Chapter 30: Mutant #4

Chapter 30: Mutant #4

「Sage’s Conversion Stone

-Miscellaneous Item

-A magic stone created through the experiments and research of ancient mages. It is a product of chance in the chaotic environment of the Contaminated Deposit, and thus, this stone cannot be recreated by any means.

-「Realization of Desire」: Converts into the item most helpful at the current moment.

-Remaining Uses: 3」

The Conversion Stone began to emit a mystical light.

I don’t know what this stone will turn into.

The only thing I’m sure of is that whatever it is, it’ll definitely be helpful to me.

I once seriously researched the Sage’s Conversion Stone when I set my mind to it.

When is the most advantageous time to use this stone?

Early game? Mid-game? Late game?

My conclusion is that the best strategy is to use it immediately upon acquisition.

After all, receiving a valuable item early on and using it to snowball your growth is the most efficient way to level up.

If you use the Conversion Stone in the late game to receive a valuable item, it’s a bit less satisfying.

By then, you’re already strong enough to collect artifacts on your own, without needing the Conversion Stone.

It’s easy to understand if you compare giving 100 million won to a poor student who can’t even pay rent to giving 100 million won to Bill Gates.

‘I wonder what will come out.’

By the way, what will the Conversion Stone give me if I, a lich, use it?

I hope it doesn’t give me something like a pretty dress for a girl.

As I waited with anticipation, curiosity, and a hint of anxiety…

「Sage’s Conversion Stone has been converted into the Blood Grimoire.」

「The Conversion Stone awaits the rise of the next wish. Current Wish: 0% 」

「Remaining Uses: 2」

The light of the Conversion Stone faded, and it turned back into a shabby stone.

And then, a book with a blood-red cover appeared in my hand.

「Blood Grimoire

-Book Item

-A cursed grimoire containing the basics and advanced principles of necromancy. It is treated as a forbidden book in the world, and even harboring curiosity about this book is punishable by strict penalties. 」

‘Wow.’

So this is what it gives.

The ‘Blood Grimoire,’ one of the legendary magic books remaining in the world.

I never expected this.

However, it makes sense when I think about it.

Liches are the world’s foremost experts in ice magic and necromancy.

To regain my lost power, I must learn necromancy.

Indeed, the Sage’s Conversion Stone made an appropriate judgment.

‘Besides, this book is incredibly hard to get.’

A grimoire of necromancy, which involves raising the dead and casting all sorts of blood and curse magic.

Even if you decide to obtain it, the earliest you can acquire it is after the mid-game.

If I get the Blood Grimoire at this timing…

The calculator in my head started spinning rapidly.

‘This changes everything. It’s like I’ve grown wings for my growth.’

I carefully put the grimoire and the Conversion Stone into my pouch.

The Conversion Stone will grant me appropriate gifts two more times.

And after using all its uses, a fantastic event will occur.

I’m already looking forward to it.

“Kid, you look happy?”

Mitchell tilted her head, scrutinizing my face.

“Something good happen?”

“We finished exploring the dungeon safely, so of course, it’s good.”

“Right… It’s dirty and smells here, but the loot is quite good, isn’t it?”

Mitchell also smiled with satisfaction.

Wagner’s bag is now bulging more than before we entered the dungeon.

We didn’t skimp on food ingredients or consumables, but we collected even more loot.

Our spatial inventory was also full, so we had to shove things into any empty spaces in our bags.

That’s all money. I could already see the beautiful sparkle of gold coins in my eyes.

Especially this time, since we filled it with monster by-products that are much more expensive than rat tails or whiskers, we can expect a large profit.

“Then Estel, are we returning to Garden now?”

“Mm. We’ve cleared the last area of the dungeon… Let’s head back.”

Nod.

Wagner slung his shield and mace over his back and adjusted the straps of his heavy bag.

In a way, this guy is indispensable to our party.

Without him, the three of us-myself, Flora, and Mitchell-would have had to share the heavy load.

