Chapter_8: Sea Gemstones

The fire danced atop his wooden staff, casting a brilliant glow that illuminated the entire shop, its radiance visible from outside.

The shop was small and cramped, almost as if it had been converted from a house. Wooden pillars supported the structure, built with durable and aesthetically pleasing redwood logs.

Upon entering, a wooden table stood four meters in, showcasing various items. The shelves displayed a variety of technological and magical attire, including Light Essence necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Mystical Aethers were also placed on the walls with supporting fixtures.

Upon noticing the technologies and items on display, Ragnar turned back to the old man.

The old man offered a sly smile and fixed a deep gaze upon Ragnar, holding the staff in his left hand and a Velvet Sea Gemstone in his right.

"Why are you here, old man?" Ragnar asked in surprise.

"You may call me Merlin now," Merlin's enigmatic tone echoed once again.

As Ragnar tried to make sense of the situation, questions began to form in his mind.

"Do you also know who Lady Ana is?" Ragnar asked, his confusion visible.

"Every resident in this city knows Lady Ana, but if you're asking if we're close, we are indeed close," Merlin replied enigmatically.

"I'm also aware that Lady Ana ordered you, correct?" Merlin continued in the same enigmatic tone.

Ragnar chose not to respond, opting instead to carefully analyze the situation. As he took note of a nearby chair, he settled into it, his mind deep in contemplation.

"But don't worry, I pose no threat to her; in fact, I am Arawn's older brother," Merlin said, his enigmatic tone disappearing.

"I just happened to cross paths with you when you were leaving Arawn's home," he continued.

Ragnar then placed the bag near him, saying in shock, "Arawn's older brother?"

"Indeed, I am Arawn's older brother," Merlin said with a chuckle

Ragnar rose, visibly shaken by the revelation, his jaw slightly opened and his hand resting on the table.

"Enough with the chit-chat; it's getting darker, so we should do this quickly," Merlin said, his gaze fixed on the window beside him.

He then placed the staff with the blazing fire dancing on top of a stand as he stretched both of his old arms.

"Tell me, did Lady Ana ask for something else rather than an Ivory Bone Necklace and the Acherontian Crusher?" Merlin asked as he slowly placed the Velvet Sea Gemstone on the table.

"I'll check," Ragnar said.

Ragnar stood upright and retrieved the piece of paper written by Lady Ana. Slowly unfolding it, he began to read.

"She wrote... four medium-sized injections," Ragnar counted.

"Stay put; I'll fetch the items," Merlin said, preparing to fulfill Lady Ana's request.

Ragnar carefully folded the paper, the vivid red glow of the Velvet Sea Gemstone captivating his gaze. Just as Merlin was leaving, Ragnar's curiosity got the better of him, prompting him to ask.

"What's that?" Ragnar asked, gesturing toward the Velvet Sea Gemstone.

Merlin paused and fixed his gaze on the Velvet Sea Gemstone as he looked at Ragnar.

"If you're interested in learning about it, open the book to page two-hundred-thirteen," Merlin directed, gesturing toward the book on the table.

With that, Merlin proceeded to gather the items. Meanwhile, Ragnar made his way to the book, clutching it with his large hands.

"Celestial Genesis

By Chris Autumn"

The book, with its dusty brown leather cover, was retrieved and examined by Ragnar. After wiping the surface with his right hand, he pulled the chair closer and took a seat. Slowly, he began to open the book.

Page by page, he meticulously turned each one with growing curiosity. After flipping through fifty pages, his patience began to wane. Another fifty pages later, he checked the page number and found it to be one hundred.

Continuing on, he turned another hundred pages, examined the page, and realized he had passed it. Reversing course, he finally arrived at page two hundred thirteen.

With unwavering focus, he fixed his gaze on the book and began to read.

"Sea Gem Stones:

These rare sea stones are the core essence of Titanus Leviathans, vital for maintaining their existence. Obtaining these gemstones requires the daunting task of defeating a Titanus Leviathan, a formidable challenge in itself due to their immense strength and connection to the 7 Titans.

To acquire a Sea Gem Stone, it must be absorbed by placing it in the palm and allowing it to gradually merge with the individual's blood, becoming an intrinsic part of them. Once integrated, the gemstone circulates within the bloodstream at a rate 10 times slower than regular blood flow. To activate its buff mode, the individual must inject the saliva of the Titanus Leviathan, triggering a reaction with their blood and the gemstone, resulting in a threefold increase in circulation and a substantial enhancement of physical and mental capabilities. Following each use, a cooldown period of 1 to 5 weeks ensues, determined by the body's response.

