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Chapter 518 [The Undefeated Shadow]

Chen Qi had just finished speaking.

The shadows created ripples, much like the ripples that appear when a drop of water falls onto the surface.

The figures of three unfamiliar men came into view.

The most eye-catching figure was the man sitting casually in the chair.

The man had a very gruesome scar across his cheek, and his body was very strong.

He had a dark green flintlock pistol tucked into his waistband.

He held several bullets that glowed with an ominous green light in his hand.

The mysterious scholar who casts his gaze upon them.

The man smiled and gave his name.

"Quinn, [lv5]."

You might find this face somewhat unfamiliar.

"I came from a small town that was developing the [bay] not long ago."

"He can be considered a friend of Mr. Wu Zhong."

After introducing himself...

Quinn then gave him a somewhat fierce look.

He scrutinized the mysterious scholar who was holding a human bone artifact.
-
It was simply a matter of making eye contact with him.

The mystic named Doyle felt a sense of being watched by jackals when he was walking alone in the wilderness.

My hands and feet also felt strangely bound.

This person doesn't look like a mercenary; he looks more like a bandit.

[Are they all lurking in the shadows? Is this Wu Zhong's ability again?]

I glanced at the equipment on the other person's waist.

After observing the scene of the other party playing with the bullet.

Doyle felt a chill run down his spine.

That's a special type of ammunition I made!

Gundam [lv9]'s [mysticism] had already made him aware of the opponent's strength.

Hanging from the man's waist is a highly complete and valuable piece of equipment from the "Star Calamity" series!
The opponent can touch the bullet that inflicts [Calamity] at close range.

This further illustrates one point.

The opponent has killed the strongest monster in [Star Calamity].

Therefore, you acquire the trait that you have a chance to obtain after killing this monster.

[Anyone capable of killing that kind of monster must be a powerful being who has touched upon the [Elements] and developed them to a certain extent!]
-
Doyle draws a conclusion
I replied politely.

"Doyle, [lv5]."

Seeing that Quinn didn't respond, it was clear that he wasn't paying attention to Quinn's thoughts.

He then looked away.

He looked to the side and leaned against Quinn, closing his eyes to rest.

A man who has no desire to communicate.

The man had a dark complexion and extremely muscular hands.

He had several dreadlocks on his head that looked like caterpillars.

He was holding a sheet stained with large patches of blood.

A crossbow with a ghostly green arrow.
-
Looking at the bloodstains scattered on the wooden crossbow.

[Occultism] Doyle, who had a deep understanding of it, rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

[This feeling...is this something from the extremely rare [Blood Court] series equipment?]

Judging from the 'spirituality' remaining in the equipment, it was only recently produced.

But this applies to both the materials used to craft equipment and the finished equipment.

These items can only be obtained from the "Crimson Courtyard," an area that was explicitly forbidden to be explored by all towns a long time ago.

How did he get it?

Although the [Blood Court] series of equipment has very strong performance.

Once assembled into a kit, it can also come with incredible features and enhancements.

But in this small town, at this point in time.

Even the "Wanderer's Carriage," which claims to sell everything, is an example.

It's unlikely that such equipment could be obtained!
-
Doyle hadn't yet recovered from his shock.

The last one remained standing in the shadows.

The words spoken by the man with the eerie eyes interrupted them.

"He can't speak, so just call him 'Crossbow'."

He also came from the small town of [the bay].

"Of course, it's also [lv5]."

Chen Qi, who looked slightly thinner, emerged from the shadows.

He stood next to Wu Zhong, who was writing furiously with extremely strong muscles, and patted the man on the shoulder.

"My name is Chen Qi."

"Like you, we are all friends of this Wu Zhong."

Then, they retreated back into the shadows.

No more talking.
-
Only then did I finish writing and choose to stop.

Looking at Chen Qi, whose handwriting had been completely renewed in the journal next to him.

Only then did he raise his head again to look at everyone.

They read out the intelligence without any hesitation.

"I just received the news."

"The pre-arranged forces have completed the first pursuit of all the mercenaries who left the pioneering town of [Bay]."

Hearing the news from Chen Qi.

Quinn stopped throwing the [Calamity] bullets and put them away.

Suddenly, he crossed his arms and looked at Chen Qi.

"I remember there were four captains there who were slightly weaker but had mastered the [Elements]."

"With them involved, it seems that the mission entrusted to us by the Prophet to assist in intercepting the messenger should be over."
-
Chen Qi picked up the notebook.

shook his head.

