The big shot looked at his new collaborator, he was doubtful but not alarmed.
A contract always made him feel at ease.
Therefore, when he was knocked out by his men, his eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.
The man in the scarlet windbreaker picked up the big shot and quickly disappeared at the end of the street with the big shot's subordinate.
The sun was still shining, the breeze was gentle.
Everything was still the same.
It was as if nothing had happened.
Likewise, Kieran, who was sitting at the dining table and waiting patiently, acted like nothing had happened.
He didn't tell Starbeck about the unusual things that happened on the way here.
Still, it didn't stop him from counting his spoils.
100K Points and 30 Skill Points were just the most basic rewards.
The real treasure was the items and equipment from the ambushers and assassins.
Although the items and equipment that caught Kieran's attention were few in number, it was a lot!
30 Magic rank and 5 Rare rank items and equipment, plus the 50 Magic rank items that he entrusted Lawless to sell, Kieran couldn't help but heave a breath of relief.
He knew the appraisal fees for [Frost Heart Remnant] should be enough.
There might even be some leftovers.
It was definitely a great comfort for the stingy bastard.
Of course, what delighted the stingy bastard was the rewards that were worth noticing.
[Name: Earth's Favor]
[Type: Accessory]
[Rarity: Legendary]
[Attribute: 1. Earth Protection; 2. Earth Blessing]
[Prerequisite: None]
[Able to bring out of dungeon: Yes]
[Remark: A lucky thief found him in a broken temple, but the arrogance that followed destroyed him.]
…
[Earth Protection: Able to go underground and move at 50% normal speed. Acquire a layer of Powerful earth armor, 30 second duration, 2 times per day]
[Earth Blessing: When your feet are on the ground, your body weight is reduced by 50%, items weight reduced by 30%.]
…
It was a brown ring.
Or rather, a finger ring. There weren't any decorations on it, even the patterns on the inside of the ring had some blurry mystical words. According to Pro level [Mystical Knowledge], Kieran translated the words as: I can't love you, but I can watch you.
It was a short sentence, but it was enough to tell a story.
However, Kieran didn't care about the story behind this Legendary rank item that he got from Godard. All he needed to know was that with [Earth's Favor], he would be more well-rounded.
Since he couldn't really fly in the sky, then … he would burrow into the ground!
Moreover, the weight reduction from [Earth's Blessing] was a good thing for Kieran.
What could be more delightful than allowing him to obtain more spoils of war?
Naturally, the more, the better.
If he had enough power, he wouldn't mind taking over the entire world.
With a smile at the corner of his mouth, Kieran rotated the ring and put it on his right hand. He then looked at the spoils from Server I and Tita.
The former was a bat statue the size of an index finger. It was entirely red with some cracks, and there were some subtle black spots.
The latter, on the other hand, was a pale green gem that didn't need to be embedded. It was the kind that could unleash its power just by wearing it.
[Name: Blood Kin Replica]
[Type: ETC]
Rarity: Above Legendary
[Attributes: 1. Blood Shield, 2. Blood Sword, 3. Blood Sting]
[Prerequisite: Blood Sacrifice]
[Able to bring out of dungeon: Yes]
[Remark: It's not just a replica, it's slightly broken, hence the weakened power.]
…
[Blood Shield: Construct a Powerful defense barrier formed by blood, 3 second duration, 2 times per day]
[Blood Sword: Construct a Powerful attack longsword formed by blood, 3 second duration, 2 times per day]
[Blood Sting: Construct a Powerful attack arrow formed by blood, no bow required, automatically aims at a target within a 25-meter radius, 1 time per day]
…
[Blood Sacrifice: Pour the blood of a living being onto a statue, it will slightly buff the statue and slowly recover the caster's HP and Stamina.]
…
[Name: Vicious Venom Pearl]
[Type: Gemstone]
[Rarity: Legendary]
[Attributes: 1. Vicious Venom Breath; 2. Poison Nibble]
[Prerequisite: None]
[Able to bring out of dungeon: Yes]
[Remark: The blacksmith who created this would never have thought it would become such a cruel tool.]