The Sea Gem Stones encompass six types, each corresponding to different species of Titanus Leviathans:

- Velvet Gem Stone

- Sapphire Gem Stone

- Viridian Gem Stone

- Saffron Gem Stone

- Onyx Gem Stone

- Pearl Gem Stone

These gemstones are not only rare and powerful but also intricately linked to the formidable strength and essence of the Titanus Leviathans, making them highly sought-after and immensely valuable.

Using the Sea Gemstones excessively may lead to severe consequences, including:

- Skin peeling off

- Organ failures

- Cardiac arrest

- Heart attack

- Stroke

- Fatigue and discomfort

- Muscle fatigue

Velvet Gemstone: Enhances the user's physical strength to extraordinary levels, unlocking a deep reservoir of inner rage and ferocity and empowering them to overcome formidable challenges with unparalleled might.

Velvet Gem Stone Buffs:

- It bestows the user with a substantial increase in strength and endurance, enabling them to perform tasks requiring up to 3 times their usual physical capabilities for a limited duration.

- Additionally, it bestows the user with a transformative physical enhancement, resulting in a more robust and resilient physique, further augmenting their physical prowess.

Velvet Gem Stone Nerfs:

- Effective utilization necessitates a high level of physical fitness, as the augmentation can overwhelm unprepared bodies, risking adverse effects.

- Repeated use may lead to enduring physical damage, potentially imposing permanent limitations if not employed with caution.

- Acquiring and using the item demands substantial resources and exacts a profound toll on the user's physical well-being, emphasizing its high cost.

- Prudent and disciplined use is imperative, as careless activation can yield severe consequences, underscoring the need for both physical and mental rigor.

- Once activated, the item imposes a prolonged cooldown period, underscoring its value as a scarce resource to be judiciously employed in critical circumstances.

Sapphire Gemstone: Elevates the user's intelligence and analytical prowess to exceptional heights, fostering a keen ability to discern patterns, solve complex problems, and make astute decisions.

Sapphire Gemstone Buffs:

- The user experiences a significant increase in intelligence, enabling them to process information swiftly and analyze data with exceptional speed, leading to improved decision-making and strategic planning capabilities.

Sapphire Gemstone Nerfs:

- The sudden influx of information and data may result in debilitating headaches or migraines, posing a significant challenge to the user's well-being.

- Prolonged use of the buff may lead to dependency, rendering the user unable to think clearly without its effects, potentially disrupting their cognitive functions.

- Long-term utilization of the Gemstone's abilities may precipitate memory loss, presenting a formidable risk to the user's cognitive well-being.

Viridian Gemstone: Heightens the user's speed and agility to exceptional levels, enabling them to move with unparalleled swiftness and grace, swiftly navigating through obstacles and evading threats.

Viridian Gemstone Buffs:

- The user experiences a drastic increase in speed and agility for a limited period, enabling them to move swiftly and adeptly, effectively evading attacks and navigating obstacles with unparalleled dexterity.

Viridian Gemstone Nerfs:

- The heightened speed and agility may lead the user to become careless and reckless, potentially resulting in injuries or loss of control.

- After the buff wears off, the user may experience temporary fatigue or muscle cramps, impacting their physical well-being.

- Prolonged use may engender difficulty in controlling speed and agility outside of the buff, posing challenges to the user's physical coordination and control.

Saffron Gemstone: Augments the user's emotional resilience and stamina, imparting an unwavering resolve and fortitude, allowing them to withstand adversity and maintain unwavering focus on their goals.

Saffron Gemstone Buffs:

- The user develops an extraordinary sense of focus and determination, becoming relentless and unwavering in their pursuit of goals.

- Their stamina increases significantly, enabling them to endure prolonged exertion and work tirelessly without succumbing to fatigue.

- The user becomes immune to emotional manipulation or external influence, maintaining unwavering focus and resilience.

Saffron Gemstone Nerfs:

- The heightened conviction may lead the user to become inflexible and unwilling to consider alternative perspectives or compromises.

- In pursuit of their goal, the user may exhibit impatience and recklessness, potentially disregarding caution and prudent decision-making.

Onyx Gemstone: Fortifies the user's durability, enabling them to withstand significant physical damage while also increasing their muscle mass and strength, empowering them for physical feats of strength.

Onyx Gemstone Buffs:

- The user gains exceptional durability, capable of withstanding substantial physical damage.

- They can effortlessly lift heavy objects and execute tasks demanding significant strength.

- The user experiences heightened stamina and endurance, enabling prolonged exertion without succumbing to fatigue."