[Status information]
Name: Michael Santiago
Class: Hero
Race: Human
Sex: Male
Age: 23
Level: 0
HP: 4,000/4,000
MP: 157,000/157,000
AP: 41,000/41,000
Strength: 44
Agility: 39
Stamina: 65
Intelligence: 203
Level cap: 0
Psychological state: ???
Status: None
Abilities: Soul, Divine healing, Aura, Spirit summoning, Mana steal
Attributes: Holy, anti-magic
Slave(s): 7
Spirit familiar(s): 3
Title(s): 3
Blessing(s): 4
+
I am somewhat thankful for the additional mana but because of the capacity suddenly increasing like this, I won't be able to use warstyle for the next month. The system told me that my body is somewhat fragile and still needs to adapt to the sudden increase. If I don't then I'm going to be hosting a self-destructing bloody fireworks. Literally.
For some reason I can already imagine just what it would even look like.
While going up, Zoe seems to have absorb the traits of a maid. She even ask me to give her an outfit befitting of a personal maid. I guess it would be better for her to wear something like that than something so revealing. People would jump to all kinds of conclusions if they saw her without the cloak.
It took us five days to get back to the surface. Going back was indeed a lot faster since we just bursted through the undeads. As we go higher, the faster our march.
Why are there so many people celebrating? We just went outside and yet so many are having a good time as if there's a festival of some sort.
I turn around and saw a big board with my name on it.
A ranking system which says the top three challengers of the labyrinth. And my title, 'The immortal Soldier' is on first place. The second is the gambler king. The third is... Slaughterer of men. Troy?
Also ,do labyrinths in this world have this system for fun?
People don't know anything about me. However, for them, another one with a title was able to surpass one of the seven kings and the superior rank dragon from the magic kingdom.
I doubt that Troy actually had a hard time though. I'm sure that, knowing Gwen, she made Troy to go here since he did something bad in the past. Yup, that is probably the reason.
Troy could have easily destroyed the mini boss at floor fifty.
We pretended not to know anything and quickly went away. I don't want to gather any unnecessary attention from nobodies.
"I'm going to assign your assignments then. Ello, Mel, and Ella. The three of you will be going to the capital of the empire. Your mission will be to gather information about the nobles, people who you think have potential, and to draw the layout of the entire capital. All passages"
"Can I do my own activities here and there?" Mel ask.
"If you are able to gather important and vital information, yes"
"Understood!" The three replied.
They departed. And so did we. Three day and three nights, we reach the magic kingdom, Maigrema. I put some disguise for Jinx since she is a vampire.
Authorities once again question us and we were brought to Aubree. I explain to Aubree that I need to meet with the tower master, as soon as possible.
She guided us to her office. Before even reaching the office I can already feel mana fluctuations. Don't tell me that those two are at it again.
Aubree hurriedly run away to escape the moment we reach the door. That is pretty normal. She won't be able to stop those two since she her power is like trash to them.
I knock three times and then I open the door. And as I was expecting, both Troy and Gwen are fighting, again.
"Did I appeared at the wrong time?"
The two calm down. They sat down and pretended nothing happened.
"Do you want to talk about something?" Gwen ask.
I pull out the artifact [Hel's spell-book] and showed it to them. For arcane users, a spell book of a god would be really tempting. I then told them that I reach floor sixty of Hel's labyrinth and that I was willing to give this spell book to Gwen in return of two favors. The first one is to take me to the northern continent. The second one is for the future.
Luckily, before the dragon god was able to seal my abilities to steal powers, I have already stolen one spell from this spell book. The most important spell at that.
I won't be able to attain the demonic attribute but I should be able to create an outbreak whenever I want if I have the right amount of negative mana to act as fuel.
"Is that all? You do know that you are giving a spell book away just for transportation, right?"
"Yes, I am very well aware of that"
She look at Troy and then turn to me.
"Okay" She replied.
I then gave her the spell book. She sure seems happy. Troy kept glancing at Gwen with such a gloomy expression.
-Nunu, go comfort Troy once we are gone, okay?
-How am I going to do that, master?
-Go tell him that you like someone. He'll be entertained by it.
-Understood.
He reluctantly replied via telepathy. I'm sorry. I am using your private life to comfort someone. Well I don't really feel guilty or anything since Troy would be able to give him advice about his love life, they are both dragons.
