“Good work.”

Pale received Locus’s documents from Verden.

“I heard it was quite a troublesome case. To think even the Manhunters were involved. Whoever hired them must have suffered a significant loss. Their down payment, over a hundred million elk, gone just like that. Well, it’s good news for their competitors.”

The Manhunters.

Verden hadn't seen them alive; they were already dead when he arrived.

“I heard those Manhunters were quite famous.”

“They were certainly experts at hunting people, as their name suggests. They used to work for nobles in the Estiria Kingdom, committing various crimes, and then entered the duchy after the abolition of slavery. It caused quite a stir. They hunted down their competitors and took their place.”

But no one opposed them.

Since they only targeted the weak, the strong had no reason to intervene. They were even pleased, as it meant more work for them.

“They must have killed hundreds of people in the Gray over the years. And you eliminated them without a scratch…… It’s a shame you’re concealing this information; it would have boosted your reputation.”

Since all traces were erased, they decided to keep the results of this request a secret.

If word got out that he had obtained Locus’s confidential information, it wouldn’t be viewed favorably. While Pale didn't mind, he agreed to Verden’s request.

‘It’s best to keep the matter of Gluttony quiet.’

Judging by their actions, they were incredibly dangerous, so it was better for others to remain unaware of their existence, unless they were the Ark, their enemy. Pale’s information network could also be targeted, just like Locus’s.

That couldn't happen. It would be a waste of time to find another information broker now.

‘And I didn’t personally eliminate the Manhunters anyway.’

Pale, putting the matter aside, shifted his focus to the successfully completed request.

Since Verden didn't ask about the person who destroyed Locus’s network or the whereabouts of the Salamander’s Heart, it was best to avoid unnecessary conversation.

Pale said,

“We’ve acquired all the items you requested, Asher-nim. And the information about the alchemist as well. Would you like to receive them now?”

Verden nodded.

Pale’s bandaged subordinate entered, carefully carrying a wooden box, and placed it on the floor. Pale opened the lid and placed the items one by one on the table.

The ingredients for the Magic Core. Verden carefully examined each item, checking their quality.

“They were carefully stored and transported, so they shouldn’t have spoiled.”

Indeed.

It seemed worth the 6% commission fee.

“What about the alchemist?”

“I’ve narrowed it down to three alchemists in the duchy. I’ve prepared their profiles, so please take a look.”

Verden read through the documents Pale handed him.

Detailed descriptions of each alchemist were provided. It was easy to read, as it only contained the information he was interested in.

‘But it’s a bit ambiguous.’

He skimmed through the first two profiles and moved on to the next.

After reading the last alchemist’s profile, Verden asked,

“What about this alchemist, Lito Barslan?”

“He’s a skilled alchemist in all areas. However…… his personality is quite eccentric.”

“Eccentric?”

“To put it bluntly, he’s aloof. He’s old and wealthy. He has no need to take requests. He sells his potions and items through my network and occasionally accepts requests simply as a hobby. In return, we provide him with a free purchasing and delivery service for any items he needs.”

He was wealthy.

“So, you’re saying he might ask for something other than money for crafting requests?”

“Probably, no, definitely.”

Hmm, quite a troublesome personality.

While it wasn't his place to judge, it was a bit frustrating that he wouldn't accept money, even though he had saved up to craft the Magic Core.

But that wasn't important.

“What about his skills?”

Pale declared,

“He’s the best in the Livyant Duchy. The most skilled alchemist I know.”

“Then I’ll choose him.”

“Are you sure?”

Verden nodded.

He couldn't entrust the Magic Core, worth billions of elk, to just anyone. While he didn't know what he would ask for, it was worth it if he was the best in the duchy.

“Understood. Then I’ll arrange a meeting.”

“Please.”

* * *

Combelly Town.

While it was a small-to-medium-sized town, it was practically the only one in this area, so it was always bustling with travelers, despite its remote location. Judging by the well-maintained roads and clean city walls, it seemed to be prospering.

‘I feel like I’m going to end up touring the entire duchy.’

Verden looked back on his journey so far.

In the Pythe territory, he subjugated bandits and the Jester Orc.

In Martes, he saved Iris and the adventurers and eliminated Doctor Gluttony and his experiments.

In the Biron territory, he subjugated the Wailing Knight with Galiak, the Butcher.

In the Bard Mountains, he met Harkan and dealt with Black Hour.

In Briente, the resort city, he encountered Listener from the Ark.

In Lorien, he subjugated the Soul Tree with Layla, a candidate of the Ark.

And he had traveled all over the duchy.

