Gravity Mage with Level-Up System Chapter 1820: Ominous Red Book

Crystal City

On that evening, the elderly man along with three middle-aged individuals remained in Crystal City. They had no choice but to stay until their mission was fulfilled.

The old man had assumed that Shop Owner Frank was quite avaricious and would definitely purchase the magical artifact. However, their assumptions proved incorrect. The old man remained uncertain whether Shop Owner Frank had uncovered any clues.

Thus, they moved forward with their backup strategy.

The Next Day

They convened for a discussion. The old man and the three wizards deliberated on recruiting locals. They believed that individuals from the area would avoid raising suspicions from Shop Owner Frank.

They resolved to have a local peddle the magical item at the appraisal store. They were aware that Shop Owner Frank typically engaged only with prominent visitors, whereas routine transactions were managed by the employees.

In the midst of their talks, they reached a conclusion: rather than the Black Skull, they would employ a different prohibited artifact.

This artifact would not arouse any doubts. Not even an experienced evaluator could uncover its secret, except for those ancient veterans with decades of insight.

The old man set the forbidden artifact upon the table. The three middle-aged men gazed at it intently. It appeared as a simple red volume, emitting no trace of mana.

The old man realized that Shop Owner Frank harbored a dislike for malevolent magical artifacts. Perhaps it was a rule of the establishment. Therefore, he felt assured that the red book would evade any undesired scrutiny.

One of the middle-aged men felt intrigued. He inquired, “Elder, what is the deal with this book? It doesn’t seem like a prohibited artifact.”

The other two also became interested. They had merely been adhering to directives from their superiors, present solely to assist the old man.

The old man grinned and replied, “Besides the Black Skull, this red book ranks as the second most perilous item from that restricted zone.”

“The SunHaven Forbidden Area is infamous as the dwelling of the Evil Blood Wizard. Legends claim this red book once belonged to him.”

“Accounts from history reveal that the book absorbed the blood of numerous Magic Lords and Forbidden Wizards. The Magic Union waged a fierce conflict to eliminate the Evil Blood Wizard. Afterward, the Mage Union gathered the treasures within that region.”

“It was rumored that several magical artifacts vanished amid the chaos. Yet, in reality, the Green Elemental Tower had seized control of some of them.”

“I’m unsure if the Mage Union knows about this, but they would show no mercy to anyone found possessing such an item,” the old man declared gravely.

Upon hearing this, the three middle-aged men trembled. The old man observed their response; fear gripped him too. He yearned to discard the artifact without delay.

Next, they identified an appropriate local candidate. They offered him a substantial sum of money. This individual was a neighborhood ruffian, eager for mana stones, possessing Level 8 power.

Due to his unremarkable profile, he wouldn’t attract significant notice. Once informed that he merely needed to vend the book at the appraisal shop, the thug consented.

One Hour Later

The thug entered the Crystal Community. He trailed behind other patrons and arrived at the mansion. He understood that a section of the mansion served as the shop.

Within the office space, I was perusing online updates. The Zero Puppet remained at my side, keeping watch over the gallery area.

Time elapsed.

The Zero Puppet’s blue eyes glowed briefly. It observed a patron withdrawing a red book and conversing with Patrick and Otto.

The puppet swiftly examined the design on the book. It corresponded to the profile of a prohibited book stored in its database.

“Master, another forbidden artifact has been identified,” the puppet announced.

At those words, I placed my device down on the table and turned my gaze to the gallery room. The puppet detailed how the red book constituted yet another cursed, banned artifact originating from SunHaven City.

A chill flickered in my eyes. I felt certain that the group from the previous night persisted in their efforts. Evidently, they had engaged someone to offload this cursed relic onto the shop.

I rose to my feet and exited the room, approaching the middle-aged fellow. As I appeared, Patrick and Otto fell silent.

“What’s going on?” I questioned.

“This gentleman wishes to sell a family heirloom,” Otto explained.

My lips curved slightly at that. I glanced at the middle-aged man before taking hold of the red book. I examined the exterior and instructed the system to scan it.

[Ding! Ominous Red Book Detected.]

[Evil Blood Artifact of the Evil Blood Wizard. Second Forbidden Item from SunHaven City.]

The system’s voice echoed in my thoughts. A tempest surged within me instantly. My suspicion was confirmed. I regarded the man.

“This volume doesn’t appear promising. You should reclaim it and depart. I’m declining to purchase this,” I stated.

Patrick and Otto were stunned. They couldn’t comprehend; in their view, it was merely a commonplace book suitable for their assortment.

The middle-aged man quivered. Dread seized him, fearing his cover was blown. He recognized the masked figure as Shop Owner Frank, a Supreme Wizard.

All prominent factions maintained amicable relations with him, and the man had no desire to antagonize such an influential persona. With Frank refusing the purchase, he chose to exit and return the artifact.

The man uttered no further words. He offered an apology and exited the premises. Patrick and Otto, bewildered, inquired about the incident.

I shared the details openly with them. Upon realizing it was a second forbidden relic, they perspired profusely in alarm.

They had come perilously close to acquiring it. The notion of a setup had never crossed their minds. Without the Master’s intervention, they would have proceeded with the transaction.

Yet I disregarded their concerns and focused on the Zero Puppet. Thanks to the puppet, detection had been possible.

My decision to enhance the Zero Puppet’s database proved wise. I ought to gather additional data on satellite cities; they conceal countless mysteries. This preparation would bolster my readiness.