The Curry Can and the Mage's Dream

The Underground Waterway. A curry can, huh? It still doesn't look very dignified... but at least it’s better than a tissue box. It’s sturdier, after all. It’s definitely worth the upgrade.

I pulled the tissue box out from the sub-space within my cloak.

Suddenly, my vision blurred. The world flipped upside down, spinning in dizzying circles. Was I looking into the curry can, or was the curry can looking at Estelle? Every sense I had was jumbled and tangled—until, finally, my consciousness snapped back into place.

Wait, is this...?

'Nice.'

This was an unexpected boon. This changes everything. The major drawback of the [Undying] trait is that I lose stats every time I revive, which hinders my growth. But with this new [Ability Storage] option, I no longer have to fear losing my stats. It means the foundation for my growth has become much more stable.

However, from now on, the stats I gain from leveling up won't always be applied to me; I'll have to use them like short buffs via [Ability Release], which will require more strategic thinking.

'Yoga Power, indeed.'

It was a good phylactery, more than enough to hold my soul. Of course, it’s still just a tin can, so it lacks prestige... but compared to a tissue box, it’s a monumental improvement. 'If I look hard enough, I might be able to find even better phylacteries as I go.' First a tissue box, then a curry can. What’s next?

I felt a flicker of interest, then suddenly realized I was like ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a hermit crab. A hermit crab that carries a shell on its back as a home, wandering the beach in search of a better one... that’s exactly my situation right now. How is this supposed to be a Lich?

The next morning. While I was taking a walk around the village early to clear my head, I spotted a familiar face. A sturdy Orc Shaman who reminded me of an Indian chief. He had eagle feathers tucked into his hair, and his body was covered in traditional tattoos.

"Oh, there he is!"

"Hm? I haven't seen this young lady before...? Have we met? Strange. Why can't I remember...?"

I pointed at him and greeted him with genuine joy, which made the Shaman tilt his head in confusion. Well, of course he wouldn't know me. I only knew him because I’d seen him in the game. This Orc is an NPC who, for a small fee, helps you level up your stats using Magic Stones.

"Where on earth did you get all these Magic Stones?"

When I pulled out 450 Magic Stones, the Shaman’s eyes went wide. I couldn't tell him I’d soloed the field boss Golden Horn—he’d never believe me—so I just made up a vague excuse.

"Please use them all."

I could have kept some to trade for money, but in the long run, investing in my own stats was more profitable. Money could be earned through other means.

The Shaman closed his eyes and rolled the beast-tooth necklace around his neck with his fingers.

"Om Bar Sa-ha—"

After a strange incantation, the Magic Stones began to glow brilliantly before turning into a hazy mist that seeped into my body.

'Of course.'

As I’d planned, I decided to keep all the stats gained from the Magic Stones in the phylactery. As a gamer who values extreme efficiency, I couldn't tolerate even the slightest loss of stats.

Thanks to dumping 450 Magic Stones at once, my stats jumped significantly. On the physical side, my endurance, agility, patience, and running speed increased the most. Probably because I did a lot of running while playing "American Football" with Golden Horn. But even more noticeable were the magic stats.

'I haven't even used magic yet, and it's rising on its own.'

Maybe it’s because I’m a Lich who originally had magic talent that reached the heavens. My choice was confirmed. Yes, going for a Mage build for Estelle is the right answer.

Besides that, I also gained some life-related skills like low-level [Cooking] and [Running] through my own experience, regardless of the Magic Stones. I’m satisfied. This is the joy of RPGs. I’m gradually getting stronger and more skilled. There’s still a long way to go, but... I’m not impatient. I know the fastest way to reach my destination.

'Just you wait, Michael. I’ll catch up to you soon.'

Just as I was steeling my resolve, the Shaman started fussing with a troubled expression.

"Wait, why? This shouldn't be happening..."

The Shaman’s pupils were shaking violently. He probably didn't know that all my stats were being stored in the phylactery. "This happens sometimes! It’s very rare, but...!"

Sweating profusely, the Shaman returned my money with trembling hands. "I can't do anything about the Magic Stones you've already used, but... take this."

A mysterious cashback. I got some unexpected pocket money back. 'If I sweet-talked him, I could probably squeeze more out of him...' But I shouldn't be too greedy. Orc Shamans aren't stupid. If I messed up my relationship with the Shamans and blocked my path to Magic Stone leveling, that would be a disaster. In the worst-case scenario, my identity as the notorious Lich might be exposed.

"It's fine. Things happen in life."

I gave him a benevolent smile, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as if it were nothing. In reality, I hadn't lost anything—I’d actually profited. The Shaman was so sorry he didn't know what to do.

"You are generous. I am truly sorry. I swear this won't happen again."

Rustle, rustle— he fumbled with his large, pot-lid-sized hands and stuck something in my mouth. A fragrant lemon scent wafted to my nose. It was a lollipop.

"Please, keep this a secret from others."

Look at this guy. He’s treating me like a kid. Just because I’m short, he thinks I’m a real child. But it was too much of a hassle to clear up the misunderstanding, and the candy was sweet, so I just nodded...

After finishing the Magic Stone leveling, I returned to the shelter tent. Flora was still wandering through dreamland.

"Senior, let's wake up now."

"Yeah... okay... I'm waking up..."

I shook her shoulder repeatedly, but she just answered and flopped back down to sleep several times. Should I just kick her? I seriously considered it while continuing to shake her.

"..."

Flora suddenly sat up. Her hair was a mess, and she stared at me with sleepy eyes.

...Is she awake?

"Senior?"

"..."

"Are you awake or what? You're scaring me. Wake up already."

Suddenly, Flora pulled my face into her chest. I couldn't breathe. It ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was dark, warm, and soft.

"Hey, what are you doing! It's suffocating!"

"Uuuung-"

"Let go-"

"You smell good..."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

She held me like a doll and sniffed me for a long time. She said it made her feel at ease.

'She has terrible sleeping habits. I'll have to be careful from now on.'

It took a while for Flora to come to her senses. After washing up and eating breakfast in the tent, I explained our future plans clearly.

"We're going to the Underground Waterway. Just you and me, Senior."

Of course, I didn't forget to explain the dangers awaiting us. The complex terrain of the Underground Waterway and the monsters that lived inside. Flora kept her mouth shut and listened to me with a serious expression.

"Do you have any other questions, Senior?"

"Ah, yes! Estelle-ssi, I have one question."

"What is it?"

"When do we leave?"

Flora's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"As soon as we're done preparing. But Senior, you heard me, right? It could be dangerous. No, it will be dangerous. That's why I'm telling you in advance. I don't want to force you, so if you're not comfortable, you can tell me now."

"Not comfortable? I want to leave right now! Finally, I can go on a real adventure."

Flora said she left the Magic Tower with big dreams. She wanted to experience the vast continent, personally master the heights of great magic, and help people in need... that was the plan.

But here in the frontier, contrary to her expectations, she hadn't experienced a single real adventure. At most, she’d just followed other parties around to catch a few wild boars in the wilderness.

'So that's why her head is full of flowers.'

I didn't want to dampen her spirits. Flora would find out soon enough, whether she liked it or not. How dangerous and cruel the world of [Nine Stars] was. I wondered if her heart would still be unbroken after feeling the reality of the "adventure" she so desired.

Anyway, good luck.

"Let's go! Estelle-ssi, I'm all ready!"

An enthusiastic Flora grabbed my arm. Well, if I had to choose, I’d prefer a positive party member over one who’s indifferent to everything. But I wasn't ready yet. It’s not like I can go into the Underground Waterway with just a dagger. I need to learn some magic.