Me, Gwen, and Jinx teleported to the northern continent. We appeared right in front of the log house that I made.
We entered the house and nobody seems to be here. I contacted Nrowe.
-Nrowe. Right now I am in the northern continent. To be exact, I'm at the house.
-You are, master?
Since when did she call me master?
-Yes.
-I will go up after I finish the important parts here, master.
-Make sure that you will use the other house.
-I understand.
She's so matured now.
"How long are we staying here?" Gwen ask.
"About a day or two. Surely you would agree to that, right?"
I stared at her. The tower master gently raise her left hand with an exhausted expression.
"Your payment is more than enough for me to stay here for a whole week actually"
The door opened. it was Alfred.
"Hey, how you doing?"
He started crying.
"I'm doing fine, master"
He said with a smile.
I introduce him to Jinx and Gwen and also explain to him what happened back then. After several hours me and Alfred are outside telling stories about what happened. Gwen is immersing herself, reading the spell book diligently. Jinx already started to read the documents I gave her so that she can be of use to Nrowe.
Nrowe also came in.
"You look like you are doing great"
"I am, master. I am also sorry for my brother to be such a crybaby"
She pulled Alfred's ear who was still have teary eyes.
"Ow!"
I can tell. Even if Gwen is behind me, although it is faint, she seems to be analyzing the two. These two are already considered high grade. Their base stats are the evidence itself. In addition to that, Alfred is also an apostle. This will make Gwen to be more inclined to work with me.
I ask Alfred, "Will you come with me?"
"Absolutely" He replied.
We went a bit far from the house. I also made sure to put sound-proofing runes since I don't want the tower master to listen to our conversation.
I gave him [Hel's bracelet]
"That artifact will be able to negate the mental erosion. You may not know what or how I get it but I assure you that wearing this will make things easier for you"
He wore the artifact in his left wrist.
"Thank you very much. I really don't know how to thank you for all the help you gave us. Ever since, my little sister have been working hard happily. I never saw her to be that happy about something like this"
I put my hand in his shoulder. Thankfully, Alfred listen to my orders not to level up before I went here. That side effect really shock me when I saw it.
"I'm just doing what I can do"
[Alfred's loyalty to you have increased significantly]
Nice!
We head back and he sleep after eating dinner.
I altered Jinx's memories once again so that she can be friendly with the others and so that she will protect them with everything she got.
"Want to have a drink with me?" I ask.
She nodded.
Gwen was still reading the spell book in the kitchen. I took the wine from my inventory and took two cups from drawer.
"Hope my wine is good enough for your taste buds"
"What are you planning to do?" She ask.
She look at me with a cold glare. Hahaha, I can't really underestimate the tower master, can I. She figured me out faster than I expected.
"Me? I'm just trying to conquer this whole northern continent, from the shadows"
I grinned while looking down and drink some wine.
"And how are you going to do that?" She ask while reading.
"I personally taught a girl how to be a merchant, well it's more of a inhumane CEO of some shady corporate. For a whole month, she showed great talent. I forgot to mention that I am also the hero"
"I know. You are pretty ridiculous to toss a spell book like this just like that. The God that I serve also told me who you really are. The reason why he was allowed to tell me your real identity is because of our positive relationship."
So other Gods have that kind of authority.
"How about we form a trade then?" I ask.
She stop reading and look at me with eyes that look curious at to what I can possibly say to tempt her to a deal.
She put her hand on her cheek, she tilted her head, and smiled at me.
"And that would be?"
"This"
I pulled a weird looking bar(From her perspective).
Something that this world does not have much. Soap. It's made from natural ingredients that can only be found here but the process of making it is inside my head. An ancient method that made even famous scientist in my world feel stupid due to the simple yet complex procedure of making a type of soap which made all those who care their skin, especially the girls, love it. Some even made a protest to make the price go down since it was in high demand.
"You should go take a bath and try it"
I was able to persuade her to take a bath.
After an hour she came back, refresh. She was touching her skin, can't believe about how an ordinary looking soap was able to do such a thing.
"DETAILS! NOW!"
"Calm down~. Chill, okay? Sit first and then listen"
I told her that it is something that is absolutely a classified information. And how we are going to deal with everything.
"So you want me to create a teleportation gate here, in the northern continent, so that we can, my country, will be the one to sell your products"
"That is correct!"
