Trosso, excited by the prospect of a massive, profitable exchange and fueled by the strategic necessity of conquering the Dark Continent, acted swiftly.
[Universe 5757]
"Deal! I am forwarding the sample now. It's a fragment of what my people call Cursed Black Mythril. I've heard rumors that its original form is hidden; the black is probably a residual curse effect. I also added a dense data package detailing the folklore and a few observations about its toxicity. Transferring now."
A moment later, a golf-ball-sized fragment of material materialized in Keon's core storage. Simultaneously, a data packet detailing the material's properties... or rather, the local species' superstitious understanding of them arrived.
…
Inside the Universe 8888888888,
Keon instantly executed the reciprocal transfer of one quartz crystal.
Trosso, clearly overjoyed by the crystal exchange for a small sample of one-kg black metal, sent a quick, satisfied acknowledgement before the channel went silent.
Keon, still in the agile Exoshell 3.0 form, retrieved the sample from the storage containment. He held the fragment suspended in his mechanical hand, moving it into the optimal analysis field of his primary optical sensors.
The fragment was indeed striking. It was a dense, pure black, with a finish that seemed to absorb all light, yet simultaneously possessed a subtle, oily sheen. Across its surface, Keon observed countless tiny, thread-like black veins that pulsed with a near-invisible, unsettling energy.
He engaged his Material Recognition Sub-Talent.
…
Sample 4: Cursed Black Mythril
Blueprint: An Ultra-Dense Metallic Lattice primarily composed of unknown Element-C and saturated with high-density mixture copper, silver, and gold content, volatile Mana energy. The natural crystalline structure is obscured by an active, high-frequency energy field.
Description: The material is dense, black, and actively emits a high-frequency, destructive magical signature that locally suppresses all external energy fields.
Warning: The volatile Mana saturation classifies the material as a Bio-Hazard.
Basic Materials: Ultra-Dense Metallic Lattice of Copper, Silver, and Gold, Element-C (Aetherium), Volatile Mana Energy.
…
'As expected, it is a high-tier material, probably Tier 3 or even 4 rank.' Keon calculated thoughtfully, observing the description.
'The mana energy field is distinct from the color materials. This Element-C is likely the missing structural component for Tier 3 or 4, and the "curse" is the energy suppression field, which has suppressed the mana inside it. It looks like this curse metal is incompatible with magic and can only be used in physical items in Trosso's world; it's more like metal without any use in his world.'
As Keon deepened the thermal and spectral analysis, the fragment lay perfectly still in front of him on the ground. Then, an unexpected phenomenon occurred.
The countless tiny black veins that crisscrossed the surface began to rapidly recede, pulling back into the core of the fragment. The oily, light-absorbing blackness that coated the metal peeled away, like a layer of invisible film dissolving in an acidic bath.
Keon registered the sudden, catastrophic shift in energy signature.
In a flicker of a microsecond, the blackness vanished entirely.
The golf-ball-sized fragment transformed, revealing its true nature: a shining, brilliant silver. The tiny veins were gone, replaced by thin, perfect filigrees of gold that pulsed gently across the shiny surface. It looked less like metal and more like crystallized starlight.
Keon's core registered a mechanical jolt of surprise. 'Is this a structural phase transition?'
Simultaneously, the active data stream from Material Recognition violently updated, overwriting the previous analysis with impossible speed.
…
Sample 4: True Mythril
Blueprint: Ultra-Dense Mana Saturated Metallic Lattice of Copper, Silver, and Gold, Element-C (Aetherium).
Description: The material is dense and indestructible, containing high-frequency magical signatures that resonate, suppress, and counter all external energy fields.
The fragment's external magical field (the 'Curse') has lost its primal energy source and rapidly destabilized. The material has reverted to its base, true-form crystalline structure.
…
'The curse was a residual energy field, not a permanent structural component. Probably, the curse was connected to some higher-level being in the Trosso universe. After arriving in my universe, it lost its source and dissipated.'
Keon concluded, a surge of calculated satisfaction passing through his core.
'Trosso was correct. The black was not its original form. I now possess the blueprint for higher Tier magical materials, the unique structural component Aetherium, and the required energy density.'
The missing link, the secret to higher Tier magic energy signature, was the structural stability provided by this rare Aetherium, Element C, which allowed the component to hold a higher, purer concentration of Aether/Mana essence.
Keon's focus immediately shifted from defense toward adaptive synthesis of these new elements and components.
'I must find a way to synthetically replicate or acquire this Aetherium component. The defense of UHS1 now hinges on manufacturing higher Tier weaponry. Also, I can try synthesizing this True Mythril with my Unified Adaptive Composite Alloy. Maybe it's time to upgrade the material technology.'
'Meanwhile, most players may have surpassed Level twenty, and it's unknown what kind of strength the invader possesses. I have to be fully prepared... for now Tier 3 weapons are the best insurance for my defense.'
