After the dance, Viers returned to his preferred state, alone, free from distractions. A touch lonely, but the cold never bothered him anyway. In the hub, the one with the tunnels and caves, Viers saw some other cultists went inside the tunnels with their new companions. He guessed it was their personal room.

“Hmm, I want a room on my own too. Do I have to buy it...?” Viers mumbled to himself.

“No you don’t, Mr Jor.” Gavin’s voice came out from behind him out of nowhere.

“Whoah! You scared me, old man.” Viers startled, he jumped to the side out of reflex, almost falling down in the process.

How the hell did he do that? No sound nor presence, he just came out. Sneaking and espionage specialist? Assassin type Path-seekers?

“Apologies for startling you. Please take this.” The butler gave him a blue and black card. The material is very similar to plastic.

“What’s this?”

“The key to your room, please follow me.” Gavin turned around after a small bow.

“Oh, nice. How convenient. Lead on, Alfred.”

“It’s Gavin, Mr Jor.”

“Ah, right, don't mind it.”

I should decorate my cave with bats, hur hur hur.

Gavin led him to one of the caves in the middle part of the spiral, there was a door inside after some walking in the dark, some candles were lit near his feet. Gavin instructed him to press the card to the door to open the lock.

Keycard sensor magic lock? How modern.

The inside was nice enough. Not overly luxurious but nicer than old Viers’s house in Peja town and his dorm at the TC. A seven by five meters room, bright and fresh of air. It had a bed, a table, a wardrobe, three shelves, and a safe box in the shape of a treasure chest. There were two small separate rooms on the side. On the left, it was a personal shower and toilet. On the right, an empty room with nothing but a simple bed, a servant’s room.

“Quite luxurious, is this the standard for new members?”

“Compliments from Lady Farley.” The sharply dressed butler said.

He didn't answer the question.

“Is this all free? How secure and private is this room?” These are the more important issues for him.

“You may use this room free of charge, Mr Jor. You may procure a servant for doing menial jobs but you’ll be responsible for their actions. In case you don't have one and are in need of room cleaning, lit this lamp. Its twin will also lit and someone will come to tidy up your room for you.” Gavin pointed at the lamp near the entrance of the room.

Wow, three stars hotel treatment? Neat.

“For security and privacy. Each private room has enchantments to prevent scrying, spying, or eavesdropping. The room is secure because it is located in a very secure base. To be on the safe side, valuables should be put inside the safebox when you leave the room to prevent any mishap. We guarantee the safety of the box and will compensate in full if anything happens to its context.”

I don't trust any ‘evil’ cult’s promises but I can make use of this room, at least it will make some things easier for me.

After finishing the explanations, the butler left. Not disappeared into thin air but through the door. Left alone again, Viers observed the room for a little while longer then put his belongings in the safebox. It was similar to the one he used before.

At first, he was torn about the sun pendant but he chose to not bring the evidence of the murder of Leon to the outside. So all his loot, the sword, dagger, pendant, cores, and the newly gotten crystals were deposited inside.

They may half-allowed stealing between members, but they must provide some sort of limit or the stealing and raid may run rampant and everything descends to anarchy. This pirate treasure safebox must be their way of doing so. What's inside is off limits, certainly, the enchantments on this thing seem tough and complicated. I don't really like putting my trust in them but I don't have any other place to safely store these items.

Finally, Viers left the base through the way he came. The long walk in dark corridors urged him to think about many things. When he came out at the tavern -The Golden Piglet-, Viers politely nodded to the barkeep then returned to the dorm. Tired in mood and mind. He slept like a dead man shortly after hugging his bed.

***

After class the next day, he returned to the underground base, fully rested, but he was troubled by an important matter that kept bugging him in his mind. Viers went to the trading area to appraise the cores and the pendant. There were two people waiting before him but he didn't wait long for his turn to the confessional.

“Appraise these, please. The pendant first.”

Viers said to the person in front of him. His handler was a man in his thirties, a bit chubby. The inside of the booth was small, only two chairs and a table.

“Certainly… hmn, Est Church’s design and characteristics. Life-bound to the user, only after the previous user’s death, others can use this item. Unique effect… mhm, this pendant will improve your Victa production rate.” The man said while tinkering with it.

“Hou, that’s good, right? And how do I use these Life-bound items?” It was good news for him, he had a desperate need for more Victa.

“It certainly is a rare piece of magic item. This can improve your Victa production by ten percent. Don't look down on ten percent improvement. It will make a lot of difference in the long run.”

Yes that certainly will, Victa production rate is constant and hard to improve. However, my Intio will produce Victa without me doing anything, even when I sleep. Ten percent more Victa is very substantial. Buuttt he said ‘rare’ right? Not super rare or ultra rare… that means three stars out of five! Once again RNG God didn't smile upon me. And this also somewhat explains Leon’s abundance of Victa.

