FVN Chapter 332: To the Future (2)
Chapter 332: To the Future (2)
Chapter 332: To the Future (2)
Vol-Herchan.
A super-sized monster that appears on the 7th floor.
Since it lives in groups in specific fields, essence farming itself isn't that difficult if you have the specs. That's why I chose Bion's essence, which is harder to obtain later, when I received the royal family's reward.
But...
'To be honest, its combat performance was better.'
While Bion's [Transcendence] allows for utility, variable creation, and unconventional skill combinations, Vol-Herchan focuses on one thing.
Physical Resistance.
The stat that tanks should prioritize even over Strength.
Moreover, Vol-Herchan has an active skill that allows you to block Aura, making its essence essential for becoming a sturdy shield barbarian.
'The problem is... the essence color.'
The active skill changes depending on the color of the essence.
This is one of the biggest reasons why growth becomes more difficult as you climb higher. Not only are high-level monsters harder to hunt, but from 3rd-grade onwards, there are at least five or six different colors of essences that can drop.
It's not time to celebrate yet.
At least not yet...
"Amelia, do you happen to know... what color the essence is?"
"Hmm, I think it was green."
What? Green?!
"Hallelujah..."
Amelia frowned at my exclamation. Well, she must have been confused since it was a word she had never heard before.
"Is that something you say in your world?"
I explained that it was a word used when something good happened, omitting the religious meaning, and Amelia nodded.
And then she glanced at me with a slightly hurt expression.
"You gave me a hard time when I said that word earlier..."
Ah, right.
I did get upset when she said I was an evil spirit.
It must have seemed hypocritical.
'I would have kept my 'hallelujah' to myself if it were anyone else...'
Is it because she's the only companion (SSR) in this world who knows I'm an evil spirit?
I apologized sincerely.
"It wasn't that I was being strict with you. I just tend to be more comfortable around you. I'll be more careful from now on."
"...Whatever."
Amelia accepted my apology coolly, and that was the end of that topic.
I then asked the most important question.
"By the way, Amelia..."
"Just get to the point."
"Do you happen to know... how much it sold for?"
I asked with a trembling voice, trying to suppress my excitement, and Amelia chuckled and stood up from her chair.
And...
Click, click.
She walked over to me, bent down, and whispered in my ear.
"...!!!!"
I felt goosebumps all over my body.
What the hell, how is it that expensive?
____________________
I was shocked at first, but after thinking about it, it wasn't that unreasonable.
It was a 3rd-grade essence, after all.
Since it was being auctioned at the central exchange instead of the Sky Auction House, there would have been many more bidders. There are plenty of rich people who can't enter the Sky Auction House.
Anyway, that wasn't the important part.
"Amelia..."
"What is it?"
"That's..."
I hesitated, and Amelia, who had returned to her seat, crossed her legs and folded her arms.
It was a bit intimidating...
"Uh... that's..."
Amelia sighed and scratched the itch as I struggled to speak.
"You're wondering how much we'll get if we sell all the equipment, right?"
"Yes."
"Probably... about 70%. Even if we sell it slowly at a good price."
Damn it, so it's not enough.
"...I guess we have no choice but to give up."
It wasn't just about being 30% short.
We had been looting for over six months, and we had even taken everything from those ten looters.
It was practically impossible to make that much money in a short amount of time.
Amelia also seemed to agree, judging by her expression.
"...Don't be too disappointed. We can always get the essence ourselves later."
That's true, but...
"Sigh..."
I couldn't help but sigh despite her consolation.
I wish I had just stayed ignorant. It felt like I had received a birthday present only to have it taken away because it was the wrong one.
It was the perfect color, too...
"Well, there is a way..."
Amelia suddenly spoke, and I looked up.
"A way...?"
Amelia averted her gaze.
If Amelia failed to get the money, I would have to hide a huge sum of money as well, so I had to be even more careful.
Well, that wasn't my only concern.
'But what if she actually gets the money? What do I do then?'
My current level was 6.
I could absorb up to six essences, and all six slots were currently filled.
To absorb Vol-Herchan's essence, I would have to level up or remove one of my existing essences.
But reaching level 7 would require clearing more than half of the 6th floor, so I didn't have to think about that option.
'Which one should I get rid of?'
Orc Hero, Ogre, Bion.
These three were core essences, so I couldn't remove them. And Stormgush was a 3rd-grade essence, too valuable to discard.
Its base stats alone were worth keeping.
So I was left with two choices.
'Manticore.'
My only movement skill, and a 5th-grade essence that I had always planned to remove eventually.
And...
'Corpse Golem.'
The 7th-grade essence that I had absorbed out of desperation.
It was the lowest grade essence I had, but it wasn't an easy choice.
'It feels like I'll be missing something without it...'
The usefulness of this essence was undeniable.
How much had I relied on the 'Pain Resistance' stat?
Even the trash skills [Flesh Explosion] and [Acidic Fluid] had proven useful in battle.
But...
'It's time to graduate from it. I never planned to keep it this long anyway.'
If I had to choose between the two, Manticore was the better option.
The reason was simple.
[Inheritance] would give me back 20% of the stats, but my Magic Resistance, which was 200, would be reduced to 40.
If I removed it now, I would have to absorb another intermediate essence to balance out my Magic Resistance until I could get Bellarios' essence.
'Well, this is all pointless if Amelia fails to get the money.'
The thought of finding a hiding place became even more important, and I diligently explored the city.
And...
'Only three days left.'
It was three days before the auction.
I lay down on the bed, staring at the clock on the nightstand.
'What will happen this time?'
It was midnight on the 15th.
______________________
"Oh, I'm here again."
I opened my eyes in the familiar room and put on the white mask.
And I quickly left the room.
"..."
The hallway was empty and silent.
But if my guess was correct, the new owner of this space, the 2nd Master, GM, should be somewhere in this mansion.
'Let's take a look around.'
I wandered through the mansion, carefully examining every room.
The Captain, the Ruin Scholar, and the other members were nowhere to be seen.
'What happened to them...?'
I was starting to get curious when I saw a man standing in the main hall on the first floor.
He was clearly not one of the otherworldly evil spirits.
He was wearing a tracksuit with a familiar logo.
'Could he be the GM?'
I took a step closer to get a better look.
But did he sense my presence?
"Pe, person...?"
The man looked around and then froze as our eyes met.
"..."
We stared at each other in silence.
'This is unexpected.'
He had a somewhat goofy face.
His eyes were filled with confusion.
He even seemed scared of me...
"Um... who, who are you? You said you banished all the previous members..."
'The previous members were banished...'
He was clearly wary of me, but he was still giving me information. I could smell it.
The strong scent of a newbie.
'Well, even the GM would have been here for less than a year. He's still fresh.'
How should I handle this?
I was already salivating.
And...
"Um... Sir! Are you the Sir?!"
He looked at me with such innocent eyes...
Lick.
I couldn't help but lick my lips.