Hell Difficulty Tutorial Chapter 813 - My luck. My curse.

A day ticks by, and now I find myself at Crimson Forge’s headquarters, accompanied by Weslin.

Eldrin is still actively dismissing the guild guards, his anger evident. The guards, while not overtly panicked, exhibit a deep unease at the presence of two S-rank cultivators from the Primordial Knights within their guild's sanctum, especially positioned so close to three of their most esteemed members.

Glancing to my side, I observe Weslin idly touching some materials, while Silverweave watches him with wide, curious eyes.

“I have a girlfriend,” Weslin states with his characteristic confidence, the prolonged silence apparently becoming too much to bear.

Before I can even caution him that her interest likely lies elsewhere, Silverweave interjects, “I can share,” she purrs, her lips parting in a smile.

What in the world?

I can barely process this as Eldrin approaches. He plucks the vial from my hand, bringing it so close to his eye that it nearly makes contact. He manipulates it under various lights and even takes a sniff before tossing it to Silverweave. She fumbles the catch, her gaze never leaving Weslin. Lifting the vial, she inspects it, licks its surface, and even gently bites at the glass.

“This seems to be some kind of spinal fluid from a formidable beast. Not a wyvern. You ought to present it to the eccentric lynthari; he’ll likely understand its properties better.” With that, she hurls the vial back towards Eldrin but misses the mark entirely.

I arrest its flight mid-air by nullifying its momentum, and Eldrin retrieves it. After a quick wipe-down, he returns it to me.

“I’ll consult with him. How is the item progressing? Have you secured the Everwood?” I inquire.

“Was it you who tampered with our systems and incapacitated all the toilets?” Isolde’s voice cuts in from the side.

Both Eldrin and I disregard her as the male mora nods. “We’ve commenced the processing of the Everwood. The fragment you procured is of exceptionally high quality, necessitating the engagement of supplementary personnel due to our insufficient machinery and specialized expertise.”

“I *know* it was you,” Isolde mutters again.

“What will be the cost?” I ask Eldrin.

“Do you comprehend the magnitude of the disruption you’ve instigated? Do you feel no shame? Are you even human?” Isolde presses further.

“That sounds like a reasonable figure,” I confirm with Eldrin. Then, I produce a finger-length glass vial containing a small quantity of crimson liquid. The vial is adorned with subtle inscriptions designed to prevent coagulation and maintain a cool temperature, conveniently powered by the blood itself.

“Do you recognize this?” I ask. “And no, I have no desire to witness Silverweave licking it again.”

Isolde finally ceases her accusations and moves nearer to Eldrin. She tentatively reaches for the vial, but I withhold it, holding it aloft to compel them to lean closer for examination.

“It’s not wyvern blood, regrettably. It originates from a human, and it contains an astonishing quantity of mana…” She pauses, her yellow irises shifting to a striking blue as she studies it more intently. “Hyper-condensed.”

She attempts to reclaim the vial once more, but I withdraw my hand, much to her vexation, and Eldrin’s as well, since he’s also observing it. Both of them tower over me, making it a peculiar spectacle for any passerby. It’s almost as captivating as Weslin, who stands nervously to the side while Silverweave advances incrementally, her tiny steps drawing ever closer to him.

“It belongs to you, doesn’t it?” Eldrin probes.

Isolde’s eyes widen as she looks at him, while the male mora crosses his arms and hands the vial back to me. Isolde then quickly directs her gaze toward me.

“Indeed,” I affirm.

“Very well, let us proceed to the crux of the matter. What is your price for two to three hundred vials such as these?” Eldrin proposes an exorbitant sum.

“Are you some sort of vampire? That’s far too steep,” I retort swiftly, taken aback by the figure.

“To my knowledge, genuine vampires are exceedingly rare, even more so than Lycans, particularly since their Progenitor vanished eons ago. Cease this prevarication, mortal. Your cunning is well-known, and I am certain you arrived fully prepared.”

A faint smile touches my lips as I nod, satisfied. “I can offer a trade equivalent to approximately one hundred vials. I made preparations for at least that many before arriving here,” I state, recalling Lily's efforts to heal me as I filled them. Perhaps I should prioritize acquiring a Low Pristine healing passive skill.

