Chapter 597: Loot

Lu Mi didn't hesitate and accepted "Gandalf's" "invitation."

First, because the "Curly Baboon Research Society" contained a mix of all kinds of channels, and besides rare ones like "Demons," it had everything else—he could access all sorts of knowledge and items, not necessarily stronger than what he already possessed, but in the right situation, they might play unexpected roles.

Second, it gave him a reason to keep playing the role of "Muggle" as Aurora had, creating a comforting illusion that his sister still lived somewhere in this world.

When the four finished discussing what had happened in that special sea area, the "Bard's" corpse changed: tiny specks of light separated from it, condensing into his right hand, causing flesh and bone to collapse inward simultaneously.

Eventually, the palm severed cleanly at the wrist, small and pale like a baby's.

The pallor quickly darkened, taking on hues that matched the ancient palace's environment perfectly.

This was the "Dream Thief's" extraordinary trait.

Lu Mi stared intently, convinced faint grayish mist lingered inside the shrunken palm.

He walked over, crouched beside the "Bard's" corpse, and searched for other items.

After completing this, Lu Mi took out all the loot from the "Traveler's Satchel"—from the "Mad Woman" and "Loki"—and laid them on the broken stone slabs of the ancient palace.

They were: a transparent stone nearly illusory, a bracelet with three diamonds sandwiched between four differently colored gems, a rose-gold ring set with a blood-red gem, a simple plain silver ring, a dark-gold mask large enough to fully cover the face, a small doll made of white cloth strips with no facial features, a complex yet exquisite mechanical music box, and a gray-white pin with metallic luster, shaped like lightning.

Together with a moderately thin blank sketchbook and the "Dream Thief's" extraordinary trait, they totaled ten items.

Lu Mi then lifted his head and spoke to "Hela" and "Gandalf":

"You two choose first—one item each."

"This is what we should do," said "Gandalf," framing it as the "Curly Baboon Research Society's" senior members making amends for past mistakes.

Wearing his hood, Lu Mi spoke in Aurora's voice:

"Doing what you should and choosing loot aren't contradictory—official Exemplars are meant to protect citizens, but that doesn't mean they can't accept rewards."

"Gandalf" hesitated for several seconds, glanced at "Hela," saw she offered no objection, and sighed:

"Alright."

Lu Mi's lips curled into a smile as he began describing the items:

"That seemingly illusory transparent stone is the 'Traveler's' extraordinary trait left by the 'Mad Woman,' but it's heavily contaminated—the faint gray mist inside proves it;

"The 'Dream Thief's' extraordinary trait is also tainted by that Archlord's influence, but less severely—milder than most relics left behind by demon god worshippers;

"That bracelet comes from 'Loki,' called the 'Seven-Stone Bracelet'—each diamond corresponds to one 'Teleport,' each colored gem to one ten-second 'Flash,' and once used, they're gone; the downside is random voices heard while wearing it—sometimes just a man cheating, sometimes from unknown creatures;

"This gold ring is called 'Blood Gold'—the name is engraved inside the band, along with a short phrase: 'Control the flesh, control all.' Its effect lets the wearer control their own flesh like the 'Rose Bishop,' using Blood Bomb, Blood Cloak, and Flesh Fusion—three flesh magics; the downside is repeated use creates dependency; once removed, the body collapses into a pile of flesh, unable to maintain human form, and if worn continuously, the wearer grows increasingly extreme, mad, possibly losing control, and carrying it risks infection with madness;

"This silver ring is a half-finished 'Sea Queen's Ring,' possessing only a high-tier 'Steal' ability usable once; the downside? It drew the attention of an ancient surviving angel;

"That dark-gold mask belonged to 'Loki'—it survived his self-destruction; its exact function remains unknown, but have you noticed? Seeing it instantly makes you yearn to wear it, convinced you'll become extraordinarily powerful—let's call it the 'Devil's Mask';

"This faceless white cloth doll came from the 'Mad Woman,' corresponding to the 'Faceless' of the 'Fortune Teller' path; pinning it to your shoulder lets you shape and adjust its features and body to change yourself, and it grants the ability to craft 'Paper Doppelgängers,' but only the first one works; beyond that, it lets the wearer use fire to leap and gain slight premonitions of danger; the downside? One day you might find its face has become identical to yours—and you are no longer yourself; carrying it brings mild bad luck curses;