"This way, you wouldn't need to ask me to take you here. And use the gate instead. Killing two birds with one stone. How sly of you"
"Ahahaha, that is very normal in this field, no?"
Both of us laugh.
"When did you started all this, though?" She ask.
"Secret!"
I already made Nrowe to make sure she can start mass producing these soaps before I even left the Astel kingdom. But there is no need for me to tell her about that now.
"About the payment. You want to receive 100% of profits of the products that will be sell off? Don't you think that is too much? It is too one sided no matter how you look at it"
"Not really. Since you will be selling these at the capital of Maigrema, people would flock all the way to your kingdom. That would mean many people will have to pay for lodgings and food. They would also be tempted to buy other products that will be in the streets. A win-win situation. Plus, you will only need to sell it, we are the ones who are manufacturing them and also the ones who are securing of all the raw materials needed through the market"
She sighed.
"So, you made this plan from the beginning?"
"Yes and no."
"And where do you want me to put the teleportation gate?"
I pointed downwards. She was confused. She then focus mana into her hand and release it downwards. She wasn't able to hide her shock expression.
"Let's go down to the basement, shall we~"
The log house that I made was only a disguise so that no one would know where the soaps are being produced.
I already knew that she would be able to bypass the protection I put. Only a high level mage would be able to ignore the camouflaging runes I painstakingly put.
I already own the land itself. And there are also sound-proofing runes inscribed the whole place. Incidentally, the only ones who can go down is me, Nrowe, Alfred and the slaves that sign the contract that I made. But I am going to add the tower master and Jinx. The entrance is inscribed with runes so that even if a high rank mage were to infiltrate, they'd only fall asleep. An idea I got from the warping gate at the basement from Marquess Jislore.
"To those who seeks the truth will be blinded by the gods"
After reciting the pass code, a door appeared. We went down the spiral staircase made of metal.
A huge underground space greeted us. There were already soaps that were wrap in paper that we produce waiting under the house to be use.
"The portal will be there"
I pointed at the farthest section of the facility.
"I'm sorry, how did you exactly- Never mind. I won't ask anymore. I should prepare myself not to get surprised even more" (Gwen)
Since it is already night time, the workers should be sleeping already.
The door of the tunnel which connects the the facility here and there open while Gwen and I was busy creating the teleportation gate. Two men showed up.
"W-who are you people?!"
Hmm, they seem to be guards on night patrol.
I use my
"I'm the owner of this whole place. Nrowe's boss to be exact" I said.
As far as I know, Nrowe should have shown them a portrait of me so that when I come here no one will bother me.
"W-we are very sorry!"
One of them apologize while the other one seemed to be dumbfounded. So the other guy don't know what I look like, huh.
"You can continue your patrol now~"
We went back to making the teleportation gate.
"You know, I sense a vague and weird feeling from them. It's like they are your slaves or some sort"
"Well yes, they indeed are in a way."
While making this underground facility I found a loophole to my skills. By combining both
For morale purposes I made an fun section where they can play, and relieve some stress somewhere like a gym. The fun section compromises a variety of sports game centers which they are familiar with. While the gym are for those wants to workout, there is also a training ground there for small friendly fights.
Since there is a river nearby, I made sure to create pipes enchanted with runes to create wells here. I don't have the time to give them the luxury of putting pipes in here so they can't take it easy living here.
For sanitary purposes, the toilets and the bathing area are located on the surface. If they need to go at night, those guys can just use a bucket and clean it afterwards anyway. Even if they did try to escape at night using the pretext of going to the bath, they will die instantly the moment they leave the town without Nrowe's permission.
And of course they are also not allowed to tell anything to outsiders.
We finish making a big portal. Hopefully no one would find out about this. It's illegal after all.
"Done~!"
"Thank you for the hard work, tower master"
I gave her some water and some sweet snacks.
We took a tour to some sections of the facility. We ended up going to the factory site.
She ask me, "Say, do you have other kinds of blueprints for such machines?"
"If you can offer me something of equal value, I suppose I can"
We are not close friends for me to just give her such important information like this.
"....."
She sure is thinking hard about it.
"I will do any one thing you ask of me!"
I stop walking.
"I'm sorry, come again?"
"I said, I will do any one thing you ask of me"
So I really did hear things correctly.
