Anime: Fight Sukuna at the beginning?.

Chapter 513 The Man with Malice and the First 'Exchange'

That tone doesn't sound very friendly.

I just followed the instructions and pushed the door open by myself.

A man who plans to first handle matters related to the [Mystic Octave] and improve his [Mysticism] and [Ritualism] skill levels.

He hadn't even seen the layout of the room clearly, nor had he uttered a single word.

A sentence like this floated down from in front of me.

Some of the remarks were sarcastic and unfriendly.

The man squinted.

After getting used to the somewhat uncomfortable lighting in this meeting room...

Look in the direction of the sound.

With just one glance, Fang Yi spotted the person sitting in the chair.

She stared at her man with a brazen and hostile gaze.

And there was a bit of awkwardness on the side.

For a moment, Lov was at a loss for words.
-
This is not simply a matter of dissatisfaction and complaints.

His gaze towards me was filled with malice.

Just for a moment.

As the [Nine Transformations of Dragon Refinement] was instinctively activated.

Among them, the [Yazi] skill, which can detect hostility, is activated.

After realizing that this previously unknown but high-ranking "mystical scholar" harbored hostility towards him.

Fang Yi's smile became increasingly perfect.

He also stopped himself from saying the words of apology he was about to utter.

He then squinted his eyes.

She carefully examined the man who seemed hostile towards her.

For a wild dog that bares its teeth at you.

Men generally like to prepare in advance and investigate the other party.

Fortunately, the other person's spine was broken before they could bite.
-
The thin man sitting in the chair had a sallow complexion with a hint of black.

He had a very thick beard.

A thick red headscarf was wrapped around his head, making him appear several tens of centimeters taller.

In his right hand he held a strange ritual object with a base resembling a human skull and a white candle inserted on it.

A thick book, about the size of an A4 sheet of paper, was placed on his lap.

Fang Yi, who possessed the [Human Body Workshop], immediately turned his gaze to the magical artifact in the man's right hand.

[Is there an aura of a curse?]

[It looks like it's actually made of human bones?]

That book doesn't seem simple either.

Fang Yi shifted his gaze slightly to the book on the man's lap.
-
Fang Yi only glanced at the book.

Then a muffled sound rang in my ears.

The specific content was unclear at the moment, but the murmurs exuded an unknown allure.

As the murmuring began.

It possesses several traits that increase mental resistance.

The stress level has remained largely unchanged since I started the mission.

This was also the first time that significant fluctuations occurred.

It jumped 20 points in an instant.

Fang Yi, after struggling to look away, came to a conclusion.

This should be the [Secret 8-page Scroll].

[It certainly doesn't seem simple, both in terms of the cost of using it and the benefits after using it.]
-
The man sitting in the chair remained silent, as if he hadn't heard Fang Yi utter his words.

He examined the appearance of his books and ritual implements.

He turned his head away in obvious dissatisfaction.

He looked at Lov, who was in charge of the blacksmith shop.

"Is this the one who overestimated himself and tried to use the [Mysterious Octave]?"

The man raised the ritual implement in his right hand as he spoke.

It pointed to Fang Yi.

"It seems that he not only lacks a sense of time, but also lacks the corresponding reverence for knowledge related to the mysterious!"
"I've been waiting here in vain for a long time."

Lov, who was shirtless, did not answer immediately.

Instead, he raised the draft beer on his right and took a big gulp.

Then, still slightly drunk, he greeted Fang Yi.

Good evening, remarkable young man.

"Welcome to my 'territory'."

"I've heard about your legendary deeds, even though I don't interact with many people."

"Looks like you've been a bit busy tonight, or perhaps one of the guards relaying orders has been slacking off, so..."

Fang Yi responded with a smile.

He caught what the other person was saying.

Good evening, Mr. Love.

"I arrived a little late because I had some things to take care of."

"Is this the 'Mystic Scholar' who possesses the legendary 'Mystic Octave'?"

Love turned his head away.

She subtly pulled the man beside her along.
-
He noticed Love's subtle movements.

The man was startled.