"This mechanical music box was found among 'Loki's' remains; its path and sequence are unknown, but it's said the music it plays kills listeners outright or drives them mad—if they hear at least ten seconds;

"This blank sketchbook was just taken from the 'Bard's' body; its function and downside are unknown, but based on my experience, things drawn on it might come alive or manifest special effects—ah, only nine pages remain, with signs of tearing;

"This pin belongs to the 'Mad Woman,' seemingly prepared for the loss of the 'Sea Viceroy's' authority and the sea's fury; it lets the wearer grow fish scales, reduces damage, breathe and move underwater like a fish, each strike carries an electric shock effect, and may trigger natural lightning—during thunderstorms, the probability is nearly 100%; this likely corresponds to the 'Sailor' path's Sequence 6 or 5; the downside? Even just carrying it increases the chance of being struck by lightning on rainy days, and wearing it makes one irritable and impatient."

Lu Mi finished describing all ten items in one breath.

His knowledge of these items came entirely from the "Magician" lady.

It's clear that for the Prayer of the Sea ritual's success, "April Fools" placed most of the artifacts with the "Mad Woman," leaving only a seemingly ordinary blank sketchbook on the "Bard," but "Loki," the "April Fools" leader, clearly kept some for himself—whether by nature or deliberately for the hunt against Ludwig.

"Gandalf" looked at "Hela":

"You choose first."

"Hela" walked silently to the front of Lu Mi, her gaze sweeping over the ten items.

Quickly, she pointed to the "Traveler's" extraordinary trait from the "Mad Woman":

"It's heavily contaminated—you keeping it or giving it to a 'Craftsman' to craft items would be very dangerous—give it to me."

Her implication was she had a way to mitigate the harm.

"Fine." Lu Mi didn't object.

He respected each chooser's preference—let them pick whatever they wanted, though order still mattered: his team last, himself last of all.

"Hela" extended her right hand; the night outside the ancient palace seemed to ripple.

The phantom crystal, swirling with gray mist, vanished instantly.

After returning to her place, "Gandalf" began his selection.

Watching the leader's gaze flicker among the remaining nine items, Franca's heart tightened; she whispered silently:

Don't pick the "Seven-Stone Bracelet," don't pick the "Seven-Stone Bracelet"…

That was the "Teleport" she'd longed for!

—The "Traveler's" trait was too dangerous to consider; the "Seven-Stone Bracelet," though single-use, offered plenty of uses and manageable downsides.

"Gandalf's" gaze settled on the dark-gold mask; he murmured:

"I'd love to study what it can do, what it might bring…

"But it's far too dangerous—I already feel the urge to wear it…

"Hmm, the 'Blood Gold' ring helps me test dangerous experiments; the blank sketchbook needs research…

"The high-tier 'Steal' ability is worth studying too… but an ancient angel's gaze isn't trivial…"

After careful deliberation, "Gandalf" turned to "Hela":

"Could I leave this silver ring here? Each gathering, I'd like to enter half an hour early to study it."

"Yes," said "Hela," granting "Gandalf's" request.

Thus, the "Curly Baboon Research Society's" leader took the half-finished "Sea Queen's Ring."

Franca instantly exhaled in relief and smiled at "Gandalf":

"Leader, you really should've taken the 'Reader' path—you fit their style perfectly."

Why choose "Warrior" just to make "Gandalf" sound more fitting?

The linen-robed half-giant "Gandalf" glanced at Franca, smiled, and said nothing.

Lu Mi returned the remaining items to the "Traveler's Satchel," denying Franca the chance to pick first.

…………

In SANGTAGANG, near the Solo Inn, in the room Loki had rented.

Lu Mi received the "Magician" lady's reply:

"I can't discern the mask's exact ability—it's sufficiently unique. Ask Mr. K if he wants it; if not, leave it with me—I'll seal it until the right moment, when it might prove useful.

"The 'Hermit' lady wants the mechanical music box; the other items mean nothing to her, but this one is at least exquisite.

"Mr. 'Moon' wants the faceless doll; the reason? I don't know.

"The rest, you distribute as you see fit."

(End of Chapter)