However… that would necessitate sacrificing a passive for augmented attack power, or perhaps… increased mana reserves.

“I desire a hundred of them as well,” Isolde chimes in, as if haggling at a local bazaar.

“No, you will have to share with Eldrin,” I tell her, her disappointment palpable. “However, before we finalize this, I must have someone I trust verify that you cannot utilize this blood for nefarious sorcery against me, or perhaps to engineer a clone. Such an outcome would be most undesirable.”

“What exactly is ‘sorcery’?” Isolde inquires.

“The explanation is beyond my current effort.”

Eldrin begins to display signs of impatience, his brow furrowed. “You waste my valuable time, human. I could be advancing my experiments with your blood right now. You should have long since grasped that there are methods to purify blood, rendering it unusable against you. And I trust you were jesting about the cloning; as if such a feeble notion were even plausible-”

“Yeah, a guild war or something that declares our opposition would suffice if you’re that displeased.”

“Perhaps. Retrieving my dormant war armaments to savor the taste of demon blood would be quite exhilarating, wouldn’t it?” Eldrin leaned in, his face close to mine. “Alternatively, I could await the conclusion of Morwag and Weslin’s tutorial. We do have a considerable number of potent A-ranks at our disposal-”

Isolde intervened with a sharp smack to his back before he could continue. “Are you certain you are not a demon yourself? Exercise some restraint, brother.”

Eldrin met her gaze with a smile before rising again. “Very well, human. What is it you seek in return? Understand that even after utilizing portions for processors, surplus Everwood will remain. I’ve also examined the fur pelts and the wood your Handler provided; I am amenable to purchasing both.”

“My price is information.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“That must indeed be exceptionally valuable information,” his sister commented in his stead.

“Whether it is expensive or not, it is information I am prepared to pay handsomely for, perhaps even a little more if necessary. I can offer some Low Pristine items and Pristine materials, and I’m willing to delve into our guild’s treasury.”

As these words left my lips, I observed Weslin’s reaction; he visibly perked up and cast a reproachful glance my way. I disregarded him, along with Silverweave, who was now positioned mere steps from him, and continued addressing the mora siblings.

“I require all details you possess concerning the creation of host bodies for mind imprints, consciousness, and analogous constructs. I seek a subject that will not exhibit rejection and would permit the subsequent attachment of a Mana Heart. Something cultivable from a specific attendee to produce a replicated counterpart.”

“How fascinating. A homunculus, a replica, a clone, a host body, a vessel, an avatar… numerous variations could potentially function, yet it is not as straightforward as you may presume,” Isolde remarked. She then looked to her brother, seemingly awaiting his affirmation. “A formidable mind is a prerequisite for such an undertaking. For an Absolute or an exceptional Champion, it is achievable. However, for anyone of lesser standing, I doubt its feasibility, even with a perfectly matched creation.”

Eldrin concurred with a nod. “Upon being divested of its Mana Heart, which serves as the power source, such a disembodied mind begins to deteriorate.”

A sigh escaped my lips. “Indeed, we covered much of this ground with Sophie and Lily. For the present, however, it should suffice, as the mind in question maintains a robust connection to its current physical form, thereby preserving its integrity. If we were to relocate him now, it would result in the outcome you described; he likely would not survive. But yes, that is my price. Lily will seek you out in Beyond within a day or two to discuss the specifics. She is quite amiable, and I will be aware if you attempt any deception. Such actions would incur my considerable displeasure.”

Both siblings, and even Silverweave, seemed to brighten considerably. The mora, who had been on the verge of an offensive maneuver against Weslin, ceased their advance, and the three of them converged around me.

“I will have the opportunity to meet Lily Chen once more?” Isolde lowered herself to my eye level, adopting a condescending posture I reserve for addressing very young children. It was infuriating.

I pondered whether they perceived me in the same way I viewed a vyssari child. Was I somehow endearing to them?

“At the very least, endeavor to behave normally. Collaborate with her, provide her with any necessary information, offer materials for her experiments, and facilitate connections with relevant Healing guilds for her to trade, learn, and advance. Leverage your resources and influence accordingly.”

I then observed as they became engrossed in an animated discussion.

