Chapter 5: Even with cheats, there

After all, Ka Luosi did not have the idea of testing his life on the brink of death.

Just now, facing the second-rank human-faced stone snake ghost, his only role was to run a bit faster than Ta Ke, without tripping Ta Ke up.

If he turned back, he would encounter a dangerous supernatural being with somewhat greater speed.

That joke would have gone too far.

Looks like we'll come back empty-handed.

Ka Luosi, withdrawing his gaze, said somewhat helplessly.

In fact, we not only didn't come back empty-handed, but we gained a rich harvest!

Ta Ke narrowed his eyes slightly, examining the underground passage leading to the Demon King's seal, and said seriously.

Yes, 'we' have gained a rich harvest!

Ka Luosi nodded, emphasizing the word 'we' particularly.

Moreover, 'we' teamed up and killed a second-rank supernatural being.

If you hadn't said it, I wouldn't have realized that 'we' are actually this strong.

Glancing at the resentful Ka Luosi, Ta Ke let out a slow breath and spoke gently.

If we two had opened the Demon King's seal and been discovered by the important figures inside the city-state's steam high tower...

The announcement would certainly be: 'Shameless thieves who pried open the Demon King's seal, posing a huge threat to the safety of La Mo High Tower City-state,' and then we would be put on a wanted list.

But if it were your sister, the most proud student of the La Moer Witch Count, 'Miss Xi Luoer', who opened the Demon King's seal...

That announcement would become: 'Brave steam knight 'Xi Luoer', who opened the Demon King's seal's treasure, making a great contribution to La Moer High Tower City-state.'

One version, two sets of excuses—this double standard left Ka Luosi stunned.

Don't even say it, but this possibility actually exists.

It's not just a possibility; it's necessarily this outcome.

Ta Ke said in a calm tone.

There's still about a week of the Ash Night period.

During this period, it's unlikely that adventurers will come to this deep underground chamber to investigate the seal.

Later, go back, find your sister, and tell her what happened.

She naturally knows how to handle it.

As Ta Ke elaborated, Ka Luosi's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

After all, this is the Demon King's treasure.

An existence countless adventurers covet.

Vaguely, Ka Luosi seemed to see wealth beckoning to him.

Ta Ke took a deep breath, withdrew his gaze from Ka Luosi, and rubbed his forehead.

This time, Ta Ke invited Ka Luosi to cooperate.

One reason is that this guy has a supernatural bangle that can contain 'rune stones'.

The other reason is that Ka Luosi's background is sufficiently strong.

If we attempt to open the Demon King's seal, in case something goes wrong...

At least, Ka Luosi's strong background can offset a large part of the blame.

And the current result.

Is better than imagined.

First, Ta Ke completed the anchoring of the Demon King's seal area.

The system played a huge role, and he himself underwent the long-awaited transformation.

Second, the Demon King's seal has been opened, but not fully opened.

Using Ka Luosi's sister's identity to report upward, that will certainly be a reward.

Abandoned stone tower area.

In the serene light of the 'Ashen Moon'.

Ta Ke and Ka Luosi, one after the other, crawled up from the stone tower underground passage.

Just as Ta Ke had anticipated.

He deliberately chose to act during the Ash Night period; the whole process was silent and unknown to anyone.

As they went through the cold, stone‑lined narrow path, Ka Luosi, with his neck tucked in, said.

"Ta Ke, I've recently heard that a group is hunting witches; as far as I know, several apprentice witches and a first‑rank witch have mysteriously disappeared."

"Hmm, I've also heard a bit about it; I'll be careful."

Ta Ke nodded.

La Moer City-state, located in the remote borderlands of the Ashen Land, has an even harsher environment.

There are not lacking some mysterious organizations, even believers of evil gods, lurking here.

Every once in a while, if nothing strange happens, Ta Ke actually finds it odd.

Entering the main road, Ka Luosi bade farewell to Ta Ke and rushed to the 'High Tower Area' to report today's great harvest to his sister.

Ta Ke, meanwhile, was to return to the 'Earth Nest Area'.

Under the cold moonlight on the deserted street, Ta Ke walked forward while rubbing his slightly throbbing temple.

The S‑rank Insight of Essence【Precision】, through sight, feeling, touch, and spiritual perception, links the world's context and trajectory to himself, allowing Ta Ke to enter those trajectories and contexts with extreme precision at any time.

But, the large amount of sensation coming from the world's context and trajectory also subjected Ta Ke to considerable pressure.

