CHAPTER 275: CRYSTAL MINE

"Lady Liora, are you sure you want to make such a display?" Lucen asked, landing onto Collossith’s massive head as he dismissed his white duck mount.

The sun’s golden light had begun to wane, shifting into a darker, monochrome hue as only a few hours remained before the early-morning reception of the Wanderer Merchant.

Although the market was not far within flying distance, traveling its uneven paths atop Collossith—renowned more for its size than speed—would take considerably longer.

"Why? It’s a very expensive mount, one that countless comrades paid for with their lives. Of course, we’ll make full use of it," Liora said, shrugging as she summoned her large bed from her [Sanctuary] and climbed on top, clearly intending to spend the journey resting.

Lucen and Mirela remained silent, understanding that while the path would be longer than usual, at least Liora would get some rest.

Meanwhile, Adyr had also taken a position atop the colossal Spark, his face marked with a questioning expression. "Not every Spark has minions surrounding them, affected by its energy field? Or is Collossith an exception?"

This question had been lingering in his mind for some time. From his recent experience spending days tracking Sparks and harvesting energy crystals from their minions, he knew that a Rank 4 Spark’s energy field should cover a much wider area.

By normal standards, there should have been hundreds of stone golems or similar constructs nearby, their bodies transformed and energy crystals ready to collect—but there was nothing. The complete absence of any such signs left him quietly disappointed.

The others turned to him. For a Practitioner of his relatively short tenure, the question was reasonable.

Mirela opened her mouth to answer, stepping closer and linking arms casually. "You are correct. Every Spark generally transforms its surrounding environment using the energy it radiates, altering it in a form of metamorphosis. However, this varies from Spark to Spark."

She leaned closer, continuing her explanation. "We don’t have complete knowledge on Collossith, but based on the region it has occupied for years—and the fact that we’ve never seen any mutated or energy-affected forms nearby—we can reasonably assume the reason: due to its lair lying deep underground when it’s not on the surface. If we were to excavate the area where it usually rests, we would probably find countless rocks containing crystallized energy."

Adyr’s expression shifted subtly, one eyebrow raising as he analyzed her words, concluding that, unlike other Sparks he knew, Collossith did not surround itself with living minions. Instead, it altered the very structure of the rocks and minerals in its lair, transforming its habitat into a natural crystal mine.

He knew that a Rank 4 Spark would generate Level 4 energy crystals. Considering that Collossith had likely resided in the same location for years, there should be thousands of crystallized stones affected by its energy field.

Given that a single Level 4 crystal could yield an astronomical 100 energy, this meant that buried beneath the surface could be hundreds of thousands of energy points waiting to be harvested.

"I know what you’re thinking, but I should say it’s extremely difficult—practically out of our reach with our current powers," Liora said, settling cross-legged on her bed. "I could dig with my Ape form, but it would consume too much time and energy. Not very profitable."

Adyr nodded in agreement. Judging by its nature, the Spark’s lair must lie deep beneath solid bedrock, likely as tough as Collossith’s own skin.

"What if we speak with King Vale and assemble a mining team? It would take time, but at least we wouldn’t have to expend our own energy crystals," Adyr suggested.

Liora paused thoughtfully. "That could work. Hundreds of strong men could reach the crystal veins, but there’s a problem. Our kingdom lacks the advanced tools needed to break through such hard rock."

Her words were reasonable yet discouraging, but Adyr couldn’t hide his smile. This was exactly what he had anticipated hearing.

"Perhaps I can find proper tools for them, ones capable of breaking through solid rock," he said, his expression thoughtful.

No one was surprised. They all remembered the materials he had first revealed when constructing the massive metal-plated wall—meticulously crafted metal sheets, battery-powered drills, and other machinery. To them, these were advanced tools, proof that Adyr had the means and connections to supply whatever was needed.

"If you think it’s worth trying, go ahead. We won’t ask for any share." Liora’s expression softened, the hundreds of thousands of energy contained in those crystals—an astronomical amount, even for someone like her—making it logical and fair to leave the entire mine yield to Adyr if he planned to manage the operation with his own resources and connections.