A hint of well-hidden surprise appeared in his eyes as he looked at Fang Yi.

He remembers it clearly.

The craftsman next to me usually doesn't give face to anyone.

I've never heard of someone acting as a go-between for others.

Although it was Woyin's order, it actually made Love swallow his pride and mediate.

[It seems Fang Yi is indeed as complex as that person said; we need to be cautious with him.]

After such a thought flashed through my mind.

The man slightly suppressed his dissatisfaction.

She responded to Fang Yi in a light and casual manner.

Doyle.

"The person who will teach you how to properly use this book and gain knowledge from it later."

Love added.

"He is also a well-known 'mystical scholar' in the town, possessing a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of various rituals."

"I have also had many pleasant collaborations with the town's officials."

Hearing what Lov said.

Doyle squeezed the magical artifact in his right hand.

He slammed the "Mystery Octamo" on his knee.

He made a sarcastic remark, clearly dissatisfied.

"Since it's so enjoyable..."

"Then why don't you give me more [Old Gold Coins] to fund my research?"

"And they even rejected my suggestion to use the corpses of mercenaries in the tomb who had no relatives to research the [Star Calamity]?"

Love gave an awkward smile.

"This doesn't seem to be something I can decide."

"For now, let's focus on getting this young man to use the [Secret Octamo]."

As he spoke, Luo Fu waved to Fang Yi.

They used a really lame excuse.

“You just got back to town yesterday. You should go and get some rest after you finish this business today.”

"Humph!"

Doyle let out a cold snort from his nose, clearly displeased.

Then, he handed the [Mystery Octamo] to Fang Yi.

"Do as I say."

"Hold it, look at its cover, stroke it back and forth, and get used to it first."

"Once you feel better, talk to me again, and we'll proceed to the next step of the ceremony."
-
Fang Yi took the rather thick book.

They turned their attention to books.

They began to study this book, except for the title "The Mysterious Octave".

The effects, description, and evaluation of this "strange item" are all unknown.

The book's cover is purplish-black and extremely smooth.

There are no patterns or designs on it.

It feels great to the touch.

It's like touching a polished and waxed tabletop.

I stroked it three times.

It cost me 15 points of stress.

After successfully suppressing the dizziness that was making my head feel a little oxygen-deprived.

The man, however, did not follow the other person's steps.

Instead, he quietly used his knowledge of [Strange Body Dissection - Spirit Separation] and alchemy to begin analyzing this [strange object].

He had a vague premonition.

This reading will probably not be easy.

This hostile "mystic" might try something.

Therefore, he plans to spend more time.

Let your body 'adapt' to this book through the process of 'trauma baptism'.
-
A few minutes later.

After Doyle, who was sitting in the chair, started stomping his feet impatiently.

By means of [Identification] and [Comprehensive Explanation of Form Refinement].

The man drew a preliminary conclusion.

This book appears to be made from the skin of some kind of filth and cursed creature.

[Besides possessing extremely strong spirituality, it also carries [spiritual pollution].]

As you hear the words, "[Due to the influence of the Baptism of Trauma and the Gift of Beelzebub, your physical structure has changed.]",

The notification sound reads: "You have gained a buff that greatly increases your resistance to mental erosion and pollution from unknown creatures."

Fang Yi pretended to take out a bottle of "holy water" and took a sip.

Only then did he 'laboriously' shift his gaze away.

"I've adapted."

At the same time, vigilance was raised to the highest level.

He skillfully set up the [Binding] buff and began stacking buffs on himself.

I will pay for this creature within the next day.
-
Doyle heard Fang Yi's words.

The man struggled to look away.

A slight sense of disdain arose in my heart.

Is this adaptability the kind of opponent he speaks of who needs to be wary of and tested?

Although compared to ordinary mercenaries, the opponent's adaptation speed is outstanding.

But among those who have 'inspiration'.

However, they can no longer be considered exceptionally gifted.

Not to mention that it took me just one minute to get used to this book.

The person who accompanied me to the town also took a book from my hand.

Even if that one doesn't have much ability.

