Chapter 102: The Abyssal Wayfinder

The green demonic energy coursing through the map came to life with a soft sizzle when he unfurled it.

As if painting the blank parchment, it drew the city walls with impressive accuracy, at least enough for him to see the static defenses crowning it.

His eyes narrowed, and a soft gasp escaped his lips as the map continued.

Habitations appeared one after another to fill the blanks. Above them, short words hovered in green to tell what they were.

Finally, under the hovering name of the inn, he saw an arrow representing him.

Intrigued, he tucked his fingers around his chin and stepped forward.

Surprisingly, the arrow moved simultaneously, causing his eyes to widen at the map's true value.

"It's a real-time mini-map!" His hands trembled around the rough parchment as his heart raced against his chest. "Fifty gold coins for it? What a bargain!"

But more than a simple map, he couldn't lose it so long as he didn't sell it! Still, the area depicted seemed a little small despite the remarkable details.

The moment the concern crossed his mind, the green flames swirled and shifted like ink to reduce the city's size and draw the surrounding farms and roads. It continued for a few hundred kilometers, adding forests, rivers and lakes before space came to lack on the parchment.

He struck his fist with his palm, a grin broadening on his lips as his eyes sparkled with joy.

"Excellent! I can even see wild beast camps and resource nodes."

However, his eyes narrowed to a strange circular area by a wolf's den.

Wooden walls rose a meter and a half from the ground, their design simple yet efficient. A few spikes protruded outwards to serve as a defensive mechanism. Unlike for Foliaris, no name hovered above it.

He passed a finger between his nose and lips and sat on his bed.

"Is it an independent territory? Another lord?" His eyes narrowed into slits. "That map's value increased again. No... It's invaluable if I can spot other lords' territory. Even if it doesn't display their armies, the details about their facilities are more than enough for me to adapt."

He rolled it back, exhaling to anchor his mind on the present. Sёarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Then, he scrutinised the rolled map to make its information appear.

Abyssal Wayfinder

Introduction:

A map created by the powerful infernal duke Astaroth and his supporters: Aamon, Barbatos, Rashaverak and Pruflas.

They cursed it together to punish any creature who dared to use it but demons.

Rarity: Epic

Level Requirement: /

Abilities:

Real-Time Mapping: The map will display its wielder's surroundings up to 600 kilometers. It reveals anything, including but not limited to ancient ruins, underground minerals, and natural treasures through Barbatos' and Rashaverak's enchantments. Astaroth added another enchantment to display the names above them.

Contract-Bound: Aamon enchanted this item to make it indestructible and unlosable. The only way to get rid of it is by selling it to someone willing to buy it.

Infernal Shroud: Through Pruflas' abilities to conjure illusions, the map grants its wielder the ability to escape any detection spells up to the eighth tier for regular species. It goes up to the demon king rank for demons since they didn't like their praying eyes.

His fists trembled after reading the description.

"The item is too good! And I don't care about the curse. Hahaha!"

He exploded into laughter, his demonic horns glinting as he removed his helmet and slid under the bed's sheets. But not before flinging a few more fingers at Ball and mocking the demon king now that he could probably not see him anymore.

Thinking about his tomorrow's return and the smiling faces of his citizens, he fell asleep smiling.

****

The night quickly passed by, and as every day, the same notification awoke him as the soft morning sun's rays pierced his room's darkness through the window.

[DING]

Experience new tales on m v|l e'-NovelFire.net

[Talent's daily use available. Use: Yes/No]

Eager to tackle the day and return, he pressed yes and put his helmet back on.

The talent wheel appeared and spun, the needle's rattling echoing as he moved to the door without looking back.

Why would he? To see another useless item appear and tremble in disappointment?

'No, thank you. I won't let you sour my mood.'

However, the wheel didn't care for his wants. It slowed down, the needle passing by prizes one after another until it stopped and another notification resounded.

[Congratulations on obtaining a pair of rabbit-looking slippers.]

He rolled his eyes, unable to find the strength to curse his stupid talent.

"Tsk. When Mimi can summon fierce Amazon warriors, I'm getting cute slippers. Where are legendary items?" Still, he gazed at their design and bit his lips. "I'll gift them to Litia since she's close to animals."

With a nod, he went to the dining room.

Yesterday's ten specialises and Durgrim and Marc were there, wearing their travellers' clothes and waiting for his arrival.

After a quick breakfast with them, he spent two gold coins to buy two barrels of beer for Wukong and Ozymandias.

Then, he pointed outside, his figure valiant and his tone dripping with excitement.

"Let's move to the Gate. The caravan is waiting for you, and the farmers should have brought their beasts."

The specialists, including Durgrim and Marc, nodded. Their lips curled downward with the movements as they watched him step out in respect, finding his charisma and fierce armor befitting his position as a lord.

Yet, they scratched their heads and watched, eyes trembling, as he pulled a cart and gestured at the three sisters.

"Adam's bullet cart will soon depart. Please, sit comfortably and leave some space for the wheat and hop we bought yesterday." He noticed them and shrugged. "What? I can also have fun from time to time! Anyway, help Durgrim in. He needs immediate medical attention and can't waste a week on the road."

The sisters followed his commands, and, despite the specialists' twitching lips, they departed.

Once they reached the city gates, he passed by the same guard.

The man's shadow extended a few centimeters like the first time before returning to its usual size without attracting attention.

Acting as if nothing had happened, he watched the hundreds of farm animals he had bought yesterday surround the caravan. Their loud cry enlivened the morning scenery as a few dozen boys, no older than sixteen, tended to them, waiting eagerly to depart.

The ten specialists and Marc bid him goodbye and joined the caravan leader.

"Look at them." He chuckled. "They're almost jumping on their feet."

Durgrim coughed behind him before his raspy voice resounded.

"It's truly an achievement for a demon to hire so many humans." Intrigue sparkled in his eyes. "How did you do it?"

Adam scratched his cheek, his eyes slipping to the side in guilt.

"We didn't tell the kids yet... Anyway, they'll love the place. So, let's skip the subject for now. The ride won't be comfortable, but we'll reach the territory before nightfall."

With a headshake, he pushed the cart for a few kilometers.

He admired the farms on the way one last time before his legs bent, and demonic essence engulfed his eyes.

WOOSH

The wind whistled in his ears as he sped into the horizon like a real bullet train.

Just like the trip to reach the city, he ran from sunrise to dusk, passing by the same vistas and feeling the same boredom.

Finally, once the sun colored the sky orange and dipped behind the mountains, his territory's verdant forest met his eyes.

A deep sigh escaped his lips as he engulfed himself inside.

"Finally back."