I opened the nearest small wooden box and peered inside.
As the lid, about the size of a ring box, opened, a refreshing, pungent aroma filled the room. The pleasant scent emanated from a round object wrapped in paper nestled within the box.
'This is the famed Shaolin Temple's Small Restoration Pill?'
Sniff
I involuntarily inhaled, savoring the fragrance. The simple act invigorated me, as if cleansing my body of impurities.
After fully appreciating the aroma, I closed the lid, licking my lips.
Harley had received this Small Restoration Pill as a token of gratitude after his meeting with the Shaolin Abbot. It was a well-deserved gift, considering Harley's timely intervention had saved everyone present from a dire situation.
In the past, such a feat would have warranted a Grand Restoration Pill, but times had changed. The value of elixirs had skyrocketed due to a steady decline in the potency of naturally occurring ingredients over the past two decades, severely impacting the art of alchemy. Crafting Grand Restoration Pills and other high-tier elixirs was now impossible.
Crafting a Small Restoration Pill now required resources and effort comparable to what was once needed for a Grand Restoration Pill. It was now the Shaolin Temple's most valuable elixir.
'They must have made a considerable sacrifice to offer this.'
They had also promised various benefits and preferential treatment, demonstrating their utmost sincerity. Securing Harley's favor was clearly a priority for them after his impressive display against the Heavenly Demon.
'I appreciate the gesture, but…'
It wasn't enough.
I set aside the Small Restoration Pill and picked up the box next to it, a container adorned with elegant engravings. I opened the lid.
Whoosh
The scene around me transformed. The cool, modern interior shifted to a warm spring day, bathed in sunlight under the shade of a tree. Or was it a field of ripening crops? Perhaps a summer valley with a flowing waterfall?
'Wow, this is amazing.'
But 「Clear Mind」 quickly dispelled the illusion. It was merely a momentary sensory trick. The energy contained within the box was so potent that a mere whiff could induce such a vivid hallucination.
'Indeed, this is a true Grand Restoration Pill…'
A legendary elixir, the most valuable treasure of the martial world, now a relic even within the Shaolin Temple.
The remaining supply was likely small, and its value immeasurable, considering it could no longer be produced.
'This is what a proper elixir should be.'
An item so rare that even money and power couldn't acquire it. So how did I obtain such a treasure?
'I bought it.'
That's all. I had the Karma Shop's 『Item Purchase』, granting me access to almost anything in existence. As long as it wasn't a unique, one-of-a-kind item, I could buy anything with karma.
Until now, I had mainly used elixirs gathered by Harris for Hugo, whose 「Heavenly Body」 negated the need for alchemical refinement.
'But I need something better for my main body.'
My avatars had various traits and could overcome most problems, but my main body was just a slightly robust young man with diverse abilities, wealth, good looks, a good personality, and a fit physique.
I needed to eliminate even the slightest possibility of complications.
'It's difficult to find good elixirs outside of Auterica and Ganghwange.'
Various elixirs were arrayed on the table. Top-tier elixirs from Ganghwange, like the Clear Sky Pill and the Violet Mist Divine Pill. Potions crafted from dragon hearts and magic stones using Auterica's alchemy. And elixirs gathered from various other worlds.
I had a reason for amassing these elixirs.
'Energy is essential for wielding mystical power. But for me, managing multiple avatars, an imbalance in energy types is undesirable.'
Unlike Harris, the High Elf who had transcended his limits, or Harley, the Mad Demon, my main body hadn't chosen a specific path. They had adapted and refined their martial arts, but if my main body specialized in one type of energy, it would limit the potential of future avatars.
I couldn't limit myself when I didn't know what the future held or what kind of avatars I might create.
So I chose this approach:
'Gather as much energy as possible without disrupting the balance and convert it into pure energy usable for any type of mystical power.'
Most would scoff at such a notion. It was considered impossible. The laws governing each world were different, as were the properties of their energies. Even within the same world, a knight's aura couldn't replace a mage's mana, nor could a martial artist's internal energy be used for a sorcerer's spells. The difference was even greater between worlds.
'But I know of a power that transcends all energies, a force that works in any world.'
Not only did I know of it, but I also understood its structure and principles better than anyone.
'Divinity.'
A boundless power that I had borrowed, analyzed, and finally incorporated within myself. I closed my eyes, focusing inwards.
"Hah…"
Several of my avatars already possessed the seeds of divinity. Immortal King Hans, Vampire King Heinz II, and Madness King Harley.
Even Heinrich, wielding the power of a main god, and Harris, blessed by the World Tree, showed signs of this potential.
So, if my avatars possessed this potential, how could I, their master, remain unaffected?
'Even though they have separate bodies, they are still me. The power derived from a realm is influenced by the physical body, but…'
My soul had already grown accordingly. Its power was usually masked by the need to manage ten avatars, more than half of whom were Transcendent beings, requiring a significant portion of his power.
