One month have passed since I first came here, and now I have understood a few more about the system. Rita didn't really told me everything on the first and second day.
One, is that using other peoples soul energy I can increase my stats, however the more I use it the more will be required the next time I do so. Second, By enhancing my aura(meditate) It also increases the level of my soul manipulation. Lastly, Its broken! When I met Athena, I ask so that I can create a contract with someone or something. Because of my aura, a technique on utilizing the energy of the soul, it affected my "blessing" and change it into a soul based ability. Resulting into a broken skill.
As for Alfred, because of the blessing he receive from the God of war his raw power is greater than seasonal veterans from the beast clan. I wonder if Ares also have a low amount of INT.
May would occasionally go with me to grind though judging by the view it's more like massacre than grinding.
The underground facility is already nearing its completion. I already have tiled the floors. Put runes all over for protection purposes. Sound proofing runes so that nobody can hear my work. The only way down is through a mechanical elevator that needs voice activation. By copying the same mechanics of the warping gate from the underground basement from Jislore, here only me, Nrowe, Alfred, and May are allowed to go. If anyone else tries to say the pass code they will fall asleep.
The most important thing is that the forest near the house have all the raw material I need for my other project to appeal the other nations on the world.
"Let's go!" I said merrily.
The three were confused to what I said. Well if you are eating and then someone shouted suddenly, anyone is bound to be confused.
"Go where?" May ask continuing to eat her food.
"You and Nrowe should go to the capital you two want to buy something right? And if I remember correctly, it has been four days since you've been there. They will get suspicious on your whereabouts you know. Meanwhile me and Alfred will go somewhere!"
If I give Alfred some first hand experience of fighting in a terrible situation it would be a vital experience for his growth.
And since May and Nrowe get along especially on the way they "extract" information on someone having some time together should be better for them. Does being brutal runs on their bloodline?
Seriously, what is up with the three of them?! They keep taking their time before killing their 'prey'!
I'm glad that they are enthusiastic about it but it's always beyond normal. Sigh.
Before going we tripled the defense of the house. Safety first. I don't want anyone finding out a hidden underground facility is being made on top of a hill.
We parted ways and went straight ahead to the Earl, or rather, the Marquees.
As we arrive I congratulated him in his ascension. Naturally some of the land were given to him. The king may be a bit crude but he is pretty decent.
I then told him that I will be going somewhere and that he should pass it to the king. Talking with that guy(the king) just irritate me somehow. He would always talk about the greatness of his family. How overbearing.
Now that problem has been passed down forcefully, we can go to the harbor city.
As we head there on horseback the air is really fresh. Natural freshness like this is priceless. I'm sick already with the artificial air in my room. It was only artificially created but this sensation of being liberated feels really nice.
After a while,
"May I ask why we are going to Wizfrost?" (Alfred)
"That's because there are reports of a huge sea monster being spotted. Plus it would be a nice training for you to walk on water."
"Walk on water? Is that even possible?"
"Yes it is!"
As we travel, naturally we also grind.
[You now have reached level 30. To upgrade stats you will now need 100 souls per 1 point.
You have learned skill: Crystallization. An ability to turn the soul energy into materialize objects]
Well now that's upsetting. If I knew that reaching level 30 would have given that kind of restriction, then I would have probably slaughter thousands of criminals. Tsk!
After eight days of travel we finally reach the harbor town, Wizfrost in the northern part of the kingdom of Astel.
Even though there's a rumored enormous sea monster, the place sure is lively. Its as if they aren't even worried about the sea monster at all.
"Now let's go and say hi to the mayor"
We went to the mayor's office through the window. Since I have the this tattoo, I don't have to worry about being suspected as someone suspicious.
Going inside unannounced is my style!
Quietly but swift.
"Why are you acting so smug?" (Loki)
"Nothing"
They said that the mayor was known for her composure and ability to asses the situation to resolve in the most efficient way. Using my title as a hero, I wonder how she will react. Even for a poor country, someone like her can use the space element.
Knocking on the door which looks like to be the door for the mayor's office, nothing but silence came.
"Excuse me for the intrusion"
I then open the door and saw no one was there. Weird, she should have been here. I double check her working hours. So why is she not here?
