Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2554: Chapter 2555: Noah Secrets

Angel opened his eyes, stretched lazily, and stood up.

He had just visited the Wilderness of Dreams again, where he left a message for the offline Sanders about the Black Earl and his encounter with Augustine in the Alchemy Omen through the tree network.

Angel wasn’t sure if the current Noah Clan was connected to the Augustine from Naraku City back then; whether it was a coincidence or there really existed a connection, he decided to inform Sanders, who knew the situation of Naraku City.

As for Ironclad Granny and the others, Angel didn’t say much. They were aware that Naraku City existed in the Nightmare Realm, but the internal affairs were the secrets of Illusion Demon Island, which Sanders hadn’t mentioned, so it wouldn’t be appropriate for Angel to elaborate.

Returning to reality, Angel prepared to examine the short sword he had refined.

The short sword was being held by Dangross, who was wildly jumping and waving it, causing the Earth Cavern to continuously flicker with gold light like star points.

"Stop playing around, let me take a look at the short sword," Angel called out to halt Dangross’s frantic play.

Dangross obediently stopped waving, placed its fingers together as feet, and hopped towards Angel, handing over the short sword.

Angel examined the short sword for a while; it was basically as he imagined, usable as an intermediate top-grade alchemy weapon with the effects of armor piercing, sharpness, and tearing. The first two effects were very common, most cutting weapons would have these magic patterns; only the last tearing effect was interesting. Once torn, it would cause constant bleeding, and healing magic below spell technique couldn’t treat it.

Precisely due to this tearing effect, the short sword was considered intermediate top-grade.

These few attack magic patterns were just some of the accompanying magic patterns from the mysterious magical energy array, allowing the short sword to reach intermediate rank. The true function of this short sword was as a key to open that door, yet that was concealed by the magical energy array; apart from Angel the refiner, probably no one could discern that concealed part of the magical energy array.

Considering the concealed magical energy array, this short sword was at least high-order in rank.

If it was a high-order tool, that made sense. No wonder the Alchemy Omen was the type of anomaly all alchemists wished to avoid. If Angel hadn’t visited Naraku City and seen the true love poem, he might have truly gotten lost in the anomaly.

After reflecting a bit, Angel tossed these cumbersome thoughts aside.

He weighed the short sword a few times; taking into account the concealed part of the magical energy array, this was Angel’s second high-order creation. The first was Ocean Rhythm.

This time, Kaier was making a big profit; with just a bit of material, he got a high-order tool, which was definitively a lucrative transaction. Know that even among official wizards, few possessed high-order tools.

High-order tool refinement is difficult; the alchemists capable of refining them are scarce and face terrifying anomalies, so every high-order tool is immensely valuable.

The only pity is that this high-order short sword reaches high-order status solely because of its key function. Set aside this function, using it as a regular weapon, it remains intermediate rank.

While Angel was thinking about this, Dangross was staring passionately at the short sword.

Angel noticed Dangross’s peculiar expression and asked curiously, "What’s up with you?"

Dangross responded with excitement, "This weapon also has my contribution, right?"

Angel paused for a moment, then nodded, "Of course, controlling the heat was crucial. You did very well, no, extremely well. Without you, refining this weapon wouldn’t have gone so smoothly."

Hearing the praise, Dangross grinned foolishly.

"Why, bringing up contribution suddenly? Are you hoping for a reward? How many bottles of quenching fluid would you like? Speak." Angel displayed a generous demeanor, as if he would agree to any amount of quenching fluid Dangross desired, though in reality, Angel had already set an upper limit for Dangross at ten bottles. Not because he didn’t want to give more, but because its catalytic effect could lead Dangross to grow too quickly.

Dangross, however, shook its index finger and said, "I’m not after a reward; I’m just happy my contribution in refining the weapon is recognized."

For Dangross, at least it felt useful, no longer an idle freeloader.

Angel roughly understood its mindset, gently stroking its hand, "I didn’t expect to cooperate with you so well; you’re truly amazing."

Angel didn’t shy away from praising Dangross. Moreover, he wasn’t lying.

Even Angel was surprised; although he had cooperated with Dangross a few times before, those were minor tasks, but this time it escalated to something akin to a high-order tool, yet their cooperation was seamless.

Dangross indeed had great synergy with him.

Thinking this, a thought Angel had never had before arose: actually, Kelonkcro might not be that great; should he consider Dangross?

While Angel was thinking this, Dangross interrupted, "Although I wasn’t after a reward, since you mentioned it, I can reluctantly accept one. I don’t want the common quenching fluid; I want concentrated quenching fluid, just ten, no... I want a hundred bottles!"

Angel quietly retracted his previous idea, thinking maybe Kelonkcro was better after all. At least that guy couldn’t speak well and wasn’t quick to react.

"I can only give you one bottle of concentrated quenching fluid, but I can give you ten bottles of regular quenching fluid. Choose one."

Despite Dangross’s various attempts to plead and protest, seeing Angel unchanged, it could only sigh and settle for one bottle of concentrated quenching fluid.

Once it used the concentrated quenching fluid, it couldn’t go back.

Then Dangross saw something that would require a lifetime to heal from.

