Curiosity

TL/ED: Lolz

[Magical Alchemical Analysis of the Blackening Agent of the Bloodstone Cult]

- Subjects addicted to this substance exhibited the following characteristics: significant aggressiveness, intensified negative emotions (especially centered around inferiority), a tendency to endure physical harm, etc.

- Interestingly, all the substances producing these effects can act as indoctrination drugs for the Bloodstone Cult. Specific follow-up research on this matter seems necessary.

... Finally, even the Magical Pharmacology Society's paper.

Having read all the books recommended by the librarian related to the Bloodstone Cult, Ian stretched after finishing. Most of it was a confirmation of information he already knew, but he did come across some more specific details.

"Advanced information seems to be available for purchase at the Guild."

At the end of most books, there was a note that read, [For the latest and specific information, please contact the Guild].

As much as the Bloodstone Cult is an organization, the value of related information must be significant.

"I guess it's actually a good thing."

Ian held the information as if it were obvious.

If its value is high, then it's a good thing.

However, he couldn't just sell it indiscriminately.

The fact that information is highly valued implies that it has worth.

Recklessly selling information could potentially impact the storyline.

Therefore, Ian decided to approach information selling cautiously.

The first option is to use Silvia, the financial supporter, who had some understanding of the target.

The second method involved using Kirtos' anonymous chat to sell small pieces of information.

The concept for the second method was already roughly outlined.

"I might as well register while I have time."

In a quiet corner of the library, Ian took out a Kirtos terminal.

And opened a room.

[★Today Only★ Free Prophecy Certified by the Oracle! Get your fortune told for free today. (Limited to the first 3 people)]

"Is the title good enough?"

A safe way to sell information was the priority.

After much deliberation, he chose the somewhat subcultural method of prophecy.

The reason for adopting this ambiguous position was simple.

"I don't have to reveal specific information I possess."

For example, if the academy's grounds were going to shake significantly tomorrow...

- Anger is brewing. It seems like you're holding back, but there's a simmering rage inside. Anger is like fire. The problem isn't just yours. Much anger will erupt someday. It won't be long. Watch your step. For about three days.

Just this level of vague description.

In reality, Ian wasn't confident in sounding convincing, but...

‘People interested in this field will understand even if I talk nonsense.’

There was a certain audacity to it.

Anyway, he did possess real facts, right?

Once he gathered enough rumors, handling operating expenses wouldn't be a problem.

With Silvia, a reliable financial supporter, and the support of the anonymity Kirtos, he didn't plan to be too greedy.

Next was the method of utilization.

He included a simple guide below the chat box.

— A prophet trained by the Great Prophet Mano.

— For accurate consultation, please provide detailed personal information such as the consultant's name, age, department, etc.

*Direct chat inquiries are politely declined. Please observe courtesy.

"Hmm, good."

Satisfied with the truth-filled text, Ian nodded contentedly.

How did he receive the oracle of the Great Oracle?

While playing Fanta X Aca, raising a prophet character and receiving experience points from the prophet named Mano was an experience Ian had.

"Well, then I'm the disciple, I guess."

With that, the bait seemed sufficient.

Ian stood up from his seat.

Whether there would be fish biting this kind of bait would be confirmed a few hours later.

◆

"I need a means of attack."

North of the Academy.

Where precarious mountain peaks rise threateningly, Ian walked along the foothills with Silvia and one guide.

"... He suddenly contacted me. Was this the reason to come here?"

“I guess you were expecting something?”

"Huh? No! He said there's a hidden dungeon, so..."

There was a hidden dungeon here.

The goalwais to find useful attack items.

Although they favored Earth Magic (physical), there were limitations in terms of firepower and range. This was due to the nature of extraction and transformation abilities, where the difficulty increased exponentially as the casting target moved away from the body.

For the scenario that unfolded before them, it seemed that a bit of item luck was needed.

The reason Ian recruited Silvia was to pass on the guide fee. Moreover, in case of an emergency, she could provide support, and Ian could showcase his information-gathering abilities to the financer.

"Here we were."

As the guide stopped, Silvia came over and whispered.

"Was this the place? Is there really a hidden dungeon here?"

Ignoring Silvia's disapproval, Ian nodded to the guide.

"This was far enough. Thank you."

After sending the guide away, Silvia seemed perplexed.

"Wait, hold on. Do you know the way back?"

"Don't worry."

This place was at the edge of the northern mountain range.

Since the magic of the guide map for combat training was still present, it was enough to follow it to find the way back.

Ian went down.

