Chapter 103: Shelter Plans

Chapter 103: Shelter PlansAdrian exhaled slowly, the notification about the Power Suit’s energy needs lingering in his mind.

He had always suspected the suit required some form of fuel to sustain its advanced functions, but the revelation that it relied on magic crystals clarified things.

It was only logical; such a sophisticated piece of technology demanded a potent energy source. For a moment, he considered dismissing the suit to conserve resources, but he quickly dismissed the idea.

The Corrupted Lands were uncharted territory, and the suit’s enhancements were too valuable to forgo, especially with the uncertainty ahead.

He had plenty of 1-Star magic crystals in his [Inventory], so it wasn’t a pressing concern. With a grimace, he confirmed the request, watching as ten crystals dulled into lifeless husks within his [Inventory], their energy siphoned to power the suit for another day.

With the suit recharged, Adrian summoned his status panel to assess his progress.

[TECHCORE SYSTEM – STATUS PANEL]

Knight: ★ ★

Mana: 2.82%

Name: Adrian | Age: 10

System Level: 11 | EXP: 7980 / 70240 | TP: 22400



[Stats: Speed - 24 (48) | Strength - 27 (54) | Constitution - 14 (42)]

[Inventions Created: 37]

His Tech Points had finally accumulated enough to unlock significant upgrades, and the temptation to enhance his production line was still strong.

But this expedition had reshuffled his priorities. The Corrupted Lands demanded adaptability, and his immediate focus was on establishing a secure base.

Upgrading his workshop would provide access to more advanced tools, which could prove invaluable for constructing a shelter and crafting new inventions.

His next goal after that was clear. He had to acquire the knowledge he had bookmarked in the System’s Store to bolster his capabilities.

Without hesitation, Adrian issued a command. "Upgrade Factory Workshop."

The System responded instantly:

[Upgrading System Factory: Workshop Upgrade]

[Deducting 5000 TP...]

A brief pause followed, then a satisfying chime:

[Upgrade Completed!]

A spark of excitement flickered in Adrian’s chest. He was eager to dive into the Factory and explore the upgraded workshop’s new features.

But he restrained himself. His current situation didn’t tolerate distractions, and he needed to stay focused on his immediate needs.

Testing the upgrade would have to wait until he had a safe haven.

Next on his agenda was acquiring the knowledge he had saved in his watchlist.

[Metals of Thanad: A Comprehensive Guide]

[Cost: 10,000 TP]

[Confirm Purchase?]

Adrian confirmed without a second thought. A book-shaped icon materialized on his interface, glowing faintly to indicate the purchase was complete. He selected it immediately.

[Would you like to learn "Metals of Thanad: A Comprehensive Guide" now?]

"Yes," he commanded, and a torrent of information flooded his mind. Details of countless metals unfurled like a tapestry inside his mind. Their ores, properties, forging techniques, locations and many more.

The information was just too much that it made Adrian wonder how it was so cheap. By the time everything had settled in his mind, he felt heavily inspired.

The guide was everything he had hoped for and more. With this knowledge, he could identify and manipulate resources in the Corrupted Lands.

But his preparations weren’t complete. His next priority was a scouting tool to map the Lands and ensure he wouldn’t miss any threats or resources.

Crafting one, however, required a secure space where his physical body could remain safe while he worked in the Factory.

"I don’t need to make anything too elaborate," he murmured, scanning the cracked desert around him.

He had long detected no mana signatures, suggesting the absence of magical beasts, but anything could still happen.

A simple shelter would suffice for now; something sturdy enough to shield him from any unforeseen dangers. He couldn’t afford to be careless.

But his options were limited. Setting up a surface shelter risked exposure to sudden environmental shifts or undetected threats.



After a moment of consideration, he concluded that the safest place to secure his physical body was underground.

"An underground capsule," Adrian murmured, the idea solidifying in his mind. "Something reinforced, compact, buried deep enough to stay hidden but sturdy enough to protect me."

It would need to be practical. Just a simple structure to house his body while his consciousness operated in the Factory.

He began calculating the feasibility, his mind racing through the logistics.

The capsule would need to withstand the pressure of the surrounding earth, resist corrosion from the desert’s harsh conditions, and allow him to exit safely when he returned.