"Are you sure about that?"
"Knowing your personality, you won't ask me something extreme"
Oh believe me, I will.
"Fine"
We both sign another soul contract.
I took another paper from my inventory. A blueprint for a type of machine that can weave clothes. A power loom. She was greatly fascinated by the blueprint that I gave her.
She forcefully push away her excitement and turn to me with a blank expression. Trying to regain your dignity won't work now, you're too late.
"Okay, what do you want?" She ask.
"I'll be doing that in the future. But I do have a favor"
"And that is?"
"I want a book. If possible, something that contains valuable wisdom. I'm going to use it as a sacrifice"
"Spirit summoning?"
"Yes. How do you know?"
"There is no way I won't. When you were training those girls back in the tower, I can tell that they are spirits. I'm a spirit myself, you know"
"Is that a no?"
"I will be back shortly"
"I will wait you above ground then"
She teleported back to Maigrema while I started my own preparations. I put a three layered barrier of anti-magic so that when I summon the spirit I won't alarm other people since I'm planning to use a lot of my mana.
Gwen appeared.
She handed me a book. A book that seemed old. She sat down on a chair made out of cotton. Being an arcane user is so damn convenient.
I started to summon the spirit.
"My name is Michael Santiago. At this moment, I now open the gate to the spirit world"
Strong wind blew.
"With this tome of knowledge. Heed my call to those who seek wisdom"
The magic circle shined.
"I offer a drop of my blood"
I exuded large amount of mana. The first two barriers broke while the last one was barely keeping up. I am using about eighty thousand mana right now.
"And here, the Gods shall be the witness of this summoning"
The last barrier broke. Gwen created another one to make sure everything stays here. I gave her a look 'Thanks for the help'.
The book vanish and a man with glasses appeared. So his the spirit who will become my left hand man.
The man raise his hand.
"There is no need for a duel"
So he doesn't want to fight me?
"I, Inosi, wish to serve under you"
With one knee on the floor, he knelt down just like how a knight swears loyalty to a king.
"Why do you not want to fight me?"
Still looking down he answered my question, "That is because master's knowledge surpasses mine. And I would be willing to submit myself to someone who I won't be able to reach. A true ruler!"
So for him, he wants to serve under someone who is smart.
"Okay"
The contract was from and I immediately look at his status.
[Status information]
Name: Inosi
Class: Sage
Race: Wisdom spirit (Mid class)
Sex: Male
Age: 328
Level: 15
HP: 2,200/2,200
MP: 98,000/98,000
Strength: 25
Agility: 21
Stamina: 57
Intelligence: 147
Level cap: 15
Psychological state: Immense happiness
Status: Familiar
Abilities: -----
Attributes: Arcane
+
For a wisdom type spirit, having the arcane attribute is a jackpot. You only need to comprehend the mechanics of the spell to use it after all.
"Now that I am done here I will go back so that I can connect the portals, okay?"
"Sure!"
She left without a sound. Earlier there was a sound the moment she disappeared but this time there is nothing.
I gave Inosi five books.
"Here you go. If you want to be useful to me then knowing information regarding the things I need is suitable"
The books that I gave him are hand-written by myself while I was in the labyrinth. I don't need sleep so I just wrote all of it to pass time.
I wrote everything I know of for two months regarding math, chemistry, machines, physics, minerals and metals.
He was deeply moved by it. Knowledge about things that he didn't knew of. Five thick, large, and heavy books at that. I made sure that Inosi won't tell anyone about what he will learn with me while brainwashing him. I can't let a guy like him know the secrets to all things about my world now, can I. I also made him sign a contract which indicates, when our connection as a familiar and summoner somehow gets disconnected even for a moment, all of his knowledge regarding the books he will read will also vanish instantaneously.
In truth I can just share my memories with him slowly. But this way, his view of me would be even better.
We went back to the house with Inosi helping me. The side effects of using a large amount of mana in one go came later than I expected. I assume that I would feel it right after the summoning. Even though I've healed myself already my head still hurts. Is it because of the current condition of my body? How annoying.
Now that I have a maid, I made Inosi as my personal butler. He wore a gray suit and pants while his shoes are dark gray.
I also change his hairstyle to look like mine since his hairstyle is downright messy. The hair of a shut-in that greatly resembles bed hair.