LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 15: The Endowment Wine (Part 2)
In the world of Adventurer's Crusade, magical items had the potential to enhance one's Magical Endowment exponentially. Some ancient artifacts could even alter one's Endowment or amplify its power by several times. However, Kai wasn't near any of those legendary locations, and acquiring such items was no simple task. Many lay within treacherous dungeons, and he lacked the strength to venture into them.
Lying on the hospital bed, Kai dismissed these thoughts. He needed to bolster the strength of his Endowment immediately, especially with Biola planning an attack. Though they had received warnings and fortified their defenses, the advantage still lay with Biola. The Darkness GUILD had revealed itself sooner than anticipated, likely due to his interference as a Brandon, an entity who could alter the course of events in the narrative.
'If only I had been born a random NPC,' he lamented internally, but there was no changing his fate. With a resigned shrug, he set his mind to the present. The Imperial City was bustling, filled with auction houses overflowing with rare artifacts. Among them, he recalled a forgotten item that could be the key to his salvation: The Endowment Wine.
The Endowment Wine, a magical concoction, had been introduced after Biola's takeover of the Imperial City. During the looting of the auction houses, it was discovered amidst the chaos. This single bottle of wine promised to elevate one's Endowment several folds, irrespective of its type. It was exactly what Kai needed.
However, getting his hands on it would require cunning. The Borin Auction House, known for its secretive practices, kept the wine hidden in the lower levels. Instead of placing it for public auction, they had attempted to replicate its effects, but their experiments yielded no success.
As he lay in bed, his thoughts were interrupted by notifications appearing before him. It seemed the quest he had completed not long ago had granted him rewards.
[Urgent Mission Completed]
[Kidnapped?]
[Your sister has been kidnapped by the Darkness GUILD. Rescue her from their clutches before they leave Imperial City.]
[Mission has been completed]
[Would you like to calculate your rewards?]
Kai glanced around the now-empty hospital room. The blond nurse who had tended to him had left, and he seized the moment. "Yes," he muttered, and as soon as he spoke, the notifications transformed into a single display.
[Mission Rewards are being calculated...]
[Your mission rewards have been calculated - You have received Unique Item: DragonTooth Dagger.]
His eyes widened as a weapon materialized above him, enveloped in a green aura. As he grasped the hilt, the aura dissipated, revealing a sleek blade. It was unlike any dagger he had seen, rough yet sturdy, the blade itself gleaming with a sharpness that promised to cut through anything.
The magical energy pulsating within it felt surreal, an overwhelming force that resonated with his own. He admired the dagger for a moment before safely tucking it into his inventory, ensuring it would remain hidden from any would-be thieves.
"Strange I haven't heard of a DragonTooth Dagger before," he mused. Perhaps it was a hidden aspect of the story that the author had left undisclosed.
Kai's gaze shifted to the window, taking in the vibrant activity of the city below. He could hear the sounds of bustling trade and lively conversation, but he knew he had no time to waste. The Endowment Wine was essential for enhancing his magic, and only then would he feel confident enough to defend the Imperial City against Biola's impending strike.
With determination, he approached the door, locking it from the inside with a soft click. Without hesitation, he leaped out of the window. His hair whipped around him as he regained control mid-air, floating with the grace of a seasoned mage. Despite not having fully restored his Endowment, he could still harness a significant portion of its power.
As he soared above the market, he marveled at the various wares on display, his mind racing with thoughts of his next move. He needed a disguise—a dark robe or a mask to ensure he could infiltrate the auction house undetected.
After scanning the market from above, he spotted a suitable cloak hanging from a vendor's rack. In a blur of speed, amplified by his lightning magic, he descended. The moment he touched down, he snatched the cloak and soared back into the air, a gust of wind erupting around him, catching the attention of nearby patrons.
"What just happened?" they murmured, disoriented by the sudden blast of air. Kai barely paid them any mind; he was already focused on the auction house, now visible in the distance.
As he approached the Borin Auction House, he noted its imposing façade. The building was an intricately designed structure, a blend of ancient architecture and modern embellishments. Dark windows glimmered with magical wards, and a heavy aura of secrecy surrounded it. He needed to be stealthy; the last thing he wanted was to alert the guards.