…
[Venomous Breath: When Venomous Breath is activated, your breath will be filled with venom. The venom will level up with the number of breaths you take (Strong rank at first, Powerful rank after 10 seconds, Extreme rank after 60 seconds, and rank I rank after 120 seconds (no higher than rank I)). You can not only control the venom's range (no more than 100 meters with you as the center), but you can also choose to let the venom stay dormant (no more than 1 minute after the target is poisoned), once per day]
[Poison Nibble: When the target dies due to Vicious Venom Breath, the target will undergo a Poison Nibble authentication. When the target dies have an attribute of B rank or multiple targets, Vicious Venom Breath cooldown will reset. When the target dies have an attribute of A rank or multiple targets, Vicious Venom Breath will level up, decreasing the range by 1 second, or increasing the range by 1 meter, or increasing the duration by 2 seconds. Based on the attributes of the dead and the number of targets, the duration will change accordingly. The maximum is no more than 60 seconds, the range is no more than 60 meters, and the duration is no more than 120 seconds)]
…
"A replica?"
Kieran wasn't a stranger to the term since he had seen it before, but he wasn't sure if the [Blood Kin's Embrace Replica] in his hand relied on his bloodline ability or the blacksmith's skills.
If it was the former, he wouldn't have anything to say, but if it was the latter …
Kieran's eyes started to shine with a golden shine.
He unconsciously placed Sin-server on the list that he had to pay attention to.
As for [Venom Pearl]?
Kieran didn't underestimate it.
Although it had its limitations, an attack that could reach Advance Rank was enough for Kieran to take it seriously, even if it was at the peak of its power.
Kieran quickly kept the two items away when he heard the sound of a pot being taken out from the kitchen.
A moment later, Starbeck came out with gloves and a big claypot in his hands.
Even with the lid over the claypot, hot air mixed with the aroma came out from the reserved ventilation holes. The temperature in the room rose rapidly following the hot air.
The aroma also spread along with the hot air.
"Beef, mutton, and some other unknown meat."
Kieran twitched his nose and quickly identified the heaviest part of the aroma: meat.
Followed by vegetables and other ingredients.
"White carrot, corn, and some herbs?"
Although his Potionology level was high, Kieran who was only at Entry level in Potionology couldn't tell the difference.
Still, it didn't stop Kieran from opening the lid and picking up the spoon and bowl.
After quickly scooping a bowl for himself, Kieran eagerly took a sip despite the high temperature.
Delicious!
It was far more delicious than he had imagined, and it didn't have the oily taste of mutton or the fishy smell of beef and mutton. Quite the opposite, it felt cool, like mint but much milder.
"Is it the effect of the unknown meat and the herbs?"
Kieran was guessing as he ate faster and faster.
Should he ask Starbeck?
It wasn't Kieran's style to ask questions in front of delicious food.
Starbeck placed his elbows on the table and didn't take off his apron. He supported his chin with both of his hands and smiled at Kieran who was wolfing down his food.
Starbeck didn't mind that Kieran was fully focused on the food in front of him and didn't even spare a glance at him.
After all, the food in front of him was cooked by him.
Starbeck watched Kieran finish the pot of soup that was enough for five people, not even sparing the spices in the pot. His smile grew brighter.
What else could make a chef happier than eating cleanly?
That was the customer who took the initiative to wash the dishes after eating.
"2567, are you good at this?"
Starbeck was curious as he watched Kieran skillfully wash the dishes.
"Of course.
I spent quite a lot of time in the kitchen. "
Kieran didn't hide the truth.
There was nothing to hide either.
Especially when the one who told him was Starbeck.
However, Starbeck didn't think so.
After hearing what Kieran said, Starbeck looked at Kieran carefully, he was worried that his words would hurt Kieran's pride.
Fortunately, it didn't.
Whether it was his actions or his tone, he didn't change at all.
Starbeck heaved a breath of relief in his heart.
"Oh right, what was the meat and herbs?"
Kieran who was washing the dishes thought of the unknown meat and herbs in the soup. He was very curious about what kind of meat and herbs could perfectly suppress the gamey smell of the mutton and beef and yet not make the soup spicy.
Kieran wasn't a real chef but as a qualified diner, Kieran's curiosity towards food wasn't any weaker.
"It's snake meat and a herb that looks like the root of a tree."
Starbeck answered.
"Snake meat?
The herb must be very precious. "
Kieran was stunned.
He didn't know snake meat had such an effect. Quite the opposite, based on his understanding, snake meat had a very strong gamey smell and if it was boiled, it would be much better than mutton. Therefore, after being boiled, most of the snake meat would need to be marinated and lightly roasted.