Seizing the opportune moment, Weslin and I departed discreetly. I guided him to the chamber housing our current endeavor: the chestplate that had already demanded such a significant investment of time and resources. Weslin examined it closely, even attempting to don the unfinished iteration, all the while behaving as a man marveling at an exotic automobile.

Upon our exit from the Crimson Forge, the three mora remained locked in their debate.

Outside the guild hall, my attention was drawn to a figure seated on a nearby bench, nestled beneath the boughs of a flowering tree.

“I shall see you later,” I conveyed to Weslin. He acknowledged with a nod of understanding and ambled away, casting a final glance at the blonde woman.

As I settled onto the bench beside Kindness, she offered a smile. She was as captivating as ever, her long, flowing golden hair framing a face with striking violet eyes. Today, her attire consisted of sleek black leggings and a black turtleneck sweater, its sleeves extending so far they almost completely concealed her hands.

“In fact, this is opportune. I wished to converse with you,” I stated.

“And I, too, desired a conversation with you, possibly for the very same reason.” Her smile persisted for a moment before subsiding. “Were you also intending to discuss your healer companion?”

“Were you observing?”

“To some extent. Both Lily and your unique bond hold my keen interest. Ruby occasionally updates me on matters I may have missed. Ruby is remarkably conscientious, is she not? Such was never my disposition.”

“That’s a rather peculiar way to describe a stalker,” I responded with a shrug. “Biscuit was invariably unique, and Lily… well, she possesses considerable talent. What can you disclose?”

“Quite a bit. The System won’t even attempt to censor me, so I may as well tell you about myself and a bear I met long ago.”

“That’s fine with me.”

She nods and crosses her legs, pulling her sleeves even lower until her hands are completely hidden. Her eyes haze over with memory as she begins to speak.

“Both Pride and I are from worlds in the central galaxy, the galaxy from which the System first started spreading. Can you guess where that is?”

“We’re currently there, aren't we?”

Her eyes focus for a moment, and she offers a smile so beautiful and sad I can’t take my eyes off it. “Just how perceptive you can be sometimes. Yes. From here, the First Dungeon, over which Beyond was built so long ago. I still remember a time when the System was just beginning. It was so rough, so imperfect. There were many powerful abilities for people to gain before the system balanced itself out, and so many mistakes that needed to be fixed. There were many Eradication Quests as the System attempted to regulate it all. And during all of that, many beings fought against the system to stop its spread in wars that destroyed life across entire galaxies. Beings awakened by the System fought to keep their power against those who held other strengths. Gods, Dragons, Wyverns, elves, mora, beast clans, primordial orders, vampires, Fae, Lycans, and so many more. But in the end, they couldn’t stop it.”

I watch her quietly, listening to every word.

“Even before the system, surrounded by all these beings, humans survived, and often thrived, just through their sheer indomitable will. They stood against all those amazing races even without the system. Once mana spread through the universe and awakened within them, they adapted the fastest, as they always did. And so the system found a great weapon in them, and they thwarted any attempts that would have ended and even erased it entirely. As terrifying as those times were, they were also fascinating. And I was there in the middle of it all, a Champion traveling from world to world, out to the edges of the known universe where the System hadn't reached yet. And there, I met him. My luck. My curse. My gray bear.”

She smiles gently.

Suddenly, Kindness let out a soft chuckle. "Ah, how arrogant I was back then. Believing that with all my skills, I could ever replicate something as perfect as his mutation. To think I could copy what nature and the universe crafted so flawlessly! Sometimes, I ponder if there truly is a divine being who placed that gift with the bear, perhaps as a test for humanity. A test to see if we were worthy. But I knew, deep down, that I wasn't. I truly believed I had obtained everything my heart desired.

I studied the strengths of his physical form, his eternal life, and he permitted it. He viewed me as nothing more than another creature inhabiting his woods, one that posed no threat and occasionally provided him with novel tastes he’d never encountered. However, my unique ability diverged from natural mutations. Thanks to the System, and my own ignorance, it became warped, transforming me into who I am today."

She paused in silence for a moment before continuing, her words picking up a quicker pace.

Kindness rose to her feet, her voice tapering off as she turned to depart. "I cannot bring myself to meet her, for I see far too much of my own reflection in her. Yet, it is for that very same reason that I felt compelled to offer her this single piece of counsel."