The Max Level Hero Has Returned!

"In conclusion, this is so astonishing that it leaves me utterly astounded."

Since they were in the same predicament, they couldn't conceal the intricacies of the blueprint from Edison. Consequently, Davey presented him with the myriad blueprints and plans he had meticulously prepared in advance.

After a brief perusal, Edison delivered his evaluation: "Time is an indispensable component for technological advancement, yet it may also prove superfluous. I can confidently affirm this."

Undoubtedly, time played an essential role in technological progress. In fact, new achievements could only arise through the accumulation of both failures and data, coupled with protracted effort. For instance, consider the world known as the Mind Map, where technological development unfolded through the successive release of various items stemming from a single, previously developed item.

Did Edison's remarks contradict this notion? Not in the least. After all, the need for time pertained to others undergoing the trial-and-error process and acquiring knowledge.

But what if they had already made meticulous preparations beforehand, effectively circumventing the trial-and-error phase? What if they had performed countless, astronomical calculations to eliminate all prospects of failure? In that scenario, what if someone encountered a experience and gained fresh insights into technology? Time, in such a context, would become devoid of meaning.

"To be candid, this is profoundly intimidating. It represents a level of technology that even [Doom], who is currently undergoing remodeling and upgrades in this workshop, cannot hope to match..." Edison fell into contemplative silence. He then inquired softly, "Respected Teacher Davey, please be forthright with me. Where on Earth did you obtain this technology?"

The technology contained a wealth of extensive data. As a seasoned engineer, Edison comprehended that such data could not be amassed by mere genius alone.

"Kindly examine this, please."

Edison unveiled some of the numerous designs and plans he had reviewed. They pertained to the blueprint for the core components of the nuclear power reactor.

"The alloy we intend to utilize for this component... It is unprecedented, nowhere to be found on the Tionis Continent. Am I mistaken?"

"That is accurate. The materials available within this region are inherently limited. Hence, I plan to procure them from elsewhere."

Edison regarded Davey with a puzzled expression. "You intend to retrieve them personally? Hoho. You speak as if you can transcend the confines of the Tionis Continent."

"Indeed, that is precisely my intention."

In the first place, a considerable number of prototypes for this blueprint were originally derived from plans found on the Yurgian Continent. Davey's role primarily involved adapting the technology and resources to suit the Tionis Continent, emphasizing mana as the principal component.

As for the required materials? These weren't to be sourced from the Tionis Continent but from that post-apocalyptic realm—a world where he had encountered a young boy previously—the Yurgian Continent, renowned as the continent of alchemy.

***

Davey had just one means to access the Yurgian Continent - through the dimensional key. The challenge lay in the fact that this accursed key proved exceptionally difficult to decipher. Not only was selecting a destination a puzzle, but he was also constrained by a time limit of roughly two hours for exploration.

The world he wished to enter lacked mana. However, given its apocalyptic state, power was a necessity. The predicament, though, was that using his power would shorten his stay in that world. Additionally, upon completing any transaction, he'd be abruptly ejected from the world, irrespective of his remaining time. It was becoming apparent that this package didn't offer a quick business trip service.

"Ha... What am I to do with this?" Davey mused aloud, his fingers toying with the key.

Reaching his desired destination posed a quandary, and even if he did reach it, concerns about his limited time persisted. Two hours hardly sufficed for collecting all the necessary materials.

"It would be ideal if I could stay in one world for at least a few days," Davey whispered as he continued to manipulate the key in his hands.

"Davey, can't you resolve this with your power?" Perserque inquired.

"Resolve it? With what power?" Davey replied.

"Taboo's Karma."

Davey fell into contemplative silence at her words.

‘If It’s Taboo’s Karma, then…’

Indeed, Taboo’s Karma had been an overpowering force since its inception. It had even demonstrated the capability to shatter the restriction 'Prohibit Davey O'Rowane from using his powers,' which had been imposed by the power of God.