However, Kieran didn't notice any traces of snake meat in the meat.
So, the herb would be the focus.
"It's not that precious."
Starbeck shook his head.
His words were honest.
Of course it wasn't expensive. For Starbeck, anything that could be settled with Points was not expensive.
Kieran knew it very well.
So, he said straightforwardly.
"When the time is up, I'll help you clear the dungeon.
Consider it a meal fee. "
Kieran wasn't used to owing favors, even if it was his friend.
It was fair to say that it was because Kieran was his friend that he couldn't be so calm.
"Okay."
Starbeck nodded with a smile.
Starbeck knew what kind of person Kieran was, so he wouldn't argue. Moreover, he also hoped to clear the dungeon with Kieran.
The sense of security that Kieran gave him when he stood beside him was something others didn't have.
If it wasn't for Kieran having more important matters to attend to, Starbeck would have thought of ways to make Kieran stay beside him 24/7.
No doubt.
He could do it.
But …
He just didn't want to.
Seeing how Kieran wiped the pots and bowls carefully and put them back into the cupboard, Starbeck gave up the last bit of selfish thoughts.
'This is good enough.'
Starbeck thought contentedly.
For the next hour or so, both of them sat on the sofa, chatting.
Most of the time, it was Starbeck talking and Kieran listening.
Starbeck told Kieran about the joys of gardening and decorating a room.
Kieran couldn't understand the latter at all. For a minimalist like Kieran, a sleeping bag could be a home, but he was interested in gardening. After all, a lot of the spices were plants themselves.
"I have to go now."
"Lawless sent you a message?"
"Em.
A fish took the bait. "
"Go, be careful."
"Next time I come up with a new dish, you must come back."
"Of course."
Both of them said goodbye at the door.
Starbeck saw Kieran board the train and when the train departed, he returned to his room.
He didn't stay in the living room for long, going through the corridor and heading to the basement.
Through the long corridor.
A wooden door appeared there.
There were layers upon layers of mysterious runes drawn on it. The mysterious runes seemed to have substance and were blooming with a bright radiance.
The brilliance was like the rising sun, almost blinding.
However, Starbeck didn't feel anything as he pushed the wooden door open.
He walked in.
The room wasn't that big, only a dozen square meters.
Apart from a table and a chair, there was something that looked like a bookshelf. Many bottles and jars were placed on top of it. Darkness shrouded these bottles and jars, making it impossible to see what exactly was inside.
Starbeck lit up the candlestick.
Immediately, the only light in this strange room appeared.
The light attracted the unusual movements of the bottles and jars, especially the one at the outermost.
Especially in the outermost jar, a loach-like creature was swimming inside, and it was constantly hitting the walls of the jar.
Unfortunately, it was useless.
It didn't break the wall, instead, it made Starbeck frown as he wanted to study the recipe.
Starbeck turned around and glared at the bottle in dissatisfaction.
As Starbeck turned around, the candlelight shone on the bottle.
The mudskip-like creature instantly became clear.
Its body was still small but its eight heads were raised up high. Even with the bottle as a barrier, Starbeck could still hear the soft hissing of the mudskip-like creature.
The hissing that sounded like it was filled with pain.
Upon a closer look, Starbeck noticed that the little mudskip-like creature's body wasn't complete, a certain part of its body was chipped as if someone cut it with a knife.
A very small cut.
The weird-looking little mudskip-like creature noticed Starbeck's dissatisfied gaze and started to roar.
But it was useless.
Starbeck glanced at the mudskip-like creature again before he turned around and looked at the recipe on the table.
Although he had studied it for a long time, the recipe was still difficult to understand, Starbeck had to carefully read every single word on it.
"I still need two more dishes to complete the basics, I have to hurry, otherwise it will affect the final effect … The heart of an adult Pentashade Dragon, a red dragon would be the best … The meat at the back of the brain of a direct descendant of a Devil Fish, the higher the bloodline, the better …"
Starbeck muttered to himself and frowned.
However, when he calculated the required cost, Starbeck smiled without being too concerned.
Were the ingredients in the recipe precious?
Precious!
From a certain aspect, even a high-ranker would find it hard to get their hands on the ingredients.
Starbeck was an exception.
Or …
Sorry.
With Points, he could really do whatever he wanted.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
