Chapter 100: Phew, Good Thing We Had This
"Phew. Good thing we had this."
The artisans had probably just seen them as tools to exploit. Their real priority would have been snatching away and destroying even a single sheet of research data. Vulcan's gamble had paid off.
He'd been a little worried they might go after the artisans first, but they must have figured eliminating the research materials and results took precedence. And since they were pressed for time themselves, they'd all charged straight at Vulcan.
Even at their fully reinforced peak, their combat prowess wasn't something Vulcan could take lightly—but the matchup was just terrible for them.
They couldn't handle Vulcan wielding the Blessed Sun Sword and the power of fire on top of that. Once he started manipulating the soaring flames like spells with Flame Control, they didn't stand a chance. No amount of sacrificing their lives could overcome a fundamental type disadvantage.
And with Vulcan's top-tier control piled on, they were left with nothing to do but slowly melt away, awaiting death.
"Now, before we head back..."
All the enemies were dead, but unfortunately, the mind control on the kidnapped artisans hadn't been fully lifted. They still stared blankly like zombies, moving only like puppets at anyone's command.
But curing that was someone else's job. There was no dedicated temple for artisans—being called the god of artisans didn't exist—but artisans were far too valuable for that. Instead, temples from all over had set up shop in Smell to recruit followers or maintain relations.
They'd jump at any chance to appeal to artisans. So there was no need to worry about these folks.
"Time to check the main scenario quest first, right?"
Instead, Vulcan examined the research data and results that had nearly gone up in flames. Naturally, his eyes went first to the document glowing with a red hue—the mark of a main scenario quest. He needed to review it before handing anything over.
"Can't pass this up."
Some users blindly handed quest items to NPCs without checking them, figuring they were quest-exclusive junk. Often, that led to penalties—like unsealing something dangerous.
So Vulcan peeked. For open documents, he just read them. For sealed ones, he hired an artisan to briefly break the seal and reseal it perfectly.
It had netted him gains before, even spawning new quests from the intel. And with a main scenario quest involved now, there was zero reason not to.
"Huh...?
Rally point?"
It was shockingly a document detailing the enemies' gathering spot. They'd been operating like a point organization—no leads despite several encounters—but now he'd finally caught their tail.
"This spot?"
- Looks like the Multisea area?
The map marking the rally point was small and unlabeled, just a big X on some islands near what looked like ocean. Pinpointing it was tricky, but Tud identified it instantly.
Multisea. The name for a region packed with small islands. And classified as a danger zone.
Untouched sea monsters and demonic beasts from the Demon King War still roamed those waters.
- There's a silver one with a lair around here. These punks setting up shop? Kinda suspicious.
Tud added that a silver dragon had a lair nearby.
"A silver dragon? So he's... the lord of the seas in Multisea?"
That would make sense. Securing a silver dragon's permission was step one for any foothold there. Piss it off, and you'd face draconic wrath. Humans had cities in Multisea, but they offered constant tribute to the sea for peace—unaware it was a silver dragon, though they knew crossing it meant tsunamis wiping out everything. Plenty had tested the "superstition" and paid dearly.
- Yeah, gotta be him. Silvers are pretty docile, but he wouldn't just let these idiots run wild. Needs checking.
But them holing up there? Sneaky, sure, but still weird.
The map put it closer to land than open sea, but still one of Multisea's islands. Had the silver dragon permitted it? Any research, weird experiments, or war prep like this would've pinged a dragon's senses.
"Hmm. Probably. Can't check it out right now, though."
He wanted to scout immediately, but it was impossible. Multisea spanned levels 250 to 400—high-end stuff. Sea monsters made hunting even tougher. Solo was out; high-level users partied up, or skipped sea mobs for islands/coasts. Vulcan couldn't cut loose there yet.
So he memorized it and checked the other items. Research notes from this place: recipes for the False Sage's Stone and alchemical potions using similar energies.
Starting with the Decay Potion he'd seen first, there were Critical Potions to boost crit chance on targets, Death Potions for probabilistic instant death if over 30% HP was lost in a timeframe—surprisingly varied.
"Ugh."
Just skimming made Vulcan gag. Gathering negative emotional energy was one thing, but the potion recipes were filthy and cruel. No wonder Tud called it dirty.
"These guys were total psychos."
Mix condensed emotional energy with toxic herbs, monster flesh, and blood into pills. Force-feed to humans or monsters, harvest the melting skin and poisoned blood, refine into potions—like the weird ones Vulcan had swiped.
That potency could temporarily alter a target's constitution. Curse-like, but uncleansable by holy power or disease cures.
"Can't reproduce these anyway. Gotta ration 'em."
- Tch. There are better ways for similar effects. This is why no-talent hacks suck.
Vulcan got the recipes but had no plans to make more. Even if he could source negative energy another way beyond his False Sage's Stone shards.
Tud mentioned alternatives later, but Vulcan had no desire to mass-produce this crap regardless.
"Gonna milk what I got, though."
No way he'd trash his haul. A quick glance showed some prime uses.
"Alright, time for rewards. Everyone, follow me."
Vulcan sorted loot—keep vs. share—commanded the artisans to trail him. Vengeful spirits blocked the path, but jamming his sword into them with fire power vaporized the lot.
