Extraordinary Voyage

Aiven rubbed his hands, eagerly anticipating that this unexpected enemy might bring him an equally unexpected bounty. It seemed that a guy controlled by a parasite could hardly be the type to quietly remain a "faithful leader" of a gang.

Even without a guide from the treasure owner, it merely took Aiven a little extra effort to find the treasure's location. Just like the previous two bases, it was unsurprisingly located in the gang leader's room.

Opening the secret door disguised as an oil painting.

Surprise!

"This guy is indeed not honest, but... I like it!"

Gazing at the treasure chamber, which appeared small at the entrance but was actually vast within, besides the thick IOUs from lending at high interest, there were dazzling jewels and gold tickets, gold and silver coins, and at least dozens of various potions.

Aiven grinned from ear to ear, looking comically out of character with his current stern heroic thief "Zorro" image, resembling more a rat in a rice bin.

Aiven couldn't help but be delighted, as the unique potion he seized from the first "Blood Hand Gang" base had long been identified by him.

It was a unique system different from traditional pharmacy or Magic Potion, directly rooted in human life force to exert its effects. Aiven suspected it might be a byproduct of the evil sacrificial rituals conducted by the "Blood Hand Gang."

These had all sorts of miraculous effects, maintaining appearance, exuding charm, rapid regeneration, life purification, etc. The key point was they could be used directly by ordinary people with no side effects.

Moreover, Aiven also learned from the upper ranks of these bases that amongst these potions, named by the Blood Hand Gang as "Bloody Potion," there was one celebrated as "Immaculate Holy Blood," which incredibly boasted the effect of restoring human functions, thus indirectly extending life.

This was enough to drive anyone crazy!

Though this potion was only useful for ordinary people and low-level extraordinaries, and the range wasn't massive, it was already astonishing enough.

Aiven speculated that this might be the primary reason why despite their heinous deeds, the Blood Hand Gang hadn't attracted the official and church persecutions!

It had a normal effect on middle-aged people, but for old noble individuals, it was of irresistible allure. The protectors behind the "Blood Hand Gang" would never allow such a wondrous potion to be out of supply!

Besides the "Immaculate Holy Blood," even the ordinary kinds of "Bloody Potion," due to their almost zero threshold and side effects, were in huge demand and highly valuable on the black market.

This good stuff was something the protectors wanted, and Aiven wanted too.

But knowing the Blood Hand Gang wouldn't provide it, he had to take it himself...

Continuing to dig happily like a merry prairie dog into others' treasure troves.

"Aha, look at what I found?!"

The special gang leader indeed didn't disappoint him.

At the innermost part of the treasure chamber, Aiven found a gold-inlaid walnut box containing a single bottle of potion that was as dazzling as a brilliant sunset.

Although it had no label, Aiven had a hunch that this bottle must be the legendary "Immaculate Holy Blood!"

"Haha, I've struck rich!"

Not to mention the already valuable previous gains, if Aiven wished to sell just this bottle of "Immaculate Holy Blood," it would snatch up in a moment even if priced at two thousand gold coins.

However, although Aiven wouldn't use it himself, it would be a shame if such a treasure was only exchanged for gold coins.

Intending to admire the beautiful potion, he took it out, and the inner lining of the box also fell alongside. It was a soft, smooth leather surface, engraved with striking red text and symbols.

"What is this?"

The piece of leather immediately caught Aiven's attention, setting aside the "Immaculate Holy Blood" he previously adored, he carefully examined the characters on the leather.

"Witchcraft: Vigoration..."

Reciting the Spiritual Text word by word, the joy on Aiven's face almost overflowed.

"A Witchcraft Manual? This guy is utterly wasteful, using something like this as a potion box lining?!"

Aiven almost desired to drag up the guy who had turned to ashes, sucked dry by the parasite like kindling, and whip his corpse once more.

Even searching throughout the entire "Shadow Library," such direct power-bestowing knowledge of sorcery could be counted on fingers.

In the eyes of wizards, this inconspicuous piece of leather was more precious than all his "Crimson Potions" combined here, including that bottle of "Immaculate Holy Blood."

This guy epitomized the tale of buying the case but returning the pearl!

With a rough interpretation, Aiven came to understand.

This witchcraft 'Vigoration' belonged to neutral witchcraft, originating from the oldest witchcraft traditions, and could relate to the ancient Shaman systems. Whether to inspire the courage of warriors or to save severely injured individuals, these skills were of high utility and cost-effectiveness!

Previously, the minor spells Aiven acquired from Tru's memory or the sporadic gains from the "Shadow Library" couldn't compare with "Vigoration." It was not an exaggeration to say it was the biggest gain of the night.

After all, as a young Aiven himself, he never planned to try the "Immaculate Holy Blood," potentially made from live humans. Fortifying his quest on the wizard path with Extraordinary Knowledge was his true foundation.

The returns far exceeded expectations.

Aiven quickly gathered his spoils, burned the lending IOUs with a fire. Like before, he waved goodbye, hiding his accomplishments and name, carrying a large bag, disappearing into the city's intricate streets.

Aiven's destination wasn't the Navy Academy but a house he specially rented in the suburbs for today's action.

Otherwise, taking back so many spoils would be hard to explain the origin and would increase the risk of exposure. Although not afraid of the "Blood Hand Gang's" subsequent tracking methods, Aiven also didn't want to invite trouble without reason.

Aiven moved swiftly, carefully choosing unpopulated alleyways, occasionally using others' yard walls and roofs. At his level now, the terrain seldom confined his steps.

"Toot... toot..."

Suddenly, rhythmic warning sounds reached Aiven's ears. It was Owl Bass sending a real-time signal after spotting an abnormal situation.

In reality, not even the Sea Bird scouts could conduct unbroken, round-the-clock reconnaissance, and shipping magic and resources in non-combat states would waste got a cost. Aiven had selectively activated a limited-range image now.

With Bass's growing intelligence, it already differentiated emergency, vital, dangerous, abnormal situations, giving corresponding alerts to Aiven.

Focusing, the image from Bass already unfolded in Aiven's mind.

The moonlight was bleak.

Bang—

Bang—

Seven alleys away from Aiven, in the outskirts' industrial district, a pale-faced youth with sunken dark eyes, wearing a shirt and suspenders, desperately wielded a heavy forging hammer, grinning maniacally, striking at a heap of crimson "muck" rendered shapeless.

Besides, there were two worker-like men scrambling to flee in the opposite direction.

But they staggered like drunks, barely making it a few meters despite exerting all efforts, swaying even after a few steps as if something gravely affected their sense of direction.

"Such... brutality?!" he muttered with mouth slightly agape.

Through the eyes of a sea bird, the bloody, frenzied murder scene revealed completely to Aiven.