Biocores: The Legendary Weapon Designer-Chapter 76: Why?

Nioh’s naked body descended from the skies, standing at eye level with Grimmes.

His golden eyes fixated on the face of his tormentor. Grimmes stared back, his gaze equally cold and detached. The silent confrontation stretched on, an eternity packed into mere seconds, until Nioh finally spoke.

"Why?"

A single word, yet it carried the weight of his suffering—months of torment, isolation, and agony.

Why was he separated from Ekoh?

Why was his life gambled with so carelessly?

Why did he have to endure the Nine Punishment Nail torture?

Why did he suffer, frozen in pain for so long?

Why was he forced to bear it all?

Grimmes’ lips moved, and though the words were quiet, they struck like thunder.

"Because only you can."

"When I first saw you, I recognized your potential. But you shattered every limit I set for you. You are talented, yes, but reckless—impatient. Your body and biocore were on the verge of collapse, unable to bear the weight of your ambition."

Grimmes’ expression remained unreadable, his voice calm but resolute.

"You were one transformation away from disaster. No one guided you. You relied on instinct, neglecting the foundation. As your mentor, it is my duty to forge you into a better version of yourself. I will not apologize for my methods. This was the fastest and most effective path to tangible results."

He tossed a pair of pants and a white fur cloak toward Nioh.

"Yes, you could have died. But if you could not transcend here, then you were never the absolute talent you believed yourself to be. It was better to die here than return unprepared to the world above."

"Regardless, the benefits vastly outweigh the struggle. The Cosmic Suppressing physique was the ultimate goal of my lineage. My ancestor was convinced this physique had the potential to become one of the strongest in the universe. According to him, evolution never makes mistakes. Cosmic energy, is omnipotent, so a body that, could harness that energy within was meant for greatness. You had a strong mental and incredible brain power. You were the ideal candidate. So if I had the chance, I will do it again."

There was a silent understanding between them, an unspoken acknowledgment shared between kindred minds.

Nioh said nothing—he simply dressed.

As soon as the cloak settled around his shoulders, the air shifted. The biting cold that had engulfed the marshland vanished in an instant, returning the land to its original state.

For the first time, Grimmes turned his back on Nioh and walked away, his pace slow and deliberate.

Nioh followed, his expression calm the first step he took the ground sunk under the weight of his body. On the second step, his weight lightened on the third step he produced no footmark, yet beneath the fur of his cloak, his left hand crackled with static energy. freewebnøvel.com

Without warning, millions of diamond-like needles rose into the air, shimmering like raindrops caught in moonlight. They covered the entire marshland, an overwhelming spectacle of raw power.

Grimmes paused for only a moment before continuing forward.

With a flick of his wrist, the needles spun into a vortex, a violent maelstrom of sharpened crystal. At the same time, a towering bamboo construct, infused with lightning, erupted from the ground, spinning in the opposite direction.

The needles gravitated toward it, magnetizing along its ribs until, piece by piece, they formed into something new—an obsidian-black umbrella, pulsing with energy.

It floated toward Nioh’s outstretched hand, and beside it, his rhythm walker headphones materialized.

Tucking his long hair behind his ears, he placed the headphones on, the weight of them familiar, grounding.

Without another word, he followed Grimmes.

"The first year at the Citadel is called the Informative Year," Grimmes began, his voice steady and unwavering. "Its purpose is simple: to weed out those who lack resourcefulness. Talent alone does not make a conqueror."

Nioh listened in silence, his golden eyes unreadable.

Grimmes continued. "The next step is for you to pay the promotion evaluation fee—a mere formality for someone of your caliber. After that, you must choose a branch. While we all fall under the broad title of conquerors, there are three distinct paths."

He lifted a hand, and the air around them seemed to hum as he outlined each one.

"The Pathfinders." His voice carried an edge of admiration. "Scouts, explorers, navigators. They map uncharted territories, uncover hidden resources, and lead small, elite teams into the unknown.

"The Harvesters." A glint of something colder passed through his gaze. "Hunters and resource specialists. They track, extract, and claim rare materials—especially high-value cores. Their expertise lies in precise, targeted strikes."

"And the Wardens." Grimmes finally placed a hand on his own chest. "Warriors. Tacticians. Defenders. We are the ones who hold the line, protect outposts, and stand against the horrors that seek to consume us."

Nioh said nothing. He was processing the information, calculating.

Grimmes let a pause settle before he added, "Whichever path you choose will determine your training, your trials, and ultimately, your survival."

Then his tone darkened. "But there is one thing you must understand: you will need a unit."

He met Nioh’s gaze, unflinching. "Your identity as an anomaly is your greatest obstacle. People will fear you. They will not want to associate with you. If you cannot form a unit, you will be left alone, forced into battles you cannot win. And that, ultimately, will lead to your death."

The words hung between them, heavy and absolute.

Grimmes allowed a moment for the weight of his statement to sink in. Then, he clapped his hands together. It was not a casual gesture—it was a signal.

His biocore energy surged, spilling into the ground beneath them.

The earth trembled. A deep, bone-chilling groan rumbled through the frozen wasteland. From the depths of the permafrost, white bones erupted, twisting and shifting in the air. Fragments of ribs, spines, and claws spiraled into formation, fusing together into the colossal skeletal frame of a bird.

Its hollow eye sockets flickered to life, twin violet flames burning with eerie intensity.

The bone construct shrieked, its cry splitting the silence like a razor. Then, it bowed its head, awaiting its riders.

"We will be heading to the evaluation site. It took you too long to achieve the cosmic suppressing physique. Your peers are already lining up for the task."

Grimmes stepped forward without hesitation, climbing onto the creature’s back. Nioh followed, his movements smooth, unbothered by the unnatural beast beneath him.

With a mighty flap of its wings, the skeletal bird launched into the sky, leaving the frozen expanse behind.