Chapter 14

Chapter 14

The acquisition of a new artifact.

This is always a good sign within the Inner Lunatic.

The value of the Ring of Black Brimstone, which can extend one’s lifespan, is unrivaled.

I stared at the window and smiled.

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[Basic Information]

Name: Black Brimstone Ring

Category: Accessory

Rank: Lower Middle

Property: Darkness

Stats: +1 Health / +1 Magic

Wear Restrictions: May only be worn by those who wield dark elemental magic.

Special Effect: Steals a small amount of life from those you kill, making it your own.

The amount of life stolen increases as you defeat enemies stronger than your rank.

__________________

Ring of Black Salt.

This is an item that is undoubtedly helpful to those with dark attributes, especially those like me who have the [Time Limit] attribute.

It’s basically the only item in the world that can steal the life force of others.

The fact that it is the only one is proof enough of the rarity of this artifact.

However, it doesn’t extend the user’s life indefinitely, and it comes with the condition of “stealing a very small amount”, so it’s not so easy to overcome the time limit.

What if the Archmage’s health continued to increase as they killed orcs?

They could live forever.

This ring could extend my life, so to speak, in a situation where I was risking my life every moment. It was right to look at it that way.

“Even with this, my life is but a day’s work.”

But if you’re willing to struggle a little bit.

Wouldn’t it be better to choose that path willingly?

In the past, even this was a luxury.

After the doctor gave me a time limit, I stayed in my room like a cripple.

I didn’t even try to be different, I just spent time thinking.

“It has to be different now. This world is harder to survive in than I thought.”

So much for negative thinking.

Once I’d gotten my thoughts out of my system, I refocused on the item.

[Ring of Black Brimstone]. The value of this item was not limited to what was described earlier.

“This ring increases two stats by one. That’s a pretty good increase for a lower mid-tier item.

Considering that artifacts were extremely rare even across the continent, it was for the best that the [Black Brimstone Ring] was acquired at this point.

“Let’s go.”

I said as I walked out of the treehouse. Talia, who had been waiting, perked up her ears and stretched her back like a meerkat.

She’s a little frightened, but there’s nothing I can do about it. It doesn’t really matter, does it?

I’d gotten what I’d come for, and right now, whatever my thoughts or feelings about her, it was important to get out of the forest.

I put the Ring of Black Brimstone in my pocket, unworn for now, not wanting to be seen by others and risk being a nuisance.

For the time being, it would be better to take it out only when I needed to use it.

With that thought in mind, I made my way through the middle of the forest with Talia clinging to my back, slowly reaching the far end.

There were various mazes along the way, but I didn’t have any trouble clearing them.

Basically, do the opposite of conventional wisdom.The initial posting of this chapter occurred via N0v3l.B11n.

Because that’s the only way to beat this Mia’s Forest.

And so, about two hours later.

Talia and I reached the very edge of the forest.

The torches flickered, casting long shadows, and Talia was once again startled by them, but she didn’t show it.

...Or, more accurately, she just chewed on her tongue along the way, so no sound came out.

“We’re here, stop being scared.”

I blurted out in a cold tone.

* * *

With a rustling sound, the forest’s enchantment completely dissipates. Rodwell, Emma, and the knights of the House tensed up and stretched out their swords in front of them.

The lifting of the forest’s enchantment meant that the other trapped beasts could then break free and raid the town or manor.

Objectively, it was more likely that the forest would be destroyed by an unleashing of demons than that Nox and Talia would make it out alive.

Of course, Rodwell didn’t think so.

“There’s no doubt about it. The natural magic in the forest has been completely removed.

Don’t I also have the trait of [Steel Mentality]?

Judgment gained from countless experiences, when wielded with cold reason.

It will be my greatest weapon.

In the heat of battle, when everything depends on a split-second decision, that’s what it means to be cool-headed.

I straightened up and tried on the new ring on my hand.

[Equip ‘Ring of Black Brimstone].

“I can definitely feel my health and magic increasing... I like it, Rona, I know you’re out there, come in for a minute!”

I immediately called out to Rona.

“Hey, ......, do you happen to know how to clairvoyantly?”

“I don’t know. Maybe.”

“Hmph!!! Doesn’t that mean you’ve seen me naked?!”

...It was just a joke, but she was almost accusing me of being a pervert. I waved my hand modestly and stretched my arms out.

Rona cocked her head and asked.

“There’s a ring I didn’t see...go, no, no, what do you mean?”

“I want you to arm-wrestle with me.”

I had been arm-wrestling Rona for a while now.

...I’d always lost, but she’d always insisted that I’d helped her.

Every time, Rona would smile and sarcastically say, “You’re a master!”

It seems like just yesterday.

Now it was time to return the favor.

“Master, if I lose this time, you’ll actually pay me half of my salary, right?”

“That’s right. If you lose, I’ll give you ....”

“Right. I’ll take a 20 percent cut in my salary.”

Rona crossed her arms as she said that, looking triumphant.

He doesn’t seem to be thinking about losing to me anymore.

But she’s wrong. To completely deceive a man in his sleep, truth must be mixed in.

In the past, I was weak, and that’s why I lost to her.

But not now, not ever.

“Here we go. One, two... three!”

BANG!

As soon as I gave it my all, the results were in. Unsurprisingly, I won.

The reason was simple.

Rona’s health was down to 4.5.

Whereas my health was now a whopping 5.3, thanks to the +1 added by the Ring of Black Brimstone.

Thanks to the fact that health is also a function of strength, I was able to defeat her easily. Lorna’s expression stiffened.

“Even you don’t think it’s worthy of a prestigious family to cut a maid’s salary by twenty percent, do you......?”

“Well, that’s true.”

Rona’s face instantly brightened at that. But a man’s words must be heard.

“But I’m the rumored bastard son of House Rineharbour, or so I’ve been told. So I’ve decided not to get caught up in such trivialities.”

“You’re ...... wrong!”

Rona said as she grabbed my pants.

A triumphant smile spread across my face.

-The effect of the talent [Nuisance] is activated.

-You have acquired [Wrist Fracture Lv 2].

-You have acquired [Cold Lv 1].

“Go to ...... and I’ll cancel the cut, but go get some ice and washcloths. I need to rest.”

Is this a special buy-one-get-one-free sale?

The nuisance trait felt like it was pestering me every time I tried to do something.

I can’t do it. I knew from experience that there was no benefit to moving my body at times like this.

The past month had been long enough for me to experience the full extent of my sickly body.

“‘Yes!”

Rona moved quickly, as if money was king in this world or in real life.

I flopped down on the bed, realizing the truth with a start.

...It hurts like hell.

Next Chapter

TN Notes:

Think I forgot to fix MC last name last chapter lol