"Judging from the corpses, they were like most of the mercenaries being pursued."

"All dead."

Quinn's eyes widened.

"All dead?"

Chen Qi glanced at the handwriting in the notebook as he flipped through it.

He responded casually.

Yes, they're all dead.

"It was somewhat expected, after all, Gu Qi chose to leave the town."

"There was also a special team of four people (the God Reincarnators Team) who were much stronger than you, and they died too."

I shifted my gaze and turned a page in the journal.

Chen Qi reported the cause of death.

"The men who had set up a defensive line in advance to intercept the messenger all died from flintlock gunfire."

"It must have been directly breached by the messenger."

"The remaining men who left the town to pursue the enemy did not leave the town for long."

"They all died from blunt force trauma, which resembled shields."

There was a pause.

Chen Qi let out a long sigh that no one could understand.

"Is it true that Gu Qi, who is known as the 'Indestructible Shield,' lives up to his reputation?"

"He single-handedly stopped all of us who were trying to leave the town to pursue the mercenaries, and wiped out a whole squad by himself."

"The strength of that messenger named Disma was also unexpected."

"They easily breached our pre-set defenses."

shook his head.

After marveling at how troublesome the enemy was.

The man looked at the crowd with some regret.

"Regardless, the responsibility of killing that messenger will now fall to us."

"That's why I've gathered you all here."
-
They heard news of the enemy.

When the 'crossbowman' opened his eyes, his pupils were already filled with murderous intent.

The crossbow looked at Chen Qi.

He made a clean and decisive throat-slitting motion.

He expressed his opinion.

【Then we'll kill him.】

And then they overheard a conversation between several people.

Doyle learned that the other party had killed several mercenaries.

He then quietly took a few steps back.

At this moment, the mysterious scholar had already vaguely realized it.

These people's identities and their actions clearly contradict the town's stance.

None of these are things I should 'know'.

The [Starry Sky Fragments] and a large amount of [Old Gold Coins] that I had previously acquired.

It's probably a bit too hot to handle.
-
But then he recalled the bullets he had illegally manufactured for the other party.

The earlier shooting incident.

And his own actions of proactively contacting the mercenary named Fang Yi, as planned.

She only glanced at the man behind the table.

He then understood his situation.

It started that night, when we talked in the carriage on our way back to town.

Unbeknownst to me, I had already become involved in their plan.

This man has dragged me into this inescapable quagmire, and there's no turning back.

but now.

Not only did he fail to complete the task assigned to him by the other party, but he also failed to complete it.

He had only made things worse, clearly arousing Fang Yi's suspicion.

For these people, the best course of action for the other party at this time is...

[Silence]

After such a thought came to mind.

He looked at the 'Crossbow' and Quinn beside him, staring at him with the same look a butcher would give a fresh piece of meat.

Doyle felt his legs go limp like noodles.

He was about to fall to the ground.
-
The next second, a hand landed on the man's shoulder.

It held the man's limp body in place like a nail.

"My companion, you seem a little uneasy?"

"Let me guess, what is this unease?"

"It must have been caused by the task I entrusted to you concerning that Fang Yi, right?"

Looking at the calluses on his shoulders.

And just a second ago he was sitting at the table.

Now, Chen Qi has mysteriously appeared beside him, speaking out his worries as if he had foreseen the future.

Doyle's mouth dropped open.

He squeezed out the doubts in his heart.

"You...can you read minds?"

The mysterious scholar beside him watched with a face full of surprise.

He caught a glimpse of the wary glances from the two people beside him.

Chen Qi knew that he had already intimidated everyone.

He showed a satisfied smile.

"It's just some simple reasoning."

"Also, don't forget what I said."

He patted the Mystic on the shoulder.

"Your failure was within my expectations."

"So there's no need to worry."
-
The Mysterious Scholar's emotions fluctuated like a rollercoaster within just a few seconds.

Hearing the man's words of 'forgiveness' upon her.

Overwhelmed with emotion, two streams of tears flowed down his cheeks.

He uttered a rambling response.

"But I haven't finished yet."

"Shh—!" The next second, Chen Qi sat down behind his desk again.

She raised a finger to her lips, gesturing for silence towards the man who seemed about to speak.

Sometimes, not getting an answer is an answer in itself.

Chen Qi announced a judgment that made everyone gasp in shock.

There is a considerable probability that Fang Yi is an enemy whose stance is contrary to mine.

"It could also be an obstacle to the plans we are about to implement."

Before anyone could speak, he expressed his disagreement.

