V3 Chapter 86

The journey, unlike before, had become a little bit peaceful with no monsters suddenly appearing and attacking them out of nowhere. It seems like having the Winged-Evil Serpent with them became a useful deterrent against monsters, which made the others feel somewhat complicated.

This Monster is really strong. They can feel that as much as the monsters in the area, quivering in fear as they passed. It’s to the point that it can easily be called a Lord over an area within the Desolate Cave.

If they fought against it, Jonathan was confident of winning, but they would surely pay a huge price to bring it down. But to think that this kind of monster immediately yields without even fighting. That is something that no one would ever imagine.

This result shocked Jonathan and the others. And their interest in Rain grew, even more, feeling the halo of mystery around the black-haired boy increase stronger. Just who was he? And what kind of Class and Skills does he possess?

Every Human Being possesses a profession, combat or non-combat. And there’s no exception on that. As long as one is a human being, then they are enveloped by the Blessing of the Gods and will be then bestowed by a Profession/Class, along with the abilities it comes with. And these Classes are random. Though there’s only a handful of types among Classes, there are actually quite a lot of different Professions. Some look similar but have different names. There are also those with almost similar names but with different powers.

That’s why, though sounds easy to tell just looking at the skills, it’s actually not that easy. For example, someone can use magic, but it’s not a simple mage at all- instead, they might be [Magic Swordsman] who is posing as a [Mage] (depending on their main focus- Magic or Swordsman), [Warlocks], [Deviants], or it could even be just a magic trick- an illusion like those of the [Trickster] who fools people by their shameless copying of other people’s abilities. Most of these people are cunning conmen. And there’s a lot of cases already about [Tricksters] posing as someone else with different Classes.

Even still, Rain’s case is even more mystifying. Or rather, it’s already in the realm of being illogical. He could launch magic like a [Mage], possesses incredible skills in swordplay and close combat, like a [Swordsman] or a [Fighter], could be a [Magic Swordsman], but he can even use Hunter Skills such as tracking, trap detection… and many more, which made his Class even more ridiculous to guess.

Unable to keep their curiosity at bay, they tried asking him. However, Rain only smiled in mischief, not answering any questions. And unfortunately, they don’t have any hold on the boy, and could not force him to answer honestly. And thus, can only swallow the bitter pill of frustration.

Anyway, trying to ask about someone else’s Class or Skills (unless they have a very close or intimate relationship) is a very impolite action. So they really couldn’t force him to answer. Nevertheless, their interest in his Class keeps on growing stronger. The curiosity eating inside of them.

…

While walking through the forest, Rain felt his vision being crowded as they walk through the dense forest.

In his field of sight, the materials both common and uncommon were littered almost everywhere. Maybe it is proof that this forest is very abundant, but it is hard to believe that the materials and herbs that were so uncommon and treated as precious and rare treasures in the outside world could just be seen littering on the ground like weeds. And yeah, some of these are not even easily found in the North Region where the Amani Village stood. So they are really precious even for Rain.

If people know about these treasures littered on the ground, almost like weeds and wild plants, just how many would drool in envy, or become crazy for it?

Filled with enthusiasm, Rain busied himself with collecting herbs and plants in the area, especially the Fire Mantle Herbs which can be used for many things.

He carefully picked Fire Mantle herbs that were clustered around the area. Since this was the first time he had ever been in this region, there are so many herbs and plants that took his attention.

Some of them were those he had seen in Sarete’s place, while a few he had only read in the books.

Fire Mantle Herbs was also one of the ingredients needed to create Berserk Potion. It was also essential for any kind of Fire Resistance Potions. The more he has them, the better. And there’s never ‘too much’ for them. So he took all that he could find, almost sweeping the entire area clean.

Looking at him, happily chatting with the Winged-Evil Serpent and the Persona Slime, while at the same time, picking and collecting materials such as herbs, plants, fruits, and ores happily, Jonathan and the others couldn’t help but feel amazed once again.

