The seals had finally been removed, but the uneasiness feeling of mine is still getting worse for each and every step that I took...

*Gulp*

“Follow me…” (Akira)

“Right behind ya…” (Kai)

…...

“A clawed gauntlet?…” (Kai)

“U-uhm, be careful..”(Akira)

The cursed artifact was placed in the middle of the room, inside a huge case made out of something that looks like glass but seems to be thicker and much more durable, however, even with all the security outside it’s still being chained down by multiple magic lockets in the inside of the case, as if the thing was a living being...

“Appraisal….” (Kai)

System

Name: Death’s grasp

Durability: Infinite

Item rarity: Cursed artifact.

Enhancement: Self Repair, Str up, Agi up, Unbreakable, Soul consumption.

Bonus skill: Self evolution

Kdl%kr%&(“!{}………

…….

“What kind of item description is that??…” (Kai)

The mysterious description aside...The name of this thing perfectly matched its appearance, from the first glance it may looks like a normal clawed gauntlet made out of some kind of strong and durable black metal, but that wasn’t all… It seems like this thing has taken over its previous owner’s body parts, no...Even bones from animals are sticking out of it...It’s nothing more and nothing less than a big mess, how can I even wear such a thing?……

“I can’t read it either... I found this deep inside an ancient tomb, whose it belonged to was unknown, I have done my research but there was no record about the tomb being built, all I know is this piece of gauntlet isn’t ordinary, take a look of the soul consumption effect...By the way, I don’t even have to tell you what happened to its previous owner, do I?…" (Akira)

“U-uhm…” (Kai)

“Cursed artifact can only affect the livings’ mind and body but never their soul...This is the first for me to see something like this, anyways, don’t worry about it too much, I have countermeasures for this kind of thing, as long as you accept the job. I wouldn’t let my bestie die easily ya know?” (Akira)

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“I see...Do you mind if I accept the job after the war?Right now, I cannot afford to risk the life of my people..” (Kai)

“Of course! I am not that evil ya know? Ah by the way…Let’s increases the payment to 100 scrolls...” (Akira)

“You sure?” (Kai)

“U-uhm…” (Akira)

I have a bad feeling about this…

……..

Roughly 5 hours has passed since then, I have just finished my job of planting all the new traps around our village…

They better works…

I prayed to myself..

“Kai!” (Eri)

Oh, Eri? What is she doing out here? I better stop her before she activate any of the traps, “accidentally”...

“Don’t move any further!” (Kai)

“Ehh???” (Eri)

“The field is full of traps! Do not move!” (Kai)

“U-understood…” (Eri)

That was close…

Planting traps around the field would take at least a full day if it wasn’t for my airstep and hawk eye, a skill that allowed me to see every single details from big to small within the range of 50 meters, that being said I still shouldn’t rely on it too much, as result it can cause my eyes to bleed or even momentary blind...

“So? What brings you all the way out here?” (Kai)

May it be, because of her legendary clumsiness or pure luck, It’s still a miracle that she hasn’t step on a single traps yet…

“Ah, right, Eliz-san wanted me to bring you lunch…” (Eri)

Eri pulled out a wooden box out of her purse, which by the way looks exactly like a bento box.

Just because of that?! What is mother of mine thinking?? I have already told them not to go out here, not to mention that I can make even better tasting food than she does...

“Thanks a lot…” (Kai)

“You are welcome...P-please go ahead and try some…”(Eri)

“Right now??”(Kai)

“U-uhm!” (Eri)

Hmm? Why is she being shy allsuden??

I said it to myself then opened up the meal box, well normally there isn't really anything to be excited about… It has always been neither grilled gaibu or unicorn rabbit, since mom has 0 experience with cooking, well at least she has the will.

……..

As expected, it’s chopped up grilled gaibu...I wanna cry…

“………”

Alright first bite…

Hmm? Uhm….Wait this taste...Soy sauce?!?

Out of surprise I quickly looked down at the bottom of the box...

“T-this is??” (Kai)

“You like it?…”(Eri)

It tasted just like soy sauce but the color is different, it’s completely white, the texture is also a bit thicker...

“Uhm! It’s perfect! What is this sauce called??” (Kai)

“Really?! I am glad that it’s up to your liking, oh, and this is an old recipe from my mom, it’s made out of Terl tree’s sap mixed together with some water, a bit of salt and some sugar, then keep it sealed inside a barrel for 1 week and it will be ready to serve.” (Eri)

“Oh! I see, thanks a lot, it’s really delicious!” (Kai)

I better get my hand on more of these...Terl trees huh, sadly there are none of them around this area...Seems like that I have quite a bit of traveling to do…

“You are welcome!” (Eri)

Eri said it together with a big smile on her face.

……….

I wonder why her smile isn’t being counted as a national treasure yet…

…………...

Two days later…..

In the end I was managed to set up 374 traps in our surrounding, while that may be a bit overkill against 200 people, it’s still better being safe than sorry…

As for my people, they have been doing a pretty good job at upgrading our base…

*BAMM!!*

The first traps has finally been activated, together with many of the other that I have planted, but something is off...There were almost no scream or the sight of people being sent flying by the mana burst traps...It almost sounded like someone is dashing through them all…

The sight of the army has finally come to sight… first 100, 200 then 300... Oi oi this is getting out of hand!...

The total number was over 500?…

Chapter 23 end...