Chapter 220 - Lifespan

"What? So I was just about to get kidnapped?" Laura felt a chill up her spine as soon as Cyril finished telling Slayer Three's story.

Vanessa just went silent as she digested the story. After a while, the young lady sighed as she asked Cyril an important question.

"Where is he?"

"He's still outside. He's under some hypnosis so he's following my orders at the moment." Cyril answered.

"What about his informant inside the building?"

"I already checked and he's only a clerk. He won't be going anywhere."

"Then, we'll have to settle this immediately." Vanessa said with a scary look on her face.

Cyril noticed something about it so he carefully asked.

"Do you know about the Enigma?"

Cyril had never heard about this, however, if Vanessa knows something like this is existing, it wouldn't be surprising.

"I… I heard about them, Cyril. Even the underworld organization didn't like this cult. However, I heard that they do not want anything to do with Arcane Explorers."

Vanessa explained which stunned the two.

"Doesn't want anything to do with Arcane Explorers? Does anyone even want that? Exploring an Arcane World that gives precious Artifacts and resources that couldn't be found in this world is very rewarding. It comes with power and wealth. Everyone would want to be connected to them one way or another."

Laura said matter-of-factly.

Cyril nodded in agreement as he had the same opinion. Politicians, Businessmen, Mid-Class Workers, and even students would want to be connected to Arcane Explorers.

It wasn't just about fame or wealth but it's because strength gains respect and assurance…

It's not easy to be an Arcane Explorer after all. Anyone capable of exploring should be capable of fighting monsters which is an incredible thing and not many people who are also Awakened can do it.

"Well, this organization believes that we also have to destroy the Entrance Crystals and no one should be exploring them. They say that it destroys the sanctity of this Earth if we are taking things out from another world."

Vanessa explained with a sigh.

"Ugh… No wonder you call them a cult. That's absurd." Cyril would of course not sympathize with such ideology.

However, as he tries to recall his previous life, he really can't find any memories related to them.

He was either too weak to know it or a more powerful organization actually wiped them out and it was never made public at all.

Nevertheless, even Slayer Three doesn't really know much about the purpose of their organization. It appears that the branch he was in only dealt with killing people that have the potential of going up against their organization…

Well, Cyril is only guessing but if Vanessa is saying the truth, then this organization is really quite large.

"Whatever… Can you handle them? I don't want to be involved with this creepy cult. I can hand over Slayer Three if you want me to."

"That would be helpful."

***

Cyril returned home after getting all the information he needed.

Of course, it includes a sheet of paper that contains the detailed information of the two Rank-S Artifacts that he may borrow when exploring Arcane World inside the Association.

[ Diamond-Rim Monocle ]

[ Rank: S ]

[ Durability: 100/100 ]

[ Skills: Mind Possession, Aura Vision, Disruptor ]

[ Mind Possession ]

[ Description: Allows the user to take over the target's body for a 20-second duration.

Note: Only targets within 50 meters are affected. ]

[ Aura Vision ]

[ Description: Allows that user to see the existence of Aura.

Note: It has low Aura consumption but it consumes stamina. ]

[ Disruptor ]

[ Description: Allows the user to create a specified area that stops any magical abilities from activating.

Note: The disruptor can't recognize friend or foe upon activation within the circle of influence. ]

Cyril found these skills quite amazing, especially the Disruptor. It has similarities with his Conqueror Staff's Magic Seal but instead of a targeted spell, this one can cover a designated area for a long duration or until the supply of Aura was cut off.

[ Divine Chalice ]

[ Rank: S ]

[ Durability: 100/100 ]

[ Skills: Bless, Holy Ray, Holy Water, Divine Retribution ]

[ Bless ]

[ Description: Allows the user to Bless any item that would last until the holy powers run out.

Note: Bless Ability can't be used to living things. ]

[ Holy Ray ]

[ Description: Allows the user to create a ray of light to fight against evil.