"Whoa! Vulcan? You rescued everyone solo?"
"Yeah. The ones inside are all dead. Bodies aren't intact, so bear that in mind. These folks seem hit with mind spells—need treatment."
"Of course. Weirder if you'd killed 'em clean. Leave the rest to us. Hey! Call the priests! Everyone else, with me inside!"
Back through the narrow passage to the surface, Gremori's guards welcomed them. Priests checked the artisans; guards reentered the dungeon to investigate.
Meanwhile, Vulcan headed to the Artisan Hall to meet Gremori—Smell's de facto boss. Time to share intel and claim quest rewards.
Personal reward plus city-scale stuff, he said.
What would he offer? He'd given an Epic item before, so expectations were high. And city-level rewards too?
If I could snag even one item from the Artisan Hall... perfect.
He knew it was wishful, but fantasies swirled as he faced Gremori. He reported, laid out his finds. They might confiscate it all as evidence—no biggie. Recipes and map were memorized.
"This...! You've done us a huge service. Forcing artisans into this evil? Unforgivable. But this goes beyond our guild—I'll handle the investigation. Got some nobles I can reach; we'll leverage them."
Gremori growled, fired up as expected. Even without deep alchemy knowledge, a figure like him could guess their scheme. Horrifying methods for potions—and whatever they planned with them—sparked rage and fear.
Gremori's trustworthy, at least...
His connections weren't ordinary. Stronger in reinforcement than crafting, but artisans wielded big influence on nobles prepping for monsters or rivals.
But trusting those nobles? Dicey. No guarantee none were compromised. A few seemed solid, but no one could vouch for all.
"Um, Gremori. One thing."
Vulcan shared his Rezina estate encounter—family gripped by Pain Eaters. Warning of possible noble infiltration. Gremori nodded grimly.
"I get it. Need caution. Leak intel, and they bolt."
"Talk to the temples too. They're prepping countermeasures. Oh—only Roona, Kabura, Jatan, and Radin temples moving secretly for now."
Instead of nobles raiding Multisea outright, gather intel stealthily. Unite with temple alliance.
Better than fracturing.
Temple alliance was secret, so spilling felt iffy—but it was out. Could snag plans or spark infighting. Better to loop them in deliberately. Temples would welcome Smell's backing.
Blessed Sun Sword didn't reinforce, but that was unique; other temple gear did. Priests added holy power, but artisans handled crafting.
Plus, temple sensitivity to demonic energy could speedstrike enemy lairs with the intel.
"Understood. I'll request a meet. Share anything relevant with you."
"Thanks."
Gremori agreed, promising updates or leads. Vulcan voiced secrecy concerns, but Gremori shot back: hide from the guy who uncovered it all? Who else to trust? Firm stance.
"Now, other business."
Settlement time. With formal praise for Vulcan's feats, an astonishing alert popped up.
"First, on behalf of Smell, thanks for saving our city and rescuing the artisans. As a token, please accept this humble reward without refusal."
Special Quest: 'Missing Artisans' has been completed.
◈ Ownership of a B-grade property in Smell
◈ B-grade vendor NPC for shop operations
"Huh?"
Gremori's city reward was real estate. A spot in Smell deeded to Vulcan. Already processed, like he'd anticipated success.
Whether prepped on news of Vulcan's approach or not, the implications were massive.
"One of the guild's shops. Not A-grade, but solid B. Good location—run it right, and it'll give plenty of crafting breathing room."
"...Thank you."
Becoming a noble with territory was every user's dream. But tough, so owning land/buildings was hugely coveted. Even big guilds struggled for a single room hideout—lords could seize anytime. They craved bases but feared it. Vulcan got one free.
Quest reward, so not totally free—but still insane.
"No need for shop format if you don't want, but tossed in vendor rights just in case. B-grade merchant NPC—stock goods steadily, and it'll run itself with minimal input."
Plus a vendor NPC to handle sales/ops. Per Gremori, perfect for a branded Vulcan shop: supply products/funds, basic setup, and it automates profits.
Some strings, sure. But no reason to refuse.
With his symbol skill enabling branding, it fit perfectly. Likely to tie Vulcan's name/products to Smell—but worth overlooking.
How much would this cost to buy? Heh heh heh!
Real estate prices were astronomical. Auctions might slow bulk sales, but that was perspective. As Vulcan's skill/items leveled up, exclusives here could premium-price.
Big cash needs were done for now. Periodic expenses loomed, but short-term living was fine. Pay Kuzar mines soon for ore, but a few days crafting/selling covers it.
Growth via levels might slow, but skill proficiency rises—time on his side.
"I'll make it work."
No stocked goods for grand opening yet, but selling stamped items gradually builds rep. No Uncommon-or-below trash anyway—word spreads fast.
Leveling won't be too rough short-term either.
"And this is my personal thanks. As a rep for countless artisans, for saving lives and pulling them from evil's grasp."
Oh, right—one more.
Vulcan was grinning ear-to-ear from real estate/vendor alone, but Gremori pulled out another. Separate from city reward.
After Epic Wings of Wind God already? High hopes.
"...Huh?"
Creeeak— He carefully opened the heavy box Gremori proffered.