This boy…he collected these things so skillfully, and Jonathan even knows some of them as rare medicinal herbs and precious materials.

Does he also know Alchemy or Apothecary?

Furthermore, judging from his skills in collecting them, and the vast knowledge of knowing what to harvest and their respective harvesting method, he’s certainly not just a simple layman. He admits, he couldn’t even recognize most of these plants, nor how to harvest them. An amateur trying to collect these herbs would either destroy or damage the plant and herbs in the process reducing their quality or hurting themselves while doing it.

Just like this Fire Mantle Herb. It looks like just a red normal flower. And it’s not even hot when touched. However, if tried to take them out carelessly, making them sense danger, they would suddenly ignite themselves in a coat of flames. And this flame is burning hot.

The flames will continue to cover the entire flower like a mantle of flames for a few dozen minutes. And when they ignited themselves, they would never stop until they burn themselves to ashes, and all that will remain is the root underneath the ground.

But one must know this root is extremely poisonous, and there’s barely any use for it other than wanting to kill someone. The price of these poisonous roots in the market doesn’t even reach 1/3 of the entire Fire Mantle Herb’s value. And there’s even a chance of poisoning yourself if you tried to dig it out from the ground. So yeah, without its leaves and flower, they’re almost useless.

Wanting to harvest them required a special method, which Jonathan didn’t even know. And yet, Rain was easily collecting these dangerous flowers.

“Are you Alchemist?”

Zia who couldn’t hold back her curiosity walked over and asked while watching Rain happily collecting Fire Mantle Herbs. He turned at her, and with a gentle smile nodded his head.

“What level?”

“4th rank,” Rain said honestly. For him, it’s not something to hide. It’s not really that special…or at least, that’s what he believes. But the other doesn’t seem to share the same views.

“You joke,”

Zia smiled wryly, and said, however, seeing Rain’s wondering expression that seems to say, ‘I’m saying the truth, though, so what’s the joke?’ kind of face, immediately her face stiffened.

“You’re…serious,?”

One must know that in this world, Alchemist has become a rare profession. Though one can still acquire the Alchemy Skill through other methods despite not having the Alchemist Class- it’s mostly about extreme hard work, intelligence, and years of training to get the Alchemy or Apothecary Extra skill. Nevertheless, even if you succeeded, your potential is very limited.

Most only reached Lv2 in their lifetime, while some luckily reached Lv3 through lucky opportunities. However, even among the rare Alchemist Classes, it took a few years of mastery before they could even reach Lv4. And no matter who they are, Lv3 Alchemist will always be a VIP for any and every country. Much less, a Lv4 Alchemist who could concoct 4th to 5th Tier potions and elixirs.

Zia was also an Alchemist despite her Magic Swordsman Class. And she was also a Lv2 Alchemist, being hailed as a Genius by even the Academy she studied in her younger years. It’s just a hobby of hers, as well as a personal interest.

Still, because of this ability, she became a precious, and important member of the Aquarian Main Family, despite being at the lowest branch. Though she was not arrogant, she’s still very proud of her achievement and continued her passion for Alchemy despite having reached her limit and potential. She just doesn’t want to stop. She believed that one day, she can break this bottleneck.

But now, knowing this mysterious black-haired boy in front of her was a Lv4 Alchemist is a big blow to her confidence. More so, Rain was certainly not of the Alchemist Class- either a rare Monster Tamer Class or at least, Combat-related Classes most likely.

Alchemists are good with potions and worst, poisons- in fact, among classes they are one of the classes that can rival Poisonmancers in notoriety if they became rogue. But their physical and fighting ability is one of the worst- even worse than Mages. Most Alchemists became researchers with fragile and aged bodies, throwing themselves into their research without any care for their health. Old and decrepit.

Therefore, someone like Rain, whose physical prowess can at least rival that of a Lv3 combat warrior was far from being one of the fragile classes.

