V2 Chapter 6

Rain never doubted that this magical item was surely something he desperately needs.

With the state of his Magic Power being extremely unstable, and easily erupts even with the slightest stimuli, this kind of magic item is what he needed most.

After showing his gratitude to Lafetti in kind, he then wore the necklace. Immediately an incredible sensation assaulted him as if he was being submerged into natural spring water…everything seemed to be so light, so relaxing.

A comforting sensation wafted through him from head to toe, his fatigue and exhaustion lessening. As if a boulder had been taken off of his shoulders. Then, while feeling that of incredible sensation, he immediately focuses all his attention on his magic power, while following on the practice he had done up until now, all according to what he had learned from Zarda and Threia on how to circulate his magic power through his magic veins, and sought to control it.

When he had built up his concentration and attempted to control the magic power inside of him according to his usual practice, for some strange reason, the magical power seemed to be much more obedient than before, though just a bit as they went in the way exactly as he tried to will it.

Secretly delighted, Rain thought that this gemstone necklace really is a good thing.

Whatever is inside him, the gemstone was somehow able to suppress it for a bit, and even the magic veins inside of him were showing several improvements. Truthfully, he knows that he's in a really serious condition.

Because of his massive mana pool, prior to his awakening, the Magic Veins deteriorated--seemingly unable to control or endure this kind of power.

Well, as someone who had never used magic before, of course, his Magic Veins are almost like one that of a newborn, extremely fragile. And then with the amount of magic power inside his body, which he had accumulated through eating using his [Predation], it became a danger for him, instead of being good.

That's why, he had been banned from always using Magic Power, as it poses a threat to his life with the current condition of his mana veins.

According to what he was taught, magic in the human body is circulated through one particular set of arteries known as the magic veins and is stored in an organ called a magic organ. But it is a fact that these magical organs could not be found even if one were to dissect a human being.

According to Sylphy, these organs only exist in a metaphysical form, one that is integrated into one’s soul and spirit. Or to say in simplest terms, from within the core of one's existence.

In the circulation of magical power, magical power would increases as one expands the magical pathways, the so-called magic veins found within an individual. And as training goes, one consciously feeds magical power to the magic organ, and then the magic organ will expand and likewise increase one’s magical capacity. At the same time, it also expands and strengthened the magic veins that formed a circuit inside an individual.

That was the common understanding in regards to magic.

However, Rain was different.

Even without his magic veins, his magic organ had been slowly expanding due to the fact that he can absorb magical power from the things and monsters he consumes, integrating and turning it into his own. Hence, despite the incredible size of his magic organ, along with his capacity, the magic veins inside his body actually barely enhanced—that’s before his awakening.

Therefore, after his magic awakening, the moment he can now use magic, the magic veins inside his body cannot accommodate the amount of magic power that flows through him, whenever he is using magic, and this caused a huge problem. Along with the chaotic nature of his power, it makes it even harder for him to control it.

With Zarda and the help of the others, Rain was undergoing strenuous exercise and training to slowly improve and strengthen his magic veins, to cope with his enormous mana pool. But it was difficult and the improvement was at turtle speed, all seemed to be because of something within him, which he doesn't know, whatever it is, is causing his Magic Power to be extremely hard to control, and prone to going berserk.

But the chaotic part was now somewhat resolved due to the gemstone necklace. Hence, Rain can now slowly focus on strengthening his magic veins instead.

He thought it would still a very long time before he was able to properly use Magic as much as he wanted. But with the gemstone necklace, it somehow reduced the difficulty. Without hesitation, he started meditating again and began to cycle the magic power around his body, forgetting the time.

When Rain closed his eyes, Lafetti, Granite, and Scarlet let out faint smiles and decided to rest as well.

His practice comes first; in any case, food is not a problem for the time being, so there was no real issue for haste. Lafetti circled her tail around Rain, though with a bit of space around him. She did this so that she could protect him when something suddenly happened. Granite and Scarlet as well settled in the entrance, guarding.

A long-time passed by.

Rain only came to himself when his stomach started rumbling. He had no idea how long he’d meditated, just that his body’s pains had greatly receded and he seemed to have gained some new strength.

He also noticed something odd when he took a break from training – that sliver of magical power inside of him no longer orbited according to the usual way, but was actually circulating through the skin, muscles, bones, and limbs of his entire body.

It was as if, he was not only strengthening his magic veins, but also his physical body—an enhancement of muscles, skin, and bone. Though this should be not normal, he can only attribute it to the magical power of the gemstone necklace. No wonder it’s classified as extremely precious and rare in this world of magic.

