Chapter 7: Mission

In the afternoon, after finishing his dessert, Old K quietly walks into the basement. He immediately notices the shattered glass of his collection cabinet and becomes angry.

But then he turns to see Mason Cooper, a young man with bandages wrapped around his eyes, expertly dismantling and rebuilding an anti-material sniper rifle.

Old K becomes fascinated and leans against the wall, silently watching Mason work, even with his eyes covered. It takes several minutes for Mason to reassemble the rifle, using only his hands and sense of touch.

"What are you doing?" Old K suddenly asks, causing Mason's movements to pause for a moment.

"I'm choosing weapons for our operation," Mason replies without turning his head.

"But you're clearly taking apart my collectibles," Old K retorts.

Old K responded added a cold tone, "Although you have good skills, those items are special and took me a lot of effort to collect from different places. You better not damage them."

"Don't worry, Mr. K."

Mason said, taking apart the sniper rifle once again. "I like guns, and guns like me. I'll find the most suitable one and help you complete this mission. I hope you can give me my freedom when it's over."

"I will, Mason. I've always been someone who does what they say."

Old K turned and walked up the stairs, saying softly: "Provided you can come back alive and give me some suggestions, bring a few more guns. There will be a lot of enemies. As for bullets, don't worry. We've got plenty."

'Phew.'

After Old K left, Mason breathed a sigh of relief. Dealing with this guy really made him uncomfortable.

But the good news also arrived.

Just as Mason completed building the rifle, a system suddenly appeared in front of him, and then two new blueprints appeared.

'Successfully completed one Outstanding Craftsmanship: Rapid Dismantling, Engineering Skill Proficiency X10 increase, currently Lv1, Professional Blueprints unlocked.'

'Crit Shotgun' blueprint series unlocked, 'Engineering Explosives' formula unlocked, 'Engineering Bombs' blueprint series unlocked.'

Mason was immediately filled with surprise and joy at the sudden unlocking of the equipment blueprints. He rubbed his numb arms and fingers, examining the newly unlocked crafting blueprints in front of him.

Name: Crit Shotgun [classic double-barreled Shotgun]

Traits: The use of different materials will provide different enhanced attributes for the Crit shotgun, but the finished product made according to the blueprint must include the [Critical Strike] Effect

This weapon can be equipped with different engineering accessories and ammunition and has three modification paths: [Pump-action Critical-hit Shotgun], [Precisely calibrated Critical Shotgun], and [Short-barreled Critical-hit Hand Cannon]

Item description: 'I want your titanium dog's eye, the Critical Shotgun in your hand, and your Adidas shoes on your feet'

Tip: Entry-level firearm modification blueprints have been unlocked.

"Newbie benefits?"

Mason fell into a long silence as he looked at the four firearm blueprints. To be honest, he couldn't understand how four firearms with such different styles could come from the same blueprint.

But that didn't stop Mason from feeling the joy of getting new toys.

He turned his head to look at the gun cabinet where Old K had placed all the guns he had dismantled at least thirty times, sneered, and walked over to take down the few guns he had dismantled the most.

He dismantles them easily with a few clicks and selects usable parts according to the blueprint in front of him. His smooth movements compare those of a black market arms dealer who has been in the business for years.

He has selected many excellent quality firearm parts in the box beside him. These high-quality components are all taken from Old K's collection, and Mason does not hesitate to use them.

While rebuilding several guns according to the blueprint to use as his future backup weapons, he also looks at the other two unlocked blueprints.

Formula Description: Engineering Explosives

Traits: By adding different raw materials, the explosive power of the explosives is increased, and different effects are produced.

Currently unlocked: High explosive/Incendiary explosives formula.

Item description: 'In some fantasy worlds, this thing is called Goblin Engineering Explosives, so promise me to be careful when dealing with it, okay?'

This formula makes Mason's heart race. It is exactly what he needs in his current situation, and the "Engineering Explosives" formula is a series.

Rather than a specific type of explosive, it is more of a design concept.

This set of blueprints covers everything from established hand grenades to strange makeshift rockets, including landmines and even fantastic items like the "explosive squirrels" that look very unscientific.

If Mason were to add a power system to it, it could form an intelligent blasting mode similar to a drone swarm.

Upon seeing the blueprint, Mason immediately took out two of his collection of batarang from his belt. There was just enough space inside for explosives, making them a perfect match for this almost universal engineering bomb.