But how the hell is he a 4th rank Alchemist?!

Furthermore, so young…!

Even genius Alchemists she had known have not yet reached that rank at this age!

Zia stared at Rain with a strange expression.

Her interest in this mysterious boy rose even further, and almost reached the peak of what is possible. At the same time, she had a hard time understanding him and felt that he was hiding some incredible secret. Just what kind of background does he have?

“...no, you can’t use the Relidari flower for that. Dummy. Are you trying to fail? Though seemly similar, Relidari and Hevilastic Flower have strange reactions when mixed, displaying two contrasting behaviors in the process. In simple terms, they don’t get along, you see. They are very similar in essence, but a strong rejection appears when they are mixed. It’s like putting the same pole of a magnet, they will try to break free from each other, causing a great chemical reaction to occur. Though, if you want it to succeed, you need the seeds of Hellberry that act like a calming agent for the Relidari Flower, or the Moon Dew Water for the Hevilastic Flower. Either of these calming agents can be used. But know this, each calming agent would usher different bonus effects when used.”

Rain explained to Zia when the latter ask some questions about Alchemy. Zia can only listen quietly, nodding her head from time to time. At this moment, seeing that he can easily answer any of her questions, some even baffled many alchemists in the past, her doubt had completely disappeared.

“… And also, if you want to refine the 2nd Grade Invisibility Potion without the use of the seeds or the precious Moon Dew Water, then, you can only substitute the Relidary Flower with Herahera Grass. Though, in that method, the effect weakens,”

“Moon Dew Water is a very precious and rare treasure, so it's not possible to be used only to refine a 2nd Grade Potion. That would be a waste. However, Seeds of Hellberry? I didn’t think that kind of bitter fruit could be used…from what I know the seeds of Hellberry Fruit are thrown away because it makes everything bitter. No matter how much one adds honey or sugar to it, it will still taste like a bitter guard. It's known to destroy every taste of anything when used.”

“Well, it’s magical if you ignored the taste,”

Rain grinned.

Indeed, the Seeds of Hellberry has the automatic bitter taste in whatever potion it was used into. Rather, it’s called Hellberry because of that. There’s even an anecdote in the Ancient Records about it- calling the [Taste of Hell].

However, bitter as it is, it’s not useless. Instead, it’s one of the best and most convenient calming agents for several powerful materials, including those found only in legends. And a basic material as it is (seemly useless for many) it can even be used as a material for many high-level potions because of its incredible magical powers.

This wonderful fruit and its bitter seeds have an uncanny ability to stabilize raging reactions of many contrasting materials. And could even use to save a failed concoction just by throwing it into the pot. But this was only known by a few.

Some hide it for personal gains, while most information about Hellberry Fruit and its seeds has been lost, and was unable to be passed on to the next generation. This resulted in the Hellberry Fruit becoming an ordinary, useless fruit, the same as its seed.

Well, it's like a precious jewel that was covered with mud, and thrown away, mistaken as a rock. But within the alchemy recipes of the Amani Lamians, many useful potions required this strange fruit as the main ingredient. And so, the Hellberry Fruit has become as precious as a Lv3 or Lv4 Material.

Zia was surprised by this revelation. It was to the point that she has the urge to try it immediately and test it out. But even more so was amazed that Rain knows a lot about Alchemy, which some are unknown even to the great professors of the Academy. If she brought this information back, just how crazy would they become?

The two of them chatted happily about Alchemy, though the situation was somewhat different than one had expected, as Rain was like a professor teaching Zia about basic recipes and mysterious alchemy knowledge. While the latter happily asks several questions like an obedient student. They were too into their discussion that they seemed to have forgotten their current mission.

Still, it’s not like they are moving slowly, as with the Winged-Evil Serpent’s protection, no monster dared to attack them, making their journey almost unimpeded.

… …

“Wait,”

As they were walking, Rain suddenly stop.

Zia who was also walking beside him, also stop seeing him halt. She was curious about that black, thin object he was always holding.

