Chapter 134

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Episode 30 - Black City [5]

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I walked through the shop owner’s secret room.

I approached the nearest display case. For now, it seemed the owner intended to show me everything.

Otherwise, she would have already handed me the two Elixirs I was looking for.

In any case, I silently accepted her intentions. I was also curious about what kind of Elixirs these were.

’There is only one Divine Quality Elixir. The rest must be Mythical Quality elixirs.’

I knew that not only because of the mana and the type of alchemical composition emanating from the Elixirs.

It was also because Mythical Quality and higher elixirs or potions possessed a certain presence, as if they were living beings making their existence known.

I extended my hand over the Elixir and then used Mana, disguised as the Power of Chaos to everyone else’s senses.

The information flooded into my mind. The Elixir’s signature did not take long to make me understand what kind of elixir stood before me.

’Mhm, an elixir related to the senses. Anyone with a Trait related to the senses would be guaranteed either an advancement or the maximum evolution of their Trait or Mastery.’

Traits have the ability to evolve, though not all of them, of course.

Traits are divided into three rarity types.

Common, Special, and Strange.

Traits classified as Common are those with basic effects. Examples include the Senses Trait, Mana Sense, Detection, and so on.

Special Traits would include some of mine, such as Weakness Detection.

Strange Traits would be things like Nine Heavens Senses or the True Sight Trait.

’Though for me, this Elixir is useless.’

I possessed the best Trait related to the senses, and on top of that, most of my Traits had already reached Maximum Mastery.

None of them could evolve any further.

I turned to the owner and asked for the price out of mere curiosity.

"What is the price of this Elixir?"

"Five billion gold coins."

"...!"

"Mhm, it’s cheaper than I thought."

"Ha, ha. For a special invitation customer, this is nothing, right?"

"Oh, yes."

To hell with the price. My heart had nearly leaped out of my chest just from hearing how much this thing was worth.

’Legally, this elixir would be worth around two billion.’

This woman was trying to scam me. I really should call her a rat.

Yes, rat was better.

I shook my head inwardly and moved on to the next elixir.

I used Mana and received the information contained within the Elixir’s signature.

The elixir before me was one that improved a hidden in-game stat called <Attribute Manipulation>.

Inherently, Awakened individuals must follow a certain progression and training process to manipulate their Attribute much more effectively.

’In my case, I’ve already mastered it to a certain extent thanks to the difficulties I faced while training the Second Form of Inverted Heaven.’

I turned toward the rat and asked:

"And this elixir?"

"Ten billion gold coins."

"...!"

In any case, I moved on to the next elixir. This time, I stopped asking the rat about the prices.

Shortly afterward, I picked up the two elixirs I had been looking for and finally moved on to the so-called Divine Quality Elixir.

This particular one had caught my attention.

I had no memories of any Divine Quality elixir.

I only knew that obtaining one was possible during moments when you searched for hidden pieces tied to future Chapters.

And players normally considered it more valuable to invest those elixirs in the main characters.

Considering they would be extremely helpful in the final Chapter of the story.

’Then, let’s see what kind of elixir this is.’

I used Mana on the elixir’s signature, and its information flooded into my mind. I couldn’t help but be surprised.

’This elixir...’

It was one I truly didn’t expect to find so easily.

And the reason was simple. The elixir before me had been made using the blood of some Mythical Beast, like the blood of a Phoenix King, which I held in my hands.

’And it’s an elixir related to the Higher Mind that only Six-Star individuals can awaken.’

If anyone with the Higher Mind drank this, I wasn’t completely sure what the effects would be, but I did know there would be an enormous change.

The reason I knew this was because Lumina had found an elixir with similar properties.

Back then, I couldn’t determine whether it was a Divine Quality or Mythical Quality elixir.

’Yeah, I’ll definitely come back and steal this entire place.’

Most of the elixirs were completely useless to my current self, although that might not be the case in the future.

But the same couldn’t be said for the other main characters.