It had only been a little over six months, but he had covered a considerable distance. If he couldn't fly, he wouldn't have even covered half of it.

But he hadn't even started yet.

He had only visited one country so far. Verden had no intention of staying in one place and growing complacent. He planned to travel to other countries soon and become more active and daring.

He was currently mid-level 4th Tier.

Having trained his body and expanded his magic circuits every single day, and through various combat experiences, he was now on the verge of reaching high-level 4th Tier.

While he had faced life-threatening situations, it was thanks to them that he was growing at such an exceptional rate.

But it wasn't enough.

‘Reaching 5th Tier is the key.’

Elemental magic.

3rd Tier was the foundation, 4th Tier boasted overwhelming power with significantly increased magic consumption, and 5th Tier could alter the surrounding terrain.

It was similar to, yet fundamentally different from, Terrain Manipulation, which simply relied on brute force. Depending on the mage’s capabilities, they could change the weather or even obliterate a small village.

The difference between 3rd and 4th Tier was significant.

But the difference between 4th and 5th Tier was on a completely different level.

‘And only after reaching 5th Tier can I achieve “true magic”.’

There were quite a few 5th Tier mages or higher in the world.

Of course, not all of them specialized in powerful magic. Most of them studied magic as a form of scholarship. Those born with high talent and into wealthy families.

But only a handful among them reached the realm of true magic.

Whether their limit tier was 6th or 7th, if they didn’t understand their own nature, their past and future path, they could never reach that realm. It was said that the method couldn't be explained without experiencing it firsthand. If there was a formula, most mages would have become Grand Mages.

Those who experienced it described it as a path only they could see and walk. Verden only knew it through knowledge.

‘My own path of true magic……’

Verden pondered for a while.

Meanwhile, the appointed time arrived, and the person Pale sent came to see him.

“Hello. My name is Sam; Pale-nim sent me.”

“I’m Asher.”

“Haha, please speak casually. Then, if you have no other business, I’ll guide you to Lito-nim, the alchemist.”

He followed Sam out of Combelly Town.

After walking along the road for a while, they entered a nearby forest. It was a peaceful forest, bathed in warm sunlight.

‘I seem to be visiting forests quite often.’

It was only natural.

All the requests he had received so far took place outside the city. Forests were much safer for wanted criminals than cities, as long as they could deal with demi-humans and magical beasts. Locus, who built a safe house behind a cliff, was a prime example.

Moreover, the cities in the Livyant Duchy were generally small and had tight security, making it difficult for major crimes to occur.

Unlike ‘Babylon’, a single-city nation and the largest city in the world,

and the ‘Estiria Kingdom’, the predecessor of the duchy.

Verden asked Sam, who was walking ahead,

“How long will it take?”

“It’s not that far. But Lito-nim hates uninvited guests, so…… he’s set up various traps around his house. You can’t reach him unless you follow the designated path. I’ve been caught a few times myself when I first came here, hahaha.”

Sam scratched his cheek and turned left.

He wondered what kind of traps he had set up. Verden looked around and saw brown flowers blooming on a nearby tree.

‘Dream Flowers?’

A parasitic plant that released invisible pollen into the air, causing strong hallucinations in any creature that inhaled it. While the effects wore off naturally over time, it could be fatal if one was attacked by demi-humans or magical beasts while hallucinating.

Such flowers were blooming on the trees at regular intervals.

‘These aren’t common. Did he cultivate them artificially?’

If so, it meant he was knowledgeable about plants.

Plants were the main ingredients in alchemy. While it wasn't enough to conclude he was the best alchemist in the duchy, it was a promising sign.

They continued through the forest, changing directions frequently.

A while later, they arrived at a two-story cabin with smoke rising from its chimney.

Sam wiped the sweat from his brow and said,

“This is where Lito-nim lives. I’ve already informed him, so he’ll open the door if you knock. Then I’ll be going back now. You don’t need an escort on your way out; Lito-nim will take care of it.”

Bowing, Sam returned the way he came.

Looking around the garden surrounding the cabin, he saw various plants growing, from common ones to rare species.

‘To cultivate such plants in a natural environment. He must be quite confident in his plant care skills.’

Verden, admiring the garden, climbed the stairs.

Standing in front of the cabin door, he knocked carefully. There was no response, but he sensed a presence inside. As he tilted his head and waited, a faint smoke rose from under the door.

Was he conducting some kind of experiment?

There was no need to expose himself, so he lightly dispersed the smoke with magic. Then, he heard a voice from inside.

“Hmm, not even reacting to a prank. It seems a boring guest has arrived.”

The door opened abruptly.

An old man appeared.

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