"I can have my own explosive Batarang now. Just throw them, and Boom!" Mason grinned but then shook his head.

He was joking, as one of these Batarangs cost as much as a luxury car. Only someone insane would throw them like Bruce Wayne.

After all, didn't Mr. K have different intelligent drones and explosives in his collection? Dismantling them would give him enough engineering parts and more than enough to make at least thirty engineering bombs.

It would be a waste if he couldn't use all these free things he had acquired.

Several hours later, with a soft click, the black barrel was installed into Mason's slender rifle.

It was a lightweight sniper rifle, similar in appearance to the SVD, with a dark wooden stock and a compact, modified, and polished assembly of several gun parts.

However, this long-range weapon for sniping did not have a scope installed. With Mason's combat assistance, shooting within a kilometer range obviously did not need one.

As the gun was assembled, its information label appeared before Mason's eyes.

Precisely calibrated Crit Shotgun · unnamed

Quality: 'Excellent item · excellent craftsmanship'

Traits: 'accurate calibration (accuracy improvement) · critical hit (increased destructive power, chance to deal double damage) · durable (using a large number of excellent accessories, reducing gun wear, reducing the chance of chamber explosion).'

Manufacturer: 'Mason Cooper'

Item Description: 'From this moment on, you are no longer a simple 17-year-old boy. As your first work, you should give it a decent name.'

'Completed the first excellent craftsmanship · excellent quality engineering creation, engineering skill proficiency increased by 10x times.'

"Unnamed?" Mason blinked.

He stroked the gun he had rebuilt with materials of his own choice. Mason showed a slightly cold smile, patted the simple gun body, and said

"I'll call you 'Old K,' and I think you understand the meaning of that name. Anyway, I'll leave the rest to you from now on."

Mason set his new gun aside and checked the time. It was now nine o'clock at night, and there were still fifteen hours until Old K's mission would start.

He was feeling a bit tired, so Mason picked up a small knife and quickly sliced his hand, causing a burst of pain that immediately woke him up.

Then, with practiced ease, he took out a first aid kit and treated the wound before walking over to the corner where the explosives were stored. He grabbed a standard C4 explosive and an exquisite drone.

He planned to complete the engineering bomb and try to get several more 10x proficiency boosts while he was at it.

He also needed to make a shotgun and a handgun. Time was tight, and the mission was important, so Mason didn't plan on sleeping tonight.

He touched the small wound on the back of his neck where a bomb was implanted that could explode his head at any moment, causing him huge stress.

'I was running out of time! There was no way i could sleep now'.

Whether he could get Engineering to level 2 or not depends on this gamble. Once Old K's mission began, he probably wouldn't have so much time to build these things.

As for exhaustion, it was a minor issue for Mason. He glanced at the blood-stained knife and the roll of bandages on the table, shrugged his shoulders, and decided to practice some first aid skills while he was at it.

.....

The next day at 11:00 a.m., the door to the basement was pushed open. Old K, dressed in what looked like a hunter's leather armor and boots, came down.

He had a single-handed sword hanging from his waist and a strange crossbow on his back, while his hair was tied into a ponytail under his mask, making him look like a knight ready for battle.

This attire was somewhat unusual for this era, but considering this was Gotham, where many strange people wandered around in strange clothes, Old K's outfit was not a problem.

"Your teammates have already gathered. Go up and grab something to eat to prepare for leaving," Old K shouted. Mason yawned and replied without looking back, "Wait a moment, I'm going to finish making this flying bomb."

"Hmm?" Old K walked over in surprise and glanced at the table, almost having a stroke from anger.

All the destroyed drones and devices he had collected were dismantled.

In front of Mason on the table were neatly arranged over thirty peculiar-shaped flying machines and a few with legs like small mechanical spiders.

Old K picked one up and looked at it left and right in his hand. After a few seconds, he looked at Mason strangely and said, "You still know this? Are you really just a 17-year-old high school dropout?"

"Gotham locals have a special taste for bombs, and most people are talented in many ways," replied the Mason with an air of weakness due to the practice.

"If you give me enough materials, I can even make you a bat suit. What? Don't believe me? The blueprints are all in my mind," he answered weakly.

"Heh heh," Old K laughed in his sarcastic manner.

But he didn't say much and just frowned at Mason's pitiful state. He took a slender glass bottle from his belt, which was filled with small colorful vials, and handed it to Mason, saying.

"Drink it. I'll treat you to this one so it won't affect your condition, but you owe me a favor."

"Huh?"

