Upon confirming the death of Mahat III, I swiftly headed towards the throne. Turning back, I shouted, "There is still some demonic energy inside. I will open the device to release it outside! Wait!"
Ella, who was watching me from beyond the wall, made a circle with her fingers. A person who likes money or treasure would naturally be interested in the spoils connected to the end of the battle. Yet, she seemed rather relaxed, as if enjoying the current situation. Maybe that’s why she was having various conversations with Chloe, who had come to her side.
I checked the small door located right behind the throne. It's a kind of ventilation system that releases the demonic energy from the underground stone chamber and also leads to the 'Emperor's Secret Chamber.'
Clunk. Clunk clunk.
I opened the door with Mahat III's tears and stepped inside. Indeed, the Emperor's Secret Chamber was there. I pulled the lever of the ventilation system, visibly installed at the entrance, all the way down. Then, from the direction of the underground stone chamber, there was a sound as the wind began to escape.
"Alright, then...!"
Subconsciously, I swallowed my saliva. Now, the time for serious spoils acquisition begins.
[Raphr's Potion]
[Category Grade: 1-Star]
[This is a one-time potion developed by the eccentric ancient researcher Raphr. It grants an experience boost corresponding to its dosage. It may cause mild headaches or dizziness.]
"Kyaa... How happy I was after drinking this potion in <Paradiso>! There's nothing as leisurely as leveling up for free with a bowl of sweet potion, right?"
Without hesitation, I opened the bottle of potion and drank it in large gulps. In <Paradiso>, this was a spoil that only dropped with a 9% probability upon completion of a raid, but luckily I got it. I felt good, thinking that I was closer to the 9% success than the 91% failure.
As soon as I drank the potion, the level-up message persistently dazzled my eyes. Since the potion provides a fixed amount of experience, the relative perceived effect is greater when your level is low. Once you drink it after surpassing level 100, even if your level goes up by 1, it's often at best just enough to fill part of the experience bar.
[.......]
[Level Up! Lv. 30 Achieved!]
[You have achieved level 30 and completed the quest 'Third Limit Breakthrough.' You received 30 Wisdom as a reward!]
'Today is definitely my day, absolutely!'
When entering, I was level 8, but now I've reached level 30. The quick level-up today was due to a title I had been targeting for a while.
And as expected, after a slight time delay, the title notification activated.
[You have obtained the title 'Tireless Challenger.' The blessing and grace of a god descends, activating the 'Mystery of Salvation' once.]
Mystery of Salvation. It's a god's grace that maintains an invincible force field protecting the body for 10 seconds when your health falls below 1. Though it's unknown which god in this world granted this grace, it's known to have been created by one of the gods who is very favorably inclined towards humans.
Since it grants immunity to all attacks for 10 seconds, it can be used to escape dangerous situations or recover health, which is a significant advantage. For someone like me, who must face countless trials and crises and is sometimes in perfect situations to die, it's a necessary one-time safety gear.
Such grace connected with gods can only be obtained when meeting certain situations, so it's always important to be mindful and collect them.
I don't know, but... somewhere at this moment, the protagonist growing might be steadily gathering such graces as well. Of course, since they receive the protagonist's advantage, they will get it with good luck each time, but!
"Oh!" I almost threw the empty glass potion bottle on the ground unconsciously but narrowly caught it with my other hand. 'I should refill it later.'
Although it's described as a one-time potion, that's not entirely true. After filling it with holy water blessed by the High Priest and leaving it as is, the potion bottle filled with holy water transforms into Raphr's Potion again every January 1st.
This memory. It's a precious legacy left by a stingy user – who shall remain a secret – who treasured even a trivial glass bottle in reality. It's a kind of reset bug, similar to ownership reset bugs. Since it was a bug that exclusively activated once a year for Raphr's Potion, it wasn't well known or fixed due to lack of attention. Normally, to easily raid a tomb, you'd need to come when your level is much higher, around level 80 or so. Therefore, the developers probably didn’t feel the need to fix it.
I continued checking the spoils waiting for a new owner in the Emperor's Secret Chamber.
5 minutes later.
I first stored all the artifact spoils I obtained in subspace. I intended to decide at the mansion whether to use or keep them related to options. Instead, I proceeded more cautiously with understanding the two spoils that caught my attention. There were two more spoils I hadn't expected to get here.
[Magical Engineering Blueprint - Image Device]
[Draws a special magic circle into a magic stone to create a device that can store and output about 1 hour of images.]
'There may not be broadcasts in this world, but it could be useful for recording. When my production level rises later, and the supply of high-quality magic stones becomes smooth, it could also be used for CCTV purposes.'
I obtained the blueprint for the image device.
