodded, though their frustration was evident.
The echo of a scream drew their attention. A slave had tripped over a rock and fallen, spilling his load. The dark soil scattered across the ground, and silence lasted only a moment before one of the overseers advanced with a hard expression.
Without mercy, he raised a whip and lashed the fallen man. Once. Twice. Three times. The slave screamed, but no one helped him. The others, heads bowed, continued working as if they had seen nothing. There was no compassion in this place. Only the yoke of servitude.
Ye Han closed his eyes for a brief moment, inhaling deeply. He knew his men awaited an order. He knew his instincts screamed at him to kill them all. But this was not the time.
"We withdraw." His order was low, firm. "We return to Omega Zero. Orion must know."
The Vesper team moved through the forest in silence. The air was thick with tension, fueled by the cold indignation of each man.
Upon reaching the base, the sentries asked no questions. They simply stepped aside.
Ye Han headed straight for Orion. He stepped forward and spoke with precision,
"Report. Twenty-five kilometers northeast of Omega Zero, we have located a mine. Black mineral, metallic sheen. We observed individuals in embroidered gray robes. We believe they belong to the same faction."
Shen Bao frowned. "Too close." His voice was grave. "Anything else?"
"Slaves." The word fell like a hammer. "Men, women. Malnourished, chained."