Mason took the strange-colored deep purple bottle and said, "Do you really think I'll just drink this down? It looks poisonous, doesn't it?"

Although he said that as soon as Mason touched the bottle, the System provided information

'Unidentified alchemical compound detected. Analyzing. The item is 'Owl Potion,' which can quickly fill the drinker's energy and vitality but is also toxic.'

'Alchemical skill and knowledge are too low to obtain the complete formula.

'

'Vitality Potion - Novice formula has been recorded.'

"I only need to press a button to kill you. There's no need to go to the trouble of using poison."

Old K sneered and showed the young man the golden controller in his hand. He then patted him on the shoulder and said, "Drink up! Pack up your things and head upstairs."

After he finished speaking, he turned around and left, and Mason didn't hesitate to drink down the potion.

As soon as the cold liquid flowed into his throat, it exploded like a ball of fire in his esophagus and stomach, warming him up and making him feel like he had swallowed a piece of carbon, causing him to sigh of relief.

However, in just a few seconds, the potion dispelled the weakness of staying up late, instantly filling him with energy.

"Old K is a pharmacist? No, an alchemist or a magician?"

Mason stared at the formula for the vitality potion that had been analyzed and blinked his eyes, thinking, 'Great, I now have one more reason to kill him.'

A few minutes later, Mason put his customized gun, Old K, on his shoulder and strapped the pump-action explosive Shotgun, which had been modified, to his back. He then took a military backpack and put all 35 engineering bombs he had made inside it.

He also took some parts for repairing firearms, found an armed belt to hold the large-caliber explosive Shotgun with the sawn-off barrel, and finally picked up the Penguin's armed umbrella on the table. He walked up the stairs with a fully armed posture and humming a tune.

On the System in front of him, his data was clear at a glance.

Name: Mason Cooper

Trait: Skillful Engineer (able to work with accuracy like a machine without any interference), Self-harm First Aider (speed increased when aiding himself)

Combat skills: Shooting Lv1, Fighting Lv0

Crafting skills: Alchemy Lv0, Engineering Lv2, Blacksmithing Lv0, Tailoring Lv0, First Aid Lv1, Engineering Lv2, and First Aid Lv1 made him very satisfied.

Unfortunately, this upgrade did not unlock any new specialty blueprints. It seems that specialty blueprints are only rare rewards, and the really powerful ones must be researched and collected independently.

When he stepped into the top floor of the building, Old K was already waiting for him.

Mason didn't pay attention to the other strange-dressed people. He just stared at Old K, who was busy beside a strange wooden door. There was a wall.

He placed a black stone in the cat's eye position of the door that could not be opened.

Then, he glanced at the people behind him, grinned, twisted the brass doorknob down three notches, and then pushed the door forward in front of everyone's wide-eyed gaze.

With a swish, the door in the wall was actually pushed open like that.

A rotating starlight screen appeared in front of them.

Old K was pleased with the shocked and ignorant look on his new team member's face. He felt accomplished, like a stage magician, and made a please gesture to the people in front of him, saying.

"Please, everyone, the new world is waiting."

"What does 'new world' mean?" stuttered a strange man dressed in a green, tight-fitting suit and carrying a brown backpack on his back.

"I mean exactly what I say," replied Old K, playing with the golden bomb remote control in his hand, his threat obvious.

He snorted and continued, "The place we're going to explore is another world. I've told each and every one of you that the Star Society isn't something anyone can mess with. All of our actions are done in a different world. Do you understand?"

"Now, who's going to show some courage to everyone?"

Mason shrugged and was the first to step into the rotating starry light curtain before them, carrying his backpack without any psychological pressure, displaying an unusually cooperative attitude.

Meanwhile, Bruce was having lunch with his old flame at Wayne Manor when he saw his butler rushing towards him.

Batman smiled at the Catwoman lying on the hospital bed and then walked towards Alfred, who whispered to him.

"The pheromone signal has been captured, Master. Mason is over at Island, but there seems to be an issue in that area."

"An issue?" Batman frowned. "What do you mean?"

"If it wasn't for the sudden appearance of the pheromone signal, we wouldn't have even noticed that there was such a building in the slums of Island. You've passed by there several times during your patrols but never noticed its existence."

Alfred spoke softly, "It's been hidden. It should be some sort of, um, magic? Master, to save this young man, you may need to temporarily break your rule of going solo and look for him in the magic circle. But is Mason Cooper worth it?"

.....

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