The Immortal Fabricator

Chapter 12: Plans in Motion

The forest had grown quieter behind me, but I still felt the weight of his gaze long after I disappeared from his view. The encounter had stirred something within me—a mixture of excitement, nostalgia, and a sense of foreboding. Five years of isolation had not erased the strange pull I felt toward him, though I had buried it under layers of self-discipline and focus. However, this was no time to dwell on matters of the heart. My mind was already working through a plan, weaving together the many strands I had prepared in my years of seclusion.

I wasn't emerging from the shadows to simply roam the martial world without purpose. No, I needed a foundation—something to anchor myself and gather the resources I would need for the future. It was time to establish myself, but the question remained: how?

As I continued walking, the hum of life from the village gradually grew louder, the air thickening with the scent of cooking food, the chatter of merchants, and the general busyness of daily life. It was in these simple places, where information flowed as freely as water, that I would find my foothold. And information was more valuable than anything in this world.

I had learned that much from my time spent observing from the safety of my dimension. The world outside was in constant flux, with rival factions and sects vying for dominance. Knowledge was scarce, and people would pay a high price for even a scrap of insight into the movements of their enemies, the locations of rare treasures, or the secrets of lost martial techniques. I had been hoarding such information for years now, carefully compiling a network of knowledge that only I possessed.

An idea began to take shape in my mind, and I couldn't help but smile to myself. An information broker. That's what I would become. The one people came to when they needed the truth—the one who could provide answers to their most pressing questions. The martial world was a place where power and knowledge were intertwined. If I controlled the flow of information, I would be able to control a great deal more than money.

But that was only the beginning.

Information alone wasn't enough. I needed something more tangible, something that would solidify my position in this world. My abilities—my power to create anything from thin air—had already proven useful in my seclusion, but I needed to think of how I could leverage them for profit. Money, after all, would be the key to funding my ambitions and maintaining my independence.

I slipped into an alley, pulling the hood of my cloak lower over my face as I leaned against the stone wall, the noise of the village bustling in the background. I thought back to my past life, the world of advanced technology and invention. While this world was ignorant of the tools and devices I once took for granted, there were still basic necessities here—things that could be improved upon with a little ingenuity.

A flicker of an idea sparked in my mind, and I allowed myself to delve into it fully. I could bring the innovations of my old world here. This martial society was still reliant on manual labor and traditional craftsmanship, but I could introduce devices that would speed up production, improve daily life, and increase efficiency. If I could recreate even the most basic technologies from my past life, I would have the means to establish myself as more than just a provider of information.

I began listing the possibilities in my mind. Lamps powered by small orbs of light, similar to the technology I had seen in my world, could replace the oil lamps and candles used here. Simple tools like mechanical looms and cooking devices that used heat stones could revolutionize the way people worked and lived. Even something as basic as improved medical instruments or healing aids could make me a fortune among the wealthy sects and noble families.

My powers made it possible to create these things with ease. I could craft them out of thin air, using my imagination and the magical energy I now wielded. But I couldn't do it openly. People in this world were ignorant of such technology, and revealing my abilities too soon would only draw unnecessary attention and suspicion. No, I needed to introduce these inventions gradually, under the guise of them being "found" artifacts or rare items from forgotten sects. That way, no one would question their origin, and I could maintain my anonymity while still profiting.

A plan was forming, one that was elegant in its simplicity. I would use my knowledge to craft a small selection of items—enough to draw interest but not enough to reveal too much. The wealthy and powerful would soon come to me, eager to purchase the tools and devices that would give them an edge over their rivals. And through those transactions, I would gather even more information, building my network of contacts while increasing my wealth.

As I stood there in the shadows, I realized just how advantageous my position was. The world knew nothing of me, nothing of the power I held. I was a ghost in their midst, a shadow who could shape the future without anyone realizing it. And I would use that to my advantage.

I pushed off the wall and made my way back toward the outskirts of the village, my mind buzzing with plans for the future. I would need to create a base of operations—somewhere I could conduct my business in secret while maintaining a low profile. The mansion within the dimension was perfect for that, but I needed a way to connect it to the outside world without drawing attention.

Perhaps I could establish a small shop in a nearby city—a place where people could come to purchase rare items and artifacts. I could operate under a different name, a false identity, allowing me to move freely and gather information without anyone knowing who I truly was. The shop would serve as a front for my real business: selling information and providing the wealthy with tools and devices they couldn't find anywhere else.

As for my powers... I would need to be careful. I couldn't reveal too much, too soon. The cloak I wore had already proven useful in hiding my appearance, and I would continue to rely on it for now. But when the time was right, when I had built enough influence and wealth, I would reveal my true abilities. And by then, it would be too late for anyone to stop me.

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Later That Evening

Back in the safety of my dimension, I sat at the edge of the mystical pool, my mind still spinning with possibilities. The mansion had become my sanctuary over the years, and as I looked around, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The phoenix egg that had hatched in my second year of seclusion had grown alongside me, its presence a constant reminder of the power I now wielded. Azura was perched nearby, her violet flames flickering gently as she watched me with intelligent eyes.

I reached into the small pouch at my side and pulled out a rough sketch I had been working on—a design for a simple cooking device that could be powered by heat stones. It was a small thing, but in this world, it would be revolutionary. And it was only the beginning.

I smiled to myself as I began to work, using my powers to bring the design to life in front of me. The small device formed in the air, piece by piece, until it was complete. I held it in my hands, admiring the craftsmanship, before setting it aside. Tomorrow, I would begin selling these small creations, and soon, the money would flow in.

The martial world had no idea what was coming. And I would be the one to shape it from the shadows.

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Alura's Thoughts

It was time. Time to step into the world, not just as a hidden figure, but as someone who could influence the course of history. I had spent years preparing for this moment, and now that I had mastered my powers, there was nothing stopping me. The world was vast, and there were many unknowns ahead, but I had never been one to fear the unknown.

I would start small, but soon enough, I would rise. The sects, the powerful martial families—they would come to know my name. And when they did, they would realize just how far I had come.

I stood up, the cool air of the dimension brushing against my skin as I turned toward the mansion. Azura flew over to me, her violet flames lighting the way as we entered the grand hall. I would spend the night refining my plans, but tomorrow... tomorrow, I would make my first move.

The world was about to change, and I was the one who would change it.