Chapter 114

Chapter 114
## Chapter 114

### Howard

“Ahem, clearing my throat—!”

A deep, rumbling voice vibrated within the cavern walls.

Thick shoulders overflowing with dense musculature, an intense gaze, and a gleaming beard.

“Tsk— Truly, it takes time to adjust to such a diminutive stature!”

Complemented by a compact frame that barely approached a standard person’s chest, a flawless Dwarf was standing right there.

Naturally, this was the fresh avatar I had just brought into existence.

‘I pushed his height to the absolute maximum using “Customization”, yet this is where it stops. I anticipated as much, but actually embodying it feels entirely different.’

Due to racial constraints, a strict ceiling existed for how tall he could be, meaning even the boosted height offered little noticeable difference.

I gently smoothed my beard and evaluated the Dwarf standing before me.

* Individual Name: Howard
* Race: Dwarf
* Common Traits: “Mind Hub”, “Persona”, “Super Recovery”, “Clear Mind”
* Individual Traits: “Craftsmanship”
* Special Notes: Han Seong-hyeon’s eighth avatar. Brought to life as a Dwarf by utilizing a craftsman’s treasured pickaxe as the foundational medium. Gains substantial enhancements in creation-related endeavors under the sway of “Craftsmanship”.

Succeeding Immortal King Hans, Vampire Heinz the Second, Saint Heinrich, Dragonborn Harley, Merchant Hubert, and Elf Harris, it was time for Dwarf Howard!

He functioned effectively as the seventh avatar, discounting the fallen original version of Heinz.

“Excellent, everything aligns perfectly with my strategy. The initial capability matches the exact category I desired.”

Just as I suspected, entities formed via “Customization” inherently manifested racial attributes tied directly to that purpose.

‘I never intended to deploy Howard for active combat. Discovering a masterful artisan capable of fulfilling immediate custom equipment orders is incredibly rare.’

Leaving weaponry aside, the caliber of any crafted item hinged entirely upon the artisan’s personal expertise.

The avatar Howard was endowed not only with “Craftsmanship” but also with passive enhancements designed to accelerate his development rate and comprehension speed, ensuring his proficiency would surge rapidly.

Furthermore, with Merchant Hubert available to procure any required materials without delay, the setup was flawless.

Yet, a singular hurdle remained…

‘The complication lies in his complete lack of foundational expertise, mimicking the situation with Elf Harris.’

In reality, the circumstances were far more challenging than before.

Ultimately, advanced techniques required generations of transmission, refinement, and enhancement.

Regardless of how nimble or naturally gifted one might be, solitary experimentation could only take someone so far.

‘It appears I must leverage Harley’s associations once more.’

Harley and Zaonic had navigated life-threatening perils together, so surely he would accommodate a request of that scale?

Furthermore, even though the truth remained hidden from him, he and Howard shared a deep connection!

Technically speaking, their relationship could be viewed as grandfather and grandson.

‘Actually, mapping it out that way makes him a grandchild.’

The male offspring (Howard) left behind by his female child (Elinne) in a faraway territory.

A sorrowful background narrative was established.

‘Though it is a pointless tale since I am unable to disclose it to Zaonic.’

Even so, given that non-human lineages were rare across the Ion Continent, they generally assisted one another during hardships.

He would scarcely abandon a young, drifting Dwarf who possessed no formal training.

‘Granted, pursuing this immediately seems impractical.’

Because the current climate remained entirely unsettled, it would be wiser to seek him out once the northern turmoil quieted down.

Until that moment arrives…

“Heheh— Shall we dive into the technological knowledge of Earth first?”

Howard smirked, giving his beard a slow stroke.

Mastering scientifically validated principles beforehand would be far more advantageous than blindly diving into the craft.

‘This field is distinct from spirit summoning. I am fully capable of studying metallurgy on Earth.’

Naturally, subtle variations would emerge during deeper exploration because the physical constants of the two realms diverged, yet the foundational concepts would remain largely identical.

While the majority of Earth’s engineering relied heavily on machinery, grasping the underlying theory alone would provide an immense advantage.

‘Furthermore, examining the discrepancies between both realms down the line might yield unexpected breakthroughs. Gathering relevant materials on Earth is simple, so I should organize that aspect beforehand.’