He got that precious crucible by sheer luck.

As a result, the entire team was almost wiped out, and the mysterious scholar was eventually killed by the murlocs.

They're nowhere near as good.

Since that's the case, there's no need for any extra preparations!

Doyle pulled a metal fragment from his sleeve and stuck it to the bottom of the artifact in his hand.

[Taking advantage of a moment when he was distracted while reading.]

Use the [Curse] to check if he has any lingering spirits connected to the deceased. That completes the investigation.

The man, thinking this, suddenly turned to the title page of the book.

The next step of the ceremony was announced.

"Don't move. After establishing the connection, start organizing your thoughts."

Then, he gripped the ritual implement tightly.

Prepare to activate the [Curse] at the appropriate time.
-
The book was suddenly opened.

The next moment, the man's gaze toward the book seemed to materialize instantly, as if coated with glue.

It can no longer be moved.

The pages filled with text seemed to come alive as the words rapidly gathered together.

Then, it transformed into a smooth, delicate tentacle, about the thickness of a baby's arm.

She pointed at the man's forehead.

As the tentacles touched the man's forehead, a formal connection was established.

Countless taboos about mystery and rituals, and ramblings about communicating with the unknown.

An interwoven flow of information.

It's like migrating along with ocean currents.

Then, like a huge school of fish swallowed by a whale's gaping mouth along with seawater, they were swallowed whole.

It rushed into the man's brain along the tentacles.

It caused the man's brain to feel slightly hot, creating the illusion that it was burning.
-
However, this illusion lasted only a moment.

Then it vanished without a trace.

Allow your body to adapt in advance.

It also temporarily formed a [binding] spell, specifically increasing its resistance.

He's also a man with extensive experience dealing with delirium, having undergone an "alien blessing" transplant.

My brain only crashed for a moment.

This easily filtered out the babbling that was considered 'toxin'.

With the blessing of [Form Refinement Hundred Solutions], the knowledge that is beneficial to oneself can be easily separated.

Through the power of extensive knowledge and strong memory, it was completely retained in the brain.

[You used the [Wonderful Item] [Arcane Octave], and you initiated a 'ritual'.]

[Due to the influence of Beelzebub's Gift and Extraterrestrial Blessing, you are immune to negative effects and have received an additional blessing.]

[You have gained some understanding of 'rituals' and certain creatures.] [Maintaining a ritual will increase the level of the corresponding skill.]

Several notification sounds rang out simultaneously.

The tentacles that were originally attached to the man's forehead were now 'biting' him like predators.

Suddenly, it started to struggle as if it had been electrocuted.

It made a move to shrink back.

It seems they want to terminate this link ahead of schedule.

However, the man felt knowledge rapidly flooding into his brain.

Clearly, they were unwilling to miss this opportunity to acquire knowledge.

The man suddenly grabbed with his right hand.

Using all his strength, he firmly locked the tentacles in place.

[Hmph! Trying to run away?]

As the tentacles struggled less.

It began to collapse at a speed visible to the naked eye.

It became shriveled.

A pleasant notification sound rang in the man's ears.

Your [Occultism] skill has been upgraded to [Level 6], and your [Ritual Studies] skill has been upgraded to [Level 7].

You have gained the buff "Mark of an Unknown Existence".
-
You will be denied entry to the dungeon for the next 24 hours.

[If you are in an area rich in negative magic within the next 48 hours, you may attract unknown monsters.]
-
Before the man could even familiarize himself with the information, a notification sound rang in his ear, just as he had expected.

You have been affected by an unknown curse.

The meaning of perceiving a sense of attraction that arises inexplicably in one's soul.

He glanced at Doyle, who was holding a bone-shaped magical artifact in front of him, and his smile became even more perfect.

[A curse that manipulates souls? Inflicted upon me?]

[Is this a tag? Or is it for verification?]

[Is this being used on me, who possesses the [Substitute Spirit] ability to manipulate souls, wields the [Lightless Holy Emblem], and can unleash exorcism and curse-borrowing divine magic?]

