As Leon’s figure disappeared through the doorway, a tense silence settled over the room.
The three elders, visibly holding back frustration, exchanged tense glances.
The oldest among them, finally spoke. "Patriarch, how could you simply let him leave like that?" he demanded, his tone respectful but firm.
"Yes." added another elder, smoothing his beard with slow deliberation. "He just walked away with one of the most valuable items—and not just any item, but an awakened red crystalized heart! We did nothing while he took it under our very noses."
The third elder stayed silent, but the look in his eyes was of barely controlled anger, hands clasped tightly as he glanced from the patriarch to the door Leon had exited.
The patriarch, still silent, stretched out his hand, his fingers closing over Valerian’s pouch as he pulled it toward him. Without a word, he opened it, his gaze moving steadily over the contents.
The elders waited, their frustration simmering but tempered by caution. They knew well that the patriarch’s silence wasn’t to be disturbed lightly.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally closed the pouch and placed it back on the counter. His gaze was fixed somewhere distant, as if looking past them. Then, he spoke, his voice calm, yet laced with a strange, dark amusement.
“As expected of our dear Valerian... he always was one to defy expectations.” he murmured, tapping his fingers against the pouch. “To think he could acquire so many valuable resources, weapons, even rare artifacts. The contents of this pouch alone… easily worth as much as our own treasury."
The eldest elder hesitated, a wary expression crossing his face. "Valerian was… a complicated individual, Patriarch. Yet still, even in death, his actions continue to affect us. It's as if he intended to keep haunting us with his choices." he said cautiously.
The patriarch’s lips curled, not quite a smile, but something far darker. “Valerian, Valerian, Valerian...” he echoed slowly, almost bitterly. “It seems that bastards are destined to find each other. He was a thorn in our side then, and he has left us with a fresh wound even now. Why couldn’t he simply die and remain useful to us, the way any good little adventurer should have?” The patriarch’s voice dropped to a near snarl, venom dripping from each word. “Why couldn't he just leave the pouch unlocked, let us access its wealth for the family’s benefit? No. Instead, he goes to his grave with a petty, defiant password, ensuring no one could access it.”
He turned to the elders, the faintest trace of disdain in his gaze. “And because of him, some slum rat!” he spat, voice thick with disgust, “Now made use of the most valuable possession on the pouch.”
The second elder cleared his throat, careful to mask his apprehension. “Patriarch, with all due respect, Valerian’s influence still holds sway over many. His legacy has remained difficult to erase… hence why we took such great length to tamper with his reputation.”
The patriarch’s eyes narrowed as he considered the elder’s words, but he simply scoffed. “Influence? It’s that very influence that has brought us to this point. If Valerian hadn’t been such a notable figure, if his so-called ‘legend’ weren’t idolized by the masses, it would’ve been so much more entertaining to dismantle his name.” he sneered, “To bring him down to the very dirt he came from.”
“Patriarch… ,” the elder ventured carefully, “perhaps it is wise to focus on the humiliation of today.”
The patriarch laughed, though there was no mirth in it, only a cruel edge. “Oh, I’ll repay it, one way or another. Let the rat have his thirty days. He’ll soon learn the true weight of meddling with the Steelhearts. Valerian’s legacy may be taken from us, but his little admirer…” he paused, a dark gleam in his eye. “He’s just another nuisance, one that will be silenced, just as he deserves.”
The elders nodded solemnly, a shared, silent understanding passing among them. The patriarch had spoken, and though the name of Valerian Steelheart remained untouchable, the boy who had dared to go against them would not escape unscathed.
He turned to the eldest elder, his gaze cold and calculating.
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"He may be a rat, but he’s clearly clever! I want every piece of information on that slum rat—every last detail!" he commanded. "His name, his whereabouts in the slums, his skill and any affiliations he might have. With a red heart, from the highest floors… this is something we can’t afford to take lightly. We need to get rid of him before he gets too arrogant."
The elder nodded, understanding the weight of the patriarch’s words. "I'll send for our informants immediately. Every possible lead in the slums will be uncovered."
he patriarch gave a final, dismissive wave, signaling the end of the meeting.
----------------------------------------
I pushed open the estate’s front door, stepping out onto the cobbled path with relief. For all the posturing and the tension back there, I still had every limb intact, and better yet, I had what I came for.
