Chapter 744: Reward

That dark coin pouch was indeed the "Traveler's Satchel," containing three items:

One was a brownish parchment, one a transparent, nearly invisible triangular dagger, and one a black revolver with intricate, mechanically beautiful components.

Lu Mi did not immediately retrieve his rewards, but instead unfolded the folded square of paper:

"Reward Description:

"'Ironblood Knight' Elixir Formula: See for yourself.

"'Traveler's Satchel': You don't need me to explain it again, do you?

"'Cold Blade': A miraculous item crafted from the dust and residual spirituality of ancient vengeful spirits.

"Any living being pierced by it, even without visible wounds, will fall into a frozen rigidity and uncontrollable thoughts, as if possessed by a 'vengeful spirit.'

"Simultaneously, as combat continues, even those who never directly touch the 'Cold Blade' will gradually experience slowed thoughts and stiff, sluggish movements.

"The negative effect is that the bearer's body slowly loses warmth, transforming toward the undead; once the time limit is exceeded, this process becomes irreversible.

"Storing it within the 'Traveler's Satchel' effectively avoids these negative effects—you only need to ensure combat does not exceed three hours. Of course, as a Sequence 5 of the 'Hunter' Path, the 'Scorcher,' you can endure at least four hours even without other means to counteract the side effects."

Reading this, Lu Mi immediately recalled the Golden Mask of the Eggs Family.

That mask, too, could transform its wearer into an undead, while protecting their spirit and consciousness, keeping them alive until the mask was removed, at which point the wearer would easily return to their original state.

"If I wear the Golden Mask made by the 'Death God,' can I use the 'Cold Blade' without any effect? I'm already an undead being—there's no risk of gradually turning into one… No, if I wear that mask too long, my body will truly die, and removing it will kill me instantly…" Lu Mi found no exploitable loophole and sighed in disappointment.

He continued reading the final part of the letter:

"'Winter Is Coming': This revolver was discovered by us during a secret but failed ritual site while investigating the 'End of All Things' cult. It was originally an artifact of collectible firearm artistry, but became contaminated during the ritual, transforming into a supernatural weapon with limited uses.

"The bullets it fires carry this contamination, producing two distinct effects:

"First: Guaranteed hit—even Saints, if they lack special abilities to evade, will be struck. For any supernatural being below a Demigod, unless they switched their body for a decoy before firing, or the shooter was under an illusion and failed to aim, they will be hit. Simply put: if you aim at the true body at the moment of firing, you hit the true body; the decoy becomes useless.

"Second: Guaranteed death—even Saints, if they lack the corresponding traits or abilities, will suffer catastrophic injury upon being struck and gradually die. For any supernatural being below a Demigod, being hit equals death unless they possess a decoy ability.

"These two effects cannot be active simultaneously; each shot must choose one.

"Currently, there are four uses remaining for these two effects. Once exhausted, 'Winter Is Coming' will revert to an ordinary, rusting, and deteriorating revolver. Before exhaustion, its normal shots create wounds while spreading disease, though the specific illness varies unpredictably.

"After each use of 'Winter Is Coming,' you must find a 'Pharmacist' or 'Physician' within the following week to administer appropriate treatment, even if no symptoms appear.

"If medical aid is not received promptly, you will inevitably contract an incurable disease—a mystical, incurable illness beyond the healing capacity of low- and mid-sequence 'Pharmacists' and 'Physicians.'"

This is a weapon capable of harming a Demigod… After the 'Supervisor' Perle's 'Man in the Painting' attack, the 'Magician' and her group are deliberately giving us items that can affect Demigods, yet whose negative effects are barely tolerable? 'Physician'… Lu Mi turned slightly, his gaze drifting toward the door.

Lu Jianuo had already risen and was preparing Ludwig's first meal of the morning.

After confirming the rewards, Lu Mi reached into the "Traveler's Satchel" and pulled out the brownish parchment, on which dark red ink read:

"Elixir Name: Ironblood Knight;

"Sequence: 4;

"Primary Material: Core of the Lava Giant, Stone of Catastrophe;

"Auxiliary Materials: 80 milliliters of molten lava, 20 grams of plant powder contaminated by the Stone of Catastrophe, 20 grams of soil saturated with soldiers' blood from a major battlefield, one acorn;

"Ritual: Form a team of at least thirty people, cultivate deep comradeship with them, help them grow stronger, and achieve seamless coordination so they can understand their leader's intent through glances and gestures, becoming nearly one entity. Then, have them form the ritual (the greater the team's strength and cohesion, the better the ritual's effect)."

As Lu Mi read each word written in dark red ink, he felt a growing burning sensation, and the scent of rust and blood seemed to rise in his nostrils.

