Chapter 78 78: An Incredible Find

"Y-You are willing to provide me with the funding needed to continue my research? Keith, are you serious? But no, that will be a lot of money on the line. How can I-"

Clement seemed to be in a moral dilemma over Keith's money. It would have been cute if it was not irritating now.

"Clement, I have a lot of fucking money so take it. Do not embarrass me by making me out to be some poor fool who is getting scammed."

Clement was red in the face after Keith finished speaking. He seemed to not be able to gather his thoughts but he slowly came around.

"A-Ah, is that so? Of course, you said you were a big shot and I trust you. In that case, I will take your generosity."

Clement was still hesitant about taking what Keith gave him but he seemed to be finally coming around. Keith gave him some cash and a phone number to contact Keith with.

It was stored with Clement's special ability so that he would never lose it. And then Keith's guide disappeared to found a solid establishment of his own.

Keith wanted to go back as well but he needed to have a closer look at this village before.

Now that he had a signal on his phone again, he decided to look up what these words meant. Keith was sure this all had something to do with the cursed land and the fallen gods.

The name that popped up after a quick search was expected -aLtheria.

These letters were the name of the village Keith had been searching for. Things were becoming a little clearer in Keith's mind after he had time to think it over.

It was said in the report that aLtheria disappeared suddenly from the map and no one knew why. But it was clear that it was because of the god and their wrath. They had caused the village to fall a rift.

The fallen gods were also a mystery Keith wanted to unwrap. But he doubted Clair would tell him anything regarding this. She had not even reacted when Keith had told her where he was going.

'Anyway, I will likely not find anything even if I stay here. It would be better for me to head home now.'

Keith picked himself up and started walking out. But as soon as he was out the village door, he got a feeling that he was forgetting something. It caused him to turn around and walk back into the village.

He let his feelings lead him into the village center and enter the destroyed temple.

He then looked inside and there was a small artifact that was calling out to him. It was a small earring, a little long and girly for his taste. But its power was calling out to Keith.

The earring wanted Keith to wear it and use its power. There was also some ancient text that was lying on the side and Keith tried to read it.

'Those who have power, heed my warning and do not come closer.

My powers are only for the hopeless and desperate for I have taken mercy on them.'

That was all the ancient text spoke of before it combusted into flames. Keith clutched the earring tightly in his hand and decided to keep it for the time being.

He would get it checked out for curses and other things before he wore it on his person.

If he was thinking the right thing, then Keith had just managed to find one of the most valuable things he could. He would finally no longer be hopeless and would have the power of his own.

'Well, looks like that was all this village had to offer me. I should get going back now. Master Olivia's tournament will take place soon and I need to make a name for myself before that.'

Keith needed to find a nearby town to get the artifact checked out. He had plans to follow that.

...…

"Hmm, this thing has no curse on it but it does have a mana-absorbing nature. I would advise you not to wear it on your person if you do not want to be sucked dry. I have no idea how you managed to not die this far."

As soon as Keith had reached a reputable town, he had looked for Merlin's shop in it. The same old man he had seen in the first shop opened the door for Keith.

Somehow, Keith got the feeling that this was the same man he had formed a contract with.

But Keith decided not to spend too much time interpreting his feelings and get the man's problem out of the way. He took out the earring he had on him and handed it over.

Merlin's face was a mask of surprise and horror as soon as he touched the earring. Marlin almost threw the earring away before Keith managed to prevent it.

"So, this is the real thing? It absorbs mana and stores it. Can that stored mana be used?"

Keith was getting excited suddenly but his face did not show it. What a priceless artifact he had managed to find in his outings.

"Use this cursed thing? Of course, you cannot use it. You will be sucked dry before you try it, so you might as well give up."

Merlin threw the earring toward Keith with a frown on his face. He seemed to advise it as unwise for Keith to use this cursed thing.

But Keith was determined to use it. After all, he had no mana to abuse so he did not fear being sucked dry.

Merlin looked terrified to see Keith holding the earring with his bare hands but his terrified look turned to shock as soon as he noticed that nothing happened to Keith.

"Oh god, what kind of monstrosity are you to be able to hold that earring with your naked hands? Are you even human?"

Keith was satisfied with the outcome. If this thing was not cursed, he would like to use it.

"Hmm, human? Yes, I am human. I am very much human but I guess you can say I am a bit special. I hope you will remember our deal, old man, and keep your mouth quiet about this."

Keith waved his hand which caused Merlin to shake his head. The old man wanted nothing to do with this cursed item.

"Sure kid. This old man wants no trouble so I will go and bleach my mind of this memory now. I do not need unnecessary trouble in my life."

After all, Merlin was old enough to recognize a godly artifact in his life. Those cursed things were bearers of extreme power and a relic of lost civilizations.

Whosoever held them was gifted extreme power but also a cursed fate. They had caused the end of civilizations because of human greed.

"Keith, I wonder how you will use this new power you have been given. Will you become a salvation or a calamity that will end this world?"

The gods always had a plan for the world but they were also bastards who did not want to be dragged down from their thrown.

They would make their move soon and then this world would change once again. It was the fate of those who were born for the gods. They had to serve the gods until their dying breath.

Meanwhile, Keith exited the shop with a happy expression on his face.

The first thing he needed to do was to get his ears pierced. It was an easy thing to do with wearing the earring was a challenge.

Although it weighed nothing, its presence was still very much noticeable to Keith. It tugged on his hair and his clothes when he moved around since it was made in an elongated style.

But Keith got used to its weight quickly as well.

He waited one day for his ear to head up and then it was time for Keith to use its power and try it out. He quickly moved toward the outside of the town so that he would not be caught.

And then he had the first real problem of his ordeal - how do you use this earring?

It had not come with an instruction manual and Keith had used the mana stone without caring much about how much output he needed from it.

But this earring was different. It was an unlimited supply of mana and would keep up with Keith as long as he was able to keep on regulating it.

There was one tiny problem with all this - Keith did not know how to feel mana.

Usually, people regulated their mana output by looking at their consumption but Keith could not do it with his current body.

So, it was back to square one for him. He needed to find another way to manage his mana output.