What is he looking at?

Hearing Rain’s call, Jonathan and the others immediately stop as well and then look at him with confusion.

Rain was staring at his phone, and said; “Up is the Fishman Territory,” a frown appearing on his handsome face, “We’ll be passing through many dangerous areas up ahead, and the Fishman tribe might attack us, so we need to be careful. Especially, be cautious in the marshes and swamps, they tend to be rather sneaky in those places,”

“The Fishman Tribe?”

Jonathan said with a frown.

Rain nodded.

“They are quite dangerous- I fought against a similar tribe when I was in the northern region, and I can say they are quite powerful individually, especially in the water. So if possible, don’t try to fight them in the water, or swamps, and better drag them in the land if you ever meet one,”

“Well, this would be the first time I would see a Fishman. I had heard of them existing in the southern parts of the continent before,” Jonathan said. Despite Rain’s warning, he only feels excited knowing that he would meet a creature he had not encountered before.

“If I were you, I would try lowering my expectations. I don’t know about other places but the Fishman Tribe inhabiting the Desolate Cave is more of Mud Swampers…they are ugly as hell, and more of a swamp fish and distorted frogs in appearance.” Rain smiled wryly as he said.

“Mud Swampers?”

“Yeah… that’s what we call it to differentiate them from the Fishman living in the sea or wide lakes. Big Eyes, big mouths, scaly bodies, and fishy faces…I reckon the Fishman inhabiting the sea is much better looking than those found on the land. If you want to see beautiful mermaids, then the sea is the right choice,”

“Beautiful mermaids? Oh, are you talking about Sirens? Have you seen one before? I heard they tend to be extremely beautiful…they are often said to be descendants of the sea god,” Jonathan asked with interest.

These kinds of creatures are only heard in legend or myths, and not many people had seen them. Some even believed they have gone extinct, or are just figments of imagination.

Even those living on the shore can only hear them from legends and myths. Though many people boasted of seeing them, with varying descriptions, they are hardly something you could believe.

Rain shook his head; “I’ve been living here since I could remember. I haven’t left the Cave, not even once. So I haven’t seen those Fishmen or Mermaids of the seas. I only heard about them in legend and myth as well. But I know some people who had seen them. And they said they are beautiful women, handsome men…well, because of that, they seemed to be worshiped and defied in some places, placing them on par with Naiads and Spirits.”

“You’ve never been out of this place?”

Jonathan wanted to ask, though since he hesitated, thinking he might find the question awkward. But Zia who was listening to their conversation didn’t share the same hesitation and asked in wonder.

Rain nodded with a nonchalant expression.

“Yes, I’ve never been out of the Desolate Cave,” he said. “The people that are taking care of me wouldn’t allow me to leave. They said it’s very dangerous outside… Anyway, I also didn’t have any interest in going out though. After all, I’m already satisfied with my life here,”

“But there are many things that are incredibly interesting in the outside world. You can meet all kinds of people, creatures, things that could not be found in this place… and encounter many enjoyable things,” Jonathan said with a faint smile.

I hope you wouldn’t say that in front of my Elder Sisters…

Rain sigh.

“Perhaps. Though I don’t know in the future, at least, right now, I don’t have any intention of going out…”

Then he paused for a moment and looks at the dark sky a while.

It seems like continuing on this journey through the dark would be impossible, especially not knowing about this region.

Rain let out a sigh; “Let’s stop here and rest. We would continue tomorrow morning. Walking through the forest at night, double’s the danger. It’s better to retire now and find a safe place to camp for the night,”

… And also, going through the swamps at night would become even more dangerous.

Of course, Jonathan and the others didn’t have any objection, and they hurriedly settle down, setting the camp.

On expeditions like this, proper rest is also important. Hurrying would only make everything into a waste. They are not golems, but flesh and blood humans. No matter how strong they are, they will still be exhausted. Thus, even if Rain didn’t suggest a rest first, Jonathan would also do it. He was only looking for a good place to do it. But Rain said it first.