The Abyss' power was unrestrained by the rules of this world, capable of running rampant and unchecked. However, while Taboo’s Karma's primary structure bore some resemblance to the power of the Abyss, it posed a far greater threat.

"My utilization of Taboo’s Karma is confined to my own body. I can only influence others by modifying the mana within my own body before releasing it."

“That’s it.”

Davey’s eyes grew wide at Perserque’s words. ‘I see.’

In the first place, the dimensional key wasn't stored within his Pocket Plane; instead, it was typically transformed into particles absorbed into Davey's body—particles he could store and retrieve at will. In other words, the dimensional key resided within his body.

Boom!

A black air current billowed out and enveloped his entire form. As Taboo’s Karma surged forth, Perserque seemed to shiver, cold sweat beads forming on her back.

Davey's chosen method was simple. He intended to utilize his Taboo’s Karma to activate the key linked with God’s power and modify it as he desired.

As the black force spilled out, the stagnant energy expanded and coursed through his entire being. If it felt as morally reprehensible as this, it wouldn't be surprising if Goddess Freyja's sanctions were to descend upon him.

Oddly enough, nothing changed. Of course, he had no alternative but to consume a substantial amount of time in exchange for this incredible power bestowed upon him by Goddess Freyja.

***

"I didn't consider this at all."

It appeared that Goddess Freyja had anticipated that Davey might tinker with and manipulate the dimensional key to conform to his desires using Taboo’s Karma. Why? Because there was a concise message displayed on the status window.

[You have permission to change the dimensional key.]

It was merely a brief sentence, but the message was straightforward. It was as if the goddess had conveyed to him that he had permission to alter the key using his Taboo’s Karma.

"Well then, let's examine it now." Perserque employed the power of the Abyss to inspect the contents of the dimensional key before relaying them to Davey.

Beep.

Name: Dimensional Key

Status: Transforming

Form: Golden Key

Length: 18 cm

Width: 3 cm

Owner: Davey O’Rowane

Details:

—It has the power to choose a fixed location, allow the owner to leap through dimensions, and bring back objects from the other dimension.

—A time limit exists. The current time limit: (%$#%#$%)

—When using a force that does not exist in that world, time will be consumed %^$%%^$%^#

—Dimensional jump’s location ^%$#^$%^#%.

The text was incomplete, making it evident that the key possessed a power far surpassing what the Abyss’ Authority could discern. This paralleled the situation with the jewel that had allowed Davey to fully synchronize his soul and body previously. However, thanks to the transformation induced by Taboo’s Karma, some of its details were now partially revealed.

"It's still present."

The fixed destination, the time limit, and the usage restrictions all shared the common trait of having unreadable text at the end, filled with peculiar symbols. Davey wasn't entirely certain if he had successfully altered it, but he already had a strong intuition that it had been done.

Davey took a brief breath as he gripped the key tightly. Rinne immediately appeared beside him, clinging to his legs, evidently poised for departure at a moment's notice. Davey took another deep breath and directed his will into the key. Coordinates? In other dimensions, that concept was utterly irrelevant. All that mattered was his will.

After adjusting the time limit and confirming the destination in his mind's eye, Davey silently extended his arms, raising the key into the air.

Boom!

Simultaneously, a portion of the key began to change color, adopting a hue similar to the black energy associated with Taboo’s Karma, as its power gradually began to manifest. Black sparks flickered several times until they tore a substantial crack in the fabric of space. Observing this, Perserque promptly shrank her form and perched on Davey's shoulder.

"Let's proceed with our mission."

As Davey stepped through the rift, their view transformed, revealing a vast city before them. The architectural structures resembled earthly apartments but possessed distinct designs and architecture. This world was none other than the Yurgian Continent, the homeland of Davey's alchemy teacher, Eva, and the origin of Davey's alchemical knowledge.

However, as before, it appeared that the biochemical apocalypse continued to ravage this world. In this once-teeming city, now filled with countless corpses, Davey couldn't help but grimace.

"A different world..." Perserque murmured softly as she surveyed the dilapidated, desolate cityscape.

