Chapter 146: Precious Item

Their return to the village went smoother than they had expected as the Forest Rats had cleared out the area… 

The veteran hunters with them even discovered the path that the rats have taken… Their discovery is important as it would allow them to predict the situation of the forest. 

"They're going in the direction where the Flesh-Eating Plants are…" One of the Hunters said.

"Hmm… Isn't that a good thing?"

"They might've been attracted by its scent…"

"I just hope that the Plants can just eat them all."

The Flesh-Eating Plants they are referring to are monster-like plants that eat any small creatures like rabbits, birds, and frogs… They are located in the eastern part of the forest.

This may be an opportunity to lessen the number of Forest Rats as they lost their natural predator, the Crypt Crawlers.

"Flesh-Eating Plant?" Stella muttered as she tries to recall any information about it. She hadn't encountered one yet so it was a bit difficult to remember.

"It is a dangerous plant that can be found in one of the partially explored regions in the forest…" Misha said after hearing her.

"I see… I haven't seen one yet… Are they harmful to humans too?"

"Oh… Not really... Right, you should check its information in the Hunters Association. I heard that you'll be given a license after this mission…"

"Yes… I will look for it…"

"Well, let me tell you now… The Flesh-Eating Plant that could eat small animals is not an ordinary plant as it can slowly move on soft ground… The people who had no idea what it is may think of it as a harmless flower plant growing on top of a small rock… but the truth is that the alluring scent coming from the flower is just a perfect bait and the rock below is the camouflaged Flesh-Eating Plant… It would just open its mouth once something touched the flower… Interesting, isn't it?"

"I think that it's sounded terrifying than being interesting…"

Stella replied as they continued their way to the village… It was good to learn new things like this.

Finally, before the sun goes down, they managed to return home. The village is safe and sound as no one attacked the place while they were out.

Stella heaved a sigh of relief after realizing this.

"Stella… Are you hungry? I have prepared a meal for you…" Her uncle Hemil asked after she arrived home.

"Ahh… Uncle! Thank you! I'll have some after I take a bath…"

The young girl felt dusty and she can even smell the stench of blood on her clothes… She's uncomfortable with this as she quickly cleaned herself.

She envied her master a bit as he remained clean whatever the situation is.

On the other hand, Reiji stayed in Stella's room as he studied the stones that they've collected. 

Together with this stone was the Beast Core of the Phantom Wolf that she killed a while ago.

Stella's complete reward for this mission will be handed tomorrow as everyone was tired and exhausted. Some of them even suffered heavy injuries and needed a doctor's help…

Unfortunately, there is no doctor in this small village and they could only rely on various medical herbs and potions provided by the apothecarist. 

***

[ Unable to identify. ] 

Reiji got the same notification from his guide as he tried to appraise the stones…

However, as soon as he planned to set aside the stones, there was another notification from the guide… 

This has never happened before. 

[ The deity has felt the presence of a precious item in your possession. ]

[ Would you like to sacrifice it to the deity or would you like to use your Blessed status to ask for it to be fixed? ] 

Reiji was surprised but a sudden realization occurred to him.

"Huh?! Does it mean that he's really watching me?" Reiji couldn't help but be conscious. 

[ No, but you have a connection with the Deity. ] 

"Eh?"

Reiji couldn't fully understand the situation. However, it seems that the stones were so precious that even the deity has felt its presence… 

He tried asking about the reward for sacrificing it but even the guide was unaware as it said that it would depend on the deity… 

On the other hand, fixing it may not benefit Reiji at all…

After all, his growth would depend on his Skill Points and not on external items…

Reiji deliberated for a moment since the guide wasn't rushing him to make a decision.

He'll take all the time he needs to make a good choice... 

'If the item attracted even Albeiron, then these broken pieces of stones must be extremely valuable. Hmm… Even the Red Wolf Gang or the spies sent by the Dukedom was looking for it… No--- I think that it is the Duke himself that is secretly looking for this item…'

Reiji glanced at the normal-looking stones before he made a decision…

"Guide, please use my status as a blessed to request fixing this item."

[ Request has been made. ] 

As soon as Reiji made a decision, the guide immediately acted. Soon, the stones in front of Reiji lit up…

He didn't see what happened but as he looked at the stones again, they seemed to have merged into one bigger stone…

It is about the same size as an infant's fist. 

It is now a black spherical stone and it emitted an incredible aura…

The aura emission happened only for a short while as it was retracted quickly... but Reiji didn't miss it and felt its amazing aura…

"What is this thing?" He couldn't help but ask. He wasn't expecting a concrete answer but surprisingly, the Guide can now identify the item.  It might be due to Albeiron's interference.

[ Ancient Arcane Stone – Imperfect ] 

[ An item that allows the humans to connect to the world of Arcana. Due to being forcefully fixed by unknown energy, the power it can provide was restricted.  ]

[ Skills ]

[ Summon: Connect to the unfiltered Arcane World to find a fated Arcana.

Usage Limit: 30  ]

[ Spiritual Pressure: Exert pressure to a limited range around the stone. The user who activated the skill would be unaffected by the pressure. 

Energy Requirements: 10 units / 20 seconds ] 

Reiji couldn't help but be amazed at the treasure in front of him…

This is too good to be true!

From the time he spent together with Diether and Stella, he fully understood the difficulty of getting a chance to summon an Arcana…

The easiest method that he discovered was the Arcana Bestowal Ceremony in the Dukedom where someone could just pay 25,000 gold coins or so to get a chance to summon an Arcana… 

However, right now, he has this precious item in front of him!

'Incredible… Even the Spiritual Pressure included is extremely valuable!'

Although he can't use the item, it will surely benefit any people that he favored…

'Hehe… This is amazing… I can use Stella to experiment now…'

Reiji thought as he heard that she just finished bathing… It seems that she's about to have her dinner now.

'Hmmm, this might not be a good time.'

Anyway, he was not in a hurry so he'll let Stella have a rest first.

They can do this tomorrow after she had a good sleep and regained her energy… After all, they only have 30 chances and the tired Stella might experience some trouble while summoning an Arcana…

The young girl finished eating and returned to her room…

'Master? Are we going to continue our daily practice tomorrow?'

'Mhmm… Not for now. Just have a good rest.'

Stella asked this so she knows whether she had to wake up early or not…

'I will! Goodnight, Master… I'm really sleepy now…'

As soon as Stella was asleep, Reiji decided to complete his Hold On Mission as he lied beside her.

After 3 hours, he received his 30 SP reward and was provided a new mission… 

It was "Hold Me More" for 15 hours with 50 SP as a reward. The guide was truly generous after he advanced to Rare-Rank.

***

'Stella… I'll need some of your blood. When will you bleed?'

Reiji is currently practicing his words for later use. He wanted to discuss his blood-related mission with Stella once she woke up.

'Mhmm… I think just asking her to donate some of her blood should be enough…'

However, the problem is that the blood that he needed for the mission wasn't a small amount. It is 1 pint of blood!

He then decided to confirm some things with the guide.

Luckily, he doesn't have to consume this blood in one go. He can do it little by little until it reached the amount required to complete the mission…

"Urgghhh…"

Stella slowly woke up as the sunlight hits her face…

'Good morning, Master… I think I've slept too long…' Stella said after noticing the sunlight outside.

'That's fine…'

Reiji replied as he allowed her to fix her bed first before he decided to ask her about the blood mission.