It not only strengthened and enhanced his Magic Veins, but also his entire body. Even if Rain didn’t have his strange physique, if he had the gemstone necklace he would have still had a warrior-like body despite being a mage. One that is something almost all mages in the world desired and dreamed of.

Unfortunately, for Rain, it’s not something extremely useful. His ability [Predation] already reconstructs his body to become even better, stronger, and tougher. Hence, the enhancement of the gemstone necklace is almost negligible.

Still, it’s not as if the enhancement of the gemstone necklace was futile, as according to Sylphy, the necklace can help him stabilize his physical condition.

Although his physique had already reached beyond human comprehension, because it was the result of his skill [Predation] consuming and absorbing different monster flesh, his power can be said to be a bit unstable. His physical attributes advanced too quickly that it made his foundation too weak.

And also, there are still many more hidden complications, that if not properly cured, and would be accumulated after a long time, would become a very troublesome problem for him in the long run.

An example of this is the fact that if Rain continued consuming monster flesh without any proper care, he might become a monster himself, or that he would be affected by the powers of these monsters. Although this is just a theory for now, nevertheless, there’s a high chance of it coming true according to Sylphy.

The Magic Power from the Monsters is completely different from that of a human. And although, Rain, as a human was able to bypass that difference because of his unique ability, and absorb them to turn them into his own, it’s not a hundred percent safe. There will still be hidden unrefined essences of monsters and magic beasts that will be stored inside his body, and if this problem accumulates, it would surely affect him.

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But with the help of the gemstone necklace and its ability to refine magic power to its purest form, as well as strengthen his magic veins and physical body, those hidden complexions would be solved in time. Hence, the help of the gemstone necklace was surely something indispensable for him.

The moment Rain woke up from his meditation, a fragrant smell spread out from the barbecue of the bonfire, and the color and luster of the meat, roasted on the flames had also already changed into a delicious golden.

“Hungry?”

Lafetti came over after grabbing some skewers that were leaning on the side of the flames and handed over some seasoned meat skewers to him.

“Just in time,”

Rain chuckled as he accepted the barbecued meat.

… …

Because Lafetti said that they needed to rest for a while, they didn’t continue their exploration and holed inside the room.

Igniting a bonfire, and setting up a gridiron, four people sat around the dancing flames.

Granite and Lafetti were wiping their equipment, cleaning, and doing some maintenance. Although not as good as blacksmiths, as warriors- they at least know some basic things on how to maintain their weapons and armors.

Scarlet was leaning on the wall, sleeping. Rain, on the other hand, turned his attention to the books that they had found inside the room. Lafetti told him that three of the books are combat skills, while the others were not.

Since the four of them are combat arts—two of them are incomplete techniques, including the seemingly strong [Spear of the Thousand Dragons]. Though they are incomplete, it doesn’t mean they are unusable. In fact, Drova and he might have a great time trying to complete them in the later future.

But the thing that Rain was interested in was the tattered book that he had found inside the locked treasure chests alongside that mysterious paper, bow artifact, and the rare gemstone necklace.

He thought that the piece of paper was from this book, but he was mistaken. This book seemed to be made out of white paper, but not as mysterious and strangely thin, paper-like that one. In fact, even Rain was at a loss on what that piece of paper made from—surely, it’s not a regular paper.

However, the book was locked, a metal-bound around it. Hence, even Lafetti and the others didn’t know what it was. There seemed to be a keyhole on the cover of the book.

Rain thought there might still be a key somewhere. But they had already searched every nook and cranny but still couldn’t find any key aside from the locked chest.

Still, he didn’t want to give up. While thinking about what he should do about it, he cleaned the book, then carefully studied it, corner to corner. However, when he inspected the book, suddenly he saw that on the back cover, there was a small hole-like thing.

The hole has a very familiar shape, and in an instant, Rain immediately knows why. The shape looked like it the gemstone he was wearing.

Could it be?

Rain took off his necklace and looked at the gemstone pendant he was wearing. Indeed, no matter which angle he looks, it resembled the gemstone pendant, almost as if it was made using the hole on the book as its mold.

But why would this book have something like that?

…unless…

His eyes gleamed brightly, and he hurriedly placed the gemstone pendant inside it, and as expected it fitted perfectly.

I knew it!

The keyhole on the cover was a fake, and instead, the real one was at the back. The Gemstone Pendant was the key!