"Davey, the data matches the previous data. Rinne confirms this to be the Yurgian Continent."

“I know.”

The land of alchemy, the Yurgian Continent, was evidently locked in a battle for survival amid the ongoing apocalypse they had encountered previously. With the emergence of the colossal living virus, those who fell victim to infection had transformed into horrifying monsters.

During their previous visit, Davey had made a light-hearted comment, asking, "Are we heading to Busan?"

However, unlike the Tionis Continent, where the development of alchemy had progressed to a certain extent, a virus of this nature was bound to transform this world into a nightmarish realm.

As Davey kicked one of the bodies lying on the ground and turned it over, they were met with gruesome injuries. It appeared that the corpse had been brutally bitten all over its body prior to its demise.

"Ugh..." Perserque, who had not witnessed this scene before, instinctively covered her mouth. "This is terrible... What on earth is this..."

"It's a zombie."

"This isn't like your typical zombie! It's something more..." Perserque was observing something distinct from what Davey was seeing.

"There are enormous parasites growing inside their bodies. How do I describe it..." Perserque, her face drained of color, whispered, "Horsetail worms..."

Horsetail worms usually infested insects, taking control of their hosts and compelling them to drown themselves at the water's edge when it was time to lay eggs. In essence, these parasites seized the bodies of their hosts, turning them into mutated zombies with an insatiable craving for flesh.

"No wonder they were acting solely on instinct." Since the parasites were devoid of reason, the humans they had infected and commandeered would also become creatures with nothing but their basic instincts remaining. This explained why these zombies resembled but differed from the zombies created through dark magic in the Tionis Continent.

Then…

—Graaaaaaaaaa!!!

The motionless body suddenly opened its eyes and lunged at Davey. Of course, this surprise attack was quickly thwarted by Rinne, who crushed its head with her petite white hands. It should be noted, however, that its vitality was surprisingly robust.

"The fact that it can still move even with half of its brain gone suggests that it can function as long as the host's body remains intact, right?"

"Most likely," Davey replied.

He observed Rinne continue to obliterate the zombie with her bare feet until it was reduced to a pulpy mess. Davey then proceeded to walk slowly toward what appeared to be a nearby stall. It seemed as though only humans had vanished from this city, which had once teemed with life.

Crunch...

The fruits, having withered and dried from the absence of moisture, crumbled into pieces.

"It must be challenging for them to find proper sustenance here."

In the first place, this had become a location where obtaining food had grown exceedingly difficult.

All of a sudden, signs of life began to manifest all around them, possibly triggered by the earlier commotion caused by the zombie's attack.

—Grrrrrrr…

—Rooooooooar…

The bodies that dragged themselves around were in terrible conditions. Some had their flesh ripped apart, others with rotten parts, and there were bodies with no flesh at all. Well, that was how zombies were supposed to be in the first place, so this wasn’t something that Davey found surprising. Still…

“There’s more than I thought?”

Davey found it surprising that the number of zombies simply overwhelmed the number of zombies that had poured out from the train during his previous visit.

‘It seems like quite a lot of people are flocking to Busan, huh? No, should I say, Racoon?’

"Wouldn't it be better for us to simply pass by and ignore them?" Perserque suggested.

However, she voiced her opinion when not just one, but hundreds of thousands of zombies were approaching. After witnessing Rinne's actions, Davey also grabbed a crowbar, the same weapon, and joined in.

"Where are we going? We need to gather resources."

"Resources?"

Davey recalled what his alchemy teacher, Eva, had mentioned about what the humans in her hometown used. He thought it might have changed since a long time had passed, but the item he needed had emerged from the zombie's body earlier.

"That's correct. They are zombies, right? Thanks to the advancement of alchemy in this world, all the humans here have chips implanted in their bodies."

And that was precisely what Davey required.

‘Come here. I'll remove it for you. I'll make sure it doesn't hurt.’

At that moment, the zombies seemed to flinch. However, those who observed it felt that they might be overthinking things and let it slide.