Ultimate Level 1-Chapter 441: A Promise Kept

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[ Would you like to learn [ Gnomish Tinkering ]? ]

[ Yes / No ]

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[ Would you like to learn [ Gnomish Robotics ]? ]

[ Yes / No ]

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[ Would you like to learn [ Robotics ]? ]

[ Yes / No ]

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[ Would you like to learn [ Gnomish Power Core Creation ]? ]

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[ Would you like to learn [ Gnomish Bombs ]? ]

[ Yes / No ]

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That… is a lot of gnomish skills. What does that even mean?

It took a little work on my end, but I believe we might have more success now with learning skills that belong to other races. I think that traveling to the other world unlocked something in the system for you. Only time will tell as there were still many I couldn’t get to convert.

Selecting yes to all of them, Max felt his mind explode with knowledge he had never imagined possible.

[ Skill Description - Administration ]

*****

Administration - Rare: The user has a special ability to quickly understand organizational needs and challenges and create action plans to handle those problem areas. The time required to develop a successful plan decreases the longer one works in the same company or for the same overarching entity. Provides a bonus to leadership and obedience with tasks given within a specific company or governing entity.

*****

[ Skill Description - Gnomish Tinkering ]

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Gnomish Tinkering - Rare: Most gnomes believe you need to know how to tinker if you’re going to call yourself a gnome.

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This skill provides mastery of advanced crafting related to gnomish contraptions and automatons. It also grants basic knowledge of gnomish power core weapon creation and an understanding of basic robotics. The crafter will be able to make all components required to build and give life to creations when possible. Advanced materials may result in a higher quality creation. When crafting Tier A objects, there is a 5% chance that a bonus trait or skill will be granted.

When crafting power core weapons, there is a 35% chance that bonus stats may be granted for the weapon. Weapons may have up to one power core.

*****

[ Skill Description - Gnomish Robotics ]

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Gnomish Robotics - Epic: Every gnome believes they are the master of automation and robotic creations. While some might disagree, this skill provides the user with specific knowledge passed down only to gnomish crafters.

The use of high-quality materials, power cores, and other components will drastically improve the quality of their creation. Simple tasks and programmed jobs are easy to assign to their creation. If bonded through approved gnome techniques, the creation will only obey the crafter unless another has a special skill to override this bond.

*****

[ Skill Description - Robotics ]

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Robotics - Epic: The user has a vast understanding and knowledge of robotics and is only limited by the materials they can access. Various constructs, automatons, and other creations can be built and designed.

The use of high-quality materials, power cores, and other components will drastically improve the quality of their creation. Simple tasks and programmed jobs are easy to assign to their creation. If bonded, the creation will only obey the crafter unless one has a special skill that can override this bond.

*****

[ Skill Description - Gnomish Power Core Creation ]

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Gnomish Power Core Creation - Legendary: Every gnome dreams of owning an item powered by a core. This skill makes you one of the special ones who can make that dream come true.

The user may craft power cores from various materials containing energy or magic. These fusions will enable automatons, robotic creations, power core-charged weapons, bombs, and other creations to function. The quality of the power core will determine possible power output. Advanced materials impact the creation rarity. There is a 20% chance to increase the power output of the core by 100%.

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[ Skill Description - Gnomish Bombs ]

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Gnomish Bombs - Epic: Ask any gnome over a fine drink about the enjoyment they get from watching an enemy blow up. Their pleasure is drastically increased if such a thing happens due to a gnomish bomb.

This skill provides the user with vast amounts of knowledge in creating hundreds of variations of bombs. Each creation can be as simple as a trigger device to complex multi-staged mechanical devices. There is always a risk that during the creation process, the bomb may be triggered. A 3% chance of detonation is possible, checked every hour during the creation process.

The owner of this skill may also attempt to disassemble any bomb created from the rank they possess or lower. There is a 25% chance the bomb may explode during this attempt due to the volatile nature of gnomish bomb-making.

After all, it wasn’t designed to look pretty on a shelf.

*****

Letting go of Nimyn’s corpse, Max gently massaged his temples.

My brain actually hurts from all that knowledge. It’s been a while since we had so much like that happen at once.

Yes, but the possibilities… it’s impressive in some ways that the gnomes haven’t destroyed themselves or the other races on that planet yet. It also makes sense why the ones who could potentially disarm that bomb wouldn’t want to. 25% is a very risky task, especially if there isn’t a reward worthy of such a risk.

