That's right, that's what adventure is like!

[Faded moon ring (damaged)]

Type: Accessories/Weapons

Grade: Common (White)

Description: A metal earring the size of a fingertip, with edges as thin as silk, already rusted, with a finely carved crescent moon pattern faintly visible on the ring, like some kind of keepsake.

Extraction requirement: Redemption stories (can be extracted)

Note: Extractable ability "Ring Blade Strike"

Bright light shone on the earrings, and the crescent moon pattern reflected a dark silver hue. Roland looked at the item and sighed softly.

After promising Aletta that day that he would help her become stronger, the redemption story finally came to an end, and the opportunity for extraction finally arrived once again.

"At least this time the reward is predictable and not as useless as last time."

Setting the earring aside, Roland recalled the "Blood Blade" he had obtained from completing the Insight-type story last time, and his expression turned slightly grim.

He was tricked by the system.

The name "Bloodstained Blade" sounded very imposing, and he thought it was some kind of particularly powerful combat skill, but it turned out to be not.

The conditions for using this combat technique are quite unusual.

Only applicable to enemies who have betrayed you, when your inner rage has reached its peak, you will unleash a deadly attack that ignores all defenses and strikes straight at your soul, at the cost of burning yourself.

His power was indeed formidable, but where would he find so many traitors to kill? Not to mention, his emotions were always calm; how could he possibly ignite his anger?

That's too harsh.

After Roland conducted an in-depth investigation, he sensed something unusual about the matter.

"In that knight's story, the Bloodstained Blade was taught to him by an old prisoner who later helped him escape from prison. He was openly and secretly encouraging the knight to kill the viscount... Such behavior is quite suspicious."

He frowned, his fingers unconsciously stroking the lost coin.

"Could it be that this old prisoner actually has another identity, sent by some nobleman, with the real purpose of killing that viscount?"

"Or perhaps he is actually the embodiment of some devil, trying to lure the knight into the abyss through this method?"

If that's the case, then this ability is extraordinary, and its use might lead to other unforeseen events.

Roland pondered for a moment, and suddenly had an idea.

The Bloodstained Blade is very powerful, but it may have hidden dangers.

Since that's the case, why not teach this ability to someone else, and see if there's a demon behind this combat skill when that person uses it?

If we could lure out a devil, and then join forces with the Church of the True God to capture him, it would be excellent material for a story.

"...Quite interesting."

Roland's eyes flickered as he thought of the adventurers' shocked expressions, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

After a moment, he turned his gaze back to the faded moon ring in his hand.

This extraction will enable him to master three warrior-type professional skills, initially meeting the requirements for formal employment.

He only needs to raise all his attributes to the standard warrior level, and then he will truly step into the ranks of the extraordinary.

With anticipation in his eyes, Roland retrieved the contents of the redemption story and prepared to extract new abilities.

Just then.

Knock knock knock—

The dull knocking made him stop in his tracks. He frowned slightly, then jumped off the bed, grabbed the scorching spear from the side, and held it in his hand.

"Who?"

"……I."

The familiar voice made Roland relax his brow, then furrow again. He opened the door and said, "Why do you always choose times like this?"

Yogurt walked in with steady steps, still smelling of blood, and said in a low voice, "I didn't want to either, it was just a coincidence."

As he spoke, his gaze swept across the room, as if trying to figure out what Roland meant by "this time".

The result, of course, was that there were no abnormalities.

Roland pulled up a chair for him to sit down, then handed him a cup of black tea: "What is it?"

Yogurt took a sip of the tea, a subtle expression flashing across her face, clearly indicating that she didn't like the taste.

But he didn't say it. Instead, he put down his cup and took out several items from his pocket and placed them on the table.

First, there's a shimmering crystal card with the number 672, representing the amount of gold coins that can be withdrawn.

"The profits from the secret realm," Yogurt said, "are only a portion. The association will continue to send people to explore it, and you will receive 10% of the proceeds."

Roland raised an eyebrow.

This settlement method is quite unusual. He originally thought the association would make a one-time deal to reclaim his "right to know" with a large amount of gold coins, but he didn't expect it to be a long-term benefit.

But this is good, long-term benefits are always greater than short-term benefits, and besides, that secret realm looks extraordinary.

Out of curiosity, Roland asked another question: "Did the association find anything after sending people to explore the secret realm?"

"This is the second thing I want to tell you."

Yogurt took out a metal fragment from his pocket and handed it to Roland. It had several patterns drawn on it with charcoal and symbols that he couldn't understand.

"What is this?" Roland took it and examined it carefully.

Seeing his confusion, Yogurt began to explain: "The association has explored that secret realm and found that some of the mechanisms inside have been tampered with to reduce the danger, especially the forging area."

Roland nodded, as expected.

Yog continued, "Furthermore, the three locations we reached after leaving the secret realm—whether villages or underground lairs—monsters, dragon eggs, anything related to the supernatural—have all vanished without a trace."

"That organization is unwilling to contact the association. This thing you have in your hand is the only clue we found."

"I see..." Roland vaguely understood, looking down at the metal fragment. "So, this thing is our third trial?"

"Yes, I guess so."

"Guess?" Roland asked, slightly surprised. "Didn't your teacher reveal any more information?"

