The six of us swept up all the B-grade or higher elixirs from the warehouse.
Among them, the top prize was the Third Fragment of the Seven Evils (S).
MacGuffin No.784 / You have collected the Third of the Seven Evils.
[Achievement Points +100]
In the setting, this was the nucleus of the terrifying monster called the Seven Evils, split into five pieces. Of those, three fragments appeared directly in the original, and the third fragment belongs to the two that didn’t appear.
Who would’ve thought I’d see it here.
Collecting the MacGuffin is great, but honestly, 100 achievement points barely registers anymore—no big thrill.
There were also eight A-grade elixirs that could boost elemental resistance and dominance, and from among them, I picked up the Millennium Glacier Fragment (A+) and held it out to Chesa.
“What’s this?”
“An elixir that boosts water-attribute dominance.”
With her Dense Elemental Amplification (S) trait, Chesa could focus on one attribute and the others would rise automatically. And since we share the Firebird (S-) trait, Chesa’s growth directly ties to my own.
Growing her quickly could give me a ripple effect later if I gain magic-related traits.
“Aaah… Again, only for Lady Chesa! I demand an explanation on the fiancée favoritism controversy! Explain yourself!”
“Shut up.”
As usual, Clara scratched at my nerves playfully, so I tossed her a pendant called Priest’s Vow (A). The pendant has a built-in spell, Plus Boost, that greatly amplifies yang magic power once.
Normally, for the same grade, equipment trumps consumables. Clara was probably joking, but now she has no grounds to complain.
She looked up at me and asked.
“Is this hush money?”
“…It’s equipment that strengthens faith-based spells. You’re the only priest here, so I’m giving it to you.”
Suddenly, Kurt, who had been watching us, asked.
“I’ve felt this for a while, but Aiden-hyung, you figure out what something is and its use at a glance. What’s the secret?”
“The secret, huh…”
Read a crappy fantasy novel series 40 volumes long dozens of times, memorize the settings by heart, then get a collaboration request for a remake from the impressed author, get kidnapped into said novel’s world, and receive the Tripper System perk.
Can’t say that, of course.
“It’s just innate.”
“Innate?”
“You can roughly grasp a structure just by swiping your hand over an object or structure. But others can’t. Same for me.”
“…”
He seemed to get it roughly.
In fact, the character sheet viewing function isn’t much different from observation-type mana eyes, and the item setting viewing is like appraisal talent.
The prophetic dreams excuse I use every time is somewhat like that too.
Mentioning prophetic ability reminds me of the youngest of the Witch Empress’s three daughters, the ‘Red Witch.’
She’s the sister of the ‘Green Witch,’ who was once an executive in the Blispiel Clan with the Thousand-Man Slayer, but circumstances make the age gap huge.
With her prophetic S-grade trait Fate Sight (S), she has a unique and tremendously powerful soul imprint.
Personally, as a reader, she was a character I held in high regard, so from the moment of possession, she was one of my top recruitment priorities, but unfortunately, all I know now is she’s wandering somewhere on the Prima Continent.
While pondering miscellaneous thoughts and surveying the warehouse, two books caught my eye.
Grimoire – Sacrifice (S)
-???
-???
※Function unlock condition: Contract with the grimoire
One of the well-preserved books was an S-grade grimoire.
In the original, it’s the book Sotiro used.
But personally, I don’t think this grimoire and Sotiro’s compatibility is that great, so I have no plans to give it to him as in the original.
Next to catch my eye was a book called Spear Saint School Defensive Arts Primer (A-).
“Found it.”
This book is the main reason I infiltrated Melkina today. Sweeping up elixirs and equipment from the warehouse was lucrative, but secondary gains at best.
Just from the grade, you can tell the value is in its rarity rather than the book itself. It’s essential for recruiting a certain person.
“…Let’s distribute the rest after we get out safely. I don’t expect anything to happen, but this is a highly dangerous place.”
Considering Hagel’s condition, not just Aliki but Tikus is likely inside Melkina too.
It’s like sticking our bodies into a tiger’s den, but the advantage is on our side.
“Kurt. Open the way.”
“Got it.”
We exited the dark warehouse.
[Seven coming from far ahead. From the footsteps, seems like patrol.]
As soon as Plebelziam signaled, Kurt placed his hand on the side wall. Then the metal wall twisted forcefully, blocking the front.
I grinned and said.
“Since we’re on a business trip, might as well do some plumbing too.”
Kurt, who blocked the path to the warehouse, used Dismixer again to punch a hole in the side, and we followed behind.
This time, the destination is the power supply room.
En route, we detected Dragon Horse cultists approaching multiple times via Plebelziam’s wave detection, but by altering the fortress interior structure with Kurt’s power, we evaded easily.
