Just call me Thor

As Cain and Mike were selecting equipment, Kaelum explained, "Mike, the rules for the combat test are quite complex, with strict restrictions on what items you can bring. Puppets, scrolls, special items, etc., you can only carry a few and you need to declare them in advance."

"Oh? What about these mechanical devices?" Mike asked, pointing to the weapons on the shelves.

Pistols, shotguns, assault rifles, rocket launchers... they had everything.

"Mechanical devices don't need to be declared, but there are strict limits on the ammunition you can carry, and you're not allowed to use energy stones."

On the way to the summer camp, Elena had already briefed Mike. Devices made by mechanics, if lent to someone else and used without energy stones, have less than a tenth of their power!

Curious, Mike asked, "Even if we can't use energy stones, taking a Big Bertha to the combat test could still blast a classmate with each shot, right?"

Even at a tenth of its power, it was still formidable. This thing didn't really need precise aiming; just point it at someone's face and fire.

"You're not seriously considering taking Big Bertha to the combat, are you?" Kaelum pointed to the Big Bertha in the middle of the warehouse, his expression odd.

"Why not?" Mike countered.

"Cough, Mike, calm down, calm down!" Kaelum explained, "Although mechanical devices don't need to be declared, you need to carry your own equipment throughout the entire test. If you bring Big Bertha, that means... you must carry it on your back or shoulder the whole time. Even during combat, you can't put it down on the ground, or you'll be disqualified."

This rule was based on real combat scenarios. If you can manage to lug a Big Bertha around the battlefield, that's your skill.

Hearing this, Anderson walked over to Big Bertha, extended a hand, and exerted a little force. A several-ton Big Bertha was lifted like a dumbbell, and he even managed a few curls.

Anderson turned to Kaelum, his face expressionless, puzzled, "Is this supposed to be hard?"

Kaelum: ...

"The high weight not only is a burden, but the recoil is huge, you wouldn't be able to use it effectively!" Kaelum said with a wry smile, "And even if you could carry it and withstand the recoil, you can only carry one shell, so you'd only get one shot."

No matter how you looked at it, bringing a Big Bertha was a foolish move.

Mike reluctantly shifted his gaze away. He and Cain each picked a few pieces of mechanical equipment to take to the Tower of Truth for practice.

"Mike, forget about that Big Bertha!" Kaelum repeatedly cautioned, still feeling uneasy. Knowing Mike's character, he could pull off something unexpected.

...

Back in his personal dorm, Shadow Nine once again isolated everything around and discussed the [Wind's Reach] skill books with Mike.

"Kid, the higher-ups had an emergency meeting. They've decided to encrypt the [Wind's Reach] skill books with SS-level encryption and classify them as SS-level strategic control materials. They must be kept strictly confidential until officially used on the battlefield."

This was within Mike's expectations. [Wind's Reach], unlike typical SSS-level skills, was a skill that could truly change the era. Especially for top-tier combatants, making a first appearance could catch the enemy off guard. Such opportunities were rare, and humanity needed to seize them!

"Higher-ups?" Mike was more interested in this term, "Who are they?"

Shadow Nine listed six names in one breath, "Corps Command Center, High School Alliance, Wolf's Den, Sword Servant, Mystic Market, Guardian Shadow.

Three visible and three hidden, in general Earth affairs, if Supreme Beings do not intervene, these six parties negotiate and resolve issues."

The three visible forces were self-explanatory.

As for the hidden ones: Guardian Shadow, founded by Morpheus, was the organization Mike dealt with the most. In a sense, aside from Morpheus, Shadow Nine was the spokesperson for [Guardian Shadow].

Sword Servant, as the name suggests, was likely a subordinate of Arse.

As for Mystic Market...

"Mystic Market was created by Apollo?"

Mike hadn't expected that the Mystic Market, with which he had been dealing in the Trade Secret Realm, had such significant origins!

"Sort of. Mystic Market is nominally under Apollo, but in reality..."

Mike could imagine Apollo's attitude towards Mystic Market without Shadow Nine saying more.

Apollo was probably indifferent, simply stating, "boring."

If Apollo cared about these matters, he wouldn't be Apollo.

"Regarding [Wind's Reach], after consultation among the six parties, it will not be freely circulated in the market. Instead, they will place collective orders with you for purchase."

Shadow Nine presented the negotiated plan, "We will provide the raw materials, and the first order is for 50,000 books, to be delivered within three days. As for the payment method..."

"If paid in gold, we can indeed provide enough gold. We could even sell you a gold-making device, so you can produce as much as you want."

"Ah, what?!" Mike had heard of buying things with printed money, but never with a money-printing machine!

The demand from the human high command was huge; 50,000 skill books were enough to arm three or four elite corps! From this demand alone, Mike could tell that humanity was indeed planning something big soon.

Shadow Nine continued, "Too much money devalues money, you understand that, right?"

Mike nodded; the principle was indeed true. He didn't lack money now, and having a pile of gold coins sitting in a warehouse gathering dust was meaningless to Mike.

"So what will this order be paid with?" Barter was acceptable to Mike.

Shadow Nine presented a pre-prepared plan, "Spoils of war!"

"Spoils of war?" Mike frowned slightly, "What kind of spoils of war?"

"Within a week, there will be a major battle involving a demon god level. You've sensed the signs, right?"

Mike nodded. Anyone could feel the oppressive atmosphere, like a storm slowly gathering.

"In this battle, one-third of the spoils collected by everyone who learns [Wind's Reach] will be yours," Shadow Nine continued. "Whether it's a Battle General, Battle Chief, Battle Lord, or even... me, and Supreme Beings!"

"Anyone who learns [Wind's Reach], one-third of their spoils from this battle will be yours!"

"Wow—" Mike was invigorated, not expecting Shadow Nine to be so generous.

In a way, Shadow Nine's offer was a blank check.

But a blank check... was very tempting!

One-third of a Supreme Being's spoils! If a Supreme Being slays a demon god, wouldn't that mean Mike would own one-third of a demon god's remains?!

Just the thought was thrilling.

The most crucial point, tacitly understood by both parties, was not mentioned: the pricing of [Wind's Reach]. This was a complex issue.

First, [Wind's Reach] skill books had a production cost, and it wasn't low. If the books were priced too high, even Battle Chiefs could only afford a few, let alone Battle Generals.

This meant that once all Battle Lords and peak Battle Chiefs had learned [Wind's Reach], Mike's skill books would never sell again!

Even if the price was lowered, the buying group wouldn't expand much; the purchase threshold was too high. Unless Mike sold at cost, making a loss for the sake of publicity.

Shadow Nine's proposal was much more reasonable; they would bear the cost of producing the skill books, and the payment was more flexible.

One-third of the spoils from a major battle. And in this battle, a demon god was likely to fall!

Most importantly, the cause of this battle was to protect Thor, directly targeting the fourth demon god!

The 50,000 [Wind's Reach] books entering the battlefield could be a key factor in turning the tide of battle, potentially transforming a narrow victory into a major triumph!

Mike didn't think for long before nodding in agreement to the plan. "Okay, I'm fine with that."

"After this battle, I can sell [Wind's Reach] on the market, right?"

"Correct, then you can set your own prices, and we'll discuss new order collaborations."

Shadow Nine hesitated for a moment, then decided to caution Mike, "I personally advise, and I mean personally, this has nothing to do with Guardian Shadow."

Mike perked up his ears, curious about what Shadow Nine would say next. Shadow Nine was serious, a rarity.

Mike could guess it was about Supreme Beings. Narrowing it down, it was probably about [Apollo].

Shadow Nine said slowly, "You'd better not accept spoils of war from [Apollo]."