After thinking of something, Keon's lenses flickered with a thoughtful light, and he sent word to Trosso:
[Universe 8888888888]
"Trosso, how much curse metal do you possess right now? I need a large amount of this metal."
After a while, Trosso's response appeared.
[Universe 5757]
"I can at most provide ten tons of curse metal right now."
Keon became thoughtful, looking at the reply of Trosso. 'It seems my guess is right: this metal is available in massive quantities in his world... probably in the Dark Continent he mentioned. It really can't be used for magic items production there, except common items.'
[Universe 8888888888]
"Fine, transfer the ten tons first. I want you to provide more in the future. I will transfer a hundred tons of sand and a hundred quartz crystals in exchange for each ton of curse metal."
After sending the exchange terms, Keon waited for a short while, then he received Trosso's response.
[Universe 5757]
"Deal."
After seeing the affirmative response, Keon closed the interface and started observing the surveillance footage of the whole UHS1 then.
He isn't planning to leave this secret chamber personally; he will deal with the invaders remotely with his machine and weapon using the sub-talent Neural Nexus.
'I just hope the invader isn't someone with the power to annihilate planets at this stage.' A solemn and worrisome thought flashed through the Keon core.
While keeping watch on a possible invasion, he started the defense and weaponization process on the whole planet.
The vast resources of UHS1 flowed into the manufacturing hubs.
The exchange with Trosso, fueled by the immediate necessity of acquiring high-level material, was a massive success. Tens of thousands of tons of Cursed Black Mythril were now secured in his core storage, awaiting immediate synthesis into True Mythril.
The defense was proceeding in three simultaneous strategic vectors:
Mass Production: Tier 1 and Tier 2 weapons... Alpha-1 and Alpha-2 Railguns... were being conjured out by the thousands, ready to equip every GSA, SW-100 drone, and ground installation.
Infrastructure Hardening: Every existing structure... the Exoshells, Main Base, IEPU units, the RBC storage domes, and the main subterranean facility... was being layered with the newly synthesized Dragon-Scale Composite Shields for superior anti-energy defense.
Tier 3 Synthesis: Keon's core processing power was dedicated to reverse-engineering and replicating the Aetherium component found in the True Mythril. Also, he started synthesizing the blueprint of Unified Adaptive Composite Alloy and True Mythril.
'The invader will come. I must assume they possess an equivalent of Tier 3 weaponry or technology not yet cataloged. Preparation must exceed assumptions,' Keon calculated as he assigned some of his processing power on developing Tier 3 weapons.
After a few moments, the synthesized blueprints finalized in his memory,
The first blueprint is synthesized using Obsidian Core Fragment, Dragon-Scale Composite, Shimmering Lumina-Copper, Unified Adaptive Composite Alloy and True Mythril.
Blueprint Synthesis: Aetherial Composite Alloy (ACA)
Core Structure: A supreme, multi-layered lattice where the Unified Adaptive Composite Alloy molecular chains are reinforced and interlaced with nanometer-thick filaments of True Mythril. The synthesis process is fundamentally optimized by the Obsidian Core Fragment's imprint-holding property, and its final structure is coated with a Dragon-Scale Composite (for anti-magic shielding) and utilizes Shimmering Lumina-Copper as a high-efficiency internal energy conduit.
Properties: Absolute zero thermal expansion, unparalleled structural integrity, and the True Mythril's inherent ability to resonate, suppress, and counter all external energy fields.
Application: The foundational material for all shell construction, planetary-scale defense shielding, and high-tier weapon casings.
…
The second blueprints belong to a high level weapon. It is based on new materials and mana saturated Tier 3 quartz crystal,
Blueprint: Tier 3 Plasma Repeater (Alpha-3)
Core Material: Mana-Saturated Quartz (Tier 3)
Casing: Aetherial Composite Alloy (ACA)
Function: A high-rate-of-fire, magnetic accelerator that cycles the concentrated, purified energy and plasma from the newly synthesized Tier 3, ACA crystal embedded core.
Energy Output: Multi-Pulse: 50 MW / Single Pulse: 100 MW / Ultimate Pulse: 500 MW
Observed Effect: Pure, high-velocity energy projection.
Color Signature: Brilliant Blue (Tier 3)
…
The third blueprint represents the final defence.
Blueprint: Defensive Orbital Sentry (DOS-1)
Core Design: A compact, heavily armored satellite, one hundred meters in diameter, designed to be anchored in a geosynchronous orbit over the main complex.
Structure: Aetherial Composite Alloy hull with Multi-layer Dragon-Scale Composite shielding.
Armament: Four extremely large, internally-mounted Alpha-3 Mega-Cannon (designed for massive single strikes) and an array of 36 Alpha-2 Railguns and 360 Alpha-1 Railguns formation.
Function: A static, orbital defense fortress, capable of independent operation and designed to withstand the similar cannon strike.
Energy Output: Multi-Pulse: 1000 MW / Single Pulse: 5000 MW / Ultimate Pulse: 10000 MW
Deployment: Immediate production of four units.
…