"Young master, please, I am begging you. A dungeon is very dangerous. You cannot just go in there and leave whenever you want to," Jihoon said. He was glaring at the man who resembled him before turning his gaze back to the young master.
"Isn't that why you will be coming with me?" Ethan was still smiling. He thought Jihoon's reaction was absolutely entertaining.
"Still—"
"We are not going to a dangerous dungeon, just something with a low rating, a place that does not have any possibility of a rapture. Dungeons with rating E and below do not have any possibility of experiencing a rapture," Ethan said. When doing the contract, he does not need to go to a dungeon with a rating of A and above. All he needs is to go to any dungeon! This is why he easily agreed to go to do this contract.
"Young Master, since you have not stayed on the island for too long, you are not aware that even dungeons with a rating E would still experience rapture, and once that happens, everyone inside would surely perish. This is why your grandfather decided to assign all members of the clan who had at least Class B Essentia to guard the mines."
Ethan sighed. "Then shall we go ahead and visit the mines?" Ethan said. He actually did not think of this idea!
Hearing this, Jihoon immediately nodded.
"He will be staying here until after the funeral rites, and then we can visit the mines under the pretense of doing a surprise tour or visit all of the dungeons. As the heir, I have responsibilities to visit all of them and familiarize more with the business." Ethan said. "Right... May I know how many mines the Kai Family owns?"
"Seventeen..."
Ethan frowned as he looked at Jihoon. "Pardon?"
"The Kai Family owns seventeen mines in Hanmiryeong alone. There are two in each of the other regions."
"So... The Kai Family owns more than twenty mines?" Ethan could not help but ask again. Twenty-seven mines? Isn't that a little too much? He expected at least three or four!
"In the past few years, the Kai Family has been steadily improving their power. The young master is not someone who would allow any losses in any negotiation. The fact that he awakened a Class B Essentia and is currently at Class A only made him more powerful."
"I see...." Ethan looked at the Assassin. "I am going to expect you to stay in this room in the meantime. Please understand that I cannot simply let you leave. I do not want to answer unnecessary questions." He wanted everyone to think that they simply caught the assassin and were interrogating him. He met the eyes of the Assassin before he turned and left the room.
"Furcio…."
Ethan turned around when he heard the man's voice.
"That's my name." Furcio, the assassin who still had Jihoon's face, uttered. This time, he did not imitate Ethan's voice but another voice. Ethan was not even sure if this was the man's real voice or was simply using someone else's.
"Ethan…" Ethan smiled. "Nice to meet you."
Seeing Furcio nod, Ethan also nodded, understanding flashing in his eyes before he left the room.
"Young Master, are you certain about this?" Jihoon immediately asked the moment the doors were closed. "If that man forced you—"
"You were watching us… did you see him do anything to me?" Ethan said. He was extremely happy right now. Not only was he able to complete the mission, but he also found someone that he could work with!
"Young Master, that man is a well-known assassin. If he does something inside the dungeon…"
"Do you not trust yourself?" Ethan looked at Jihoon. As expected, the older man was frowning, his lips pursed.
"I apologize…." Jihoon immediately lowered his head. "I will be there to protect the young master."
"Hmmm…." Ethan said. "Ah, why not tell me the mines that the Kai Family owns?" Ethan said. "It has been too long since I left Yeonsin, I do not know about those mines." The two of them stopped talking when Ramon approached them.
"Young master, what are we going to do with that assassin?"
"Leave him be. I will be talking to him again. In the meantime, just give him food and water. I do not want anyone else in that room aside from me. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir. Should we not report this man to the authorities?"
The authorities that Ramon was talking about are the SEP or the Society of Essentia Practitioners. They serve as the peacekeeping force, maintaining law and order in Yeonsin. The SEP's responsibility includes Law Enforcement, Security and Defense, Conflict Resolution, Training and Development, Research and Advancement, Emergency Response, and Political Stabilization.
They are responsible for catching Essentia Users outside of Yeonsin and making sure that the Essentia Users inside of Yeonsin follow all the rules.
"No. There is no need to do that." Ethan said. What was the point of telling them about the capture of that Assassin when Furcio would be escaping anytime soon? Ethan already knew that the man would never stay inside that prison cell. He should have a way to escape. Ethan was very excited to see this, ah!
Ramon nodded and gave him a bow as he left the basement.
It was already dawn when Ethan arrived at his room. However, he had no time to rest as Jihoon just handed him the complete list of all the mines that were owned by the Kai Family!
Looking at the list, Ethan couldn't help but gasp in surprise.
Damn.
He knew that his grandfather was rich, but not actually this rich!
It seems that he had struck gold!
Ethan couldn't help but beam in delight as he stared at the tablet.
It turns out that the mines they have are not just for Magic Stones and Umarak. They also have mines for other valuable resources like Aetherium Crystals, a rare and potent crystalline resource that emits energy waves, essential for powering advanced flying technology and enhancing the magical capabilities of players!
His grandfather even has Ignisite Ore!
The Ignisite Core is then carefully processed and refined through a complex series of proprietary techniques involving plasma induction and specialized alloys.
During this refinement process, the core undergoes a transformative phase, evolving into the coveted and versatile substance known as Plasmaforge Resin.
Plasmaforge Resin is renowned for its exceptional energy-absorbing and retaining properties, making it an ideal component for crafting high-energy-density batteries and advanced energy-based weaponry. Its malleability allows skilled artisans to shape and mold the resin into intricate weapon designs, providing both form and function in the creation of potent plasma-based armaments.
Ethan did not know what to say!
However, his happiness was soon interrupted when he heard a knock on the door.
"Oh? Is it already here?" Ethan mused as he opened the door to a younger male guard.
"Young Master, I apologize. There is an emergency. The prisoner has escaped. I was tasked to check your room to make sure that the prisoner is not here. May I come in?"
"Of course…" Ethan beamed as he moved to the side, giving the man access to his room. "Please come in… Furcio."