’If I accelerate the growth of the main characters, they should be much stronger before Chapter Four.’

***

"Thank you for your purchase, customer."

I didn’t say goodbye to the rat; in fact, it wasn’t the last time we would see each other.

In any case, I used my senses to perceive the kind of activity taking place throughout Black City.

’Looks like the Auction will start in about an hour.’

There was still time, so I decided to find an inn where I could drink these two elixirs.

I intended to improve my physique and endurance as much as possible.

The Second Form of Inverted Heaven requires tremendous endurance to be used for extended periods.

The events at this Auction and throughout Black City will descend into chaos the moment the Auction ends.

And I’ll need my abilities performing at their absolute peak by then.

’I might even end up using the Eyes of the End if something unexpected happens.’

I walked through the streets looking for an inn that was as discreet as possible.

Before long, I found one. From what I had heard, they had soundproof rooms.

So I decided to rent a room there.

Shortly afterward, I entered the room and moved to the center of it.

I took off my mask and placed it on the floor alongside the other elixirs.

’Drinking these elixirs requires the utmost concentration.’

I don’t have another Trait like Mana Sense that can help me absorb an elixir’s effects perfectly.

With Mana Sense, I can drink an elixir that increases only mana without wasting even the slightest bit of its effects.

Considering that my Mastery is at its maximum.

And there are Traits that help maximize the absorption of Elixirs, but I only have Mana Sense.

So I cleared my mind as much as possible and focused on what I had to do.

I picked up the first elixir, the one that increases endurance, and drank it in a single gulp.

The effects did not take long to manifest.

Normally, everyone feels agonizing pain, but I only felt all my muscles, bones, organs, and every other part of my body twisting, being almost completely destroyed, and then repaired.

Naturally, I had to use my utmost concentration. I used mana to maximize the effects of the elixir.

Next, I had to use my Willpower to make the most of my natural regenerative abilities.

Finally, after a few minutes, a mouthful of blood spilled from my lips.

The pores across my body leaked tiny droplets of blood, and the veins throughout my body bulged before slowly receding.

’Phew, I feel slightly fatigued.’

I raised a hand to my head and rubbed my temples.

Shortly afterward, I took the second elixir, the one that would improve my physical capabilities.

This elixir provides a general 15% increase to all stats related to physical performance, whether agility, strength, or any other stat aligned with physical abilities.

And naturally, my body itself will become far more resilient and durable, which is the elixir’s primary effect.

I took the elixir and drew a deep breath. Then I felt my entire body twisting. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

In general, the flesh and skin across my entire body cracked apart and repaired themselves. Dead skin even peeled off, like a snake shedding its skin.

This process is extremely painful for anyone who drinks this elixir, especially considering that it is a Mythical Quality elixir.

The pain would be worse than death.

"Ugh, alright, now I feel much better."

I rose from the floor and stretched my body. I could clearly feel an enormous difference compared to my previous condition.

’A 230% performance increase, just as expected from a Mythical Quality elixir.’

Speaking in statistical terms, my endurance should have reached the equivalent of Six Stars.

Although I had no way to verify it.

’Stats have no connection to the advancement stages of each Star, so as long as I have a way to improve my overall stats, there won’t be any problem with my Star level.’

Shortly afterward, I lowered my head, and a rather shocking sight awaited me where I had been sitting.

Dead skin covered much of the floor where I had been seated, and blood stained everything.

’Both elixirs cost me two billion. Now I’ll have to pay for this too, right?’

I think I’ve already spent too much money today.

I let out a long sigh and soon left the inn after paying compensation for the mess I had left in the room.

But, obviously, I was going to get that money back later along with the other elixirs.

’Yeah, this Main Mission will bring me a fortune as long as I have enough time.’

An involuntary smile appeared on my face as I walked through the streets of Black City.

Along the way, I ran into Zoey.

But her emotions were quite... different from usual.

’Something must have happened.’