Angel took three bottles of quenching fluid from his bracelet, did something unknown for a while, and then a bottle of concentrated quenching fluid lay before Dangross.

Dangross pointed at Angel, unable to speak for a long time.

"I know you feel cheated, but you can’t just look at the quantity; my handling costs also count," Angel said leisurely.

Dangross glared with wide eyes, a look of reluctance on its face.

But no matter how reluctant it was, there was nothing that could be done to recover it, and Angel was right; turning the quenching liquid into quenching concentrated liquid did require handling... Of course, this was the only reason to comfort its wounded spirit.

Dangross licked its wounds, silently hugged the bottle of quenching concentrated liquid, and returned to its designated spot.

Angel placed the short sword on the table, pondered for a moment, then touched the nearby space node and called in Dox and Kaier who were waiting outside.

As soon as they came in, Dox immediately said, "Just now, a golden light shot straight out from the Subterranean Ruins, shining over the entire black market. Is that... an Alchemy Omen?"

Angel did not deny it and pointed to the short sword on the table: "It’s forged."

Dox did not look at the short sword, still sighing: "You don’t know, the black market was shaking just now, and many people gathered around. Even the Lawrence family sent someone to inquire."

After all, Alchemists are still very rare, especially those who can forge Intermediate Rank or higher, covered by an Alchemy Omen.

You might occasionally see them in Witcher Organizations or in Extraordinary City, but in places like the Wizard Market, the chances of seeing an omen are too low.

That’s why it caused such a stir. And the people from the Lawrence family had a very clear purpose: recruitment.

However, even without Angel’s words, Dox knew it was absolutely impossible; after all, this was a big shot from the Research and Development Institute. A small Lawrence family couldn’t support this individual. So, they only told the outside world that a passing Alchemist friend helped forge something, which barely quelled the external disturbance.

Yet, even so, outside the ruins where Kaier lived, there were still many people gathering around. Most were looking for Alchemists to do some alchemy, and some were trying to network.

But they’ll probably leave empty-handed.

While Dox was sighing, Angel tossed the short sword to Kaier, who was standing dumbfounded nearby.

After simply explaining the situation of the short sword, upon learning it might be a High Order creation, Kaier was so scared that his hands shook.

And Dox, on the side, was staring with glowing eyes, wishing he could snatch it up immediately.

For Wandering Wizards like them, they rarely have the chance to encounter such High Order items, and even if they see them at auctions, they can’t afford them. Yes, Dox was indeed a pauper.

He hadn’t even touched a High Order weapon before, yet now it appeared right before him without any forewarning.

Dox restrained his urge to grab it, pretending to be indifferent: "What do you know about High Order weapons, you’re just an apprentice, let me take a look."

Kaier was also afraid he’d drop the short sword due to his trembling hands, so he simply handed it to Dox.

Upon receiving it, Dox appeared to scrutinize it normally but inside, he was drooling over the short sword like a fanatic.

Kaier couldn’t sense Dox’s inner emotions, but Angel, who was extremely sensitive to emotional fluctuations, could detect a bit.

Angel glanced at Dox and, to prevent him from going down the ’road of no return,’ he added, "Though it’s High Order as a key, it’s actually only Intermediate Rank as a weapon."

"Still, even so, it’s worth several times the materials you used." Angel turned to Kaier: "So, you didn’t lose out this time."

Kaier quickly nodded, his mouth full of compliments.

Knowing it could only be used as an Intermediate Rank weapon, Dox’s interest slightly diminished, but he still couldn’t bear to let go of the short sword, twirling it in his hands, feeling a bit eager to engage in some fierce battles and sharpen its edge.

Angel said, "The key can be considered successfully forged, so next is the subsequent exploration. Before discussing the exploration, I need to talk with Dox about some matters. Kaier, you’re welcome to listen in, though knowing too many secrets isn’t always a good thing."

Kaier, without hesitation, chose to turn away and leave.

After Kaier left, Dox also put down the short sword, his gaze leveled at Angel. He knew whether Vay’s situation could be tolerated depended on Angel’s next words.

"Earlier, I used some special methods and learned some interesting things. Would you like to know?"

Dox didn’t ask what special methods Angel used; even if Angel directly contacted the higher-ups of the Barbarian Cave, he wouldn’t be surprised. After all, the Research and Development Institute has many items not available for public sale but are always speculated and coveted, one of them being the small Signal Tower, which has long been rumored. So, Angel might contact others.

"Yes." Dox nodded without hesitation.

Angel said, "I learned some secret information about the Black Earl. According to the person who told me, taking Vay for the exploration should be harmless."

Upon hearing this, Dox slightly relaxed. However, Angel’s next words made Dox’s brows furrow deeply.

"But I learned another piece of information elsewhere."

Angel said while fiddling with the short sword in his hands, "The door that this key is meant to open is very likely related to the Noah Clan."

Angel certainly didn’t dare to completely confirm this.

But Augustine Noah, coupled with the Black Earl belonging to the Noah Clan, is indeed highly suspicious.

He planted this seed of doubt in Dox to prevent any issues from arising later, where Dox might consider his relationship with Vay and end up in danger.