‘Okay, time to go back.’

We’ve gained almost everything we could here.

Yes, we did enough.

We took everything we could carry.

However, I couldn’t bring myself to move my feet and hesitated for a moment.

I know why.

‘There’s still one thing I missed…’

We thoroughly cleared the Contaminated Deposit, but that was only by obtaining the rewards through normal play.

If you play for maximum profit, there’s still ‘that boss’ remaining.

A hidden boss that only appears under specific conditions.

However, it’s just a pipe dream for now.

We didn’t prepare for it at all, as we hadn’t even considered it from the start.

Most importantly, it’s not a boss you can defeat just by wanting to; you need luck to meet it.

‘Maybe if the Vigilantes came here, it might be different.’

I licked my lips with regret.

“Estel. Let’s go quickly-“

“Ah, yes.”

Flora, who had been waiting, skipped over and grabbed my hand.

It can’t be helped.

I let go of my lingering feelings and left the boss room.

***

The atmosphere on the way back from the adventure was peaceful and friendly.

Even though it was still a dingy underground waterway with glowing fluorescent wastewater, it now felt somewhat familiar.

“We conquered this entire vast area. Pretty amazing, right? Huh?”

Flora ran ahead like an excited child, then dangled from Wagner’s shoulder.

No, she’s more like an excited puppy than a child…

Mitchell and Wagner, their tension eased, now watched Flora affectionately.

“Senior, watch where you’re going. You might fall into the dirty water again.”

“Yes-“

Flora, shaking her pigtails playfully, came up next to me.

“Estel, speaking of which, have you heard that a new cafe opened in Garden?”

“⋯No. It’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

“It’s amazing- A mage from Nirvana is personally making the tea. Want to go together when we get back? What do you think?”

Indeed, it’s about that time.

Cafes are places with minor enjoyable events that don’t offer special rewards, but this information is still important.

If the cafe opened around this time, it means the main event of the Garden Frontier, Dawson’s “Rebellion” event, is not far off.

I’ll have to start preparing for the next quest when we get back.

“Mitchell, what do you think? Let’s go together, Mitchell. Okay?”

“Tea? I’m not really into it.”

“Huh? Don’t elves usually like tea? I heard that with your sensitive sense of smell, you can enjoy the aroma more richly…”

“I don’t know about that. It just tastes bitter and rough.”

Mitchell waved her hand dismissively, shuddering.

This eccentric elf seems to only care about alcohol.

“As for me, I’m going to hit the jackpot this time. I have a good feeling about it. The dungeon exploration went smoothly too- maybe I’ll win ten, twenty times the amount?”

Ukyahyat-

A laugh full of desire, completely unlike an elf.

She definitely has “Gambling Addiction” in her traits. Without a doubt.

“I want to buy some new exercise equipment…”

Wagner mumbled to himself from behind, though no one asked.

Light conversation, a relaxed atmosphere.

Everyone feels more familiar with each other than before they first came to the dungeon.

This is my first non-named party in “Nine Stars,” formed by chance.

The mage, the warrior, the fighter- none of them have particularly outstanding abilities.

Their future growth isn’t guaranteed either.

They are just ordinary adventurers, the kind you can see anywhere in this world.

However, I don’t dislike them.

It’s okay to be ordinary.

Because they are ordinary, I like them.

‘I wouldn’t mind spending a little more time with them.’

At least, I want to lay the foundation for their growth.

So that they can manage on their own even without me.

“You guys.”

I made up my mind and opened my mouth.

My companions, who were each chattering away, turned to look at me.

“Are you perhaps… thinking of joining the Adventurer’s Guild?”

“The Adventurer’s Guild?”

Flora asked with a puzzled expression.

“Huh? I thought there wasn’t an Adventurer’s Guild in Garden-“

“Senior, even if it’s not now, maybe later. You never know what might happen. Who knows if an opportunity will arise?”

