I Unlocked It, But I Wasn't Invincible Yet

Q: When you possessed an ability that could extract conceptual rules and turn them into technology manifested in your mechanical creations, what would you use it for?

A hundred people might give dozens of different answers to that question.

The most common answer would probably be to turn some rule into a powerful weapon.

Luke had considered that, but he wanted to play with something more unique. He had chosen a path of continual upgrades that would make him powerful in the later stages. Of course, if the opportunity arose, he wouldn't mind getting a few rule-based weapons first to bolster his trump cards and reassure his safety-seeking heart.

That's right.

He had finally found a way to unlock Talent 4: Concept Extraction.

Once he found the right approach, the method of unlocking it was as simple as puncturing a sheet of window paper.

Energy!

The key to changing Concept Extraction from unlockable to unlocked was energy!

Whether technology or magic, they ultimately traced back to their most fundamental point: energy!

This insight had struck Luke out of nowhere while he was installing a new power source in his half-finished Prototype. Subsequent tests proved that the inspiration was correct. The price, however, was rather steep.

The energy drained during the unlocking process directly emptied the Energy Supply Devices Luke had specifically built for Hebron Industrial Park and the Technology Building. Even the backup power reserves fell victim to it. Thus, amid complete chaos, Hebron Industries—which had never worried about energy—suffered a full power outage of more than two hours because of an energy shortage!

Even after learning that it had been caused by one of Luke's experiments, everyone was left clicking their tongues in astonishment. Researchers and executives who knew about Hebron Technology's foundations and certain internal information hurried to recover the losses and deal with the reporters and shady characters drawn in by the outage, all while wondering what kind of experiment Luke could possibly have conducted to cause consequences this severe.

The Energy Supply Devices created by Luke were technological secrets, but some senior researchers and trusted executives still knew a little about them. What they knew might have differed greatly from the actual facts, but they at least had a relatively solid baseline. For instance, they were certain that the existing output of the Hebron Industrial Park's Energy Supply Devices had previously been enough to meet all the electrical needs of a megacity with a population of ten million.

Ina Sandra, the company's head, had once boasted about Hebron Industries' energy technology before reporters. Yet after this round of outages, inspections, and maintenance, doubts inevitably began to surface outside the company. Incited by people whose interests had been harmed, some began questioning the safety of Hebron Industries' technology.

Of course, those doubts were nothing much. Before the trend could gain momentum, once the energy system resumed power and White Queen came back online at full output, the online uproar could easily be suppressed. In the real world, Ina Sandra could also make calls one by one and use her connections to keep things under control. If there were reporters who simply could not be stopped and insisted on publishing, only a few tabloid papers and certain influential newspapers from outside their circle would remain.

But that was within Ina's expectations. As long as the impact was reduced to a minimum, all that remained afterward would be a war of words. If Hebron Industries later focused entirely on Military Orders and gave up civilian business, Ina would not even bother arguing. With Hebron Industries' reputation, it had no need for that bit of extra publicity.

Luke couldn't be bothered with the turmoil outside for the moment. All his attention was focused on his newly transformed talent panel.

Talent Card: Creator Luke

1. Mechanical Affinity: S+-??? {Omitted} Growable

2. Manufacturing Control: A-??? {Omitted} Growable

3. Conversion Endowment: A-??? {Omitted} Growable

4. Concept Extraction: C-??? {You can extract certain conceptual rules and transform them into technology manifested in your mechanical creations} Unlocked, Growable

What followed was a massive number of system notifications.

Template changed according to your thoughts

You used Concept Extraction: Technology

Technological Concept Extraction endowment in progress...

Technological Concept Extraction endowment failed...

Technological Multiversal Dimension forming...

Technological Multiversal Dimension formation failed...

You are about to ascend into a Technological Dimensional Demon God...

Technological Dimensional Demon God ascension failed...

Reason for failure: Insufficient energy, insufficient technological reserves, insufficient legend...

Technological concepts being sealed...

Records show that you once entered another dimensional universe...

You obtained the manufacturing technology for {Nightmare Origin}...

Due to the talent template change caused by your thoughts, the original {Nightmare Origin} technology has been changed to {Source of Technological Concepts}, while retaining some of its original effects

Obtaining {Source of Technological Concepts} technology...

Failed to obtain {Source of Technological Concepts} technology. Technology not activated; sealed...

You obtained a portion of the {Seed of Black Nightmare}...

You obtained fifty Card Flip Rewards...

You obtained a large amount of Gold Coins...

Luke stared numbly at the long string of notifications, unable to stop himself from sinking into contemplation. During the experiment, he really had thrown everything he wanted into it in one go, but these notifications still dealt him a heavy blow.

In summary, he had unlocked it. He thought he was about to soar. He thought he was invincible. He had failed.

Clearly, the energy required to achieve the goal he had planned was likely a bottomless abyss. If the energy needed to accomplish that goal were an ocean, then all of Hebron's energy thrown into it probably would not even count as a tiny ripple.

After staring at the long list of notifications in his mind, Luke finally understood ten minutes later.

His dream of reaching the heavens in a single step was impossible.

His ideal goal was still far away.

From here on, he still needed to develop gradually, one step at a time.

This experiment appeared to have changed nothing, but Luke already understood that beneath its seemingly uneventful surface, it had changed a great many things. At the very least, it had helped him confirm the path he had been pondering and planning in his mind all along. What Luke needed to do next was find ways to approach it step by step and make it a reality.

Just like research: first propose a theory, then refine it, and finally use it as a foundation to create the corresponding product.

Having adjusted his mindset, Luke set a new plan for himself.

At the very, very least, he would take the first step beyond the cornerstone and create a technological profession capable of rivaling mages, wouldn't he?

PS1: I don't know whether it's a good idea to reveal the final setting now, but after thinking it over, I decided to write it anyway. The protagonist only has the upgraded, enhanced Talent Template of Creator Luke, but I have no intention of making him walk the same miserable path. Hahaha.

PS2: This chapter might seem dull, but it really took quite a lot of time to write. I'm not sure whether I can finish the second update before midnight, so readers don't need to wait.