He also needed to ensure it could be built quickly with the materials and tools at his disposal.

Opening his [Inventory], Adrian took stock of his resources, running plans within his mind on how he could work with them.

He weighed the pros and cons. The advantages were clear: an underground capsule would be hidden from view, protected from surface threats, and stable against the desert’s fierce winds.

The primary downside was the lack of an oxygen support system; being buried underground meant limited airflow.

But to Adrian’s surprise, a quick check of the Power Suit’s specifications with Tech Core revealed it was equipped with a life-sustaining module, capable of generating air and regulating temperature for extended periods.

The discovery caught him off guard; he hadn’t realized the suit was this advanced. "Well, that solves that problem," he muttered with a faint smile.

Another potential issue was the capsule’s simplicity. It wouldn’t be comfortable or spacious, but comfort wasn’t the goal; functionality was.

The risk of the capsule shifting or collapsing under the desert’s unstable soil was a concern, but he could mitigate that by anchoring it with deep stakes and reinforcing the walls with enchanted alloy plates.

The final challenge was digging the hole itself, but Adrian had a solution: a high-torque drill he’d crafted recently before coming.

It was powerful enough to carve through the hard-packed earth in minutes, and he could shape the hole to allow for an easy exit.

Satisfied with his plan, Adrian set to work. He pulled out his tools and materials from his [Inventory], the Power Suit’s lights illuminating the cracked ground as he laid out the alloy sheets and iron supports.

The laser cutter he got from the Workshop sliced the metal with precision into panels for the capsule’s frame.

His enhanced strength made lifting and positioning the heavy sheets effortless, and the welder fused them into a sturdy, cylindrical structure.

He didn’t aim for elegance... just a crude, reliable capsule, about two meters long and one meter wide, large enough to encase his body comfortably.

For added stability, he bolted iron supports inside, creating a reinforced skeleton to withstand the earth’s pressure.

The process took just over thirty minutes, thanks to the efficiency of his tools and when Adrian stepped back to inspect the capsule, it was exactly as he’d envisioned.

Next came the task of digging the hole. He retrieved his high-torque drill. The drill’s enchanted core allowed it to chew through rock and earth with ease, and Adrian set it to carve a cylindrical pit six feet deep... deep enough to conceal the capsule but shallow enough for a quick exit.

He worked methodically, ensuring the hole’s walls were smooth and stable.

To facilitate his return, he embedded a series of retractable grips into the pit’s walls, forming a makeshift ladder.

The drill’s vibrations sent small clouds of dust into the air, but the suit’s filtration system kept his breathing clear.

When the hole was complete, Adrian lowered the capsule into place, his strength making the task effortless.

He packed the surrounding earth tightly, leaving only a small, concealed hatch at the surface, camouflaged with loose soil and stone.

The capsule was secure, anchored by stakes driven deep into the ground. Adrian took a moment to admire his work. "Beautiful."

Now fully encased in the Power Suit from head to toe, Adrian’s appearance was striking.

A helmet now covered his entire face, its transparent visor glowing with a soft green hue from the night-vision display, and he looked like someone straight out of a Sci-fi movie.



Adrian slid into the capsule, the tight space feeling oddly claustrophobic despite the suit’s protection.

As he settled in, the sensation of being buried alive crept into his mind, but he pushed it aside.

The suit’s life-sustaining systems hummed reassuringly, and he focused on his next step.

Closing the hatch above him, he sealed himself in, the capsule’s interior illuminated by the suit’s faint glow. With a steadying breath, he spoke the command: "Visit Factory."

The world dissolved in a flash of light, and Adrian found himself standing on lush green grass outside the Factory, the familiar vibrant landscape a stark contrast to the Corrupted Lands.

[Access Time Remaining: 02:59:56]

He glanced down, surprised to see the Power Suit still encasing his form.

A moment of confusion gave way to understanding... the Factory was simulating his consciousness as it currently was, suit and all.

It was a curious quirk, but not unwelcome. Adrian shrugged it off, his focus shifting to the task ahead.

He stared at the Factory’s colorful skies for a moment before making his way to the as entrance, his.

Inside, Adrian made his way directly to the upgraded workshop.

As he crossed through the entrance, Adrian’s breath caught as he took in the breathtaking sight before him.