Chapter 72: Old codger returns.

Chapter 72: Old codger returns.

As the notification appeared in front of me, a certain breeze of air seemed to surround us. For a moment, I felt like every breath I drew was fresh, in stark contrast to the dungeons damp, musky air. My mana sense became slightly sharper, turning the ambient manas feeling from a distant hum to a slow drone.nove(l)bi(n.)com

I saw Cerion look intently at the air in front of him, signaling that he, too, had received the notification.

Huh., I began, Did you get a necklace too?

Cerion nodded.

I did indeed. The [Miniature tear of skill] increases my skill progression for skills under or at tier 3.

I raised my brows in surprise, somewhat jealous of his reward. Tier 3 skill progression was tedious and slow, not to mention that some skills were far more annoying to train than others and therefore tended to lag behind the other ones. It wasnt particularly a life-saver, but it would be incredibly convenient, especially for younger people that just set out on their journey.

For Cerion, it fell into the convenient category, since the path to tier 4 would be a long one anyway, but I had no doubt he was quite satisfied with his reward.

Would I trade my necklace for his? Absolutely not. The power core was a perfect fit for my current weakness, and it would serve to help me gather rare mana even when I outscaled the item itself.

Still, the advantage the skill core gave Cerion in the future wasnt lost on me. There were many different skills in this world. Undoubtedly, there would be a few low-tier skills that were notoriously difficult to progress by their very nature. Knowing the system, an item like the skill core could have immense potential when used creatively. Succeeding in this world was all about finding whatever exploit you could, after all.

Waving away my thoughts, I turned my focus back to the conversation.

I got a similar item, the [Miniature power core]. It allows me to store mana of any kind, with a maximum amount similar to a tier 3 mana crystal. It seems my reward is a set with yours, though for some reason the set effect activated without either of us wearing both at once.

Cerions grin grew.

Whats your items set effect? Take a look.

I frowned, because apparently, Cerion knew something I didnt. Opening the item description again, I found out why Cerion was looking at me the way he was.

[Miniature tear of power]

Tier 3 necklace.

(Set item)

This necklace allows the holder to store any kind of mana into the orb, though the amount is limited to a tier 3 mana crystal.

Mana can be absorbed from the holder's surroundings or their core itself.

Stored mana can be released or transferred freely, whether that be into an item, the holder's surroundings, or their core.

This is a set item that unlocks a new function when paired with the [Miniature tear of skill].

Set activated.

Set effect: Increase maximum amount of mana that can be dedicated towards skills by a small amount, for the holder(s) of either of the sets necklaces.

Reading the extra effect, I grinned.

Rejoice!, I said bombastically, Thanks to me, youre currently enjoying a 5% increase in skill power? I ended lamely.

After a moment of tense silence, he started to cackle madly.

Oh, dont worry about them! Theyve had several hundred years to come by, yet they still havent found me! Nasty buggers, those unimarks he finished conspiratorially.

Who are they? I asked, curious to know who could scare a tear six almost senseless.

Rabbits with horns, thats what they are! One of the worst creatures in existence, a rabbit, mutated to grow horns!

I sighed. So it was just another one of his mad ravings. After nearly a week, I had forgotten this old man loved to joke around. With a frown, I changed the topic.

Actually, I didnt come here to ask about rabbits. I had a question about my stat distribution and about my uncle.

Realization seemed to dawn on the guild heads face as he pulled out an enveloppe.

Here! Another letter from your uncle! Read it first! he said jovially, pushing the piece of paper into my hands impatiently.

Putting my cup of lemon tea on a small wooden night stand next to my chair, I picked up the enveloppe and opened it, unfurling the letter inside.

Dear Arthur

If you are reading this letter, that must mean that you managed to conquer the [City of tears] dungeon. I have no doubt you wish to curse my name at this time, due to the dungeons strange difficulty. I ran it myself several times when I was in the third tear, usually in a large group and even then we had difficulty with some of the bosses inside of the city proper, so trust me when I say I understand your pain.

That being said, I was confident you would succeed when I received your tier 2 status from your guild head, who I have been in contact with. With skills like that, few threats in the dungeon could keep you down permanently, especially with the protective items your partner undoubtedly carries on him. I could have granted you the opportunity to raid an easier dungeon, but I felt it necessary to challenge you two, so that neither of you rests on your laurels before the tournament. Trust me when I say that even the weakest seeded participant can provide a real challenge. We can discuss your success in more detail when next we meet.

Speaking of meeting, a date has been arranged. Your friends father will arrive in the city soon, so we have arranged a meeting with him, your guild head and the both of you all at once, to occur two days after your departure from the dungeon, at 2 in the afternoon. The meeting will be held in the palace, where you will be escorted by my subordinates. I hope to see you there, to clear up any misunderstanding that might still exist between the two of us.

Best regards,

Captain of the Royal Guard, Royal Savior, your uncle,

Robart

After finishing my reading, I folded the letter closed again and put it away. The old man next to me leaned in curiously, like a housewife trying to pick up on the newest gossip.

So? What did it say? he asked excitedly.

I sighed.

Shouldnt you know by now? Apparently, all five of us are meeting tomorrow afternoon in the palace.

Ah, right! I almost forgot! Thanks for reminding me, young man! the insane old codger replied jovially.

I rubbed my temples, feeling another headache coming.