Matthew Atkinson & Natalie Russell
Eighth Layer of the Supernatural Realm
Without further delay, Matthew immediately added Tony Stark's talent to his chart. It was worth 500 billion coins, but Matthew didn't even pay attention to the price.
After that, many faded products regained their color. Knowledge about Tony Stark's technological inventions.
Matthew immediately added knowledge about two arc reactors to his cart. One had a palladium core, the other had a badassium core. Matthew then added knowledge about badassium production to his cart.
Following this, he added Iron Man suits, nanotechnology, energy shields, artificial intelligence, robotics, and many more knowledge related to Tony Stark's inventions to his chart.
Matthew, as a Kryptonian, might not need an Iron Man suit. But he didn't have to use the armor himself.
He could remotely control the armor with the artificial intelligence he would create. And other technologies would help him in many ways.
Matthew wasn't aiming to further enhance his strength with Tony Stark's talent. His main goal was to diversify his powers. Because in many ways, Kryptonian powers relied on brute force.
In situations where he couldn't use his fists and a gentle approach was needed, Matthew could find himself in a difficult position. Also, in situations like cybersecurity, he didn't want to withdraw and leave things to others.
But thanks to Tony Stark's talent, in addition to gaining much more variety, he could even use cyber methods against his enemies, depending on the situation.
For example, tracking down those who put bounties on his and Natalie's heads on the dark web.
Matthew also wanted to add time-travel technology to his portfolio, but no matter how hard he searched, he couldn't find it.
Then Matthew began examining other technologies. Among those that caught his attention were the AmuSphere and AmuSphere 2 FullDive consoles developed by ECT Progress Inc.
Following that, the NerveGear, a FullDive machine, and the World Seed technology, which allows the creation of new virtual worlds, were all developed by Kayaba Akihiko.
With these technologies, Matthew could take OASIS technology to the next level and transform Augmented VR worlds into FullDive VR worlds. Like Sword Art Online but better.
This would allow users to fully transfer their consciousness into the virtual world and experience it.
But Matthew was still considering creating and selling Augmented VR devices similar to those in the Ready Player One world for those who wanted to move their real bodies.
Because…. Why not?
Perhaps he could also allow entry to certain worlds only with these augmented VR devices. Or he could open certain tournaments, like martial arts tournaments, to those using these devices.
The fact that some things were entirely virtual spoiled their enjoyment after all.
Matthew's next target was Neuro Linker technology from the Accel World universe.
A Neuro Linker was a collar-like personal computer that could communicate wirelessly with the user's brain. It had two functions: Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality.
Matthew was more interested in the Augmented Reality and personal computer aspects of this technology.
Users of this device no longer need glasses because it uses augmented reality to keep the vision in focus.
And if Matthew were to release this personal computer, he could take over the phone and computer industries.
Before releasing OASIS, he could launch Neuro Linker and enter the tech market.
After all, OASIS technology was a sensitive technology, and this was one of the reasons he hadn't released it yet. When this technology was released, it would upset many balances in the world.
"Matthew, there's a skill called 'Inventory' in the SS level. Have you seen it?" Natalie asked.
"No. I'm checking," Matthew said, and immediately checked the SS level section. And, as Natalie said, there was a skill called 'Inventory'.
When Matthew examined the skill details, he realized it was an item storage area, like inventories in games. It had unlimited storage space but could hold only lifeless objects.
However, the note in the details clearly stated that this inventory could not be used to bring unauthorized items into the Supernatural Realm.
After all, only clothing and supernatural items could be brought into many layers of the Supernatural Realm. There were some exceptional layers, but their number was quite small.
"This skill is definitely on the list to get, Nat. Add it to your cart," Matthew said.
Then Matthew asked Natalie to buy the Observation Haki Skill, Conqueror's Haki Skill, and Skill Merge Card. This way, she could combine her previously obtained Armament Haki skill with her other two Haki skills to create a single skill under Haki.
And Observation Haki and Conqueror's Haki would be far more beneficial for Natalie than they were for Matthew. After all, these two skills were largely dependent on the Mental Attribute.
At that moment, Natalie suddenly said, "I think the OASIS layers of the Supernatural Realm are designed to give supernaturals a chance to obtain supernatural items."
"What do you mean?" Matthew asked.
"Normally, obtaining supernatural items is quite difficult. Haki skills are considered treasures outside, but here they are within the A-level section. The Supernatural Realm must have designed the OASIS as an opportunity in this respect." Natalie said.