Note: The ray of light can only last for five seconds. It will work against evil creatures and even curses. At the same time, it can also heal the injuries of non-evil beings. ]

[ Holy Water ]

[ Description: Fills the Chalice with water that contains holy powers.

Note: It contains a powerful healing effect that is even capable of reattaching a severed limb. ]

[ Divine Retribution ]

[ Description: Summons a rain of lightning to a targeted area. ]

[ Note: It can summon up to 7 lightning strikes. ]

Cyril carefully read the skills.

Considering that they are going to the Undead World, he decided to go with the Divine Chalice. As for the Diamond-Rim Monocle, there was no way he could use the Mind Possession against the undead and he already has a Magic Seal even though Disruptor is quite a better choice.

"Next week will be the exploration, I still have some time."

Cyril said as he confronted Xagan.

"Xagan, do you remember the offer you have given me before, about the Death's Eye?"

"Oh? Are you willing to take that offer?"

Xagan no longer looked bored as he excitedly asked.

Previously, Xagan hinted to him that his Aunt doesn't have a long time to live. So Xagan suggested giving up his life to give it to her.

After he managed to extend his life, he knows that he can extend her life with his life. It was a previous transaction that he decided to set aside since he doesn't have that much time on his own. However, that was the past.

He's now seriously considering how to extend his Aunt's life and of course, he's interested to see the other's time as well.

"It's 20 years to get the Death's Eyes, right?"

Cyril asked.

"That's correct, Contractor. However, that was the offer before. The price has increased and it's now 50 years."

"What? You're not supposed to do that!" Cyril complained as the prices have never changed before. It's all about the powers that Xagan will have to use and he wouldn't lie about that.

"Don't worry, I'm not negotiating, Contractor. The reason why the price increased is that your Elemental Eye will have a complication with the Death's Eye."

"Ahh…"

Cyril then realized his left eye and indeed, there were changes to it.

"Why not just give the Death Eye to my right eye? It will avoid the complication and that should only cost me 10 years, right?" Cyril added.

"That's not how it works, Contractor. The Death's Eye is extremely powerful that humans shouldn't even possess. The real Demon's Death Eye can never be handled by non-demons. The one I'm offering you is already a bargain since it is adjusted to be given to humans."

Xagan answered as he allowed Cyril to think.

He's only expecting to spend 20 years, so now that the price suddenly increased, he had to consider it for a while. After all, this is not a short lifespan to be taken away.

"Haa~ For now, just tell me how many years were left to my Aunt. How much will that be?"

Cyril knows that his Aunt should've died after the Vampire Outbreak. However, her Aunt obviously survived even with an early outbreak. It means that the future should've changed.

"Learning the lifespan of another individual will cost 100 days of your life, Contractor. Deal?"

"Well, that sound's reasonable to me. Deal."

The transaction went smooth as Xagan announced Bonnie's remaining life span.

"She still has 93 days, Contractor."

"What?!"

Cyril asked in shock!

That was just three months from now!

"Why is it too little?" Cyril asked but he didn't really want an answer from Xagan.

He immediately realized what was about to happen.

"There will be more Outbreaks? This… If I prevented her death, will it increase again, Xagan?"

"The answer is complicated and it will touch the rule of death so it will cost you another 100 days for that, Contractor…"

"What? Isn't the answer just a simple yes or no? Haa~ Never mind. Don't answer that. It should be common sense--that stopping the cause of death will extend their life, right?"

Cyril asked but Xagan only smiled in answer.

Anyway, Cyril decided to use the life exchange offer he had before.

"I want to extend her life… You offered it to me before and you said that to extend her life, the extended life must be taken from me…"

"You're correct, Contractor."

"Then, add 100 years to her life now."

Cyril still has two fruits of life but the process of digesting it might be too much for his Aunt. Since Xagan can do the transfer, he might as well just do it to make it a lot easier.

"That's a good deal, Contractor."

Xagan replied with an evil smile.