In <Paradiso>, it was an item sold in the cash shop. It was something that users could easily get to connect their play with broadcasts. Of course, there would be no such broadcasts in this world, and I wouldn’t have expected such a device now, ten years before the main story. But there it was. With this, I could collect much more detailed information than simply sending scouts to neighboring territories or enemy lands! I had obtained the best means necessary for territory management and intelligence activities.
And one more.
[Ancient Spellbook - Mana Transmutation]
[One of the five spellbooks left behind by the eccentric wizard Ibenaer, who was so obsessed with magic that he eventually sealed his soul into an artifact. It allows substituting damage that would reduce health by 1 with a consumption of 20 mana. However, mana recovery stops while mana transmutation is in effect.]
Ibenaer is known as a wizard from the 400th year of the Nas Continent calendar, meaning a thousand years ago. He is famous in history books for researching various unique magics and magical engineering, but there was no knowledge passed down. Yet here, I acquired one of his lost knowledge items. Though the exchange rate between health and mana is heavily unbalanced, it's a good choice for wizards who avoid investing stats in health. Considering my mana, which is over 1300, it's like getting an extra 65 health for free.
"Whew, it was really a significant strategy." I heaved a hot sigh and stepped out of the Emperor's Secret Chamber. Before leaving. I didn’t forget to wrap a long piece of cloth around my waist, which was conveniently lying in a corner of the chamber. This was because my pants were completely burned away in the battle with Mahat III, and I needed a means to cover my embarrassing lower body. It turned out looking like I was wearing a skirt, but I didn't care.
In this tomb raid, I collected without exception the spoils, including seven artifacts. It was a fruitful raid with clear objectives achieved.
On the way out of the tomb. Jared's group returned the way they had entered, and nothing happened. Taking a moment, Jared checked the stats of Isabelle and Chloe and confirmed that both had significantly leveled up. In Isabelle's case, her illusory rites were more than twice as powerful as before, and her mana had increased twofold. Even though it was a short-term training, she felt and realized a lot herself.
For Chloe, there was a newly developed special trait, Weakness Analysis C, and with the level, her agility stat increased. Each experienced a rapid increase in their main areas.
"Thank you, Mr. Jared," Chloe first expressed her gratitude to Jared.
Although the education she received from Ella was of great help for her growth, this type of practical battle was the first for her. Chloe had so many thoughts before starting, as she had only learned practical skills theoretically. However, the real-life experience she accumulated under Jared's reliable support was of immense help.
She realized a lot herself. That theory and practice are indeed worlds apart. And observing Jared's approach, she learned.
At times, the intuitive reaction of the body can be faster than weighing the pros and cons of each situation in the mind.
'If my mentor is the type to subdue with power, Mr. Jared is the type to sharply target weaknesses. In fact, I need a strategy like Mr. Jared's...'
Based solely on tendencies, she was more interested in Jared's combat style. His guerrilla-style combat, avoiding frontal confrontation and striking swiftly, was similar to her approach as an assassin.
'I must request his guidance later.'
Chloe made up her mind. While Ella is undoubtedly a good teacher, she felt that Jared could also offer her much guidance. Just attempting various attack options against the Stone Golems taught her a great deal.
At that moment, Jared's eyes glanced sharply, and his gaze met Chloe's for a moment. It was the first time they faced each other directly like this, so Chloe was startled and bowed her head. Somehow, there was a tingling feeling, causing her heart to flutter. But Jared, seemingly unconcerned, chuckled and asked Ella, "Did you collect a lot of magic stones?"
"A lot! At this level, Chloe could gather as much as the fee I received for the request!"
Ella was beaming. Even though they were not her own spoils, seeing her disciple Chloe achieve such results made her happy. Chloe spoke. "I will also set aside a share for you, Master."
"This is not about paying tribute. What do you mean? The reward for effort should go to the one who made the effort. Be careful with that generous nature."
"Master."
"The world is not so pure. I will take my share. Without giving it away lightly."
"I deeply agree."
Jared nodded. Whenever he heard Ella's words, Jared often found himself reflecting. She was right. The world often favors those who prioritize themselves. Living an altruistic life, helping others while letting go of oneself, leaves nothing in return. 'In my past life, people like that were often called pushovers.'
Looking back, he realized he too had lived quite a pushover-like life. Despite having nothing, he selflessly sacrificed himself while pretendedly caring for the people around him. Then he would complain about those who thoroughly secured their own interests and rights.
'In this life, I will never do that. I will surely live for myself, and for my territory. I will not tolerate anything that obstructs me!'
Jared firmly resolved. Now, he acquired all the advantages he could preemptively secure from the territory. He raided Deluc's hideout to obtain artifacts and captured Mahat III's tomb to gain levels and other artifacts.
'Shall I now focus my capabilities on the development of the territory?'
Jared's gaze was shining with a growing brilliance.
End of Chapter 52