When you think about it, even if the Gemstone is a rare treasure, it still loses in terms of quality compared to a legendary artifact; Failnaught, or that mysterious page that grants a Class Change. And besides, this book must be something really good then.

The moment the gemstone fit inside the hole, it suddenly shone with a bluish color. In fact, the whole room was filled with beautiful, bluish light, as if the walls had been painted blue.

“Rain?! What is that?!”

“What happened?!”

“Enemy?! Enemy?!”

Lafetti, Granite, and Scarlet who were sleeping snapped awake from the sudden blinding light that the gemstone emitted, got startled, and hurriedly rushed over. The experience of suddenly being swallowed by light, and suddenly appearing in this Dungeon, was still fresh from their memory, and they couldn't help but get startled awake.

However, after seeing that the one giving light was the gemstone, which was now perfectly fitted at the back of the book, they somewhat sigh in relief. Then, afterward, their surprised expression was then replaced with confusion.

What is going on?

“Rain…so the gemstone is the key?”

“Yeah, apparently.”

Rain answered, but his eyes never leaving the book. The light started fading, and the metal bindings that covered the book started to come loose—the sounds of gear coming undone echoed in the room. And as the light dimmed down, and finally disappeared, the metal casings that bind the book had come undone.

Now, it was fully opened.

Rain took the gemstone back. Then he noticed, the back of the book was actually the real front cover of the book, and the one with a keyhole was actually the real back.

The people who made this book do seem pretty exaggerated—

Is this book that important?

Now, I’m really starting to get really interested in it.

“…do you think it’s somewhat dangerous? That’s why it was locked that tightly?”

Scarlet was looking at the book with a doubtful expression.

“Well, I don't know. But there's one thing to do to find that out,”

Rain grinned and grabbed the edge of the cover. It’s actually quite heavy despite its appearance—it’s as if the cover was made entirely of black gold. Yeah, black gold.

He was certain of it now, the material used for this book, or at least the cover was made of black gold.

Of course, not the usual black gold that can be found in the Modern World, but a kind of gold that would turn back the moment it was heated under a certain degree of temperature. And the moment it turned back, it would become even harder than Mythril.

It’s a precious and very rare ore that can only be seen one or two in a single gold mine. They even called it, the Gold Mine’s Heart, or something.

It has an incredible elasticity when it was still in gold color and being heated. But once it turned black it will finally become as hard as Mythril but lighter.

That’s why equipment and items made from Black Gold are much more expensive than normal Mythril-type Equipment. And to think, this kind of precious treasure was actually used as a cover of the book—this is truly a waste of resources that truly deserves divine punishment.

Rain had seen it before. And even in Miyabila’s forge, she had only seen two fist-sized Gold Heart—a raw ore before turning into pure black.

It’s like a gold crystal, with a bluish spot on the interior. And from what he knows, Miyabila was reluctant to use it. She could only set them aside along with some precious ore, for now. Her reluctance from using it is already a testament to how rare it is, and precious.

To think such a precious treasure was actually used to make a book cover. Just what kind of book is this?

“You want me to open it?”

As Rain was about to flip the cover page, Lafetti stops him by placing her hand on top of his and asked with a worried expression. She looked at him with such tenderness that it was enough to melt him entirely.

If something is really wrong with the book, she feared it would endanger him. However, how could Rain give her that danger, even if there is something in that book?

Even if hell freezes over, he would never let her stay in the front line of danger, while he stays behind. That would never happen. He would rather receive the bullet in the heart than let others be used as a shield.

“Nah, it's fine. I don’t think it’s something dangerous. …”

Rain shook his head with a reassuring smile.

Truthfully, instead of danger, for some strange reason, he felt a strange attraction towards the book.

There seemed to be an unknown being who slowly called him forth. That kind of feeling felt just like the anticipation of installing a game, waiting impatiently to scroll the mouse and clicking on the start button. That kind of feeling. But that seemed weird so he just brushed those kinds of strange, indescribable feelings.

Returning his attention to the book, he continued; “...Because, if it did, I would have felt something. However, my instinct is telling me there’s nothing dangerous.”

And Rain had always trusted his instinct.

Lafetti’s expression wavered, but she still seemed to be worried. Nevertheless, she nodded her head and let go of her hand. However, she still scooted over, that she had almost pasted her body against him.

In this way, no matter what happens, she could immediately react and protect him. And if, just if it was another transportation trap, she would not be separated from him. Just imagining losing sight of him, brought Lafetti great fear.

With a wry smile on his face, Rain finally flipped the cover open.

However, when he saw the words written on the next page, his brows furrowed together.