CH169 - CH170
CH169
The chances of finding rule-infused items in the Death Swamp Ruins are slim, and they are hard to locate.
The last discovery of such an item was over a hundred years ago.
Despite this, many still venture into the ruins each time they open.
The Death Swamp Ruins open once every ten years, and this year marks their reopening.
The ruins are controlled by major wizard families and organizations, leaving independent wizards without a chance to enter.
Each faction has a limited number of slots, already allocated.
For the Moss family, losing a few slots is more painful than the 100,000 magic stone compensation.
The ruins contain items that magic stones can't buy, their value beyond measure.
Yet, under Augustus Academy's mediation, the Moss family must accept the outcome, despite any grievances.
***
"Helag, we have extra slots. Interested in the Death Swamp Ruins?" Brack asked with a smile.
Helag had earned great merit for the Terchy family, defending Kent Valley, and received a reward of 5,000 magic stones.
Additionally, the Terchy family offered Helag a slot for the Death Swamp Ruins, should he choose to go.
After learning about the ruins, Helag pondered the opportunity.
His primary concern was the danger.
The ruins are fraught with peril, though years of exploration have mapped safe and unsafe areas.
However, unforeseen variables could arise once inside.
Yet danger brings opportunity, and the ruins hold many treasures.
Especially items with rule power, which, though Helag is currently gaseous, will be invaluable when he reaches crystallization.
Acquiring such items early would greatly aid his future, increasing his chances of advancing to a second-level wizard.
Missing this opportunity means waiting another ten years.
The Terchy family offering Helag a slot is a gesture of goodwill.
With more Terchy members entering, their strength increases.
Helag could simply follow them, collecting items along the way.
Though tempted, Helag felt unprepared, wary of potential mishaps.
He decided to go but planned to prepare thoroughly.
"How long until the Death Swamp Ruins open?" Helag asked.
"Three months," Brack replied.
"Three months should be enough. I'll prepare," Helag decided.
Now, he had some self-defense capability, unlike before.
With the decision made, Helag focused on preparation.
In three months, his strength wouldn't significantly increase, so he needed external aids.
This was an opportunity to test some ideas.
Returning to his underground lab, Helag instructed, "Deep Blue, simulate a magical item creation method. Requirements: stability, remote detonation capability, structure similar to previous-world bombs, and accessible materials."
Helag aimed to create bomb-like magical items, unseen in the Barrens.
His past-life experience taught him the power of compressed energy release, prompting this experiment.
[Task logged, simulation in progress, estimated five hours,] Deep Blue reported.
The method for creating magical items was in Deep Blue's database, though Helag hadn't tried it.
Five hours later.
[Simulation complete. Based on current data, the structure is as follows.]
A circular structure appeared before Helag, with a red crystal inside, wrapped in animal fur.
[Materials: Fire Lizard Crystal, Fire Lizard Fur, Niter, Mandrake Juice…]
Helag noted the main material was from a creature called the Fire Lizard.
These creatures, found throughout the Barrens, develop a Fire Lizard Crystal upon maturing.
The crystal allows the Fire Lizard to emit high-temperature flames, its primary energy source.
Deep Blue's structure used the crystal as a core, igniting it with magic, combined with special structures and components for explosive power.
The Fire Lizard Fur provided natural compatibility, ensuring stability.
Usage was simple: infuse a bit of magic into the sphere, then detonate with preset commands.
With the structure ready, it was time for experimentation.
First, Helag needed materials. He approached Brack, "Mr. Brack, could you procure Fire Lizard Crystals and Fur for me?"
"Fire Lizard? What's it for?" Brack asked, puzzled.
Fire Lizard Crystals are fire spell materials, but Helag specialized in dark energy, rarely buying such items.
"For experiments," Helag explained.
Brack didn't press further, nodding, "No problem. If I recall, a Fire Lizard Crystal and Fur set costs about thirty magic stones. How many do you need?"
"Ten sets for now, possibly more later."
Helag ordered a modest amount, intending to test the item's effectiveness before committing to more.
If unsatisfactory, he'd adjust materials and formulas, avoiding waste.
Three days later, ten Fire Lizard Crystals and Furs arrived.
The furs were small, just enough to wrap one set.
Fire Lizards were cat-sized, so their furs were small.
After paying three hundred magic stones, Helag returned to his lab, eager to begin his first magical item creation.
His status in the Terchy family had risen, ensuring quick material acquisition.
