Chapter 97

Chapter 97: Chapter 97 Clayton was completely puzzled by what the two men were up to. Still, out of courtesy, he accepted the box they handed him. Even so, he didn’t open it right away. Instead, he glanced at Arthur and Lorenzo, silently asking—What’s really going on here? They didn’t offer any explanation. Instead, they simply encouraged him with eager smiles. "Go on, open it. It’s a gift from us to you." "Yeah, we’re sure it’ll be really useful." Still slightly confused, Clayton finally lifted the lid—and was immediately stunned by what he saw inside. "Huh? What is this?" he asked, awe-struck as he examined the contents: several small, bead-like objects. The beads sparkled, gleaming under the light with an almost ethereal beauty. He picked one up, rolling it between his fingers, and immediately sensed a familiar magical energy radiating from within. Arthur noticed his reaction and smiled. "So? Do you like them?" Clayton nodded, eyes still locked on the shimmering bead. Arthur and Lorenzo exchanged a satisfied glance. "Glad to hear it," Lorenzo said warmly. Clayton picked up another bead—this one a different color. Again, he sensed something familiar in its magical signature. After a moment, he placed the beads back into the box and looked up at them. "So, what exactly are these? Why do they feel... familiar?" Arthur explained, "They’re mid-tier, one-star magic beads we found in a dungeon." "The black ones are infused with dark-element mana, and the white ones carry light-element energy," Lorenzo added. Clayton frowned slightly. The combination of black and white mana immediately reminded him of the twin fawns—Nocturne and Aurora—and the strange events that had unfolded just days ago. A creeping suspicion began to form. Could Arthur and Lorenzo somehow be connected to the dark energy that had nearly killed him? Or... was it all just a coincidence? His thoughts spiraled, and he barely noticed Arthur calling his name. "Clayton..." "Clayton..." "Clayton!" Arthur finally raised his voice on the third try. Clayton snapped back to the present. "Ah—sorry. I was thinking." Arthur waved it off. "No worries. So... what do you think? Will the gift be useful?" Clayton’s suspicion flared again. There was something ambiguous about Arthur’s tone—too casual, too practiced. Sensing his hesitation, Arthur quickly added, "If I’m not mistaken, you’re quite skilled at crafting spell scrolls, right? With these materials, your scrolls could become even more powerful." "That’s right!" Lorenzo chimed in. "Your scrolls helped us clear the dungeon way more easily than we expected!" Only then did Clayton realize: their true purpose was clear. This wasn’t just a gift—it was a calculated investment. Still, he couldn’t help wondering—Why go this far? Why bring such valuable materials just for a favor? Arthur and Lorenzo exchanged a glance, recognizing Clayton’s doubt. They knew it was time to explain everything. Arthur began to speak, with Lorenzo occasionally jumping in. They explained that the dungeon they had recently conquered was a specialized, low-tier type—accessible only to apprentice-level mages. Elemental creatures inside were limited to light, dark, fire, and water affinities, making their weaknesses easy to exploit. Thanks to Clayton’s customized scrolls, their team had breezed through the challenges. The beads were their way of showing gratitude—and ensuring a continued supply of scrolls. They also hope that Clayton can improve his spell scroll crafting skills so they can obtain high-quality products If it worked, the investment would yield massive returns. If not, it was still a fair trade—they’d already profited greatly. Clayton listened carefully. He had to admit—Arthur was sharp. Strategic. A natural leader. Any doubts about Arthur’s possible involvement in Clayton’s illness began to fade. With everything now out in the open, Clayton felt no reason to refuse the gesture. "Alright," he said, smiling. "I’ll make sure to prioritize you when selling scrolls. I’ll also start practicing mid-tier one-star scrolls to help your team grow stronger." Arthur and Lorenzo visibly brightened. Their plan had worked. They spent a while chatting, exchanging stories about recent events around the city. The conversation flowed easily, stretching late into the afternoon. Eventually, Arthur and Lorenzo stood to leave. But before they could go, Clayton raised a hand. "Wait a second." He disappeared into another room and soon returned with several bottles of milk. "Here—take these. I’ve got too much, and I’m not about to let it go to waste." Arthur and Lorenzo politely declined—at first. But their expressions betrayed them. Their eyes lingered. Their throats moved in unconscious swallows. Clayton chuckled. "Just take them. You’ll thank me later." With sheepish grins, they accepted the bottles. "Alright, I’ll take it. Thanks, Clayton!" "Yeah, thanks. Liora’s going to love this stuff." Clayton nodded, pleased. "When you run out, just drop by. Don’t be shy." Arthur and Lorenzo nodded, genuinely touched by the gesture. "Well then, we’ll be on our way. See you around, Clayton!" Clayton waved them off with a grin. "You too! Travel safe!" After they left, Clayton stepped back inside, heart lighter than before. ... The Next Morning Clayton stood in his backyard, surrounded by his skeletons and pets. The air was crisp, and the snow-covered field shimmered under the morning sun. He surveyed the area and gave a satisfied nod. From his storage pouch, he retrieved a thick spellbook and flipped it open. After reading a few pages, he closed it and took a ready stance. He began chanting. "Water Magic: Needle Rain!" Swoosh! Swoosh! Dozens of water droplets hovered in midair, stretching and narrowing into razor-sharp needles. They launched forward in a rapid barrage. Thud! Thud! Thud! The snowy ground ahead was shredded—torn apart like it had been hit by machine-gun fire. Curious, Clayton walked forward and inspected the impact. Even without enhancements, the spell had solid piercing power. Impressed, he cast it again—this time with buffs from his Entry System. Stud! Stud! The upgraded needles punctured even deeper, tearing through the snow and biting into the ground below. Clayton grinned. This spell’s a keeper. He called over a few skeletons and had them try the spell. Thanks to the shared Entry System, they picked it up surprisingly quickly. Soon, they were firing off volleys of needle rain in perfect formation. Clayton made notes, tweaking the casting speed and formation. Once satisfied, he flipped to the next page in his spellbook. The next spell made him pause. It was a suicidal-type spell—immensely powerful, but incredibly dangerous. He wasn’t about to test it on himself, so he summoned one of the mini skeletons. After thoroughly explaining the spell’s function and safety precautions, he stepped far back, making sure everyone else was clear. The mini skeleton stood in position, arms raised, and began chanting the spell. Suddenly, radiant light burst from its body, bathing the entire field in an eerie, golden glow. Clayton was giddy with anticipation. He shielded his eyes—the light was blinding. Then— CRACK! A sharp, violent sound split the air. SCREEEEECH... A deep, unnatural creaking noise followed—like something massive and ancient being torn open. Clayton’s excitement turned to caution. His eyes narrowed. What the hell did I just unleash...?