In the end, Carlos had no intention of flirting with death at the edge of the abyss.
Just moments ago, faced with the second-tier "Man-Faced Stone Serpent Ghost," his only contribution had been running faster than Tucker, not hindering his progress.
If they had turned back and encountered a faster, more dangerous supernatural creature...
That would have been a grave mistake indeed.
"It seems we must return empty-handed," Carlos remarked, his gaze lowering in mild resignation.
"Actually, we are far from returning empty-handed; we've gained immensely!" Tucker's eyes narrowed as he studied the tunnel leading to the Demon King's seal, his voice serious.
"Indeed, 'we' have gained a great deal!" Carlos nodded, emphasizing the word 'we' with particular weight.
"And, 'we' even managed to defeat a second-tier supernatural creature together."
"I hadn't realized just how formidable we truly are." Tucker exhaled lightly, glancing at Carlos with a hint of amusement.
"If it were just the two of us who had opened the Demon King's seal and were discovered by those high-ranking officials in the Steam Tower of the city," Tucker continued, "the announcement would undoubtedly read, 'Shameless thieves, who have broken the Demon King's seal, posing a significant threat to the safety of Lamor Tower City,' and we would be wanted criminals."
"But if it's said that your sister, the proudest pupil of Count Lamor, Lady Xilol, who opened the Demon King's seal," Tucker's voice took on a tone of irony, "then the announcement will read, 'Brave Steam Knight Xilol, who has uncovered the treasure of the Demon King's seal, making a tremendous contribution to Lamor Tower City.'"
Carlos blinked in stunned silence as the double standard hit him.
"Well, you make a good point. It really might play out that way."
"Not 'might,' but 'will.' This is the inevitable outcome," Tucker replied calmly.
"We still have about a week left in the Grey Night," he continued. "During this time, it's highly unlikely any adventurers will venture into this deep dungeon to investigate the seal."
"Once we return, we can report to your sister. She'll know exactly how to handle it."
Carlos's eyes brightened as Tucker spoke, and the prospect of the Demon King's treasure seemed to shimmer in his mind.
Breathing deeply, Tucker shifted his gaze from Carlos and rubbed his brow, a quiet thought lingering in his mind.
This time, Tucker had invited Carlos to cooperate with him for two reasons. First, Carlos possessed an extraordinary ring capable of holding "Rune Stones." Second, Carlos's powerful connections provided a safety net should anything go awry in attempting to open the Demon King's seal.
And now, the outcome was even better than expected.
Tucker had successfully anchored the region surrounding the Demon King's seal, and with the system's immense help, he was on the verge of a long-awaited breakthrough.
Moreover, though the Demon King's seal had been opened, it had not been fully unlocked. Reporting the event under Carlos's sister's name would undoubtedly lead to a reward.
...
In the abandoned stone tower region, bathed in the serene light of the Ashen Moon, Tucker and Carlos climbed up from the dungeon passage, each following the other.
Just as Tucker had anticipated, his choice of acting during the Grey Night ensured the entire process remained silent and undetected.
Walking down the desolate stone pathways, Carlos hunched his shoulders and spoke quietly, "Tucker, recently I heard that there is a group hunting witches. Several apprentice and first-tier witches have mysteriously disappeared."
"Hmm, I've heard some rumors as well. I'll be cautious," Tucker replied, his expression unreadable.
Lamor City, situated on the fringes of the Ashen Lands, was a harsh and perilous region. It was not uncommon for mysterious organizations, even those worshiping dark gods, to lurk in the shadows.
If nothing unusual happened, Tucker would have found it strange.
As they reached the main road, Carlos bid Tucker farewell in haste, eager to report their grand find to his sister in the Tower District, while Tucker headed toward the underground district.
The empty streets, illuminated by the cold moonlight, seemed almost too quiet. Tucker walked along, massaging his slightly throbbing temple.
With his S-tier talent "Precision," Tucker was able to perceive the intricate webs of the world, linking them with his own senses—sight, touch, and even spiritual awareness—allowing him to cut into the paths and trajectories of those around him with perfect precision.
