Author Of Worlds: I Reincarnated Into My Novel As A Random Character
Chapter 20: S-Grade Molecular Alteration... Adamantium!

Chapter 20: S-Grade Molecular Alteration... Adamantium!

Because her ability was overwhelmingly powerful, it came at a steep price every time she used it.

After all, her ability was none other than the mysterious S grade Molecule Alteration.

The name sounded complex, and rightly so. It allowed her to reshape and reform the molecular structure of any object, transforming it into something entirely different.

Upon entering the monolith, she placed her hands on the smooth, cold surface once again.

Her origin energy depleted rapidly, and in the next moment, the molecules within the door twisted and contorted. The monolith began to transform, reverting everything back to its original, untouched form.

After decaying the formation’s weak point, there was nothing left to prevent Matthew and Axel from stepping into the treasury. Without hesitation, they quickly entered.

Once inside, Matthew scanned his surroundings cautiously.

The entire space was dimly lit, shrouded in shadows, but a few oil lamps hung loosely on the stone walls. Their flickering flames danced, casting faint glows and giving the vast chamber a haunting ambience.

Because of this, they could just barely make out rows of ancient shelves stretching into the darkness. Each shelf was filled with boxes, and every box was sealed shut and enshrouded in mystery.

Matthew’s thoughts stirred, and he leaned closer to Axel, whispering in a low tone, "We will have to go through these one by one. We are looking for a very specific treasure."

Axel frowned. "Will that not take too much time?"

Matthew sighed, clearly aware of the risk, but he had no alternative. Thankfully, he had a rough idea of the section the treasure might be hidden in.

"Not every shelf. Come, we will start with this one," Matthew said, offering Axel a faint smile.

There was a trace of warmth in his expression. After all, Axel was the one who would be handling most of the work.

They approached a peculiar shelf that emanated a faint, almost invisible hum of energy. Without waiting, Axel twisted the lock on the first box, attempting to open it.

Seeing his effort, Matthew chuckled lightly and said, "Just place it on the shelf. I will decay it as fast as I can."

Axel nodded silently and obeyed.

Matthew stepped forward, his ebony colored hand glowing faintly as he pressed it against the box.

His origin energy diminished slightly as the lock began to disintegrate, breaking apart into particles that shimmered faintly in the low light.

Within moments, the lock crumbled entirely, allowing the box to creak open.

A strange aura spilled out, drifting into the air like mist, and from within the box, a sword slowly emerged, hovering slightly before Axel’s widened eyes.

"How did such a long sword fit inside that tiny box?" he asked aloud, puzzled, unable to hold back his thoughts.

Matthew simply shook his head and replied calmly, "It is the same principle behind origin boxes. The treasures inside are stored in a unique spatial pocket. That space alters their size and even their weight."

After explaining, he paused briefly before adding, "Put the sword on the ground. It is not the one we are searching for. We have to move faster before any guards become aware of us."

His voice grew more serious.

Turning to the next box beside him, he placed his hand on it and began decaying the lock once more.

This process took a few minutes, and as the boxes opened, the treasures inside gently hovered in the air for a moment before Axel would pick them out and toss them aside, concealing them behind nearby objects to avoid detection.

They repeated this process silently, a rhythm of decay, retrieval, and concealment.

...

Elsewhere, at the entrance of the monolith, Leo had finally arrived.

He stood before the monolith, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.

"What happened here?" he muttered, narrowing his gaze at the particles of dust floating gently around the area.

His eyes shifted downward, and he noticed a faint hole at the base of the monolith, partially concealed by the surrounding stone.

"Did someone manage to get inside already? Could it be the dragon worshipers?" he questioned with a growing frown.

If so, then it made sense why the system had issued him a mission so abruptly.

Besides, those who dared infiltrate the academy treasury likely were not all that powerful. Otherwise the system would not have assigned him the task in the first place.

It had to be a fight he could win, or the system would not have risked sending him.

With that thought in mind, Leo stepped into the monolith cautiously. Lightning crackled faintly over his skin as he activated his origin energy. Arcs of blue surged across his arms and shoulders, lighting the shadows with flickering sparks.

The air was cold, unnaturally so, and carried a slight metallic scent.

He could sense it clearly. Someone had definitely been here moments ago.

Glancing around the dark corridor, he tried to trace the path the intruders might have taken.

Despite the faint light from a nearby lantern swaying on its hook, he could barely see more than a few feet ahead.

Deciding to avoid the obvious trail, he turned in the opposite direction from where Matthew and Axel had gone.

Just then, from the shadows behind a nearby shelf, a figure silently emerged.

Sylvia’s multicolored eyes shimmered under the dim light as she scanned the treasure boxes.

Approaching the eastern shelf, she rested her palm on a weathered box and began channeling her origin energy. Molecules twisted, reshaped, and realigned beneath her touch.

The box opened instantly, revealing its contents.

Still not the treasure she sought.

She frowned in frustration.

"How long is this going to take?" she muttered in her mind, her limbs already beginning to tire.

But the penalty for failure was not something she could endure.

She turned and walked to the next box, determined to keep searching.

...

Elsewhere, in the western section of the treasury.

Matthew and Axel continued their tireless search.

Finally, after checking a few more boxes, they stumbled upon something remarkable.

A box opened with a faint shimmer, revealing an object unlike any other.

It appeared to be a glossy black metal, but it did not remain still. It constantly shifted its shape. First a sphere, then a star, then something unrecognizable.

"Adamantium," Matthew whispered, his eyes glowing with intensity.

Taking the object from Axel, he held it in his palm.

Curiously, the adamantium did not decay at all.

Just as I suspected. Due to the complex composition of the elements within it, the decay process is occurring so slowly that it seems unaffected.

It was not that his power could not affect it. Rather, it was actively being destroyed and regenerating at such a pace that it appeared untouched.

Then, without warning, a loud noise echoed through the monolith.

All three, Matthew, Axel, and Sylvia, froze instantly, turning their gazes toward the source of the sound.