The level of metal unique skill Dismixer (U) can disassemble depends on Kurt’s [Spirit] value.
Excluding Meteor Gold with ultimate hardness/strength, and about seven materials treated as top metals like ‘Indestructible Iron,’ even current Kurt can disassemble and assemble them all.
Thunder Gold (A)
-Converts supplied mana to a certain amount of lightning qi
-Draws small amounts of energy from surroundings…
This material, crucial for the mobile fortress’s power supply, was no exception.
We disassembled and swept up any decent-looking materials we saw. At this rate, even if Melkina wakes, recovery will take ages.
After finishing all business.
We exited safely without trouble.
Shwaaaa—
Outside, rain still poured.
The cat beastkin spirit summoner Aliki was still on the roof, senses sharp with her wind spirit.
Seems she fully entrusted internal security to executives or vice-leader Tikus.
From the Dragon Horse Cult’s view, before guessing the assailants’ identity, how they knew their location is the mystery. They’re thoroughly wary of surveillance spells or trackers.
But Star Seeker isn’t a magic you can counter that way. Because it’s not a spell cast directly on the target. It connects to celestial bodies, inputs target info, and monitors from above like a satellite. Due to that uniqueness, unless it’s a spell detecting others’ perceptions themselves like Realization Sense, it’s hard to even know you’re targeted, and since not cast on the target themselves, ordinary dispel magic can’t remove it.
Only by activating ultra-high-performance concealment spells like the Circulation Church’s Soul Curtain and evading celestial surveillance for days can one escape the spell’s influence.
Urrung. Kwaang!
Lightning struck Melkina.
The lightning qi conducted through highly conductive metal flowed to where we were, but thanks to me absorbing it all with Thunder God Physique (S)‘s power, the party took no damage.
Chwarak!
I spread the Formless Robe.
We fled far from Melkina.
“Now, shall we distribute the spoils.”
I handed the Third Fragment of the Seven Evils (S-) to the newly joined Kurt. Eating that grants the Monster’s Hand (A) trait. A trait that can fill the sole flaw in the original where he lacked dexterity bonuses.
I said to the guy.
“We could infiltrate the mobile fortress entirely thanks to your special ability, so take it without burden.”
“But knowing those Dragon Horse Cult or whatever guys’ location wasn’t something I did. I just followed hyung… Giving such an ultra-high-value item readily means… you want something else, right?”
Epio would’ve taken it thoughtlessly, but this Kurt showed unusual cool-headedness for his young age.
Befitting the guy called Part 3’s anti-cancer treatment.
“Certainly, putting that elixir on the market could gather enough money to recruit numerous dwarf artisans. But I decided to invest in your potential. Since by contract, you’ll be our Blispiel Clan’s exclusive blacksmith for the next 10 years.”
“……….”
Kurt was at a loss for words at the unexpected high evaluation.
The guy can’t yet operate Dismixer (U) delicately enough for equipment forging. No certainty he’ll get there with continued training either.
He hasn’t heard about the prophetic dreams setting yet, so he must be puzzled what I believe in to invest so generously in him.
Leaving such Kurt behind, I gathered the items stealthily taken from the cult’s warehouse in one place. Ones with decided uses already classified separately, so the rest can be used freely.
“Shall we distribute the remaining spoils? Pick what you need.”
Pabat!
As soon as my words fell, the four besides Kurt started rummaging through the mountain of spoils.
I blankly watched the scene.
Epio or that sly Clara lacking any modesty is one thing, but didn’t expect Chesa or Linia too… When did they develop such greed for specs?
Not a bad sign.
As I watched thinking that, suddenly the four, having grabbed armfuls of various elixirs and equipment, approached me.
And dumped all those spoils on me.
“………
????”
I was dumbfounded enough for question marks to flip.
What the hell is going on.
Epio said.
“As the leader, you’ve always yielded to us during ruin explorations and such? We agreed beforehand that if something like this happens, funnel all rewards to Aiden!”
“………”
I was speechless.
No, I took what I needed like Infinite Thunderstone, Ure, Fortune Wheel Amulet?
Come to think, among items obtained while with these guys, seems I yielded the best ones every time.
Like Firebird’s Heart, Nano Eater, this time’s Seven Evils fragment— the main rewards.
“Young Master, your popularity has truly deepened… This girl is so moved, words fail me!”
Linia subtly wiped tears.
But having that many items doesn’t mean I have uses for them. The mass of elixirs and equipment, I decided to store in the Blispiel Clan house warehouse for now, until good uses arise later.
On the way back to the free neutral city Elanore after weeks of travel,
We stopped at a small village far from Melkina, near the outskirts.
Headed straight for a cabin in a spot close to the village edge.
The place where former Triple Star, ‘Professor’ Blake Shaw, was in seclusion.