Abandoning the 'surprise' we look for a staff and ask one. He said that the mayor was went back to her house since there was an emergency.
I then ask him to accompany us there after revealing my identity.
Well since she is having a rough day, going in unannounced this time would be rude.
(TN: So going in unannounced and scaring the shit out of the people when they are not having a rough day, is not rude?)
Seeing her in person with her complexion like this came as a shock to me. They said that the mayor was beautiful and looks young despite her age. But her face is like someone sleep deprived who came from war. Or like the dead was somehow brought to life.
We exchange greetings, and she then told me her situation.
Trying her best to stay compose while handling a guest is commendable.
Her son, got ill three days ago. Though many doctors came none were able to tell what disease he's experiencing. I then checked her son, Kyle, if I can heal him. Since I use it everyday, healing myself and Alfred to recover our stamina, my proficiency rise tremendously.
[Current level is too low to remove the curse on the target]
Curse? And my level is too low?
It did said in the beginning that I can heal all kinds of diseases once my level is in the right level. It never said being able to cure curses which makes a lot of sense.
"I'm sorry but your son doesn't have any disease, he has been curse by someone"
After calming the mayor, we went somewhere private to talk. Someone who was able to cast curse on someone who is guarded by many would be amazingly good in their job, an expert. To cast a curse, the more specific the target the longer the time it needs to be invoke. Not to mention the caster also needs to touch their target.
"Can you tell me where the origin is coming from?"
"I can't. Remember, you use your right to ask questions in advance to learn runes. you still have to wait several more months" (Loki)
Right.
"Do you remember anything suspicious the past couple days before Kyle got like this?" I ask.
"I remember something. A week ago some girl in her twenties came by and told me to hand over my land. Obviously I said no. Two days later, he didn't have any energy to stand up anymore" (Mayor Aartu)
Then that person was definitely the one. Since this town is the only town in the whole city that can support the ships from the north. Not to mention the value of the stones that get mine in the northern lands are high. Ruling this land is basically owning a golden goose.
However this place is heavily guarded, even I would have a hard time trying to sneak in and out with my current knowledge of those mana sensors. I was never thought how to avoid mana sensors anyway.
We parted ways as night came. I rejected her offer of staying here since I have things to do.
With this I now have three cards on my hand. The first, one is the rumored sea monster. The second, is the mayor's son, Kyle's case. And third, the ships.
The schedule of the ships is four days from now. It will be going back here with full of valuable stones use in both alchemy and sorcery. The culprit will then target the said ship, and amidst the chaos we will be taking some of those stones while fighting that is assuming my gut feeling is right.
If I am correct, then the culprit have a connection with the sea monster.
By beating the caster of the curse, the curse on Kyle will also be remove.
I'm so excited!
"We will be staying under this tree tonight!" I said merrily.
"I am okay with that but won't it be hard for you" (Alfred)
"Its fine, its fine"
I am not a spoiled brat you know. I am a soldier.
Four days pass and Alfred still don't know how to walk on water. It's a pretty basic application, just needs control.
Right, he's bad at control.
Of course we didn't just train, bit by bit, I envelop the whole town in a barrier from runes. It will only activate if I say so rather than being an automatic activation. Since this is my first time covering such a wide area, even with my title, the effect will reduce significantly if I use the auto activation.
[Rune proficiency have increase]
[Aura proficiency have increase]
Since Alfred still can't walk on water, I stationed him in a high watchtower to be our sniper. I say sniper but its more like him firing a canon. His precision is bad but the power is good. Since his using a staff enchanted with runes, if he fires it will be in a straight line.
Spending my money on nets and the golem beneath is worth it! I temporarily put Nunu's soul in a golem's body that can move fast underwater. Since I will be doing the fighting and Alfred will be providing support from the rear, this is Nunu's time to shine!
A few hours later the ships are now on sight and are coming in schedule.
Three giant sea serpent appeared around the ships.
If someone was trying to steal the stones then it will be when they are near the harbor. If you do it in the middle of the sea. If the stones got into the bottom it will be very hard to find it even if you have some giant snakes like that, but it will be easier here since the sea floor is higher here in comparison in the middle of the sea.
Let the operation...
Begin!!!