The man grasped the [Aura of the Dark].

【Then let's test the power of this divine magic.】
-
After touching Fang Yi's forehead.

She tried strangely to pull away from the man's forehead, but he held her firmly.

Within seconds it became extremely shriveled, eventually turning into a flaky tentacle.

And the [Mystery Octamo] has become much thinner in an instant.

Doyle, who was casting the curse, involuntarily tensed up.

Is that book an attempt to distance itself from 'sacrificial offerings'?

That book that charges a price for knowledge in exchange for 'sacrifices'.

[Are you afraid to contact him, and have you even been 'damaged'?]

【How can this be? 】

Doyle's thoughts had not yet continued.

The human bone artifact in his right hand then emitted a very clear cracking sound.

Before Doyle could even begin to ponder why his magical artifact had shattered...

The next second, a tearing sensation came from the depths of my soul.

And a burst of holy white light that illuminated the whole body provided the answer.

This is the backlash from a failed curse!

He knows how to perform exorcisms!!!

No, these are divine spells mastered by priests, Templars, and Paladins.

【We're doomed!】

Doyle looked at the figure that suddenly appeared before him.

Transform the entire space into daylight, creating a warm and sacred white light domain.

Feel the warmth flowing over your skin, nourishing your spirit.

Yet I felt not a trace of warmth.

On the contrary, I felt a sense of well-being from head to toe.

It is cooling down at an unprecedented rate.

Did he find out?

[Fang Yi, the one who killed the "Plague Giant" with a single punch!]

Holding the [Lightless Holy Emblem] grants several abilities that increase resistance to curses.

Activate [Divine Art: Sanctuary].

It was as easy as swatting away flies, and the curse was easily driven away.

He picked up the [Mystery Octamo] in his hand.

After mastering [mysticism] and [ritual studies]

A new entry appeared in this book: "Can be used as material for launching rituals".

The message that popped up after touching the item read: "Ownership not obtained from the holder. Forcibly authenticating and using this item requires 40000 points. Obtaining ownership will waive the point requirement."

The man turned his head away.

He looked at Doyle, whose arm was trembling slightly, with a half-smile.

"Will using this book inflict various curses on the user?"
"Is that right, Mr. Doyle?"
-
Doyle swallowed hard.

He said with forced calmness.

"It seems so."

He heard Deir's reply.

Fang Yi narrowed his eyes and slightly shrunk the [Holy Domain].

She walked towards the man.

His tone became increasingly stern.

Why wasn't this explained in advance?

Doyle instinctively took a few steps back, forcing a smile.

I made up an excuse.

"Generally speaking, most people cannot learn that much knowledge in one go."

"The one who triggered the curse, Mr. Fang Yi."

Fang Yi stomped forward with a sudden step.

She grabbed the man's right hand.

Without making a sound, he grasped the magical artifact based on the skull held by the other party.

They began to investigate the details of the curse medium.

At the same time, he questioned her sternly.

"Then why did your item break?"

"I remember."

Looking at Fang Yi, who was holding the magic weapon.

And there was Love, who stepped down from his seat and cast a suspicious glance at him.

Doyle felt his skin instantly become smooth and silky from the sweat that seeped out.

this moment.

The man racked his brains, trying to come up with a way to escape the questioning.

A moment later, he looked at the [Mysterious Octave] in Fang Yi's hand.

He gave a very calm answer.

"No comment."

Doyle calmed down.

He forcefully pulled the magical artifact in his hand.

After making a movement to pull her hand away from the man's palm.

He put on a stern face and gave an unusually firm reply.

"This should have nothing to do with you, who wants to read books to gain knowledge."

"The shattering of the ritual artifact is related to my personal secret."

Doyle turned his head and looked at Love, who was standing to the side.

“Woyin didn’t say that people who use my books would steal my personal belongings.”

Looking at Fang Yi, whose face was filled with a fierce light.

Doyle timely offered a 'reward' that the other party absolutely could not refuse.

They comforted the other party.

"Mr. Fang Yi, you probably haven't fully grasped the knowledge in the book yet, and you'll need to use it for a while longer, right?"

