Chapter 97
Eivass’s Greed
In this current era, existing equipment like this is basically monopolized. To consistently obtain such priority-enhancing equipment, one must resort to grave digging. In game terms, this is akin to gacha-based treasure hunting. This is what was referred to as a “special channel” earlier.
From “Madam Mina’s Divination Shop,” one can obtain random “clues” through a daily divination. These clues have different tiers, essentially a classic treasure map system. In the game, this manifests as needing to use the clue at a specific location to summon a BOSS. After defeating the BOSS, the entire party receives one piece of equipment, which is bound and untradeable. These BOSSes are very difficult to defeat, often requiring the recruitment of players from the world channel. Even if one doesn’t get a good clue, they can pay players who did draw high-tier clues to form a party and claim the drops.
A purple clue means each person will drop at least one light purple equipment. Only purple to dark purple clues have the potential to yield this priority equipment. Purple items are typically core pieces of a set, while dark purple items are powerful individual pieces. “At least” means that most of the time, you’ll dig up light purple items.
This equipment originates from the ancient families of top-tier powerhouses. Most of it comes from blessings bestowed by Heavenly Envoys, Apostles, or the Gods. In that ancient era, without a convenient system for inheritance, the legacy of Extraordinary Abilities easily broke. After the fall of the ancient kingdoms, this equipment would often be buried along with them. Eivass’s strong desire to accompany his mentor on archaeological digs before was precisely for the purpose of finding such items. He hopes that the “Madam Mina’s Divination Shop” in this World will also have such clues or similar items… Tomorrow is Saturday—after the weekend, Eivass will have time to browse the “Mall.”
This item, [Stealth of the Shadows], is also rare equipment passed down from ancient times. Eivass knows it’s ancient equipment because it’s the type that can be dug up by players, meaning it’s attainable by Players. Modern equipment, on the other hand, cannot be dug up. For example, two pieces of equipment belonging to the Grand Arbiter, along with the Queen’s scepter and crown, originated from the blessings of the Silver Crown Dragon.
The status of that Assassin Miss might be higher than Eivass imagined. [Stealth of the Shadows] is typically bestowed by the leader of Eagle Eye to Master Assassins who have reached the Fifth Tier. While it might not be appropriate to say, this Assassin Miss is clearly not worthy. She did reach level 39 at a very young age, but that doesn’t guarantee her successful advancement. Failing three or four times consecutively would make further advancement nearly impossible. The probability of promotion increases with age, experience, and greater mastery of Mystical Arts.
Therefore, either the leader of Eagle Eye has high hopes for her talent, or she is extremely favored. But she should not have a blood relation to the leader… Eivass knows his daughter; his daughter is in her thirties, and her grandson is only a few years old, so the ages don’t match. Besides, if that were the case, the Eagle Eye organization wouldn’t send the Assassin Miss on such dangerous missions.
However, she does have a somewhat childish and impatient disposition, lacking restraint. She’s clearly the pampered type, unlike a cold-blooded, ruthless assassin who has undergone brutal training. She’s more like a proud young lady. Despite not being particularly suited for her Path Adaptation, reaching the peak of the Fourth Tier at such a young age strongly suggests she adapted to her Path very early and had elders with the same Path guiding her hands-on.
Therefore, she insisted on maxing out three levels of “Shadow Affinity.” This Path Trait is essentially useless until it reaches level three. Getting it to level one during the first advancement is already good; she might not even get it this time. Without guidance, how could she possibly select it three times? Furthermore, before maxing it out to level three and mastering Shadow Stealth, she would be virtually combat-ineffective.
As an assassin who is practically a consumable, isn’t the cost of cultivating her by the Eagle Eye organization a bit too high? — Unless she didn’t have to undertake missions at lower levels. It’s precisely because she lacks experience in competing with others at lower levels and ultimately failing assassination attempts, relying mostly on her level and equipment to suppress opponents… that her actions are so impulsive. So, she’s likely connected to the previous generation’s Master Assassin. Moreover, that Master probably disapproves of her joining the Eagle Eye organization. That makes sense then… That’s why the Assassin Miss, despite her high level, is undertaking a series of easy missions in Avalon. A relation, sister.