However, the overwhelming influx of information from the world's threads was beginning to weigh heavily on him.
Now, he focused on reigning in his "Precision."
As Tucker honed his control, the overwhelming flow of lines and trajectories began to recede.
The world within his sight gradually returned to normal, but he retained just enough of the webs to remain aware of the hidden threads that surrounded him, striking a perfect balance.
"S-tier Precision... truly unparalleled," Tucker mused inwardly. "It allows me to see the subtleties that differentiate other superhumans, even their secrets."
"Managing one's expressions, movements, and reactions is vital," he thought, "I can't afford to let those with sharp senses know I have uncovered their secrets."
"The lines and trajectories allow me to easily discern an enemy's intentions, actions, even their spells, so I can predict their next move."
"Precision, at its core, lets me align perfectly with the world's flows, allowing me to deliver the perfect strike."
As Tucker breathed a sigh, he reflected, "The changes brought by S-tier Precision are enormous."
"It completely changes the way I approach battle."
"Now, I must spend a significant amount of time and effort to develop a new fighting style centered around this newfound ability."
"Since I've unlocked a cheat and a partial form of x-ray vision..."
"Then I must fight with the strategy that comes with it!"
"With the right method, and paired with my S-tier talent, even an apprentice witch can possess immense power."
"Not to mention, I'm about to advance to a first-tier witch."
As Tucker's thoughts turned to the second-tier core material—the "Stone Serpent Ghost Soul Crystal"—he had obtained in a deadly chase, he couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement.
"Tomorrow, I'll visit the underground market. Not only will I be able to trade it for first-tier witch ascension materials, but there will be plenty of surplus."
"A first-tier witch..." Tucker's eyes narrowed, his thoughts growing more focused.
"It's finally happening."
Having entered this dangerous world, Tucker had two goals.
The first: to truly unlock the potential of the system.
The second: to ascend to the rank of a first-tier witch.
In this world of extraordinary beings, rank and strength were the only true currency.
If Tucker were a "fourth-tier witch" today, he could make the second-tier Man-Faced Stone Serpent Ghost, which had been relentlessly pursuing him, sit down and listen to his stories about "Xu Xian and Bai Niang Zi" without resistance.
Now, the system was beginning to function smoothly.
And the ascension to first-tier witch was drawing near.
As Tucker snapped back to the present, the "Griffin's Nest Tavern," glowing with a faint yellow light from its glass windows under the cold night, was already in sight.
Rubbing his chilled hands, Tucker pushed the door open.
The tavern, far livelier than when he had left, was filled with a dozen or so adventurers gathered in groups, intoxicated by drink and boasting of their exploits from all corners of the world.
"A bowl of Blackhorn Beef Bread Soup," Tucker ordered at the bar.
While waiting, Tucker's senses sharpened as he began to detect the faint threads of the world around him.
Everything—every adventurer, their level, sequence, even their life force—was laid bare before him.
"The three adventurers over there, their energy is dense and heavy, levels around 18 or 19, real tough ones."
"The ones by the fire, hmm... they look drained, somewhat sluggish."
"Grey Night, many adventurers lose themselves in indulgence during this period."
"And then... there's that one..."
Tucker paused, his breath catching slightly. His gaze turned sharper as he focused on a figure lurking in the shadows near the window and fireplace.
Previously, when he and Carlos had discussed matters here, that figure had been hiding, listening intently, though making no move. Tucker had merely given them a passing glance.
But now, as Tucker entered and sat at the bar, the hidden figure's gaze was fixed on him, its observation following his every movement.
A chill ran down Tucker's spine.
"An enemy? No, that doesn't seem right."
"If I had an enemy, I would deal with them on the spot, no time to let them plot against me."
"Or perhaps a long-lost relative, suffering from a terminal illness, seeking me out to inherit my wealth?"
Tucker shook his head, dismissing the thought. It seemed far-fetched.
"Could it be...?"
Tucker's mind flashed to the recent rumors about disappearing witches.
"Could it be that they have set their sights on me?"