Hextech Portal

"This... teleportation?!"

Ivankov's large face was filled with surprise. He realized that he and Ginny had struck gold. With this, their chances of escaping successfully had increased exponentially.

"That's right, it's teleportation. This is just a model. I don't know if I should call it good luck or bad luck, but my ship happens to be carrying the parts needed to build this device.

Slow-moving airships and ships can't get out, but they can't stop this kind of teleportation."

What Oran held in his hand was a model of a Hextech Portal. In his dreams, Oran had experienced all sorts of times and spaces, but the area he usually lived in was Piltover, where Hextech was fundamental.

Originally, Piltover already had Hextech Portals. The principle was to use the energy released by a Hex Core to accelerate airships, reducing travel time.

Oran had conducted a new round of research based on this.

Hextech was very special; its energy was only limited by the user's imagination, containing infinite possibilities.

From powering machines to generating beams that could cut the hardest steel, Hextech played a role in countless fields.

Furthermore, due to technical reasons, even Hextech artisans from the same school would have different techniques, making every Hextech creation unique.

Compared to the original Portal, Oran's research focused on direct teleportation, more akin to how heroes were teleported to designated locations in games.

He had originally gone to Bilgewater to discuss business related to this technology. Confident in his abilities, he had brought the finished parts with him.

Directly teleporting goods to a warehouse was much faster than unloading them from a ship.

"That's great, in that case..."

Ivankov seemed to see a bright future, but Oran immediately poured cold water on his enthusiasm.

"Don't get excited just yet, I haven't finished speaking. Although my research direction is direct human teleportation, and I've achieved experimental success, it requires two interfaces for stable transmission.

Currently, we have no way to send the other port out. If that's the case, it will only be random teleportation. I can guarantee that people will be sent to a general area.

But which island within that area they land on will be a matter of luck."

Oran shrugged helplessly. After all, this technology wasn't developed for emergency escapes. Without preparation, there would inevitably be limitations.

"That's not a big problem. I think under the current circumstances, no island could be worse than this one."

Ginny didn't think it was a problem. The mortality rate of staying here was 100%. As long as they could get out, anywhere was better than this place.

Excluding places like the Red Line Continent and Marine Headquarters, their survival rate would be much higher.

"The second problem is, I need time."

Compared to the unstable teleportation before, this issue worried Oran more.

At least in terms of unstable teleportation, the problem of positional accuracy had been solved. People wouldn't be inexplicably teleported into the air or inside buildings. As long as they weren't extremely unlucky, they would land safely.

However, Ivankov and the others didn't seem to understand why Oran found this aspect difficult.

"Don't you have the finished parts on your ship? We can help with the assembly."

Ivankov raised his arm, seemingly wanting to show how strong he was, capable of being a laborer.

"Do you think this technology is as simple as assembling a toy? This device was originally used solely for cargo transport. Teleporting people requires some modifications.

Especially the Hex Core that drives this device, that's the power source. Its output power must be changed to teleport people, and only I can do that."

Oran picked up the model on the table and skillfully disassembled it. A blue crystal the size of a bottle cap floated inside.

"This is the core of the device. Just this small piece is enough to power this dreamlike technology. The actual product is much larger than this."

Oran put away the miniature Hex Core and gestured for them to follow him. Soon, he led them to the ship's warehouse, where the Hextech Portal parts were stored.

Dozens of huge crates were neatly arranged inside. Even the smallest one was taller than Ivankov.

"The parts other than the core can be handled by ordinary people, but the two of you alone can't help much."

Oran pulled off the dust cover and opened one of the crates, showing Ivankov and the others the massive metal components.

The large device connecting two different city-states was far more exaggerated in size than Oran's model. These Portal parts occupied most of the ship's space.

Looking at the gear parts that were taller than himself, Ivankov fell silent. Ginny, however, remained optimistic.

"So, besides time, you also need some manpower, right?"

"Exactly. Preferably experienced technicians, shipwrights, blacksmiths, or even carpenters. There should be quite a few on this island.

I'm not asking for much, just someone who can understand blueprints."

With some basic knowledge, teaching them assembly wouldn't be complicated. Oran even missed his other employees on the ship; if they were here, it would be much easier.

However, when they rested last night, Oran had sent them all to the inn at the dock. Only Oran remained on the ship to conduct experiments, leaving him alone now.

"You should continue with your plan. A two-pronged approach will increase your chances. But no matter what you do, recruiting some people is necessary.

No one is willing to die here. There should be many who are willing to take a gamble."

Oran took out some potentially useful items from the side and began to arm himself further. He suffered from a bit of a "fear of insufficient firepower," which could be considered a national genetic trait.

"That's how it should be, but those guys are Celestial Dragons. Those with the courage to resist... probably aren't many."

Ivankov voiced his concerns. For hundreds of years since the World Government was established, the Celestial Dragons' status had been deeply entrenched.

Furthermore, according to the intelligence Ivankov possessed, the Celestial Dragons would use the lie of granting freedom after three weeks to encourage their "prey" to escape with all their might, thus increasing their own amusement.

"The false hope given by the Celestial Dragons will likely make many people give up resisting and willingly flee..."

"The lives of people like that have nothing to do with us. What, do you still want to save everyone?"

Oran never considered himself a selfless person. He wouldn't risk himself for a group of people he had no connection to.

Provided he had the capability, Oran wouldn't mind lending a hand to others, but only if they shared the same aspirations and goals as him.

For example, the escape plan Ivankov and Ginny were orchestrating – their objective was to leave this place, and Ginny and the others could provide relevant intel. A temporary alliance was thus formed.

Subjectively giving up resistance, entrusting one's fate to the enemy, and praying for their mercy.

In Oran's view, such thinking meant abandoning any hope of survival. He would "respect" their choice, as long as they didn't impede him. Oran wouldn't concern himself with such people.

Ivankov understood this principle. Among the slaves, there were those like him and Ginny who refused to accept their fate and seized the opportunity to resist, and there were those who had long resigned themselves to their lot, living like walking corpses.

The current situation was already grim, with the future essentially a countdown to death. They couldn't afford to waste all their time on people who had already given up.

"If I had the ability, I truly would want to do that, but it's not realistic. In fact... I think it would be a great victory if even one of us could escape."

After a brief moment of reflection, Ivankov chose to face reality.

"Then there's no problem. People who don't strive for themselves aren't worth saving. However, your goal is too small. I don't intend to escape like this, defeated."

"What do you want to do?"

"This world gave me such a special welcome gift upon my arrival, so naturally, I have to give a substantial return gift."

Oran's blue pupils deepened, and no one could tell what he was thinking.

"Your return gift... what do you mean?"

After all, the word "return gift" seemed too strange in this situation.

To Ivankov, "this world" was just some odd quirk in Oran's speech. Many people at sea had such quirks; Ivankov himself was an example. But the word "return gift" just didn't fit.

Even Ivankov himself didn't realize that not long after, the word "return gift" would take on a new meaning in his understanding. Gifts could not only bring joy but also be fatal.