Chapter 5: Is This Reasonable?

Scanning the information on the interface, Luca looked down at the metal-cased pistol in his hand, which lacked even a coat of paint. A strange expression flashed across his face.

Earlier, he had felt that this experimental pistol, manufactured by his own company, looked somewhat familiar. But now that the interface had identified it as the "Dominator," he felt that its resemblance to the "Dominator" from the anime was, at best, only twenty or thirty percent.

"So, the so-called 'core component' isn't determined by visual similarity?"
"And since the synthetic materials didn't mention an energy source or ammunition, does that mean those are already included within the core component?"

Various thoughts flashed through his mind, but ultimately, Luca suppressed his curiosity for the moment. Even if he wanted to continue synthesizing, he lacked the necessary materials for the Dominator pistol at home. He certainly couldn't replace the "micro-projection device" required by the interface with the brick-sized television projector he had in his living room, could he?

He glanced at the battery indicator on the handle of the ion-beam pistol. Gina had only fired three shots, yet it was already down to its last bar of power. This was exactly why, despite the pistol's significant power, near-zero recoil, and minimal ion-beam attenuation at medium range, it was still considered nothing more than an experimental semi-finished product. It lacked energy and had poor endurance for sustained combat.

"Well, the high manufacturing cost is likely another reason."

He tucked the pistol into his jacket. Although the Dominator couldn't be synthesized for now, there was another item for which he seemed to have the materials on hand. He took off his backpack and rummaged through it, pulling out a strange-looking monkey toy. The toy held a pair of comical "cymbals" in its hands and featured a large winding key on its back.

As he held the monkey toy, a translucent blue panel popped up.

[Powder’s Monkey Bomb]
[Arcane World 1/5]
[Creator: Powder]
[Core Component: Toy Monkey]
[Synthetic Materials: 3 Unstable Energy Crystals]

[Item Description: A toy bomb with a simple structure but immense power. Its lethality relies entirely on three Hextech crystals. Once the key is wound, it begins an unstable countdown. It possesses slow, short-range movement capabilities and triggers the unstable Hextech crystals to explode through continuous clashing of the cymbals. There are no safety features whatsoever.]
[Friendly Reminder: Dear, before using this bomb, please ensure that none of your friends or family are within the blast radius!]

That was it—this toy from his childhood was also a "core component" capable of synthesis. The materials required were surprisingly "simple," needing only one type. However, before this, Luca hadn't even known what kind of crystal in the real world could be classified as an "unstable energy crystal." With that single ingredient nowhere to be found, synthesis had been out of the question.

Fortunately, this was no ordinary reality. Looking at the two headless Chitauri corpses in his home, a burning glint appeared in Luca’s eyes. If he remembered correctly, in the Marvel Spider-Man films, the villain Vulture had built his array of black-tech weaponry by salvaging and modifying materials left behind by the Chitauri. The most common purple energy crystals found on the Chitauri were highly unstable—they would even explode after being scanned by airport X-ray machines. Such purple crystals should meet the interface's requirements.

Action followed thought. He took two quick strides to the headless corpses, ignoring the gruesome carnage on the floor, and began inspecting the bodies and their weapons. The two Chitauri were equipped only with standard folding beam rifles; they weren't very powerful, and their internal structures were quite compact. Although they radiated a purple glow, he had no idea how to disassemble them in such a short time.

However, compared to the complex weapons and armor, the crystals embedded in the backs of the Chitauri's hands seemed to tell him that there was no need for such trouble. After failing to pry the purple crystals loose, Luca simply picked up one of the Chitauri's folding rifles and used its bladed edge to hack at the wrists of the corpses.

Two Chitauri corpses, four hands, four purple crystals. Luca thought for a moment and decided against using the blade to pry the crystals further; instead, he drew a circular array on the floor. He placed the monkey toy, the core component, in the center of the circle, and positioned the three Chitauri palms embedded with purple crystals at three of the corners.

Sure enough, the three purple crystals began to emit a faint white light.

"It's working!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Luca pressed his hands against the edge of the circular array and silently whispered, "Synthesize."

The light intensified, instantly engulfing the array. When the glow faded, a strange-looking toy monkey appeared in the center of the circle. It now had a blue spherical crystal hanging between its two cymbals, and two identical crystals were lodged inside its body. The purple crystals that had been embedded in the alien hands were gone, leaving only the cleanly severed palms behind.

"Huh? The purple crystals turned into blue ones?"

Luca had previously thought that for this simple item, synthesis might just involve polishing the crystals and placing them where they belonged. Now, it seemed that no matter what materials he used, the synthesized item would revert to its original form from its source material. The original Chitauri purple crystals had actually transformed into blue Hextech crystals!

How was Luca so sure? Because at this moment, one of the crystals inside the [Monkey Bomb] was emitting that unique, faint white glow belonging to a "core component"!

He carefully picked up the [Monkey Bomb], twisted off its detachable head, and retrieved the glowing Hextech crystal. A light blue panel emerged once more.

[Hextech Core]
[Arcane World 2/5]
[Creator: Viktor]
[Core Component: Hextech Crystal]
[Synthetic Materials: 1 Stable Small-Scale Reactor, 4 Different Magic Runes]

[Item Description: A stable, perpetual energy source possessing magical power—the ultimate aesthetic of Hextech. While providing endless energy, it also possesses the ability to allow biological organisms to undergo a glorious evolution, provided that both your body and mind possess the capacity to resist the corrosion of arcane and runic power.]
[Friendly Reminder: If you do not wish to destroy the world... or yourself, it is advised not to let this come into contact with any biological tissue.]

Looking at the sudden panel description, with its talk of "endless energy" and "glorious evolution," Luca only wanted to ask one thing:

"Is this even reasonable??"