"Then I’ll speak with the king first. I’ll meet you before you reach the market." After nods from Liora and the others, Adyr unfurled his white wings and lifted off from Collossith’s head, gliding toward the Velari Kingdom.

Ignoring crystals worth thousands of energy points would be unthinkable. As he cut through the air, he wondered whether the Earth researchers could produce effective tools for mining.

Labor wouldn’t be an issue; with his current status and influence, a single word would mobilize thousands of volunteer miners from the Velari Kingdom.

The only real problem was the massive machinery required to break such hard rock. While large-scale industrial drills might exist in the inventory of Player Headquarters, transporting equipment of that size through the [Sanctuary] would demand enormous energy, making meticulous planning of investment versus profit absolutely crucial.

While flying toward the Velari Kingdom, Adyr also decided to speak with the Researcher Department on Earth, hoping to discuss the possibility of obtaining the necessary equipment before meeting King Vale.

—

Adyr hadn’t yet left the Player Headquarters after completing his power test. He was still inspecting the newly designed and upgraded VR simulation rooms, analyzing whether they could truly help him refine his Talents.

"Mr. Adyr, we’ve improved the realism of the VR simulations to 85 percent. I don’t mean to sound arrogant, but at the rate we’re developing, I believe in just a few months we can push them to 90, maybe even higher," Corven said, following him in small steps, his face split with a broad smile.

Behind him, other researchers—the heads of various departments—kept following like a small army in white lab coats, unwilling to let go of their exotic subject, meticulously noting every movement and word. Adyr found their attention neither intrusive nor bothersome, and he simply ignored them throughout.

"That’s good news," he acknowledged sincerely.

The simulation rooms were critical for him; they offered the fastest and easiest path to register his Talents. The main limitation had always been that after Level 3, the simulations’ lack of realism hindered further progress. Now, with the improvement to 85 percent, perhaps they could finally be useful for registering a Level 4 Talent.

Mulling this over, Adyr abruptly paused, one eyebrow rising, as if a sudden thought had struck him, and turned to meet Corven’s grinning face. "Looks like I’ve run into a problem in the other world. I need to dig a mine. Which department could assist me with that?"

Corven’s smile froze—not because of the question, but because he realized something that had gone unnoticed until now. The other researchers’ expressions shifted as well—some eyes glimmered with astonishment, while others betrayed worry. It was as if they had just remembered or noticed something they had overlooked until now.

While they conversed calmly in the headquarters, Adyr had been continuing his adventures in the other world without pause.

To every researcher present, he appeared completely relaxed, moving through the halls and conversing with researchers as if he had all the time in the world. Yet in reality, while his Earth body stayed here, his other self was relentlessly adventuring in the other world, progressing every second without pause.

A sense of amazement began to settle over every sharp mind present.

How can he operate two bodies with a single mind so effortlessly?

What kind of ambition can drive someone to push himself nonstop like this?

What level of will allows him to bear such immense responsibility without ever breaking?

They had always considered themselves hardworking—dedicating their lives to research, even sacrificing their social lives—but in front of this young man, they realized that their understanding of true diligence needed to be redefined.

"Mr. Adyr." From the group of white-coated researchers, a woman of middle age, striking in appearance, stepped forward, adjusting her glasses with a respectful tone. "I’m Dr. Veyla Arden, head of the Subsurface Studies Department."

Adyr gave her a quick, appraising glance—black hair, sharp eyes, impeccably maintained, clearly dominant in her environment, yet now carrying the bright-eyed excitement of a student returning to her faculty years. "Hello, Dr. Arden." He smiled, stepping forward and offering his hand.

Her hand trembled slightly, and the faint sheen of nervous sweat betrayed her excitement. Noting this, Adyr returned a warm, reassuring smile and spoke in a calming tone. "Do you mind visiting a king in the other world?"

The words hit the room like a bomb, silencing every researcher present.