I Woke Up 120 Years After The Apocalypse-Chapter 37: Ancestor

Vulkania, Vulkan Village Research Center.

Akram could hardly believe his eyes. What Nezra had just created using his own work was the very last thing he wanted to see emerge in this world. At least, not yet. Not now.

Nezra was indeed working on a prototype she had previously shown Akram. But because he had neither corrected her calculations nor her hypotheses—far too busy trying to save Aphroa—she had tested alternative ideas, basing her work on Akram’s chemical mixtures and combustion tests used for his prosthetic arm.

"N-Nezra... What did you use to create this..?"

"Huh? You didn’t read everything in my plans, did you? Hehe... Well, I used charcoal, the sulfur you were hiding under your workbench, and nitrate! I figured adding sulfur was a good idea..."

"And it created this ultra-powerful explosive powder! Way stronger than what’s in your prosthetic! I thought it could make a great projectile launcher for the turrets!"

"And... for the weapon?"

"Mhmm? Well, I used my relic, you know. It allows me to efficiently design object prototypes directly from plans, without actually having to touch anything!"

What Nezra had created was nothing less than the ancestor of gunpowder. And with it, a prototype capable of firing a projectile.

Without realizing it, Nezra had invented the first ancestor of firearms.

"This isn’t good... This is really not good! Nezra!"

"Huh...? What do you mean, Akram? Aren’t you proud of me? For figuring out something this advanced all on my own?"

"I forbade all types of weapons! And what you’ve just created is highly lethal!"

Nezra shrugged, seemingly unfazed.

"We’re going to get invaded by the Oathbearers soon anyway... This would be perfect to defend ourselves!" 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"NO!"

Akram raised his voice sharply, startling Nezra. She looked at him, almost hurt.

Overcome by anger, Akram was stopped short by her gaze. He realized he had gone too far. He rubbed his eyes, then resumed in a calmer tone.

"I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that... Listen, destroy it. And the plans too. They must not leave this room under any circumstances. Do you understand?"

Nezra hesitated, casting one last look at her creation. Then, with clear reluctance, she nodded, her eyes filled with sadness.

Akram sighed. The pity he felt for her reminded him of himself in his early days as a scientist. He tried to reassure her as best he could.

"Listen, this isn’t final, okay? We’ll redo them. Even better versions. But right now... we don’t need this, and this isn’t the time. You have to understand that this kind of weapon can change the world."

Nezra didn’t respond, still trapped in a sadness she couldn’t shake, like a child.

Akram sighed again and turned toward the fireplace, lighting it.

"Burn the plans. Not the powder, be careful. Destroy everything else with the manual grinder. I want the powder stored under my workbench."

He walked over to his bench. Orders given, he didn’t linger. He placed the shooter’s crossbow on the table, holding it by the barrel, and began rummaging through his drawers.

Nezra lifted her head, watching him. She didn’t carry out his orders immediately and remained seated.

Akram pulled out two jars containing different substances. The first was labeled "soot," the second "ash."

He took a cloth and applied a small amount of each, mixing them carefully. Then he got to work, dabbing the stock and trigger of the crossbow, as well as every area where hands could have made contact, without hesitation.

He gently blew on the mixture, then examined the crossbow under the overhead light.

What Akram had just created was a powder meant to reveal fingerprints. Primitive and imprecise, yes—but extremely effective in this context.

Grease traces shaped like fingers and palms appeared on several parts of the crossbow. The analysis could begin.

Mhmm... The fingers are close together, but fairly slender... Akram thought, already deep in analysis.

He grabbed a measuring tool he had made himself and began taking every possible measurement.

Sixteen centimeters... Too small for a man’s hand... An adolescent? No, the fingers are too thin...

The grip is precise, no hesitation. No smudging... And according to Lerius, the shot was fired from at least fifty meters, within Vulkania’s perimeter... If this really was a woman, then she’s an elite shooter... There’s no one like that here.

He put away his jars and tools, leaving the crossbow on his desk. Then he stood and looked at Nezra, still silent.

"Do it, Nezra. When I come back, I want everything destroyed."

Akram then headed toward the infirmary. He needed to analyze Aphroa’s condition more thoroughly if he hoped to save her.

On the way, he passed Zulfar, who was killing time playing with Hawk and Gayl.

Looking up, Akram spotted Zofyan watching them from a distance near the main gate.

Moments later, as he reached the infirmary, he saw Yashyn and Rubayd talking together.

They greeted him upon arrival. Despite the situation, Rubayd’s expression seemed slightly softened.

"Have you found the culprit, warrior?"

"No... But I have a solid lead."

Yashyn let out a short sound of surprise and patted Akram on the back.

"One hell of a Devil’s Dealer we’ve got here."

The three men entered the infirmary and gathered around Aphroa. She was under constant supervision by Lerius and Rissam, who were doing everything they could to keep her alive.

"So, Akram the Cursed, do you have any idea how you could save the mistress? With your technology?"

"Mhmm... I have an idea. Several, actually. But none of them are guaranteed."

"What do you mean? Explain yourself."

"One option would be to transport Aphroa to an old CME research facility... I mean... a place from my time... and treat her there."

Rubayd slammed his fist onto a table, frustration boiling over.

"Impossible! She can’t be transported, not in her condition. You know that!"

Akram cleared his throat. He felt the pressure rise, along with the anger simmering inside Rubayd.

"I have another option... But it’s just as risky... maybe worse."

Yashyn and Rubayd exchanged a glance, then focused back on Akram, ready to hear what he had to say.

"The Grand Canyon."

The two veterans remained silent, stunned by Akram’s proposal. Akram himself showed no real confidence in his own words.