“That’s true.”

Living day by day as a transient adventurer in Garden doesn’t offer a bright future.

Ultimately, to take the next step, you need to play in bigger waters.

You need to leave Garden and venture into the wider world.

The fastest way to do that is to join a guild.

I’m also preparing to do so.

As Flora said, the underdeveloped western frontier of Garden has no proper infrastructure, not even an Adventurer’s Guild…

But I’m confident.

Just once.

A lifeline will descend from this gloomy sky and gray land.

It’s an opportunity that must not be missed.

“Does joining earn a lot of money?”

Mitchell said nonchalantly, picking her nose.

Ah, damn it…

When I’m trying to have a serious conversation with all my heart.

Don’t misuse that pretty face.

The round, clumped booger was flicked away and fell into the wastewater.

“Someone did suggest I join before. I took a look, and ugh, it was too complicated, so I declined then- but well, my mind can change.”

“If Mitchell does it, I’ll do it too! Let’s all four of us join, okay?”

Flora said, circling around us with sparkling eyes.

If she were a dog, she would surely be wagging her tail excitedly right now.

“Wagner, you too- Let’s do it together-“

“I don’t know if I’m qualified…”

Wagner seemed hesitant, perhaps lacking confidence.

In a way, this is a more realistic reaction.

After all, the Adventurer’s Guild isn’t just a local social club that anyone can join.

These guys are by no means useless trash, but they need to improve their skills more than they have now.

Even Mitchell, who is considered an ace, is barely making it. Especially Flora… she’ll have to work very hard.

However, if you truly intend to join the Adventurer’s Guild.

You’d better not regret that decision later.

I’ll grit my teeth and force you to reach the required level.

Even if you cry and beg, it’ll be irreversible then.

I have a personality that rarely compromises once I set a goal.

“If the opportunity arises, I too-“

“Bear, shush!”

Suddenly, Mitchell’s ears perked up.

Mitchell covered Wagner’s mouth with her palm, his eyes wide, and stared into the darkness ahead.

The relaxed atmosphere from moments ago vanished instantly, and a tense aura, like a taut bowstring, enveloped Mitchell.

“It’s coming… What’s coming?”

“A monster, or a person?”

“A person. Running, and… the footsteps are irregular. Are they stumbling? They might be injured.”

THUD.

Wagner placed his heavy bag on the ground.

Wagner didn’t ask any further questions and immediately took out his shield and mace.

Flora also closed her lips tightly with a tense gaze.

“There are three of them. What do we do, kid?”

The party was ready to fight.

The final decision rests with me, the party leader.

“I’ll decide after observing. If I raise my thumb upwards, we’ll observe for now. And if I lower it-“

I made a slicing motion across my throat with my thumb.

However, even though I said that…

My mind was already almost made up.

The underground waterway is an area that cannot be entered without the Captain of the Guard’s permission.

There should be no one else in here besides our party.

If, despite that, someone else has entered…

“Huuuh, huff- Damn, what are these guys?!”

A rough shout, like that of a wounded beast, shook the waterway.

And then, three men, drenched in blood and sweat from head to toe, suddenly appeared from the darkness.

So it was you guys.

To run into the Vigilante search party after overcoming a one-in-five probability.

Is it good luck or bad luck?

“Just one question.”

One of the Vigilantes looked at me with eyes filled with hatred.

“Those traps behind us… Did you guys set them?”

“Traps? There were traps? You should be more careful.”

I gave a deliberately innocent smile.

Estel is a baby.

Estel knows nothing.

“It seems so.”

The Vigilante spat blood-mixed saliva.

Judging by their appearance, they seem to have had a very difficult time due to the traps I laid.

I wish they would tell me in detail.

After all, I made them with some care.

But there’s no time for that.

We’re not in a situation where we can sit down and chat amicably.

Shall we begin?

“Everyone.”

With a chilling smile-

Swish.

I lowered my thumb towards my party members.