The guards from earlier gave me a puzzled look, one raising an eyebrow as he recognized me.
"Back already?" he snickered. "Didn’t have the guts, eh? Walked right in there just to turn tail and run, did you?”
I didn’t bother to respond, brushing past them without a second glance. To me, they were fodder—barely worth acknowledging. I wasn’t about to waste my time on a couple of third-rate lackeys whose greatest skill was sneering at those they thought were beneath them. I wouldn’t be seeing them again anyway.
Making my way back to the city streets, the bustling marketplace came into view. Even at this hour, it was as busy as ever—merchants hawking wares, adventurers gathering supplies, a few slum dwellers doing their best to negotiate a fair deal.
People were mostly here to make the most of whatever credits they had before the dungeon opened tomorrow. I was no different, though I had far more options at my disposal now.
A quick check of my remaining credits showed just over 250—far from a fortune, but more than enough to get the essentials. My slimes had already scavenged plenty of berries and some herbs, most still fresh enough to eat. But these alone wouldn’t cut it for the dungeon; I’d need something more durable, more sustaining.
Dried meat was top of my list. It was lightweight, easy to store, and would keep my energy up for days without spoiling.
The vendors lining the street offered a variety of provisions, and a few stalls in particular caught my eye, selling preserved foods tailored for adventurers.
There was also the matter of health potions. If it hadn’t been for the potions used during my confrontation with Ragnok, I’d be dead by now. Those potions had been an unintentional lifeline—and now, knowing my slimes could consume potions and help in mending life-threatening wounds, they’d be more than worth the investment.
But the real change in my plan? Equipment. Up until today, I’d thought about buying gear for myself, something to get me through, in particular since I've sold my dagger. But with the new Summon Slime of Armament skill, things had shifted.
My slimes could now absorb and wield equipment, taking on roles I never thought possible. They could become my offense, my defense, my entire arsenal if I played this right. I didn’t need a fancy weapon for myself—not if my slimes could handle the heavy lifting throughout. Instead, I’d be gearing them up.
I began moving through the marketplace. I had to be strategic with my purchases, aiming for versatility and raw power. I eyed a few helmets, shields, and even some cheap weapons. These weren’t anything remarkable on their own, just basic pieces with moderate stats.
As I browsed, I picked up a small bundle of dried meat strips and some hardtack—rations that could easily last through days of dungeon crawling. With those in hand, I moved on to a vendor selling weapons and armor.
The equipment didn’t have to be top-tier, but it had to be enough to give my slimes an edge.
The blacksmith noticed my lingering gaze on a set of twin daggers. “Looking for something specific?” he asked, eyeing me up and down with an appraising look.
"Not really." I replied casually.
He chuckled. “These twin daggers are simple but sturdy. Good for close quarters, quick strikes—nothing fancy, but they’ll get the job done.”
I nodded, as i was about to hand over a small pile of credit. A though suddenly crossed my mind as i was silently trying to mull over my options.
'Wait! What about that crossbow?!'
The crossbow my slimes found popped into my head. A flicker of inspiration hit me like a shock, and my gamer instincts kicked in. This new upgrade didn’t just give my slimes versatility—it meant I could combine and stack stats. A wild idea brewed: what if...
I shook my head and clarified what i was looking for, "No, actually, I need something with raw power—whatever has the highest damage output. I don’t care if it’s ridiculously heavy or awkward, as long as its cheap."
He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Alright then." he said, scratching his beard. "Got a few old greatswords lying around, real monsters for their price range. Problem is, they’re too heavy for most folks around here. No one really wants 'em. They’re more or less failed products, but they pack one hell of a punch. I could show you those if you’re interested."
I grinned and nodded, barely containing my excitement. If my plan worked, my slimes power jump would be absurd.
In a few minutes, the blacksmith returned, lugging out a massive greatsword that looked like it could cleave a boulder in two. "Here she is." he said, setting it down with a clang. "Highest raw damage you’re gonna get for that kind of price. Only issue is, it has abysmal attack speed because of its heaviness… but something tells me you’re not exactly planning on swinging it yourself, eh?"
https://i.imgur.com/VZpki8Q.png [https://i.imgur.com/VZpki8Q.png]
I didn’t answer directly, just gave a small smile. "This’ll do." I replied.
"By the way, I need a few more things..."