Chen Qi then added a sentence.

"But don't worry, I'll take care of him."

"I will try harder to turn him into a friend who is on the same side as me."

He looked past the crowd and stared at the gray-white wall.

Chen Qi recalled his experience fighting against his opponent.

After a moment of silence, like everyone else,

I added a sentence, somewhat regretfully.

"If he can't become my friend in the end."

"Then it will be me, it must be me, and it can only be me who kills that talented man."

Sensing the destiny of the character named "Invincible Shadow" engraved on the "Protagonist" card.

Chen Qi added calmly.

His words brimmed with unprecedented confidence.

"Don't worry, all the battles I've initiated so far have been proactive."

Win rate.

“It’s 100%.”

The three people in the room looked at Chen Qi, who was sitting behind the desk.

The same thought occurred to them simultaneously.

This man was not lying.

Even with Fang Yi's unbelievably powerful strength, he possessed absolute confidence that he could defeat his opponent.

Chen Qi heard the notification sound in his ear: "Character xx's friendship level with you has changed to 77/100. Character xx's friendship level with you has changed."

He smiled with satisfaction.

"The messenger named Disma will arrive in the town in about three days."

"Now, I'll assign the tasks for everyone over these three days."

"."
-
A small town, an open space.

Dip it in [Holy Water - Thick Type] according to the knowledge in [Anemo Holy Symbol].

After clumsily drawing several faintly glowing "Anti-Defilement Runes" in the surrounding open space to prevent the spread of curses and negative energy, he had made sufficient preparations.

Fang Yi then threw the pile of cursed coins into it.

I touched the [Aura of the Dark].

Before heading to the [Wanderer's Carriage] to shop, he needs to do a few things.

After closing his eyes and pondering for a moment, he...

The man who was caught by the curse flowed through the [Hunting Rules lv1] which [amplifies negative energy perception and seeks out weaknesses].

He extended his right hand and pointed to the coins.

[Divine Art - Purification Ritual]

A strange song began to play in the man's ears.

A glimmer of light burst forth from the man's index finger, drifting toward the cursed coin.

The faint light, the moment it touched the coin, was like a spark encountering fine wood shavings.

It suddenly swelled up.

It transformed into a phantom flame that swallowed the coins.

"Puff, puff!"

The coins began to tremble visibly.

A chilling, unsettling sound emanated from it.

A wisp of black smoke slowly seeped from the coin.

The man also heard a notification sound from the space.

You are performing a 'mysterious' ritual.

Maintaining and completing this ritual will give you a chance to increase your Mysticism level and unlock potential skill branches.

The man sensed a repulsive force coming from his right hand that caused his fingers to bend, ending the ritual.

He extended his left hand to hold his right hand in place, thus maintaining the ceremony.

He glanced at Ms. Kanroji beside him.

Following the man's instructions, Miss Kanroji removed the stopper from the bottle containing the "Holy Water - Thick Type".

It slowly poured down onto the trembling coins, little by little.

The accelerator for the ceremony was pressed.

The black smoke quickly transformed into a stream of foul-smelling air that spread in all directions.

Minutes later, with the last gust of foul air...

It collided with the surrounding faintly glowing [Anti-Filth Runes], taking away some of the light before gradually disappearing into the air.

The man also heard a notification sound from the space.

Your understanding of the [Hunting Rules] and [Anti-Impure Runes] has deepened.

The levels of the "Hunting Rules" and "Anti-Impure Runes" have been increased to "lv2".

Improvement of these two skills.

This signifies the [Specialty] a man receives upon 'graduating' from the [Shadowless Holy Emblem].

One step closer.

[You have used two divine spells, witnessed previously unseen mysteries, and your understanding of the occult has improved.]

The skill level for 【Mysticism】 has been increased to 【lv8】.
-
I sensed an even greater ability to perceive energy as my [Mysticism] level increased.

Fang Yi took out the magical books that Miss Zhuang had given him.

This somewhat thick book was previously kept in the Tohsaka family's magic workshop.

It was a skill scroll called [Gem Magic].

Learning this skill is very expensive and has high prerequisites.

He wants to reap the rewards of his [talent] [extraordinary gravity].

You also need to save some points and story points from time to time.

Therefore, Fang Yi did not choose to learn this skill before entering the mission.

Now that he has accumulated 11 B-level story points, Fang Yi feels it's time to learn this skill.

The ability to 'decipher' symbols and codes, granted by [Occultism lv8].