…But this also means this equipment might be trouble. Although her superior didn’t receive any signal from her, he will undoubtedly know that the Assassin Miss is dead if she fails to contact him. She might have even been captured or exposed. In that case, he would relocate and flee. The news of her death in Avalon would also reach the Eagle Eye organization. Unless Eivass can find her superior and silence him beforehand, that Master Assassin might have to come himself. But the Assassin Miss is connected, inexperienced so she could easily expose herself—could her superior also be exposed? Eivass doesn’t count on it.
But even so, he has no intention of giving up the benefits he’s obtained. He has always been very greedy. Even if he can’t use this great item himself, he can give it away, sell it, or even hand it in to gain other advantages. But he will absolutely not retreat silently after being intimidated!
“…Whatever falls into my hands is mine!” Eivass decided, caressing the black waistband he had just removed. A Master Assassin is no match for the troubles posed by the Star Antimony Kingdom and the Rose Cross; Eivass’s future enemies are Fallen Heavenly Envoys. What is a Fifth Tier Master Assassin compared to them? Give me a year to develop, and I’ll have both my Paths reach the Fifth Tier! Besides, Meg is still alive now.
If a Fifth Tier powerhouse were to enter this realm, those important figures would immediately place them under surveillance. “Speaking of which,” Eivass suddenly remembered something, and immediately lost all tension, “Master Assassins… don’t they also use Shadow Stealth?” He asked, “Shadow Demon… if a Fifth Tier assassin uses Shadow Stealth, can you deal with him?”
“If he actively enters the Master’s shadow, I can kill him with ease, and he will have no ability to resist. But if he doesn’t come in, I can only use your body to contend with him… But I can only fully enter your body without causing irreversible damage if you have mastered the third stage of Shadow Affinity.” The Shadow Demon replied tactfully. —Otherwise, Eivass’s body would explode.
The “Shadow Affinity” Path Trait allows Extraordinary beings who adapt their Path to learn Shadow Ambush or Shadow Stealth. For Eivass, who transcends his Path, it means he can only conjure an Shadow Orb. However, as Eivass’s Shadow Affinity level increases, the power of the Shadow Demon he can contain within his body also grows. Only at the third level can Eivass’s body barely accommodate the Shadow Demon. At that point, the Shadow Demon would no longer need to hide in Eivass’s shadow but could enter his body. This would prevent others from realizing there’s something in Eivass’s shadow. When “Shadow Affinity” reaches level five, Eivass can merge with the Shadow Demon and truly unleash its full capabilities. It would even be more powerful than the Shadow Demon itself!
Upper Demons like the Shadow Demon, Flame Demon, and Mirror Demon are incorporeal. Because they lack a physical form, they are subject to certain limitations—for example, the Shadow Demon fears the midday sun and can be severely injured by spells with “sun” attributes. But if the Shadow Demon were to operate within the Eivass mecha, it would not fear such things at all, as Eivass, serving as its shell, could easily block the spell attacks it fears most.
But if he were to max out Shadow Affinity five times, Eivass would have no choice but to forgo other traits. Unless he chooses composite traits like “Vessel of Burning and Radiance.” So, Eivass’s current plan is to first reach level three and then select a vessel-type trait—and then return to max out Shadow Affinity after the level cap is raised beyond fifty.
“Then,” Eivass pressed, “if I have level three Shadow Affinity, can you contend with him?”
“No problem,” the Shadow Demon replied concisely. “Their understanding of shadows is still poor; they cannot even leap between non-continuous shadows. As long as he enters a shadow near me, I can sense him.”
That’s good. Eivass felt relieved. This means that by the time his Transcendent Path reaches the Third Tier, that Master Assassin will no longer be a match for him. This made him somewhat impatient. —When will you come again and send more equipment? Lily’s set is still missing two pieces. Speaking of which, can you bring some skill books when you come? Grimoires are hard to come by… Eivass’s current achievements are likely enough to exchange for another Grimoire. He hopes this time he can choose it himself—if so, he’ll pick an Path Adaptation Grimoire for Lily.