"No," Yogurt shook her head and said in a deep voice, "He insisted that I complete the trial myself and refused to tell me any information about that organization."

He paused, then continued, "However, he acknowledged your help to me last time and offered a corresponding reward."

Yogurt's expression showed some gratitude when she mentioned this.

From the initial whereabouts of Barlow to the later confrontation with the burrowing worms, if it weren't for Roland's help, he probably wouldn't be standing here now.

Roland, however, understood even more.

That elven ranger was indeed very principled; he helped Yogurt last time, and this time he immediately helped him solve the blood core problem.

They are worth befriending.

Unfortunately, this is also why Yogurt lost the opportunity to continue seeking assistance.

"The teacher said that helping me once is enough," the orc said with a hint of regret. "For this trial, he doesn't allow me to seek help from anyone else, and that applies to all three of us as well."

Roland nodded slightly, understanding that this was a special requirement of the trial.

He copied the pattern from the metal fragment and looked at the table again.

There was a third item, a map.

After observing carefully, his pupils contracted slightly.

This map was unlike any he had ever seen. Three or five streams of light of different colors were moving across it, some slowly crawling, some suddenly accelerating, and they were changing positions from time to time.

"This is a gift for you," Yogurt said, pointing to the map. "It's a map of the current situation in the kingdom. Although it's not very detailed, it will help you understand the situation."

He first pointed to a small patch of red light in the eastern part of the center of the map. The area was extremely small, but it was burning stubbornly.

"This is the king's power; he is gathering all his strength in an effort to reclaim more territory."

Surrounding the red orb of light were vast expanses of black, like a tidal wave, to the west and north, tightly encircling the red light and attempting to extinguish it.

"The Imperial Army has reorganized its forces and reached a consensus internally that it will no longer hold back and is awaiting the Empress's final instructions."

Finally, there was a silvery light, about one-third of which was in the south, slowly wriggling. Although it bordered the other two sides, it did not intersect with them at all.

"The noble alliance abandoned the kingdom at the very beginning of the war and is now waiting for the final winner, only to see if they need to change their title."

Roland looked at the orbs of light, his heart stirred with emotion.

He looked up, a hint of surprise in his voice: "How...did this thing come about?"

Such a precise and real-time situation map is crucial in any war, and could even change the course of the battle. It's unbelievable that it fell into the hands of a low-level professional.

"It's not my doing," Yogurt shook her head, her tone somewhat serious. "Within the association, anyone with a bit of authority can get their hands on this. Mine is already considered slow. The ones held by the real core members have light spots that move much faster than this."

It turned out to be the case.

The association has branches throughout the kingdom. Although it maintains neutrality, it shares information and can naturally obtain first-hand intelligence.

The room fell silent. Roland carefully observed the interwoven and swirling lights and exhaled.

These tiny dots of light represent not only the movements of the army, but also the lives lost.

For him, this also represented crucial information about when to leave this place.

"Thank you." He looked up, his tone solemn.

If such internal association information were to be leaked and discovered, Yogurt would certainly be severely punished. Giving him a copy now shows that they have placed great trust in him.

Yogurt didn't say much, but got up and walked outside: "It's okay, we owe you a lot."

Roland watched him leave.

After the door closed, he looked down at the map for a long time before slowly putting it away.

My gaze fell once again on the damaged lunar ring.

The light shone on it, and the carving of the crescent moon reflected a dim light, as if something was sleeping.

Taking a deep breath, Roland no longer hesitated and pulled up the contents of the redemption story.

[You have completed the redemption story "Dragon and Slag." Do you wish to extract the abilities of its past master?]

"extraction."

Consciousness trembled slightly with the sharpness of the fingertips.

Fragmented memories and images surfaced deep within my soul and were imprinted on my senses.

moonlight.

Cool and bright, it shines on the clearing in the woods.

A faint smell of blood filled the air as a dozen dark green figures approached from all directions, their rough stone axes gleaming with silver light.

A female elf stood in the middle.

Her long, silver-white hair was tied into a ponytail, the ends of which trembled gently with her breath. Her beautiful face was turned to the side, making it difficult to see clearly, except for the crescent-shaped earring on her earlobe that shone brightly.

The lizardmen pounced.

She didn't move, but simply placed her hand lightly on the hilt of the sword at her waist.

Draw your sword.

The sword tip left a silver trail in the air, complete and smooth, like a thread formed from moonlight, crystal clear and translucent.

The blade sliced ​​across the neck of the first lizardman without pausing or hesitation, turning naturally before landing on the next one.

Then came the third, the fourth, the fifth...

In the blink of an eye.

Twelve lizardmen, twelve wounds.

They stood frozen in place, still in their charging posture, but had lost all life, and with a "thud," they fell to the ground.

The female elf sheathed her sword and stood under the moonlight, not a drop of blood on her body, simply watching the dead monster.

She gently touched the moon-shaped ring under her earlobe, turned around and walked away, her figure disappearing into the dark forest.

The earring in my palm suddenly became warm.

Roland suddenly opened his eyes, breathing rapidly, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead.

The system notified me.

The combat skill "Ring Blade Strike" has been extracted, and the item tier has been upgraded.

[Do you promote the story "The Dragon and the Slag"?]

"……yes."