NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31: Water Glaze
In the Dark Continent, hope and disaster always went hand in hand. The Five Great Calamities were prime examples—like Ai, the gas lifeform that drove people insane, which just so happened to inhabit areas rich in "trinity elixir," a liquid with incredible properties. Or the swamp region, home to Nitro Rice, an ultimate food that could extend one's lifespan—if one could get past the Hell Bell Rattlesnakes that lurked within. There was a saying: "When you find 'hope' in the Dark Continent, don't celebrate—because disaster is right behind it."
As they chatted, the group arrived at the rumored location of the Water Glaze deep within the Solvren Ruins. "So this is the secret of the Solvren Ruins?"
Larry exhaled softly, gazing at the massive cave ahead. A small hill sat in front of them, with a towering cave entrance about two stories high. From its dark depths, thick streams of Death Aura flowed like sewage, continuously spilling into the ruins.
Yet, as they stepped inside, the scene completely changed. From the outside, the cave had seemed pitch black. But inside, it was surprisingly bright. The source of this light? Vines.
Countless vines covered the walls like parasites, glowing faintly with a soft green fluorescence. They wove together so densely that not a single patch of the stone walls beneath them was visible. Larry furrowed his brows slightly and pointed at the vines. "Is this the Water Glaze?" He couldn't hide his disappointment.
Sure, the vines were pretty, but they were far from the legendary Water Glaze he had imagined. Piyon , however, quickly shook her head. "No, these aren't the real Water Glaze. They're defective." She pulled out her signature pink rabbit-ear phone, snapped a few pictures of the vines, and began typing rapidly. A few moments later, she had the answer.
"Water Glaze absorbs sulfur compounds, which strip away anthocyanins, giving it a mineral-like transparency," she explained. "These vines didn't absorb the compounds properly, so they're stuck halfway between green and clear. In short, they're flawed. They might sell for a good price, but they're nowhere near as valuable as the real thing."
Larry recalled what he knew about Water Glaze from the original records. If the real thing existed, it had to be deeper inside. The further in they went, the closer they'd get to the volcano's core—where sulfur compounds should be more concentrated. That meant their chances of finding the real Water Glaze were much higher.
Piyon and Satotz agreed with his reasoning, and without hesitation, they pressed forward. As they walked, Larry carefully observed the walls, hoping to find murals or inscriptions like the ones in the Karym Ruins. But there was nothing. No writings. No carvings. Just endless twisted vines.
Sensing Larry's unspoken questions, Piyon took the initiative to explain. "The Solvren Ruins aren't like the Karym Ruins. They don't have a deep history or a kingdom's legacy. They're just remnants of small tribes that existed long ago—nothing particularly unique." She gestured toward the lingering Death Aura around them. "These probably formed by accident. It might be related to the old customs of these tribes. In ancient times, many primitive tribes had brutal traditions—like human sacrifices. They believed offering lives to the heavens would bring peace."
Larry listened carefully, slowly piecing everything together. The Karym Ruins were a rare case. Even among the Six Continents, it were one of a kind. That's why people called it the 'Land of Death.'
"Geng Ar! Geng Ar!" Gengar's cheerful voice suddenly echoed ahead. The purple ghost had been busy devouring the Death Aura as if it were a snack, patting its round belly in satisfaction.
Piyon tilted his head in curiosity, brushing back his golden hair as she smiled. "What did it just say?"
Larry smirked slightly. "Gengar said the Death Aura here is way weaker than the Karym Ruins. It's not satisfied."
"Huh?" Piyon blinked in shock. Most people were terrified of Death Aura. She had never heard of someone complaining that it wasn't strong enough. Then again... Thinking about what Larry had told them earlier—that Gengar could grow by consuming Death Aura—she reluctantly accepted it.
Time passed they finally reach deep in to the ruin. For the first time in history, people had finally set foot in this place. The cave was exactly what Larry, Piyon , and Satotz had expected—scattered with old bottles, jars, and bizarre-looking jewelry. Given that this area had once been home to a tribe, most of the treasures were antiques rather than anything particularly powerful.
Though it didn't hold a candle to the Karym Ruins, the items here were still likely worth a fortune. However, none of those relics caught their attention as much as what lay in front of them. On the wall ahead, four crystal-clear vines stood out like divine ornaments. The moment Piyon spotted them, she whipped out her pink rabbit-ear phone, furiously snapping pictures. The rapid sound of keystrokes filled the air as she processed the information.
Larry, on the other hand, wasn't about to wait. He activated his ability to analyze it directly.
***
Water Glaze
Formed from incredibly resilient vines growing deep within the Volcano. Over time, these vines absorb sulfur compounds, stripping away their anthocyanins and eventually becoming completely transparent..
***
'Bingo. 'This time, it was the real thing. Larry glanced over at Piyon , whose fingers were still flying across her phone at an insane speed. He couldn't help but think—any writer back on his home planet would kill for that kind of hand speed.
A few moments later, Piyon hit the final button with a dramatic flourish and exhaled deeply before turning to them with an excited gleam in her eyes. "This is the real deal! We actually found genuine Water Glaze!"
Larry remained calm, but Satotz let out a breath of relief. If a member of the Zodiacs personally confirmed the authenticity, there was no room for doubt. Without hesitation, the three moved closer, eager to get a better look. None of them even spared a glance at the piles of treasures and antiques surrounding them. Why would they? Even a single piece of medium-length Water Glaze was worth more than everything else in the room combined.
From a distance, Larry had already found Water Glaze to be stunning. But now that he was up close, he finally grasped its true beauty. Though it grew from the wall, it was distinct from the semi-finished vines they had encountered earlier. Instead of being tangled into the stone like a parasite, Water Glaze appeared to merely rest against the surface, as if it could be plucked away with a gentle touch.
Dark green rings coiled around its transparent length, resembling the spirals of creeping vines—an elegant contrast that only enhanced its allure. It was crystal-clear, yet somehow richer than mere glass, like solidified amber that would shatter at the slightest touch. Even in the dim cave, it shimmered like a gemstone, radiating an ethereal glow. Compared to the treasures beside it, the difference was night and day. Like the full moon against a flickering candle—there was simply no comparison. "This is one of the Seven Beauties of the World..." Larry muttered in awe, his voice barely above a whisper. "I wonder what the other six look like?"