NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25: Chapter 25
Two odd months had passed.
On the rugged path leading to Jersha Province, a sturdily built black horse cantered forward, its hooves kicking up a thin trail of dust. Atop the horse sat a black-robed man, his features obscured by the hood of his cloak, yet his brown hair peeked out occasionally as the wind played with it.
This was naturally Leylin.
Ever since his departure from the ruins, he had made steady progress, stopping at various Magi gathering points and small trading sites along the way. Here, he sold the enchanted runes he had crafted, always careful to limit his sales to avoid drawing the avarice of stronger Magi. The occasional fool, usually an overconfident acolyte, would try to waylay him, but they were no match for his strength.
The most dangerous encounter had been with a group led by a Level 3 acolyte who thought sheer numbers could overpower him. But Leylin had merely activated his magic ring, casting a hastening spell and retreating before they could react.
Through these trades, he acquired numerous precious materials—ingredients for his research, books on specialized Magi knowledge, and components for his experiments. He made significant advancements in his study of engraving crossblades, perfecting the application of rune magic on weapons. Most importantly, he had finally mastered the Shadow and Dark Element spell models he had purchased earlier.
A stroke of luck had also allowed him to obtain the blood of a Two-Headed Leopard. The creature's spiritual force was equivalent to that of a Level 3 Acolyte, making it a valuable catalyst for his development. Though expensive, the blood had greatly accelerated his growth, saving him nearly half a year's worth of meditation. His spiritual force now hovered around five—a remarkable increase in such a short time.
'I've gathered a good amount of funds. It should be enough to purchase materials, rare blood, and cover other expenses.'
Leylin absentmindedly felt the weight of the pouch hidden within his robes. His wealth had grown considerably, yet he was far from satisfied.
'I'll sell my excess runes in the Ellinel Market and see if anything catches my interest.'
His destination, Jersha Province, was a central hub within the Poolfield Kingdom. It was home to numerous small Magus families and a gathering point for wandering Magi. Among them were criminals, exiled scholars, and war fugitives—individuals cast out by their factions or placed on bounty lists. Dangerous individuals lurked in every shadow.
Most importantly, Jersha housed the largest Magus market in the kingdom, controlled by the Redbud Family—one of the three major families supporting the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy.
'The market is bound to have the latest news. With the academy at war, I need to stay informed.'
He had made discreet inquiries during his journey, but information on the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy was scarce. He knew only that the academy was engaged in a conflict with factions to the west, yet the identity of its opponents and the war's progress remained shrouded in uncertainty.
'For now, I should focus on trading. Information will come in due time.'
Leylin arrived at a tiny, decrepit village situated by a ruined wharf. It was hard to believe that the first Magus market in the Poolfield Kingdom lay hidden beneath such an unassuming settlement.
The atmosphere was lifeless. The villagers, sickly and gaunt, shuffled through their routines with vacant expressions. Some bore strange lesions on their skin—a clear sign of prolonged exposure to radiation.
'The Magus market should be underground. Traces of occasional radiation suggest its presence. These villagers are slowly being poisoned. In another decade, this place will be a ghost town.'
It was an inevitable fate. Without a cleansing tower or Magus intervention, normal humans could not withstand magical contamination.
Leylin adjusted his gray robes, pulling the hood lower over his face. He approached a brick hut at the village's edge and knocked lightly on the corroded wooden door.
A moment later, an icy voice sounded from within.
"Who are you?"
"A wandering acolyte."
Click!
The door creaked open, revealing a black-robed figure standing in the dimly lit interior.
Leylin immediately sensed the murderous aura emanating from the man. It was a subtle but unmistakable sensation, one that could only belong to a seasoned killer—someone who had slain many of their own kind.
'Even the guards are formidable. As expected of a large market.'
The figure was a Level 3 Acolyte, and judging by his presence, he likely carried a one-time-use magical item.
"No matter if it's your first visit or not, I will enumerate the rules," the guard said coldly. "Any conflict within the market will be considered a direct provocation against the Redbud Family."
Leylin's gaze flickered toward the emblem stitched on the man's sleeve—a crimson bud against a black backdrop.
'So the Redbud Family enforces order here. That means trade should be relatively safe, at least on the surface.'
"Entry fee: one magic crystal."
Leylin handed over a single crystal without hesitation. The guard tapped the fireplace behind him, triggering a hidden mechanism. A deep rumbling echoed through the hut as the fireplace swung open, revealing a flight of stairs descending into darkness.
'Even their design resembles the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy.'
Leylin stepped through the opening. The moment he did, the fireplace sealed shut behind him, restoring the illusion of an ordinary hut.
The tunnel was dimly illuminated by flickering lamps. The further he descended, the colder the air became.
After several meters, the passage opened into a vast underground cavern. The sheer size of the market surprised Leylin—it spanned the equivalent of multiple football fields.
The ceiling was lined with stalactites, some of which glowed faintly, providing a ghostly luminescence. Rows of stone buildings stood at the center, their gray walls marked with various sigils and runes. Surrounding these structures were wooden huts and sparse street stalls.
The market was alive with movement. Magi and acolytes of various ranks moved through the space, their robes indicating their allegiances.
Leylin quickly recognized a pattern.
White robes signified those specializing in healing and supportive arts—more peaceful practitioners.
Black robes were worn by combat-oriented Magi—individuals known for their ruthlessness and power.
Gray robes, like Leylin's own, were standard for acolytes.
Beyond these, there were Magi adorned in strange and exotic garments—some wrapped in shimmering silks, others in layered beast hides. A few wore intricate masks, hiding their identities completely.
Leylin's gaze swept across the market, taking in the shops displaying alchemical goods, enchanted tools, and rare ingredients. Some stalls boasted vials of strange fluids, bubbling under stasis spells, while others presented neatly stacked piles of monster cores and crystallized mana stones.
He noted a few Magi engaged in hushed negotiations. The way they exchanged coded phrases suggested illicit dealings—perhaps smuggled goods or even human experimentation materials.
'This place has everything... But first, I need to sell my runes and gather information.'
He approached a modest-looking stall displaying enchanted scrolls and rune-inscribed stones. Behind the counter sat an elderly man with long, silver hair and piercing green eyes.
"Welcome, traveler," the old man said, his voice smooth yet calculating. "Are you here to buy... or to sell?"
Leylin reached into his robe, pulling out a small bundle of rune-etched parchment.
"I have something you might find interesting."
The old man's eyes glinted with curiosity.
Leylin smirked.