Chapter 365. A Sudden Connection
“I ’m no longer sure if I did the right thing.” Kingmaker heaved a sigh, thinking of how she now had to develop her clan. “If this game is just a practice ground for mind development, should I feel bad about taking over lands and Floors at all? What will happen when we reach the last Floor? Will anything except our mental development levels matter? Shiiiit.”
Ruffling her hair, she hid her face in her knees, feeling empty.
“I don’t know what the future has in store for us, but I believe we should keep doing what we’re doing,” Raven said, making her raise her head to look at him. “Even if there are aliens, they probably belong to clans just like us. If we ever end up competing against them, it’ll be no different from competing with other clans. However, we should start preparing for this. Begin with those whom you can trust completely. Tell them everything that I’ve told you.”
His mask was on the ground next to him, so she could see just how serious he was. Considering his next step, he concluded that he needed strong and dependable allies to survive the upcoming storm.
“That won’t be easy,” Kingmaker said, squinting at him. Nonetheless, she had to admit that his theory made sense and that she and her clan had to accept the truth and adapt accordingly so that they wouldn’t be left behind. “Do you know how crazy I’ll sound? And what about Fortuna? Have you told them?”
“Not yet, but I will. I don’t know if they’ll believe me, but I hope that this event — and the challenges in particular — will provide me with some answers.”
She nodded before asking another question.
“What was that by the way? The thing you used to kill all those people, that is. Is it one of the ten heroic items?”
Raven smirked as he stood up and stretched.
“That’s a trade secret, I’m afraid. I’ve told you too much already. I’d be terrible at my job if I were to reveal all my tricks.”
“It wouldn’t kill you to reveal one,” Kingmaker grumbled, disappointed, and then changed the subject. “Ah, forget it. I have another question. What you told me about the statues... Do you think we should try a Level Ten Challenge or just walk away with what we have?”
By saying “we,” she wanted to find out how high Raven estimated anyone’s chance of completing the challenge that had been difficult even for someone like him.
“Ah, that.” Picking his mask up, he put it away into his inventory. “Don’t rush in. The process of energy absorption is difficult to describe. I only know how it worked for me so I don’t know whether it’ll be of any help to you.”
“I see. And the reward? Is it worth the trouble?”
“Absolutely. But if you fail the Challenge, you’ll be banned from the event.”
“I remember.” She stood up as well, and, darting a glance toward her clanmate who stood a bit further away, asked: “Are you going back to the statues?”
“I am. I have a few chests to open on the way though.”
“I remember you told me about a chest with ten keyholes. Will you tell me what you found?” She sounded really curious.
Her clan had encountered similar chests but, when they tried to take them, they’d just disappear when they crossed an invisible border and reappear at their past location, forcing the Rollin’ Dice to leave people guarding them so that someone wouldn’t steal them.
Raven smiled.
“Maybe some other time. Message me when you’re done looting. I’ve collected quite a lot of different Keys.”
“Don’t worry. I assure you that everyone will get their fair share.”
“I hope so. By the way. If you find another chest with ten keyholes, I can give you a set to open it.”
Having given this a thought, he concluded that he’d hardly have enough time to find another chest on his own. Kingmaker and her clan stood a far better chance than him in doing so.
“A set of any level-ten Keys?” she specified.
“Yes. Any. It’s up to you. All I need are diamond chests.”
“It’s a deal then.” She reached out for a handshake. “Wanna meet in the real world when all this is over?”
Raven froze with astonishment, but then shrugged.
“Sure. I’d love to,” he replied casually. “But first, give me the Ring.”
Kingmaker smiled innocently, pressing the hand with the artifact to her chest.
“Would you mind if I kept it as a memento?”
“I would. Now, if you’d be so kind...”
He outstretched his hand and beckoned her to give the item back.
“Oh, fine. It was worth a shot.” With a pout, she pulled the Ring off slowly and put it into his palm. She then turned around without saying goodbye and started toward her clanmates, adding over her shoulder: “Don’t forget that I had to spend Jade Scales. The ingredients to make them were a bitch to find, so... We’ll deduce the cost from your share.”
Saying that, she disappeared among the ruins, hurrying to tell the stunning news to her friends.
Raven followed her off with his gaze, thinking about how harsh her parting words were.
It can’t be about the stupid Ring. Can it? Why would she be upset that I want something of mine back?
Turning away to look at the edge, he sighed at remembering the screenshot of the Jade Scale recipe that she had sent him.
I could really use some Scales. Too bad that the ingredients are so hard to come by.
JADE SCALES
Type: Recipe
Rank: Epic
Description: The ancient scroll containing this recipe was discovered in a valley that, according to an old legend, used to be the dwelling of a Holy Dragon, the scales of which were rumored to be as hard and beautiful as jade.
Requirements:
He had an alchemist, but no idea of where to look for the ingredients.
The Rollin’ Dice had only agreed to spend a potion that absorbed all physical damage for three minutes because the promised profit would fully cover the expenses and effort that went into making it.
Fortuna had offered an alternative solution, but, since Raven was desperate to fulfill his promise to Daltaro, he had opted for using Jade Scales, Joker’s Ring, Stone Worshipper — a unique skill similar to Through a Wall — and the Unique Necklace of the Hidden Underwater Clan obtained by Fortuna on Floor Four without which none of this would’ve worked. This item had a skill that enabled its wearer to merge with their surroundings, escaping any attack for ten seconds.
Kingmaker had made it clear that she’d do all this only if Queen couldn’t see her face as she didn’t want to give the bitch the pleasure of seeing her in pain and humiliated. Worse even, she could’ve mutilated her face by gauging her eyes out, chopping off her nose or ears, tearing out her hair, or something equally as gruesome and unnecessary.
Raven was about to jump down when a different female voice stopped him.
“Hold it!”
“Oh, it’s you. Thanks for the help.” Turning his head, he saw Mystical Darkness marching over and prepared for negotiations. He sat down on the ground and motioned her to join him.
She nodded and did as told, marveling at the view.
“You thought I’d miss out on the fun?”
“Listen, I’ve got things to do. So cut to the chase and name your price.”
Darkness jerked her brows up in confusion. A second later, she laughed.
“I don’t need anything from you right now. Only a hint. For now.”
“Are you serious?” Raven was surprised. “Then why did you come?”
She picked up a small stone and dropped it into the chasm, watching it disappear from sight.
“To chat. You might be able to give me the advice I need.”
“Advice? That’s not what I normally do but, since you dropped everything and came to my aid without asking any questions... The least I can do is hear you out,” he said with a smile and prepared to listen.
But then another surprise came.
Before Darkness even opened her mouth, a message popped up.
Attention! You have been offered a new quest: A Brotherly Bond
Rank: Unique