At this moment, Ta Ke is trying to restrain his own【Precision】.

As Ta Ke continually deepened his grasp, the effect of 【Precision】 gradually converged.

The veins and trajectories seen through 'Precision Vision' gradually shrank and faded.

The world within the vision began to return to normal.

However, Ta Ke still retained a portion of the veins and trajectories, remaining within his normal field of view.

This way, it neither hindered Ta Ke's normal sight, nor prevented him from examining the world in the dimension of veins and trajectories.

"The ability of an S-rank supernatural talent to perceive the world is truly heaven-defying."

"It lets me see many differences among supernaturals, even their secrets."

"So, managing expressions, movements, reactions, etc., is very important."

"I must not let those perceptive supernaturals know that I have seen their secrets."

"Veins and trajectories allow me to easily discern the enemy's intentions, movements, even their spells, thereby making predictions."

"Precision itself lets me harmonize with all veins and trajectories to deliver a perfect strike."

With that thought, Ta Ke exhaled lightly.

"The changes brought by S-rank 【Precision】 are too huge."

"It completely overturned my previous fighting style."

"It requires spending considerable time and effort to try, with 【Precision】 as the core, to rebuild a completely new fighting style."

"Since I've unlocked the head plug and added half a transparency plug."

"Then, having unlocked cheats requires a cheat's playstyle!"

"As long as the method is correct, combined with S-rank talent, even a mere apprentice wizard can possess extremely strong power."

"Moreover, I am about to advance to become a first-rank wizard."

Ta Ke's mind surfaced with the second-rank core material he obtained during his desperate flight for life: the 'Stone Snake Ghost Soul Crystal'.

As a second-rank core material, its value is very high.

"Tomorrow I'll make a trip to the Underground Street; not only can I exchange for the core promotion material of a first-rank wizard, but I can also gain a considerable surplus."

"A first-rank wizard..."

Ta Ke's eyes narrowed slightly.

"It's finally coming."

Having transmigrated into this dangerous world, Ta Ke has two goals.

First goal: the system truly exerting its function.

Second goal: advancing to become a first-rank wizard.

In this supernatural world, level and strength are the only true existence.

If Ta Ke were a "fourth-rank wizard" today.

Then Ta Ke could make the second-rank human-faced stone snake ghost that had been frenziedly chasing him for several streets coil honestly before him, and listen to him tell the tale of 'Xu Xian and Lady White'.

Currently, the system has begun to function steadily.

And the promotion to first-rank wizard should also arrive.

When Ta Ke came to his senses.

Under the desolate night curtain, the 'Griffin Underground Tavern' with yellow light seeping through its glass lay already before his eyes.

After rubbing his slightly icy hands, Ta Ke pushed the door and entered.

At this moment, the underground tavern was much livelier than when Ta Ke had left.

The dozen or so additional adventurers, in small groups, under the stimulation of alcohol, were boasting from all corners of the land.

"A serving of Black Horn Beef Bread Soup."

At the bar, Ta Ke said to the bartender.

While waiting, as Ta Ke sensed the surrounding veins.

The world began to become wondrous.

Originally ordinary adventurers, their levels, sequences, even their life states were precisely perceived by Ta Ke through his capture of veins.

"Those three adventurers over there have solid, heavy auras; their levels seem to be around 18 or 19, they are tough nuts."

"The adventurer over there by the fire... uh... seems somewhat depleted of energy, listless."

"During the Grey Night Period, many idle adventurers like to indulge themselves."

"And then... it's..."

Ta Ke slightly held his breath, his pair of eyes gradually becoming solid and heavy.

Previously, when Ta Ke and Ka Luosi were discussing matters here.

In the shadow of the corner near the window and fireplace, that supernatural being was in a hidden state, seemingly intending to listen to their conversation.

But it was merely eavesdropping, with no action taken, so Ta Ke merely glanced over once more.

This time, from when he pushed the door open and entered, to sitting at the bar.

That hidden supernatural being's perceptive veins have constantly been placed upon him.

This made Ta Ke feel wary.

"An enemy? That shouldn't be!"

"If there's a grudge, I usually settle it on the spot, not giving them a chance to retaliate against me."

"Or perhaps it's a long-lost relative, stricken with a fatal illness, seeking me, my sole kin, to inherit that wealth rivaling a nation?"

After thinking, Ta Ke shook his head; this idea was truly too abstract.

"If that's the case..."

Ta Ke's mind surfaced with the information that recently some wizards have disappeared.

Could it be that they've set their sights on me?

(End of chapter)