He resolved to begin with metallurgy—the branch of materials science focused on metal manipulation.

Naturally, the burden of researching the required data would not fall on me.

How many weeks would be squandered analyzing materials, isolating methods Howard could actually execute, and categorizing them by difficulty?

“Yes, Jin So-ran. It has been some time. How are things? I require assistance with a pressing matter.”

Heinz, having concluded the security upgrades around the estate, retrieved his untraceable phone to contact Jin So-ran, the director of Heterosis.

‘This is the exact reason I employ subordinates.’

Not every vampire within the Blood Alliance specialized in warfare.

A vast number handled clerical duties or highly specialized fields, and as the syndicate expanded, numerous ordinary citizens were brought on from external sources.

“Correct, funding is irrelevant, so prioritize speed. Assemble university academics, expert mechanics, everyone available…”

Be it scholarly dissertations, video tutorials, or personal industrial expertise…

I merely needed to issue the directive, allowing me to rest easily while reaping the compiled data my subordinates labored to assemble.

‘A production facility must be established in Tarak. To optimize our timeline, he should undergo preliminary training in Auterica.’

My sole responsibility on Earth involved reviewing the collected documents.

The task of digesting and perfecting those concepts belonged exclusively to the Dwarf Howard, who possessed “Craftsmanship”.

‘He ought to achieve a respectable standard through independent study, given the array of enhancements backing him. Yet to transcend that threshold, I must bring in masters from Earth for direct tutoring… and potentially even masters from alternative realms.’

Artisans from differing planes maintained a low profile on Earth, but their accumulated wisdom remained entirely intact.

Methods born from radically distinct paradigms would undoubtedly offer fresh insights.

And the ‘Blood Alliance’, which had risen to become the dominant underground faction in Seoul, the core of Korea,

Held more than enough leverage to track down promising candidates and secure their compliance by offering substantial compensation.

—

Roselia Cathedral.

“Haa… I am utterly drained…”

Saintess Liesta, who had arrived to confer on administrative duties with Heinrich, slumped across the desk with a heavy sigh.

Her visage, showcasing pristine skin and cascading tresses, betrayed zero hints of physical weariness, though that was merely the preservation offered by her immense divine energy and blessings.

She was dedicating every waking hour, aside from vital nourishment and rest, to managing her obligations.

He felt genuinely swayed by her dutiful and precise approach, which stood in stark contrast to her typically reckless demeanor.

“Ugh—! I yearn to see Tion, Myu, and Seli! And all the others! A whole week has passed since I last visited them, I truly hope they are thriving!”

…Predictably, that favorable impression evaporated instantly due to the antics she displayed whenever a momentary pause occurred.

For context, Tion and Myu happened to be earthworms, while Seli was a common ladybug.

It remained an absolute enigma how she managed to identify individual insects and track down such minuscule lifeforms within the sprawling greenery.

‘Furthermore, she assigns them names and displays deep affection, yet she shows no profound grief when they perish according to natural cycles.’

She bestowed blessings upon the insects and infused them with holy energy to ensure they lived in optimal health…

Yet even if they fell prey to predators directly before her eyes, she would merely observe with a sorrowful expression, refusing to step in.

Much like a deity observing the mortal realm from above.

“Why not take a brief intermission to check on the greenery? It would only require a few moments.”

“Ugh… absolutely not. If I venture out there, I will end up lingering for hours. I swore an oath to avoid the greenery entirely until this paperwork is finished! And the end is finally within reach…”

The Saintess’s current assignment involved managing preparations for the grand continental conclave.

Gathering plenipotentiaries from every major faction, each endowed with absolute decision-making power, into a singular location was a monumental challenge.

‘Duke Bright is set to arrive personally from the Talia Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince is departing from the Empire? The logistics are bound to be incredibly messy.’

She managed these diplomatic affairs due to her widespread renown, stemming from her extended tenure as the Saintess.

Although Heinrich had successfully attained recognition as a Saint, his recent induction into the Church meant his public standing lacked the weight required to command the spotlight.

Consequently, his time was occupied with mastering and guiding the administrative arms of the armed forces, including the sacred chivalric orders and holy legions.

Naturally, his operational burden equaled the Saintess’s, given that martial readiness was paramount for confronting the Immortal King.