“…You speak much more fluently than before.” Eivass said lightly, relieved. It speaks much more fluently than before. Before, it would likely stutter if it spoke such a long string of words all at once. And its current soft and sweet voice is indeed much more pleasant to listen to—before, the voice it produced was too cool, like a grim empress or a hoarse female demon. Now it sounds much younger.
At this moment, the shadows behind Eivass suddenly gathered. Black tentacles, composed of pure shadow, rose from the ground, flowing in from Eivass’s trouser legs and out from his collar. The scattered black smoke coalesced to form the upper body of a beautiful young girl. She was ethereal and weightless, almost semi-transparent. Her shoulder-length curly hair and pupils were like the Void itself—pure black. Her chest was bare down to her collarbone. Her hands were clasped around Eivass’s head, her upper body emerging from his neckline and cuffs. Yet, Eivass felt no softness or warmth, only a cold and slippery touch like snake scales. It chilled him, making him shiver.
“Master… how is my new appearance?” The Shadow Demon looked at Eivass expectantly. Eivass looked at her with surprise, then understood: this should be a new form created by the Shadow Demon, modeled after the Assassin Miss. Being limited to only black and white colors was a bit challenging for it—it looked like a 3D version of an obituary photo.
He reached out and caressed the Shadow Demon’s cheeks and head, as well as her hair. The Shadow Demon’s skin felt like bath soap dripped on winter jade. Her hair was like a cold spider web, like something that was almost gas yet could still be touched.
“Very beautiful,” he praised sincerely. “Your voice is also very pleasant. But the voice is fine—however, please change back your appearance. I prefer cats and dogs.”
“Isn’t this beautiful?” The Shadow Demon seemed puzzled but obediently melted and dripped down, transforming into a black hunting dog. Eivass squatted down and affectionately petted the dog’s head, laughing, “It’s very beautiful, and I like it very much. It’s okay to transform into that occasionally. But I feed you, and you should have the will and resolve to be a pet. If you do that in human form, then forget it. —To make one’s own kind a pet, or to consume one’s own flesh and blood, would twist my mind. Our pure, mutually dependent, and scrutinizing cooperative relationship would gradually deteriorate.”
Eivass explained earnestly. The black, lithe hunting dog he was petting melted and transformed into a black cat. Its eyes and fur were pure black, like a ball. If placed in a corner, it would likely be completely invisible and undiscoverable. “See how cute this is?” Eivass exclaimed.
“…And, Shadow Demon. You haven’t even told me your true name yet, have you? You don’t think I’ve forgotten about this, do you? Or do you think… I’ll believe your name is ‘Shadow Demon’?” Looking at the silent Shadow Demon, Eivass’s lips curved upwards. “When you decide to tell me your true name, and no longer call me Master—when we become true, equal, and trustworthy companions. Only then should you transform into this form.”
“…Will there be such a time?” The Shadow Demon couldn’t help but ask, “Humans can at most only reach the Fifth or Sixth Tier, right?”
“Yes,” Eivass said calmly, petting the black cat. “As long as we kill the Fallen Heavenly Envoy.” Upon hearing this, the Shadow Demon vibrated and scattered into a pool of black mud. It clearly hadn’t anticipated Eivass’s ambition being so grand—such a sweet will to transcend made it uncontrollably excited, unable to maintain its mimicked form.
Eivass clapped his hands and stood up. He looked at the boiling shadows at his feet and said slowly and deliberately, “Even so, your loyal heart still deserves a reward. There are ten days until the next advancement. When we successfully advance next weekend, I will give you a good feast as a reward for your lovely thoughts now… my lamb.”
“…I look forward to that day, my Master.” The Shadow Demon’s voice trembled with excitement.
An update of seven thousand nine hundred words has been completed! As usual, I’ll revise for typos after waking up!