Huh… Lu Mi immediately placed the parchment on the table after reading the 'Ironblood Knight' formula, or else he felt he himself would be consumed by a hell of fire and blood.

"It exerts such a powerful mental influence…

"Is this an inherent trait of Sequence 4 elixir formulas, or because it was written by an Angel himself—or both combined?"

"Molten lava… That means drinking lava directly? If you fail to ascend, you die?"

Lu Mi memorized the 'Ironblood Knight' elixir formula in his mind, occasionally opening the parchment to check, ensuring no error.

…………

Morning hours, Apartment 702, No. 9 Aoluosaijie.

Lu Mi placed the new "Traveler's Satchel" and the two weapons on the coffee table and gave detailed explanations of the latter two.

"Only three items?" Fu Lan Ka asked, puzzled.

Lu Mi smiled:

"There's also the Sequence 4 'Ironblood Knight' elixir formula of the 'Hunter' Path—but it holds no meaning for you."

"Who says that? At Sequence 4, a 'Witch' can switch to the 'Hunter' Path!" Fu Lan Ka retorted, her eyes gleaming.

She nearly added: Before joining the Witch Cult, my dream was to obtain the 'Ironblood Knight' elixir formula and become male again.

Before Lu Mi could respond, Fu Lan Ka eagerly pleaded:

"Can I take a look?

"You won't lose anything."

That way, when I become a 'Pain Witch,' if I'm ever forced to leave the cult by accident, I can still consider ascending to 'Ironblood Knight'!

"Of course," Lu Mi replied, utterly unconcerned.

He knew exactly what Fu Lan Ka secretly desired.

He then pulled the brownish parchment from his own "Traveler's Satchel."

Jian Na, watching, asked with curiosity and anticipation:

"Can I look too?"

This is an elixir formula that opens the door to divinity!

"Uh…" Fu Lan Ka turned to Jian Na, wanting to stop her but finding no valid reason.

It's not appropriate for a female Witch to read the 'Ironblood Knight' elixir formula, is it?

Lu Mi did not urge Jian Na to decline; he calmly unfolded the brown parchment and placed it on the coffee table, adding a simple warning:

"Read a little, then close your eyes and rest for two or three seconds—it has strong mental influence."

After a while, Fu Lan Ka, Jian Na, and Anthony wiped sweat as if they'd been roasted all night—but the sweat had long since dried.

"Needs a team of at least thirty people… That's difficult," Fu Lan Ka said, feeling the burden for Lu Mi.

Lu Mi chuckled:

"The stronger the team members, the better the effect. If any member possesses divinity, the required number can be significantly reduced."

Fu Lan Ka and Jian Na simultaneously thought of one name and spoke together:

"Ludwig?"

"I'm teaching him," Lu Mi said, smiling like a godfather.

Fu Lan Ka said no more, turning her gaze to the 'Cold Blade,' 'Winter Is Coming,' and the 'Traveler's Satchel.'

She smiled generously:

"Jian Na, Anthony, you choose first—just don't leave me the 'Traveler's Satchel,' I already have one."

She'd been worrying about lacking a powerful or special-effect weapon; whether the 'Cold Blade' or 'Winter Is Coming,' both perfectly suited her needs—either would do. As an 'Assassin,' her sleeve dagger was ordinary weaponry, merely enhanced by 'Witch' powers to carry black fire, while her 'Cannon Gun' was essentially a mobile small cannon with no other special traits.

Anthony immediately looked to Jian Na, signaling her to choose first.

This wasn't politeness—he wanted the 'Traveler's Satchel,' and he wanted the other two items too.

Jian Na glanced at the 'Hypnotist,' who lacked direct offensive capability, then at Fu Lan Ka, whose eyes flickered between the 'Cold Blade' and 'Winter Is Coming.' She picked up the dark coin pouch and smiled:

"I've always wanted a 'Traveler's Satchel.'"

This was no lie—many 'Witch' black magics require material components, and some items carry negative effects even when merely carried; storing them in the 'Traveler's Satchel' can mitigate those effects, such as the 'Dream Thief' supernatural essence.

Once Jian Na took the 'Traveler's Satchel,' Anthony swiftly decided:

"I'll take 'Winter Is Coming.'"

Without the 'Traveler's Satchel,' carrying the 'Cold Blade' would be a heavy burden.

Fu Lan Ka stared at the nearly transparent triangular dagger, her expression brightening:

"I wonder if I can modify it into a sleeve dagger."

All these rewards suit us perfectly… 'Judgment' Lady and the others truly thought of us… Lu Mi watched his companions divide the rewards and nodded thoughtfully.

Several minutes later, back at his rented apartment, he met the 'Magician' again.

The holder of the Major Arcana said bluntly:

"Go to the 'Blue Avenger' now."

(End of Chapter)