After flipping through the books and conducting some verification,

The man then heard a notification sound from the space.

Using this item requires 16000 points and 4 B-rank story points. Pay now?

This reduced my points from a relatively ample 56850 to 40850.

After B-level story points dropped to 7.

The effects of this skill were also evident to the man.
-
【Gem Magic】

Skill category: Spell skills

Learning requirements:

1. [Mysticism] Level 6 or higher or equivalent in energy cognition.

2. Possessing the trait or talent for precise manipulation of energy, or an equivalent level of ability.

Passive buffs:

[Gemstone Sensing]

It is possible to clearly discern the 'spirituality' possessed by a gemstone.

[Conversion Techniques]

A slight improvement in the precision of energy manipulation.

It can retain and accumulate magic power to a certain extent and control the flow of magic power.

It causes a change in the nature of magic.
-
Active effects:

【Gemstone Magic: Container Modification】

One can transfer one's own magic into a gem that possesses 'spirituality'.

Transform it into a container that can accumulate one's own magic power and access it instantly.
-
【Gemstone Magic - Simple Engraving】(Performance limitations)

Magic can be infused into the gem based on its inherent properties.

Seal in spell-type skills that match the gem's attributes.

It can be made into a one-time, simple magic imprint, which greatly reduces the casting time required to activate the spells within it.

The specific effect is affected by the quality and properties of the gemstone, as well as the amount of magic infused into it.

(Due to lack of [Conversion] and [Specialty], and insufficient [Mysticism] level)
(Current performance is limited.)
【Gem Magic - Amplification】

【Gem Magic - Rune】

(Relevant knowledge not yet available)
-
Summary:
The Tohsaka family has been passed down for generations.

Based on the characteristics of its own bloodline, it underwent modifications to suit itself.

Make full use of the magic of gemstones.

It needs to possess a magical property similar to [Transformation].

Only then can the magic's power be brought into play.

However, it is said that other magician families have also mastered this magic trick and developed even more uses for it.
-
Evaluation:

The scenery glimpsed by those who come later, wandering down the wrong path.
-
A skill with a high skill ceiling.

There is no limit to the number of additional items that can be made.

The stored mana only consumes the portable blue potion containing the gem's 'spirituality'.

It can also create instant-cast 'spell scrolls'.

After glancing at the description and reviews, as well as the unlocked active effects, I realized...

I briefly recalled the 'plot' and setting.

Fang Yi understood who to contact for these unlocked extra branches.

No surprises.

He later went to find Weber, who became the leader of the El-Melloi faction.

By having the other party act as a go-between, he can find a magician who also inherits the [Jewel Magic] and is a distant relative of Rin Tohsaka.

Unlock other branches of research that the other party has developed.

If you're lucky, you might encounter the "magician" who created this magic.

Perhaps this skill can even be improved.

But that's all for the future.
-
I briefly sorted through the knowledge that had flooded my mind.

Fang Yi then took out the bag of gems that Miss Zhuang had given him.

From the bag of gems that had been emptied after using the [Imperial Golden Cup], only one gem remained.

Hold it in your hand.

After a moment, the man shook his head with some regret.

This gem lacks 'spirituality' and can only store a maximum of 70 mana points.

Because the level of [Gem Magic] is low, the gem's 'spirituality' is also low.

It will take him quite some time to prepare to turn it into a blue bottle.

The time required to craft a gem into a one-time 'magic scroll' is measured in weeks.

It seems like I should go find Rin Tohsaka.

Learn the Tohsaka family's [Transformation] [Specialty] related to [Accumulation, Flow, and Transformation of Power].

Or before further improving one's magical aptitude.

This skill can only be used to make blue potions for now.

For better results, he also needs to use gems with a high level of 'spirituality'.

Of course, for men who have a highly efficient magic-utilizing 'engine' like the [Dragon's Heart] and are constantly running out of mana...

The extra blue bar provided by gems represents combat power.

At the same time, simply storing magic power will not damage the gem that serves as the 'container'.

Once you buy a gemstone, you can reuse it multiple times.

It's a relatively resource-efficient and cost-effective enhancement.

Thinking of this, Fang Yi put away the coins.

He gestured for Ms. Kanroji, who was standing nearby, to follow him.
-
A few minutes later, in front of a dilapidated house.

Fang Yi had just approached, but had not yet knocked on the door according to the code.

Formal encounter with the [Wanderer's Carriage].

Then a very strange, hoarse female voice rang in my ears.

“This sir.

"I have three things here that you need."

(End of this chapter)