Back in the lab, Helag followed Deep Blue's structure to create the magical item.
The process was simple, far less complex than potion-making.
In an hour, Helag held a leather-wrapped sphere.
CH170
Helag went to the courtyard behind the inner castle, holding a leather-wrapped sphere.
He cast Absolute Defense on himself, stood at the courtyard's edge, infused a bit of magic into the sphere, and threw it.
As the sphere flew, Helag uttered, "Bumon!"
Boom!
A loud explosion followed, the sphere bursting into a massive fireball, sending a heatwave and shockwave outward.
"Deep Blue, measure the explosion's intensity," Helag requested, unharmed due to distance and his defense.
[Measuring…]
[Estimated explosion intensity: 23 units.]
Helag was pleased. "Not bad, it surpasses Malcolm's attack strength."
Deep Blue's energy compression and release design proved powerful.
"Deep Blue, name this magical item 'Fire Lizard Bomb,'" Helag instructed.
[Naming complete.]
With the successful experiment, Helag planned to make more Fire Lizard Bombs.
The more, the better; in danger, he could throw a bunch.
"My lord, what happened?" Shatia rushed over, sensing strong magic. Seeing Helag unharmed, she relaxed.
Helag had cared for her, creating a sense of reliance.
The master-servant contract influenced her, making her body and soul subordinate to him.
Moreover, if Helag died, Shatia would too, giving her reason to care.
"Just an experiment," Helag replied.
"That's good," Shatia sighed in relief.
The explosion was loud, heard throughout Kent Valley.
Brack came to check, asking, "What happened?"
Helag sheepishly smiled. "Just a small experiment."
"Small experiment?" Brack eyed him skeptically.
Helag changed the subject. "Mr. Brack, could you get more Fire Lizard Crystals and Fur?"
"Sure, how much?" Brack asked.
Seeing Helag unharmed, he didn't press further.
"Not much, a hundred sets," Helag said.
"A hundred?" Brack was shocked.
Helag chuckled, offering no explanation.
Brack understood and didn't pry. "Alright, I'll arrange it. This quantity should get a discount."
"Thank you, Mr. Brack," Helag said gratefully.
The Terchy family acted swiftly, delivering a hundred Fire Lizard Crystals and Fur to Blackrock Valley in two weeks.
It cost Helag 2,900 magic stones, quite cheap.
A single set was over thirty stones, but a hundred sets were 2,900, a significant discount.
Helag stored the materials in his space ring and returned to his lab, tirelessly making Fire Lizard Bombs.
In the Death Swamp Ruins, he'd face many dangers and first-level wizards from other factions.
Like Malcolm.
Though Helag could survive a crystallized wizard now, more preparation was wise.
He used all materials, meticulously crafting each Fire Lizard Bomb.
***
Two weeks later.
Helag's space ring held over a hundred Fire Lizard Bombs, quietly resting, their immense power hidden.
With two months until the Death Swamp Ruins opened, Helag turned to potion-making.
His space ring was stocked with most potions.
During his time at Blackrock Valley, he'd saved excess materials from potion orders.
These materials were his, so he brewed and stored potions for himself.
Over time, his space ring became a potion warehouse, with various types and quantities.
Helag hadn't neglected meditation, lighting the ninth star on his second diagram, six stars from completion.
He estimated two more stars would fill his mind with gaseous mental power.
Then, he'd begin the liquefaction phase, significantly boosting his strength.
This phase usually took longer, but absorbing royal elf blood advanced his mental power, accelerating his progress.
Over a month, the Terchy-Moss conflict subsided, restoring peace.
The Terchy family's potion gardens had suffered, reducing material output.
Potion materials and prices rose, partly due to lower production and Terchy's manipulation.
They used this to demonstrate strength, deterring potential enemies.
Potions and materials were essential, wizards couldn't do without them.
By controlling prices, the Terchy family recouped losses.
This couldn't last; Augustus Academy wouldn't allow market manipulation.
Temporary damage justified it, but prolonged action was unreasonable.
Prices began to fall, expected to normalize in two months.
Helag was relaxed, with few orders from the Terchy family.
His duel with the Moss elder had spread, gaining him fame.
Facing a crystallized wizard as a gaseous wizard was notable.
The Moss elder wouldn't admit it, but the Terchy family spread the story.
It damaged the Moss family's reputation and showcased Terchy's strength.
Our gaseous wizard made your crystallized wizard flee!