"Oh?"
Old Kumu, having put away his things, lifted his cowboy hat and closely examined Tuck with slightly murky but shrewd eyes, then chuckled deeply.
"Well done."
"Those Evil God Organization, they've come to fancy causing trouble in the frontier city-states recently."
"Moreover, the local gangs, they're getting less and less discreet."
"They're getting ever more skilled at drawing blood from the locals."
After lighting his smoking pipe and taking a few hefty puffs, Old Kumu, with a hint of nostalgia, began to narrate amidst swirls of smoke.
"Back in the day, the people of Ramore Tower City-State were very united."
"And Count Ramore, oh, that's right, back then he was Baron Ramore."
"He always stood on the front line of the city walls, using his spells to combat those filthy creatures from below."
"He used healing magic to treat the injured Transcendents."
"He would even bring food to families without any during the 'Grey Night period.'"
"Hmm... Count Ramore, it's been a very long time since he's left High Tower."
"Otherwise, those Evil God Organization, they would never dare to set foot in Ramore Tower City-State."
"Back then, Baron Ramore's favorite activity was to tie the followers of the Evil God to the crucifix in the city-state center, pouring a thick layer of black oil over the piled wood."
"And then, in the most primitive and straightforward manner, he'd end the sinful lives of the followers of the Evil God."
"Heh... I'm getting old; I do like to ramble on a bit."
"Among the young people I know, you're the only one who has the patience to listen."
After tapping out the ashes from his pipe, Old Kumu became serious.
"Just yesterday, those people increased their efforts in hunting wizards."
"Even... they've started inquiring about the more formidable wizards within the Ramore Tower."
"You're probably already on their list."
"Moreover, yesterday in the Underground Nest District, a wizard was hunted down."
"How dare they?" Tuck frowned slightly.
"To be dragged out of one's home and killed, this group from the Evil God Organization... is simply too impolite!"
"Heh... They are the Evil God Organization; they'd dare to sacrifice an entire city-state. What wouldn't they dare to do?" laughed Old Kumu.
"Isn't there any resistance from the local wizards?" Tuck's brows furrowed again.
"A group of wizards formed a small organization."
"But unfortunately, while everything seemed fine during the indoor discussion, they ended up betrayed as soon as they stepped outside."
"And then... there was no 'and then'." Old Kumu chuckled.
"Now, many wizards are either running or hiding."
"Knowing full well someone is hunting them, yet still daring to go out and even aspiring to advance – you're pretty much the only one left."
"You..."
Old Kumu asked in a lowered voice, leaning forward.
"Are you interested in the steam core – the advancement material of the Evil God Organization?"
"How could I possibly entertain such a bold idea? I'm just an ordinary apprentice wizard," Tuck said with his hands spread, an expression of innocence on his face.
"Even you probably don't believe what you just said."
Old Kumu laughed.
"If you really want to advance a rank, I could offer some help."
"At least I can ensure the safety of your advancement process."
After thinking it over, Tuck ultimately shook his head.
"The information you've given me is already more than enough. How could I dare trouble you further?"
"If you had this attitude while haggling, I could live a couple more years," Old Kumu said without amusement.
Tuck bid farewell to Old Kumu.
Walking down the not-so-wide but also not-so-crowded Underground Street.
Tuck used his powerful "Precision" to perfectly conceal his wizard sequence attributes.
He had already begun to apply the "Precision attribute" to various aspects – sequence, origin energy, and even physical control.
Concealing his wizard identity.
This at least ensured he could walk securely on the underground streets.
Not to say he might be shot in the dark by some hunter.
"I had originally planned to complete my advancement at home."
"Now, it seems that the Underground Nest District must already be ensnared in the Evil God Organization's intricate traps."
"The moment I advance to the next level, the minions of the Evil God Organization will be knocking on my door to 'check the water meter'."
"A bunch of lawless thugs, just wait until I've advanced—they'll be in for a treat."
Tuck, massaging his temples, pondered over the location for his upcoming advancement to a first-order wizard.
As long as one doesn't lose hope, there are always more solutions than problems.
If it comes to that, I could even squeeze in with the kobolds deep underground.
Or perhaps, Tuck also has several hidden spots prepared deep in the wilderness.
Tuck also fears disturbing the Demon King Seal and causing an accident.
He had prepared several escape routes.
The incident with the Demon King Seal didn't make Tuck resort to these contingencies.
But it's the Evil God Organization wreaking havoc in the Ramore City-State that might force him to use them.
"It's just the Evil God Organization hunting in Ramore City-State."
"There are quite a few decent cave areas under the Steam Tower that would make for good hideouts."
"That's the spot!"
One particularly good hideout emerged in Tuck's mind.
It was both safe and warm.
The only problem was that there were a bit too many "mice" there.
If it were before, Tuck might have hesitated to go near that place.
But now, with S-Level [Precision] like a lock and chain,
Tuck had enough confidence to carve out a spacious three-bedroom, two-parlor residence there.
...
Carrying the horse lamp he'd borrowed from Old Kumu,
Tuck crept into a tomb passage near the High Tower Area and entered the Cave Passage.
The dim light of the horse lamp pierced the pitch-black corridor.
Tuck marched on at an unhurried pace.
"The range of an S-Level Transcendent Talent is 200%-500%."
"The range of an SS-Level Transcendent Talent is 500%-1000%."
"My S-Level Transcendent Talent is at 478%. With 7.2 fragments every day, I'll reach SS Level in a few days."
"Crossing the 500% threshold should bring about a significant transformation."
"At that time, whether it's advancing to a first-order wizard or the combat after the promotion, I'll be much stronger."
As Tuck proceeded stealthily, bones started to appear in the five to six meters high and three to four meters wide passage.
Further on, the number of skeletons increased.
There were human skeletons, Black Mice skeletons, goblin and goblins, but of course, the majority were "kobold" skeletons.
Going deeper underground from Ramore Tower City-State,
there was a considerably large kobold tribe in the area of the Underground City.
Those fertile and gluttonous kobolds were very discontent with Ramore Tower aboveground.
So much so, that Ramore Tower had to establish an "Underground Corridor Defensive Line."
Soon, the ground's rock and dirt were completely submerged by skeletons.
Tuck lifted the horse lamp.
Under the glow of the dull yellow horse lamp glass,
a thin layer of undead fog drifted through the corridor.
The ground was covered in skeletons, and even the walls on both sides, as well as the top of the passage, were "embedded" with numerous skeletons.
"Bone Corridor."
That was the name of this mysterious and dangerous Cave Passage.
The scent of death played about the tip of Tuck's nose.
He could even hear the rustles and bustles,
the sounds of "Skull Mice" foraging amongst the bones.
Yes, there were particularly many mice here, referring to the "Skull Mice."