Before Fang Yi could reply.

Doyle was quick to respond.

"Mr. Fang Yi has high resistance to curses and does not need my assistance."

"If you want to take this book from me, read it, and fully acquire the knowledge, then..."

"I think I should be treated with the most basic respect."
-
The scan was completed using the [Legendary Core], revealing the true nature of the other party.

He released his grip on the ritual implement at the right moment.

He raised the [Mystery Octamo] in his other hand.

"You mean, this book is mine now?"

Doyle forced himself to give a reply.

"Strictly speaking, it is the right to use."

You have gained temporary access to the [Arcane Octave] item. You may use this item without damage.

The item's certification points have been reduced to 20000.

Fang Yi tilted his head.

"It's fine no matter how I use it?"
"If it breaks, I won't have to pay for it, right?"

Doyle reluctantly managed to squeeze out a sentence.

"Need not.

"Under normal circumstances, it will not be damaged."

You have obtained the right to use the [Arcane Octavise], which you can use freely for a certain period of time.

Hearing the other party's response.

Looking at the entry on this [strange item] that says [can be used as material for activating rituals].

There is a large amount of money that needs to be exorcised through a 'ritual'.

Fang Yi nodded in satisfaction regarding the [Mirror's Wounded Finger], which still needed to be authenticated through a 'ritual'.

"It certainly looks like a misunderstanding."

"Humph!"

Before Fang Yi could finish speaking...

Doyle then stood up and tilted his head toward Love, who was standing to the side.

"Now that he can read that book, my task is complete!"
"Remember to send over a batch of [Starry Sky Fragments]."

Having said that, he walked out rather arrogantly.

He slammed the door shut.

He walked out of the blacksmith shop with his head held high.

Fang Yi watched Doyle's departing figure.

However, they did not stop the other party.

By examining the bottom of the artifact, one could find a fragment of the 'God of War's' body.

He has confirmed the other party's identity.

[Wu Zhong, is this the help your 800 merit points provided?]

[This is truly an excellent pawn that I can use.]
-
He only stopped after leaving the blacksmith shop and arriving at a secluded corner, confirming that no one was following him.

Doyle finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He adjusted his slightly damp underwear.

His hands trembled.

He pulled out a bottle of tincture of opium from the lining and began to smoke it while leaning against the wall.

A moment later, the man regained his composure and shielded himself from the excruciating pain that tore his soul apart.

Only then did he regain his senses.

"This Fang Yi is truly terrifying."

"We must demand more compensation from Wu Zhong and the 'wolves' behind him."

"As for the result, let's just say it can't be verified at the moment."

Having made up his mind, the man disappeared into the night.
-
Blacksmith shop.

Fang Yi, appearing completely unaffected, put away the [Sanctuary] weapon.

Love sighed as he drank his draft beer.

"I know that Doyle's attitude is not good, and there are some bad rumors about him as well."

"But directly offending a [mystical scholar] could easily bring trouble."

However, before the old man could finish speaking, Fang Yi interrupted him.

"That Doyle, has he left the town recently?"

"Do you have any Star Fragments?"

Lov was taken aback at first.

Then, he gave a somewhat uncertain reply.

He just returned to the town yesterday.

"The [mysterious scholars] who cooperate with the town will all receive some [Star Fragments]."

Seems to have realized something.

Love took out a box of bullets that glowed green and asked a tentative question.

"You suspect he's involved with the businessman who was shot earlier today."

Fang Yi nodded.

Instead of responding to the old man's question, he changed the subject.

"Tomorrow, I will enter the [Elite Dungeon]."

"So I came here today as promised."

Love stroked his chin.

"Since Corey took that shield..."

"Then you should know about the existence of the [Star Calamity] series of equipment, right?"
"You want to ask about the manufacturing and usage methods of this series of equipment, right?"

Fang Yi nodded, then shook his head.

Then he took out an item.

"Yes, but there are more important things to do right now."

“I hope you can take a look at this item in my hand.”

(End of this chapter)