Chapter 114: Earth Dragon Marrow Gel
What was even more terrifying was...
If the user failed to complete every task on the list within twenty-four hours, a horrifying curse would befall them.
The user would become insanely unlucky, choking half to death on water or tripping on flat ground and breaking a leg.
This string of bad luck would torment them until they finally completed every single item on the list.
The pile of unfinished tasks that had accumulated after his last escape had already caused Buck to suffer a complete social death.
From that day forward, he had sworn never to touch the cursed thing again unless he was absolutely forced to.
But now, his back was against the wall.
As long as he could capture the severely wounded Cindyk, he was willing to grit his teeth and endure any side effect.
"When I get my hands on you..."
"I swear I’ll shatter your bones, inch by inch, and make you understand the price I’ve paid!"
Buck fought back the excruciating, boiling pain in his chest from the Spell and brought his lips close to the worn-out Compass.
"Please help me find someone... The one who stole all my money a few days ago, who hunts my men in the shadows every night, and who leaves a Blood Copper Coin on every corpse."
Buck took a ragged breath, figuring the description was more than specific enough.
But just to be safe, he added one final line through gritted teeth.
"Find the mastermind who’s driven me into this corner, who’s forced me to bankrupt myself for revenge!"
’In Buck’s mind, there was no one else on earth who could possibly fit that description besides that old bastard Cindyk.’
The moment he finished speaking, the Marvel activated.
A grating, mechanical grinding sound came from within the Compass.
Its dark red, twisted needle sprang to life, spinning wildly across the unmarked face.
Buck stared intently at the needle, not daring to blink.
A few seconds later, the needle’s rotation slowed abruptly before coming to a firm stop, pointing straight toward a specific direction outside the alley.
Seeing the clear direction, however, Buck froze for a moment.
Then, he let out a contemptuous, mocking sneer.
’Cunning Cindyk.’
The Compass was pointing in the complete opposite direction from which the wounded man’s shadow had fled.
To Buck, this was clearly a pathetic attempt at counter-surveillance. The man must have endured his injuries, deliberately changing his escape route after leaving the explosion to throw off any pursuers.
’Too bad for him.’
’Cindyk could plan for a thousand possibilities, but he never would have guessed that a low-level gang boss like me would possess a Fire-Stealing Marvel with a tracking ability.’
Buck clutched the rotting flesh on his chest, enduring the agony of his blood boiling.
He put away the Compass and melted into the shadows. Like a viper that had caught the scent of blood, he unhesitatingly slipped away in the direction the needle pointed.
...
「A few hours earlier.」
A cool night breeze swept through the streets of Gray Rock Town.
Lance had already seen the two girls, Cecilia and Yuna, safely back to their residence.
He walked back alone under the dim streetlights, expertly navigating his way to Mowenna Potion Shop.
Pushing open the door, he saw only Flora behind the counter, organizing a stack of heavy books. The shop’s boisterous owner, Mowenna, was nowhere to be seen.
’Aside from leaving Flora to mind the shop, who knew what important business that elusive woman was always busy with.’
"Good evening, Flora."
Lance walked up to the counter and got straight to the point. "Did you find anything on that specialized Potion I asked you about this morning?"
He still shuddered at the memory of yesterday’s training. The terrifying experience of repeatedly strengthening his body, having his nutrients instantly drained to the point of near-total collapse, was still fresh in his mind.
The next breakthrough for his Dragon Hunting Breathing Combat Technique would be far more demanding than simple hand-to-hand combat training. He had to prepare sufficiently potent supplies in advance.
Flora put down her book and nodded.
"I’ve already got it for you."
She closed the heavy tome and bent down, retrieving a perfectly sealed glass vial from a safe on the bottom shelf of the counter.
The vial contained a dark red, gelatinous substance that gave off a faint reddish glow in the light.
"This is Earth Dragon Marrow Gel, brewed by Mowenna herself."
Flora began her dutiful explanation.
"The formula originally came from the distant lands of the Dragon-man Race."
"They use this Gel in an initiation rite for their seven-year-old children to forcibly awaken the Giant Dragon bloodline within them, which also drastically increases their bone density."
"Later, scholars acquired the recipe and, after many revisions, eventually developed it into an advanced booster Potion that members of the Human Race could safely absorb."
The girl gazed at the vial of dark red Gel.
"This stuff contains an extremely rich concentration of Fire Element Crystals and pure Dragon Vein Material."
"It’s even said that if a High Tier Warrior from the Human Race consumes it over a long period, there’s a small chance their body might undergo a beneficial evolution, granting them some sort of minor, unique bloodline ability."
Lance was extremely satisfied with the Potion’s effects. It was a perfect match for the requirements he’d given Flora that morning.
Although the Breathing Combat Technique he practiced was called Dragon Hunting, its core power-generation methods and resonant breathing frequencies constantly mimicked the physiology of a Giant Dragon.
Lance suspected that using this Gel, which contained Dragon Vein Material, as an Energy supplement might just produce a fascinating chemical reaction.
"The Potion’s only drawback is its price," Flora said.
Flora held up two slender, fair fingers, waggling them in front of Lance.
"Two Gold Coins."
Lance couldn’t help but gasp at the horrifying price.
He asked tentatively, "We’re regulars here. Any chance of a small discount?"
Flora shook her head decisively.
"I really can’t on this one."
"There aren’t any large Adventurer’s Guilds near Gray Rock Town capable of hunting Earth Dragons."
"Mowenna had to use the marrow from a prized Earth Dragon leg bone from her personal collection for the core ingredient."
Hearing this, Lance could only sigh in resignation.
With a pained expression, he pulled two heavy Gold Coins from his coat and pushed them across the counter.
’Well, at least it’s all dirty money I took from the Ghoul Dogs,’ he thought. ’Spending it is just converting one resource into another. Since it was all pure profit, it doesn’t sting quite as much.’
After receiving the Potion, Lance wasn’t in a hurry to leave. He leaned against the counter and chatted with Flora for a while.
In their conversation, he learned that Flora would soon be departing for her studies at the Alchemy Holy Land Veridia.
The girl promised that before she left, she would gather all their friends for a proper get-together at the best tavern in town.
Looking at the girl and her bright-eyed dreams, Lance gave her some earnest advice.
"Remember to be safe on your journey."
"And bring a few extra Crystal Cards."
"If you see any beautiful scenery, record it and send it back to Gray Rock Town for Nia. She’s really looking forward to it."
"Don’t you worry, I’m already prepared!"
Flora broke into a brilliant smile and happily agreed.