Even though Silvia grumbled for a moment, she soon followed suit.

A valley where the energy of the two mountain ranges converged into a V shape.

After hesitating for a moment below, they discovered a small cave.

"This is the entrance."

"... Is this the entrance? There is nothing here."

Silvia looked around in confusion.

There were only mountains to the right and left.

"What nonsense..."

Ian reached down to the ground.

"Do you see this hole?"

"…Yes. It looks like a snake hole."

"This is the entrance."

"... What?"

Silvia, who was about to dismiss it as nonsense, closed her eyes.

It seemed like she used magic detection.

Her eyes widened in an instant.

"It's true! I can only sense magic inside through this hole! But how do we get in? The hole is too small."

"We dig."

"... You are serious? The two of us?"

Even though Silvia was puzzled, she reluctantly rolled up her sleeves.

Ian chuckled involuntarily at her lively appearance.

"Why are you laughing!"

Ignoring the excited Silvia, Ian placed his hand on the ground.

"Hmph!"

Then took a deep breath.

Extraction and Transformation.

The soil that was dug straight in was piled up on one side.

The tunnel widened enough for one person at a time to enter.

Silvia's eyes widened.

"Oh, how did you move so much soil at once! Were you hiding your strength?"

Hiding strength? That's not it.

Ian's specialty lies in the field of heavy equipment.

He just didn't have the opportunity to showcase these incredibly advanced skills at the Academy.

"Stop talking and let's go in."

After a moment of confusion, Silvia followed Ian into the tunnel.

The tunnel made of earth lasted only for a moment.

Soon, a cave unfolded.

At the sight of it, Silvia mumbled to herself without realizing.

"A dungeon really existed. I couldn't believe there was an unknown dungeon around the Lichten Academy."

There were hundreds of guilds around the Lichten Academy, combining small and medium-sized ones. It was natural for them to roam around everywhere. But was there really an unknown dungeon like this?

Silvia stared blankly at Ian, who was leading the way.

◆

Silvia was inherently a busy person.

Her 'busyness' was fundamentally different from that of others because she was the heir to a massive upper-class family and the leader of the upper echelon.

Naturally, most of her daily life revolved around work.

Interest in anything other than work was a story she had never experienced.

But things were different these days.

There was someone who sparked her curiosity.

— [Ian]: Silvia, do you have time? Let's go somewhere for a moment. As soon as possible.

At first, when that message came out of the blue.

Naturally, there was no time.

Silvia's head was about to explode from the overflowing upper-class tasks.

But Silvia found herself responding like this, almost unconsciously.

— I can spare some time to listen. What's the matter?

Ian Blackangers.

This man stimulated curiosity.

What Silvia was experiencing with him was completely different from the rumors.

To everyone, he was annoying, showing strange obsessive behavior if not reciprocated, and thanks to him, all sorts of unpleasant rumors circulated about Ian Blackangers.

But the Ian she experienced?

He knew the weaknesses of monsters, she offered rewards, and instead of a confession, he demanded a random material. Carrying that ore like it was a magical staff, muscles gradually forming on his once skinny body. It took 10 hours for a reply after sending a message.

'... What is this person?'

To Silvia, Ian was a presence that stirs up insane curiosity.

And now, a text came from him.

Ignoring work, she replied.

'You might even know the weaknesses of Frost Bears, and you might be a giant unexpectedly!'

She internally justified it as an excuse but, in reality, she was just curious.

And... now, in this dungeon.

"You really don't disappoint."

"Huh? What did you say?"

"It's nothing."

Looking at Ian leading the way, Silvia felt her curiosity grow even more.

'... Has he changed?'

Mud puddle in the corner of the Aether Class building.

Since their first meeting there, Silvia noticed that Ian was changing.

But this level of change was a complete transformation.

Knowing the location of a dungeon that no one else can find, digging through the dirt that would have taken hours for a few people in one go.

'... Or maybe he was hiding his strength?'

Ian, who was explaining the general overview of the dungeon while walking ahead, was intriguing.

"... Inside, there will probably be mostly low-level mobs. It's not that big of a dungeon. Just be a bit cautious towards the boss. But the rewards are substantial."

Even the dungeon briefing was neat. The voice was cool... No, calm.

Silvia became more curious about this person named Ian.

How much strength was he hiding, how much did he know, and what kind of past had he lived through?

'Wait a moment.'

Silvia suddenly realized.

Lost in concentration on Ian, she inadvertently let slip words she shouldn't have.

"Wait a moment. About the distribution of rewards!"

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