As they continued analyzing their documents,

“Ah, the reports have reached your ears as well, correct, Sir Heinrich?”

The Saintess’s casual demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by a solemn expression as her tone dropped.

She reserved this particular demeanor for a very specific topic, allowing him to discern her thoughts immediately.

“…You are referring to the northwestern peak region within the Tulk Kingdom.”

“Precisely. An immense collision of magical forces was detected among the peaks, where utter turmoil reigns due to the southward migration of beasts. And naturally, the distinct dark signature of the Immortal King was woven into it.”

This was intelligence he had already secured ahead of time.

Hans had indeed exerted considerable energy to erect a concealment field, but the titanic clash with the Mad Dragon simply could not be entirely masked by a rapidly deployed barrier.

Moreover, the Saintess’s sensory perception was uniquely formidable.

“…I can surmise the sequence of events. The campaign has undoubtedly commenced in earnest.”

She murmured softly to Heinrich, her amber eyes burning with intensity.

“The systematic hunting of dragons.”

The ancient lineages of Immortal Kings had determined that dragons represented the supreme threat to their absolute dominance over the land, directing their entire might toward eradicating them.

As a consequence of that relentless campaign, dragons now faced total extinction, and the surviving few remained deeply hidden, refusing to reveal their presence to the world.

“He sparks widespread panic by controlling hordes of beasts while simultaneously hunting down the remaining dragons. Our window of opportunity is narrowing, yet countless factions remain entirely indifferent…”

The Saintess ground her teeth, her brow furrowing deeply.

The mounting pressure of her administrative duties had clearly taken a toll on her composure.

‘Well, the reality is that he did indeed hunt down a dragon.’

Meanwhile, Heinrich internally masked his underlying amusement as he offered a comforting, somber expression.

‘Still, it is perfectly logical for her to arrive at that conclusion. After all, his historical behavior fits the profile perfectly.’

Who could possibly dispute her logic? Every single action displayed thus far aligned perfectly with that narrative.

Her grievances persisted for some time, beginning with the uncooperative factions before shifting toward the Immortal King, the root source of this misery, venting her absolute disdain and fury through highly refined vocabulary.

To capture the sentiment using the Saintess’s exact phrasing,

What was Immortal King Hans—the ultimate blight upon this land, the parasitic entity draining the vitality of the world, the nexus of all malevolence, and the epitome of darkness—occupied with at this very second…?

He was presently…

Delightfully unwrapping the offering that Saint Heinrich had forwarded to him.

—

[Extremely practical, without question. To think such a prize would slide into my possession with minimal exertion.]

Hans gazed upon the pristine, radiant crystal resting in his palm, a grim smirk gracing his features.

Contained within was the vital spark of Arch-Lich Dwell McCain, dispatched by Heinrich via the “Avatar Cloud”, securely sealed within a dense layer of condensed holy power.

‘While he lacks the widespread infamy of Karam or Olivia, his utility remains undeniable.’

His direct martial prowess was somewhat mediocre, placing him near the fiftieth rank within the undying legions, yet he ranked among the highly intelligent strategists of the high command.

Now that the ancient Arch-Lich, who served as the primary tactician for the second Immortal King, had fallen in the previous conflict, he stood as the most intellectually gifted option remaining.

‘Granted, his loyalty historically left much to be desired.’

Then again, his sole familiarity with the entity stemmed from the recollections preserved within the trial of the sacred blade.

Regardless of the holy sword’s immense capability, it could never flawlessly recreate an individual’s intricate persona and rationale, merely replicating their raw power.

‘Ultimately, it favors my ambitions if the tool I employ possesses superior intellect.’

Hans channeled his dense reserves of dark energy directly into the crystal held within his grasp.

Snap—!

The divine barrier, fracturing and splitting apart, flashed intensely one final time before fading completely into nothingness, consumed by the encroaching shadows…

Whirrrr—!

In the immediate aftermath, the previously dormant essence of the Arch-Lich commenced a steady vibration.

[Hehehe! Come now, awaken. A vast number of tasks await your attention.]

And for an entity like Hans, who commanded nearly limitless reserves of dark magical energy,

The expenditure required to breathe life back into Dwell was trivial.