Looking at the spherical bomb on the stone table, Max knew Bob was right.

The idea that he still might fail to retrieve Rakonath’s core upset him.

Do you think if this thing goes off in this dimensional space, the space will be able to withstand it?

Neither of us is an expert on this, but perhaps how the space limits the ability of individuals in here to use their power and abilities will also prevent such damage.

Or trap it in here permanently…

He could feel almost a wince as the idea of a black hole being here forever meant that Max might likewise be stuck as well, unable to escape as his Death Blow skill kept him safe but unable to respond.

But you’re still going to try…

He chuckled and nodded, looking at all the tools he had and now understood the use of. He cracked his knuckles.

You’re right. I guess it’s time to start.

***

Thankful that no sweat was dripping from his forehead, Max slowly unscrewed the last connector, unable to remove the final power core until this piece was gone.

Slowly…

You’ve said that like 1,000 times… I know.

The hexnut-spinner moved with a speed so incredibly slow a snail might call it boring, making sure not to cause the electrical connecter to shift or potentially power the bomb.

Breathing a sigh of relief as it finally came free, Max quickly popped the power core from its spot and felt the energy that had flooded the metal frame vanish.

With a twist, he felt the two halves separate, and there sat Rakonath’s core, needing just a few last metal pieces to be taken away, and he would be done with this entire event.

You did well. For a moment, I thought we were going to die.

Laughing, Max stilled his hands, not wanting to risk the removal of the frame around his dragon’s core.

It was a bit scary.

Finally, the prize he had come for was in his hand, and after taking the first real deep breath, Max stored it, glancing over his shoulder at the corpse still on the ground.

He retrieved Nimyn’s body and stored that as well, moving to where the entrance of the dimensional space was and willed it to open.

Immediately, he sensed Rakonath and movement, watching the large silver head stop just a few feet from where he had appeared.

“You did it! I can sense your excitement!”

Smiling, Max quickly summoned the core from his storage and held it out.

“I did. I made a promise and nothing was going to keep me from following through.”

A wet tongue snaked out, wrapping the core and pulling it into Rakonath’s mouth.

It took a lot less effort to swallow it than it had bringing it up, but the silver dragon let out a deep thrum after the lump in its throat vanished.

“I feel… whole.”

Scratching the scales along his neck, Max glanced around the room which was empty except for his dragon.

“What time is it?”

“Oh… it’s nighttime. The others are asleep. Even Aerthen left so she could fly for a while. If you want I can summon her.”

Shaking his head, Max pointed to the large door that Rakonath had to use in order to enter and exit.

“Actually, don’t. Instead, how would you feel if we flew together?”

Both of his silver eyes widened and the dragon stood completely upright, banging his head into the stone ceiling.

“You’re serious?! You wish to fly? Right now?!”

The tone of excitement was overwhelming, and laughing, Max began to move toward the door.

“Yes! It’s the perfect time to try. Besides, I’m pretty sure you’re strong enough to easily carry me.”

***

Neither said a word as the wind rushed across the both of them.

Two moons shone their light and reflected off the silver scales that sparkled as Rakonath took slow and steady beats of his wings.

Beneath them was the vast desert which stretched for so far, and from up above at night it looked so peaceful.

I can sense that you are… content?

“I am,” Max shouted, his legs wrapped around his dragon’s thick neck, easily staying in place due to his strength. “I can tell you are as well!”

This feeling… this is what I knew was missing. It is as if… suddenly I feel complete. Simply being near each other isn’t enough. Not that I do not like the scratches, but this connection reaches to my core.

Sighing, Max nodded even though Rakonath wasn’t looking at him.

He could feel that same sensation, which he didn’t know existed until now. A part of him was bonded to this dragon and whatever Wekime had done, from this moment on Max knew he would desire this.

Your dragon is right. You have changed so much in just a few hours. Back in that space, I was sure you would have gladly given into the hunger had you ever had a moment like that when we first met. Now… that moment is passed, and you are changing. You are evolving.

Unable to help himself, Max laughed and then suddenly stopped, considering what Bob had just said.

My mother might call that growing up.

Laughter echoed inside his head, and his skill, in some ways, mimicked his inner peace at this moment.

That dragon… I wonder if he knew…

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