“For Life-bound items, put a drop of blood after the previous owner is dead then you can claim it as your own. Moreover, this pendant is very easy to use. No need for activation by spending Victa or specific actions, simply wear it to enjoy its benefit. The maker is quite skilled in their craft.”

So that’s why I didn't feel anything when I wore it before. I didn't claim it.

“Well, this pendant is good enough for now,” Viers felt elation but he didn't let down his guard.

“Now check it for tracking Arte, Intio signature, location beacon, soul imprint, everything that can lead others to this thing! And check for any hidden intricacies as well. Check for any lingering scent, is it emitting infrasound, ultraviolet radiation, x-ray it too for good measure, nothing must be left to chance! Can you pick up anything left by a level 3 or above?”

“...”

Viers didn't even know some of what he was talking about. He didn't know anything about sound or radiation, it only came out in his mind. The man was baffled by his machinegun request for a while before answering.

“I don't know some of those words, but I understand what you want. No such thing exists according to my initial observation but I will do as you asked. I’m confident the in-depth checking will pick up anything from level 2s but above that is beyond me. Shall we proceed? It shall be 50 gold coins including the initial appraisal.”

Only level 2… a bit risky in my opinion.

Fine, after that first examination, do it again! Then re-check it. Each check must be conducted by different people. Inspect it three times in total. Am I clear?

“...Sir, it will double the cost to 100 gold or 1 crystal in total, it is a horrible waste for doing those checks three times.”

Of course not, my safety is more important than money. Besides, for such a useful item, I will use it for a long time. Better safe than sorry.

After knowing about Life-bound items, he considered binding the pendant there and then but he decided to hold it off until thorough examination. He was afraid of some kind of tracking from the church from. Sensing with blood a medium was a common occurrence in fantasy novels.

“Just do it. I’ll pay. I also want to change the design of this pendant. It is sheer folly to wear such easily recognizable illegal items in public. Can you do it?”

How many MC's troubles could be avoided by doing this simple thing? But nooo, many authors need to milk chapters and word counts so they let their MC wear a timebomb to blow at the opportune moment. I will not have it! I’m too genre-savvy for that shit.

“No, but I'll lodge a request to one of the craftsmen to change the design and shape. What form do you prefer?”

“Lemon, wait… moon-shaped pendant would do. And the item’s effect is unchanged, yes?”

Moon is heavily related to water, tides and all that. Although, I’m not sure if it's still the case in this world. There are two moons in the sky, man!

“Certainly, 1 crystal and 10 gold in total. It will be done in two days.”

“Okay, now tell me what these two are.” Viers nudged the cores to the man’s direction.

The man took out a metal bowl full of water and a magical portable stove. He turned it on and the water quickly became hot, it was steaming in a few seconds. Then he put the red core into the bowl, invoked some kind of Arte, then the steam changed to the shape of the monster.

I need to learn this trick. It will be beneficial for me in the long run… And now I want a cup noodle! Damnit, other MCs dream about their loving family and friends and lovers in the reincarnation stories I read but I dream about food…

No, don't judge me, food is justice! Correction, High Justice!

“Hm, a Kastun Lizard. Common fire type monster. But it is a tier 2 core, quite precious.” Said the man after observing an orange-skinned lizard with a long tail.

The handler telekinetically took out the core and put inside the blue one.

“Ah, this one is unexpected. A Terribilis Frog, a very rare variant of Tenno Frogs.”

There was a striking blue colored frog with black spots all over its body made of steam right in front of Viers.

Very similar to blue poison dart frog.

“Is it… poisonous?”

“Very, it can secrete lethal poison from its skin. Tenno Frogs are regular water type monsters and have no poison in their bodies but this one does. As it evolves, it could secrete all kinds of poisons and their effects are enhanced further. Terribilis Frogs are most famous for their neurotoxin. This one is still weak, a tier 1 core.”

How the hell in Auntie Estelle’s name the people in this world can know something like neurotoxins? Viers was very puzzled but put the question away in a second, it wasn't important for him.

“Wait, isn't this frog toxicity comes from its diet?” Viers vaguely remembered he read about something about that on Earth.

“...I don't follow. This monster's poisonous, no matter what it eats.”

“Oh, okay then… indulge me with an answer. This Terribilis, is it a water or poison path monster?”

“The base is water, it has a secondary path as poison.”

“Mmm, fine then. That's all for now,. How much do I owe in total?” He put the cores safely in his pouch after removing the hot water on them.

“130 gold. 10 gold each or the appraisal.”

“Don't forget about the pendant. NO one will bind it, right? It is your responsibility, yes?” Said Viers while putting the money on the desk. Emphasizing on the Life-bound subject.

“Yes, Mr Jor. We take full responsibility for the items in our custody. I’m pleased to be of service.” As Viers left, the man politely bowed.

A tier two and a tier one cores. The frog one is very suitable for me, nice loot!

Viers felt satisfied about what he learned. He made his way back to the dorm, bringing the two cores with him.

It's time to experiment with the cores! Oh, I have waited too long for this.