"You might be right. We obtained far more rewards and supernatural items in the fourth layer than we did before. And when we look at the positions of the eighth, eighteenth, and twenty-eighth layers, they are located right before the most challenging layers." Matthew said.
Then Matthew saw a reward Natalie had previously obtained on the fourth tier: the Devil Fruit Weakness Removal Card.
As the name suggests, this card would remove Devil Fruit users' weaknesses, such as their susceptibility to seawater and sea stone. Unfortunately, it didn't allow them to eat more than one devil fruit.
Matthew saw that one of these cards was sold at the SS level and ten at the SSS level. After talking to Natalie, they both added 11 cards each to their carts.
These cards would be quite useful, whether as gifts or as bargaining chips. Naturally, Natalie's father would also get one.
Next, Matthew set his sights on Skill Upgrade Cards. These cards were used to upgrade existing skills. However, a different type of card was required for each skill level, and their prices were different.
Matthew's Haki skill was Legend level. Therefore, he bought an upgrade card to upgrade it to the Supreme Level. The Supreme Level Upgrade Card cost him 1 billion coins.
Matthew could accumulate the attribute points needed to upgrade his skill within a few months, but he didn't want to wait that long.
He also bought 5 sets of upgrade cards that could take a skill from beginner to supreme level. He didn't have any other upgradeable skills at the moment, but he wanted to be prepared in case he had any in the future.
Natalie bought 6 of these sets. She hadn't upgraded her Armament Haki yet, and she intended to use one set to bring her Haki skill to its highest level after combining it with the other two Haki Skills.
Matthew searched the shop for any other suitable upgradeable skills, but unfortunately, he couldn't find any that interested him.
But another thing that caught Matthew's attention was a card among his Unique Merchandise.
Multiversal Teleportation Card: When this card is activated, its owner and anyone in contact with them, along with their belongings, are sent to another habitable world within the multiverse.
This was exactly what Matthew needed. If, as he suspected, there really was a sun-swallowing entity, in the worst-case scenario, Matthew might have to flee from this world.
Most likely, even governments were working on spaceship projects like Project Spark, designed to save a limited number of people.
So, Matthew bought this card as a last resort. At least it would guarantee the lives of his own family, Natalie, and Natalie's father.
Then Natalie and Matthew added other items they liked to their carts. Some for themselves, some to give to others, and some to use as bargaining chips.
And then it was time to go back.
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Matthew Atkinson & Natalie Russell
Blue Marble, The University of Oxford.
On the training grounds, many students returned at the same time.
Some were happy, some were sad.
However, the most excited people at the scene were Filip Walker and his party members.
Because, thanks to Matthew, they knew exactly what they had accomplished.
It was something no one had ever done before. They had finished the race, won the bronze key, and gained a clue for the next challenge.
Thinking of this, Filip Walker, Denis Read, and the others looked at Matthew with admiration.
Only Matthew looked lost and dejected.
After spending a long vacation at OASIS and getting used to the comfort, returning to the real world was a disappointment for him.
Matthew seemed to be experiencing Monday blues.
...
"You all seem so happy. It seems you gained a lot from this trip to the Supernatural Realm?"
Professor Isabel Grant noticed the excited expressions on Filip Walker and the others' faces, smiled, and came in front of them, asking, "How far did you progress in the race? Do you think you can get an A-grade result? You must have built a good vehicle with the coins you earned in Battle Royale."
As a professor, Professor Isabel Grant must have a solid understanding of the fourth and eighth layers of the supernatural realm.
She must have done her homework well, as she could gauge their overall grades from how far they progressed in that race and the level of the cars they built.
Filip Walker said mysteriously, "Professor, you should be prepared. I'm afraid that if I tell you, it will scare you."
"You think you can scare me?" Professor Isabel Grant said with a smile, "Unless you have reached the finish line, that is not possible."
No one had ever won the race in the eighth layer since the Supernatural Realm existed, so it would be hard to find someone who wouldn't be surprised by this achievement.
And the best result achieved so far was an A-grade.
Professor Isabel Grant was just joking.
Unexpectedly, Filip Walker nodded seriously. "Professor, you're amazing, you even guessed that."
"Huh? You... you really finished the race?"
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.157: National Secret Level Information
Ch.158: New Skill – Danger Sense
Ch.159: Annual University Auction