Still, a wide clearing is neither a good nor a bad place to rest. They can easily see monsters that might attack them, so it’s still better than inside the forest surrounded by obstacles. However, the best choice would be inside a strategic place to rest like caves, after all, they are only a small group.

If besieged by many monsters, they would be knocked back into a corner. And with how super dangerous monsters inhabited this place, casualties would be unavoidable. However, they now have a super guardian, so it’s less likely that would happen.

The intimidation of a 2nd evolve Evil Python toward monsters was not to be underestimated. Aside from the Monster Kings, it’s one of the super bullies in this area.

With things already prepared inside their storage items, setting up a tent was easy, and they immediately did it in just a few minutes. However, as Jonathan and the others almost completed the third tent, they suddenly noticed Rain was not doing the same. There are only three tents in the place.

Does he have no tents…?

One must know that sleeping in the open is dangerous as many insects might cause trouble or the chilling air outside. And sleeping in an outdoor tent that is made specifically for outdoors by artisans, offers great protection from them. After all, these are made with protective effects. And those made by high-level artisans even have a recovery fatigue effect if one sleeps on them. It’s a must-have item for expeditions like this.

Does he have no outdoor tent?

Or is he planning to sleep outside?

Rain was sitting in front of the fire, a faint smile on his face as he throws a small twig from time to time. His hand was against his ear, that strange thin, black magical item could be seen on his hand, and he seemed to be talking to someone.

That communication magical item again.

Looking at it, they couldn’t help but feel envious.

After all, just how important is it to be able to communicate with someone despite the long distance between them?

Not only for personal use, but it can also do wonders in wartime. Though a magical item that enables communication from one person to another is not unheard of, still, it’s the rarest of the rare. It’s much rarer than a unicorn’s horn, or phoenix feather, much less, compared to a Storage Ring.

Comparing prices, a Communication Tool is much more expensive than a Storage Item. But due to how rare it is, only a few people have it, including the Royal Family.

This boy, every little thing he has possesses an incredible value.

Not even a master of a great noble family would dare have all of them together, as every single one of these things is considered something very precious. They would store them in their tightly-guarded treasure rooms and would never dare let anyone just use them so casually. They can only be used for emergency purposes.

But to think these treasures would be given to a single boy…

Is he a prince from a rich kingdom or something?

They shook their heads with bitter expressions, not knowing how to evaluate Rain at all. He seemed to have become more and more mysterious, to the point that he seemed impossible to exist. They are not dreaming all these things, right?

The Winged-Evil Serpent and the Persona Slime were lying around Rain peacefully. Though, it seems like this time, the Winged-Evil Serpent had shrunk considerably that it was now only a few meters in length. Its long body was coiling around him, its head laying comfortably on his lap. So it also possesses a [Shrinking Skill]? This kind of skill, among monsters, is very rare.

The [Ambush Python] and [Brownstick Serpent] are among the very few serpent-type monsters known to have this skill. They are very dangerous monsters that await their prey in their shrunken size. And they would suddenly appear, catching their prey off-guard by expanding to their original size. And to think this Winged-Evil Serpent has this dangerous skill.

As expected of the Desolate Cave. This place holds incredible secrets…and dangerous monsters like this.

Just looking at the Evil Serpent that seemed to be happy sleeping with its huge head on top of Rain’s lap, Jonathan and the others couldn’t help but feel a strange feeling, especially knowing what kind of monster it was.

Being called Evil, is not just a name for it. It’s especially being called Evil is not just because it sounds cool. One can even be said that they were monsters that were a symbol of evil.

But the monster in front of them seemed to be the farthest from being called Evil… how is that even possible?

They haven’t even met that monster for a day, and yet it’s already being cozy with him…?

Absurd. Ridiculous. Outrageous. If they told someone about this, they would surely become a laughing stock.