I opened my eyes, gazing at the elixirs. Most of my avatars were in dormant states, safely tucked away. Finally able to focus solely on my main body, I reached for an elixir, a slightly foreign sensation.
'Let's start with this.'
The Shaolin Temple's Small Restoration Pill.
Without hesitation, I swallowed it, activating 「Power of Gluttony」.
"Haaa…"
White energy swirled around me with each exhale, dissipating like mist. The entire room was filled with the energy seeping from my body.
I opened my eyes, examining myself. The impurities initially expelled with sweat were now gone.
'Considering the amount of elixirs I consumed, it would be strange if any impurities remained.'
The table, once piled high with elixirs, now held only empty containers. Thanks to 「Power of Gluttony」, the process hadn't taken long, but I had consumed everything.
And the most important part, the result of consuming all those precious elixirs—
'Not enough.'
A partial success. I clenched and unclenched my fists.
The initial plan had been to balance the energies of Ganghwange and Auterica, creating a two-pronged foundation, and then incorporate the other energies, forming a stable three-way balance.
'I never imagined it wouldn't be enough.'
The elixirs from other worlds were of inferior quality compared to those from Ganghwange and Auterica. He had underestimated the potency of top-tier elixirs from the Karma Shop. Even in equal amounts, the quality difference was insurmountable.
'But I can't compromise on quality for proper divinization. That was the minimum requirement…'
I hadn't achieved complete conversion to divine energy due to the lack of stability, but it was still a half-victory.
Hum
Energy swirled around my hand. Mana-infused aura. It shifted, transforming into refined internal energy, then into magical power, spiritual power, and natural energy, changing its properties with ease.
This wasn't new. He could already manipulate various energies thanks to 「Avatar Projection」.
The difference was that he could now draw upon the energy within his own body, vastly increasing the amount of energy he could wield.
'This is a promising development. There were limits to how much power I could draw upon before.'
It wasn't as potent as using 「Avatar Projection」 directly, due to differences in traits. But his power had significantly increased now that he wasn't limited by energy constraints.
'This is enough to handle those at the Master Realm, even if I'm not close to Transcendence.'
This experiment had shown him the possibilities, and he wouldn't be satisfied with this.
'If I can complete this…'
I placed my hand on my chest, feeling my heart pounding excitedly. I closed my eyes, sensing the 'something' within.
An undefined potential, not yet shaped into any specific property. A power that could become anything, achieve anything.
This was the divinity he would awaken.
"But first, I need more elixirs from other worlds."
Not just quantity, but quality as well. They needed to be at least Small Restoration Pill level.
'The problem is, they're not easy to acquire.'
It was no secret that elixirs were less effective on Earth. Most Awakened knew this. They would consume any precious elixirs before returning to Earth.
'Should I have Hans explore new dimensions?'
Not a bad idea. He would need to visit several dimensions to maintain balance, but Hans had grown stronger, and 『Dimensional Barrier Weakening』 had been enhanced, making the process easier.
'But I can't just do it on a whim. Capturing Transcendent beings to use as anchors is difficult…'
He had to exclude those with divine power, whose memories were difficult to read, and those from dimensions without elixirs. More importantly, exploring a new dimension required significant research and preparation for synchronization.
'…I'll deal with that later. Let's try other methods first.'
Fortunately, he had another option. More efficient, broader in scope, and with greater potential for future applications.
My gaze fell on the items in the corner, specifically the recently acquired magical tools. Weren't they more valuable than elixirs, rare treasures that even money couldn't easily buy on Earth?
'I was just thinking about the need for an organization with global influence. Perfect timing.'
Acquiring rare items wasn't just about money; finding sellers was also a challenge. He lacked the necessary infrastructure. Even if he found sellers, they weren't easily swayed by money. Those who possessed such valuable items were already wealthy.
'Then I'll offer them something they can't refuse.'
Those who could acquire such elixirs were driven by a thirst for power. He would satisfy that desire. Not through the gamble of elixirs, but with a more reliable means of gaining power.
Unlike elixirs, magical tools had no limitations on Earth. What if he offered them as payment?
Not just ordinary magical tools, but top-tier, custom-made items, treasures even they would find difficult to obtain?
'I could use this to gather a force against the Heaven's Turn Society on Earth. And if I offer custom-made items tailored to their needs…'
It would be a game-changer. He had the resources to create such bait. Dwarf craftsmen, dragon enchanters, a Demon King level mage, a saint, a divine blood vampire, and a High Elf spirit summoner.
'I'll bring the underground magical tool trade into the open and expand its scale. Gain global recognition and then lure Awakened with custom-made products as bait.'
Humans were driven by self-interest. And they wouldn't betray him as long as the benefits continued.
'I can leave the troublesome tasks to Jin Soran and the Blood Alliance. They've been handling the magical tool supply smoothly. And I can leave Europe to Thermidor, Gomorrah, and Dracula…'
An otherworldly magical tool corporation.
The birth of 'Howard Industry.'