10 Chapter10- Secret Realm
Phantom Ruins, Morgue Hospital.
In the dilapidated hospital corridors, corpses dressed in patient gowns and nurse uniforms wandered endlessly, emitting terrifying growls from time to time.
Seraphina stood at the entrance of the corridor, clad in a black dress, clutching a silver-white crystal staff.
Silver-white snowflakes swirled and danced around her, like silver darts flying towards a lv5 rotting revenant, slashing it with numerous wounds.
"-145!"
"-152!"
"-148!"
...
One damage number after another appeared above the rotting revenant's head, its HP rapidly depleting.
Beads of sweat formed on Seraphina's fair forehead, yet she persisted, gritting her teeth.
Finally, with a wail, the rotting revenant fell to the ground, dissolving into specks of starlight.
A flicker of joy appeared in Seraphina's eyes.
This was her first time defeating a monster two levels above her, signifying she now possessed the strength of a lv5!
Although it was achieved with the aid of a silver-tier ice crystal staff, it was enough to fill her with elation.
However, Seraphina quickly subdued her emotions.
Temporary leads meant little; she needed to strive harder.
This trial lasted seven days, and she was determined to be the first to reach level ten, to be the top contender of this trial!
Not for any rewards or honors, but to win against that man just once!
The thought of that man conjured an image in Seraphina's mind of him in the Awakening Temple, watched by the gods, akin to a divine figure.
Despite everyone saying now that his awakening failed and he has become an ordinary awakener.
Yet, for some reason, Seraphina always felt that the man wouldn't fall so easily.
Even more, she believed that one day, he would shine as brightly as he once did in the temple!
This feeling was inexplicable, yet Seraphina held onto it with unwavering faith.
It was for this reason that she had sought him out yesterday to issue a challenge personally!
Regardless of whether he was now a genius or a has-been, she wanted to defeat him fair and square, a testament to the deepest pride within Seraphina's heart.
Seraphina pursed her lips, fatigued yet determined to continue pulling monsters to fight; she knew she needed to keep pushing herself.
Just then, a gentle voice came from behind her, "Seraphina, do you want to take a break? I've brought you some food to replenish your MP."
The speaker was a young man in a white suit, exuding a gentle elegance, holding a delicately prepared meal box, his eyes filled with tenderness towards Seraphina.
Seraphina's brows furrowed slightly, her voice cold, "Classmate Carter, I've told you many times that we are not close, please refer to me by my name, thank you."
The young man named Carter seemed unfazed by Seraphina's demeanor, smiling, "We've known each other for so many years, there's no need to be so formal."
Seraphina replied calmly, "I'm sorry, Classmate Carter, but I need to level up. If there's nothing else, could you please leave?"
Lucas Carter, sensing the displeasure in Seraphina's words, placed the meal box on the ground, still smiling,
"Don't be mad, Seraphina. I'll leave now. I'll just leave this meal box here for you, remember to eat."
Seraphina didn't respond and continued her monster hunting, while Carter left the corridor.
The moment he stepped out of the corridor, the smile on his face gradually vanished.
Outside, a young man with a buzz cut and wearing the uniform of a noble academy was waiting.
"Master Carter..." The moment he saw Carter emerge, he started to speak, but a glance from Carter made the young man instantly fall silent, following Carter to the hospital's ground floor lobby.
By then, the hospital lobby had been tidied up, even furnished with expensive leather sofas and a coffee table, with seven or eight maids and bodyguards standing by.
Carter sat on the sofa, and a maid poured him a glass of red wine.
Carter spoke calmly, "I believe I've made it clear that no one is to come here without reason. I do not wish for my private time with Seraphina to be disturbed."
The buzz-cut youth, Liam, instantly broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly explained,
"I apologize, Master Carter. There are two matters that necessitated my intrusion upon your time with Miss Winters."
Carter sipped his red wine, not speaking.
Liam continued,
"The first matter concerns the scavenging team from the House of Stellarburg Foster. They've discovered a sealed secret realm about a hundred miles from Stellarburg, likely a high-level secret realm. Lord Theodore Winters and Principal Eldritch, among other notables who were preparing to return, might now head there instead."
Carter nodded, "I hadn't expected such a remote place to harbor a high-level secret realm. I'll have my family send some more powerful individuals there. You've done well."
Liam bowed respectfully, "It's all part of my duties. There's another matter, regarding John. You mentioned your displeasure with him yesterday; I've made arrangements, and he will permanently disappear within the Phantom Ruins today, never to cross your path again."
Carter took another sip of his wine and said indifferently, "There's no need to report such trivialities in the future. A failed awakener is but a lowlife, hardly worth my time. You've performed adequately this time, so I won't punish you."
Liam quickly bowed, "Thank you, Master Carter. I'll remember that."
With a wave of his hand from Carter, Liam respectfully exited the hospital lobby.
Elsewhere, in an abandoned parking lot.
John had meticulously erased all traces of the three bodies, scavenging a good amount of valuable items from them.
Although he had reduced the trio to ashes with a single blaze, their equipment and other possessions remained intact.
Given that all three were Wanderers, accustomed to carrying their treasures on them, John's haul was quite significant.
Surveying the three storage rings before him, John emptied their contents.
Bank cards and such, except for those in anonymous accounts, were all incinerated by John. Keeping them served no purpose but to leave behind clues.
After a final tally, John had amassed approximately 1.2 million federal coins, along with seven iron-tier items and two bronze-tier items.
It had to be said, the wealth of these three was substantial, likely accumulated over many years as Wanderers, and now it had all fortuitously fallen into John's lap.
John discarded the useless equipment into his storage ring, ultimately keeping only two iron-tier items and one bronze-tier gear that were useful to him.
[Item]: Gale Staff
Type: Weapon
Level: lv5
Tier: Bronze-tier
Quality: Perfect
Attributes: Spirit +30, Speed +20
Skill: Wind Flow Spell
Description: Activates a skill that increases speed by 30% for 10 minutes, with a cooldown of 3 hours.
...
[Item]: Dark Iron Beastskin Armor
Type: Armor
Level: lv5
Tier: Iron-tier
Quality: Common
Attributes: Stamina +15, HP +200
Skill: None
...
[Item]: Dark Iron Beastskin Belt
Type: Armor
Level: lv5
Tier: Iron-tier
Quality: Common
Attributes: Stamina +15, HP +200
Skill: None
...
Among all these items, only these three were immediately usable by John; the rest were either too high level or unsuitable for his class.
What pleased John the most was the bronze-tier [Gale Staff], which was of perfect quality and came with a skill.
Moreover, the skill was quite impressive, offering a 30% increase in speed attributes.
Speed attributes refer not only to movement speed but also to attack speed, casting speed, and more.
It's a crucial attribute for warriors, archers, and magi alike.
The tall, skinny mage must have used this skill to escape.
Given the generally low survivability of magi, this item could significantly enhance a mage's ability to stay alive.
No wonder he hadn't changed his equipment even at level 10; this staff truly was a gem among level 5 bronze-tier gear.
After equipping these items, John remembered he had also obtained a bronze-tier gear piece he hadn't had the chance to examine closely.
He took it out to have a look.
[Item]: Giant Stone Bracelet
Type: Accessory
Level: LV5
Tier: Bronze-tier
Quality: Exquisite
Attributes: Strength +25, Stamina +25
Skill: None
John couldn't help but smile.
Today really was a stroke of great luck, having obtained an exquisite quality bronze-tier gear piece.
Although it boosted strength and stamina, which were not his primary attributes, it was still beneficial for John to wear it.
After all, stamina determines one's defense and HP, and having more of it is always advantageous.
